You guys are gun snobs. Lots of good guns under $500. You can get new Glocks for around $500, used glocks in the $350-400 range. If you want a compact 45 the glock 21 is great.

For new guns the S&W Sigma, Taurus and Springfield XD are all well under $500 new. Most in the mid 300 range. Lots of options for calibers and frame sizes and options with these guns.

In semi auto 9mm will be by far the cheapest to shoot unless you really get into it and start loading your own.

Wheel guns the .357 is a great choice. Like you said .38 is cheap ammo to shoot. Wheel guns are also affordable and offer the ultimate in reliability.

Honestly thats a big part of it. I had no idea pistols were so much fun to shoot. You could feel a bit of back blast from the .357. And its a real challenge to be accurate. Maybe one of my primary factors should be fun-to-shoot.

Is this the solution for me? :)

Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

Didn't KelTec sue Ruger for basically ripping off their design? I have a friend who bought a Ruger pistol of some sorts and had all kinds of problems with it, had to send it back to them at least two different times. A google search back when I was researching pistols took me to a thread where multiple people had the same issue with the same pistol, and several got 'lost' in transit coming back from them even!

Now I recall you saying this before. That makes me curious what you do to keep a gun in your desk drawer.. Must be the boss? ;) "See some punkass come try shooting MY office up!"

The .357 is nice because you can use .38 to train yourself to be accurate without spending more on .357 ammo. Just make sure you clean any lead/copper buildup off the cylinder walls before you switch to .357 again. Also keep in mind that some .357 revolvers aren't actually made to shoot full-house .357 ammo all the time. .38's a lot cheaper to plink with, especially lead "range reloads". I'm deaf and had trouble with the sharp crack of .357 inside an indoor shooting range (where the shockwave rolling downrange was actually visible).

And do not discount the effects of recoil - the "pussy factor" is a myth, it affects everyone to varying degrees. If you find yourself having trouble with a certain load/gun, do what you can to reduce the effects of recoil, or you will regret it in the long run (bad habits such as flinching, jerking, etc.)

All-steel, full-size .45s are fantastic. Smaller, lighter .45s kick more obviously, but if you have the arm meat to dampen it enough, good deal.

However, there isn't actually as much overall difference in the "stopping power" between most of the common defensive pistol rounds until you get to the upper echelon (super-heavy bullets, such as 200+gr. .357, 255gr .45 Super, etc.) so I just use a 9mm CZ-75B SA with 124gr. +P and shoot all day.

And for those who just need more:

Buffalo Bore Ammunition | Strictly Big Bore - Strictly Business
Doubletapammo Shop

Which holster do you like better the MTAC or Supertuck? I have a Supertuck for my ppks and it is an amazing holster. I would highly recomend a supertuck for anyone looking for an IWB holster.

300 grain doing mach 1 200 yards out in a .48 caliber round. Now thats a good plinking gun!:brain:

I thought the LCP was cheaper than the KelTec. Well I got some time before I buy.
My friend actually has a P3AT but I've never had a chance to go shooting with them.

I opted for the P32 vs P3AT. The 380 ammo is more expensive (and extremely hard to find the last time I checked - might be different now) than the 32 and there are a few differences in the gun. The 32 has a last shot slide lock and holds one more round. Since they are both the same size Keltec cut a few things out when making the P3AT (slide lock) and the gun is a little more buggy from what I have heard. I carry my P32 with me everywhere I go. The light weight makes it hard to tell it is even in your pocket. I have one, my wife has one, my friend has one, my dad has one. We are all big fans...

I work in retail...disgruntled bookshoppers? No, really, I just carry it with me every day for the same reason I always wear my seatbelt.

The MTAC and Supertuck are both good holsters and similar in design. The MTAC is finished better, higher overall quality, and has the advantage of interchangeable kydex bodies for different pistols. The Supertuck is slightly thinner, comfier, and a little more secure on the belt (due to the metal belt clip design). Both are excellent, but if I had to pick I'd go with the Supertuck -- the thinness, comfort, and security are more important than the quality of the leather or stitching to me.

Nope. Still hard as hell to find. :vash:

Have a Taurus 24/7 Pro Compact that is an amazing gun, i'd recommend shooting one.

If you're willing to buy good the first time, i've since moved to the Springfield Armory EMP. Just... amazing. Awesome. Perfection.

Of course, i have small hands and that really limits my choices, so go with what suits you, but the above rock.

This got me a ton of good info, thanks people. I think I will take a look at some revolvers. I like automatics, but honestly I dont need the ammo capacity and I see a lot of quality revolvers available in my price range. That Springfeild XD is also interesting.

Walther P99. I be gettin a used one soon from my uncle
Wife get Walther P22... she thinks its cute in pink.
http://homepage.mac.com/nexyjo/p22pink400.jpg


I really want is a Sig Sauer P228 tho... those are nice, but really expensive.

Ruger GP-100 is a good one to check out.

The first rule of guns is to have one.

The second rule of guns is to have it always work.

The budget you gave plus the first rule of guns has revolver written all over it.
The intended use as a hiking/camping/falling in a creek/getting it full of dust and sand/protection from 300-400lb bears plus the second rule of guns has revolver written all over it.

A few well placed rounds of .357 with a hot load will be substantial enough to defend yourself against medium bears, elks in rut, and big cats. It will fire and cycle when dirty. It will fire and cycle when full of pocket lint. It will even fire when you are surprised by a ferocious animal and forget to switch off the safety (because there isn't one). It is no coincidence that hunting handguns are revolvers.

If you don't trust yourself to keep it oiled after exposure to moisture, buy it in stainless. I would buy the six inch barrel if you intend on carrying it open on a belt holster and the four inch barrel if you intend to conceal it under your clothing. Buy them with the compensator ported barrel if your budget allows.

I have a medium frame Taurus and a small frame Taurus and have had them for over a decade. They have proven to be reliable, well crafted, accurate, and cost effective.

The ability to have the massive power of the .357 Magnum and to be able to practice with economical .38 Special rounds is a tremendous benefit that has no parallel in the .45 Auto weapons.

I recommend one of the following:

http://www.taurususa.com/images/imagesMain/66SS6.jpg
Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

http://www.taurususa.com/images/imagesMain/66SS4.jpg
Taurus International Manufacturing Inc

EDIT: I lived in Colo Sprgs for a couple of years and hiked and camped in those mountains. I climbed Pike's Peak from Manitou Springs and back over the course of three days. Enjoy the summer when it finally comes!

BTW-The Ruger GP-100 is a also a very nice revolver, as b0ne pointed out, but a bit more money.

I want the Sig 238 as a pocket gun! The Ruger lcp and Taurus tcp are cheaper alternatives for pocket guns.

Have to 2nd Sixshooter though. Wheel guns are tops for ease of use and reliability. A lot of the facination with semi's is just the sexy factor.

I love my ruger sr9. I have flawlessly shot 400+ rounds through mine without any issues. I also own and carry a Walther p22 everynow and then. The Walther p22 gave me a lot of issues until I cleaned it well and lubricated the right spots. I have owend Glocks, S&W, Taurus, Sig's, Springfield Armory, and Kimber. I carry my sr9 normally though. Car and concealed.

Here is some fun, a pair of XD-9's with 30 round clips.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...l30round9s.jpg