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**Dan12GT** · 12-01-2013, 04:56 PM

I know we have some fellow gun enthusiasts and a police officer here that know their stuff about guns so I thought I'd ask here.

I would like to add a pistol to the home arsenal mainly because of ease of use and size to make it easy to hide / lockup. I don't need a bunch of large guns so I figured a pistol would add a good dynamic.

Anywho, I am not looking for anything fancy at all. I don't know much about pistols but have shot a few here and there. I don't need a cannon either, just a cheap reliable gun. Preferably light so my wife can learn it too yet can get the job done.

Looking for suggestions since I know nothing about pistols. Maybe in the $100-150 dollar range?

Thanks!

**downtime!** · 12-01-2013, 05:17 PM

You won't find much worth owning in that price range. If it's solely for home defense, I like the Judge pretty well. Mine shoots .410 shells and .45LC rounds. I have it pattern loaded with bird shot, buckshot, slugs and a .45 round nose round. At some point, the attacker will either run away, or be stopped.

**Craizie** · 12-01-2013, 05:28 PM

As already mentioned, you won't find much in that price range. I'd go to a large retail store and finger bang every pistol you can and then look on local boards / gun shows for which ever you liked best. This is one of those things in life I wouldn't cheap out on.

**Shiftybusiness** · 12-01-2013, 05:44 PM

Yea like already said don't cheap out buy once cry once. 9mm is a good round for a beginner it's large enough to do damage and not to hard to handle. Go to Bass pro or Cabellas to put hands on some and when you find what you want go online and find it cheaper. The big box stores are to expensive.

**JDBishopArts** · 12-01-2013, 06:01 PM

Yeah you aren't going to find anything in the 100-150 dollar range. 300 to 500 is more like what range you're going to be in.

357 revolver. .38 special. 380 Auto.

357 is a good gun. You can use 357 or 380 and I think in 380 there is a snakeshot which is a shot shell. So you wont be throwing bullets into the other rooms. Mine has 4 snake rounds and 3 357 rounds if that doesn't do the job. I carry a Ruger 380. Mainly because of it's size. The trigger pull is a little tricky because it doesn't have a safety but with practice I can shoot it fine in the distance I'm going to need to.

The ruger 380 can be had for 280-350.

**JDBishopArts** · 12-01-2013, 06:02 PM

We can go shoot mine if you want sometime.

**BV600** · 12-01-2013, 07:40 PM

Look at the Springfield XD40 its in the 300-500 range, friend has one and I love it will be getting one sooner or later.

**03MachMe** · 12-01-2013, 07:51 PM

Yea like stated you will need to spend more than that for a reliable gun. I have Springfield XDm 40 and Xd 45. Just let me know if you want to go shoot

SMERF · 12-01-2013, 09:18 PM

You can't even get a good stolen gun for that price. $300 minimum and that's at a gun show or something. Quality you're looking $500 +

**Dan12GT** · 12-01-2013, 11:02 PM

Lol how's how little I know. Thanks for the info guys. I have a Cabelas literally within a mile of my house I may go put my hands on some to see how I like them.

**DirtyD** · 12-01-2013, 11:52 PM

Danny, I would suggest finding a place where you can rent a couple of pistols to shoot different ones. Winchester Gallery is a good option. I can't remember if Cabela's has lanes or not.

Let me know if you go sometime and I'll see if I'm free to join you.

**BlueBolt** · 12-02-2013, 12:44 AM

I have a ported Springfield XD 40 and I love it (it's a loud SOB though). Thinking about adding a glock to my collection too. Wife has a ruger 38 under her side of the bed.

Look to spend $300-$500 on a good handgun. The Springfield falls in the $350-$400 range usually.

I also agree with dirty about shooting a few. At the very least hold them and get a feel for them but it's better to run a couple of rounds through some different guns. I thought I wanted a Kimber ultra carry until I shot it. If I get a Kimber it won't be a shorter one like that.

**El_Tortuga** · 12-02-2013, 06:11 AM

Echo the cost comments. If cost is main concern, a pump shotgun is the cheapest and of the most effective home defense choices. a couple of other comments:
1) lighter and smaller is more portable for concealed carry, but big and heavy is much easier to shoot. I'm very comfy shooting my 40 cal Glock for a couple hundred rounds or so, but I'm ready to set the .380 mouse gun down after about 20 rounds (or less).
2) gun figment in YOUR hand is key. Handling a display gun is a start, but Shoot a few rental guns before you make your choice.