My reflextions

[shaper]

I have been looking for a couple of carry's, one for me and one for the wife, and maybe something larger for the home area. I am 71, retired, on a fixed low income. I have been collecting reloading and casting items for a couple of years now. Still haven't actually reloaded anything yet. I look at everything on the swap and sale forum for something to fill my wants. The one thing that is constant is, I can't afford anything I need (want). It seems to me that every hand gun posted for sale comes in just a few varieties. It's made of gold, shoots only platinum bullets, older than Methuselah therefor it is priced accordingly, it has never been out of the box, It is a hundred years old but never shot ( who could keep a gun that long and not shoot it)? So rare that it was owned by the Pharo of Egypt.
Get my drift yet? Last week I went to my local metal recycle yard and came home with a 1989 Chev. 1500 4x4 truck. I drove it home for $822. This morning I see there is a pistol for sale that will cost me more than I paid for a drivable truck. Just once I want to read about a pistol for sale that the seller has dropped in the sewer, Has scratches from one end to the other when it rolled down a hill, the only tack it drove was when the wife drove a nail in the wall with it, can't distinguish the rifling in the barrel, one side of the grips broke of when it was tossed out the window of a moving car. Maybe then I can find something I can afford. That is if I can beat the people to it that live in front of their computer. I won't name any names here, after all other people deserve their chances also.
Happy loading
shaper

[CastingFool]

I would check out the HiPoint pistols. Some people dismiss them as junk, but they are not. they are very affordable, and it's my understanding their customer service is great. they are chambered in .380, 9 mm, 40, and 45 acp. The 45 acp is a heavy monster, definitely not a carrying gun. Here's a link to their site. http://hi-pointfirearms.com/

[Cornbread]

You can generally pick up used Taurus revolvers in 357 for around the $350 mark if you are willing to bargain a bit. You can often times find Springfield XD sub compact pistols for around $430 brand new. Most of the Springfield semi-auto pistols are under $600 brand new so used you can pick them up for around to under $400 in good to great condition. The Springfield XD sub compact in 40 short & weak is a great concealed carry gun. My wife is 5'2" and about 113lbs and she carries one of these and has no problem concealing it or shooting good groups with it.

I just checked online and found 8 pistols by S&W, Ruger, Taurus, EAA, Charter all for sale in Georgia between $300 - $400, and all of them are in good to amazing condition. Since all are in your state you would have no shipping charges and any listed as private party would be FTF legal sales. I'll send you links. I think you probably just aren't looking in the right places for guns.

[Bad Water Bill]

I know how you feel at 78 and a SS check I went here

https://mail.google.com/mail/#inbox/1460454e8bea102a

and selected a new Ruger LC9 then found a local dealer whos price I could live with.

Out the door $100.00 LESS than MSRP alone.

And it is guaranteed for life.

[foesgth]

My wife has a HiPoint 9mm and it has problems. After about 1500 rounds you have to clean the darn thing!:kidding: Check around for police trade ins. I just got a S&W 14-4 for $300. Has some holser wear but wasn't shot much. It was DAO but a new hammer fixed that.

[country gent]

Several avenues to try are local pawn shops, Local gun shops, Local gun shows, and also some fea markets. Watch the internet sites also. Put feelers out with friends and family. I think the 410 in our family has taught all of us grandkids to hunt and shoot. Its been passed around alot. Look for police trade ins, used but cared for. A small used J frame smith size in 38 caliber for the carry end and for the home a 12 or 20 gauge short barreled shot gun double barrel or pump would be appropriate.

[Hickok]

The Kel-tecs in .380 and 9mm are good pistols and not too expensive.

Like Country Gent, I like to look around in the pawn shops, as sometimes a real gem can show up! Bought a Model 19 S&W .357 cop trade-in for $200 at a pawn shop!

[woodsxdragon]

Aimsurplus had s&w revolvers for under $300. Rock island 1911s are usually under $400. Cz has some stuff under $400. Bersa thunders are usually under $300. Plenty of surplus handguns too out there. Feg pa63, makarovs, revolvers, older czs, Taurus.
I bought two Taurus 82 revolvers for $300 for the pair last spring, a feg for $220 two summers ago. Ruger lcps and lc9 are usually under $300. I have a hipoit rifle. Works great. The handguns I've shot worked fine plus the warranty is awesome.

