SA or SA/DA in .40 for $500.

[Macchina]

I've been planning on getting my first handgun soon, and the money will be avalible to me in a couple months. I won't have much ($500 would be nice), and this will probally be my only gun purchase for the next 5 years or so (it has to be very durable). I want a gun that I will be primarilly shooting at the range, so accuracy is my number one criteria. I also plan on locking it up under my bed for those bumps in the night, and possibly CCW down the road. I have shot a few pistols before (HK USP, Glocks, .22's, and .44 revolvers), but this will be the gun I really LEARN how to shoot on. As I said, I want the option of SA (SA/DA is of course good), and just SA will do as well. I don't want a 1911. I've been coveting the Sig P229 lately, but it is a bit out of my price range. I also like the CZ handguns, but their .40 selection seems thin (can you get a P01 in .40?). I also like the Beretta Cougar 8000G, but heard they don't quite have the quality/reliabilty. I don't know how I feel about polymer, but I'd give it a try. I want an accurate, reliable .40 in SA or SA/DA that is really well built for $500. If I'm missing a great gun in .45, I may look into that as well.

 

[timmyb21]

It would be possible to find a p229 CPO (certified pre-owned if you didn't know) for about $500 if you look hard enough. I've heard nothing but good things from people who bought them, factory reconditioned.

 

[Macchina]

What kind of condition is "factory reconditioned"? A P229 does sound awfully nice. Do you know what parts they replace?

 

[jaysouth]

You could get a Smith 4006 trade-in for around $300. The main problem with these guns is that you just can't wear one out. Betcha you can't outshoot it either.

www.cdnninvestments.com
www.summitgunbroker.com

 

[Lonestar49]

You can't lose

Quote: What kind of condition is "factory reconditioned"? A P229 does sound awfully nice. Do you know what parts they replace?
-------------------

First, you can get either a 9mm or 40cal in the P229 Carry, and either gun will make you one happy person, that I have no doubts about.

As I understand it, a complete factory refurbished gun, gets all new springs, coil, finish of the barrel, most anything they (being purist) deem needs fixing.

Basically, a new gun.

You can further your question in this forum section, and look back on page 2, for Sigs: by 1Blindref, as it is a dedicated thread for Sig owners, and your quesiton/s will be answered in-full there.



LS

 

[10-Ring]

Seems to me that if you're looking for SA & or DA/SA, the HK USP is the answer...mine have been fantastic since day one & recommend them highly to anyone listening.
How much experience do you have w/ pistols? You mention you will be learning on this firearm. I would recommend 9mm for its more economical ammo so you can increase your trigger time -- esp w/ recent ammo price increases.

 

[Chem Geek]

I would also recommend 9mm for a first pistol, but if you really want a .40, get a .40! I'd also recommend the P229 CPO. I've been incredibly satisfied with my 226 Navy and would definately recommend Sigs. Plus the P229 I got to try out felt great.

 

[Autolycus]

I would save up a few extra dollars if you really want the Sig.

 

[wes]

If you are worried about accuracy, one thing to consider is that a da/sa pistol has two trigger pulls to get used to. Don't discount glocks or sw or springfield xd's before you try one. They have quasi-da trigger but it's the same every time, and nothing near a da revolver. It's not impossible to master a da/sa trigger, just harder.

 

[copaup]

For that price, look around for a CPO 229 or 226. I recently let a handful of CPO Sigs slip through my greedy fingers at my local shop. They had a 220, a 226, and a 229 all priced at 499. The 226 was a police trade in that had had the police markings milled off the slide (UGLY!!!) but the others were very nice.

There are also a lot of police trade in Smith and Wesson pistols at the various distributors right now. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a mechanically sound 3rd generation Smith with a bit of holster wear in your price range (well under it actually).

New for 500 is going to be tough unless you are willing to try out the striker fired polymer guns like the Glock, XD, or the new Smith M&P. Both the Glock and XD are solid guns and a lot of people like the M&P, it just doesn't have a long enough track record for me to recomend it yet.

If it was me, I'd get either a Glock 23 or a lightly used or CPO 229. The Glock trigger isn't a 1911, and it takes a little getting used to, but I shoot it better than any of my double action autos.

If you were looking for 9mm, I would point you at the CZ-75 in a second. Great guns at a great price. The P01 is also nice and a bit more compact for carry.

 

[kludge]

XD-40.

Love mine. I consider it a single action.

Not quite as accurate as my S&W 411 (DA/SA), but I don't like the safety (impossible to manipulate under stress).

It might be for sale.

 

[lee n. field]

XD-40.

Ditto.

 

[rellascout]

Check out the FN/BHP in 40. $400 at CDNN.

 

[mister_wilburn]

Xd-40, I have one with a 5" barrel. Its one tough weapon. Rust has never been an issue, ever. Takedown is simple, cleaning is easy, and as it was said before the trigger pull is the same every time. That might not sound like much, but its convienent because you know what to expect each time, and that all so important first shot will be the same, not a much heavier pull of the trigger. I dont even notice the safeties under stress, they just work and stay out of the way. I looked at a few others, but teaching the wife to shoot, and manipulate safeties/decockers, well the XD is just much easier to teach/learn. I would recommend it. Start with a 9mm, less recoil and hydrashock works.

 

[briansp82593]

beretta 96 or px4
heres a little something

 

[Macchina]

What do you guys think of the S&W 4006, 410? And what is the difference between the two.

 

[kludge]

I have a 411 (same thing as a 410, S&W changed the model number to 410 when they changed to a 10 rd. magazine, but now you can get them with the 11 rd mag again)

The only thing I dont like is the safety.