Most cost-effective gun for self-defense (2022 edition) - Pew-pew for me and you-you

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BoshiBro69 said:
I didn’t recommend it for self-defense. I explicitly said it was good for cheap training. I literally wrote “not super effective”.
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Personally I just want something like a Rough Rider or Ruger Wrangler to plink with/ take out pests if I'm ever in that situation. Hitting a rat with my SKS, or even my 38 special is overkill. That and add to my revolver collection lol. Might get the rough rider, since some of them can swap cylinders to 22 magnum; that'd be fun.
 
Frankly speaking "self defense" is kind of a broad topic of discussion. What are the threat vectors you're trying to prepare for? What risk are you trying to mitigate by owning a firearm?

If you're looking to defend against organized armed groups (be it the feds or some post apocalyptic raider group) you would want something in a 7.62/.300 or bigger when it comes to bang for your buck on penetration. Something simple like a CETME .308 (Century C308) comes to mind, and I believe crazy 3d gun people have some stuff revolving around that platform.

If you're looking to defend yourself in public with some type of concealed carry you're best bet is gonna be a double stack 9mm. I personally like the Sig P320c but that's roughly 500-700 dollars depending on store and configuration so it's not really in the bang for your buck range. KelTech and Ruger both make respectable and cheap(ish) handguns which are good for CC.

If you're looking at home defense you'd want a shotgun or a PCC/PWD. PCC's while cool tend to be pricey for no real reason, like the CZ Scorpion Evo3 A1 which runs about $1100. But if you want to take the PCC route the Hi-Point 995 TS is about $450 and will do the job but I would recommend a cheap optic and some type of light. Frankly speaking though shotguns are your best bet on home defense for the money, a farm shotgun with some 00 buck will turn most home intruders into morgue patrons. I personally like the CZ 712 Utility G2, 5 total rounds, good length. Just gotta hit the fucker.

Lastly is DEFCAD and additive manufacturing. There's some really cool shit in the 3d printed firearms world now. And it's fairly cheap if you already have access to a printer. That being said I can't really recommend you do this, especially if you're a first time gun owner, so I won't link anything on it.

Best advice I can give though it go to a range and try stuff out. Feel on guns is subjective in a lot of ways, especially with feel. Try stuff out that's in your price range before you buy anything.
 
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Autism Contractor said:
Frankly speaking "self defense" is kind of a broad topic of discussion. What are the threat vectors you're trying to prepare for? What risk are you trying to mitigate by owning a firearm?

If you're looking to defend against organized armed groups (be it the feds or some post apocalyptic raider group) you would want something in a 7.62/.300 or bigger when it comes to bang for your buck on penetration. Something simple like a CETME .308 (Century C308) comes to mind, and I believe crazy 3d gun people have some stuff revolving around that platform.

If you're looking to defend yourself in public with some type of concealed carry you're best bet is gonna be a double stack 9mm. I personally like the Sig P320c but that's roughly 500-700 dollars depending on store and configuration so it's not really in the bang for your buck range. KelTech and Ruger both make respectable and cheap(ish) handguns which are good for CC.

If you're looking at home defense you'd want a shotgun or a PCC/PWD. PCC's while cool tend to be pricey for no real reason, like the CZ Scorpion Evo3 A1 which runs about $1100. But if you want to take the PCC route the Hi-Point 995 TS is about $450 and will do the job but I would recommend a cheap optic and some type of light. Frankly speaking though shotguns are your best bet on home defense for the money, a farm shotgun with some 00 buck will turn most home intruders into morgue patrons. I personally like the CZ 712 Utility G2, 5 total rounds, good length. Just gotta hit the fucker.

Lastly is DEFCAD and additive manufacturing. There's some really cool shit in the 3d printed firearms world now. And it's fairly cheap if you already have access to a printer. That being said I can't really recommend you do this, especially if you're a first time gun owner, so I won't link anything on it.

Best advice I can give though it go to a range and try stuff out. Feel on guns is subjective in a lot of ways, especially with feel. Try stuff out that's in your price range before you buy anything.
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Trying stuff on a range is important. You want to go all out and get a cheap used 45 for home defense, you better shoot 45 first to see if you're ready for it, especially if it's your first gun.

And yes the Hi Point carbine is a good starter PCC. Tons of flavors and colors, easy enough to use, etc. Personally want one in 45.
 
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If you're right handed, a Taurus G2C is a good first buy. It's inexpensive and basically a glock clone. It has some nice quality of life features above what you usually see at that price range and can be had for roughly $300.

It's chambered in 9mm so ammo is relatively affordable and common to find.
 
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Netizennameless said:
If you're right handed, a Taurus G2C is a good first buy. It's inexpensive and basically a glock clone. It has some nice quality of life features above what you usually see at that price range and can be had for roughly $300.

It's chambered in 9mm so ammo is relatively affordable and common to find.
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Also, a PSA Dagger. It's not even "basically" a Glock clone, it is a Glock clone, but you can pick one up for 300 or so, and apparently it's pretty decent.

Sadly only in 9mm, but I've long since lost that battle. Me and my .45s know when we aren't wanted.
 
