Personal Defense Carry Package for Under $500?

[ReserveCop]

What would be your ultimate "personal defense carry package" for a total cost NEW of under $500? For example, what handgun, OC stray, knife, etc., etc., etc.

If you can, please be specific as possible including make, model, cost, etc.

Thanks for your opinion.

Glock 27....prices may vary....is there really anything else?

[glockjeeper]

I agree, Glock 26 or 27. I've had two different 27s over the years but just got a 26 this past weekend. Excellent pistols. Can be had for just under $500.

[C.R.Sam]

Carry package?

With a limit of $500 you should go used. A $500 gun with no practice, holster, ammo, training etc would be worthless.

Suggest going for a police trade-in, one that is a cosmetic disaster but in good shooting condition. That should leave you three hundred or so for the rest of the package.

The most important part of the package is knowledge and expertise.

Sam...a loaded Lorcin beats two empty Wilsons.

[sholling]

Although I'm not 100% in agreement with C.R.Sam, I think he's 99.9% right. I'd suggest a Charles Daley 1911 or perhaps a cheap .357 ($350), 7 hours of self very basic defense training ($95), and an additional 400-500 rounds of ($55) worth of practice ammo.

Now if you're interested in SURVIVING a serious SHTF situation I'd add $100 for magazines, $50 for carry ammo, $100 for leather, $200-500 for practice ammo, and $300-400 for more advanced training (the going rate around here).

[Zak Smith]

(prices are rough estimates of what you can find an your local gunshop)

1. Arsenal New Bulgarian Makarov: $150
2. 1000 rounds of Russian surplus ball for practice: $110
3. enough self-defense-type ammo to test reliability and have two mags left over: $30
4. pocket-sized can of pepper spray/OC: $10
5. cell phone (and some service, too): say $75
6. NRA "personal protection" class to familiarize yourself with the laws and so forth: $35
7. IDPA new-shooter intro & instruction: $40
8. 4-5 IDPA matches: $50 (~10/each)

Total: $500.

While the caliber (9x81 Mak) and capacity (8+1) of the pistol itself may leave something to be desired, I think this budget addresses mental preparation (both knowledge and attitude), mechanical training, and one's limits. IDPA matches are usually humbling.

-z

Edit: in retrspect, I forgot to include a holster. While "mexican IWB" is attractive with a Mak, I cede that it is not proper.

[JJCII]

Pistol CZ75 .40S&W $369.00
Knife Benchmade 910 Stryker $109.00
OC Spray "I have no clue..."

JJCII

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All:

As other's have stated, the Glock 27 w/extra magazines, Freeze +P (pepper spray), Peerless double-hinged handcuffs,
Cold Steel excutive ice scrapper, and a Case XX folding
knife.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[glockgazda]

New?

That'd be a Bulgie Mak, average $150.

Russian ammo $100/1000 average.

Holster, belt and maybe mag pouch $100 at least for decent quality.

Carry ammo $50, to test fire and have left over for carry.

Any decent quality folder with thumb stud/hole and clip, $35 and up.

Don't know about, and don't carry sprays. I'd spend the rest on more practice ammo and or spare parts/mags.

You could do the same with Taurus M-85, and you would have stealthier weapon but with less capacity, and you'd have less money to spend on practice ammo.

[Dr.Rob]

Training is VERY important. I thought i knew a lot about firearms and shooting until i took my first class.

First CCW class $200

FEG 9mm hipower $225
Houge monogrip $25
Spare magazines (preban) around $20 each
Galco G-slide Holster $75 (similar holster from Dillon $35)
Magazine pouch AMS, cordura/velcro $10
Gunbelt $40 (your average wal-mart belt won't cut it)


So i have about $425 in my weapon and rig. PLUS the following monthly fees:

Cell phone $30/mo on my current plan

Add 200 rounds a month in ammo (range or match) UMC 115 gr ball.. @ $8/Box

1 box 'carry ammo' per month (shot in matches or range work) $15-20 per box

1 IDPA match per month @ $12 (try to shoot at least match a month, or 2 range sessions a month)

Time spent on TFL.. priceless

Annual fees;

IDPA membership $35
CCW Renewal (varies in your area) PLUS application fee for 1st time ($200 here)

You really owe it to yourself to take your time and do it right. train effectively and often, shoot matches and develop your situational awareness. CCW is a big responsibility and I've taken a year to train for mine. You can work with less expensive equipment (holsters, used guns etc) but do not skimp on your training and practice.

[denfoote]

I am surprised that nobody has mentioned this yet.
Ruger P95--- $407*
Bianchi 7/7L Pancake holster---- $32**
Standard capacity mag--- $40 ( approximate price)
Total--- $479


* Price of the gun is MSRP per the Ruger website

** The holster price is what I paid for mine.

This is the best $500 or under package IMHO!!!!!

[Digger]

This is the perfect post for me, because my wife says I'm the cheapest man alive:

Lightweight .38 revolver: $300-$380

Holster: $11

Gerber lightweight folding knife: $22

Pepper spray: $15

Ammo: $60

Speedloader: $8

Training and range time: The rest of the $500 bucks!!!!

[David Scott]

Hey, good idea, Denfoote, but there's a dealer here in Florida with a price of $294.00 on his website for a brand new blued Ruger P95. Here's how I do the math on my own setup:

Ruger P95: $294.00
http://rweidig-gunsmith.freeyellow.com/page3.html

High Noon "Hideaway" IWB holster $44.00
http://www.highnoonholsters.com/hideawayclip.html

2 ea. Mec-Gar spare mags from CDNN $26.00
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/p89mm10nicne.html

Columbia River M16-13Z folding knife, $60
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/p...UPR8XM6WAW8915

CCI/Speer 124 grain Gold Dots, 100 rounds @ $10/20 rd box, total $50
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/p...UPR8XM6WAW8915

That's $474.00 at Internet prices. Leaves me $26 bucks, which equals 13 admissions to the County's public range for practice.

[KP95DAO]

What is this about a "package". I carry a gun, one or two spare mags, and the cell phone. No pepper spray, no "fighting knife" (though I never go anywhere without my Leatherman), no cuffs, no expanding baton, no brass knuckles, no garrotting wire. My God, I just realized, I am almost totally defenseless.

Wait a minute. Reality check. I still have my gun, one or two spare mags, and my cell phone. I'll be okay.

[Richard]

I just picked up a Ruger P97 for $350 (out the door), about $60 for a Galco Fletch holster, and $39 for a Spyderco knife. That should be within your budget. Regards, Richard

[EricM]

KelTec P11 ($240), SmartCarry holster ($45), Kershaw knife ($60, but I paid about $80 ), cell phone (company phone), Surefire 6P (about $40). I'm not counting clothes . $70 for CCW class. Just under $500.

[riddleofsteel]

Police trade in Sig P229 with two 10 round mags $350.00
Belt Scabbard by Murph's Holsters 35.00
Galco clip on extra mag pouch (already had but..) 25.00 used
Scorpion Streamlight and cordura belt holder 40.00
Gerber E-Z Out folder(found mine on street but..) 29.00

that leaves aprox. $80.00 for practice ammo and a couple of range fees.

[Spectre]

Kel-Tec P-11 (9mm) or P-40: 200-250$
Tritium front sight: 50$
Fluff and Buff and Nickel plating by Jack Fusilier: 80$
Quality holster and mag carrier: 100$
2 S&W M69 mags: 40$

That should equal about 500$ for smooth, accurate, and carryable pistol with a lifetime warranty and good leather.