Used to be on this forum before, lost my login info, oh well... no biggie... ANYWAY...
I've got around 500 bucks to blow on a gun. What to buy...? However, keep in mind, I want a holster and a couple extra mags with it... I like handguns. I have small hands. Also have a Springfield xd9 subcompact already, like it, just would like something else. I CCW too... ideas??
First,welcome back!
Do you have a caliber in mind? I ask as there are many subcompact .380s out there.
500 bucks will get you all you want and then some,maybe a laser too.
First,welcome back!
Do you have a caliber in mind? I ask as there are many subcompact .380s out there.
500 bucks will get you all you want and then some,maybe a laser too.
Thanks, glad to be back!!
Hrmmmm... No caliber, just something that will make a dent if I need it to. Something smaller in size but not something anybody would laugh at.
You can get a Kahr 9mm so you have like calibers, for around $389.00 new and extra mags are $27.00 each and a good concealment hoster for around $30.00 and your set. Made in America, small (For your hands)lightweight and durable. Shoots nice,easy to control and handle. My dad just did this for around $500.00 and he his in 9mm heaven-plus he already has a 2nd 9 in a full size Beretta...sticking with like calibers....and welcome back....
If you have small hands and are not caliber-specific, may I suggest a Yugoslav Model 57 Tokarev? It has the same controls as a M1911, packs more terminal energy than a 9mm, makes enough noise to scare the bejeezus out of a perp, is thin enough to conceal well under clothing while still being a full-sized pistol, and fits people with small hands very well. Capacity is 9+1. Recoil is not enough to bother you, the sights are acceptable (though I'd suggest painting the front sight white and outlining the notch in the rear sight in white). Most ammo available for it is FMJ, but there is a kit out there (Lee, I think) that will allow you to turn FMJ into JHP with a little work.
Model 57s generally only come with two magazines. That is the one downside to the pistol. Additional magazines are hard to come by, though not impossible; and expensive when you do. Magazines for Russian, Polish, Romanian, etc. Tokarevs of 8 round capacity are not compatible with Yugoslav Tokarevs.
That said, the pistol is accurate and fun to shoot. It deserves a slot on your list of possible carry guns.
Also easy take down for field stripping and cleaning....Stainless slide and polymer frame. If you get on the net Kahr has a promotion coupon floating around for a free stainless mag.......I just received my free one in the mail for my Kahr CW45.....filled out the coupon-3 weeks later new "Free" mag...can't beat it...
$500 will buy you a multitude of quality handguns. You're going to get as many recommendations as there active users on this forum.
I suggest you go shopping. Find and try something you think you'd like.
WOW!! Thank you all... that really broadens my horizons. Definitely lots of flavors and I wish I could have them all. @Junction15, I don't want to be too "vanilla"!
Was leaning towards the .380, but after some careful thought, I kind of want something more full-sized.
I appreciate all of the input!! Definitely going to have to check out all of them.
Ruger P95, Kel Tec PF9, Hi-Point C9, Arcus 98 or FEG PJK if you can find them. Those are models that can afford the gun New-In-Box, ammo, holster, and cheap extra, all for your $500.00 limit. I own the first 3 personally. A good Taurus, Rossi, or Charter Arms revolver might be a good option as well.
Ruger P95, Kel Tec PF9, Hi-Point C9, Arcus 98 or FEG PJK if you can find them. Those are models that can afford the gun New-In-Box, ammo, holster, and cheap extra, all for your $500.00 limit. I own the first 3 personally. A good Taurus, Rossi, or Charter Arms revolver might be a good option as well.
Never revolvers a thought. My girlfriend just bought a Glock 19, which is really nice, but I don't want to be a copy cat... as stupid as that might sound.
New in box with all the extras is what I'm looking for. Pretty much want to be able to "wear it home"!!
Never revolvers a thought. My girlfriend just bought a Glock 19, which is really nice, but I don't want to be a copy cat... as stupid as that might sound.
New in box with all the extras is what I'm looking for. Pretty much want to be able to "wear it home"!!
Even though it was a figure of speech, it'd be hard to wear a Ruger P95 home. If you want a more streamlined & combat oriented pistol, you can buy a Ruger SR9 or SR40, full sized or compact. They both run in the low $400s, instead of the P95 which is almost always less than $350, NIB. Kel Tec almost strictly make weird, innovative, or compact pistols and don't have a "service pistol" line at all. A Taurus 809 or 1st gen 24/7 Pro are great guns. The new 2nd gen 24/7's look much cooler (since it was an aesthetic change as well as mechanical) but is about $100 more then the $400-something 1st gen 24/7. The 809 should be around there as well. If you want to buy a holster, spare mags, extra accessories, or ammo while buying the gun, and $500 is your limit, short of the used market, those are the only things that I can think of off of the top of my head that are in your price range and combat ready. Every Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P, or Springfield Armory XD will be too high. Even the Taurus PT92 & PT100 (Beretta 92F & 96 clones) are more then that.
