In the other handgun thread, Ducks4Breakfast asked a very simple, yet very important question..."What's the gun for?"

While not out of the budget, it wouldn't be a prudent decision for me to buy separate guns for concealed/carry and home defense at this time. What are the best reasonably priced options for a handgun that would serve both purposes?

What's your budget?

Biggest bang for the buck = 9mm semi-auto or .38 special handgun for concealed carry + 12 ga pump for home defense.

Keep in mind that you have to qualify with a semi-auto for your concealed carry permit if you want to ever carry one... if you qualify with a revolver that's all you can carry. If you really want a revolver, borrow a semi to qualify with. You don't have to shoot the gun you plan to carry with.

I have several Glocks that I use both for home defense and concealed carry, but really any major caliber handgun from a reputable manufacturer will get the job done for you.

For me, I carry a G36 almost every day. When I get home it goes in a quick access pistol safe that is mounted inside of our entertainment center downstairs. I have a G17 that I keep in an identical safe next to the bed upstairs. Both can be used for concealed carry or home defense.

So, what you really need to decide is what caliber you want and what you are looking for in a gun. Ideally, you want a caliber cheap enough to shoot a lot (practice) and big enough to stop a threat with well-placed shots. In my opinion, the best options are 9mm or .45 ACP, with .40 S&W being a close third. Any of those three will get the job done without breaking the bank to practice (though 9mm is cheapest to shoot).

Everything else is just based on your own preferences.

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Biggest bang for the buck = 9mm semi-auto or .38 special handgun for concealed carry + 12 ga pump for home defense.

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I think you must have missed this part...

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While not out of the budget, it wouldn't be a prudent decision for me to buy separate guns for concealed/carry and home defense at this time. What are the best reasonably priced options for a handgun that would serve both purposes?

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I'd guess my budget would be around $500.

Is that unrealistic?

NM

[This message has been edited by jh0400 (edited 7/7/2009 10:45a).]

You could get a decent LE trade-in 9mm (Glock maybe?) and a simple 12gauge pump and keep it close to $500-$550.

How about a Coach gun with an aimpoint, picatinny rails, and a light attachment!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://secure.benelliusa.com/stoegerindustries/firearms/images/alt_defense.jpg&imgrefurl=https://secure.benelliusa.com/stoegerindustries/firearms/stoeger_defense.php&usg=__Eb3ZLfYU_RyskylH2crLTzaD_Q0=&h=271&w=862&sz=43&hl=en&start=19&um=1&tbnid=114AC-6gpqGeVM:&tbnh=46&tbnw=145&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstoeger%2Bpump%2Bshotgun%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D18%26um%3D1

*And also look at the Stoeger Cougar 9mm - good little gun that isn't too pricey.

You could get a pawn shop 870 and a keltec P3AT for around $600.

PS. This is not a recommendation for keltec. just an example.

I would try to find a used S&W 357.

A g19 or g23 would fit the bill nicely. If those don't work for you get your cc gun first and then buy a larger version or something chambered for the same round when you have the cash.

I have a springfield XD 45 compact, which will be my cc (if the CHL ever comes in) and is my nightstand weapon.

I'll agree with the G19 or G23 as good choices as well.

All of them around 500.

A compact or sub-compact will carry well, and you can stick a high-capacity magazine in it when it serves as a home defense gun. Glock makes the 19, 26, and 27, S&W has the compact version of the M&P, and Springfield has compact versions of their XD. Any of these can be found in or very close to your price range, and all will serve you well.

Bud's gunshop has the M&P for $439 delivered last week. You might check there.

Another to consider is the Kahr CW9 or CW40. They don't have high-cap magazines, but do make very nice carry handguns and can be found for a bit over $400.

A used .357 snubby will work too, and can often be found in your price range.....

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You could get a pawn shop 870 and a keltec P3AT for around $600.

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Which would be kind of cool, because then you could throw the Keltec up in the air and shoot it with your 870.

Keltec fills a niche, but they're extremely poor quality in my opinion.

I've already got an 870.

I've never owned a handgun, but I want to get one. For now, only one. I want a semi auto, and I would like to get my CCL.

How big are you and do you wear b**** clothing routinely? You need to determine how much firearm you can conceal.

Springfield XD .40 Subcompact would be my advice. Google it and try one out.

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I've already got an 870.

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Then get a gun you can carry. No reason in using a pistol for home defense when you already have a better option.

Hoss:

Read my statement at the bottom of my post. I wasn't advocating purchasing a Keltec. Just pointing out what $600 would buy.

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What are the best reasonably priced options for a handgun that would serve both purposes?

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My .02

1. Figure out what caliber you want. You can't qualify for chl with anything smaller than the .380 although that wouldn't be my first choice. 9mm,.40, or 45 are all controllable in a medium size handgun.
2. Do you want to adapt your wardrobe to the gun you get or do you want to match your gun to your current wardrobe? Each style holster has it's own nuances.
3. The grips on double stack magazine guns are 'usually" thicker than single stack ones. If you carry IWB you will have to worry about the grip patterning through your shirt (with a tuckable holster).

This was the first handgun that I carried.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=133014268#PIC

They also make it in a .40 (4013). It is very concealable and handles very well. The only problem it has it I like my Kimber more than I like the Smith.

Most of the major manufacturers make a gun that should suit your purpose. Spend some $$$ on the front end shooting a variety of them to see which one feels good in your hands.

I for one believe that if I trust my life with my carry gun outside the house I should be able to trust it while I am inside. That doesn't mean that my carry gun would be the IDEAL home defense handgun. When I carried the 3913 I would switch to a G19 for the home simply because it holds more rounds.

Find a good carry gun first and before too long you'll be bitten by the bug and add to your collection. Whatever you choose will be a good partner with your 870 while at home.

for that budget i'd go Springfield XD or Glock....best guns in that price range

"Now none of the frightened soldiers moved, for they saw that cowardice and valor purchased equal plots in the snipers' killing field"

glock or cpo sig.

buy a gun meant for killin.

Sounds like you need a Glock 19.

Say, CowTownRed, let us know. What did you get for not being prudent last July? Put this tread to bed and tell TxAgs the decision you made for home defense and later, CHL weapon.

With a $500 price point id loom seriously at a s&w m&p in 9mm maybe 40 cal they are right about there and i think a better buy than a glock but thats my opinion.

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s&w m&p in 9mm maybe 40 cal they are right about there and i think a better buy than a glock

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You're saying a M&P is a better buy than a Glock?

Sorry my friend, but no.

it really depends... ive never shot an m&p but i was far from impressed at the feel of a glock in my hands... that doesnt make it a bad gun and i would be more than happy to own a glock, it just means that i shoot my xd better than i would shoot a glock and could possibly shoot an m&p better than a glock... and for what its worth I believe the batf is switching to the m&p

Sorry, pocket post but I agree, maybe.

S&W Shield 9mm. You can get one on sale too. You will have money left over to buy a holster and ammo. Maybe a small gun safe too. Or you can get the g19 and use up your budget.

wtf is home defense anyway? Find a pistol you want to carry. Carry during day, then place in bedroom/nightstand at night. Practice with it every so often. done and done.

beefiedoubleoh said:

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wtf is home defense anyway? Find a pistol you want to carry. Carry during day, then place in bedroom/nightstand at night. Practice with it every so often. done and done.

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Unless u have kids. Then put it in a nightstand safe. Just sayn.