After selling the Glock a few days ago, I really don't feel comfortable not being armed here in Houston. I want to get something inexpensive that will be for home & concealed carry, and will likely not be a "range gun".
Choices--
Taurus Millenium (1gen) 9mm- ~$279
Bersa Thunder .380 - ~$269....there is one used on TX Gun Trader for $200 though.
Ruger LCP .380 - ~$349 (way max, actually more than I'd like to spend)
I have shot the LCP and find the trigger pull way too long, and the pistol pretty small for my large hands. Very easy to conceal and carry though. The Taurus is small but fits my hands well, I just am having a hard time finding the 1gen model that is cheaper, the current generation is better but $330+. The Bersa has a great feel in my hand and I like the backstrap, and the price is right, but may be awkward to carry due to its shape, and for that size I'd rather have the Taurus with extra capacity and 9mm round (easier to find).
I wish I had not sold my other Phoenix Arms HP22A, a very tiny 10-rnd .22LR semiauto pistol that gets the job done and is under $150, will have to wait for the gun show to come back around.
Other suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $300 so that I can still use my "profits" from the Glock to pay bills, but not be left unarmed. The other option is a cheap Shotgun like the Mossberg Maverick 88 ($189), or a semiauto .22LR rifle like the Marlin 795 ($129) that can be used as a plinker and get my wife used to shooting a firearm....then I would have more $$ left over for bills.
Thoughts? Used stuff around here is pretty expensive. I went to my first pawn shop yesterday, and the place was aweful (despite "good" reviews)...stank of alcohol, stuff was pretty ratty like a really bad garage sale, and I was the only one there without a drug problem (lots of family members like that, you can spot 'em a mile away when you are close to that kind of crowd)....don't think I am going to go that route.
Choices--
Taurus Millenium (1gen) 9mm- ~$279
Bersa Thunder .380 - ~$269....there is one used on TX Gun Trader for $200 though.
Ruger LCP .380 - ~$349 (way max, actually more than I'd like to spend)
I have shot the LCP and find the trigger pull way too long, and the pistol pretty small for my large hands. Very easy to conceal and carry though. The Taurus is small but fits my hands well, I just am having a hard time finding the 1gen model that is cheaper, the current generation is better but $330+. The Bersa has a great feel in my hand and I like the backstrap, and the price is right, but may be awkward to carry due to its shape, and for that size I'd rather have the Taurus with extra capacity and 9mm round (easier to find).
I wish I had not sold my other Phoenix Arms HP22A, a very tiny 10-rnd .22LR semiauto pistol that gets the job done and is under $150, will have to wait for the gun show to come back around.
Other suggestions? I'd like to keep it under $300 so that I can still use my "profits" from the Glock to pay bills, but not be left unarmed. The other option is a cheap Shotgun like the Mossberg Maverick 88 ($189), or a semiauto .22LR rifle like the Marlin 795 ($129) that can be used as a plinker and get my wife used to shooting a firearm....then I would have more $$ left over for bills.
Thoughts? Used stuff around here is pretty expensive. I went to my first pawn shop yesterday, and the place was aweful (despite "good" reviews)...stank of alcohol, stuff was pretty ratty like a really bad garage sale, and I was the only one there without a drug problem (lots of family members like that, you can spot 'em a mile away when you are close to that kind of crowd)....don't think I am going to go that route.