First time buyer!!!!

Loaded question. A hand gun is a Personal defense weapon not a war fighter . While I am truly a fan of the .45 If I was to have only 1 for personal defense it would not likely be a .45.
Because you have 800 to spend does not mean you have to spend it all.
Smaller lighter people soften have problems working the slide on a Auto you need to visit a gun shop and let GF try it. If she has problems you may want to look at a revolver.
Class of hand guns in auto
Full size often easiest to shoot and more accurate a bit harder to carry generally more rounds
Compact they take a bit more practice to shoot well smaller easier to carry many have about same rounds as a full size
Subcompact Small weapons harder to shoot due to size and shorter barrel but most get use to them easy to carry less rounds.
Fair priced does not always mean cheap in weapons.
Ruger line
SR's are full size and fine weapons in any caliber The SR9C,SR40C ect are compact weapons also very good the LC9 and LCP are small but good weapons
The Ruger P series are full size and some are about the best buy in 9mm and 40 on the market today. Larger and some what bulky
Take a look at the Springfield line
S&W.
What caliber gets a war started for a personal defense you need to figure out what you want. IMO in revolver .38 or 357 357 is nice because it shoots .38 also but is a bit heavier.
Autos 9mm,40mm or .45 all do the job rounds are more common
100 pound GF is going to find issues with many Auto my wife after years of shooting had to go back to a revolver, her hand could no longer grip the an auto to pull the slide back.
Regardless of caliber general rule the larger and heavier a weapon the more manageable recoil, the smaller and lighter the more recoil .
Some examples . Top brown is a full size .45 14 round double stack shoot nice weights a ton loaded you better have a good grip to chamber a round
below that right Ruger P89 full size 9mm light easy to handle stiff but manageable to chamber a round. 3rd left Ruger SR9C 10 or 17 rounds depending on the mag you use . A very manageable compact strong pull on silde is needed to chamber.
3rd right Ruger LC9 lighter weight 9mm to hard to chamber but does require a good grip 7 round mag a good up close defense weapon
Last LCP 380 very small and light easy to chamber limited in stopping power but not unreasonable for an up close Carry conceal I would not use it for a BOB
You have some home work to do take your time find what fits your needs. Forget the cool sounding names and internet hype on one weapon or another. Don't pay just for a name.
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Thats good advice above me there. It really comes down to what you are most comfortable with. What you perceive the felt recoil to be comfortable for you and your girlfriend. And if you even hit what you are aiming at. I could throw my choice out there but if you can't hit anything with it, then it is useless to you. I don't see you wanting to conceal carry anytime soon so my reccomendation to you would be a 20Ga. shotgun. With it you have the flexibility to use buckshot, birdshot, flares, tracers or 1oz. slugs. If you have your heart set on a handgun I reccomend a revolver. there are 8 shot .357's and 9 shot .22's and many six-shooters than come in various calibers. If there is a reputable gunrange in your area, they often rent out firearms at the range to allow you to try before you buy. Take time to try a couple or three before you decide. Make sure to have the salesman show you how to clear misfires, live rounds and spent casings. You won't hunt food or cure cancer with this weapon, so understand that guns are made to kill and nothing else. Brandishing does nothing but displays you weapon and allows your adversary to properly determine your strength and capability. be safe and good luck.

punch

Subject of laser came up. They are a tool. Not a cure . They can be used very effectively indoors in almost any light and lower light condition out side , full sun about worthless.
Both our S&W bodyguard 38 and Ruger LCP's are equipped with them. You must train with it to use it. Your mind must know where to look instantly for the paint if not your going to be searching to long.
With 800 dollars and some good shopping you could end up with one for each.
S&W 38 factory Lasermax you will see it side mounted

Ruger 380 with laserlite mound along slide

Size comparison for some smaller easy to carry options. Top S&W .38 center380,Ruger LCP and last a Phoenix 25 I would no recommend the last to for a BO weapon the 380 is a good CC. The 25 last resort

No madder what you do training is a must. You don't have to spend big money at Bad bubba's combat training course but some basics then build on that.
The best way to survive a gun fight is never be there. You weapon is a last resort so if it is needed be ready to use it.
Just an example of cost
Ruger P95 9mm 350-400
S&W bodyguard 38 450 area
Tarsus 38 revolver can be had for the 350-390 range. Good weapon I won't own one because of personal reasons I like made in US.
You can quickly see how you can outfit both in your price range.
My Daughter is 30 she can have any weapon she wants, for daily CC she uses the LCP 380 but if SHTF She will use that to get as quickly as possible to a bigger gun.
Second son Has farther to travel to get here his B.O.B has 45,LC9 and Ar15. Oldest son .45 double stack. You can quickly see there is no one right or wrong weapon.

