Please Recommend a First-Time Defensive Pistol

[vaupet]

For a beginner and not wanting to shoot very much, I would say take a revolver and don't let you talk into heavy caliber, a 38 sp would do just fine (limited recoil and blast-flash)

A nice article is to be found on the next link:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_home_defense.htm

If you are realy set on pistols, get some instruction, go get some test shooting with rented guns or borrowed one's, don't choose a pistol, let the pistol choose you.

greetz

Peter

 

[Ben86]

S&W Model 36 Snubbie................Great Gun for begginners as well.

Snubbies are not the easiest guns to shoot, I wouldn't recommend them to beginners.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Hey a self defence gun isnt a "toy" its a tool actually im quite serious.

Even though you cant afford much you deserve the best you can afford. You have two daughters and a girlfriend to look after and protect right? A good gun is no more unreasonable they buying quality brakes or tires for your car. All three can save your life some day.

+1 slabuda!

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Under $200, you're pretty much limited to a PA-63 (9x18mm Mak), Hi-Point (your choice of caliber), or a find a GOOD deal on a used Bersa Thunder (9x19mm Luger), used Taurus/Rossi/Charter Arms .38 Spl snubbie, used Star Firestar (9x19mm Luger), or a used Makarov (.380 auto or 9x18 Mak).


You are NOT gonna find a S&W .38 under $200.

Honestly, on that budget, I'd snag the PA-63 - it's ergo, fairly light, reasonably functional, much smaller and better than a Hi Point, and shoots a moderately powerful round (9x18). Only drawback is the ammo is slightly more scarce/expensive than the other more common ones in the same family (.38 special, .380 auto, and 9x19mm).

EDIT: Know whut, you also might be able to find a used Kel Tec P11 9x19mm under $200 if you search around - if you can, that'd be my choice. I don't think there's any way you'd find a PF-9 under $200, so it's outside the realm of the given criteria.

 

[smallbore]

SR9. .If the prices are steep in your area, why not come on over to NH and buy one. No sales tax and decent prices.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Used Smith and Wesson Sigma, maybe.