I recommend a USED gun.
As for prices, in San Francisco, a used .38 Special with 3 inch barrel that is made of carbon steel (denser than stainless, but not as hard I believe) goes for $265.00.
If your friend looks around, I am sure he could do better price-wise in a cheaper part of the country (USA).
Used .357 are in the $310 range now. And get this, in spring 1999, a new GP-100 with 6inch barrel went for $324.00 (it was marked down), now, $424.00.
Sigh. Supply and demand is fine and all, but good God, a 31% increase in price?!
And lastly, since your friend is not a gun person (but this will change, I am sure), a used gun is perfect in just about every way imaginable....just check the shop and see if they give any sort of guarantee.
Duncan
As for prices, in San Francisco, a used .38 Special with 3 inch barrel that is made of carbon steel (denser than stainless, but not as hard I believe) goes for $265.00.
If your friend looks around, I am sure he could do better price-wise in a cheaper part of the country (USA).
Used .357 are in the $310 range now. And get this, in spring 1999, a new GP-100 with 6inch barrel went for $324.00 (it was marked down), now, $424.00.
Sigh. Supply and demand is fine and all, but good God, a 31% increase in price?!
And lastly, since your friend is not a gun person (but this will change, I am sure), a used gun is perfect in just about every way imaginable....just check the shop and see if they give any sort of guarantee.
Duncan