Best self defense pistol on a TIGHT budget

O

ojibweindian

New member
Okay, guys, I need advice. I need a reliable self-defense pistol for under $300. It can be new or used, foreign or domestic. The only constraint is that it be in 9mm or above.

Any suggestions?

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For God so loved the world that he gave his onlly begoten Son...
 
You don't specify whether you're looking full-size, mid-size, or compact. Are you planning on carrying it or leaving it in a drawer?
 
LOTS of guns to choose from! Many Taurus revolvers, Ruger semiautos, used S&W revolvers in 38 or 357, FEG Hipower clone, CZ 75B (in my area NIB $300), and a BUNCH more.

If you're really on a budget, I'd go look in all the area gun shops. Then, after you have priced and held all of the possible candidates, go to a large gun show and make your purchase there. You'll prob get a much better deal at a gun show than at a gun shop.

Good hunting, I'm sure you'll find a good gun in your price range.
 
$300 will get you a Makarov (9x18) and 1000 rounds of ammo. Or there are plenty of used revolvers out there with money left for practice ammo. It really depends on what you plan on doing with it however I would make sure that you leave money for a few hundred rounds and range time.
 
Greg,

True. NIB Bulgarian Mak from www.jcarmory.com for $147 delivered, $20 for Pearce grips, $52.50 for 500 rounds of new production ammo, and $33 for a Bianchi Professional holster. All of this for $252.50. Heck you still have money left over for a nice dinner. ;)

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
If you`re looking for a super compact auto check out the Keltec P-11/P-40,I`ve had great luck with mine and they`re priced well under $300. If you want something bigger the Ruger P-95 is really hard to beat for the money. If you can squeeze another $40 or so into the budget check out the P-97 .45,it would be a great gun even if it cost hundreds more. Marcus
 
The market is covered up right now with *&* Model 10 police trade-ins. Heavy barrel, fixed sights, and leather and grip choices a-go-go. The fun starts at $150ish...

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"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
For self defense on a budget its hard to beat a good used revolver. Plenty of 'em out there cheap.

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TFL's official "Curmudgeon Member" and damned proud of it!
 
As has been mentioned, a revolver or a makarov. Another overlooked greta choice is the Helwan Maadi. This is a licensed copy of the Beretta model 951 9mm. Last year, before CDNN got out of the handgun business, they were selling these for $125. A little feed ramp polishing, and they'll feed most, if not all available factory 9mm ammo. Definitely an underrated sleeper. Of course, this is a service sized, steel frame pistol. Perhaps not the best choice if you carry, but an excellent home defense piece.

[This message has been edited by parabellum (edited May 25, 2000).]
 
Here's another vote for a wheelgun. You can never go wrong with a good revolver. You can get a new Taurus for under $300 or a good used S&W revolver. I recently picked up an excellent S&W 66 stainless 4" for $189.

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John
"Never argue with an idiot, they pull you down to their level and beat you with experience"
 
I saw several posts that mentioned the Makarovand the FEG Hi-Power clone. I've heard of them before, and have seen some Makarovs at the local gun store. Can't remember how much they were asking for them.

How reliable are these two pistols? Which one would be considered better for CCW and home defense? How difficult, and expensive, is it to find replacement parts and magazines? Is there any real difference in the 9x18 and 9x19 rounds? Fnally, can these guns be picked up for less than $225 so that I can use the remainder of my budget to buy quality ammo and practice rounds?

Thanks for answering my questions. This is a very serious subject for me.

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For God so loved the world that he gave his onlly begoten Son...
 
I just saw the rest of your post Tecolote. $147 for a Makarov? Are these pistols durable? Does the 9x18 have the equivalent amount of power of the 9x19? If it's close, it sounds as if the Makarov is the way to go.

Are there holsters made for the Makarov? Who makes good defense ammo for this pistol?
 
If you're looking for information on the Makarov pistols, go to www.makarov.com If you're looking for information on the Kel-Tec, go to www.keltog.com

Either one of these are fine self defense pistols at very reasonable prices.

[This message has been edited by Nazman (edited May 26, 2000).]
 
Lots of good advice listed above. Follow it, regardless of which direction you choose, and you cannot go wrong.
 
The KTOG web site is http://www.ktog.org

I would go with the Kel-Tec P-11 in 9mm Luger or the P-40 in .40 S&W. Both are small enough to carry and should run you around $220-240. That leaves money left over for a spare magazine and ammunition.

Justin



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Justin T. Huang, Esq.
late of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
 
An excellent condition, used Ruger GP-100 or S&W 686, both with a four-inch barrel and all-stainless frame are excellent alternatives. These revolvers are inexpensive, durable, very accurate, reliable, and able to accommodate the full variety of .357 magnum and .38 Special rounds. Therefore, they are easy and cheap to practice with (in .38 Special) but still have a very potent defensive punch (in .357 mag).
 
I agree with a couple of people here. If you can't afford a good defensive pistol you're better off with a revolver.

get an S&W 686 or a ruger GP-100 for that price and you know it will be reliable. many of these cheaper guns are lower in cost for a reason.

my personal choices for defensive pistols are a beretta 92FS and a Glock 19. they are both reasonalbly priced and can be found used for under $400. i got my G19 new for $459 so if you really want a pistol save up for a better one.
 
Ojibweindian,

I have both the KelTec P-11 and the Makarov. The P-11 will hold 11 rounds (10+1) while the Mak holds 9 (8+1). The P-11 is much lighter which is nice if it is on your hip all day however you do feel it when you shoot it. The Mak is heavy and very accurate. Of the bullets themselves hopefully someone more knowledgeable than me will jump in but the Mak's is a lot less powerful than the 9mm (Luger) and there are more variations in defensive rounds available for the regular 9mm.

Given what you've said so far, the Mak while one hell of a deal, isn't the best for everyday carry or your only defensive gun. You would probably be best served right now with a used .357 revolver (get lots of .38 to practice with and load it up for defense with .357 rounds). You can get a better gun for your money with a revolver than an auto at this time. If you do insist on an auto, KelTec is a good one. Hope this helped.

Greg
 
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