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MembersSchoolPizza said:
Also, a PSA Dagger. It's not even "basically" a Glock clone, it is a Glock clone, but you can pick one up for 300 or so, and apparently it's pretty decent.

Sadly only in 9mm, but I've long since lost that battle. Me and my .45s know when we aren't wanted.
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Join the revolver club fren. Said it once and will say it again, you can get a nice used revolver pretty fucking cheap from a respectable brand. Shove it in a cargo pocket with a Uncle Mike's pocket holster, the bare minimum investment to keep the finish nice, and you'll have a nice pocket rocket for those things that go bump in the night. You might even be able to get it in 357 cheap if you're lucky.

As for the Dagger, how is it? I've heard bad things about early production barrels.
 
WelperHelper99 said:
Join the revolver club fren. Said it once and will say it again, you can get a nice used revolver pretty fucking cheap from a respectable brand. Shove it in a cargo pocket with a Uncle Mike's pocket holster, the bare minimum investment to keep the finish nice, and you'll have a nice pocket rocket for those things that go bump in the night. You might even be able to get it in 357 cheap if you're lucky.
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My hunting sidearms are a Security 6 in .357 or a Blackhawk in .44, depending on my mood and where I'm going. I'm perfectly comfortable with revolvers. But for a carry pistol, I like a semi-automatic, because it's slimmer, carries more (Granted, only 7+1). and... Well, mostly because it's slimmer. I can carry it more comfortably and avoid printing easier.

I've not personally gotten any time with a Dagger yet... I mean, bluntly, neither "9mm" or "Glock-clone" are really selling points to me, ya know? But a couple of youtubers that I generally trust (Hickok, for example) seem reasonably impressed with it.
 
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PFM said:
Maybe a good truck gun, or apartment shotgun. Anything other than that I would want a buttstock.
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Considering how awkward it is to shoot with any kind of effective load, I really don't see the point of these. (Sure, its compact, but so was the Serbu Super Shorty and those were never popular either. ) You get that first, very awkward, very painful shot, then you have to rack and try for a follow up shot however much later that will be. Assuming you successfully defend yourself with it, you have years of therapy and wrist braces to eat up your budget.

It just seems like a real gimmick gun with some extremely limited use-cases. Not a first or only gun, for sure.

For the same price you could get a nice 12 gauge, like the 590 maybe or an 870 with some extra doodads. You could buy 2(TWO!) Mavericks, or a Maverick and some used/trade in 9mm Glock or something. You could get a Hi-Point carbine in 45 (which is an ugly but functional home defense arm). For the same amount of money you have so many superior options, it is boggling.
 
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I’ll get hate for this but I think the P320-M17/M18 (for the safety) is a perfect BIFL handgun. It’s not the cheapest, but it should last practically forever if you take care of it. Since it’s polymer, it’s cheaper than metal choices, and it has a great stock trigger and sights.

Why not Glock? Well Glocks aren’t as great in their stock configuration. Once you start talking about mods then shooting becomes a hobby and the conversation is no longer about cheap anymore.

There aren’t any cheap revolvers I actually consider trustworthy anymore. Sorry but that’s just my opinion. I like revolvers but it looks like you’ll need to shell out a bit for something that can take a beating.
 
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George Lucas said:
There aren’t any cheap revolvers I actually consider trustworthy anymore. Sorry but that’s just my opinion. I like revolvers but it looks like you’ll need to shell out a bit for something that can take a beating.
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Not new, yes. If you keep your eyes peeled and scope out the right places though, you can find some good wheelguns on the used market. I've seen 'classic' revolvers floating around at reasonable prices, especially some of the old police trade ins - usually with a lot of ugly holster wear and checkered history, but whatever. Just make sure the lockwork is in order and you're good. A Ruger Security Six or Model 10 isn't flashy, but six shots of .357 or modern .38 loads can be a handy problem solver.
 
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BoshiBro69 said:
I didn’t recommend it for self-defense. I explicitly said it was good for cheap training. I literally wrote “not super effective”.
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There are many different sizes of .22. I guarantee you that you are going to go down if I shoot you with a .22 magnum. Still a .22 caliber bullet. It will fit in my revolver, just like my .22 long and my .22 short. The 22 short you plink with and get used to using a weapon or Varmit shooting. Still cheap ammo.


As stated before, I've used firearms for self defense.

My pocket rocket Barreta .25ACP has never failed me in 40+ years. It's my go to hand gun while travelling light.

Home defense? Mossburg 500. Have to arm myself when the peaceful protesters came on to my property.

SW/.40 is on my bedstand. With Black Talons in the chamber. Yes... You are going to die if I have to use that firearm against you.

But the most important thing is try not get yourself in a situation in the first place as it sure saves on medical/lawyer's fees if you don't.

And finally....

Any hand gun/firearm is better than no gun at all.
tradecode said:
The Mossberg shockwave isn't very expensive and it's very dangerous. It's basically a street legal sawed-off pump shotgun. It's my weapon of choice.

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You don't need that nonsense. Get the Mossberg Combo kit. Go hunting use the larger barrel. Home defense use the shorter barrel and grip.
 
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