Best budget handgun from CDNN?

FN Hi-Power handguns($400 to $450), Sig Sauer 226 ($369). Two of the best handguns in the world

A while back they had stainless Ruger P93 trade ins for 199. I would have gotten one but I wasn't old enough then.

HP or Sig P226. The HPs are new, and normally cost closer to $600 retail.

I'd go with the revolver for a first handgun, and the GP100's are solid, well made revolvers.

Ash

On a budget I'd order something from http://www.kyimports.com/sw.htm#s&w something like the 6904. But I don't like CDNN either.

How much experience do you have with firearms in general? If this is your first gun EVER, and you can afford it, I'd reccomend getting a .22 pistol or revolver first, then getting a centerfire handgun (by then, you should have enough experience to decided for yourself if you want an autoloader or a revolver. I prefer autos.)

Instead of that, you could get the Hi-Power or 226, and then get a .22 conversion kit. Practice with cheap .22 ammo, and once you've developed some marksmanship, you can start using the 9mm.

Money-wise, the FN Hi-Power from CDNN (I bought one with the SFS safety) is going to be far and away your best investment. The price is amazing for a truly quality handgun and you can't do better in an all-around pistol (IMO).

Then those cheap Witness Polymer guns should fill the bill. Go with the 9mm fullsize for cheap shooting. Spare mags for the compacts can be hard to find for some models. One very nice feature of these is you can rack the slide with the safety engaged when loading or unloading.

OTOH if you can swing the extra $200 for the FN, you won't be kicking yourself later for not snapping up such a bargain price on a top quality gun once they're all gone.

--wally.

Another nice inexpensive pistol is the Bersa Thunder series. I just bought an Ultra Compact 9mm and am impressed with the quality. I paid $360 locally. Be warned that it only comes with one mag and the price for extras is $40 or more.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

If cost is a big deal then I would second the comments to get something in .22lr. You are going to spend about 2 cents a round as opposed to somewhere between 10 to 20 (give or take) depending on what calibre you choose.

Plus, even though you own rifles and you have shot your friends handguns, unless you have fired tens of thousands of rounds out of handguns, I would still start with a 22. You will develop better habits (like not flinching) than if you never learned with a 22. Plus you have put so many more rounds down range per dollar that the sheer excess practice will make you a better marksman.

My recomendation is to pick up a browning buckmark or a ruger mark II. They are both great pistols, however I prefer the buckmark because it fits me better.

If you insist upon getting something in a larger caliber, then buy a CZ 75B and pick up the kadet conversion kit that will allow you to fire 22lr. Then you can just switch back to 9mm when you so desire. A few other guns offer these conversion kits (many 1911s). My advice is to get the CZ if you don't want something specifically 22lr.

But it is your money.

Hmmm ... lots of suggestions but no one has asked forrestd what he wants to do with the handgun (plink, open carry, conceal carry, compete, etc.). That will help guide suggestions.

Don't forget they have the FNP Tutone 9mm for $408 too.
Have you looked at http://www.thegunsource.com/default.aspx and http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php ??

CDNN Sigs are highly praised at the Sig forum. It appears they are very high quality trade-ins.

www.budsgunshop.com

Has great prices on new firearms.

Forrestd,

For the money I'd go with one of the S&Ws over an EAA Witness. The FN Hi Power is a great buy if you have the money. Splitting the diffrence the SIGs or a 9mm trade in Glock from KY Imports would be excellent choices. One thing I've learned over the years as a shooter and working for a very large dealer (before I sold myself to Uncle Sam) is that someone always has a good deal on a good handgun; so if you want to wait until you graduate don't worry. The same stuff may not be out there, but some good stuff will always be available. Picking up a copy of The Shotgun News off the news stand will give you plenty of places to look for deals. Given your situation here's what I'd do: Wait on the post grad job so your options are more open. In the meantime if want something now to plink with www.jgsales.com has trade in S&W Model 10 38 revolvers for under $200; others here on THR have reported good pistols being sent out. You should also be able to pick one up locally in that price range. If you decide to go for a SIG, Hi Power, Glock or S&W semi auto now they're all very good pistols. It's gonna come down to what fits your hand best. Sounds like you have several friends with handguns so shoot theirs and see what YOU shoot best.

I would get myself some gas and drive to the nearest shop. Then take a look at the guns and see what fits your hand. You may love the Sig or Hi-Power price wise but they may not fit your hand. Just my suggestion. Stick with a 9mm and you will be alright. Ever consider a Glock? They are affordable and reliable. And that www.kyimports.com had some good deals on HK pistols... but I would suggest figuring out which ones you like first. Stick with the big names: Sig / HK / Glock / Beretta / Ruger / Springfield (espe. the XD series) for your first gun.

Personally I would suggest any 9mm from those makers. Then some ammo and your set. If you want to get the gun for HD I would also suggest getting a compact so you can CCW as well.

Sig 228 or Sig 229 / HK USP Compact or P2000 / Glock 19 / Beretta Cougar (?) / Not sure if Ruger makes a compact / XD9 Compact

Good luck.

I try to buy a gun a year from CDNN. That said in today's world I would get a high cap bottom feeder while you can. My suggestion if you can do it is a Sig 226 in 9mm and get 5 mags. Or one of the Witness in the same caliber and get 5 high cap mags. I love the BHP and have two of them. I have 5 hig caps for all of my bottom feeders and 7 for the Brownings, Sigs, and Taurus 92.
But, you need one of them, your choice, and 5 to 7 mags.

Good Recommendations

Forrestd,

The previous replies have all listed some good recommendations and I can agree with them all. There are only two contributions I could add: 1-Don't forget to include a CZ75 variant in the choice selection, if one's available in the price range; 2-If possible, look around for indoor ranges that have rentals of the final choices, so you can "test drive" before the buy is decided.

As to the EAA Witness as a candidate. There are lemons possible in every line of product available from all manufacturers. The big difference is frequency of occurrence and how the problem is handled afterward. On these two counts, EAA falls behind the rest being considered(the odd experience with the others not withstanding). This from EAA is well known and established. A Witness can be a good pistol and fits many like a glove, but there have been too many unfortunate individuals that have experienced the poor state of what passes for customer service at EAA. Save yourself the possiblity of joining that group.


The smallest of the Ruger line in 9mm are the P95 and P93, though some find the ergo's of the Ruger P's less than appealing. I liked my KP94 and it still serves well for a friend.


In closing, welcome to the handgun owning community. Shoot safe, Shoot well!

I would highly recommend a Ruger GP100 .357 magnum as a great first gun. You'll move on to bigger/better, but you'll never give it up.