best bang for buck

[Zed]

  The Makarov fires a 9X18 round which is not available at your local gun store or sporting goods outlet. You have to order that ammo from catalogs like Cheaper than Dirt and JG Sales. A conventional 9mm fires a 9x19 luger which you can get everywhere.

good point.
 

If you have more to spend though, get the Beretta 92fs. $599 new with two 15-round magazines plus it has a decocker so you can carry it cocked and locked with an extra round in the tube. That is what I carry on the job and I don't care what anyone says, it is the best 9mm on the planet hands down. A whole lot of USPSA shooters use these in competition right out of the box.

No Arguments on those.

[JonTheSavage]

Wouldn't have a Hi-Point myself, a friend had one, thing was an unreliable Jam-O-matic that was VERY Picky about what ammo you used.

Although I did remember 2 that you "Might" be able to get cheap, but Holster/parts availability is not to great compared with others.

the Makarov 9mm (seen them as low as $150), and Pistols by Khar ($350+).

I DO have one, a 9mm, and it will knock down a thug standing at 80 yards. I've put 1k rounds through it. Once you get past the break in period, it won't jam. Good, reliable little pistol.

[2Revolutions]

OK, starting with Lower Priced and working my way up on Simi-Auto Pistols I would Recommend.

Springfield Armory XD



Available Calibers:
9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP, .45GAP (hard to find .45 GAP Ammo).

Sizes available from sub compact up to a 5" barrel model

Pro's: Match grade barrels, good availability, few things to go wrong, easy to clean/maintain.
Con's: not as simplistic as a glock, but close.

Price Range: $450-600


Springfield Armory XDM



Available Calibers:
9mm, .40S&W

Pro's: Match grade barrels, good availability, few things to go wrong, easy to clean/maintain, 3 Grip Backstrap Options to suit your hands, Higher Capacity magazines available than for plain XD sires.
Con's: not as simplistic as a glock, but close.

Price Range: $550-670



Beretta 90-Two



Much the same as the XD's except does not have the additional grip safety.

Calibers Available:
9mm, 40S&W

Price Range: $570-700



Smith and Wesson M&P



Again Much the same as the XD's except does not have the additional grip safety.

Calibers Available:
9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP

Price Range: $500-600



Glock



Simplicity, Reliability - Nuff Said.

Calibers Available:
9mm, .40S&W, 10mm, 357SIG, .45ACP

Price Range: $500-800
 

So many choices, so little money.   

[JonTheSavage]

If it was me, personally, I'd go for the Spingfield XD. If you plan on concealed carry, get the short barrel. If you don't, and want to keep it at home, and in your car, get the longer barrel. The longer barrel with get you another 10-20 yards accuracy. Its WELL worth the money, and is a good, solid, reliable firearm. Don't forget to dump a couple hundred rounds through it before you plan to use it. You don't want it to jam.

The XD has room for a laser, flashlight, or whatever you want to mount on it, and 9mm is a universal round. Even though, I prefer a .45 ACP, I know that the military uses the 9mm round so it is more available, and reaches out a bit further (100yards or so). 9mm is also a carbine rifle round. Same as 5.56 and 7.62x39. The military uses 7.62, but its not a standard issue because it is Russian. None the less, it is a very common round, and you won't have trouble finding it.

[Zed]

If it was me, personally, I'd go for the Spingfield XD. If you plan on concealed carry, get the short barrel. If you don't, and want to keep it at home, and in your car, get the longer barrel. The longer barrel with get you another 10-20 yards accuracy. Its WELL worth the money, and is a good, solid, reliable firearm. Don't forget to dump a couple hundred rounds through it before you plan to use it. You don't want it to jam.

The XD has room for a laser, flashlight, or whatever you want to mount on it, and 9mm is a universal round. Even though, I prefer a .45 ACP, I know that the military uses the 9mm round so it is more available, and reaches out a bit further (100yards or so). 9mm is also a carbine rifle round. Same as 5.56 and 7.62x39. The military uses 7.62, but its not a standard issue because it is Russian. None the less, it is a very common round, and you won't have trouble finding it.

Short Barrels are not a requirement for Concealed Carry, shorter grips actually make for better/easier concealed carry.