buget carry guns

[s&w 24]

If you are limited to a $250 buget for a carry gun. What would you look for? As for the gun I pick up I won't mind doing a little fixing on it if the price is right but with some people thats not an option. Also I like revolvers better but I have used and I am comfortable with autos. The floor is open!

[Dave R]

Waiting for the Makarov owners to show up...

There are several other options, too.

-Bersa Thunder .380--see Stephen Camp's excellent review on this PPK-type pistol.
-Kel-Tec P-32, P-11 and now P-3AT. Should be able to get any of them for $250 if you shop well enough. There have been a few lemons among them, but the owners of good samples seem very pleased with them. (I am one of 'em)
-If you want a full-size, the FEG PJK-9HP is a good clone of the Browning Hi-Power.

And those are oly the new ones...

If you look at used pistols, a whole new range opens up. Lots of good used revolvers fall into the $250 range.

[themic]

RAP 401 (my carry). :D

other possibilities:

snubby Revolver.

Keltec P32.

[tbeb]

I carry an older Charter Arms Undercover .38 which is a
5-shot .38 special with a 2" barrel. It has an empty weight of 16 ozs. Price for one in excellent condition should be around $150.

[Gerald McDonald]

I picked up a Rossi 68S used for $125 that has been a great shooter. For new Dave R covered a lot of bases, might throw and FM HP35 in with his group.
Gerald

[FPrice]

The older Charter Arms Undercover .38Spl revolvers are fairly good buys for the price. I have one that is very good to shoot with standard velocity 110 gr bullets like the Hydra-Shok or SilverTip. Although the SilverTip seems to produce a bigger ball of flame while the Federal is much less in this area. You should be able to get one for under $200, maybe even less.

[Rich357]

A budget carry gun had better be reliable. Spending $250 on a carry handgun that doesn't always work is a waste of $250, or worse.

It would be a big problem if the darned thing fell apart on you when you really needed it. Just because something doesn't cost much doesn't mean it is a good deal.

I think I would look for a good used Ruger .38/.357 revolver.

Good luck,
Rich

[Mikel]

I wouldn't to be honest. I would wait a little while, ring up some credit cards or something to get myself to the $500 range or so. I wouldn't trust my life to something that's not 100% reliable. I don't mind buying something cheap to play with at the range, but I generally just live with the high prices of the high end, proven, bulletproof stuff for a carry gun. Just my opinion, I'm sure I'll hear some disagreement.

Maybe a used revolver, pretty hard to screw them up, and there's a million out there.

[arinvolvo]

RAP 401

Autauga MKII

Keltec p32

Bersa 380

there are plenty of good ones out there.

[OEF_VET]

Chalk up another vote for the Kel-Tec family.

[Daniel Flory]

Makarov is my top choice.

[brookstexas]

Betting my life on $250 or less?
Makarov or Taurus revolver
Both very reliable and accurate inside typical gunfight range

[chaim]

$250 or less for a reliable and accurate self defense gun and you plan to CCW:

-used S&W 3" or 4" K-frame .38spl or .357 (if your prices are like ours here you can do the .38 but the .357 will send you a hair over $250)

-used J-frame if you can find one at that price

-new Taurus 82 or 83 (.38spl) or 65 or 66 (.357mag). Around here they are closer to $300 than $250 but it seems that generally gun prices here are on the high side. Even if it is around $300 there, it might be worth the extra time to save to get a new gun

-new Taurus 85 snub (.38) or 605 (.357). Might be over $250 (prices around here run just over $300) but again you might find it worth saving a little while longer

-used Colt Police Positive Special. 4", 6 shot, .38spl with a frame size closer to a J-frame than a K-frame so it is nice and trim and light. I got mine for $175.

-new Bersa Thunder in .380. Mine is a very reliable and accurate gun and I got it for $215 (now they run around $225 from the same dealer).

[makdaddy03]

Makarov!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trebor]

Makarov or a used S&W revolver. J-frame or K-frame.

[CasualShooter]

For a single pistol in your price range, I would suggest a Kel-Tec P11 or a Smith & Wesson, "J" frame revolver.

The Kel-Tec P11 is a 10+1 shot, Double Action Only, semi-auto, chambered for 9mm lugar cartridge and can be had new for what you have to spend. Mine has been quite reliable and Kel-Tec has a good reputation for standing behind their products.

