I am sure you guys are tired of these, sorry (newbie here)

K

knifework

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I got married last year and have a baby on the way. I was already thinking about getting a handgun for home defense/personal protection when my dad gave me a little .22 pistol.

Not only did I know this gun was not powerful enough for what I needed it for, it's also a cheap RG. (My dad's a rifle and shotgun guy, he doesn't know much about handguns, just had this one lying around.) What this gun did however, was put the gun bug in me and I've spent the last month researching, applying for my purchase permits, and convincing my wife we need to buy a better gun.

My wife has agreed, grudgingly, to let me buy ONE gun. She doesn't want me to spend more than $200. I quickly learned that isn't feasible. I can stretch it to $500, but I want to keep the price down as much as possible, so I'm looking for the best overall value.

This will be my only handgun for awhile. I want something I will enjoy shooting, is reliable, and can be carried daily and concealed, while also being passable for home defense (I have a shotgun, but I think I can more easily keep a handgun both accessible and safe from my child).

I've narrowed my search down, and I'd greatly appreciate any thoughts and suggestions. I'll list the guns in the order in which I am considering them:

Bersa Thunder .380 - I've fondled the gun. Feels good in my smallish hands. I've read great reviews (though it seems the brand started having quality issues a couple years ago, have they been resolved?), and I love the price. I am just worried about the caliber's power.

Ruger SP101 - Another gun that feels good in my hands. I like the simplicity of a revolver. Only drawback being capacity. Seems concealable.

Ruger SR9c - Compact, like the caliber. Not sure if the safety will be as big a deal as some reviewers made it out to be.

Taurus PT709 Slim - Love the conceal-ability and caliber. Have read mixed reviews on the gun, and the brand in general. Some like them, some say they suck. So I am not sure what to think.

S&W 9ve - Good price, felt good in my hand. Read pretty good reviews, just complaints about the trigger. Not sure it would be concealable every day. I'm a smaller guy. 5-9, 190 lbs.

Sorry to be so long-winded. I'll wrap it up. If you were me and could only get one gun for the near future, which would you want for all around use and practice/instruction? Or would you buy something else entirely?

Thanks!
 
take a look at the Kahr 9mm series of handguns. Very well made pistols. I have a PM9 that I love. Great weapon. I carry it quite often.
 
If you really need a good gun on the cheap, you can also look into the various Easter European mil-surps like Makarovs and Tokarevs. They may not be the prettiest to some people, (although I love their rugged looks). But they are reliable, tough as a tank and can be had easily for about $200. The Mak should be easy enough to conceal. While some of the things you listed can be had if you stretch your budget, how much will you have left for ammo and training? Ammo is the most expensive part of shooting. Also you can look into old cop guns.
 
While some of the things you listed can be had if you stretch your budget, how much will you have left for ammo and training? Ammo is the most expensive part of shooting. Also you can look into old cop guns.
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The budget is imposed by the wife. She's just not going to let me drop a grand on a gun. Spending 20-40 bucks on ammo every week is a different animal. Meaning, I can spend that without her ever knowing. :cool:

Also, one other question I had...I plan to carry with an IWB holster once I get my CCW permit. Would stainless hold up a lot better for that? If so, it's another plus for the SP101.
 
My votes would be for the Sp101 or the SR9C.

Both are great guns and in my opinion stand out above the others on your list.

--Duck911
 
Also, I've read about things like the Maks on the net, but isn't the ammo more expensive and harder to find?

Police trade-ins also are a good idea that I've read about.

In either case, I've had no luck finding them at the shops in my area. I was looking used, but it seemed that used guns here sell for almost as much as a new one. (One pawn shop I went to had a very beat up looking Bersa for the same price I'd seen new ones for online.)
 
You can do pretty good for $300. The local Cabela's, for example, just had an older model used S&W 9mm for $300. Good mechanical shape but some holster wear. My son just bought a Ruger 9mm plus 2 boxes of ammo for $300. There's currently a NIB S&W Sigma 9mm on GunBroker.com for $289 (Buy it Now). And good used Dan Wesson 357 revolvers run $300 to $350.
 
If your not really familiar with pistols in general it would be most prudent to stay with a revolver like the Ruger, faster learning curve like about none where you know without a doubt when you pull that trigger its going to go bang without messing with it.
 
From what you have listed I would go with one of the rugers. Just a little food for thought on your dads .22. A man from a small town where I went to school killed his wife, brother, dog, shot a man who worked for him and seriously injured him, then killed himself. All of this was done with one 10rd. mag and a .22 rifle. I would not underestimate the .22. If its all you got its better than nothing.
 
Your'e two Ruger choices are the smartest. Great guns and the Company will stand behind them, even if used.

Forget the RG 22.
 
