Topic: Best handgun for the money

Just read the link on magic bullets. Sorry I am not up to date on your site, but I just found it a few weeks ago, plus 4kids doesnt leave much time for pc time...

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks to everyone. I am beginning research on several models listed above, and learning more every day.

The High-point link was funny. Didnt know you could buy a gun for $186.oo

Glock. Choose your size, and caliber wisely. You have many choices in size. for concealed carry go for the 30, 36, 26, or 27. If you want it for a home gun. look at the rest. find the right gin to fit your hand, and practice! You cannot buy a Glock for over $700 so you can get some ammo, and a nice holster from blackhawk, or Fobus. also spend the extre $75 on some meprolight or trijicon sights.

Didnt know you could buy a gun for $186.oo

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

Hi point, the Chosen gun of Dick Tracy for fifty years. If you've never seen the comic strip, all guns whether semi auto or revolver, appear as huge lumpen things. First time I ever saw a hi point I called it a Dick Tracy gun.

I don't know... One of the members of our local Gaggle O' Shooters has a Hi-Point in 9mm. At first we dogged him about it unmercifully, but then we started shooting it. Not pretty, by any stretch of the imagination, but the damn thing always works! Any ammo, any weather, and I don't think he's ever cleaned it. We figured up last week that we've run over 2K rounds through it with only one malf, and that was operator error. (You have to make sure the magazine goes all the way into the receiver.)

But boy, they sure are ugly!

They will work pretty well until they break. I've seen more than one fall apart on the range, broken slide from that cast pot metal they use.

Not that I need one, but I'm thinking of getting a makarov. I like the little russian pistols, and they are fairly inexpensive. 9x18 is not a super powerful cartridge but it killed a lot of russians over the years!

My first pistol was a Makarov 9mm. Great little gun untill I tried to disassemble and reassemble it myself... Seems like ammo wasnt very plentiful either. Probably wasnt looking in the right places.

9x18mm is around when you look hard enough... I like the Mak. For a cheap as dirt gun, it's my first choice.

I always wanted a Tokarev in, what was it? 7.62X25? Don't care much, I'm just a sucker for old, cheap militaria.

If you get a Tokarev, replace the firing pin. They shatter easily, so it's a good idea to get a replacement steel pin.

As for the OP's question, try an SP101. A Glock might not be a bad choice either, if you're interested in them.

I'd say avoid Hi-Point as well. Life's too short to tote something that hideous.

There are a great many options for your price range. If you decide to get a semiautomatic, I'd suggest a 9mm because ammo is cheap and that will allow for more practice time. I'd check out Glock 17 or 19, a factory refurbished Sig 226 or 228 (these are a steal if the price is right), the Springfield XD 9mm, a CZ-75b and it's variants (the P-01, and SP-01), The FNP9, and the Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. All of these are quality guns that will not break the bank. Try one out if you can. Go to the range and rent it or find someone you know who owns one of these and ask if you can try it out. Most shooters love to let people try their guns anyway. You wouldn't buy a car without a test drive. You shouldn't buy a pistol without one either.

Now, I'm not as knowledgeable with revolvers, but my opinion would be to get a .357 Magnum revolver. The plus side is that you can practice and shoot .38 Specials out of the same barrel. That'll allow for cheaper practice. I'd look at the Ruger Gp100 or a Smith and Wesson 686, 686 Plus, or model 66. I don't know much about Taurus revolvers, but a friend of mine had one that had problems regularly with the cylinder binding up against the barrel. Hope this helps.

"a friend of mine had one that had problems regularly with the cylinder binding up against the barrel."
That's a bent pin. Taurus will fix that with no problem. They are good enough, cheaper than smiths but the lifetime warranty makes them a great value. You can get a short barreled 7 shot .357 from Taurus that is actually quite nice.

Which model Taurus are you speaking of? I'm curious.... A 7 shot revolver could prove very useful.

Ben has it, don't remember the model...

617, or new model 66, or tracker 357. we have the last 2 in the case 419 and 495 respectively.

Never owned a Taurus I didn't like. And I've owned half a dozen or more.

A Springfield Mil-Spec 1911. I paid approx $550 for mine 3 years ago. I don't know the current retail on it though. Its no Kimber but I love it and I'd buy another. It's full size but due to the slim design of Brother Browning's masterpiece, I have never had a problem concealing it. I am spartan in my weapons requirements and the Mil-Spec fits the bill.

I also agree 200% with the Ruger SP101 / GP100 as well. I have SP101's in 9mm and .357 magnum. Beefy and sweet shooting.

Finally for under $700 you can always buy a Glock. The retail is approx $550-$650 depending on the location.

In Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary a Hi-Point is defined as "a potmetal, hand-held, air-cooled, multi-directional, self-initiated, self-inflicting improvised explosive device(PHAMSS-IED)." Don't pull the trigger on one...If you've ever held one or looked at it closely, it really is "Improvised"...

The SP-101 is a solid little revo. The .357 Mag version is a nice size while still being shootable. Unlike the Taurus Titaniam, which is just a little Monster. I like the grip, which handles recoil better, I like the slightly longer barrel. Its a good package. They are not as refined as the S&W options, but with a little gunsmithing they turn into something wonderful.