Help me pick my next gun purchase

[Jcastaneda1105]

Still saving up for a 1911. Dropped the budget down to $1000 as I can't justify $1500... however, due to a recent string of home invasions in my neighborhood, and that I work from home during the day when these invasion happen, I am a bit concerned.

I already have a Bersa 380 in the bedroom, and could easily keep a NAA .22 Derringer in my home office near the back entrance to the house, yet I don't feel comfortable using a .22 in such a situation.

Any recommendations for a small, easily concealble hand gun. I am okay with a Derringer .45 with 2 rounds (well, not 100% okay with # of rounds, but it should do the job as long as I connect with the intruder).

Here is the catch.. I have between $200 - $250 to spend. I am open to buying used.

So.. please advise.

[champion510]

This would be interesting to get something good(used) in the price range you mentioned.
I'm also interested in this.. looking forward to some good responses from experienced members here.

[shortyforty]

It can be tough to find a decent HD handgun in your price range. However there are 3 options that immediately come to mind.

Option 1. Used Ruger P-95. Polymer framed, double stack, rail. If you can find someone that is willing to sell theirs, they should be around the $250 range since they sell new for $285-$319. Very reliable, built well.

Option 2. Used S&W sigma. Either 9mm or .40 S&W. The newer rail versions (SWVE model designation) of these guns often sell in the $250 range here on Calguns. I have some personal trigger time with these and they have always functioned well for me.They are a double stack gun so the capacity is greater than the next option (high point).

Option 3. Hi-point C9. The high point 9mm has been described as "ugly". I cannot disagree..LOL but it has a pretty solid reputation for reliability and the price is right. It's a single stack 9mm, polymer framed gun. 8+1 I believe. Usually $159 new.

[JeremyS]

Why small and easily concealable? If you're in your home, that doesn't seem like a typical concern? Also, recommended guns for HD are almost always full size.

If you have time, I'd browse the classifieds until you found something good in your price range, or visit/call the shops around you to ask if they have anything good in your price range. shortyforty's ideas are good (although I'd rather have just about anything other than a hi-point... that has nothing to do with reliability though as, by all accounts, they'll go bang almost no matter what).

BUT... there's always a shotgun, which is by far the #1 recommended firearm for home protection. You can get very good quality pump action home-defense specific shotguns for $199 brand new from companies like Steven's Arms, Maverick, and others.

[Virus55]

Sorry man 200-250 is gunna be tough but i think you should use a shotgun.

[Jcastaneda1105]

Thanks for the feedback. I recently bought a shotgun, Benelli Nova and with a 28" barrell, it might be too much for HD.

I previously had a Sigma and hated it. Did not enjoy it one bit.

The reason for a smaller HD gun is something I can keep hidden in a small safe in my office where it's out of sight and reach from the kiddo. Anything that is full size becomes more challenging to hide. Should have mentioned that.

Like the recommendation on the HI Point and Ruger.

[dc2integra]

Get a used shotgun.

[DannyInSoCal]

A sidearm is used to get to your home defense shotgun -

There is a used 8 shot Moss 500 on here somewhere under $300 -

Go find it and buy it...

[Squidward]

He already has a shotgun!

In your price range I'd be looking for a used handgun. Try your LGS, the marketplace here or Gunbroker. And, Good luck.

[Synergy]

BUT... there's always a shotgun, which is by far the #1 recommended firearm for home protection. You can get very good quality pump action home-defense specific shotguns for $199 brand new from companies like Steven's Arms, Maverick, and others.

My suggestion too. 00 buck is about 9mm each shell holds 9-12 rounds of a 9mm projectile. So 7-8 rounds of 00 buck is a very capable weapon.

[ZX-10R]

Shotgun.

[pardou]

a semi-auto sucks for home defense, because: in the event of a mis-fire your totally screwed with 1 round blocking the chamber. With a double action revolver, you can pull the trigger once, twice, three times and it is going to go boom if not the first - definetly the second. Also, in order to have a semi-auto pistol ready you need to keep the mags loaded, keeping them loaded for long periods of time weaken the spring and may cause misfires or failure to feed a new round into the gun. , A revolver- there is NO spring to screw you in a home defense situation. I would recomend a shotgun first, but for a small office safe; definetly a double action revolver

[Jcastaneda1105]

Thank you all for the feedback. I am leaning towards a revolver now, mainly a .38 since it will be easy enough for my wife to shoot and can be stored in a small safe rather easily in my home office. I'll keep the Bersa also easily accessible despite it being described as "janky" since it's also easily stored. So far the Bersa has been nothing by reliable and has shot everything I have put through it.

Appreciate the feedback folks!

[DArBad]

Thank you all for the feedback. I am leaning towards a revolver now, mainly a .38 since it will be easy enough for my wife to shoot and can be stored in a small safe rather easily in my home office. I'll keep the Bersa also easily accessible despite it being described as "janky" since it's also easily stored. So far the Bersa has been nothing by reliable and has shot everything I have put through it.

Appreciate the feedback folks!

A used Taurus 85 is the only thing I can think of.

[BoJackUSMC]

For that price I think I will just buy a shotgun instead. If not used revolver.