Quality semi auto on a small budget, advice wanted.

Hello everyone. I am new to guns and I am learning what I can from reading. I am looking for my first handgun for legal concealed carry, home defense in an apartment, and fun practicing at the range. A Glock is nice but they start at $500. I am looking in to the total over all cost to own and shoot the gun. It seems that the 9mm is a good over all round for edc and a newbie. I have around $500 total to play with, $50 of it will be for my ccw permit. That leaves $450 for gun, holster, etc. in my price range, what should I be looking at? Ruger LC9, S&W sd9 ve, Taurus milinium pro, etc? I know there are better guns out there such as a Sig or HK, but they are over budget. The goal here is edc and practice at the range, not to win a shooting contest. Thanks for the advice in helping me narrow down the choices for my first firearm.

As I raved about in another post, I love my CZ75 P-07 Duty that I've had for about 90 days now. You should be able to pick one up for $380-$430 or so I would think.


Well, maybe $380 might be a bit low after looking over at gunbroker..........

The Taurus PT-111 is a decent gun but if you keep your eye out for a used Glock 19 (usually a Police trade-in) you can find one just as cheap as a new Taurus.

I would keep my eye out for a used S&W of Glock semi auto in 9mm, search Gun Broker

Beretta Nano. Can be had for high 3's to low 4's and I enjoy mine.

Uncertain whether you have any maximum size/weight limits on the gun, but here's a search tool that can help narrow the choices a bit, at least for currently-available guns: Genitron Handgun Database.

Smith & Wesson built one heck of a good series of guns with their third-generation 3900, 5900 and 6900 pistols. Their second-gen pistols were also fairly well regarded. While no longer currently produced, there are a lot of them out there. They were good enough for police agencies around the country. And you can pick them up, pre-owned, for a "song" (relatively speaking), particularly when compared to the NIB pricing on many current guns. Example: S&W 3953 9mm DAO, ~$400; S&W 6904 9mm, ~$340; list of older S&W pistols (2G, 3G) @ World.Guns.ru, listing a variety of 9mm, .40S&W and .45ACP alternatives.

Check out the Bersa Thunder Ultra Compact Pro, as well. Given your budget, it might well be one of the better NIB options for you.

My personal recommendation would be for any of the CZ pistols (75, 75 Compact D PCR, P-01, P-06, P-07, 2075 RAMI). Extremely reliable, durable, well-made. The RAMI is reasonably concealable.

Don't over look SIG 250 compact. On sale at Academy for 399 now.

I think you may have been a little quick to rule out Glock on price. We have a couple of Glock 26's, both of which were acquired for about $450. Regardless of what you choose, be sure to read many reviews when you start to narrow your field as some makes and models have reputations for quality troubles and can be hit or miss. If you are lucky enough to get one that works great, your good to go, but you can also get one that is a lemon.

Used Hand Guns

On a budget, looking at new guns seems unnecessary - you mentioned Glock in your first post. Above is a link for some used ones - there are plenty more out there.

Austin

Aint noyhing wrong with the Ruger , check out the Kahr line as well

Kahr CM9. In your price range, accurate (even at longer distances), reliable (not one problem from first round), highly concealable, various holsters available, great construction (Kahrs have an excellent reputation among most), +P capable (shoots everything I have fed it-no failures), and carries 6+1 in mag included with pistol. Just my opinion, good luck.

Kahr or Ruger are in your price range if you want to buy new.

Glocks can be found used.

I would avoid Taurus and Kel-Tec. That is my personal opinion based on first hand experience with both.

Keep in mind that the purchase price of the handgun will soon be over shadowed by the cost of ammo required to become proficent.

Kel Tec PF9 is a bargain. $275, 9mm, easily concealable.

One of the reasons I am looking at the 9mm is the ammo cost over something like the 45acp. I want a quality self defense gun but also want to be able to afford to shoot it to stay in practice. LOL :)

There are many optios, but id stay away from the LC9 if you want to have any fun at the range. I have an XD for my ccw, but for a budget ccw and plinker check out SCCY CPX-2. Around $300 and American made.