re: looking to buy my first gun

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You carry a gun less than $500 Eta: and COUNTLESS used smiths/glocks/rugers etc can be had under $500. Your blanket statement is inaccurate.

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1. I believe my "blanket statement" said "$400 - $500."

2. I presume your "under $500" comment about what I carry refers to my BUG (9mm Shield). True. But it is a BUG, not a primary. I wouldn't choose one as my primary EDC gun, but don't have an issue with those who choose to do so.

3. I didn't see the OP mention used guns, but I'll agree 100% that a used Glock, HK or M&P would be a good choice and can be had for less than $500 -- some less than $400. (Can't think of a Ruger semi-auto, new or used, that I'd choose for EDC, but do think highly of Ruger revolvers.)

4. There are countless folks in BR and NO whose lives may be worth less than $400 - $500 (often see them mentioned in the BR Advocate or on TV in connection with homicides). I hope those thugs continue to buy $200 - $300 handguns.

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2. Maybe you can name one of those under $500 (private citizen price) guns that is issued to LEO's by a single major metropolitan district, or by a single state police agency, or by a single federal agency. (It's possible that your concept or definition of "excellent" might differ from their definition.)

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So, the only good guns are those issued by the man?

I guess we'll just have to disagree.

#1 I'm no expert. But I have trained under more than a few.

#2 People who buy cheap handguns for self-defense need to ask themselves what value they place on themselves, spouses, kids, grandkids etc. The POS guns have a much higher probability of malfunctioning -- and I'm a firm believer in Murphy's Laws.

#3 I thought I knew, but apparently don't know, what gun you're referring to when you say, "A gun you trust your life to falls in that pos price range you mentioned. " I carry a Glock 19 every day, all day (unless I'm entering a NPE). NIB Glock 19's w/ night sights plus tax (shipping plus FFL fee) cost over $500.

I sometimes carry an M&P 9mm Shield as a BUG. NIB Shields with night sights plus tax (or shipping plus FFL fees) are gonna exceed $400. I sometimes carry a PM9 as a BUG. NIB w/ night sights you're looking at close to $700.

#4 I don't buy guns based on price. I buy SD weapons based on reliability. So do major LE agencies. So do the instructors under whom I have trained. As it turns out (not surprisingly) there is a strong statistical correlation between cheaper guns and a lower level of reliability.

#5 Carry whatever you like, at whatever price point you like. Your choice, or someone else's choice, is unlikely to affect my safety or that of my family.

#6 Based on your earlier posts you apparently own (and maybe carry -- I don't know) quality revolvers. If someone wants to carry a $50 Saturday night Special, I can't stop them. But I may very well post an opinion, as do many other members here. People who read my opinion and disagree are certainly free to ignore it or dispute it. After all, this is the interwebz, so only 99% of what's posted is accurate.

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Rifle: Ruger 10/22
Shotgun: Remington 870
Pistol: too many choices here, try out as many as you can and pick the one that feels right and has good reviews
Revolver: Something S&W

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One of the better posts in this thread.

So....what did you get?

Barret 50 cal FTW!

When/if you take my class, you get to decide if you liked it or didn't. Everyone in every class gets a 100% money-back guarantee.

So if the class doesn't meet your expectations, or you decide 'm a dick, you pay nothing.

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I'm leaning towards hand-gun, but I'm open to suggestions on shotguns and rifles. I'm definitely looking to save money since I'm just a few months out of school.

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At this point, I must assume you do not intend on carrying the weapon for defense.

Since you have limited experience with firearms, and this is a first purchase I recommend 1 of 2 routes:

1. .357 magnum revolver (hear me out) by either Ruger or Smith and Wesson. Get a full frame, perhaps a GP100 or Smith K or L frame with a 4-inch barrel. The Smith L frames have a 7-shot option.

This weapon can be carried as a sidearm, loaded with light .38 special rounds for plinking (relatively inexpensively), and there are a number of highly effective self-defense rounds. It is a great first gun or first handgun. These do not have high maintenance demands and the controls are of absolutely reduced complexity. Double action trigger, cylinder release (and, newer models have that stupid, Clinton hammer lock & key) and that's it.

2. If you decide to select a semi-automatic pistol - the best value in a full size, service weapon will also be either Ruger, Smith and Wesson and we'll add Glock here.

At this point, since you're sharing the weapon with queenbob - I'm going to recommend 9mm parabellum because one never knows how recoil sensitive a female shooter (or yourself, frankly) is going to be. Again, target ammunition is fairly plentiful. With the ergonomics of the Glock, it is usually love/hate. Smith's M&P line are derivative developments of the Glock. Ruger has a more traditional fire control system. Another pistol that I like and own, in this category, is the Sig SP2022 (an alloy frame Sig available in 9mm or .40 - it is one of the best kept secrets as its price is so reasonable - competitive with Glocks, Rugers and M&Ps - Sigs are normally expensive).

Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of those three and they won't break the bank. You start looking at esoteric options in 1911 variants, or more expensive pistol like a P series Sig or H&K - you really have to consciously choose those pistols because of the costs and very specific ergonomic features of each. They are also all metal, heavy, "military grade" (not that M&P and Glock don't have huge military and LE contracts and fans, they do) pistols. I can't recommend the Beretta 92 series after having been forced to carry one for decades.


The first gun is likely to lead you down a particular path. Knowing nothing about you or your situation, other than what you've told me here - I would recommend a Ruger .357 magnum revolver with a 4" barrel, probably GP100. While it might not be the perfect choice for every specific handgun situation, it would almost never be a terrible choice.

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Gotta decide what type of gun you want first. For pistols, I really like my Walther PPQ-M2, and will either get a Sig P226 or M&P Shield next(small gun)

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i have a 92fs, ppq m2, glock 19 and a walther p22. the ppq is probably the best all around gun i own and i would 100% recommend it as a first gun. the 92fs is great, but a lot of people don't like how thick the grip is. the glock 19 is great as well, but i would recommend the ppq over it. the p22 is a fun little plinker but its ammo sensitive and a piece of shite some of the time.