If you had $350-or-less to spend on a semi-auto pistol...

[K1052]

I have to echo the support for the Ruger P series. I have a P89-T that has eaten box after box of every ammo I've fed it (including a lot of +p+) without complaint. It isn't glamorous or pretty but it is accurate and reliable.

 

[gooseman]

Check out the Bersa Thunder .380. Do you have an Academy Sports near you? If so, last time I checked there (and that's been a while) they sold for $218.00 new. The .380 is basically the same round as a 9mm although the ammo does cost more.
I have one and have found it to be extremely reliable so far. I also have a Kimber, the S&W M&P and have had a couple Glocks and an H&K. This little Bersa has so far been just as reliable as any of those. For the price, it is a great little gun.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: gooseman
Check out the Bersa Thunder .380. Do you have an Academy Sports near you? If so, last time I checked there (and that's been a while) they sold for $218.00 new. The .380 is basically the same round as a 9mm although the ammo does cost more.
I have one and have found it to be extremely reliable so far. I also have a Kimber, the S&W M&P and have had a couple Glocks and an H&K. This little Bersa has so far been just as reliable as any of those. For the price, it is a great little gun.

.380 Auto has substantially less energy than 9x19mm

 

[Gooberlx2]

Resurrecting my few days old thread.

Has anyone seen or shot this Charles Daly HP 9mm? Local pawn shop has it for $260 new, which seems well below the average price (I think/hope I'm remembering the price right).

Got a favorable review here and here. The only bummer would be it seems to be SAO.

 

[JDub02]

TTIWWGlocks

Used Glock + 1, even if your wife hates them.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: gooseman
Check out the Bersa Thunder .380. Do you have an Academy Sports near you? If so, last time I checked there (and that's been a while) they sold for $218.00 new. The .380 is basically the same round as a 9mm although the ammo does cost more.
I have one and have found it to be extremely reliable so far. I also have a Kimber, the S&W M&P and have had a couple Glocks and an H&K. This little Bersa has so far been just as reliable as any of those. For the price, it is a great little gun.

i have one too. pretty good for the price. gets really good reviews

 

[foofoo]

hi,
i have to agree with some of the others. a used springfield xd is the way to go if you can find it. if not, or if you really want a new gun, get the ruger p?? series. they are not glamorous but they are very reliable and not fussy with ammo, in my experience.
good luck

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2
Resurrecting my few days old thread.

Has anyone seen or shot this Charles Daly HP 9mm? Local pawn shop has it for $260 new, which seems well below the average price (I think/hope I'm remembering the price right).

Got a favorable review here and here. The only bummer would be it seems to be SAO.

Every Charles Daly handgun I have ever seen has been severly lacking in quality. They have all been the 1911 variants, but every single one of them was a POS. I don't know about that 9mm though.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Used Glock. Throw anything at it, or throw it at anything, and it keeps on working.

 

[Mutilator]

Let me just throw a few thoughts out on this...

Decide if you want fun use on the range or home defense. Yes you can have both, but probably not for your price range. You could get a 22 for range use and cheap ammo... you could get a Keltec 9mm or something for personal defense, but you probably wouldn't like using it on the range. If you want both then like the others have said, save up some more $$$ and get a XD. I say XD because I have one, and I too don't like Glocks.

Speaking from experience my $450 9mm XD cost me about $1000 over my 1st month of owning it after I got the gun, holster, cleaning supplies, range fees, ammo, etc. Lets not even talk about the add-ons/mods I could do to it... This is not an inexpensive hobby to get in to.

I could probably throw out some more but I'll stop there for now. If you do consider getting a XD then I recommend you register over at XDTalk and start reading. You'll find answers to a lot of your questions there.

 

[foghorn67]

Daewoo. Seriously, nice NATO certified, cheap guns. Good bang for the buck.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Daewoo. Seriously, nice NATO certified, cheap guns. Good bang for the buck.

my dad has a used one in 9mm and it jams all the time. whether thats quality of the gun or from the previous owner is undetermined though.

 

[KC5AV]

Most anything from Taurus. Most of their handguns come with what amounts to an unrestricted lifetime warranty, and they have some pretty good guns.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: pontifex

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Daewoo. Seriously, nice NATO certified, cheap guns. Good bang for the buck.

my dad has a used one in 9mm and it jams all the time. whether thats quality of the gun or from the previous owner is undetermined though.

i know two owners. One is the 9mm, the other a .40. Both swear by them, however, they bought them new.

 

[LS20]

IF you get it for self defense, not for sport shooting, why NOT get a dummy-proof fail-safe revolver?

 

[JDMnAR1]

I would forget the multi-purpose gun if you don't plan to carry. I would go with something along the lines of a Browning Buckmark .22 for range shooting with the wife, and a 12 gauge of some sort for home defense. The shotgun is going to be much better suited for home defense - the only thing the handgun would have going for it is that it is easier to bring to bear in close quarters. If you are determined to go with a handgun for both purposes check local pawn shops and gun shows, because there are plenty of deals to be found.