recommend me a handgun up to $600

Nismo

Nismo

Joined
Jun 27, 2002
Messages
323
ok I dont know much about whats good bad or ugly so give me some suggestions or options about a decent handgun (semiauto) for around $600. One good for home protection and reliability. thanks
 
A Glock is pretty decent for beginners. I've got my own preferences (1911 and HK USP), but for a novice, it's hard to beat a Glock in any caliber.
 
yeah the glock is a good beginner gun. you also want to look into the Springfield XD series. berettas are also great pistols for a little more (but still under your cap).

glock - $500
XD - $420
beretta - $560

all three are extremely reliable
 
thanks, I had glocks in mind also. I was over at the gun shop today and was browsing around at anything, mainly Sigs, glocks, and walther, does anyone know a thign about walthers reputation?
 
Originally posted by Melvin-Purvis
P-220/226/228/229...nuf said.. ;)

Mel
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I have to agree with Mel. Sigs are fine guns and accurate. I have a Sig Sauer p239 (.40 cal and .357). I bought a .40 cal. and then an extra .357 barrel so I can shoot both calibers just by quickly switching out the barrels. If you do this make sure to buy a .40 cal gun then an extra .357 barrel. Otherwise the clips for a .357 won't accept the .40 cal, but the .40 cal will accept a .357 bullet.

The p239 is a smaller gun and I use it for conceal carry. The p229 is a larger version and is bit more accurate and holds 5 more rounds in the clip because it's a double stack mag. Depending on what caliber you're looking will depend on the model.

I also have a Glock .21 (.45 cal) which I really like, but I like my Sig much better.

BOTTOM LINE... GO WITH A SIG!!! BEST IN ITS PRICE RANGE. If you want to spend a bit more get the tritium night sight. Pretty bad ass.
 
i would get either a kahr P9 or a glock myself, sigs are just too heavy for me for edc, good pistols though.

greg
 
I've got a Glock 26, a Steyr M9 and a Springfield XD-9 Subcompact.

The Glock 26 has a very short grip, and is good for concealed carry.

The Steyr M9 has a nice ergonimical slanted grip that I personally really like and unique triangle/trapaziod sights.

I picked up the XD-9 Sub at Gander Mountain a couple of weeks ago for $379, and I really like the way it shoots/feels.

I would recommend trying the Glock 19 too.
 
ok I dont know much about whats good bad or ugly so give me some suggestions or options about a decent handgun (semiauto) for around $600. One good for home protection and reliability. thanks
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Any of the more modern semi-auto handguns from a quality manufacturere will serve this role. Since your not apt to run 600 rounds or more a week through it, service life is not an issue. Most quality semi-auto pistols will last your lifetime and that of your heirs.

For a true novice, Glock is hard to beat because it has only ONE trigger pull to master. The center line of the bore is closer to your hand versus many other pistols so, that makes recoil easier to handle for most people. It is extremely easy to field strip and has thoughtful touches like a captive mainspring so, again it is foregiving for beginners. I know people will rant and rave about the virtues of many other pistols but, in my personal experience, Glock is by far the fastest for a beginner to come up to a proficient level with. If you are willing to train and get get REAL instruction, you can learn to master any pistol.

FWIW, I shot a Glock 17 for years without failure. I did my own torture tests like shooting it for a year and half without cleaning, put it in a bank safe deposit box for 6 months while in Europe, and then got it from the bank, slapped a loaded magazine the first chance I got to go to the range, and it worked perfectly. No hiccups, no rust (as I would expect on other firearms), just typical Glock reliability. They have a beauty all their own - most people would say they are ugly however.

Don't buy a small gun! A standard size "duty" pistol is more forgiving then some compact model. You get more sight radius, more weight to soften recoil, and a pistol that will be easier to learn with. FWIW, I have had so many people tell me you can't carry a full size pistol concealed that I get a touch irritated. In Texas I personally carried a Glock 20 with my CCW permit for years. Yes, that square edged, big, bulky, heavy, 10mm cannon on my frail little 5'4" 160 pound frame! :)

thanks, I had glocks in mind also. I was over at the gun shop today and was browsing around at anything, mainly Sigs, glocks, and walther, does anyone know a thign about walthers reputation?
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Walther's are a legend in the firearms business. What were you looking at? 380ACP PPK/S, P99, P38.....

I own and have shot pretty extensively pistols from all the major manufacturers. They all have minor advantages and disadvantages compared to each other. In the end, you need to find the one that fits you best. I mean this in both the mental psychology (you personally think it is the best and use it well) and, in the physical aspects (can you phyically hold it in a proper grip or is this "wonder-9" just too darn big :confused: ). Get the one that fits you and works for you, not someone else who won't be shooting it on a regular basis.
 
Sig Sauer P220
Kimber Classic
Springfield Milspec
Norinco 1911 (if you can find one it will cost you half as much)

Nothing gives me the same feeling as a good .45ACP
 
Originally posted by Kimberholic
Sig Sauer P220
Kimber Classic
Springfield Milspec
Norinco 1911 (if you can find one it will cost you half as much)

Nothing gives me the same feeling as a good .45ACP
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Norinco :confused: ? It flunks the reliiability test as specified in the original post based on my personal experiences. Assuming it is a sound pistol when it is new out of the box, unless it is a safe queen, ownership costs tend to be high as you replace and fix stuff along the way that is too soft, too rough, or just plain junk.

A Springfield or Kimber are much better values IMHO. The older Springfield "series 70" style pistols are nice. Personally, I found their two piece barrels to be sub-standard (offering poor accuracy) but, it was a great frame to build on and much cheaper then the over priced "series 80" Colts.