Of course, for $500, you could buy both a Hi-Point 995TS (Or C[lassic] is you can find them) carbine & the C9 pistol, plus some ammo, and get a matching 9x19mm Parabellum rifle & pistol set, and regardless of what anyone says, mine work great, and so do 99.99% or everyone elses. Best bang for the buck. Just thought I'd throw that in there.
P.S. Forgot to mention that the Hi-Points are all single stack (low capacity, i.e. 995C & TS hold 10+1, and C9 pistol holds 8+1), blowback operated Zamak-3 (Zinc Alloy (high stress parts, like the barrel and slide rails are steel)) pistols. Some people (not me) think they are less then attractive as well, in case any of that bothers you.
Have not heard of too many aversions to Hi-Points- can't ditch it til ya try it, I suppose!!
We have quite a few gun shops around here that carry some odds and ends as far as different guns, so I have a wide variety to choose from and now I have an even better clue as to what I might like and why.
Have not heard of too many aversions to Hi-Points- can't ditch it til ya try it, I suppose!!
We have quite a few gun shops around here that carry some odds and ends as far as different guns, so I have a wide variety to choose from and now I have an even better clue as to what I might like and why.
Thanks again, Mantrid_Brizon!!
Anytime. I am more then happy to help arm & educate! If you can, rent the main pistols I mentioned above (the Hi-Points will most certainly not be in many gun ranges for rent, but are common at gun shows and well stocked stores) and see what you like the best. Internet research is a good idea, plus everyone loves pictures! Let us all know how it turns out. Also, welcome back to the forum. Hope you stick around!
I will definitely let y'all know!! I'm going to wait a couple weeks before I actually choose and purchase for sure... I have a bad habit of picking the first thing I see. Patience, right?!
I will definitely let y'all know!! I'm going to wait a couple weeks before I actually choose and purchase for sure... I have a bad habit of picking the first thing I see. Patience, right?!
Thanks for the "welcome back"!! Glad to be here!
Your welcome. As for the patience problem, I have been known to wait over a year for a video game to not only come out, but come out with a "complete edition" before buying it, and I still have a hard time putting a gun down when I am at a gun show or a sporting goods store. If there is remotely enough cash in my pocket when I touch it, chances are I'll be filling out the paperwork less then 15 minutes later. It practically killed me the last time I didn't buy a beautiful NAA 1860 mini-revolver. Got tons of ammo instead.
The suggestion to look at revolvers is a good one. I already own several "flavors" but one of the most comfortable to CCW - for me that is- is my 3" Ruger SP101 in .357. Simple, rugged, powerful, and accurate. True that it holds only 5 rounds but somehow I don't feel undergunned with it.
I'm big enough that I could carry my 5" 1911 even though I need suspenders to keep my pants from sagging on my gun side.
But something about the size and shape makes the SP101 very comfortable for IWB carry.
I don't know but I would think the Charter Arms revolvers would be about the same.
The bottom line is what do you want your gun to do. Like anything else it is a tool--can be used for self-defense, hunting, recreation, or all of the above. Springfield is fine as is Glock, etc. Ruger makes the LC9. A 9mm is good because it is light recoiling and ammo is cheap and it is a major caliber. A .380 I view as something one carries because one can`t carry something bigger. Look at a bunch of guns, shoot them if you can, and see what fits YOU.
I would look at a decent revolver. A .38/.357 is hard to beat--Ruger makes a great SP-101 and GP-100; difference being size. If you don`t have a .22 they make a .22 SP-101 as well. If you want a snubbie practice gun you can get a LCR .22 and put a XS sight on it. If you`re looking for a target pistol with a great trigger pull I might suggest a Ruger MK 3.
If you are looking for a medium-K frame handgun with a 4 inch barrel it is hard to beat the old Smith and Wesson 64`s. I have a couple of these which are used brinks guns--and have an outstanding trigger pull (are double action only .38s). Brute strong frame and accurate--ultimate fighting sixgun. Put Pachmyr compac grips on it to fit your hands, paint the front sight red or a hi-viz color and you are good to go. Got mine for around 200 bux, YMMV.
For 500 bucks you could get a surplus CZ82, several magazines, a pile of ammunition, a couple of holsters, and have plenty of beer money to relax with after a fun day at the range.
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If you can, rent the main pistols I mentioned above (the Hi-Points will most certainly not be in many gun ranges for rent, but are common at gun shows and well stocked stores) and see what you like the best. Internet research is a good idea, plus everyone loves pictures! 
Let us all know how it turns out. Also, welcome back to the forum. Hope you stick around!
