Handgun purchase

[Upperbay]

Looking for feed back on second handgun purchase. Start with guns under 500.oo or very close. 9 mm or 45 are preferred. Like some input based on reliability and sights and safety access.

 

[possumman]

Taurus G3c--about $300--has a manual and trigger safety-mine has been dead reliable with a variety pack of ammo 10+1 --came with 3 mags--shoots where I point it--great carry gun

 

[Mightydog]

If in Marylinistan must be on the “approved” roster unless C&R.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Not quite :

Or mfg before the establishment of the Handgun Roster in 1988 .

 

[trickg]

Looking for feed back on second handgun purchase. Start with guns under 500.oo or very close. 9 mm or 45 are preferred. Like some input based on reliability and sights and safety access.

What was the first handgun purchase?

One of the things I try not to do when I'm looking at buying a firearms these days is put a price limit on it. This isn't to say that I go crazy - I don't - but if one limits themselves to just $500, it narrows the selection considerably. For example, I won't go crazy and spend $4k on a Wilson Combat, Nighthawk or Ed Brown 1911, but I'll spend $1500 on a Dan Wesson 1911, or $850 for a used H&K USP 45, or $800 for a lightly used Sig Mk25.

For $500 and less, you're going to be looking at some barebones polymer framed options:

Glock
Springfield XD
Ruger M&P
Canik
Etc.

You'll have to decide if you want something nicer from a brand with a reputation for quality, or if you'd want something else maybe a bit rougher around the edges.

Maybe a better option would be to find something you really want at a reasonable price, and then patiently wait until you have the money for it. You'll never regret it that way.

 

[King Chicken]

Used Glock 43x? Can spend savings upgrading trigger or sights. But I don't know much compared to most people on here

 

[RFBfromDE]

Taurus G3c--about $300--has a manual and trigger safety-mine has been dead reliable with a variety pack of ammo 10+1 --came with 3 mags--shoots where I point it--great carry gun

For self defense it is adequate. My Security-9c was not a lot more.

How much one spends is up to them.

I want reasonable quality and absolute reliability.

Just like any hobby, it can get as expensive as you let it.

 

[Biggfoot44]

What was First purchase ?

What potential purposes to be filled by second proposed purchase ?

And in the real world , $ sometimes matters , and sometimes a price range is relavent ,so up to $500- ish is a valid initial discussion point . ( If you'd said not over $300 , we'd be trying to talk you into $500 .)

 

[jr88]

First define its purpose, Carry Gun, Target Shooting, Hog Hunting ??

 

[dontpanic]

Here's everything you can new buy under $500. Mostly off brands and carry guns(g48 mos is a good choice though). Try changing parameters to $700 and the world is your oyster. Limit it to $450-700 and you will be very happy with what you buy.

Also the used market is a great place to look but you need to find the one you want. United Gun shop is a great place to look.
Under $500

https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/handguns/minp/0/maxp/500/q/handgun

$450-700

https://www.budsgunshop.com/search.php/type/handguns/minp/450/maxp/700/q/handgun

 

[Upperbay]

Thanks for all replys. Home defense, reliable is what I'm looking for.

 

[RFBfromDE]

Thanks for all replys. Home defense, reliable is what I'm looking for.

Reliable = Revolver.

If you are more acclimated towards semi-autos, and not worried about W&C the full size Security-9 and similar 9mm will do fine.

 

[somd_mustangs]

Not quite :

Or mfg before the establishment of the Handgun Roster in 1988 .

1985...

 

[Biggfoot44]

Thanks for all replys. Home defense, reliable is what I'm looking for.

Ok , that's An Answer to one question .

For the other Important Question , what was your First ( and presumably only ?) Handgun ?

[ Why we keep asking , is to get a feeling of where you're already at . Maybe we'd suggest something very similar . Maybe something complementary to has different/ additional strong points beyond the rather basic ones of go bang reliably , and chambered in vaguely plausible defensive caliber .]

 

[Upperbay]

Ok , that's An Answer to one question .

For the other Important Question , what was your First ( and presumably only ?) Handgun ?

[ Why we keep asking , is to get a feeling of where you're already at . Maybe we'd suggest something very similar . Maybe something complementary to has different/ additional strong points beyond the rather basic ones of go bang reliably , and chambered in vaguely plausible defensive caliber .]

I've owned or own 2 hand guns. Years ago and now gone .22 revolver. Current single action revolver in 44 mag. Looking to move towards a semi auto.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Gotcha ! You have Large & Powerful fully covered then .

Attempting to read your mind . and in line with current trends . you would likely be looking for a " compact- ish " 9mm . i.e. large enough for you to shoot well , compact enough to be plausible to eventually carry in a good holster .

In generic outline , a grip just long enough to fit all * your * fingers , bbl length in 3.5 to 4 inch ball park , polymer or alloy frame . with a trigger system that * you * can shoot reasonably well .

I could tell you what that is for me , but if nothing else it's discontinued and above your price range . Meanwhile , standby for a dozen recommendations within those parameters .

Now you need to fondle , dry fire , hopefully shoot several .

 

[Kman]

Maybe look at Canik. I don't own one, but I've shot a few. Seems like a great value.

 

[FN509Fan]

If that were my budget and I could only have one, I'd get a Glock that was optic ready. With aging eyes, I'm sold on Red Dot sights.
If you go for high capacity, you have to have them pull any high capacity mags and go buy them in V, WV or PA.

Glock 43X OD Green 9mm 3.4" Barrel 10-Rounds GrabAGun Exclusive ​

$469.99 $538.00 ​

BUY NOW ​

GLOCK G43X MOS 9mm 3.4" 10rd Optic Ready Pistol​

$485.00

Buy Now

SMITH & WESSON MP9 Shield Plus 9mm 3.1" 10/13/15rd COMBO No Thumb Safety​

$399.00

Buy Now

SMITH & WESSON MP9 Shield Plus 9mm 3.1" 10/13/15rd Pistol w/ Thumb Safety …​

$399.00

Buy Now

 

[FN509Fan]

And there's this

 

[Old-School Mark]

Most of my experience is with Glocks. They are very reliable and, for the most part, budget friendly and because of their popularity you can guarantee that you‘ll be able to find parts for them if you ever need to. The magazines are also interchangeable if you want to start a collection in the future. On the subject of magazines, they are also about 1/3rd the cost of a magazine for a Sig.
Somebody mentioned United Guns in Rockville. They tend to offer a $50 discount for ordering guns through their website instead of picking them up in the shop. It adds a week to the delivery, but mostly worth it in my opinion.