Mossberg maverick model 88 generally sells for 159 -190 over all length about 38 inches quick to take down. shoots all shells.
Well made low cost not cheap

I'm sorry, you are in California. Hence you are unable to buy the hi cap 9mm which would be the only reason I'd suggest a Glock or my preference the $349 P95 I posted last week. Based on your post and your limit I'd probably suggest a Rock Island Armory 1911 45 ACP in the "tactical" model which comes with adjustable sites, low profile hammer, and skeleton trigger. The difference between this and a GI model is about $50 and those three options are worth $50. CA has archiac fees and you'll pay sales tax but there are sources (check gun broker - and a kitchen top FFL) which will enable you to get the RIA 1911 for about $525 maybe $550 total out the door. This will enable you to spend the balance of your money on a holster, a few extra magazines (critical) and ammunition (also critical).

Next year you can spend $299.95 plus taxes and get a Kimber 22 LR conversion kit. This will enable you to practice, 500 rounds for probably $30/40 depending on the marketing. Also good for small game where as the 45 is not.

Juggernaut said:

I am looking to buy my first firearm next weekend. I was curious what most would recommend for a good BOB firearm that would also be newbie friendly. I have only shot a .45 1911 and a 9mm glock. Both felt fine as far as fit in hand/recoil.ALSO! I have a 100lb girlfriend who might need to use the gun in a shtf situation so I would like it to be manageable for her. I have an 800 dollar spending limit. Please help! :shock:

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oswegoscott said:

The subject was first time purchase of ONE firearm. A handgun is only good for close-in and practically useless for securing game. Also,pretty tough for a newbie to get 3 weapons and ammo
with the current prices

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My take on this is personal security begins with the handgun. A handgun can be carried every waking minute if desired or needed a long gun can not. Rule #1 of surviving a gunfight is have a gun. I think a handgun should be your first purchase if your personal security is a concern. That being said a handguns real purpose is to put distance between you and your threat so that you can either get out of the situation or get to a better weapon for the task. Absolutely you should purchase at least one rifle and at least one shotgun also but start with the handgun. If personal security is not a concern then I wouldn't choose a handgun as a first purchase, I'd opt for a bolt action .22 rifle, this would allow for a lot of practice for very little cost.

A handgun could be used to secure small game especially if you can actually shoot, there's plenty of rabbits that have been taken with a .38. As for current prices, I think the price of ammo and guns at this point isn't really the issue it's availability that's the real problem here. The local Gander Mtn here has all the ammo you could want if it's 7mm Rem Mag or .17HMR but anything else the shelves are empty but this is kind of splitting hairs.

To the OP I would suggest a compact to full size handgun depending on your size and ability to conceal. I would stay away from sub-compacts at least until you are familiar and comfortable with a full size handgun. Sub-compacts while easy to carry are more difficult to shoot well, the sights are generally not as good as on a full size gun, they recoil more and generally have a lower magazine capacity. I think the Ruger SR series, S&W M&P line, Glock, or Springfield XD line would all be great for a first time handgunner. Don't overlook the revolver either, a quality .357 Mag or even the old S&W Model 10 would be a great addition especially if your significant other has trouble working the slide on an auto (something you'll have to decide for yourselves). Again I'd look into the Ruger line of DA revolvers or a used S&W K frame gun (I prefer the pre-lock guns).

-Infidel

Juggernaut said:

I am looking to buy my first firearm next weekend. I was curious what most would recommend for a good BOB firearm that would also be newbie friendly. I have only shot a .45 1911 and a 9mm glock. Both felt fine as far as fit in hand/recoil.ALSO! I have a 100lb girlfriend who might need to use the gun in a shtf situation so I would like it to be manageable for her. I have an 800 dollar spending limit. Please help! :shock:

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I think that you should stick with revolvers for your first bug-out bag firearm. Revolvers are very reliable, where a semi-automatic pistol might jam. In a situation where your life, or your girlfriend's life, or both, may be on the line, you do not want the gun to malfunction, and a revolver virtually eliminates that as a possibility as long as you are using quality commercial ammo.

For you, given your budget, I would consider the Taurus Judge. It can shot five rounds of .45 Long Colt, which is a load that has been in existence since the days of Wyatt Earp and Jesse James - a .45 Long Colt with 250 grain bullets, and the newer self-defense loads, is a proven man stopper. It can also shoot .410 shotgun shells, so you can load it with Federal Ammunition's Premium Buckshot loads, and it is a very powerful self defense handgun - you essentially have four .36 caliber ball rounds ripping out of the gun at around 1200 feet per second - serious damage up close. The Judge also can shoot .410 birdshot, which is very useful against snakes if you are in the woods, and can take small game such as quail, dove, rabbits and squirrels without tearing the meat to shreds. It is a man's gun, so it would not work for your GF, but it definitely would get the job done for you. Around $430 in local gun shops, not sure about Cali.

