Firearms for a College Student

[EMT40SW]

So one of my co-workers would like to get a firearm for self defense. She is on a budget but has some experience shooting with her family growing up. I am posting this here because she would like a handgun, but I am open to all sugestions.
For her sticking to the budget is most important. Her current defensive tools are a pocket knife, wasp spray, & Flashlight. If possible I would love suggestions for guns at these budgets:
$100
$200
$300
$400

Thank you in advanced for any suggestions.

 

[Bobson]

Tell her to get rid of the wasp spray and get actual OC if she wants that sort of defensive option.

Not that there are a huge number of excellent options in that price range, but do you know if she's looking for a gun to carry, or a gun to keep at home? Does she prefer a pistol or a revolver?

 

[EMT40SW]

More of a gun for the car or home but not to carry. Revolver or pistol she has no preverance.

 

[Bobson]

I don't know of anything at the $100 range worth recommending. Cheapest gun I know of that people say is surprisingly reliable is a Hi-Point, at a bit under $200. Take your pick as to caliber and size. I've never handled or shot one, but like I said, people say they're actually pretty decent.

Next price point I'd point a friend to would be the Ruger LCP at around $225 depending where you get it. Again, never shot one, but handled one and they're comfortable. I'm told shooting one, however, is not comfortable. Makes sense considering this is a carry gun and not a range toy. But the quality is good and Ruger will take care of her if she ever has a problem with it, so it's worth considering.

Next is the Ruger SR9E at around $350. Shot these a couple times and while not my favorite gun in the world, it was totally functional and the price is right. Solid choice IMO.

If she would be willing to jump in quickly she can get a used S&W M&P9 from Bud's for $350-ish. I think that would be the no-brainer option, even over a new Ruger SR9E. Bud's frequently has used M&P40s for sale, but much more rarely has the 9mm counterpart. If she prefers 9mm, I'd jump on these. They come with 3x 17-round mags, guns are 70% condition or better. Can't beat it. https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...e+Trade-Ins/Used+S&W+M&P9+9MM+W3+17RD+MAGS+NS

That's about it for me without going over $400. I know there are some fine revolvers to be had under that price, including used offerings, from both S&W and Ruger. But I don't know enough about revolvers and their prices to recommend anything. I'm sure someone else can chime in.

Quick note, it'd be good for her to test fire all or some of these at a rental range before buying one, so she can ensure she gets something that suits her well.

 

[Grumulkin]

So one of my co-workers would like to get a firearm for self defense. She is on a budget but has some experience shooting with her family growing up. I am posting this here because she would like a handgun, but I am open to all sugestions.
For her sticking to the budget is most important. Her current defensive tools are a pocket knife, wasp spray, & Flashlight. If possible I would love suggestions for guns at these budgets:
$100
$200
$300
$400

Thank you in advanced for any suggestions.

Some women aren't strong enough to work the slide on a semiauto or clear a jam. Assuming she is strong enough:

1. The Kel Tec P3AT can be had for around $200 and is very handy to carry.

2. For about $400 you could get a Glock 42. This is perhaps the most comfortable to shoot (though I've had no issues with the P3AT) and is certainly reliable. This is the 380 Auto I carry the most.

3. For revolvers I'd go with Smith & Wesson, Ruger or Charter Arms. If nice used is OK, they could be acquired in the price range mentioned.

The advice to try before buying is very good.

 

[Buzznrose]

So one of my co-workers would like to get a firearm for self defense. She is on a budget but has some experience shooting with her family growing up. I am posting this here because she would like a handgun, but I am open to all sugestions.
For her sticking to the budget is most important. Her current defensive tools are a pocket knife, wasp spray, & Flashlight. If possible I would love suggestions for guns at these budgets:
$100
$200
$300
$400

Thank you in advanced for any suggestions.

Wasp spray is totally ineffective. There are several you tube videos that will attest to this. Agree to get reap mace/pepper spray.

Ruger LCP is a good choice albeit tough to enjoy shooting. A S&W Shield or Walther PPS are more comfortable to shoot according to my wife and daughters, who have tried them and the Glock 42/43. I also prefer them to the Glock G42/43, and I am a Glock fan. The Shield can be had for a bit over $300 if you search hard.

HiPoint is a decent gun, but large. Was this for an apartment or carry?

Don't overlook police trade in Glocks or CZ's, which can be had for cheap. Check out Buds Guns online.

Good luck to her!




Take Care,

Buzz

 

[Predator55]

A revolver sounds best due to the budget. How much training(ammo) can she afford. She may pick up a S&W for the 400 if not I would tell her to a charter arms 38.

 

[Telekinesis]

I'd tell her to save her money and try to get towards the top end of her budget. There is a HUGE difference in quality between a $200 hi-point and a $350 M&P9. Yes, both will be reliable, but by most other measures (ergonomics, capacity, availability of replacement parts/add on parts like night sights, holster availability etc) the M&P is a better gun.