The S&W "J" frames are 5 shot revolvers, chambered for the .38 S&W Special cartridge, available in models with or without hammer shroud, and may be found used, in your price range, if you are lucky.

Both are small enough to stick in your pocket and both chamber respectable cartridges for self defense.

Both conceal well with IWB holsters. A belt clip is available from Kel-Tec, for the P11, at a cost of about $12 which makes the P11 tuck away so nice that it's easy to forget that you're wearing it.

Assuming that you can only afford one gun, the problem with the larger "full size" models is that there will be times when your atire makes it difficult or impossible to conceal and you may be inclined to leave it home for that reason. Both of the above models offer a good comprimise.

The Kel-Tec P32 and P3AT, in cal .32 acp and .380 acp and mentioned in previous posts, are both quite small and easily hidden. Both are exellent choices for a second or "back-up" gun or for those times when atire may allow concealment of only the smallest models; however, these cartridges are marginal for self defense and IMHO are not suitable for routine use as a primary or only weapon.

[firestar]

There are lots of good guns out there for about $250, new and used. You really don't have to spend big buck to get an accurate and reliable handgun. If it is for CCW, it gets a little tougher but it all depends on how big of a gun you can conceal.

If someone gave me $250 and I had to buy a new gun for CCW with it, I think I would get a Bersa .380. They make a light weight version that would be even easier to pack.

If it could be a used gun, the options are a little broader. I think I could find a S&W Air frame .38 snubbie for around $250.

If you are talking about a larger gun, the Ruger P95 is a top preformer and I have seen used ones for $250 and less.

I just bought a RAP 401 but I don't have it yet otherwise I would probably recomend it. People that have them seem to love them.

[Rob96]

Used Ruger or S&W revolver.

[David4516]

"I wouldn't to be honest. I would wait a little while, ring up some credit cards or something to get myself to the $500 range or so. I wouldn't trust my life to something that's not 100% reliable. I don't mind buying something cheap to play with at the range, but I generally just live with the high prices of the high end, proven, bulletproof stuff for a carry gun. Just my opinion, I'm sure I'll hear some disagreement. "

So the more a gun costs the more reliable it is? Sorry, but I have to dis-agree. I've seen plenty of those $500 guns jam. More $ does not always = better gun.

My carry gun is a Makarov. It is 100% dependable. My Mak has never jamed or failed to fire. It is a good size for carry. It is fun to shoot. And the best part is, it was cheap ($150).

I think the Makarov is the best auto-loader you'll find in your $250 price range...

[Baba Louie]

Recently picked up a CZ-83 for $249.95 and I'm not complaining about caliber (.380), mag limit (2-10 rd), size (not really small) or weight (all metal, no polymer). Add the tax (7.25%) and the $15 Brady phone call for a total of $280+.

Darned accurate, almost the equiv of a .38 spl with almost twice the available ammunition (depends if the .38 is a 5 or 6 shot).

Not a pocket piece yet fills a gap in the collection (weird size, small round, made in Europa) but I like it. Still looking for a Mak tho.

Adios

[ojibweindian]

There are quite a few reliable CCW weapons for <= $250.

There are used Rugers (revolvers & semi's), used S&W revolvers, Taurus, Rossi.

F.E.G. makes a Hi-Power clone for which several people on this board praise. Not the prettiest, but it's reliable and is reasonably accurate.

[Mikel]

So the more a gun costs the more reliable it is? Sorry, but I have to dis-agree. I've seen plenty of those $500 guns jam. More $ does not always = better gun.

My carry gun is a Makarov. It is 100% dependable. My Mak has never jamed or failed to fire. It is a good size for carry. It is fun to shoot. And the best part is, it was cheap ($150).

I think the Makarov is the best auto-loader you'll find in your $250 price range...


Nope, but a lot of the cheaper guns are notorius for being unreliable. KelTec, HiPoint, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of quality guns out there for $250, but I haven't had any firsthand experience with them. All the cheaper stuff I've messed with has been kinda Hit or Miss (pun intended) as to whether or not it works correctly.

The KelTec P11 I played with would FTF about once a magazine, so I stopped shooting it after 25 rounds or so. (Not mine, a rental). My friend's Tarus P140 isn't horrible, but it's not the most reliable gun either.