[monadnock#5]

Shaper, if I was you, I'd find the LGS (in a 50 mile radius) that carries the most extensive stock in handguns. Walk in, or maybe call or email first, and ask for the Manager. Tell him exactly what you've told us. I bet he/she will bend over backwards to sell you something that will help you sleep a little easier at night.

[Three44s]

The Kel-tecs in .380 and 9mm are good pistols and not too expensive.

Like Country Gent, I like to look around in the pawn shops, as sometimes a real gem can show up! Bought a Model 19 S&W .357 cop trade-in for $200 at a pawn shop!


A working Model 19 for $200 would be a real deal ....... ! And a GREAT house gun!!!

The Kel-Tec's are also a real bargain! My PF-9 was $259 before sales tax. The .380's are nothing to sneeze at either ...... quite a few friends of mine are very happy with their .380's.

Three 44s

[jcwit]

Shaper, take a close at the SCCY Pistols, they come in 2 models, CPX1 with a safety & CPX2 without a safety. Both are double action so a safety isn't really needed. They come with @, that's right 2 mags, each holds 10 rounds, with 1 in the tube that's 11 rounds right off the bat. Their warranty is for life of the firearm, no matter who owns it. They will fix it for free-----forever.

Best part is the price, MSR is in the $300 range, street price here in No. Indiana is $239.

Here's their site----http://www.sccy.com/

Little info about the man who designed it.


The main point about the SCCY Firearms is the quality of materials that is used in the manufacturing much better than any other firearm in the minimal price range and that was the goal of the man who designed the firearm,He also designed the first heart stint that is working now in 1,000's of hearts across America this moment as well as the machine that grinds the glass lenses for the 1 hour eyeglass businesses,In other words this guy knew what He was doing.I have some High dollar EDC firearms and this one ranks right there with them with no reservations.If You are on a limited budget You cannot go wrong. SCCY has Hit a Home Run for the everyday working man and his wallet.

They had some growing pains when they first started and the designer had a bout with cancer & his partner really not very ethical, but that all changes upon his return.

Seriously take a good look at them.

[MaryB]

HiPoint C9, I paid $129, 600 rounds later I swabbed the barrel with a qtip to see how dirty it was, might clean it in another 600 rounds. Drop it off the roof of the truck at 80mph and break it? Send the pieces back and get a new gun plus a spare magazine back because of the no matter what lifetime warranty. And mine is plenty accurate. Local range has 8 inch dia flip down plates at 20 yards that I can run full mags on with no misses. Only downside is no rail for a laser but that is being remedied with a piece of 22 rail and a screw.

[starmac]

have you and or your wife shot a handgun much. I may be all wrong here, but if you don't already have what you want , I would find a range and rent some different ones to see what fits, and what you and especially your wife feels comfortable with. As far as something bigger for the home, are we talking bigger hand gun, shotgun or what. In all reality nearly anything can get the job done for home defense. I would literally hate to walk in on somebody armed with w 10/22. If you are thinking shotgun, make sure your wife can handle the recoil. What ever you decide on use them enough to both get comfortable and confident.
I don't own one, but my son in law has a high point, and there is nothing wrong with it at all. A new one cost less than most anything else well broken in.

[lylejb]

something to look at

http://www.cdnnsports.com/smith-wesson-sw99-40s-w-vg-night-sights-1-12rd.html#.U3jY2Hbvh8E

[Artful]

Check your local distributor's as well - this one is 2 hour drive from me but can be worth the trip

http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_150_497.html
Used Glock's starting $359

http://www.jgsales.com/kel-tec-p3atgn-semi-auto-pistol,-380acp,-green-frame,-new.-p-5554.html
New Kel-tec .380 acp $270

http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_376.html
Hi-point from $140

http://www.jgsales.com/smith-wesson-m-p-semi-auto-pistol,-40s-w,-4.25-barrel,-le-trade-in,-used,-s-w.-p-67209.html
S&W 40 cal - police trade in $380

http://www.jgsales.com/cz-83-czech-surplus-380acp-pistol,-overall-good-to-very-good-condition.-p-5703.html
CZ-83 .380 - $330

http://www.jgsales.com/polish-p83-semi-auto-pistol,-9x18,-3.5-barrel,-g-vg-condition,-used.-p-67335.html
Polish P83 - 9x18 (cases can be made from 9x19 luger brass) - $270