Also remember that there's extra cost to the gun like shipping and transfer fees. Make sure that she's aware of these costs because they can be surprising for a new gun owner who thought the purchase price was all that was needed.

You can also find Shieds and PD trade in Glocks in the same price range (though $350 for that M&P is a good deal if she's ready to buy now). Something like a G43 might be good as well but that gets to $400 or slightly higher, and I don't think you gain much if anything by choosing a G43 over a Shied unless she just prefers the Glock.

While she may be drawn to smaller guns, the larger ones are typically easier to shoot and manipulate. If she might want to carry in the future I'd lean towards something like a Shield or G43, but otherwise I'd look for something closer to the full size/compact size range rather than subcompact.

 

[bannockburn]

I started my wife out with a .22 revolver (S&W Model 34), so she could master the basics without concern for felt recoil, excessive muzzle blast, or the extra familiarization she would need to use a semi-auto. Next gun up for her to try will be a S&W Model 10 (6shot .38 Special revolver), much like the Model 34 she started with.

 

[hdwhit]

For someone who is going to potentially be using a pistol with minimal training, I suggest a revolver for its "point and shoot" simplicity and high reliability.

Second-hand revolvers are readily available and should meet the $200 price point and may even nudge the $100 mark. If your co-worker is not familiar with how to judge the quality of a second-hand gun, she should take someone along with her who is when she goes shopping.

Also, if your co-worker does not have a concealed carry license (or a license to carry for those states that now allow open carry), she needs to familiarize herself with state and local laws on carrying a gun. Without a permit, having a handgun in the glove compartment of a car where it is "readily available" may be illegal.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Buying a gun for self-defense with the consideration of budget alone is a very bad idea. Wasp spray, really???

 

[JShirley]

Deliberately using wasp spray for SD is illegal, and subject to up to $5000 fine.

Start with what's legal, and work from there.

 

[FL-NC]

I can't think of anything less than $100 in a pistol I would trust. $200 may get a LCP. $300-$400, S&W SD-9 or Sigma, or maybe a Ruger SR-9.

 

[Schwing]

I am sending my daughter off to college with an LC9s. It will run slightly over $350 but it sure is a great little gun for that price. I picked it up, cleaned it, ran a few hundred rounds through it and was very impressed. For that price point it has a smooth crisp trigger and it is light, and reliable.

I originally was trying to sell her on something like an LCR. She was really liking it until I took her to the range and had her test both guns out and she chose the Lc9s hands down.

For $100 I can't recommend anything. You won't find much worth looking at unless it is a good Samaritan helping her out. For around the $200 price range, the only gun I can think of would be the LCP. It is a reliable and accurate gun but can bit a bit of a challenge to master where accuracy is concerned. For around $300 I would recommend something in the Bersa Thunder series. They don't get talked about much but the Thunder CC is a great little DA/SA.

 

[BSA1]

$100.00 - Fergit it.

$200.00- High-Point. Very reliable, lifetime warranty. Check videos on YouTube. It works well. Ideal for a college student, affordable for a poor student.

$200.00 for a revolver. Fergit it. Last $200.00 revolver I brought cost me another $100.00 in repairs.

$300.00 opens up a lot more choices.

What does she (not you) want?

 

[JohnBiltz]

Police trade ins are the bargains of the gun world. A Shield is fairly inexpensive. Those new SCCYs are generally around 275. The same with Bersa. The slide on an auto 9mm can be worked by any women in good health. It is a matter of showing them how to do it. Have her try to pull back with the left hand, then push with the right and then do both at the same time. Have her do that several times and you will notice it gets easier for her every time as her confidence goes up. The real problem is they try to do it too slow at first. I've never seen that fail.

 

[MedWheeler]

I'll stick to the question at hand. Others will fill in the commentary.

$100: Jimenez JA-22 or 25. Limited firepower, anemic round, but few rapists or burglars would carry on against one.

$200: Kel-Tec P32> Far better than above, seven rounds, safe to keep chambered, fairly easy to handle. Taurus TCP, Kel-Tec P3-AT, Ruger LCP > Even better ballistics, but worse handling. Taurus PT/PLY 22 or 25. Far better handling than either of the first two groups, and more firepower, but worse bullet performance. Again, few, if any, rapists or burglars would carry on, though. Taurus PT709 or Millennium> Hard-hitting, powerful 9mm. Excellent performance, but require skill to handle well and learn when previously inexperienced.

$300: Taurus Model 85 .38 Special> Simple revolver reliability with excellent round, but limited firepower. Ditto for Charter Arms Undercoverette (in .32) and Undercover in .38. SCCY CPX-II> See Taurus PT709 or Millennuim above. Ditto for numerous other choices in this category, such as Kel-Tec P11, Ruger LC9/LC9s.

