So far based on internet research and asking here it seems to get a nice quality firearm such as a 9mm you are looking at around $500 or more anything less seems to be sub quality. Well at least so far other then the Kahr any pistol I researched that was around the $400 range was hit and miss on quality. I am strongly looking at a glock 19 for a 9mm or glock 23 for a .40 S&W. Both of them are around $500 but get really great reviews. The Kahr CW9 so far get's really good reviews as well, and only downfall is low compacity clips.