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Old March 7, 2011, 06:58 PM   #51
caz223
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I'd personally recommend a good used star PD if it's just for carry, and occasional practice. Great for carry, but will wear out due to their lightweight frames.
If you're gonna shoot it a lot, I'd recommend a good used smith revolver, a model 36, 60, or whatever j frame you like and can get for your money.
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Old November 10, 2012, 10:07 AM   #52
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Best $250 - $350 handgun

Bersa Thunder .380 accurate, dependable.
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Old November 10, 2012, 02:06 PM   #53
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Bulgarian Makarov or Polish P64
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Old November 10, 2012, 02:25 PM   #54
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9MM SCCY CPX-1 or 2. Generation 2.



Mine

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Old November 10, 2012, 08:02 PM   #55
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I recommend the Arcus 98 DAC. It's a great DA/SA pistol in 9x19, and can be had for $350 new. All steel construction, almost meaningless recoil. And it can take BHP magazines When you buy new, it comes with 3 mags too.
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Old November 10, 2012, 10:09 PM   #56
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The attached links provide several options in the stated price range.

http://e-sarcoinc.com/pistols-2.aspx

http://e-sarcoinc.com/starpistols-2.aspx
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Old November 10, 2012, 10:29 PM   #57
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Rock island armory 1911's
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Old November 11, 2012, 09:54 AM   #58
327 FM
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You can purchase a brand new Bersa Thunder 380 for $300 or less, and a brand new Bersa UC Pro in matte finish in either 9mm, 40 S@W, or 45 ACP for around $350 or slightly more.

Because of the low price, a lot of folks bad mouth the Bersa. However, those of us that do own these guns know how RELIABLE they are.

My Thunder 380 eats any ammo I put through it. My UC Pro 40 S@W eats anything that doesn't come out of a white Winchester box.
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Old November 11, 2012, 10:10 AM   #59
Sher Khan
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Seems to me what you look for should be based on what you intend to use it for, then what you want to pay for it. For a basic SD that's accurate within its likely range and reliable, new Bersa .380s are what my wife and I chose, well within your price criterion. I have other SD handguns I like as well, but the Bersa Thunder Concealed Carry is a frequent choice for daily use.
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Old November 11, 2012, 10:12 AM   #60
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Bought my wife a new ruger sr9c last year for $360, a fuzz over your limit but well worth the extra bucks. A great and accurate compact 9mm that is factory raited for +p+ ammo. It comes with a compact 10 round mag with a flush floorplate and a replacement pinky extension and a 17 round mag with a grip extension They also can be had in 40sw (sr40c) but much more snappy for little gain.
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Old November 11, 2012, 01:44 PM   #61
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Best Buy

S&W model 10, used of course. Best buy in revolvers in the known universe.
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Old November 11, 2012, 01:58 PM   #62
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Quote:
Because of the low price, a lot of folks bad mouth the Bersa. However, those of us that do own these guns know how RELIABLE they are
Yes, they aren't beautiful, and the fit/finish leaves something to be desired... but when it comes down to function they are a pretty good deal, based on my experience.
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Old November 11, 2012, 04:36 PM   #63
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If the gun is just needed for utility, almost impossible to beat surplus.
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Old November 11, 2012, 04:59 PM   #64
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Originally Posted by johnwilliamson062 View Post
If the gun is just needed for utility, almost impossible to beat surplus.
I love surplus but for $350 your choices are darn near unlimited for utility.

The more I think about it if I had only 1 pistol and $350 the Ruger P95 would rank high
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Old November 11, 2012, 05:05 PM   #65
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In .45, a used Ruger P90 is tough to beat.
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Old November 11, 2012, 05:20 PM   #66
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Many of S&W's Airweight J-Frames can be had for $350. Examples are 442s, 642s, 637s and 638s. This is NIB with a lifetime warranty. Some are available without the lock if that's an issue. The .38sp and it's big sister .38+p have been doin' a great job of SD/HD for years.
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Old November 11, 2012, 08:06 PM   #67
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I, too, have a Bersa Thunder .380. Can wear it in IWB in shorts and a tshirt, and the mag allows for all four fingers to grip the pistol.

Downside, .380 FMJ ammo isn't exactly cheap for practice vs. 9mm. Thinking of getting a Bersa 9 for that exact reason.

