Best value per dollar handguns in the under $300 range?

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I'm glad this is not my experience with any of my guns. But then, I don't own any semi-auto Taurus handguns
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It is supposed to do that , gives you second strike if there is a Failure to Fire
And yes the SA/DA trigger pull sucks but other then that its hard to beat the New Millenium Pro series as far as new guns for the price goes. Academy has them for $299 regardless of caliber.
 
Don't forget the witness pistol by tangfolio. You should be able to pick up a new one for about 425 and a used one for about 325-350. Don't let anyone fool you these are good pistols I have one in wonder finish and have never had a failure to feed in roughly 3000 rounds. I clean and lubricate after every shooting.
 
Not to change the topic of the thread but what in the heII are pistol purchase permits? Where in the world do you live? Just wanna know so I dont ever consider moving there! But seriously how many are you allowed to buy a year, or is it one of those goofy places that controls how many different guns you can carry?
 
You shouldn't have to look around too hard to find a Smith and Wesson model 10 for sale at $250-$300. I saw one at Cabela's not two weeks ago, sporting what looked like Hogue grips, to boot.
 
With a budget of $300, you might get lucky at a local pawn shop, or watch the on line auctions for a good deal on a used gun.
 
Used Rugers at Gun Shows

Yeah... it takes pretty creative abuse to wear out or damage Rugers - in general, particularly the New Model Blackhawks. Since most people don't shoot any sort of competition with SAs (yes, there IS the SASS crowd, but they shoot light loads) it's a rare used Ruger SA that shows any signs of real wear.

They're not expensive new, but I've seen a pretty fair number of used Rugers at gun shows at $300 or less. We're talking firearms that were built to last into the next millenium that have fewer than a thousand rounds through them.

I wouldn't hesitate to pick up one after giving it a good looking over. Your milsurp stuff from our old enemies is fairly cheap - the Makarov is wonderfully reliable and a good shooter. The CZ52 is, well, weird but fun to shoot. And as one guy mentioned, the S&W M10 as well as many LE 9mm trade-ins (since most have up-gunned to .40 caliber) are plentiful at decent prices. I paid $350 for an almost NIB Glock 17 a couple years ago, and could have had one that didn't look quite so pristine for $300. You'll find a lot in the under $400 range, and a fair number at $300. I'd cruise the gun shows and not be bashful about the pawn shops, either. If you're not experienced at closely inspecting used firearms, take a buddy with you, just like you were buying a used car.
 
Chipperi

Not to change the topic of the thread but what in the heII are pistol purchase permits? Where in the world do you live? Just wanna know so I dont ever consider moving there! But seriously how many are you allowed to buy a year, or is it one of those goofy places that controls how many different guns you can carry?
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In Minnesota a permit to carry is good for 5 years and allows you to purchse more than one handgun; if you do not have a permit you can go to your local county sheriff and get a "permit to buy" good for one year and yes you can buy more than one handgun per year.
 
Not to change the topic of the thread but what in the heII are pistol purchase permits? Where in the world do you live? Just wanna know so I dont ever consider moving there! But seriously how many are you allowed to buy a year, or is it one of those goofy places that controls how many different guns you can carry?
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We have them in NC too...state law.
Some counties require a 5 day waiting period (luckily mine doesn't).
No permit is required if you have a CHL
 
In NJ we have to apply for a "purchase permit" for every handgun we wish to purchase. This permit is then used and consumed at the time of purchase and is also used for registration purposes. Frankly its real purpose is like that of the waiting period--to delay any ill-intentioned purchaser and to also facilitate a deeper lookup into the individuals history at the time of applying for same. Note that this is not required for any long guns and regarding CHL, NJ is pretty much NOT-ISSUE. To apply for a permit takes about a month and on the application one indicates how many permits they wish to receive up to whatever limit the municipality declares. The application costs $18 up front, then $2 for each permit at time of receipt. Yes, it sucks royally.
 
I won't say Taurus is junk but I still would have to be very desperate before I bought one. Rather than junk, I would say they are inconsistent. Some people are lucky and have no problems. Others are unlucky and seem to get no satisfaction either short-term or long-term. Bad customer service is a definite turn-off for me. So flip a coin on a purchase with dim prospects for happy resolution if the coin lands wrong? Nope, not for me. Sorry. There are plenty of other places I can spend my money.

A quality used gun like the Sig P6 in 9mm or S&W Model 10 in .38 Special seem like the current best bets on quality used firearms in the range you mentioned.

Personally, though, unless I was looking for either of those calibers, I'd spend more money on a pistol/revolver. Spending too little is a recipe for ending up less than satisfied.

edit: and yes, I've shot a Taurus - my brother's 1911
 
Yea, $300.00 guns are just junk, everyone knows that if u shoot a BG with one of the cheap POS like bersa, taurus, rossi, etc, they will just be P.O. or laugh at you till thats what kills em, sure not those junkie $300.00 pistols!! I like Rossi 352 amd own 2 bersas and not one failure!
 
For $300 I would look for one of the Sig P6's if there are any more out there.
You get Sig quality and a gun with an almost fanatical following for under $300.

Makarovs are great, inexpensive and fun to shoot.
You can probably pick up a decent Ruger wheelgun at that price, very well made and super rugged.
I have owned and liked the Bersa .380, it was a nice reliable pistol.
Star BM in 9mm is a good single stack 9mm, a bit picky on ammo but they run great with hardball. ( I own one and love it)
Thats enough suggestions.
 
Oh and I LOVE my Taurus PT-1911! I got rid of a Springfield Mil Spec and bought a NIB Taurus. I really like the Taurus, it feeds anything, the trigger is sublime and I shoot it better then the Springer. I will not bash Taurus, I would buy another PT1911 in a heartbeat!
 
I've got a Bulgarian Makarov, and I highly recommend you take a look at a Mak while you're trying to make up your mind.

I used to have a cz-82 in 9mm Mak, before somebody stole it from my truck. I loved the cz-82. Don't confuse the surplus 9mm Makarov CZ-82 with the new production CZ-83s in either .380 or .32 ACP. They're nearly identical in every way except caliber and price.

I also have a Taurus 605 that I carry from time to time. It's DAO with a long trigger, but I want that in a pocket pistol. I don't understand what the fuss is all about with the Taurus haters. The gun is what it is, a moderately priced belly gun.

Mostly I carry a Kel-Tec P-11 anymore. It's light and reliable, and gives me more shots that the Taurus with a speedloader.

There's some good advice on this thread, but don't pay any attention to the guys who are trying to compare penis size.
 
Im sure it's been mentioned a few times but I didnt read the replies.. But the S&W Sigmas as good "bangs for the buck".. Not a target gun by anymeans, but they eat anything and if you dont mind 12lb's of trigger they are really nice actually!
 
Guns I'd recommend in the $300 range:
- Used Smith & Wesson K-frame
- Stoeger Cougar
- CZ 40P
- Used Ruger MKII
- Used Ruger Blackhawk
 
Here's another vote for the Walther P1. You can get them for $195 at Simpson's Ltd. right now; they are reliable, accurate, the real deal. Use what's left of your $300 to buy some Winchester white box FMJ ammo and have a great day at the range.

I've owned one Taurus. I had it for three weeks and one trip to the range. I don't own the gun now and won't get another. I have nothing against Taurus, mind you, but I won't get another.
 
Ruger "Six"es (Security, Speed, Service, Single), P89, P95

Smith & Wesson Model 19 (if you're lucky) and Sigma Pistols
 
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