Of your choices, I'd choose the SP101 first, with the SR9C as a very close second...only because I mostly prefer revolvers.

I'd not consider the others, but that's just me.

Daryl
 
If it is strictly for the range/home defense, to become proficient so as to be able to use it for home defense, I vote for a Ruger GP100.

You will be able to shoot light target loads (.38 Spl wad cutters) to learn the basics of marksmanship. Once you have accomplished that, you will be able to start shooting more powerful .38 Spls, and even .357 mags, that are more suitable for personal defense.
 
My votes would be for the Sp101 or the SR9C.
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I'd agree. The SP in .357 would be a great choice for HD or concealed carry. The SR9 would be a very good choice as well. Ruger mades great guns and stands behind them.

If you do get your CCW license, your carry method and gun for that matter will evolve over time but either of those two choices should fit the double bill.

If the wife is really kiling you over price, a Ruger P95 would be a good choice for HD. A little big for CCW, but well made and won't break the bank.

Taurus PT709 Slim - Love the conceal-ability and caliber. Have read mixed reviews on the gun, and the brand in general. Some like them, some say they suck. So I am not sure what to think.
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Steer clear. This brand is hotly debated but while it's possible to great a great Taurus, it's also possible to get a terrible Taurus. Those odds seem to be right around 50/50. Lots of people are willing to take that chance but if you are on a tight budget, buying a gun that isn't reliable or flat out doesn't work is problem. Sending it back to Taurus on your dime to hopefully get it fixed is a problem as well.
 
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go glock my friend! It will always go bang, it is a very safe design (though not childproof) and can be had for $499 if you shop around. If you are in one of the many professions they consider as law enforcement, they will give one to you for $399. They are among the top as far as reliability goes, they are among the top for magazine capacity too. They arent the prettiest guns to some, but I like the black "tactical" looking guns. They are very accurate, and easy to conceal if you decide on a compact or sub compact model. I carry a G23 every day.

Some of my conceal favorites are the G30, G23, and G29
 
While some of the things you listed can be had if you stretch your budget, how much will you have left for ammo and training? Ammo is the most expensive part of shooting.
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Agreed! Buy what feels best in YOUR hand so it is comfortable for YOU. All you'll get here is to be told to buy what someone else finds comfortable. People with brand A will recommend brand A, brand B owners will say to get one of those, etc... Get a quality make and model that feels good to YOU. Concentrate on getting some range time in and then look into additional training. GOOD training not the sub-entry-level, barely cover the basics, minimum needed stuff. Well, that is unless your family isn't worth more than minimum. :rolleyes:
 
From the list: Ruger SP101 or Ruger SR9c -- I lean more towards the SP101 in 38 only version.
SP101 in .357 will be very noisy and recoil hard. I think that 38+p is a good self defense load. For me, .357 in a small frame will not be fun to shoot.
 
The Ruger Sp101 is a good choice, but you will have to practice, practice & practice some more to become proficient with a snub nosed revolver.

The Ruger SR9c is also a good choice but as above you will need to practice alot to become proficient with it as well.

I would also consider a Ruger P95 which would be easier to learn how to shoot accurately.

But If I were you I would take a serious look at a Stoeger/Beretta Cougar 8000. Easier than all of the above to shoot accurately (especially for your wife) & much more gun for your money. Soft recoil, Hi Cap & easier to stay on target. There's not a better quality handgun on the market for anywhere near it's price. ($369 NIB).
 
You're getting some good advice. It is hard to beat the Rugers. I don't know where you live, but if you have some shops around you at least try holding them before choosing. You can also stretch you dollar by looking at the used case. But, don't let a clerk "sell" you the gun. Get the info and do some online research, or check in here. Probably a good idea to avoid the Taurus stuff. Bersa makes an excellent 9mm.

As for cost to feed, you will probably find 9mm is the easiest to find, and the cheapest to shoot. Good luck.
 
Of the ones you listed, I would go Ruger SR9c. S&W close second.

I find it interesting that Glock or Springfield XD isn't on the list. Not too glamorous, but good for what you need and sub $500 prices. I'm not a glock fanboy, but they are a lot of gun for the money. I lean toward XDs (fit better)but Glocks tend to be a bit cheaper. There must be a gazillion used ones out there just waiting for a buyer. It's not like the average owner is going to wear one out in normal use.
Also Sig 250, good gun, small price. They are available for under $400.
CZ2075 Rami, can be had right in the $400ish range. CZs rock by the way.
LEO trade-ins can be a good way to get a lot of gun for small cash as well.

Taurus, quality/reliability can be quite good. Other times not so much. Which will you buy? I don't know either.
Bersa Thunder .380 - step up to a 9mm. Cheaper ammo, better variety = more practice, higher skill level & fun factor.
$.02 contributed.
 
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