I agree on the milsurp option. 9x18 is not as cheap as 9mm, but it's not that much more expensive either. You can get a box of S&B at Cabela's for $13.99, and the store I go to usually has it. Wolf and Silver/Brown Bear can be had for around $10/box in various places. For defense, they also carry Hornady XTP in this caliber for $15.99/box of 25, and they seem to have it in stock here locally about 70% of the time.T3hK1w1 wrote:If he absolutely will NOT settle for a shotgun(which I think would be a better idea for HD), one thing he might try is a milsurp weapon such as a Makarov, CZ-82, Walther P1, etc. These are inexpensive and proven reliable. Downside is that many of them use unusual(and therefore expensive) ammo, such as 9x18 Makarov. My father just purchased a Walther P1(P38) for $280 out the door. It's in 9mm, so practice will be cheap. This is essential, because regardless of what your freind buys, he MUST learn to shoot it. A weapon you cannot use can very quickly become a liability. Remember, you are in more risk when you confront than when you hide(usually), so confronting an armed criminal if you are effectively unarmed is often a very bad idea.
My first pistol was an FEG PA-63, a copy of the Walther PPK in 9x18. It's not the most overwhelming handgun, but is reliable and the only problems I have ever had with it involved steel-cased Silver Bear hollow points . The XTP feeds flawlessly through this gun. I don't think I've had a failure with ball ammo, brass or steel-cased. It is my carry when I am not able to pull off concealing my Hi-Power. Aim Surplus sells this gun for $129.95, and includes 2 magazines along with it. If your friend is insistent on getting a handgun for cheap, this would be a good place to start.
http://www.aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Hung ... istol.html
All that said, I agree that a shotgun would be better for home defense on the cheap. A 12 ga. with buckshot is certainly more effective against an intruder than most pistol rounds. As was previously noted, a shotgun is much more intimidating.