Now that wife is a keeper.

 

An LEO turn in used Glock. Buy mags and and/ or ammo with any leftover cash!

 

for pistols, you cant go wrong with a PT24/7 or PT1911 (used), revolvers... maybe look into an old model 65 or 66 Taurus

 

Here's a fine example of a great Taurus revolver which should cost you somewhere between $450 and $475 NIB.

Taurus Model 66 .357 Magnum

 

If I had the money (don't) and was looking (am) for a revolver this is it!

 

For a revolver look for a used Dan Wesson model 15-2 Randy

 

Taurus makes a number of guns - both pistols and revolvers - that sell for less than $500.00. Unless you're dealing with price gougers, many of them will also give you enough change back for 100 rounds or so of practice ammo.

Instead of thinking of getting the most you can for $500.00, you should really be thinking in terms of what purpose/need a new gun will fill.

 

As a brand, Taurus is one of the more obvious choices. Maybe Charter Arms is making some guns good enough to be in the best-under-500 category, but I can't speak from direct experience. That's using the "comparing apples with apples" approach using only list prices of new guns.

If you really want the best revolver under $500, you need to look at used. Smith and Wesson pre-lock and, if possible, pin barrel era revolvers are head and shoulders above most others, but you may have trouble finding one in .357 for under $500. I usually buy the .38 Specials from that era. They're usually under $500, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that most/many will have another 100 years of moderate use left on them. You may be more likely to find a used Ruger in .357 for under $500 and they may even be more durable. Not everyone loves Rugers - I'm currently trading my SP101 off for a Single action .357 made by the the Taurus company "Heritage".

If I had $500 to spend, though, I'd forgo the revolver buy a second brand new CZ75 BD 9mm. That's IF I could find one for sale. Not a revolver, but it's almost unbelievabe that they still list for under $500. In the last 10 years they've come to be seen almost as much of a classic as the Browning Hi Power or even the 1911.

 

If you are looking revolver go to gunbroker and get a taurus 617 7 shot revolver. If you want semiauto get a pt945 also on gunbroker. Thats my opinion.

 

+1 on the Model 66.

Nothing like a .357 mag.

 

You're going to get a whole bunch of different opinions. Your best bet is to go shopping in your area and find out what's available in your price range, handle them, and make the decision on what YOU like best.

 

I would suggest a Taurus model 66 . You can`t go wrong .. You can`t beat it with a stick..

 

Welcome to the forum from Minnesota. Your choice will be be what you want. You have to make that decision.

 

Go for a Judge 45LC/410 with a 3" chamber and a 6" barrel. This has been the best investment I made!

 

Thanks for all the replies. I love that model 66 357. Now thats a good looking gun. Do they make it in a short barrel? As for the people saying PT.... I'm not a fan. I had one in 45 acp that would drop the mag while shooting and lock the slide back on a mag that still had rounds in it.
I've owned mostly carry size guns and was looking for something that was actually fun to shot. The 66 looks like it might fit the bill.

 

When you say "PT" thats pretty much every Taurus semiauto ever made. Theres bound to be a few lemons out of the thousands produced. Dont let that discourage you from trying another. You might be surprised at how well you like it. You can always send the lemons in to miami and get back a delicious orange....walked right into that Florida joke.

 

If it were me, I'd pick a 9mm PT-111 to go with that PT-145.:icon_ lala:

 

I had a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 special that was a sweet wheel gun. Cost was around $360 so you got $$ left over fer speedloaders and a few boxes of ammo.

 

I sold my Taurus model 66 after I picked up a $175 Rossi in the gun show parking lot. The Rossi was more accurate, had a better trigger and was prettier than the Taurus.

 

So it's you that Dear Leader & Uncle Joe are looking for. How dare you buy a gun in a private sale in the parking lot of a gun show. I mean really.

View attachment 55722 I sold my Taurus model 66 after I picked up a $175 Rossi in the gun show parking lot. The Rossi was more accurate, had a better trigger and was prettier than the Taurus.

 

I love my Ruger SR22 because it is fun and cheap to shoot. As for revolvers, I have seen a S&W Airweight in 22 mag that I handled and fell in love with but the price was $700 +/- and now I can't even find one.

 

Got to go where the guns are. Try whats in your area see what feels good take cash it helps to get price you want to pay. Kind a hard to let money walk away once you seen it if your a store owner

jhp

 

Way too many suggestions for me but best one is for you to go shopping and try them out for fit, handling, slide/cylinder smoothness, etc. Test fire if possible. Then make sure to please let us know what you end up with (along with pix) . . .

 

Ruger Single Six and Semi-Auto Mark series are hard to beat. Ammo is hard to find now, but you can't own too many 22's.

 

Lance gave you the best advice...figure out what you want to use gun for...that will help to narrow the selection.
Do you prefer a revolver or semi-auto?

Have fun doing your research.