What accurate yet fairly inexpensive handgun would you recommend?

Well if you keep it in your trunk you are already behind. If your state is a conceal carry permit state I suggest getting a permit and carrying everywhere legal. I would also suggest training and classes. As for the gun. Buy a gun that fits your hand best. You will shoot best with it. To do this I would go to a FFL gun dealer and just pick up and hold as many CCW size guns as possible.

Taurus Millenium Pro, Springfield Armory XD, Glock, Beretta all make handguns within your price.

Just remember...Unless you plan on needed your gun only in your truck, keep it close. You will rather have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

If you consider $600 to be fairly inexpensive then your market is not as limited as you might think. My recommendation would be to go with a firearm that shows the mark of a professional. Sig Sauer's P250 is a modular approach to a handgun. The P250’s innovative design enables the shooter to quickly remove the functional mechanism (the frame) and place it into the polymer grip of choice. This allows an immediate change in caliber and size (subcompact, compact and full), and after any change, the pistol delivers both outstanding accuracy and reliable functionality. Its modularity not only provides incredible ease of maintenance, but also a solution for accommodating different hand sizes - there are 6 different ergonomic combinations for each size, accomplished by changes in grip circumference and trigger style.

You can choose 9mm, .40 cal, .357 Sig, or even a .45 round. You don't have to worry about a gun that will be just a tad too wide or too narrow in your grip because you choose the grip that fits your hand and emplacement needs. I have seen P250's as low as $520 new for the 9mm version. I have a CZ, Glock, Sig and SW. I had an orthopedic surgeon custom design an ergonomic holster that fit both my Sig P228 (Government model with Tactical Combat Sights) and my body. If I do wear my Glock (26) then it's due to size (wear on ankle) or that I'm going to the beach and prefer to keep the salt water away from the Sig. Otherwise, I always carry the Sig. My next purchase will be a P250 after having evaluated all of the new Sig's to have come out since my P228 was introduced.

Buying a gun is like buying a car, you get what you pay for. Best word of advice, there is NO SUCH THING as a good, CHEAP handgun. To get one worth your hard-earned dollars, new or used, plan on laying out at least $300-400. Anything less is gonna be JUNK, or even WORSE, a HOT one. If you buy used from a private party, take it to a reputable gun shop (a friend and/or relative may recommend one) and have it inspected and have them run the serial #number with local law enforcement. An honest gun dealer will provide this service for a nominal fee (about $10 usually) & sometimes free, especially if you're nice enough to buy some ammo & accessories from him. ANY private deal who refuses to comply is a SURE sign that SOMETHIN' ain't kosher! (Either it's JUNK or STOLEN!) The Springfield XD is a fine choice in any caliber, from what I have read about them, & is not a bad buy, although I have seen them at slightly less than the $500 you quoted. I don't have personal experience with the XD, but I own both the H&K USP in .45 and a Glock mod.17 in 9mm Luger, two other polymer frame pistols, and have gotten excellent service from both. A year or so ago you could buy a used Glock for about $400, but I don't know if that still holds true today. On the other hand, from what I have read and heard, the Hi-Point, in any caliber, especially if you are thinking of defending yourself and your family, is a GREAT boat anchor! I personally wouldn't have one if it was GIVEN to me for FREE! I have seen and heard of them blowing to pieces brand new, right out of the box! P.S: Since you are honest enough to admit you're a novice, whatever you decide to buy, invest in some firearms education and safety training, as well. If you are lucky enough to live near a shooting range, indoor or outdoor, the operators may provide instruction on-site, or recommend a source, if not.

If you're looking for a weapon that is easily concealed, I recommend a SigSauer P232. It's a .380 caliber which is comparable to the 9mm. It's insanely accurate and has quite the stopping power if you use the correct ammo. I own this as well as other handguns, but it is by far my favorite. If you aren't sold on the model, I at least recommend keeping with the Sig Sauer manufacturer, they are well made and last forever, in my opinion. I mention concealment because 90% of the time if you need that gun, you're going to end up dead before you ever get to your trunk. Get yourself a permit and carry your gun with you, or at least reachable from the front seat.

http://www.sigsauer.com/products/ShowCatalogProduc...

$600 will buy you a fine handgun. Glock is one of the most reliable brands, used heavily by law enforcement, and it sells for roughly that.

From personal experience, see if you can shoot one first, before you buy it. I shot 50 rounds through a Glock and it just didn't fit me. But that's a personal thing, nothing against the gun itself.

You can get a good one for that. I liked Smith and Wesson or Ruger revolvers, but the Glock and Walthers are good automatics. Go to a range that sells them and see what suits you.

Cheap and accurate are not an option. You could go to a gun store that sells used, you might get lucky. I personally like CZ pistols and rifles.

I suggest that you go to a range, and rent a few of their hand guns to get a feel for what fits you best. Everyone is different and can tell you guns they like and what works for them, but everyone is different.

Find yourself a nice Walther PPK, its a 380 ACP with great accuracy for the price. I have always been happy with mine.

I would recommend a 380 revolver. They will not jam like a semi auto and if you find one with a long barrel it will be more accurate. Pull this out in time of need and it will do the job.