can I get some help with a choice of a pistol?

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2 to 3 hundred dollar range?

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either something stolen
or
50% down payment on a decent gun you want.

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2 to 3 hundred dollar range

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Great house gun. Wouldn't want to carry it.

LINK

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S&W M&P Shield 9mm is widely regarded as one of the best concealed carry guns. You can get decent deal every now and then from PSA for around $329-$350. Normally retails for $389-$450.

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If you really want to carry it a lot on you when you go out, AND you are 100% stuck on the price range you suggested, I have to agree with this guy.

I would pawn shop really hard for a used glock or a used XDs....

*edit*

Because a used glock or XD series is as reliable as a new one, unless the person intentionally messed up the innards before they sold it to teh shop.

Many people have similar complaints about them. My biggest ones are the trigger pull being 9 miles long and that little hammer making my ADD flare up. I shoot mid-sized guns better at 30 yards than I do a Bodyguard at 5

$300 is too much for that gun. You can buy brand new for that.

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A buddy has a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 ACP for sale for 300.00. Any opinion on it?

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I would pass on almost any .380 - especially this one.

Get something in 9mm - either Glock 17 or Glock 19 in size. Yes, that's almost $500. You'll thank us later.

The Shield would be my recommendation if you cannot come off your budget.

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I think of it as a last resort thing.

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That's the problem with the snubby .38s and the pocket .380s - yes they're better than no gun. But, they're just terrible at everything except being small and light.

They're difficult to shoot well. They're no fun to shoot. The revolver has the virtue of not being finicky with ammo, but neither type of weapon is going to inspire a new shooter to, you know, shoot. Buying a small, light gun, shooting it once (hating it) and putting it in a drawer or night stand is just a terrible, terrible self-protection plan.

Much better is to spend the money on a good nightstand or general purpose gun - either a whole hog Sig P226 (or Glock 17, for the budget and weight conscious) or a mid-sized Sig P228 or P229 (or Glock 19, or equivalent - and these are exemplars, there are many good choices in all metal guns, and probably too many in the new polymer craze) - something you're going to enjoy burning 100 or more rounds of ammo every trip to the range. Or at least not hate.

Then you become a better, more confident shooter and, if necessary, do a halfway decent job of defending yourself, even if you have to use a gun that is available because it is small and light.

The other way around almost never works. Folks buy a pocket gun, shoot it once, then never shoot it again.

Opinions are like a$$holes: Everybody has one. I suggest you go to a gun range and try out several handguns after you discuss your situation with the rangemaster. THEN...get the handgun you are comfortable shooting, can shoot well, and in which you have confidence will meet your needs. From your stated purposes, it is a tool, and not a toy. At least that's how I view it.