dafanman,

I would recomend a S&W 3rd generation auto. A 910/915 or 5906 would be a great pistol in the <$300 range. The 910/915 are cheaper... a 5906 will run a bit more... http://www.centerfiresystems.com/sw-5906.aspx

Great, reliable pistol in 9mm.

If you are wanting something reliable you will have to spend some money. I would not bet my life on a cheap gun. However the most reliable and least expensive option would be a 38 spl revolver. I bought a very nice S&W last year for $275. Sure it was used, but it was stainless and works well.

If you are going to look at used guns take someone with you who knows what to look for.

Good luck and be safe out there....

Bersa .380 new or used.
Right price and reliable.

Hey guys,
As i continue my research, ive got a few questions if you dont mind..

1. I was browsing gunsamerica today and see a hi point 9mm compact NIB condition with 1 magazine for $150.00.. so whats the gotcha on that one.

2. One of my friends has a tarus 9mm 0ss/ds I will be getting a price on soon as they want to sell.. any opinion on that one?.

3. How important is a lazer sight?, is that something for a more advanced shooter rather than a novice?

I plan on making a purchase sometime in the next 3 weeks, so there will be more questions if you will bear with me.

Thanks,
dafanman

It's a Hi-Point. That's the catch.

Nothing wrong with Taurus, they make decent stuff. They're not that expensive new, so keep that in mind when buying it.

As for a laser, I think they are great for inexperienced and experienced shooters alike. Tritium sights are also a great addition, but with both of these you're talking about spending nearly as much as you say you have budgeted for the gun. When I bought my wife a pistol, I made sure it had a set of Crimson Trace grips on it- in a panic, she might not look at the sights, but her gripping the pistol will activate the laser, and that red dot is hard to ignore...

Hi Points are reliable. Ugly as hell but generally regarded as reliable. If it were me, I'd save up a little bit more and get a gun that I found aesthetically pleasing as well. I still think your best bet would be a mid frame revolver, such as the Taurus 85 or any of the various new model Rossi's. They should easily be in your price range used...

Excellent advice. I'll add my 2cents for purchasing a revolver for your 1st gun. Rossi and Taurus both make decent revolvers and I've never had an issue with either one. Academy has a 3 inch Rossi chambered in .38 for $229.00 new in the box.

Take your time looking and like what was mentioned above. Take someone with you/see what feels good in your hands and go from there.

Your in for a fun learning experience. Enjoy it and welcome to the forum.

Stay away from 380s
you can get a 9mm in the same size and it packs a lot more punch.
380 has been VERY hard to come by the last few years and 9 is always available and usually cheaper

you can get a used Glock 19 in the low 300s if you look around
in Austin there's a place called GT Distributors that is a LE supply shop, you can't by new Glocks there but you can buy used and there ammo prices are the best around by far

Do that and look up KRTraining and sign up for a few classes

goodluck

I just found a like new Rossi model 68 five shot .38 special 3" barrel in a pawn shop and got it for 160 out the door, came with a belt holster also. All I needed to do is knock the dust off of it, I guess it had been sitting in someones nighstand. I was suprised how smooth the DA is on this revolver. It's rear sight is adjustable for windage. I wanted something cheap to have in my pickup. I ran 150 rounds through it with out a hiccup. From what I've read the older Interarms revolvers are made much better then the new ones, even though the new ones are still reliable!!