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My Father in Law is planning on purchasing his first carry weapon. While I do have him talked into a .40 cal (or greater) he is still on a budget. He doesn't want to spend more than $480.00. I know there are plenty of choices that fall into that category but I'd be interested in hearing what some of your thoughts are and why. He has looked at the Taurus Slim and likes the way it feels but hasn't shot it yet and I have no history with Taurus. What about the Millenium Pro in .45?

Any help in helping me help him help himself would be great!

If you shop around you can get a Glock 23 for $479. A premium weapon for that price IMHO. I paid exactly this 1 week ago. Shop around your neck of the woods for that kind of deal. If you need the exact place where it can be had in north Houston at that price PM me.

Mark C.

The Stoeger Cougar has the best grip of any gun I own. Stoeger Industries is a subsidiary of Beretta. The Stoeger Cougars are made in Turkey using the same machinery that Beretta used to make the original Cougars. It is every bit the quality of the Beretta. The Cougar is a great gun for the money.

You can also get a RIA 1911 Tactical for $450.00 or less. The .40 S&W cartridge is a fine round with a good reputation, but some shooters (myself included) have had difficulty adapting to its characteristics. You get fewer rounds with a .45, but they are softer shooting and hit pretty much as hard, and it is hard to argue with its track record.

Mmmmmmm, 1911. I love me some 1911.

You can also can go to Citadel 1911. They have a compact for around the same price.

Never shot one, but heard they were equivalent to Rock Island (RA)

Cop trade in Glock 22 at GT Distributors in Austin for $285 + tax
(also if you check in with them regularly, they often get Glock 23 trade-ins for aboout $300-$325

two boxes (40 rounds) of Winchester Bonded PDX ammo from Wal Mart ~ $20 each
then as many 50-round boxes of Federal FMJ at $13.47 each as he can afford

Look around online and you can find new M&Ps for 450-475

About a month ago I bought a new XD40 Sub compact at erwin Pawn in Amarillo. Great Gun.

You can get a Sig Pro 2022 for a bit less than that and have a very reliable gun that will last a lifetime.....

For about $25 more he can order an M&P 40 from Bud's Gun Shop. Buds also has S&W Sigma and SD pistols for under $400. Prices include shipping to your local FFL.

I carry a taurus PT140, it was defective out of the box ( mag fell out after every shot) After a new mag. catch it has had 2,000 rds. through it with no malfunctions, not sure I would recommend it, but I have come to like it. I would try to get a used glock.

Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any experience with the Millenium Pro .45?

The Annoyed Man wrote:You can also get a RIA 1911 Tactical for $450.00 or less. The .40 S&W cartridge is a fine round with a good reputation, but some shooters (myself included) have had difficulty adapting to its characteristics. You get fewer rounds with a .45, but they are softer shooting and hit pretty much as hard, and it is hard to argue with its track record.

After shooting TAM's .45 a few weeks back I totally agree. I was also thinking about an experienced person's hands and bones. The .45 might be a better choice. The .40 does get a bit snappy.

Munk wrote:Thanks everyone. Does anyone have any experience with the Millenium Pro .45?

I had one. I had endless feed problems. Sold it and now am pleased with my M&Ps. Your mileage may vary. If you want to get some perspective from folks who know the Taurus brand, check out their forum at http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have a Taurus Millenium PT-111, but not the Pro. I've had more issues with that gun than any other I've owned. I've had frequent FTE's and more recently I've been having a problem with FTF's apparently caused by it striking the primer too lightly.

I'd recommend he go with something like a compact Glock, M&P, or XD. They can all be found lightly used, and sometimes new for under his $480 price.