I just caught a .40 SW40VE for sale, 298 before tax, offer of $50 rebate or 2 free mags.

 

check out:

www.cheaperthandirt.com
www.gunbroker.com

A couple of good sites to research how much your going to spend. Keep in mind if you make a purchase online you will most likely add about $50 to the price tag in FFL dealer fees for the transition. If I were you, I would be looking for a great used gun rather than a mediocre new one, and FWIW I own an M&P and love it.

PS Nice new sig klitch

 

I have an LCP, my wife and my son does.... love it.

 

I just picked up an XD9 subcompact that shoots great and is an awesome carry gun. I sold my Beretta 92FS for CCW carry simply because of its size. Gunbroker.com is a great site like mentioned. ($565 with trijicon night sights)

Check your local laws for FFL transfer and whether the FFL holder will charge sales tax. You should be able to have it transferred for 25-30 bucks....I would never pay anything over that for a transfer.

Couple buddies carry sigs...way out of your price range though....the P229 is a great gun but around $1000

Kel-Tec 9's are not bad but accuracy after 15-20ft can be an issue due to the small barrel. I was quite suprised by my XD9 with only a 3" barrel its still dead accurate at 25 yrds. The XD40 sub is a little further off in the 3" but great in the 4"

 

Save another $100-200 and that puts you in a whole new game.

Glocks, Sigs, S&W, beretta

 

If you want a reliable Polymer style semi auto that shoots well in any caliber and will last forever, that also comes with a lifetime warranty on every part plus the same warranty for any work you have done to it at their shop. Also if you don't like shelling out the extra 100$ for the name glock all while getting an inferior firearm, then look at the Springfield XD. It has the same grip angle as a colt 1911, plus a grip safety and a trigger safety, the trigger pull is much superior on the xd, and if you are wondering about durability.

http://springfield-armory.primediaou.../SPstory11.php

 

While yer looking around at pistols, take a look at the Baby Eagle. They are a Jericho clone that the Israelis carry for duty. The parts are made by Tanfoglio and assembled in Israel. Quality is top shelf and they are highly accurate, something you aren't going to get with some of the above mentioned pistols. You'll probably have to spend about $350.00 to get one and there are almost no after market goodies for them but they are incredibly reliable and accurate. I have a 9mm and a 40SW in the all steel Semi Compacts and both will shoot with pistols costing well over $1500.00 and mine usually have better triggers too. Never had a fail to fire or fail to feed issue as is common with auto loaders. It's not a flashy piece but a darn fine weapon. Take look, you'll probably find it fits the hand like a glove.

 

For concealment, reliability, and price, it's hard to beat the Ruger LCP .380. I got mine a few months ago for about $250 new at a local gun shop. I carry it everywhere I go when I don't want to carry my glock or S&W 1911.