Looking for a Low cost HD and possibly CCW Hand gun.

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johnsack2001

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Jan 27, 2011
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Eureka, CA
Currently I am looking for something a bit more respectable than my "Frying Pan" (The name my wife gave to my Hi-Point) but with out having to save 3 or 4 pay checks. I have been looking at replacing it since I got it about 2 years ago. Not because it is unreliable but because the one time anyone I knew saw me at the range they almost took their foot off laughing.

Currently I have been looking at the following all the prices do include California sales tax shipping and DROS.

Ruger LC9 9mm $410
Bersa thunder 380 $360
S&W 9VE or 40VE $480
Ruger p97 45acp $380
Accu-Tek AT-380 II $305

Please do not suggest Glocks or specialty calibers. I just do not like the Glock "style" for lack of a better term. And I don't want to be made to order ammo online. I like to buy my ammo the day I go out to practice not dragging my locking ammo case with me.
 
I realize prices are regional, but the S&W Sigma, in my area, is usually around $300ish and the Ruger P97 has been out of production for several years and I would think that pistol is also over priced by a bit. However, I'd be more willing to pay $380 for a lightly used P97 than $480 for a new Sigma which seems way out of line to me. Both have a pretty good reputation for reliability.

.45 ACP will be more expensive than the other calibers, so you may want to think about that if you are pinching penny's right now.
 
AH I forgot to note the Ruger p97 and the bersa 380 were both local. :eek: I had thought about the Sigma and the M&P but they really felt like tuned up Glocks. (No offence to anyone who owns or would like to own one) :neener: plus the only ones I could find locally (Eureka, ca) were in the range of $575-600 before Dros and tax. :cuss:
 
If you are satisfied with the Hi-Point, I surely wouldn't give a hoot what the range snobs said.

If want want HD/CCW then Kel Tec PF9, P11 or P3AT are fine pistols and under $300, maybe $250.

The Ruger P-series are excellant values, under $300/9mm, more for the .45ACP, but they are less CCW, more HD/Range guns. I CCW my P95, but prefer my P3AT on most days.

The Bersa Thunder is a great pistol and should be about $275.00 new.

There are many options, shop around locally and using the net.
 
johnsack2001 said:
Currently I am looking for something a bit more respectable than my "Frying Pan" (The name my wife gave to my Hi-Point) but with out having to save 3 or 4 pay checks. I have been looking at replacing it since I got it about 2 years ago. Not because it is unreliable but because the one time anyone I knew saw me at the range they almost took their foot off laughing.
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First of all for any firearm that is reliable and you are comfortable with, I wouldn't pay attention to how other people think it looks. Since you have been looking to replace it, and I'm assuming that you have a 9mm and already have some 9mm ammunition, I'd go with the S&W 9VE or Ruger LC9 from your list.

Are these actual gun shop prices or are they MSRP prices that you've checked over the internet? Since you're thinking about the LC9, check out the Kel-Tec PF-9 as well. In general it's a similar gun at a slightly lower price.
 
I had originally looked into the Kel-Tec HGs for a budget "Tool box" gun but I live in California and they do not like Kel-Tec At All

And the Hi-Point while concealable despite my smaller frame (5'7" about 150 lbs) It is Very heavy despite HPs specs stating it only weighs 29oz mine comes in at 33.2oz empty and it seems like I cannot find any parts or "upgrades" for it. I was lucky to find a Fobus holster for it but I have to go through HP to get parts at all and I have to wait about 8 days to get them. like the last time I put +P+ rounds through it and bent the firing pin and sheared the extractor.
 
I like the look of that SR9c especially the fact it has a manual safety. I just wish California could show pictures of the legal versions of the models. :cuss:
 
One odd thing I noticed while looking around here for a decent gun is the 9mm and the 45 are about the same price for a box of ammo. While the 380 and 40 are slightly more and the 10mm and the 357 sig are far more expensive.
 
Since you mentioned you live in california, Id opt for something that was designed for only 10 rds from the get go, that way you're not paying a size penalty.

You're doing yourself a disservice by not considering the glock/m&p based on your stated requirements. They're cheap and they work. The sigmas are an especially great deal.
 
Another HG a friend brought up is a Walther P99 in .40 S&W that is sitting at a gun shop used for $499 with 3 spare mags. The shop owner says hes not sure how many rounds have been through it but at least 10k.
 
9mm & .45 ACP may be close for SD ammo. Range ammo is another story. 9mm is significantly cheaper. That's something to consider if you plan on a lot of fun/practice.
 
Well after looking for a bit and calling around locally I can only find 1 place that has a SR9 or even the c at all. Buds gun shop dot com. and to get that one without the second mag (the spare mag that ships is a 17rnd) will cost in the range of $510 not bad at all.
And also on the issue of ammo I still have a Cra* Ton of my "old" ammo from other guns from when we moved over from AZ. so I currently have SD loads for .45 ACP, 9MM, 380 auto, .38 spec, .357 magnum, .22 LR and mag, 410 shot, and a few .454 Casul.
 
I don't mean to be picky... wait yes I do! I don't want to just go grab the first HG I see for under $700. I am trying to be reasonable or else I would have forsaken my wife's low cost sticking point and grabbed the first Desert eagle .44 or Springfield XD 45 I could get my mitts on.

Edit: I don't want to come off like a child throwing a tantrum. I am on a gun forum after all and I am trying to get opinions from all walks of life. And as the old addage goes "Opinions are like A** Holes every-ones got them." Especially me.
 
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johnsack2001 wrote,
I had thought about the Sigma and the M&P but they really felt like tuned up Glocks.
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you also wrote,
Currently I have been looking at the following all the prices do include California sales tax shipping and DROS.

