What do you suggest? Ammo must be cheap (i.e. no more per round than .45 ACP), and the gun must meet the following requirements:
-9MMs must have available preban magazines
-.40S&Ws must be 10+1
-.45s must be at least 7+1
The gun must reliably cycle hollowpoints.
The gun cannot require any tweaking to make it completely reliable.
The gun must either be ambi or easily convertible to left hand use.

This will be mainly a home defense piece, with some practical competitions thrown in (3 gun).

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

a used Glock or SW

springfield xd

new CZ-75b 9mm. Full steel frame. Pre-ban mags are not too hard to find.

Used Glock 22. High caps are outrageous like most glock hi-caps.

Don't know of any good 45's for less than 400.
Maybe a used basic 1911 from speingfield or something
Even a used G21 might cost more than 400.

I second the CZ-75B if a 9mm. If you want a 45, a basic Springfield Milspec is just over $400, new, at Tanner's in Jameson (about 10 minutes from BCF&G).

I just remembered that they had a Para-Ord P14.45 with one 10 round and one 14 round mag, in the used case, when I was in there today, for $475. A little higher than you wanted to spend, but a good deal.

Odd man out here, I lean toward the old 645 S&W.
8+1, nice sights, ambi safety, SA/DA and feeds hollowpoints.
Price hovers around $400 and up.
As seen in Miami vice reruns
The only real problem is the right lever on the safeties loosen on some of 'em...no biggy with some red loctite.

If you hadn't thrown in the part about 3-gunnin I would say a good .357 wheelgun should also be a consideration. Since you did, look at a good, used Beretta 92 or maybe a Springfield XD in 9mm (you can legally use .40 mags to hold 15rd. of 9mm) or even their basic GI 1911, all of which should be in the price range you quote.

There was a used SW 4506 on here a couple days ago w/3 mags (8+1) for $320.  I have had my 4506 for 10 years now, and it has been completely reliable.    It will even cycle empty casings!  (Manually of course!)  It is big and heavy, but that makes it shoot really nice. These are very left friendly.  Not the best choice for competition, but a real man isn't afraid to compete with an 8 rd mag, right?  I shot some IPSC when I first got it, and I never felt outgunned as long as I remembered that I was shooting a stock gun against guns that cost 3 times as much.  

Two years ago I got a Glock 22, and I really like that gun as well.  Easier for CCW, faster followup shots, very accurate.  A better competition gun, but about the same for home defense.  If you watch regularly, a used Glock will turn up for under $400 once in a while.  Hicap mags are a fortune and that blows your budget, but if you really feel you need them, they are out there.  For CCW, I carry one spare mag if it is hicap, 2 if it is not (as in 4506).
My brother has a CZ 9mm.  It is a nice gun and shoots well, but I dont have a lot of experience beyond that.  My Glock is more accurate, as is my SW, but the CZ is plenty combat accurate.

Good luck!
Paul

Ruger P95  SS and composite frame and will take P89 15 round mags.  List $475 with a $40 rebate and have seen it much better at gunshows.  High cap, 15 round mags, are around $17 and available on line.  Add a nylon belt holster with mag holder and you got 30 rounds on your hip.



I bought one for the boat and found I really like the gun.  It has a good feel, very acurate, and feeds flawlessly.

Bought 1,000 rounds of 9mm Silver Bear HP for $120 with no jams.

Tj

Once you shoot an XD, you won't look any further. They aren't called the Croatian Sensation and NRA's handgun of the year for nothing.

How about a NEW .40 S&W for $259.95?  Southern Ohio Gun International has a NEW FEG .40 S&W that looks awesome!  I've played around with the FEG 9mm and thought it was a really nice gun, so I assume that the .40 would be no different.  I Plan to order one for myself sometime this week.  Also check out the NEW FEG .45 acp that they offer for $229.95!!

Safe shooting!

Let me add to this list a Taurus PT 92 or 99. Used they are within your price range. Accurate, with a lifetime warrenty, and factory mags are cheap and plentyful.

I'd rather not get a Ruger or Smith. I won't support a company that won't support my RKBA.

Charles Daly field grade EFS 1911:www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44259

Rock Island GI 1911:www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45167
www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40243

EAA Witness 45acp.  I love mine.  10+1.  Size is between a dbl stack 1911 and a single.  

Some more for the Rock Island www.1911forum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=47961

9mm Taurus PT92
.40 S&W Taurus PT101

Reliable, accurate, more ergonomic than the Berettas, cheap pre-ban mags, lifetime warranty.