recommend me a handgun up to $600

Buy a 4" .357 of your choice. It will allow you to learn more about shooting than any other single gun. You can load it with light .38 special loads that barely kick more than a .22 or you can load it with full house .357 magnum loads if you feel the need. There's plenty of load options in between. You will also be able to learn about both single action trigger release and double action shooting as well. It will be small enough for concealed carry on most people and is a great defense weapon.

I love my .22s. I have a Ruger 10/22 and a 4" Browning Buckmark. They are the most accurate guns I own, but if I could only have one gun, it would be a 4" .357. To even think of a .22 pistol as a defence weapon is a istake. Unless you're lucky enough to place a single magic bullet with the .22, the attacker might bleed to death eventually, but whith the adrenalin flowing he might still beat you to death before that happens. Few people when being attacked can manage the same sort of accuracy as they can at the range. Also, most .22s have very light single action triggers which mean a greater chance of accidental discharge while under the stress of attack. Remember that if you have to use a gun for self defence, you're probably going to have to defend that use later in court. Oops, it just went off doesn't go over well. There's also a matter of a actual stopping power. From all I have read on the subject, a 125 gr. jacketed hollow point has the best chance of stopping a confrontation more often than any other round. Better than a .45, better than a 9mm, better than a .40 S&W.

You can also get one for a lot less than your stated price. For $600.00 you could probably get a good .357 AND a .22 pistol!

Just my opinion.

jmx
 
If you're not a regular shooter, I'd suggest going with a revolver for the simple reason of if you have a squib, you can just pull the trigger again to get to the next round. No "tap-rack-bang" to think about. 4", .357, stainless.

If you put in the practice and get your "no fire" drills down, I think the Glock is probably the way to go. I have never been a Glock fan but you can't argue with results, they just plain work.

Whichever you go with, be sure to practice, practice, practice and make sure your family knows how to use it as well.

Rob
 
I have had three handguns lately...Kimber .45 carry compact; Glock 17; and a Smith M41 Target Pistol. It is nearly IMPOSSIBLE to touch my Kimber or Smith for 600 but they are both awesome. The .45 is the only way to go. And the .45 to go with for the money is the lower level Kimbers, or the no frills Springfeild Mil-Spec full size for like 500. The only XD I like is the .357 Sig. This is an AWESOME ammo setup with this nearly perfect tactical pistol. I liked my Glock, but I sold it for an AR15 downpayment. I could have got 2x the $$$ had I traded in my Kimber...catch my drift?

Go to the springfeild website. Good guns, good people, nice prices.

-SLD in WA
 
Another good thing about the 1911 models is that you can get a .22 conversion for them, making two guns.

The .45 a can make an awesome round when you load it up. Get a 200 grain bullet over 1000 fps and you have a serious pistol.

Some of the customizers that also sell parts have barrels for the .40 Corbon which uses the 45 acp brass necked down to .40 You can use the same mags and everything and shoot a hot .40 with just a barrel change. The last time I looked, Ed Brown sold match grade barrels for about $160. For around $400 more than the cost of the 1911 you can have these two conversions and shoot .22, .40 and .45.

There is no other pistol that is as easily customized and as versatile as the 1911.

If you look at Sigs, also consider the .357 sig, which is a hell of a round.
 
If your criteria is reliability and home defense AND around $600 then look at the following.

Glock 22 or 35. (chambered for .40 SW) These are full size handguns, not "personal" or "compact" size.

You will spend more than $600 on a full size Sig (P220 or P226) or HK (USP model).

For home defense you really can't beat a pump action shotgun.
 
Speaking of the .357 SIG, does anyone know if they make replacement barrels for the compacts, like my Glock 27?

I've never seen one advertised for the smaller pistols.
 
Originally posted by The Tourist
Speaking of the .357 SIG, does anyone know if they make replacement barrels for the compacts, like my Glock 27?

I've never seen one advertised for the smaller pistols.
Click to expand...

Yes they do. I friend of mine bought a Glock 33 (.357 Sig) and he can buy a Glock 40 S&W barrel that just drops in. It should work in reverse as well.

Personally, I have a problem with barrel changes for the same gun. You must MAKE SURE that you have the right ammo for the barrel that is in your handgun.
 
IM Metal HS2000 (imported by Intrac), 9mm. The Springfield XD looks similar. I don't know if they are exactly the same gun. Bought it for $299 in July 2001. I have only 10 rd magazines.

Glock 21, .45. Cost $449 new in May 1996 with one 13 rd magazine.

SIG 229, 40 S&W. Bought it in October 1993 for $500 with 2 12 rd magazines. It was second-hand, however the gun did not look like it had been fired. I also got 3 more magazines and the 357 SIG barrel later on at extra cost.

I like the way the Beretta 92FS looks. But it's only in 9mm which is not enough, considering its great weight and bulk. I bought one in February 1992, probably for less than $500.
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
Buy a 4" .357 of your choice.... *snip*

...You can also get one for a lot less than your stated price. For $600.00 you could probably get a good .357 AND a .22 pistol!

Just my opinion.

jmx
Click to expand...


I may be able to make this happen for you.

If interested in a mint condition (not a trade-in) 4" 686-4, email me. I am thinking of selling mine, but I haven't listed it yet. I'd make you a deal. If you want a little more firepower, I'm selling my Glock 20 on this forum and my gunbroker.com ad can be seen here.

Take care.
 
Another thought...

All of the autos mentioned here are good choices however for dependability you just can't beat a revolver.

As mentioned, the S&W 686 is a very good choice. A Ruger GP100 is also another very good choice. One in either a 4 or 6 inch barrel should more than suffice.

Craig

As a side note...

Silver Puss...Beretta makes a model 96FS that is chambered for 40 SW. The 22 LR conversion barrel works on it as well. check out http://www.berettausa.com
 
Originally posted by Silver Puss
IM Metal HS2000 (imported by Intrac), 9mm. The Springfield XD looks similar. I don't know if they are exactly the same gun. Bought it for $299 in July 2001. I have only 10 rd magazines.
Click to expand...

The XD and the HS2000 are the same gun. I do think the prices have changed though.

Rob
 
Anybody had any experience w/ the Dan Wesson Pointman? I've been kicking tires on a few 1911's & that one keeps popping up as a good choice in re: quality vs. price. I'd love to pick up a Kimber (my boss is a friend & he loves his tricked-out Kimber, but I'm not in the position to go ~$1K on a pistol right now.
 
Rugger,

I'm not sure about the Dan Wesson, but there are a few reputable guys on another forum that speak highly of the Wesson. I like the Colt and Springfield 1911's for myself. However, if you really want a Kimber, then check out the Kimber Custom II. You should be able to pick one up for around $650.00 or so. I have to admit that I have been eyeing a Kimber Custom II TLE to add to the rest of my 1911's. I just want to shoot one first.
 
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