The Browning Hi-Power and classic 1911 have virtues (beyond caliber) that are often over looked. Single action trigger pull means only one to master. The pull is shorter and crisper so, I often find it works better for women (or anyone with smaller hands). Their take down procedures for cleaning aren't as easy as the modern auto-loaders but, millions of people before me never seemed to have problems with it :)

The caliber debate is one that I will ignore beyond saying that modern ammunition has gone a long way to leveling the playing field. Anything between 9mmP and 45ACP is a good choice - get the one you can use effectively. The fact I can use a 10mm well doesn't mean you should get that caliber if you can't handle the recoil impulse effectively.
 
Para Ord 14-45 :D I got one... ohhh 600 never mind :rolleyes:

What about CZ? I fired my buddy's and was impressed with it. Good price, good pistol.

But like everyone's pointed out, just about any pistol from a reputable manufacturer will do you fine.
 
Nismo, have you shot a handgun? Now don't get jumpy on me, I want to know how much experience you have is all. Tell me about your experience and what you want a handgun to do.
I've been shooting since I was 5, and I have specific ideas about what works for use in defense, plinking, hunting, etc. Also, if you live in NorCal, I might be able to offer thoughts on ranges and good gun stores where the help acctually knows what they are talking about.
Bob
 
Depending on what fits your hand the best, don't just go out and buy a gun from a name, buy what feels right. Find a range that will let you test handguns and take some of the recommendations you have here and shoot them, pick the one that feels right in your hand and what you shoot the best. I prefer Sigs, but thats just me, the p228 is a reat 9mm the p229 is almost the same gun as the 228 but you can get it in 40 or 357Sig, if you want something that is plastic (polymer) Sig also has the Sig Pro in 9mm,40, and 357Sig, good for if you need something that will see alot of outdoor use, with little clearing (which should never happen, always clean your guns) and yeah Glocks are good and Walthers a nice, HK are also good guns, just buy what fits you.
 
Out of curiosity, why a Semi-auto?
revolvers are good to go, no sliding back the action, no wondering about one in the chamber, no lube problems, you can see the rounds, etc, etc, etc. if its for strictly home defense, i would go with a Revolver. You will be in a stressfull situation, you need to eliminate all variables that could trip you up. You can load up the rounds with shotshells, or myraid other anti-personel rounds available at this time. If your worried about the rounds, speed loaders are available, or just buy two revolvers. Best buy would be a Colt Python. out of the box, one of the most accurate handguns i own.
 
As you know, I like Colts, SIGs and H&Ks. Further, I needed a good pistol for concealed carry. I dislike Glocks.

Here's what I did. I bought a Glock.

I purchased a Glock 27 this week. Good cartridge (I reload them by the bucketful) and despite my personal feelings about the pistol, it will keep running, wet or dry, clean or dirty and especially when I really need it. That being when everything else is going wrong.

That's a good philosophy. Sure, I like 'toys.' I'd love to have a Cobra or a Viper for daily commute. But I live in Wisconsin, and a 4-wheeler is needed in deep snow.

And so it is with the Glock. Nothing fits my hand like the .40 SW P229 SIG I have. It's tarted up in a polished slide and nickel plated screws and levers. It's more accurate out of the box than my beloved custom 1911s.

For carry we are talking cold, sweat, blood, smacking the guy over the head with the pistol, fear, spit, the whole gammet. I bought the Glock because while I think it feels like a cheap squirt-gun, it works perfectly for what I NEED, not what I WANT.
 
You can't really go wrong with Glock, USP or SIG. They are all fine handguns. The safety-issue thingie with the Glock might be of concern to some shooters, however.

If you are looking for a revolver, if you can find a new or excellent condition S&W 586 (blue) or 686 (stainless) from the 80s you will have an outstanding .357 handgun. Very accurate, excellent trigger, excellent balance, very rugged, classic looking, etc.

I paid $260 for my brand new 6" 586 in 1984. :D
 
Komondor,

While I mostly go with pistols, I do lke the occasional revolver. I own a pristine Magna Classic.

What I'd really like is a SW 681. They made them for a short period, I passed on some, and I could kick myself. I do have the new catalog but I don't remember seeing a 681 in current run.
 
4" S&W 686 for your home - .357 loaded with Magsafes for that 3:00 am noise and crusty eyeballs... helps avoid overpenetration if you live in an apartment situation like me. And you can shoot anything thru it, as well as .38 special, especially if your hands are growing old and weaker - racking a slide with arthritis can be a bear!
For carry and all round use - Glock 27 and it's bigger bro, the 23(?). If you want to experiment, get the .357 Sig barrel and you'll come close to magnum balistics if you like to shoot hot. Otherwise, my 27 hasn't hiccuped in two years and only one cleaning. My 23 I bought used, it's postban but shoots wonderfully and can accept a mounted taclite if I want.

Either of these two suggestions is for absolute beginers who want one weapon to become proficient at quickly and have minimal maintenance issues... All other handguns require so much more attention... and usually end up costing more (my 686 was an issue gun to some dept - and who ever had it did the sweetest trigger job- all for $350...)
 
I prefer to carry one of my 1911 .45 pistols from Colt or Springfield, however I have a couple of Glocks and an HK USP that are great guns as well. If you are starting out, then I would suggest the HK USP in a compact. Thats my opinion. The best thing for you to do is go to the range, and rent several of these guns to shoot, and buy the one that is most comfortable, and performs the best for you. Nothing wrong with a SIG either. I had a P220 that I really liked, and I let a good friend talk me out of it.

GOOD LUCK!
 
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