Best auto for around $500?

[fortygunner]

I have read about everything I can read about all of the different guns out there for around $500.

What are all of your favorites for this price range, keeping in mind, reliability and ease of cleaning.

I'm thinking 40 cal. , 4" barrel or smaller for carry, but am open for suggestions.

["DoubleAction"]

Fortygunner; For ease of cleaning and reliability, for a carry piece, in .40 S&W, at the $500. price range, I would first shop around the pre-owned counters at the gun shops, ranges, or other gun dealers.
The Sig 239 is a good choice, as is the Sig 229 if you can find a pre-owned specimen. The Sigs can be converted from the .40 S&W to the 357 sig, simply by interchanging barrels. On the 239, it requires a different magazine for the 357 sig.
For field stripping the Sigs; It requires only to lock the slide to the rear, turning the take down lever to 90 degrees to the six o'clock position, and removing the slide. The barrel is easily removed by first removing the recoil spring, which is captured by the full length recoil rod.
Cleaning the Sigs can be accomplished by concentrating mostly on the barrel and it's chamber, since the frame and slide is easily sprayed, brushed, and wiped clean. The slide is from solid bar stock stainless, which also makes it easy to maintain. The frame is of a lightweight high tensil strength aircraft grade aluminum alloy material, which also resist those elements associated with rust.
Reliability is incorporated into the Sig design, with a fully supported integral ramped barrel, external lockup and wide ejection port to reduce internal fouling, an external extractor, and a cammed tilting barrel feed system.
Many federal and state agencies have relied on the Sig design, including those of the FBI, Texas Rangers, BATF, DEA, FAA, IRS, US Postal Service, U.S. Marshall's Service, Navy Seals, Homeland Security, and many more.
I think your $500. dollars has the potential of going along way with a SIG.

[5ontarget]

Are you looking for new, used, polymer or metal frame?

Polymer frame, I like the Springfield XD's. service model 4", sub compacts 3". Breaksdown very similar to a Sig. Reliable,very. I have no problems with the finish on mine, but some people do. The finish is not Glock tough, but if you take reasonable care of your gun, you won't have problems. There are numerous comparisons to the Glocks, I prefer the XD because of the grip angle (matches the 1911), the addition of the grip safety, fully supported chamber, and it goes for $80-100 less than a Glock. I'm not trying to start a Glock vs XD battle here, just stating why I prefer the XD.
Metal frame, I'd look for a used Sig, or perhaps a new CZ. See above for the Sig. The CZ75 is available in numerous configurations, and a very popular gun in places other than the USA, but its reputation and popularity is growing here. From their webpage, "CZ 75 B is used by more Governments, Militaries, Police and Security agencies than any other pistol in the world."

[TA]

Before I read the responses so far, my 1st thoughts were Sig and XD. Both are very reliable and would fill your needs. I think the P239 conceals better because of its thinner profile. The P239 is a few bucks more than the XD, but it will hold its resale value, especially if bought used.

If I personally could only have 1 ( I shudder to think of it ), semi-auto pistol, I would probably go with a Springfield Mil-Spec just because I like the 1911's and the .45 acp. They are not as easy to take down as the Sig or XD, but they aren't hard either. Once you have done it a few times, it's easy. I end up detailing stripping mine often leaving only the plunger tube, ejector and sights on the frame/slide, because it doesn't take much longer to completely strip the 1911 and you can really get it clean then.

[psustang89]

I bought an H&K .40 carry gun and love it. Used (barely) it cost me around $450, which I considered a deal. It shoots well, is relatively compact, and has never jammed. Easy cleaning too.

["DoubleAction"]

psustang; Welcome to the Forum. That is an incredible price on your HK. These are the kind of deals I like to see, read, and hear about.
I call "Barely Used", "Pre-Owned" because many pre-owns are not even fired the first time before being sold or traded off. I have actually seen some guns go through three different owners without being fired the first time.

[psustang89]

Thanks for the welcome Double. I couldn't pass up that price on the HK. I'm going to have to learn the forum lingo as I post.

["DoubleAction"]

"Pre-Owned" is something I came up with after acquiring a few unused previously owned firearms. "New Condition" or "New In Box" is a common term applied in most of the firearm guides, which your probably more familiar with. I try to encourage many to become very familiar with the pre-owned market place in their local area. I would not want anyone to purchase a pre-owned gun without a thorough examination because there are tricks some use to disquise the wear on a gun.

[taliyev]

CZ 75B in 40S&W; CZ 40B. The last (CZ40B) can be had new within the range of $260-340.. It is amazing how good and underpriced this gun is.

[Seraph]

I gotta chime in with a recommendation for a Springfield Armory Mil Spec M1911A1.

* Single Action Trigger
* .45 ACP
* 5" Barrel
* Forged steel frame and slide
* Lifetime Warranty

I have two Springfield 1911's (so far). My Mil Spec ($489) has over 4500 rounds through it without a single failure. My GI Champion (4" model - $450) only has about 500 rounds through, but again without failure. Both guns have been relentless tackdrivers. The 1911 is nice and slim, making it an ideal concealed carry gun at any length. I like my Champion for IWB carry, because the 4" barrel doesn't poke me in the buttock when I'm seated, such as when in a vehicle. A very nice thing about the 1911 is that there is a vast aftermarket of parts, accessories, etc, to enable you to tailor your piece to your own taste.

I can also vouch for the CZ 75B. I have one in 9mm, for which I paid $385 and tax. I only have 300 rounds though mine, but it hasn't failed yet. It is also very accurate - about the same as my Mil Spec. When I'm not in a hurry, I can shoot 3" 5-shot groups @ 25yds, off-hand. It's nice and slim for a double stack pistol. Many compare its shape and feel to that of the Browning Hi-Power. I think it feels a tad beefier in the grip than the Hi-Power. It's built like a tank, with the slide riding inside the heavy duty steel frame, which I think is highly contributive to its mechanical repeatability, and hence, its accuracy. I've been thinking about getting another one in .40 just to put in a .357 SIG barrel (range toy). The .40 cal version's slide is a little heavier, due to the lack of the Hi-Power-like lightening cuts of the 9mm version. These come in single action only versions as well.