Looking into getting a handgun for my gf soon (well, really for both of us, but its her birthday so it's "hers" lol). She has shot many guns before so its not her first rodeo. I really don't know what to get her though. She obviously wants something black and pink lol, but I'm more concerned about getting a quality handgun we can keep forever. She wants to get her concealed too so she may carry it, but she has a big purse anyway so we don't really need to go super small. We're both in college, she's going for law enforcement, so were on a tight budget. Cheaper the better. Around 500 would work.
So what should we get? I know everyone recommends glock, but which one? I've shot a 1911 and loved it, but doubt I could get one in that price range. I know it's a bad time to be buying, so any recommendations for what I should get, how much I should expect to pay. Does anyone on here have anything for sale maybe? What caliber should I look for? I know how expensive ammo is and how hard it is to come by, what's a good caliber that is powerful enough to be useful for self defense, and easy to find for when we go to the range. Thanks guys!
Oh, it doesn't have to be low recoil. I know she's a girl lol but she has shot many guns and won't be scared of anything.
If she can handle the .45 as you say, then go for the gusto and get as much firepower as you can. There are 1911s for under $500, from manufacturers like Rock Island Armory (Phillipines) and Tisas (Turkey), and while many 1911 purists and snobs don't like them, they get high praise and reviews from people who actually own them. Bud's has several in the $400 range, and you might have to put an after-market grip on it to get the best fit and feel, but can still come away for under $500.
There is also the Bersa Thunder 45UC, which also gets great reviews from owners. It is almost impossible to find new or used, though.
I'd think 9mm is the smallest caliber to consider for main carry, although .380 is effective at most SD ranges. I have a Bersa BP9cc I use for CC, and it is a sweet shooter, and very comfortable in my Remora IWB holster.
.40S&W is a great caliber, but some find it a bit snappy and harder to get a follow-up shot quickly. I have a Beretta 9000s I was going to use for CC until I ran across the Bersa BP9cc. Since I have the Bersa, I may sell the Beretta, haven't decided yet. The Beretta is a nice gun, not made anymore, kind of the predecessor to the PX4 Storm. I haven't shot it a lot because I only had one mag for it, and couldn't find another, so going to the range and having to reload the same mag over and over was a pain. Finally found out that mags for the Beretta 96 would work, so I got one of those, but now I can't find any target ammo at a price I want to pay. But it is well made, and solid, and eventually ammo will get back on the shelves (I hope).
That's my 2¢, might only be worth half that, though!
What's a gusto? I googled it and other stuff comes up. Do you know of a good website to check prices? I hate to buy a pistol right now especially not knowing much about how much which ever gun is worth, and I know people have their used guns selling right now for outrageous prices
Bud's Gun Shop is the best online source to show what new guns are selling for
