I was wondering if I could get some help for a very good friend who lives in San Diego. He wants to buy a nice pistol for range use/home defense. Dosent really care about caliber, but wants something with a little bling. His budget is around $1500. He is familiar with firearms, but not so much pistols.

He wants something that looks good, reliable, and comfortable. As I'm not familiar with California gun restrictions, I am hoping someone can help.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Those Sig M-11s are pretty cool looking 949 - 1149 but they are Singe shot off rosters i believe.

Or he could get a used glock 22 for 350 or a new one for 499 *Gen 3 and save the rest.

plenty of 1911's to choose from or lots of shops will do a single shot exemption if there is a 1911 he likes that isnt on the roster. otherwise our pickings are getting very slim and more guns keep falling off everyday.(he will only have until the end of the year to do a SSE, then we get the shaft again in commiefornia)

Haven't done any business with them personally, but one of my long time friends has had great luck buying SSE from DAS in San Diego.

If he is looking for a little bling, but an excellent shooter he can customize a bit (grips, mag well, sights) afterwards, I highly suggest the CZ 75 Tactical Sport, in either 9mm or .40S&W.

As a pistol, it's highly accurate, and the trigger is simply amazing. I was going back and forth between a Sig P226 X-5 for years, until I finally handled both next to each other. The CZ was the better pistol, hands down... without even considering the price differences (approximately $800 now)

The budget your friend has will allow for the purchase of additional accessories or parts if he chooses.

How about a 4" or 6" Colt Python.  You can get them in many finishes but I'd recommend either stainless or Colt's Royal Blue.  Both have plenty of "bling".  I'd avoid the polished nickel finish, as it's got too much bling.  Both with get the self defense job done, as well.

im thinking something like a ....SIG in 9mm or 40cal