Looking to spend 300

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verti89

New member
My buddy is looking for his first handgun. He is looking to spend around 300 on a compact (4") new or used. He is looking for a gun thats going to work when he pulls the trigger and is leaning more towards a semi auto but is open to revolvers. Any suggestions? We are going to a gun show tomorrow and I want some info to help him with. Thanks
 
Given its a first gun, and reliability is key, I would lean toward a revolver. It would definitely be used, rather than new. But that's OK.
 
Find a used Glock 17/19/26. 9mm, 17, 15, and 10 round capacity. He might have to go up a little in price, but this is a reliable to hell and back, and simple and effective.
 
First, I suggest you save up a few more dollars and buy new or less than a year old.

Second, take someone with you that knows guns to trouble shoot them. At 300 dollars you are running the risk of bringing home someone else's junk.

If you want a new gun that will last forever go with a Sigma. It's trigger is it's curse but for a new shooter it would not be as much of a problem.
 
I would suggest a Ruger P85 or P89. Very reliable and accurate. I've shot 3000+ rounds through my P85 without a hitch and I shoot the cheapest ammo I can buy.
 
I've always been a proponent that a person's "first" gun should be a revolver due to it's simplicity and inherent safety of operation.

That said, ANY high quality revolver will be fine along the likes of Smiths or Rugers.
Of course, a $300 limit pretty much means buying used nowadays, so you have to be able to tell a good one from a worn out piece of crap.

The OP didn't mention if it was going to be used for carry or not, but barrel length should determine it's intended use.
 
I agree with Orchidhunter. for 300 bucks you can still find a model 10 in good shape. Take along somebody who knows guns when you go shopping to check it out.
 
$100 more would really open the door to better options for him, but for $300 he should look for a used S&W or Ruger .38 or .357 revolver. If he's dead set on a semi-auto, a Makarov in good condition or a very nice 9mm Bersa Thunder should be in that price range. Any of the Ruger P-series are good guns, too.

But like I said, another hundred bones would allow him to decide between a nice, lightly used GLOCK, Springfield XD, and many other quality guns.
 
Yep at 300$ nowadays, he is gonna be rather restricted in guns, even used. A few years ago he could have picked up a decent revolver with extra money to buy lots of ammo for that, but now is not a great bargain hunters paradise. They exist, but I have not been seeing them around here. Old is not bad. The used gun does not have to be a year old to be good, it is total round count thru it and condition that counts, unless you are really talking some antique. Besides, if you want a prelock Smith, that is more than a year old! 20-30-+ old is fine if it was well taken care of. You might just barely squeeze one of the poly frame Smith autos into that budget. Check out which models are the duds and which are good, though. A Ruger or even a Taurus auto would work out in that budget maybe. Just beware buying used. If you can get used from a gun shop that will stand behind the purchase, so much the better. Buy at the gunshow, you may get a peach or a piece of pooh with hidden flaws. But alot of people enjoy taking the small risk if they think it is a bargain. Heck there are people who are even very happy with Taurus or Rossi revolvers, if they get a good functioning one, they will keep working despite the bad words of their critics.
 
I've always been a proponent that a person's "first" gun should be a revolver due to it's simplicity and inherent safety of operation.

That said, ANY high quality revolver will be fine along the likes of Smiths or Rugers.
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I agree completely with this and just want to state again to stick with S&Ws or Rugers. There are some lower priced revolvers out there that look tempting but their quaility is really hit or miss. He might get a good one, but if he gets a bad one, he'll have way more than $300 invested in it by the time he gets it working again, if he gets it working again.
 
Do a bit of research before heading out, and don't forget to check the out of the way places like pawn shops and the like. I have found a lot of good deals in those local places. My last purchase was a 98% condition Browning BDA made in 1979 with two 13 rd magazines for $350.
Taurus makes a decent revolver and the used ones are within your friend's price range.
 
I'd have to agree with starting out with a revolver.
I recently picked up a NIB Dan Wesson .357mag for under $300. You might still find a deal or two on the Ruger Speed, Service, or Security Six in that price range. All are very good.
 
My buddy is looking for his first handgun.
He is looking to spend around 300 on a compact (4") new or used.
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For What Purpose?

If it's going to be a range gun, for amusement and plinking, look for a Ruger .22 auto.

Otherwise:

Start by avoiding crap guns in general, and anything made by Bryco, Jennings, Jimenez, or whatever they call themselves this year.

Look at ergonomics -- does it fit you? Can you reach and manipulate the controls?

Don't forget to budget for extra magazines, ammo, and other goodies.

Specifics -- for $300 you're not going to find a 1911 or used used Glock. You might find a .38 revolver, Ruger auto, CZ clone or the like. Used at that price. Or a milsurp CZ-83 or Makarov. Bersa Thunder .380 might be had new at that price, around here.
 
What do you need to know about basic safety that costs 300$ to learn? I spent nothing for safety training and my house is not full of holes. His Buddy/poster should confer that information for free. As for the milsurp guns, the cheap ones have some nice features and are interesting, but maybe not your first gun. There is a reason that they are surplus and sell cheap. Not that I don't have some.
 
Have been looking at guns new and used the last few weeks and around here in FL there isn't much out there for $300:( You can find them if you look but most I wouldn't buy:barf:
 
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