Is There a Budget Pistol You'd Trust Your Life To?

[bobbytucson]

psg for sure. $300ish-350, 100% reliable

[alcante262]

Canik sf

[Doc Safari]

I went and tried the Shield out in the desert right at sunrise. Very smooth trigger, like a tuned double action revolver. You'd expect that from a Smith & Wesson I guess. It shot a little high, but at bad breath range your target would still be taking multiple torso hits. All in all the only criticism I have for it is that the mags require thumbs of steel to load.

[RAM Engineer]

Probably the old standby for "budget" reliability:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm...e-std-capacity

[26 Inf]

Probably the old standby for "budget" reliability:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearm...e-std-capacity

My experiences with trying to teach recruits to shoot the predecessor Sigma were that very few shot it well. Absolutely terrible trigger.

I generally enjoy shooting most anything, but not those. Don't know how much difference the 'improved self-defense' trigger made when Smith rebranded theses as the SD9.

[maximus83]

I went and tried the Shield out in the desert right at sunrise. Very smooth trigger, like a tuned double action revolver. You'd expect that from a Smith & Wesson I guess. It shot a little high, but at bad breath range your target would still be taking multiple torso hits. All in all the only criticism I have for it is that the mags require thumbs of steel to load.

Shield is the only budget pistol I'm aware of that I'd trust. There may be some other well made ones, especially foreign, but I'm not aware of them. The one time years ago I tried a Taurus, I regretted it. Since then, I've stuck with trusted models by trusted manufacturers that were known for decent service. Personally, I could never see much logic in trying to cut corners on cost for something that you are going to trust your life to, and that if you practice as you should, you will spend more in ammo than the pistol is worth regardless. Also, I found that getting an established pistol model pays off another way: there's a lot more readily available mags, lights, sights, holsters, parts, and people that can help you with it. Get a cheapo, and you usually don't have the same range of choices.

[El Pistolero]

Makarov, Star BM, and SIG P-6 when they were first imported as surplus.

[Dienekes]

I got an EC9s on impulse; figured it was a steal at $200 and I could always use it for a stash, a spare, or trade it. Trigger was decent, it shot well and to the sights, and 9mm FMJ for practice is CHEAP. Everything I need and nothing I don't for a minimalist EDC. I have other options but this is on me a lot.

I don't like guns floating around in purses though!

[Diamondback]

Doc, AIM Surplus just got a batch of police trade-in M&P .40's for $240.
https://aimsurplus.com/leo-trade-in-...0-s-w-handgun/

Not my thing personally, but I've known people who've had good luck with 'em.

[Doc Safari]

Doc, AIM Surplus just got a batch of police trade-in M&P .40's for $240.
https://aimsurplus.com/leo-trade-in-...0-s-w-handgun/

Not my thing personally, but I've known people who've had good luck with 'em.

Thanks, but I love the 9mm Shield.

As far as I'm concerned the subject of this thread has been answered: The Budget Pistol You'd Trust Your Life To is the Smith & Wesson Shield.