Cheap handgun for security

I thought anything with the magazine not in the grip was considered a rifle.

No, there's lots of handguns with the magazine not in the grip, or no magazine at all. That link above has some definitions.

Some HotLinked Handguns:

Another classic example of the (fixed though some had extended) magazine not being in the grip.

Thank you for reminding me one more reason I hate ny

Oh yeah another example...I really want one of these just for giggles. I came close to buying one a couple years ago but something else caught my eye.

rebelgtp wrote: Oh yeah another example...I really want one of these just for giggles. I came close to buying one a couple years ago but something else caught my eye.

What would that be chambered in?

In reply to ryanty22:

Usual suspects, .30-30, .357 mag, .44 mag, .45LC. The real bitch is you can't make one (they are produced and sold as pistols in that configuration "mares leg" is what you're after) unless its assembled from a virgin receiver, the ATF says rifles can't become pistols, only short barreled rifles, unless its TC contender, which is somehow special.

ryanty22 wrote:

rebelgtp wrote: Oh yeah another example...I really want one of these just for giggles. I came close to buying one a couple years ago but something else caught my eye.

What would that be chambered in?

.44-40, but you can find similar in all the popular lever action calibers.

I was going to get mine in .45 Colt considering I have a pistol chambered in that already.

There is a guy here locally that keeps one strapped to his back when up in the hills in a scabbard style holster.

Henry I believe also makes a .22 version.

Rifles can't become pistols, so the mare's leg has to start out as a pistol from the factory, same as the receivers for the other pistols above, like the AR, AK, 1022, and xp100 (same as a Remington 7xx, I forget the exact model, but the receiver is the same as a rifle one.) So the manufacturer, even if you make the receiver yourself, has to declare that receiver to be a handgun, then it's a handgun. Now, you can put a long barrel on the handgun and a stock and then it's OK. They make uppers for 1911's that make them into a carbine, for example. As long as the barrel is long enough (16") and at no time is the barrel below that with a stock on it. The only exception I know of is the Luger with the wood shoulder stock. For decades, you could have the pistol and the stock (which doubles as a shoulder holster,) but the thing that put the two together was a registered device. I think about 15 or 20 years ago, they let that one slide because of the collectability or historical significance or something, and I THINK it is OK to have that one now. I am not an expert on this, so no one should take my word on this, but that is my understanding.

ryanty22 wrote: Taurus .40 cal not great for ccw because they are heavy. But for home defense at a good cost they're great

just got home from the weekend at the track … = … tired … so TL;DR, but this is my recommendation

for me it would be the Taurus Judge … a shotgun in pistol form … 410 shells in buckshot … 5/6 shot revolver …. not much to go wrong … and for the distances you'd need it (inside) it will put LOTS of pellets in an intruder … much less unwieldily than a shotgun itself .. even one with a pistol grip and no shoulder stock

edit: I see (after reading the whole thread that some others have suggested this … carry on

Will wrote: I don't understand the love for the Judge. The .410 is a wimpy cartridge, and while the .45 Long Colt (which the judge can also fire) is pretty stout, a pistol actually made for that cartridge will be much better. The Judge is a huge pistol with a tiny barrel, and seems to be designed expressly for blowing up watermelons with birdshot (which is NOT a viable defensive round).

you can get 410 buckshot …. just saying

wbjones wrote:

Will wrote: I don't understand the love for the Judge. The .410 is a wimpy cartridge, and while the .45 Long Colt (which the judge can also fire) is pretty stout, a pistol actually made for that cartridge will be much better. The Judge is a huge pistol with a tiny barrel, and seems to be designed expressly for blowing up watermelons with birdshot (which is NOT a viable defensive round).

you can get 410 buckshot …. just saying

Dont they make slugs in .410 too?

Just for my personal knowledge, Anyone have one of these? Tried them out before and they fit comfortably, and shoot really nice. just curious to see anyone elses experience with the XD series.

Didn't read the thread, but I'll offer this: "Cheap handgun" is one of those phrases that makes me cringe. I'd recommend a revolver from a reputable manufacturer in a caliber that you feel comfortable shooting. Say, a Ruger GP-100 in .357 mag.

In reply to ryanty22:

The XD series is supposed to be great. I plan on getting one very soon.

The XD series has excellent reviews. Made in Serbia, designed during the war where actual in-combat use provided feedback for design changes and improvements. You can't buy that kind of R&D.

These are examples of things to avoid...

The Cobra FS380

Hi Point C9

These are just two examples of cheap guns (can be had for sub $200) that should be avoided. These are generally what most people consider a throw away. Funny thing is you normally see people that own them saying how solid they are yet most reviews say they fail at under 1000 rounds. The slides are cast and QC is generally non existent which is why you end up seeing pictures like this:

A year or so ago you could pick up a SIG Pro 2022 for $350, not a huge amount by any stretch. That comes with a polymer lower and a slide that is milled from a solid piece of stainless. I have yet to see one of those have a failure more serious than a broken firing pin.

Any firearm can have a failure even the highest quality ones. Much of the time it can come down to user error though sometimes it is simple wear and tear. Take the highest quality hand gun there is stick it in a rental range for 3 years and you are bound to see a failure. The lower the quality the faster you will see a failure.

ryanty22 wrote: Get your purchase permit first though

WTF is this? Where are you located that requires you to obtain a purchase permit?

Hasbro, where are you located? Because that will influence my advice upon revolver/semi automatic and caliber.

And I will never recommend a Springfield XD to anyone.

In NC you have to get a permit first. That's pretty much called passing your background check. In SC, they do it while you are in the store.

In reply to spitfirebill:

Hmmm, well thats still not as bad as the Illinois FOIL card. Seems like NC's system is a bit outdated considering every sale from a dealer since the mid-90's is supposed to go through the NICS system for a background check and backdoor registration(if they didn't, they wouldn't want the serial #)

yamaha, what don't you like about the XD's? Just curious.

It wasnt bad, I went to the courthouse said I wanted to purchase a gun, paid a processing fee only $15, they did the background check in about 15 minutes left there and went to purchase my fathers Ruger.

yamaha wrote:

ryanty22 wrote: Get your purchase permit first though

And I will never recommend a Springfield XD to anyone.

That is the first ill words I've ever heard spoken of the XD series. Curious as to why you don't like them.

rebelgtp wrote: Another classic example of the (fixed though some had extended) magazine not being in the grip.

Those were also fully automatic and had a detachable stock. ISTR they were once illegal here.