Recommend a $400 (or less) autoloader to me?

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I'm looking for an autoloading pistol to meet these criteria, and I'd like the always knowledgeable people of THR to help me out.

1. Full sized caliber, 9mm Luger or higher

2. Reasonably concealable, and this one's subjective so go with whatever YOU consider reasonably concealable.

3. I'm not looking for a pocket pistol, so barrel length no less than 3"

4. Easily found for $400 or less


The purpose of this handgun would be just about anything that a handgun would be used for, including concealed carry.
 
These G22s.

Figure that once you factor in shipping and transfer, it's $365. Where else are you going to find any kind of deal like that on a good quality gun. Especially one with 1 15rnd mags of .40cal, and night sights.
 
used G19, g26, xd9c, or m&p9c. whichever you can find the best deal on.
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Out of those, nearly everyone should be able to find a reliable weapon that they could shoot well. Go rent one of each and see which you like shooting better before you let interweb epinions sway your decision. All of those can go ten's of thousands of rounds with no problems.
 
Stoeger Cougar (Beretta) is the best bang for the buck in my opinion. I got mine from Bass Pro new for around $400. It has a rotating barrel like the PX4. When I searched the forums before I bought mine I didn't find any negatives. I think the barrel is either 3.75 or 4 inches. Here's mine with some Beretta grips. Second picture shows size in comparison to a Beretta 92.

Cougargrips001.jpg
TwoBerettas004.jpg
 
Generation3 DA/SA Taurus Mil Pro PT145 - Make sure it is DA/SA and not DAO trigger (There is no "Pro" next to "MILLENNIUM"). In fact, Bud's still carry the DAO version for $322.

1. Full sized caliber, 9mm Luger or higher - 45ACP

2. Reasonably concealable, and this one's subjective so go with whatever YOU consider reasonably concealable. - Slide size is comparable to Glock 26 and grip size is comparable to G19. Width slightly thicker than Glock.

3. I'm not looking for a pocket pistol, so barrel length no less than 3" - 3.25" barrel

4. Easily found for $400 or less - Bud's has them for $350 all day and many gun stores have them for $350-$400.


The purpose of this handgun would be just about anything that a handgun would be used for, including concealed carry. - Great 10 round double-stack 45ACP that is readily concealable with good ergonomics and grip/angle. DA/SA is good and accuracy is good for compact 45 (1"-2" shot groups at 5-7 yards).

55234.jpg
 
Kel-Tec PF-9 fits your criteria. 9mm, concealable & barrel length of 3.1 inches. MSRP is less than $400 and you could probably find one for less than $300 if you look in the right places.

718px-Kel-Tec_PF-9-640x534.jpg
 
wbwanzer said:
Stoeger Cougar (Beretta) is the best bang for the buck in my opinion. I got mine from Bass Pro new for around $400. It has a rotating barrel like the PX4. When I searched the forums before I bought mine I didn't find any negatives. I think the barrel is either 3.75 or 4 inches. Here's mine with some Beretta grips. Second picture shows size in comparison to a Beretta 92.

Cougargrips001.jpg
TwoBerettas004.jpg
Click to expand...
Stoeger Cougar (Beretta) is the best bang for the buck in my opinion. I got mine from Bass Pro new for around $400. It has a rotating barrel like the PX4. When I searched the forums before I bought mine I didn't find any negatives. I think the barrel is either 3.75 or 4 inches. Here's mine with some Beretta grips. Second picture shows size in comparison to a Beretta 92.
Click to expand...

+1 Shorter than the PX4 barrel
 
If you don't have several autoloaders already you should find what points best for you and then look in that family to see if there's a good deal to be had. If you point a 1911 you can get one of the entry level pistols from Rock Island. If you point a CZ you can pick up any of the clones or a lucky deal on a CZ used. Find out what fits you before just buying a gun based on internet recommendations.
 
I see police trade in Glocks with night sights for 325 all day long. Really nice ones (that look new) are under 400.

Bang for the buck they are very hard to beat.
 
I just picked up a slightly used Glock 26 with 3 mags for $350 yesterday. I was going to get the Ruger SR9c until I came across the glock deal.
 
ruger p95
s&w sigma
taurus 24/7
bersa thunder
rock island armory
kel tec pf9 or p11
steyr m9

all I can think of at the moment. All under 400 in service calibers.
 
I own Glocks, a Sigma 40ve, a Taurus pt111 Mil Pro among others, so I have experience with them. For concealed carry I love my Glock 27. I paid 475 for it at a gun show. I would recommend spending the extra 75 bucks to get a new Glock personally. The reliability of Glocks in extreme conditions is a major reason that police forces around the world use this gun. My brother-in-law was an officer in Alaska. When they decided to change over to a semi automatic they put all of the contenders to the test. They did mud, sand, water, ice, drop, etc. torture tests and Glock was the only gun to pass them all. They went with Glock.

I've shot the S&W Sigma for 2 years now. I had trouble adjusting to the hard trigger pull at first. I sent in back to S&W for repairs and they worked on the trigger also. It now is a reliable SD gun. I haven't carried it CC yet, but would feel safe doing so. Keep in mind that it still has a 10 lbs. trigger pull. I view it as not a problem in an SD situation. The extra 5 lbs over a Glock won't affect a close in shot when the adrenalin kicks in. Plus I can shoot it just as well at the range as a 5 lbs trigger.

The Taurus PT111 Mil Pro is a dependable gun for me. I have over 5k rounds thru it with zero FTF's. I would feel safe with it on my side also. But again I haven't done so yet. It tends to shoot a little low, but I adjust to that easily with the Heine straight eight sites. For close in SD situations 2" lower wouldn't be a problem for me.

Some people have a problem with any one of the guns above. My experience tells me that they all could do the job for self defense. Again I would spend the extra $75 and get a new Glock if I was making the decision.
 
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you should find what points best for you and then look in that family to see if there's a good deal to be had.
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Good point. BTW, PT145 is naturally pointing like 1911. Point at a light switch or door knob, sights are dead-on. M&P's are the same, but more than $400.

I would prefer a used Glock over many new pistols - just my opinion from personal experience.
 
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