Though any gun is better than no gun, I'd stay away from a .32 or smaller (no .22s or .25s), and the .380 should be the absolute minimum. I agree with those above who said you're better off going 9mm. You get more stopping power for only a small increase in size, recoil, etc. Plus, 9mm is cheaper to shoot. I'd stay away from bigger calibers (.40 S&W, .357 Sig/Auto, .45 ACP, and anything with "Magnum" in the name) if you're not an experienced shooter; these are harder to handle well, and they're more expensive to train with. STAY AWAY FROM HI-POINT. In a very low cost .380 automatic, I've heard good things about the Bersa Thunder/Firestorm line. They're essentially knock-offs of the Walther PPK. Routinely available for under $300. (Been thinking of getting one myself since we can't get the PPK in California any more.) Hickok45 shooting the Bersa Thunder .380 Nutnfancy reviews the Bersa Thunder I'd spend just a bit more and get a Smith & Wesson Shield in 9mm. These are ordinarily around $400, but I've seen them going for near $300 lately. Good shooting and reliable. 9mm is a very good defensive round. Hickok45 shooting the Shield 9mm Nutnfancy reviews the Shield 9mm In a revolver, look at the Ruger LCR in .38 Special +P. There's a .357 Magnum version, but that's too much in a small gun unless you're a very experienced shooter, though it can shoot .38 Special as well. There are a lot of good .38 Special +P defensive loads. I've seen these guns in the mid $400s. Gunblast on the Ruger LCR revolvers Hickok45 shooting the Ruger LCR .38 Special +P Nutnfancy reviews the Ruger LCR .38 Whichever you get, take it to the range and learn how to shoot it well. Get good quality ammunition and test it with your gun to make sure it's reliable.
I'm loving that! What about this? https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...automatic-9mm-325-barrel-121-rounds?a=1831552
It seems to get mostly good reviews, but if I could get a Beretta for only $100 more I'd go with the Italian pistol. You get a bigger magazine and the 92-series is a big gun for 9mm, which reduces felt recoil a lot. @Paladin has lots of experience with Berettas IIRC.
The thing about ordering guns online is that you don't get to give it a checkout before purchase. That old Beretta could be the most reliable trusty sidearm anyone could ever ask for, or it could be on it's 300,000th +p+ round and more rattly and loose than *insert person you dislike here's* mother.
Beretta 92FS mainly, which was my primary home defense gun for many years. Excellent pistol, reliable and a terrific shooter. @shootER is right: it's big. It's also heavy compared to more modern polymer-framed guns. If you want to carry it, there is a 92 Compact which is a bit more concealable.
Something to keep in mind with the 92 though is to practice racking the slide. Because of that big ambi safety/decocker being right at the slide serrations and being so aggressive, it's easy to put the weapon into "safe" while racking the slide, if you aren't careful.
That would be my concern as well. I've only ever purchased new guns online. Then again, even though it's new, buying that Taurus is something of a crapshoot as well.
Agreed. For a good, concealable pistol, check out the Ruger LC9s (around $400). I have the LC9 (double-action only), but I hear the LC9s (striker-fired) is even better, with a very decent trigger. It's very concealable. Wish I could get it here. (*grumble, grumble* California) Hickok45 shooting the Ruger LC9s.
May I suggest a SW9VE? Under 300 dollars (the VE = value enhanced) and you get Smith & Wesson reliability and quality. My son has one he paid well under 300 for, with two 12 round magazines (it's Georgia so no magazine limits) if memory serves. Granted there are different versions and his is the SD (self defense) version so as the review states, it's "double action" only and designed for in-close fast self defense - thus the trigger pull takes getting used to so pin-point accuracy might take a lot of practice. But you can adjust the tension to have 20 percent less trigger pull poundage or whatever, but he never bothered with that. It's very reliable, and you can put hundreds of round through it without cleaning it and it will never jam. For reference my son is a small-framed short guy 130 pounds lean, and it fits his hand perfectly, and the recoil is very manageable. I'm bigger and it seems a little small for my hand, but again you'd have to try one up close & personal. It's not +P rated so you can't fire hot loads through it, but for the close-up distances you would need it for, it will do the job.
Unfortunately I don't have any experience with Taurus guns to know how the quality is on them. I haven't heard anything bad for them like I have for Century. These others that are being suggested might be worth looking at, too. Other than that, maybe a Makarov might be more concealable for the stopping power it has. The only catch is that the 9mm it uses is slightly different from what basically every other 9mm uses, because Russia. Seems to me the ammo is pretty reasonable, but it's the same deal of ordering online unless you happen to find some at your local gun stores (it happens sometimes). They're generally around $300. J&G still has some.
Makarovs are alright, the sights on them are old school, ie tiny and hard to see on a black background, not the most powerful of sidearms, but laser accurate when you get used to the sights.
If a person decides to buy a used gun to be used for concealed carry it should be from a well known company such as Ruger, Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Glock, etc. etc. If something goes wrong you can talk to the company itself and they might help you on the particular issue. Who do you call for a Makarov? Putin? He might send you a part laced with radioactive dust just for annoying him. A used Makarov for concealed carry? Why? Especially when you can get new for the same price from reputable companies and in 9mm Luger which gives you a far greater pick of ammo to buy. (JHP and FMJ)
Yeah, if I had only one gun it would definitely be in a caliber that was widely available. It's for protection, not collection.
Not an issue with my phased plasma rifle in the forty-watt range. You just plug it in to a USB port overnight.
Thank God they switched to a rechargeable battery and USB charging. I hated buying a new battery. Even on Amazon they were $500+ a pop.
Speaking of budget handguns, picked up a rock island armory 1911 the other day. The quality is surprisingly good. Accurate enough when I learned where to put the sights.
This. Any RELIABLE gun is better than no gun. That said, I understand budget. Look for a used Smith J-Frame and call it a day.
I found a nice little Colt official Police, 38 s&w, I might pick it up after I get my safe. Anybody got feelings about this particular firearm?