$500 - Page 2

stmcelroy · June 17th, 2009, 10:47 AM

S&W 642

Buy something that you will actually carry and not something that you may try carrying.

SubNine · June 17th, 2009, 10:52 AM

There are tons of choices out there, go down to a gun shop and handle as many pistols and revolvers as you can that fit within your budget. I think for 500 dollars, you'll find yourself looking at Rugers, some used Glocks and XDs, and other polymer framed handguns.

Since this will be your first handgun, I also might suggest you find a range that rents guns. I myself went through a very expensive process of finding the right carry gun for me, and finally settled on the Glock 19. There are no shooting ranges that rents guns in my area. You may also want to look into taking some sort of basic handgun class if you have never shot one before.

I might also advise against getting a small lightweight revolver for a first handgun, they can be difficult to shoot, but it probably will be something you'll carry more than a larger gun. I am willing to put up with the discomfort of carrying a gun. Carrying a gun is not supposed to be comfortable and it never has been for me, but it has been comforting. Find the right holster and belt, and you'll be set.

JimH58 · June 17th, 2009, 11:38 AM

First of all I am not a Glock fan, but yes they are reliable. There are many choices for that $500 price tag and you owe it to yourself to check out the field. I like S&W, Springfield, and Ruger. The Springfield XD40 subcompact I own will stack up against the Glock any time.

Stetson · June 17th, 2009, 12:12 PM

Go to a gun shop that offers a good selection and see what feels good in your hand if there's a range that rents pistols pick the top two or three you like,it's money well spent.Buy a good holster for pistol you pick it well make carrying
experience a positive outing.

Rigrat · June 17th, 2009, 12:36 PM

Just depends on what caliber you want to carry, what type firearm you like (revolver-semi), how you plan on carrying, ect.

In a 45 I'd suggest a RIA 1911. In a revolver though I have a Taurus 85UL myself I'd suggest one of the little Smith and Wesson revolvers. I have a Glock 26 and like it allot even though it is blocky it conceals well. But Glocks will generally run over the $500 mark.

Try to handle as many as you can before buying. Every ones preferences are different so its hard to say. So JMO on what I'd do.

llred · June 17th, 2009, 02:22 PM

you can get an SP 101 with that kind of money.

EdC · June 17th, 2009, 02:28 PM

While you're considering firearms, I recommend that you look into the "whole package" such as how you intend to carry it, and budget for an appropriate holster. Don't make the holster an afterthought. Will you want to carry an extra magazine, or speedloader if it's a revolver? I don't want to unduly complicate it for you, because you asked about a gun only, but it'll good to keep these things in mind while you're looking around.

zbock · June 17th, 2009, 02:31 PM

Glock 19
MP 9
Stoeger Cougar
Cz P07 - I wish I would've been able to buy this - it's got great dimensions, light weight, da/sa with a decock and carrys 16 rounds + 1 in the chamber.. Sweeet gun imo

CenCal · June 17th, 2009, 02:40 PM

Most good ranges will let you demo several guns if you commit to purchasing there.

My advice is set a couple pistols up on the shooting bench and without too much concentration or thought, just pickup a pistol and shoot. Then do the same with one of the other pistols on the bench.

You may find the pistol you thought you wanted, you didn't shoot as well as the pistol you almost completely dismissed.

inspyrd · June 17th, 2009, 02:54 PM

You should also consider the cost of a good holster and possibly a few spare mags to go along with that new gun.

My budget was about the same when I went shopping for my first handgun. I ended up purchasing a Reconditioned Sig Sauer P6 / P225 for $325.00, a Bianchi Evader Holster for $25.00 and two additional mags. I had enough left over to pay for my first trip to the range (ammo was considerably cheaper then).

June 17th, 2009, 10:47 AM	#11
stmcelroy Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington State Posts: 238	S&W 642 Buy something that you will actually carry and not something that you may try carrying. __________________ www.RKBAholsters.com Check it out for quality reasonably priced leather *Pocket Holsters*......