On the other hand, I can't seem to make my P239 jam. Even if I mix ammo in the same mag. I shot a magazine last week with 2 CCI Blazers, 2 Hydrashoks, 2 TN reloads, and 2 Winchest Whitebox reloads. It shot everything.

We did the same thing to my friend's USP, same result, couldn't seem to make it jam.

Not trying to come off as an Elitist prick, just saying that I haven't had enough luck with the sub $250 guns to trust my life to one.

Then again, I've never shot a Makarov :p

[David4516]

"Then again, I've never shot a Makarov "

That explains alot! You really should give the Mak a try. When I first shot a Mak, I wasn't expecting alot from a "cheap" gun, but I was pleasently suprized.

You are right about most cheap guns being hit or miss. I've seen alot of cheap guns that really sucked. But there are some good ones out there that won't cost you an arm and a leg, and the Makarov is one of them...

Another one is the Phonix Raven .25

Ya I know, it's a .25, it isn't much of a gun. I got one of these for my birthday, and I've put about 200 rounds thur it. So far, only one jam, and it wasn't the guns fault. My friend (with big hands) wasn't holding it correctly and the slide got stuck on the top of his hand. I still wouldn't want to carry it, because I wouldn't trust it with a round in the chamber (for saftey reasons). But if I didn't have my Makarov, I might consider carrying it (without a round in the chamber), at least untill I had more $ to spend on another Makarov...

On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen my Dad's $500 Glock jam twice in 200 rounds...

[Dave Markowitz]

Either a Makarov or a used S&W K-Frame.

[s&w 24]

so far we have:
makorov (had one horrid DA trigger)
bersa thunder 380 (great little shooter)
kel-tec 32/9mm (too small for my hands )
RAP 401 ?? more info
used revolver S&W or ruger
new taurus (would love a 431/441 in my buget but were to find one?)
hi-power copys
autauga 32 (too small for my hands)
CZ 83 (very iteresting!!)
and the charter arms 38 ??? don't these like to shoot loose ?

I've been looking at the local used revovlver market but prices are all relitivly high ($350 to 500)
anyone carry a CZ 52??

[smooth operator]

If this is going to be your only carry gun get one that you will want to carry & be comfortable with. Some guns get real heavy after 6 hours or so. Sticking one in your belt at a gun shop for 2 minutes & thinking your going to carry it all day can be deceiving. Even the lightest revolvers & semi autos get heavy after awhile. You might look at a Keltec p-11. It's about the same size as a Bersa 380. I carried one for a long time until the p-32 came along. It's pretty easy to conceal. If you don't mind a heavier gun check out the Firestorm mini .45-I think it 's price over $250.00 though. You should be able to get a good reliable gun in your price range

[M2 Carbine]

For a "cheap" gun the bottom line has to be a Makarov.

Just bought my 13th one at the Dallas show last Sat. $159

Actually I don't carry the Makarov because it weighs as much as my Ultra 45 Kimbers and is as big. But I can get 5 Makarovs and have money left over for what one Kimber costs.

For what it is and what it costs the Mak is hard to beat.
It will keep all shots in the 5 ring of the TX CHL 15 yard target at 50 yards.

You can get 115/120 grain Russian JHP that does a true 1000 fps and expands well. (putting it close to a 9mm)
The regular 95 JHP isn't bad to.

It's very accurate and as reliable as any semi auto on the market.

If the Mak was all I had to carry I would not feel at any disadvantage.

[firestar]

The problem with the Makarov is that they are quite heavy for the caliber. They also have a heavy DA trigger in my limited experience. Ammo can be a pain to find if you are not near a gun store. I don't think Wal-Mart sells it but I haven't checked.

I think a Bersa is a safer bet for a newbie because a new one will have a factory warrenty and parts are just a phone call away if needed. Also the .380 is very common and there are more choices of loads.

[David4516]

"I think a Bersa is a safer bet for a newbie because a new one will have a factory warrenty and parts are just a phone call away if needed. Also the .380 is very common and there are more choices of loads."

Ya, but you don't need a warrenty with the Mak. It isn't going to break, it's russian for crying out loud! Parts and ammo are found easily online or thur mail order.

If ammo is really that big of a problem you can always get a .380 Makarov...

"The problem with the Makarov is that they are quite heavy for the caliber. They also have a heavy DA trigger in my limited experience."