Ruger LC9 9mm $410
Bersa thunder 380 $360
S&W 9VE or 40VE $480
Ruger p97 45acp $380
Accu-Tek AT-380 II $305
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, the S&W 9VE or 40VE are the Sigma.
 
 
go over to rugerforum.net and carefully read the threads about the SR pistols/LC9s and ALL the issues theyre having with them. NO WAY id ever buy one.

the older P series are quality pistols. i wouldnt hesitate to buy a P95 if i wanted a budget 9mm
 
I recently saw 4" S&W Model 64's for sale online for $350. I was really tempted to buy one, but I'd just spent all my gun money for a while the week before. I don't remember if they were at CDNN or SouthernOhioGuns or J&G Sales.

I carry a heavy 4" K-frame revolver loaded with .38 Special +P (Ruger Security Six.) I believe a 64 would be the same thing but a little lighter and with a lot nicer trigger, and .38 Special only.
 
people dont seem to realize that Glocks arent about style, theyre about simplicity and function....if you want style, Taurus makes plenty of "pimped out" JUNK that i wouldnt trust to save my life. an unstylish Glock has never failed to go bang when i pulled the trigger.
 
Ruger LC9 9mm $410
Bersa thunder 380 $360
S&W 9VE or 40VE $480
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Those prices are ridiculous, well the Bersa might not be too high, but the Sigma is insane. Like, twice what they cost everywhere else. And it isn't a refined Glock, it's a Glock with a stainless slide and terrible trigger with an unfortunate hinge in the middle of it. They do have a nice feel to their grips though.

I don't know if they are California-legal, but CDNN and some other places have the S&W 5906 in the $300 range, those are superb pistols. A little heavy for carry, but then you've got the Hi-Point for that.

I'd also suggest keeping the Hi-Point, they are reliable, have a lifetime no questions asked warranty, and yours has never given you any problems. It may be an ugly little overweight bullet launcher, but you won't make anything off it so you might as well hang on to it.


Since you mentioned you live in california, Id opt for something that was designed for only 10 rds from the get go, that way you're not paying a size penalty.

You're doing yourself a disservice by not considering the glock/m&p based on your stated requirements. They're cheap and they work. The sigmas are an especially great deal.
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I agree 100% with this post, all of it. An M&P or Glock (which I like better myself) fits what you are looking for perfectly, and should cost the same as the Sigma you have listed at $500. They are better guns in a better caliber than many of the ones you have posted, and spare parts and holsters are ubiquitous for them. It would be a major mistake to exclude the Glock 19 or 26 from consideration because you 'don't like their style'.

It's a gun, not a dress.

I just wish California could show pictures of the legal versions of the models.
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What does this even mean? California-legal models should look exactly the same.
 
Welcome to THR! A wealth of experience and knowledge.

I'd recommend the following:

Sig Sauer P6. $400 at Wideners of Tennessee. Got one, it's fantastic. Thin profile (the same as a G19), great double and single action pistol, reliable and accurate. Fits the California approved 10 round magazine law. The Sig P6 has 8 round mags. Really an ideal pistol for carry where you are limited on mag capacity.

http://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=700|1012|1026

If it's just for home defense the SW 5906 is also a great gun. I was surprised at how nice it was. Grips were damaged, but that's a cheap fix.

If you like 1911s, pick up a Rock Island or similar $450 compact. I think they have 7 or 8 round mags stock, but you can get 10 round mags - If I were limited to mag capacity, I'd carry a .45.

No offense, but you seem both new-ish to guns and also stubborn.

Glocks, in my opinion, are the cats meow. There are many great guns out there, but Glocks just simply work. They are just pure simplicity. And they've been copied heavily by M&P, XD, Steyr, Sigma, etc. for a reason. Don't discount the awesome G23 (.40) or G19 (9x19). You may not like their "style" but there is a reason that they are soooo heavily favored for concealed carry, pistol competitions, etc. They are just awesome tools if you are serious about concealed carry or home defense. So, my advice is, don't rule out Glocks (or M&P, XD, Steyr, etc.) because you don't like their "style." I suspect respectfully you don't have enough experience and are basing your believe on Hollywood.

Also, if you're on a budget, I'd suggest buying ammo in bulk and online. Cuts the cost significantly.
 
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What does this even mean? California-legal models should look exactly the same.
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Unfortunately California seems to love separating HGs by even the smallest differences in some cases especially color or whether a given gun is left or right handed or even ambi.

I had not realized the 40VE was the sigma. :eek: We do have a shop locally that has the 40 but not the 9. The slides do seem to be a tad bit more comfortable. And the M&Ps Locally are in the $635-650 area after fees and taxes.

I wish I could find a S&W 5906, but no luck at any of my local shops nor on the 2 sites I trust and have dealt with before, Buds gun shop and midwest hunters outlet. I did find some on gunbroker but its so much like eBay and some of these guys only give you 3 days to look over the weapon before you can return it and others none. And with cali requiring a 10 day hold I would not get to shoot before I could return it. But they do come to only around $450.

I realized there may be some confusion. All the guns I list the prices on are INCLUDING: DROS, Tax, and Shipping. A fine example is the S&W 5906 it is $365 before fees on GR.
 
Oh and as for this:
A Hi-Point owner dissing a Glock's "style".........ROFLMAO!!!
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At least the HP is slightly rounded in profile and when I run out of my Cali legal 10 rounds I still have a very effective club that the maker will repair or replace while only charging me shipping there.

I do realize the Glock 30 is a fine example of a rounded Glock but even that is just the foward portion of the slide. My HP may resemble a common mason brick but to me that is more appealing than a Chock Block.
 
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