$400: Far too many choices to itemize, but more service-sized 9mm and .380 pistols come into play.

Outside of handguns, for home defense, the Mossberg 702 I recently got is an amazing value in a reliable, easy to shoot, lightweight .22 rifle, running around $115 at Wal-Mart (I got mine in January for a $99 "rollback" price.) Literally thousands of felons have been incapacitated, captured, or driven off by would-be victims wielding .22 caliber rifles. That just starts opening the rimfire rifle choices.

These all assume shopping new.

 

[Everready73]

Around 200-250$ the taurus pt 111 g2 or 709 slim have very good feedback.

Around 275$ the EAA SAR b6p. Comes in compact with 3.8 inch barrel or full size with 4.5. I have one with over 1000 trouble free rounds, but finding parts/accessories can be challenging. Also the EAA SAR K2P is the same is the compact but with a rail for light etc which may be better for home defense.

Around $300 you can find the ruger sr9e and s&w sd9ve which are reliable guns.

I guess it comes down to the size of the gun she wants. There are definitely some decent guns that can be had on the cheap. Does she want a small 380 or something with a little more fire power that can hold more rounds? My B6P can hold 19+1 with mec-gar cz mags.

If it was me recommending and she wants something more for home defense/car I would lean towards a compact/full size 9mm. It would give her more rounds, but her experience level might warrant a smaller round to start. I think she would probably be more comfortable shooting a full size 9mm over a pocket 380 like an lcp (I have both) but that's just me. If you have any maybe take her out and let her try, or recommend she goes to a range to see what she is comfortable with

 

[Quoheleth]

Under $200 will be tough. At the $200 point, the Rock Island m200 is a cheap .38 revolver that runs OK and has a good CS track record if need be. Personally, I wouldn't give the pocket rocket .380s to a new shooter - hard to aim, heavy trigger, difficult and frustrating to shoot well.

 

[Confederate]

For years, my pistol of choice was the Smith & Wesson Model 13. The sights were molded into the gun, it was easy to lighten the action, it was dead on accurate and reliable. Gorgeous, and it was a no frills police revolver that could take .38s for home use and the more powerful .357s for cross country, camping and trail use. And, at the time, it was reasonably priced.

Sadly, it's in short supply and high demand since S&W decided to stop making it and, instead, began producing boat anchors. Short-barreled Smiths from the classic era are expensive, and used 13s in 4-inch are pricey as well.

But there's also used Ruger Security-Six revolvers as well as Speed-Sixes. And they're available at good prices. It's true that Glocks and other Plastic Frame Striker Fired (PFSF) pistols are available at good prices, but they're dangerous guns unless those using them have been well trained and can practice with them regularly. PFSFs also are better stored without a round in the chamber (just one more thing to take into account if something goes bump in the night). Once readied for firing, returning it to safe mode also can be troublesome for many users who don't train with it regularly.

The PFSFs can be exceptionally accurate, affordable and durable guns, but I'd recommend a revolver, and especially a .357. I'm not fond of Taurus revolvers for a variety of reasons, but used Rugers are a great way to go.

The Ruger Security-Six and Speed-Six revolvers.

 

[jimbeaux82]

As mentioned in a couple above posts, for $250 she can get a Taurus PT111G2 Millenium or PT709 Slim in 9mm. They will serve her very well in any capacity and can be used for CC if she wishes to pursue that in the future. Both have hundreds of great reviews and it really seems like Taurus got it right with these 2. I personally have a PT111G2 and couldn't be happier.

PT111G2 is a medium sized pistol with 12 + 1 shots

PT709 Slim is a smaller pistol and I believe 7 + 1 shots.

If she watches the sales on either Buds Guns, Kentucky Guns or PSA, they are usually on sale for around $200 plus shipping to FFL plus FFL fee and that will come in around $250 for either.

Also, with 9mm, if she is recoil shy, she can get 9mm "lite" rounds which will tame the recoil a bit and yet still be effective.

 

[Bobson]

It's true that Glocks and other Plastic Frame Striker Fired (PFSF) pistols are available at good prices, but they're dangerous guns unless those using them have been well trained and can practice with them regularly. PFSFs also are better stored without a round in the chamber (just one more thing to take into account if something goes bump in the night).

Uhh. wat.

 

[ljnowell]

Under 300 or closer to 200 you could pick up an older Mak or a SCCY. The SCCY isn't fancy but they shoot.

 

[Deaf Smith]

For the most shootable (and thus effective options) and carryable (and thus most likely to be there when you need them) I'd get either the S&W 642 .38 or Glock 42.

I have them both and they are reliable as all getout.

Low $400 range if you shop around.

Other option is between Ruger LC9 and LCR. $300 range for these two. But one is .38/.357 and other 9mm.

Deaf

 

[tallpaul]

I want to know where ruger security and service sixes are sub 300.00? They have been way more for years now... and the snub versions even worse...