Inexpensive Handgun

A used smith revolver is a good choice, have you also considered a ruger p95? They are a little bulky but for home defence and plinking they are perfect for...
 
I would go with the little Rossi 357/38 special, great little revolvers, great finish, great price..........perfect for just sitting on your nightstand.
If not that, go with what many others have been saying ,look for a nice used handgun, if you look hard enough there are plenty out there for a good price, just for the taking.....................
 
I would recommend, like others here, a used S&W revolver. I like the Model 10 (.38 spl); I have my dad's old one, manufactured in 1953 which he used as his service sidearm with the NYPD for over 40 years. It has well over 60,000 rounds through it, it shoot it often, and it now resides on my bedside table. This is a better quality forearm than any of the ones you mentioned; easily obtained for $250 today.
 
I would say get a used (cheaper) but reliable 380/9mm that both of you are comfortable shooting.

Something the future wife will shoot greatly increases the value of buying the gun, be it revolver or semi auto.
 
The sigma is a good start. Some people love to bad mouth Taurus, but I've never seen one break. Don't buy a used S&W unless you know how to properly check a revolver for wear and tear. I've been seeing a lot of used Smith and Wessons for $300 and up lately, that aren't worth their weight in steel. I'm talking warped frames, internal corrosion, and kitchen table gunsmithing jobs.
 
Don't go .380,,, go 9mm or .38 Special/.357 mag

I really don't have anything against the .380 cartridge except lately (more than a year) it's been the most expensive medium caliber cartridge out there.

I agree with everyone who is recommending a 4" .38,,,
It's hard to beat a S&W Model 10 or a Ruger single six or service six.

If you found a good deal, don't shy away from a .357 magnum,,,
.38 Special ammo fits and shoots out of them as well.

Honestly though, your best bet is just to pick them up and see how they feel in your hand.
 
Some people love to bad mouth Taurus, but I've never seen one break.
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I carry a Taurus 605 sometimes. Good reliable gun. However, it took three tries, the factory replaced the first two.

Kken
 
The Bersa is a very nice choice. Their 9mm is very nice, reliable and comes with a lifetime warranty. As for the 380, yes it is hard to find right now but the Thunder is a very concealable and accurate pistol.
 
I want to thank everyone for their opinions. I did find a Sigma 9mm at Academy Sports for $299...and there's that $50 mail in rebate. This may be what I end up buying, but for now I think I'll be patient. Thanks again for everyone's opinions.
 
I'll vote CZ 82. Got mine with two mags and a holster for $250 from Cabela's almost a year ago.

13 rounds of 9mm Mak will put the skids to malicious behavior pretty quickly.
 
If the handgun is for self defense of you & your family, home etc ....
try to get the best your money can buy.
Doesn't have to be new ,but please consider that quality counts when you are speaking of preserving your well being. :)
 
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Don't confuse "expensive" with "reliable". Probably the most reliable handguns out there are inexpensive used Ruger and S&W revolvers, available for under $300. They are probably more reliable overall than many $1000+ 1911s.

Doubt me? Go read the 1911 boards and you will find plenty of reliability complaints. I challenge you to find a similar amount of reliability issues with the older revolvers.

Similarly, the Ruger P series semi autos are reliable although a bit more expensive. Moving up, the CZ-75B pistols are extremely reliable although their prices have moved north of $500 recently. Used, factory refurbished Sig trade ins are also very reliable at that price point.
 
In your price range...

Used S&W revolver model 10, 15, 64 - nice and dependable. Also the 4 inch barrel will make even a .38+P load manageable. My second vote would be a Taurus Model 82 w/4" full lug barrel - it really tames the recoil. I would not recommend a snubbie as a HD gun.

Cameronrulz
Inexpensive Handgun
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If you want to get a revolver, I also like the Security or Service Six suggestion. You can find them for at or under $300. Just because it's a .357 doesn't mean you have to load it up with 357 ammo. You can use light 38 specials all the way up to full-house magnum rounds when/if you're comfortable. If you ever get into reloading you'll also have one of the most versatile rounds out there.
 
Your heart is in the right place. Let me offer one piece of advice that was given to me a long time ago. Never buy a cheap or low quality gun. Even if the gun is planned for plinking, you might still have to bet your life on it unexpectedly. If $300 is a hard and fast rule, buy a nice used Ruger, Colt or Smith & Wesson revolver. Try www.gunbroker.com or go to one of the gun shows that are coming up in your state. There are some surprising deals out there.
 
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Last gunshow where I checked prices, I saw several NEW Ruger P95 pistols marked within a few bucks of $300. One was actually a bit under $300.

With some shopping around you should be able to get out the door for well under $300.
 
I want to thank everyone for their opinions. I did find a Sigma 9mm at Academy Sports for $299...and there's that $50 mail in rebate. This may be what I end up buying, but for now I think I'll be patient. Thanks again for everyone's opinions.
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A fine choice for a "new" gun considering your budget. A lot of people bash the Sigma (the old model created the bad rep) but I owned one for a couple of years and it gave me no problems whatsoever.

If you want to buy new, I think the S&W Sigma is one of the better deals out there right now.
 
(the old model created the bad rep)
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It sure did! I am amazed that S&W would revive that name (think "Edsel" and "Corvair" combined). I guess S&W assumed that gun buyers had very short memories.

Ken
 
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