Best Handgun Under $400

[wep45]

if you can not afford a quality hand gun dont buy some cheap thing and regret it later

save more......work more and get something decent........probably a revolver

something like this.............

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=124136666

 

[Deer Hunter]

Bersa

 

[mcdonl]

I think you have seen that there are many guns for around $400 that can get you started so you can determine what your friend is looking for.

 

[Ed Ames]

I agree with what wep45 said... but will add that there are a number of quality firearms starting in the $300 new range, and much past
$600 is into diminishing returns for casual use. Not a waste of money maybe but a $1200 gun isn't going to offer four times the protection of a $300 gun.

I just got back from the range where I was blasting holes with my latest-gen PT145. $330ish nowadays gets you a 10+1 .45acp that, at typical SD ranges, put about 30 rounds through a single sub-2" hole right where it was aimed. I watched people doing much worse with more expensive guns...heck, I've done worse with more expensive guns.

 

[hometheaterman]

Ruger P89 or P95 is what I'd look for. If you don't mind spending just a tad more a SR9 is what I'd go for. I've seen them for $409 at a gun show.

A buddy has a S&W Sigma and he likes it and I've never shot it but like the feel of it. I prefer the Rugers though. Not sure why but they just make quality guns.

 

[maksim]

Vote for a Taurus 24/7, can probly pick it up slightly used for that price.

then again, depends on what you are looking for and definition of "best". Best for target shooting? Pick up a buckmark or a sw 22a. Home defense? Why not pick up a revolver or a shotgun, or both. =P

 

[wankerjake]

S&W Sigma 9mm.

+1
I friggin love my sigma. The ruger mk I, II, and III's are all good ones to learn on as well. Sig p6 9mm if you can find one, but I like my sigma better than my P6.

 

[boalex207]

Ruger P95 or a pre-owned Smith & Wesson 3rd generation pistol (5903, 5906, etc)

 

[Ala Dan]

Another agreement with Harve, on an excellent recommendation~!

 

[brin747]

I have a Ruger P95, $339 with 2 15 round mags NIB. It's an excellent gun.

 

[poilu]

used ruger police service six or speed six. they're tanks and should be in good shape used.

 

[CoRoMo]

Bud's has discounted their M&P9 and M&P40 to $399.

 

[mljdeckard]

A used Glock 17/19.

 

[dexanth]

Fnp 9

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

nk, there is *no way* to answer that question until you tell us:

$400 NEW

or

$400 USED

Willing to buy used or not?

 

[Dimis]

wow i love how alot of you guys just dissavow the entire point of the OP he said he wanted to teach a friend how to shoot handguns so NO he doesnt want a shotgun or rifle or a rocket launcher he wants a handgun secondly the man has made it clear that he wishes to own and learn on a semiautomatic pistol so stop with wheelguns are the bestest thing ever to learn on and obviously the price is non negotiable

if its gotta be new id say the Ruger P95 if you can go used theres alot of options out there
for home defence calibers theres the FN FNP-45

if he just wants to shoot then a browning buckmark or ruger MK3 will be good
ive heard good and bad about the SIG mosquito so idk but it should be under 400
thats about all i can think of

 

[KINGMAX]

Walther P-22

If you can find one: A Walther P-22 stripped down new w/ just one magazine. For some reason they are hard to find right now. I have looked for six months to find one in the 'Digital Camo' pattern, w/ no success. I found two in Black polymer & Stainless steel combo for $440.00 each, in the 3.4 inch barrel, which I felt was a bit high by about 25 - 30 percent. I purchased one, in solid black, 3.4 inch barrel w/ just one mag for $300. It is one sweet pistol. I have send 300-350 rounds down range with no malfunctions. That is very rare for a new pistol during the break-in period. I added the Walther-Laser sight, I am very much pleased w/ the set-up. It took a while to get the laser zeroed in, but it is on the money now.

This is my second Walther P22. Last Father's Day my Dad saw my first one and laid claim to it. It is a full size 5 inch barrel in OD Green polymer and black. It too is a good shooter. It is not set-up w/ the laser sight. I am sure when he gets a look at my new one he will want to add a laser sight to it as well.

Good luck.

 

[SkiShoot]

If the OP's buddy wants a semiauto, he's not going to buy a shotgun or revolver no matter what some dudes on the Internet say. I was a new shooter not long ago, I would certainly recommend a 9mm, good all around and cheap. Plus why would a new guy want to buy used? Maybe he could find one, but would he even know what to look for? Be realistic, it'll probably be new.

So...doing a search over at buds for semi auto 9mm's, you really only have a few choices under $400. You'll probably have a FFL fee of course, so these may push a little over your mark. But here goes:

S&W Sigma
Ruger P89
Taurus 24/7
Ruger SR9

Of those, I've only shot the Ruger SR9. It's a fine gun and fits a lot of people. That'd be the first one I'd look at. The 24/7 has lots of good and bad press, but generally it seems well regarded. Never shot one, nor a P89. You've heard the other guys recommend their Sigmas, so take that FWIW. Any of them'll work fine. Again, if it were me, I'd do some searches on the SR9 and 24/7. I'd probably go for the SR9 if it were me. Good luck.

 

[nksmfamjp]

Probably new. . .my friend was kind of hesitant when I suggested the used Glock or XD.

 

[Dodahdude]

Ruger SP101. Shoot light loads with 38, 38 SP or .38 +P when you not up to speed. Then transition to .357 once your confidence is up and you want to impress your girl. $350 to $399 depending where you are located. You can have fun with it.

 

[dacavasi]

I would suggest that both the Ruger P-series and Taurus P-series and 24/7s are excellent, rugged, reliable guns generally under $400. I have not shot a SW Sigma but have heard good reports on them as well. I do own a P89 and a PT-145 and they are excellent values for the money. Contrary to some opinions, you absolutely DO NOT have to spend a fortune to get a good, reliable semi-auto pistol.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm sorry to say you probably won't find anything you should risk your life on in a semi-auto for under $400. (I should say nothing I can think of, there might be something) Just remember one thing, when it comes to handguns you usually get what you pay for. Don't buy a cheap gun because then you own a cheap gun. I'm not telling you not to buy an inexpensive gun, just not a cheap one.

A good self defense handgun must be totally reliable. That's hard to achieve with a cheap gun. A good used gun can be bought for a fair price, that's not a cheap gun, it's inexpensive.

 

[wankerjake]

I'm sorry to say you probably won't find anything you should risk your life on in a semi-auto for under $400. (I should say nothing I can think of, there might be something)

After the rebate, I paid exactly $300 out the door for a new S&W Sigma 9VE and I couldn't be happier with it. Functions perfectly so far after ~3000 rounds and it is accurate. It is my primary carry weapon and I am more than comfortable with it. I think S&W has a good reputaion with quality. Rugers fit the bill as well. I can't recommend buying a gun just because it is inexpensive because a lot of them are indeed sub-par, but there are good ones out there. I trust my life with a Smiths and Rugers every day, as do many others. ArchAngelCD, I agree with everything esle in your post

 

[Taurus_9mm]

More votes for both the Taurus 24/7 PRO and the Ruger P95.

 

[eng23ine]

The Kel-Tec P11 is a best bang for your buck at just under $300 NEW. If he can master it's trigger and get good groups, he can shoot anything lol