Ruger's used from $300
http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_148_485.html?stID=25&sort=3a

7.62x25 & 9mm Tok's starting $160
http://www.jgsales.com/handguns-c-16_235.html

You can order these and have shipped to your local FFL and pay his fee's and taxes

or check for local shop's and/or distributor's in Georgia - quick googlage for ya
http://www.thegunnetwork.com/gun_dealers/GA/-/0/

AcuSport Corp.(SE) Norcross. GA 404-441-2425 https://www.acusport.com/

Bangers Distribution Arlington, GA 877-649-2260 http://www.bangersusa.com/customers/home.aspx

Dixie Shooters Supply, Inc. Blakely, GA 912-723-4203

Euclid Sales Co. Ellenwood, GA 404-366-1330

Georgia Gun Store. Gainesville, GA 678-906-5821 http://www.georgiagunstore.com/

No experience with any of these folks but ask around and you'll find out if they are any good

[TCFAN]

Never thought much of the Hi Point till I watched these guys try to blow one up with a case of full of Bullseye under a 147gr bullet and a bolt beat into the barrel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmt5QB814Tw&list=PLCFE92398B25E528A&index=5

[azrednek]

Check your local distributor's as well - this one is 2 hour drive from me but can be worth the trip

If I could just one time walk in and out of J&G with what I intended to buy without finding something else I just have to get. It might be worth the trip. It is a very dangerous place if one has plastic in their wallet.

The best bargain currently at J&G for a new handgun are the Arcus 9MM's at 299.99. They are Bulgarian mfd DA/SA versions of the Browning Hi Power. For what it is worth the Arcus was adopted by the Iraqi Army. I also like the Canik 55's, not the dishwasher safe TP-9 but the all steel version. A bit heavy but very solid. I got mine back when they were 299.99. They have since increased to 319.99.

[histed]

First, I'd agree with jcwit on the SCCY. I walked out the door with one for under $325.00, including tax and background check, about 3 months ago. I'm 60 and I love the thing. Be aware, however, that the major complaint for these is a LONGGGG trigger pull. They are DA only! That said, I have no problems and my hands are small. Hi Point is one I plant to pick up soon. My wife has shot the 380 and the C9 and likes both, so we'll be getting her a "house gun" soon. Plus, I ran into MaryB on the HP forum and she assures me that the HP functions fine with cast. If you want to go the revolver route, others have mentioned Taurus. My oldest daughter carries an Taurus 85 and loves it, My wife, OTOH, hates the revolver. She claims it recoils too much and hurts her hand, even with full wadcutter target loads. Depends on the shooter, but inexpensive SD and CCW handguns are out there. FWIW, I'd avoid the "pocket" semis - too light = extra recoil I can do without. YMMV

[shaper]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I picked up a pair of lightly used auto's in 380 for $100. each. Now I'm looking for a used 6 cavity 92 grain RN bullet casting mold in 380. Looking on line I see it should be the 358242, but I also see other casters are saying it is a 115 gr. and higher. Anyone here using this mold?

[richhodg66]

Glad you found what you needed.

Since this thread started I looked at a couple of High Points. Never really looked before because they always seemed like super cheapies, but with all the good comments here, I'd be interested now. They sure are big and heavy, not sure how a guy would conceal one, but if concealment wasn't a concern, it seems like a good pistol.

[MaryB]

Way to heavy for conceal carry for me. But it is my favorite range pistol because the weight soaks up recoil.

[Bad Water Bill]

Unfortunately its brother the carbine has been labeled a "DEADLY ASSAULT WEAPON" and banned from Crook Co IL.

Now that mine has a nice warm spot over in Indiana it gets exercised a lot every time I visit there for 3-5 days.:smile:

[Handloader109]

Go to the Titan link above, good vendor, and throw down the money for a 95gr 2cavity and a sizing die. (you will most likely need to size down and cheaper to buy with one order)
You can cast plenty of boolits with the 2 cav. Several hundred an hour. Enjoy! They shoot well in my 9mm's.

Thanks for all the comments guys. I picked up a pair of lightly used auto's in 380 for $100. each. Now I'm looking for a used 6 cavity 92 grain RN bullet casting mold in 380. Looking on line I see it should be the 358242, but I also see other casters are saying it is a 115 gr. and higher. Anyone here using this mold?