Best Gun for 600.00 or Less

Glock 19...but if that is truly too small (which I have a hard time believing unless you've got the hands of a 10-year-old girl)
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When I hold the gun correctly (inline with my wrist and forearm) the tip of my finger barley reaches the trigger.... and I mean barely.....

I am going to go to a few gun shops and ranges and try some guns out....

I am thinking that a nice snub nose revolver may be what I am looking for but we'll see...

Thanks again for the info I really appreciate it.
 
Get a decent used Browning Hi-Power. I think you will like the way it feels - its not much of a reach to get to the trigger.
 
Go try some on for size at the gun store and come back with a short list; in an auto, I would lean toward 9mm or above, and .38 and above in a wheel gun. Look into some of the Glock single stack compacts as they are less hand filling than the fatter double stack models. I really like the Ruger SP101 in .357; very controllable for a mini-magnum. Also look at the Sig P239 line. Excellent, smooth, and reasonably compact.
 
Too many preferences involved here to just rattled off an answer.

There are EXCELLENT guns in that price range with difference features that are just a matter of what you like.

Revolver/semi is obvious, but when you get to the semis - steel, alloy, or polymer frame? Striker, SA, DA, or DAO? Do you want a safety or not? You want full-sized, medium, or compact for carry? Are there any specific features that you're opposed to (ie, mag disconnect, internal locks, loaded chamber indicators, etc).

Barring that, there's also usage. Do you plan on only using it at the range? Only using it for defense? A little of both? If you can have only one gun then different models fit those duties better or worse, and if you'll be doing both then there would be some compromise involved.

Having said that, just for my PERSONAL choices if I could only have one handgun:

If it was strictly a range gun, I'd personally look at the EAA Witness Elite Match in either 9mm or .40S&W.

If strictly a carry gun, I'd look at a Kahr CM9.

If a little of both, I'd look into the Ruger SR9c.
 
My recommendations for some autos under $600.

Semi-Auto

Smith and Wesson-
3rd Generation-
5906 9mm:
4" barrel, 15 round capacity, ~$400-$450. One of the finest 9mm's ever made. Though they don't make the 3rd Generations anymore, so you'll have to find them in listings like Gunbroker.
400px-S%26W5906LateModel.jpg


6906 9mm:
3.5" barrel, 12 round capacity, ~$300-$400. Fantastic for CCW. Same story on availability.
400px-S%26W6906LEFT.jpg


(Other models to consider: 908, 910, 915)

M&P Series-
Any of the M&P's would do you extremely well. They generally have a bit slimmer profile than the Glocks, without compromising any reliability. They have good capacity, and won't ever let you down. Full sized-compact and different calibers. ~$450-500
colibri-mmp2-sm.jpg



Ruger-
SR9-
Great gun by Ruger. Slim Grip, Good Accuracy, Reliability and capacity. Full size-compact. ~$400-$450.
1287745160.jpg


Revolver-

Ruger:
SP101-
.357 magnum versatility. Comes in various lengths and variations, but 3" barrel is a very nice length. "Just the right size". 5 shot capacity. ~$500

GP100-
.357 magnum versatility. Larger and heavier though, and you'll have to feel the grips to see if it fits your hands. Good for absolutely anything, but will be very hard to conceal comfortably. ~$500

LCR-
.38 special. 5 shot capacity. Small grips, low weight, reliable, hammer-less, snub nose, and easy to conceal. ~$450
ruger_lcr.jpg



Smith and Wesson:
Snub Nose Options: (637, 642, 638, 60, etc...)-
J-frames are fantastic weapons that just about everyone loves. 5-shot capacity and lots of options ~$400-$500.
sw637.jpg


K-Frames (Models 10-19, and more)-
.38-.357, these are perfect "all-around" revolvers for carry, range, home, and vehicle. You can find them in all kinds of conditions for all kinds of different prices. Probably ~$350-$550.



I hope this helps you and gets you off and running.
~LT
 
None of my thoughts pertain as I have big hands and you have small. What I think of as "best" will possibly be worst for you.

Best thing is to set your mind on a caliber then go to several gun shops and fondle the wares. Then shoot your top 3 picks is you can else buy what just feels best in your hand and call it good.

"best" is a moving target, so don't be hung up on it.
 
If a person has small hands, there are some guns that will definitely not work and some that are more prone to work. Just because a revolver is small in size, doesn't mean that the reach to the trigger is short. Recall - revolvers are double action so they may not be the best for small hands.

