I’ve been in the mood lately to buy a small handgun, maybe something like a Charter Arms Undercover .38 or a Taurus Ultralight .38 I don’t want to pay $500+ for a S&W since this is a gun that will probably not cycle through more than 100 rounds in its lifetime.
And please realize that I am in California, so I can’t buy stuff I’d really like to get like a Ruger LCP .380, which cannot be sold here. I’m partial to stainless steel, since I won’t be cleaning it monthly, and I don’t need .357 loads; already have a couple pieces that can handle those.
Any recommendations in the $3-400 range would be appreciated.
Less costly handguns: For auto, I second Chicago X for Kel-Tec. I like 9mm (PF9), but .380 also available. No stainles though, that I know of. Okay, since Kel-Tec not approved for sale in California, how about a police return Glock? Most are G17s, but I occasionally see G19s. Used and not stainless…but very reliable. These will be pushing $400, though. For revolver (most) Taurus are okay, and available is Stainless. Hard to beat a S&W revolver, though….I suggest considering police return revolver. Yes, this will be “used”, but the .38 specials - and in some cases .357 calibers - have very low number of rounds through them. I see them all the time at shows and some gun shops for under $400.
i usually recommend usa made weapons but have to say the Taurus PT145 (in stainless or blue) is a really nice weapon in a .45 cal, VERY safe DAO, single stack magazine, that is no bigger than my hand (big hands, but still).
The caliber (get it?) of these brazilian made weapons has come up since the first time i fired one and is pretty impressive.
also the .38+p revolver in DAO (like the centennial) in titanium from the same manufacturer is a ridiculously light pocket champ.
i prefer .45 but if you cant get it done with 5 rounds of +p .38 maybe one should consider not carrying at all.
edit: just checked the list and the 145 is not on it. (surprised, as it is one of the safest handguns i have ever handled) but the 85T in .38 is.
It just became obvious why I will NEVER live in Commifornia. As if that list means anything - ANY glock is more dangerous than my daily carry (Kimber), but my particular model of Kimber didn’t make the cut. “Shall Not Be Infringed” - Seriously, What is so damn difficult to understand about that?
MA has basically the same type of law. It relates a lot to concealability, magazine capacity, plus the mfg’er has to spend about $25k so that they can make sure it passes certain safety tests. Mostly it’s just Calif. BS
Every single recommendation I was going to input was blocked by the Cali list. There is a strict list of credentials each handgun is scored against just to be imported into the US. Why does CA have to add to that? I can understand if they want to be special and have a limit on magazine capacity, but to deem a certain model illegal while allowing others similar of the same make is just crazy.
My wife carries a S&W +P38. you can find them on sale for around $400. It just occurred to me that her gun cost almost as much as ALL of my lights, batts, chargers combined. The gun does nothing but sit in her purse. I need to go buy another light.
Good luck on your mission trooplewis. Sounds like you have some restrictions on what you want. Try buying what you want in the land of Aus and you would be locked up. There used to be a saying here that we were 5 years behind the US with your laws. I reckon that now you are about 5 years behind us with prohibitive laws, not only on the subject in hand. Ok got that of my chest. No more politics for me tonight. Cheers.
I have an original I bought almost 15 years ago with 1000s of rounds through it I have carried it daily for 15 years. It will digest any 9x19 ammo, it has never jammed or failed to fire. It is more accurate than my full size model 22. If you can’t find a new approved one or don’t be afraid to buy a used one they last forever. The parts are cheap and they make every accessory you can imagine. It is a little thicker than a Keltec single stack but it is easily concealed in a jacket pocket and the laser on mine breaks the outline. I can’t say enough nice things about this weapon. I have gotten some really good deals on Glock police buy backs.