For your GF, Smitty901 showed you the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard in .38 Special, with an integrated Insight Technologies laser sight. These can be found for around $360 in LGS. The Bodyguard fits in a woman's hands very well, and it can handle .38 Special "+P" rounds, which are higher pressure, higher velocity self-defense rounds often used by police for their back-up guns. It comes with a case that looks like a small calendar, so it can be carried without standing out as a weapon. It is very light, so it could be carried in a front pocket, purse, or ankle holster easily. The laser allows fast shots on target without having to align your sights - put the red dot on the target and pull the trigger - great in an emergency or in the dark. The laser also helps in target practice, because it will show you (both) if you are pulling the gun off the target when you pull the trigger (if the red dot moves, you are milking the trigger, etc.) so it helps you become a better shot. And in a self-defense situation, you could be knocked down, and it is very easy to just put the dot on your attacker and pull the trigger versus having to line up the front sight with the rear sight first, which may not be possible if you land in an awkward situation (in every fight, you will end up on the ground - plan on it and be ready to respond).

These two guns will fit in any BOB, work well for personal defense, are well made quality weapons, and are extremely reliable. I own both of them and I find them very functional and safe.

My two cents.

wesley762 said:

If you can find a AK for under 800.00 that would be my choice, if my 11 year old daughter can shoot it pretty much anyone can.

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Ak's are to bulky and heavy for a BOB Even they are getting harder to come by. 800-900 currently, saw one being pawned off for a grand.

You are not even going to find a Bushmaster for near that anymore. But an AR15 can be a very wise BOG.
34 inches long bust down to 25 up and ready in seconds.
light weight plenty of fire power. but today if you could locate one this one would be a low of 1450 if you were buying it from your dad to 2500 in the market place.

inceptor said:

What Smitty901 said was good advice. The only problem I have with the LC9 is the extremely long trigger pull. I came real close to buying one but ended up getting a Springfield XD-S in 45ACP for a carry weapon.

Ya gotta remember though, guns are like other personal stuff, what may be right for me won't necessarily be right for you.

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Heh... you got that right! I do remember when I use that one that I have less time to pull, especially the closer the attacker is. No stepping forward allowed.

One thing to remember though, if you want or expect your girlfriend to use it (OP) is to like and train with the weapon. Each one seems to have its pluses and minuses. Personally I can get over the long pull for the easy carry of the LC9.

Some LGSs have FREE handgun classes (at least around here) which is helpful for the first time shooter, especially if she is. Personally I learned in the military, which I think was the best training. However, the next best is a nonpartisan party. Learning to drive with a relative (dad) was nerve wracking, and trying to learn a motorcycle with a spouse was even more nerve wracking. To me the best person to teach is someone that you don't know well, won't judge you (more or less) and has lots of patience. Hence the recommendation. Also, the Ruger was pretty inexpensive, potentially leaving you with enough for something YOU want to buy and use. For two people with a BOB, I would personally recommend one handgun and one rifle, but I am not an expert in what your needs are.

Decide what you "need" the most, and go from there.

oswegoscott said:

OP mentioned SHTF and ONE firearm-- not personal security. Taking a rabbit with a .38 is difficult even if you can sweet-talk him to sit still at 50' or less.
AND shotgun ammo IS available

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Any discussion of a SHTF situation needs to include a discussion of personal security because without it there is no survival in that situation. I personally don't feel that one firearm of any sort would be perfect for any situation. Any firearm is going to be a compromise and a well rounded approach needs to be taken. If the S really does HTF I think anyone with only 1 firearm is going to be at a serious disadvantage. A sidearm is a must in these situations simply because you are more likely to have it with you at all times. Most people will not carry a long gun everywhere they go where a sidearm can be on your person and out of the way at all times. You are absolutely correct that taking game with a handgun is difficult but it can be done and a good quality .357 Magnum would be perfect in this role, .38 special for small game and .357 Magnum for medium sized game as well as 2 legged predators out to about 50 yards or so. This is where practicing with your firearm of choice is an absolute necessity. Let's face it there are going to be times when you will need to have your hands free to work on something or carry something and a long gun would be impractical to carry in those times and would probably be left behind (even with a sling a long gun can at times get in the way) but a handgun in a good quality holster would be just the ticket to staying armed.

-Infidel

Woah, there are so many directions you can go here it aint even funny! It really comes down to priorities and how much do you have to spend.

You could start out with a Ruger P95 for about 350 new on sale if you can locate one. A Used Rem 870 shotgun from a local pawn shop for a couple of hundred if not less. A good Mosin Nagant and then add a 22 rim fire a little later when more funds are available. Thats just one combination, there are certianly a hundred others! What would work for me here in North Texas in a semi rual setting is a lot different than someone in Los Angles or in the deep Bush of Alaska.

Dont try to build Rome in a day. Think it through, decide what you need, make a plan then follow it one purchase at a time even if it takes a couple of years. You will have less guns and guns that serve you the best in the end. There are a ton of considerations to be made here dont rush things do it smartly and methodically. There are a number of threads here that will give you a boat load of information to think about. Read them!