Best handgun for around $500?

I am sorry you don't like police officers Beaver. You are right. None of them ever shoot or know what they are talking about.
 
I've shot a lot of these guns. And I agree that the Sig is probably the best gun. However I still really like my Ruger. I know its not as exoctic as the foreign guns. But ive put prob 10,000 rounds through my P85 without a single jam. Its easy to clean and its a bit bigger than the others and i put some hogue finger grips on it.
 
I really like my HK USP 45. You aren't going to get close to one for $500 though. I'd like a Mk 23, but damn are they expensive.
 
Evil Beaver, calm down, no need to start calling people retarded just because we have a different opinion. I love my Glock and I can shoot rings around most people with it. I don't think it is unsafe and it is going to last me forever.
 
Glocks are arguably the most unsafe semiautomatic pistol there is(at least among name brand manufacturers). They have no external safety and can be fired without a magazine. A trigger mechanism that is disengaged when the slightest amount of pressure is applied in not effective imo. On top of it, they have a lighter than normal trigger pull.
 
I've also got a Glock 17 and haven't laid eyes on it in two or three years (since I got my Sig). It just never fit my hand right.
 
I just got a sig p229 and p232 for $400 total (used obviously). Love the p229 in .40 S&W. Haven't shot the p232 yet, it's a PPK knockoff in .380. Got it for my wife.

My research led me to pick the Sig over the Glock due to many of the reasons listed above.

Glocks are very accurate, but too many other issues.

Try this website if you like guns. Best resource I've ever used.
The Link
 
I just "flipped over" to that site to see what it was like and spent 1 and1/2 hours reading and just dented the surface of info that is there. It really is a good info site. Thanks
 
Sauer is not a model of Sig, but the second half of the Company name- Sig Sauer. Tenifer is the hardening coating on the steel slide of all glocks. It is light because the lower receiver and pistol grip and mags are plastic. Glock 17 shoots the least expensive of center fire handgun rounds- the 9mm. The Beretta 92f is what the military rank and file use and only a moron would buy one with his own money. Taurus is a Brazilian firm and their weapons suck. There are allot better versions of the 1911 design (such as Kimber/ Para-ordnance/ les baer/ wilson combat/ sig sauer) than those made by Springfield Armory. Also, anyone who wants to know why I need a handgun ought to be shot in the face.
 
hornskill, I don't think I will be asking you why you need a handgun. But I will risk asking why you are so down on Taurus.
 
I got a Glock 33, and I've always liked it alright.

Thanks to this thread, from now on, I get to worry about it exploding in my hand?
 
Sgt. Longhorn offered a link and this is a quote from a reviewer of Glocks at that link.

" Glock pistols are among the safest ever designed, and no user action is required to render them safe. All that is required is that most basic of proper gun handling procedures: keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot the gun!"

They also go on to praise the gun's various other attributes. I am happy with my two Glocks.
 
Wow...some serious opinions. One that has not been mentioned in 9mm, Browning Hi-power. I really like mine and am very satisfied with its safety features. Good sights, very accurate, never a jam in over 10 years of serious numbers of rounds. Heck, good enough for the SAS, good enough for me.

Never shot a Sig before but have certainly heard plenty of positives from people I respect. Had a Glock, not a fan. Nothing bad, just uncomfortable to me, plus the lack of a conscious safety (my own made up term), are turn-offs.

Had a Berreta 92 and the Taurus knock-off. Did not like either one. The Taurus would jam on occasion with rapid trigger pulls.

For pure accuracy and reliability, any S&W .357 wheel gun with 4.5" or longer barrell.
 
I had a Desert Eagle .357 and a riot shotgun at one time for two different purposes. The Eagle was for target shooting. Got into that in the Army and was very good at it. The shotgun for anybody stupid enough to come into my house. If the silent alarm does not get you, the loud one would and then there is the human factor.

But the Eagle was an awesome sidearm but very big. If you can get one at a decent price, try it. But the info on HK and Sig are spot on. Very, very good pieces. But get what suits your purpose. Go to a reputable dealer, tell them how much you can spend at most and let them tell you what they have. Go somewhere that has a range so you can shoot what you are interested in.

Don't buy that same day. Think about it, how they felt, the action, ease of maintaining, cost of rounds (learn to pack your own but don't go too Soldier of Fortune like I did...learned the hard way, haha) and stuff like that. Maybe go entry level to get a better idea what you want and then upgrade later on when finances allow.

Good luck and enjoy. Above all, be safe.
 
By all means pack your own ammo and frequent Carter's Country for supplies. I went in one time to buy a whole bunch of crap and the guy behind the counter says, "getting ready for the revolution?" He wan't joking.
 
suttree, that was more than likely a subtle invite to the next "Preparing for the Independence of Texas" meeting. Ask about grenade launchers next time. I would love to have a L.A.W. What good it would be, who knows but one never knows when a heavy armor vehicle w/ tracks on it comes after you.
 
What do y'all think of Collector's Firearms on Richmond? I go there on business, but when I'm through, I always go over the the WWII rifles.

The Garand is heavy (I understand that it's technically superior).

The British Enfield has good balance, but the stock is short (I'm tall).

The Japanese rifle is a piece of s**t.

The German Mauser, when I point it, stays on every sign I can see all the way to Westheimer. Best balanced rifle I've ever aimed.
 
Didn't read all the posts here so I hope this is not a repeat. I've owned several of the sidearms mentioned here including the Glock, Sig P226, Ruger P85, & a few others. The one that I've kept & dearly love is the Isreali Arms Baby Eagle 40 cal. It's a little more compact than the Sig P226 & is a pleasure to shoot. Very accurate and just feels good in your hand. I never thought I'd find a pistol in that price range better than a Sig until I squeezed off a few with the Baby Eagle.
 
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