Another Gun Advisory Thread

Limited to $600 I would start with a Beretta Neos as they are as reliable as a hammer. They eat any ammo one can feed it. I don't own one but a friend of mine embarrassed me and my Ruger Mk II with some cheap Winchester X-pert ammo.

Second would be a used Colt Trooper Mark III or a used Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. Both are fun to shoot, can shoot inexpensive .38 ammo and, again, are as reliable as a hammer.
 
For the price, I would buy: A Beretta in 9mm, a Glock in 10mm, or a Para in 45. I'm not a fan of Sigs. HKs are great! But expensive for what you get and unless things have changed, HK has never been customer friendly.
 
I resisted Glocks for years in favor of Highpowers and 1911's but my bedside handgun is a model 17, night sights and 33rnd mag.

I do intend the grip reduction to model 19 length for CCW & a 15 rnd mag ;)

Bill
 
If you want something that's reasonably cheap to shoot the 9mm is your best bet but right now during the Great Buying Panic of 2012/13 the .40 ammo is more readily available. As far as which gun, go with whatever feels best in your hand. Some choices to consider:

HK USP: you won't find a new one for $600 but a used one in good condition will fit in your budget. I have a 40 Compact, a 45 full size and a P30LS in 40 which is basically an updated USP, obviously I'm partial to them.

S&W 5906 or 6906: the 5906 is a full size all stainless 9mm. The 6906 is a compact version with an aluminum frame, but it's not too small. CDNN had police trades of both for less than $400 as of a month ago. I have one of each and they're very well built and both of mine were in great condition.

S&W M&P: I had one in 45. It's a high quality pistol but I found that I didn't shoot it well and I prefer hammer fired pistols to striker fired. Nothing wrong with them though. I believe that the standard versions are a little over $500.

Walter PPQ: great ergonomics, for me they're second only to the P30. I don't own one because they're striker fired, but if I did buy a striker fired pistol this would be the one. They run around $550.

Sig 226 or 229: I've shot a friend's 229 in 40 and liked it but I don't have one. They can be found used under $600. In that price range I prefer the USP. The 5906/6906 offer similar features and quality for significantly less money. A 226/229 could be a good choice though it it fits you well.

Some others to consider would be the Sig SP2022, Glocks, XD's, Beretta 92/96, Stoeger Cougar, or the Ruger SR9 or 40. I don't have and direct experience with those but all have pretty good reputations and can be had in your price range or lower.
 
RJ80 said:
If you want something that's reasonably cheap to shoot the 9mm is your best bet....
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Agreed.

For your price range and for your other criteria, I would highly recommend taking a look at a Ruger SR9. Back in '08 they had some trigger issues, which were fully addressed, and since then they have been getting excellent reviews and a reputation for solid reliability. Some don't like what they feel are "excessive" safety features on the Rugers, but I have no problem with them. And made in the USA, if that matters.
 
Forgot about revolvers: S&W 686 would be my first choice. I'd stick with a 4" barrel. It will probably run close to your maximum budget for a good used one. Look for a pre-lock model. For used a Ruger Security Six would be my next choice. If you mainly shoot 38's a S&W K frame would be a good choice. The only decent 357 I can think of in your price range new is the Ruger GP100. Colt is out of the DA revolver business and you won't find a decent one for under $600 anymore. Stay away from Taurus and Rossi. They're capable of making a good gun but they seem to put out a fairly large number of lemons too and reportedly they're customer service isn't too great. Yes, I have owned all of these except the Rossi. If I were buying one of them again I'd look for a used Pre lock 686.
 
Well from your description it sounds to me you should purchase a nice used revolver in 357 and then you can also shoot 38s. That is if you can find one or any other firearm for sale these days
 
Smithhammer said:
Agreed.

For your price range and for your other criteria, I would highly recommend taking a look at a Ruger SR9. Back in '08 they had some trigger issues, which were fully addressed, and since then they have been getting excellent reviews and a reputation for solid reliability. Some don't like what they feel are "excessive" safety features on the Rugers, but I have no problem with them. And made in the USA, if that matters.
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Another nice thing about the Rugers is that they also have one of the thinnest grips of all of the double stack 9's and 40's out there. Some of the other guns are pretty chunky in the grip.

Also, we have all been recommending mostly center fire guns since something that's usable for defense is one of your needs. I think that after you've chosen a suitable defensive gun your second should be a .22 that's at least somewhat similar or a conversion unit to convert the center fire to a .22. Conversion units are available for the Glocks and the Sig 226/229. I'm not sure if there are any others out there. S&W makes a .22 version of the M&P as well. Other autos include the Browning Buckmark and the Ruger MKIII (or a used MKI or MKII), both are pretty much bulletproof. If you end up with a revolver some good choices in .22 would be the S&W 617 and the Ruger SP101.
 
Since I would suggest buying a "used" Smith & Wesson 4506, and I'm guessing that isn't what you are looking for, I'll not make any suggestions.:D.
 
From your description, you are similar in size to me. The most comfortable handgun that I have held is a CZ. All of the models I have held, felt very good. Very reliable as far as I know, and you should have no problem finding one under $600. I really like their triggers too. 9mm would be the most economical to shoot, although .40 S&W isn't bad. .45 definitely costs more.
 
+1 on not forgetting revolvers.

A knowledgable friend convinced me to pick up a used 1960's era S&W Model 10 (old school cop gun - .38spc) for $175. It has become my favorite gun. I like it better than my Colt Gold Cup (which is beautiful, ridiculously well made, and shoots like a champ) and my FNH FNX-40. The FNH FNX is pretty awesome and is in your price range. For cheaper ammo you can get the FNX-9, which uses 9mm. I never liked Glocks' triggers. The FNX is DA/SA so you can carry it cocked and locked like a 1911 with a good (but long) trigger, or carry it hammer down and fire it DA. My favorite feature is that the safety lever acts as a typical SA safety AND a DA decocker.

Edit: Oh, another bonus about the FNX is that it comes with 3 magazines, letting you spend money on ammo instead of mags!
 
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