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Originally posted by scottmandue
I'm no where the gun expert some of the guys here are but Ruger and Taurus make some reliable handguns in the low price range and with the shear volume they crank out I would guess parts are plentiful.

I bet a donut that by tomorrow afternoon the gun nuts will suggest you double your budget, i. e. they will start recommending $500-$1000 handguns. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

If he were only looking for new, then $500.00 would be the starting point. but he said used as well, so he can look in the $300.00 range for good used handguns.

Here's a Glock model 22, .40 Smith & Wesson (the minimum caliber I'd recommend) http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=63484007 for a starting bid of $325.00, comes with an extra magazine and night sights. There are lots more.