I think the heavy DA trigger is a plus from the saftey standpoint. You don't want it to go bang untill you REALLY pull the trigger. For target shooting, it sucks.

I agree that they are a bit heavy for the caliber, but that never really bugged me much. I'm not a big guy (5'10, 160 lbs) but I almost forget it's there after a while. But for some people this is a real problem, guess it just depends on the person. For me, I don't care how heavy the gun is, just how big it is...

[RustyHammer]

Two quick ones that come to mind would be:

CZ-40 (sub $300 at least)
and/or used S&W .38/.357 revolver.

See info on CZ-40 at: (Example of CZ-40)

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9699464

http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=9710126

Other options are listed above.

[dairycreek]

At the moment I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 and find it more than acceptable. Good shooting;)

[Akurat]

Makarovs are excellent pistols, but for me just too heavy for carry. One alternative is the Hungarian FEG PA-63 in 9x18. Lighter, small and very inexpensive...sometimes cheaper than Makarovs. I have no first hand experience but from what I've read on Makarov.com boards and on TFL they are reliable and good shooters.

[Dr.Rob]

Full sized= FEG Hi-power, the old models need a better safety but are a true HP clone, the new versions aren't true clones but have better ergonomic controls. Great reliability, all steel.

Compact= FEG pa-63, slightly bigger than a PPK can be had for under $200, uses similar holsters, very reliable, lightwieght alloy/steel.

Revolver= look for a used SW model 10, even this full sized 38 is a lot smaller than it looks when it comes to hiding it away.

[Double Naught Spy]

An inexpensive carry gun? That sounds easy enough until you consider the aspect that your inexpensive carry gun has more to do other than the named job of being carried. It is what you will use to defend your life or the life of a loved one should the need arise. So it isn't just a carry gun, but a "Oh my God, the fit has hit the shan and I am going to have to destroy other human lives in order to protect my own and those of my loved ones" gun.

Either be more frugal in other aspects of your life, take a little longer to save, or take an extra job and get a quality self defense gun of a larger caliber and then practice with the gun on a regular basis. Shooting 20 rounds a week will do you better than shooting 100 once a month. Note that many of the cheaper guns have poor reputations of being reliable. Is that really what you want to be carrying? Keep in mind that being reliable means that the gun will work when needed, even after you have been practicing. Some of the smaller and cheaper guns simply are not made to last through many rounds of practice. They are really carrry a lot and shoot very little guns. The problem there is that the "shoot very little" translates into not practicing with the gun.

Hey, it is your life. If you are going for the cheapo small caliber gun, then be sure to invest in some quality running shoes as well. You may fair much better by physically leaving the situation at a full run than trying to deploy your budget self defense gun.

[M2 Carbine]

Akurat quote-----"Makarovs are excellent pistols, but for me just too heavy for carry. One alternative is the Hungarian FEG PA-63 in 9x18. Lighter, small and very inexpensive...sometimes cheaper than Makarovs. I have no first hand experience but from what I've read on Makarov.com boards and on TFL they are reliable and good shooters."

True, I have a PA-63, they are lighter.
They run under $150 at the gun shows.
They are reliable but not nearly 100% like the Makarov.

The one big thing against the PA-63, for me, is they won't feed most JHP ammo.


I also carry the Kel Tec P-11 40 S&W (and a KT 32) if I can't carry a 45.

As much as I like Maks I never carry one because I have so many other choices, like the P-11. But the P-11 isn't much of a fun shooting gun.

But if I could only have one "cheap" gun to carry and shoot it would be the Makarov.

If carry was the prime reason for having the gun I think I'de use the Kel Tec P-11 in 40 cal.

[22luvr]

Being a Die-hard pocket carrier, most of the offerings on this thread are simply too large/heavy/thick for pocket carry.

Tell us more....................

[M2 Carbine]

"22luvr
Being a Die-hard pocket carrier, most of the offerings on this thread are simply too large/heavy/thick for pocket carry. "


Well 22luvr, my always carry pocket gun is the Kel Tec 32.

I should get a Kel Tec 380 next week and it will replace the 32 if it proves to be as reliable.

The KT 380 was $235 out the door so it's under the $250 "cheap gun" limit. :)

As I said, I have the Kel Tec P-11 9mm/40 S&W but it's too thick for pocket carry for me.
I usually carry it in a boot holster if I'm not dressed for a 45.