The only issue I've had is feeding the last round, but it consistently happens with my non-Bersa aftermarket mag, not the stock Bersa mag. Lesson learned. Otherwise it's a reliable as a Swiss watch.

Last edited by TheSpoon; November 11, 2012 at 08:11 PM.
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Old November 11, 2012, 08:17 PM   #68
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I might have answered before, but I like these:
- A well worn Glock 23
- A well work S&W M13 or M19
- A nicer police trade S&W M10
- Keltec PF9
- Star Firestar in good shape.
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Old November 13, 2012, 03:11 PM   #69
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Ruger P95

The Ruger P95 has proven to me to be an incredible buy. I have 3 of the earlier production guns and would not trade them for anything. I trust them so much that I have given them to my 3 children for home defense.
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Old November 13, 2012, 04:58 PM   #70
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I got a high-polish stainless 4" Taurus 608 for about $360. That was a while back though. Might be more now.

Still, best revolver I've ever owned (yes I've owned S&W's). 8 rounds of .357, ported, sub-4moa accurate, absolutely impressive trigger, great finish, very comfy grips. That taurus caused me to sell off a couple other guns I had which were competing for my HD role. It became primary HD gun for uh... 15 years.

Only recently has a glock 34 taken over the HD role. But I won't be selling the 608.
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Old November 15, 2012, 02:39 PM   #71
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For a straight utility gun I might leave unattended in a car regularly and such I would get a Hi-point at less than $200. Used can be had for $125 and the warranty transfers.

"I love surplus but for $350 your choices are darn near unlimited for utility."
Yeah, but when i can get a FEG Hi-power for $310, Mak P83 for $230, PHP MV for $240, CZ 82 for $225. M57 for 225, etc., Why would I buy a P95 for $350?
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Old November 15, 2012, 04:30 PM   #72
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This one is a used Mod 61-1 S&W 4 inch .38 Special. It was very lightly used. It had a Pachmyer decelorator grip on it that made trigger reach uncomfortable for me, and the Mrs. Came out to $320 with a Houge Mono Grip. Mrs. M&P likes it so much she thinks I should get one for myself.



This one cost me $325 has been a good gun. I had to do a little sanding on the grip to keep the texture on the grip from sanding my side when I carry it. Sig P250 9mm Sub Compact. The trigger is way heavier than my Glock 26 tough the Sig is slimmer, and holds 2 more rounds. It feels a little lighter as well. Mrs. M&P states she wants to carry it in place of her Bersa Thunder 9 mm Ultra Compact due to it being lighter, and slimmer. Recoil is a bit snappy though managable. I may get another in .45 ACP for me, though I have been eyeing an Colt New Agent, or one of its clones for a while.

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Old November 16, 2012, 03:35 PM   #73
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Quote:
S&W model 10, used of course. Best buy in revolvers in the known universe.
I heartily agree!
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Old November 16, 2012, 03:36 PM   #74
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I just bought a used XD .40 subcompact from a pawn shop with three magazines for $350 out the door. I'd go used, just my 2 cents.

Also picked up a police buy back Glock 22 with three hi-caps and dim night sights for $330. The recoil spring was pretty much shot but a new polymer guide rod/spring assembly set me back $4.
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Old November 17, 2012, 05:12 AM   #75
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J frame or Taurus 85 would be what I would look for in that range, knowing what I know now. That is if you are looking for something concealable, though you did specify either 9mm or .45. I do consider .38 Special a self defense caliber, though.

Maybe spring the extra $10 or so for a Kahr CW9. Or look for a used one.

Have, and do, sometimes slip a J frame in my pocket for that particular reason. When I am too lazy or hurried to strap on the G19.

House-type handgun in that range, used Ruger P series for semi, used Model 10 or 64 for revolver would be hard to go wrong. Again, assuming .38 fits your definition of self defense caliber.

Will admit, knowing what I know now ain't everything to know. My opinions might change with more knowledge.

On hearsay, my much loved and respected Pops has a High Point 9mm he has spoken highly of when it has come up.

As an unusual choice for home defense, you could always pick up a replica 1860 Army. Cap and ball black powder driven .44 lead ball. If'n you had to use it, the police might be a smidgen perplexed. You might have to be a bit eccentric to pull this off, though.

Last edited by 9mmfan; November 17, 2012 at 05:18 AM.
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