2nd and 3rd generation S&W's are a bad choice for small hands - they are usually double stacked and rather thick. However, there may be some single-stack S&W autos with thin grips that might work. Still, most S&W's are da/sa, and if I had fairly small hands, I'd narrow my choices to single-action autos. The older Browning Hi-Powers (not the new ones, as I under stand that the cast frames are a little thicker) are really going to be the best bet.
 
How small are the hands we're talking about? What size glove do you wear? Because my Uncle taught his 11 year old son to shoot on his Smith and Wesson 5906, and he managed very well.

~LT
 
I usually wear small to medium gloves.
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So do I.

I have to say this, and with no offense intended...

I think you've been gripping your weapon improperly. The Glock 19 is my EDC carry gun, and my wife shoots it very well. She's 5'1" and wears youth medium gloves. Now when I taught her to shoot, I specifically emphasized grip, stance, and breathing.

Now, I could understand if you thought the Glock grip was simply "uncomfortable" or you felt like it didn't fit your hands, but by your description of nearly not being able to reach the trigger at all, I think you may want to look into getting some professional instruction when it comes to shooting properly. Even if you are a decent shot and know how to connect, it doesn't neccessarily mean that you know proper technique.

~LT
 
I'd strongly consider a Ruger GP 100 3" for an "all arounder" for someone with small hands, as the Ruger grip frame can take some VERY small custom grips (Badger comes to mind) Because of the post stlye grip frame, you shouldn't have any issues getting a very short trigger reach.

Same goes for the SP 101 but, personally, I'd prefer 6 shots to 5.

Some Dan Wesson's have a similar style grip frame, but finding a custom grip maker for one of those might be a bit more of a chore
 
I went to the gun shop today and tried out a few different guns. The sales person was really pushing a Smith and Wesson featherlight hammerless revolver in 38 special. (I forgot the model#) It was 399.99. It was a very nice gun but had a very heavy trigger pull 11lbs. He also showed me a Ruger (same size as the S&W) It was nice but you could tell the S&W had a better build quality to it. I wanted to check out the Ruger LC9 and the S&W bodyguard but they were not in stock.

I will try and take a pic of my grip. With my old Glock 19 to reach the trigger I would have to tilt the gun a little to the right to reach the trigger, putting the butt of the gun more on the base of my thumb than inbetween my thumb and index finger.
 
Considering the 3 guns you have already owned, if you don't immediately have that "Boy I wish I still had that gun" feeling, combined with what you expect out of your new gun, I would say that maybe it's time to go to a .38 or .357 snubbie and put whatever money you save toward 2 good holsters (one IWB and one OWB) and a good belt. That setup would serve you for years in almost any carry situation.
 
600 budget

On your budget, you might just be able to swing one of the
Short Frame Glocks -- standard model number followed by the lettersSF.

If the grip size was close but not quite right with a standard Glock, one of these might work.
See if you can check one out at a store or better yet rent one at a shooting range.

Advantage to a Glock (also applies to a 1911 such as the STI Spartan {under $650 in my area}); is that at some point in the future you can pick up a fairly inexpensive .22 simply by buying a conversion unit that swaps out the slide/barrel/magazine.
Several firms offer them for various pistols, but the 1911 and a couple models of the Glock are the most common offerings.
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"SF" Stands for "Slim Frame".

And if you have to rotate the weapon to touch the trigger, you're not gripping it right to begin with. I've taught some very small people to shoot with my Glock 19 and none of them had trouble reaching the trigger with a proper grip.

Something is awry with your handling of the gun.

~LT
 
Guns, Harleys, and choices!

I ride a Harley Too!

But one must protect yourself while out and about...

It is better to buy a high quality used gun, than a lesser new one in most cases.

It is not like buying a car, there is no pride with a new one, because who can tell? The larger the bore, the less ammo has been shot in the majority of the scenarios. A 500 S&W is not as worn as a K-22 etc.

Wheel gun or auto. There are many differences, and I am sure you that you are aware of such. Some folks will lead you to what they use, but get whatever meets your needs. If you a cop, your needs will be different than if you are a farmer most of the time. If you ride a bike size may matter, while in a truck it may not.

Take everything with a grain of salt, look, feel, and shoot as many as you can ... then decide... Have fun, what do you have to lose???
 
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