June 17th, 2009, 10:52 AM	#12
SubNine Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 1,642	There are tons of choices out there, go down to a gun shop and handle as many pistols and revolvers as you can that fit within your budget. I think for 500 dollars, you'll find yourself looking at Rugers, some used Glocks and XDs, and other polymer framed handguns. Since this will be your first handgun, I also might suggest you find a range that rents guns. I myself went through a very expensive process of finding the right carry gun for me, and finally settled on the Glock 19. There are no shooting ranges that rents guns in my area. You may also want to look into taking some sort of basic handgun class if you have never shot one before. I might also advise against getting a small lightweight revolver for a first handgun, they can be difficult to shoot, but it probably will be something you'll carry more than a larger gun. I am willing to put up with the discomfort of carrying a gun. Carrying a gun is not supposed to be comfortable and it never has been for me, but it has been comforting. Find the right holster and belt, and you'll be set. __________________ USMC rule # 23 of gunfighting: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet. Check out blog reviews of the guns I own at, http://www.myspace.com/akgunnut

June 17th, 2009, 11:38 AM	#13
JimH58 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 300	First of all I am not a Glock fan, but yes they are reliable. There are many choices for that $500 price tag and you owe it to yourself to check out the field. I like S&W, Springfield, and Ruger. The Springfield XD40 subcompact I own will stack up against the Glock any time. __________________ JimH Kentucky ****************************** S&W 442, Bersa 380, S&W 9mm M&P, Springfield XD40c ****************************** Member: NRA, USCCA

June 17th, 2009, 02:40 PM	#19
CenCal Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central California Posts: 191	Demo as many as you can Most good ranges will let you demo several guns if you commit to purchasing there. My advice is set a couple pistols up on the shooting bench and without too much concentration or thought, just pickup a pistol and shoot. Then do the same with one of the other pistols on the bench. You may find the pistol you thought you wanted, you didn't shoot as well as the pistol you almost completely dismissed.

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June 17th, 2009, 12:12 PM	#14
Stetson Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Augusta,Maine Posts: 1,151	Go to a gun shop that offers a good selection and see what feels good in your hand if there's a range that rents pistols pick the top two or three you like,it's money well spent.Buy a good holster for pistol you pick it well make carrying experience a positive outing.

June 17th, 2009, 12:36 PM	#15
Rigrat Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: South Posts: 196	Just depends on what caliber you want to carry, what type firearm you like (revolver-semi), how you plan on carrying, ect. In a 45 I'd suggest a RIA 1911. In a revolver though I have a Taurus 85UL myself I'd suggest one of the little Smith and Wesson revolvers. I have a Glock 26 and like it allot even though it is blocky it conceals well. But Glocks will generally run over the $500 mark. Try to handle as many as you can before buying. Every ones preferences are different so its hard to say. So JMO on what I'd do.

June 17th, 2009, 02:22 PM	#16
llred Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 278	you can get an SP 101 with that kind of money.

June 17th, 2009, 02:28 PM	#17
EdC Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Speedway, Indiana Posts: 123	While you're considering firearms, I recommend that you look into the "whole package" such as how you intend to carry it, and budget for an appropriate holster. Don't make the holster an afterthought. Will you want to carry an extra magazine, or speedloader if it's a revolver? I don't want to unduly complicate it for you, because you asked about a gun only, but it'll good to keep these things in mind while you're looking around.

June 17th, 2009, 02:31 PM	#18
zbock Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: texas Posts: 40	Glock 19 MP 9 Stoeger Cougar Cz P07 - I wish I would've been able to buy this - it's got great dimensions, light weight, da/sa with a decock and carrys 16 rounds + 1 in the chamber.. Sweeet gun imo

June 17th, 2009, 02:54 PM	#20
inspyrd Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 37	You should also consider the cost of a good holster and possibly a few spare mags to go along with that new gun. My budget was about the same when I went shopping for my first handgun. I ended up purchasing a Reconditioned Sig Sauer P6 / P225 for $325.00, a Bianchi Evader Holster for $25.00 and two additional mags. I had enough left over to pay for my first trip to the range (ammo was considerably cheaper then).