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

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The Ruger Six series revolvers are underrated. They can be found for well under $300.
 
The Makarov and the FEG 9JK-HP. Recently I bought a FM Hipower for 300 bucks and it is NEARLY as smooth or accurate as my FEG and I paid 220 for it. It is a really, really good copy of the Hipower.
 
I'll second the FEG/FM (altho they're getting hard to find under three bills) and again suggest that the P95 can often be found just at three bills NIB. At $300, the fifteen-round P95 is the most bang-for-the-buck around.
 
I didnt read all the posts, but My vote goes for a real makarov. a cz82 is just a clone that fires the 9X18 round. I have heard nothing but good things about cz82's or any other cz for that matter, but I still would go for an East German Makarov or a Russian, or a circle 10 bulgarian. In that order. I am no expert though.
 
I just picked up a nice old Model 10 for 300 bucks.

Trigger feels GREAT and the groups it can shoot are tiny.
 
Look around, talk to people. I just picked up a NIB (Original owner) never shot, a Browning Buckmark 5.5 Standard with 2 mags .22 for $150.00. SOLD!!!
 
I'll second the P95 also. I don't place the rest of the Ruger Pistols as top tier autos but the P95 has become a really great weapon. I believe the latest generation also has a slimmer frame than the older ones which was my main criticism of that weapon. I only shot one on one occasion but I was favorably impressed.
 
Well, i ended up with a FEG PA63 and just recently put in an order for a Tokarev TTC. I intended on getting a SIG P6, but bissed the boat when they were under $300. They're well over that now and no longer a bargain frankly.
 
Why would you want to buy a "cheap" gun when you consider a) how long you will own it and b) how much you will pay for ammo over that time? I have owned my HK USP for 16 years and shot a lot of ammo through it. Not to mention I could sell it today for more than I paid for it new.

Not bashing cheap guns, just putting perspective on owning and enjoying a quality firearm that may retain its value and cost you much less than the ammo you will eventually put though it over time.

I believe higher quality costs less over the long hall.
 
Take a look through the surplus handguns coming from the former Warsaw Pact countries- these are pretty much all solidly made and "inexpensive" as compared to "cheap". That would be things chambered in 7.62 Tokarev, and 9mm Makarov

And per Gardien's comment-- these, too, will be worth more than you currently pay.
I currently have 2 chinese T-54's (with an extra 9mm barrel) and a FEG PA 63, and together they ran me less than 300 total :)

I'd peek at J&G's prices for starters
 
I already have a number of firearms, custom or otherwise, that range on the higher end so i'm not worried about having a few that are on the cheaper end. Especially since my goal was not to identify cheap junk guns, but rather those that are inexpensive, yet still quality due to reasons of surplus, obsoleteness, simplicity, country of origin, etc. A jennings falls under the price range but I'll never buy one. The SIG P6's were a good deal until they went up 33%. Instead i got a Tokarev, FEG and will look for some older Smith revo's. I think those types of guns will never be considered junk in years to come.
 
The only pistol I've ever liked in that range was the Bersa Thunder 380 (think they're up to $320 now)..
 
CZ-82 hands down. Right now you can find them from some online dealers for UNDER $200! That is a deal so good it has to be fattening!
 
RIA GI from someplace like Sarco. It is *slightly* over $300, but well worth the extra $25 for a nice entry level 1911. Its hard not to go $395 for the tactical though. I took my RIA Tactical out yesterday for the first time. One FTF on the last round out of 75 rounds (all my reloads) shot is not bad.

Makarov

My HiPoint .40 S&W ($140) shoots great (and I mean goes bang every time). I have had absolutely no jams or malfunctions at all in the last 500 rounds, and I can shoot this thing better than any of my other big guns (i.e. bigger than .22lr). OTOH, I had a bad outing with the HiPoint C9 yesterday, and am ready to send it back to the factory. For me, the HiPoints are hit or miss. I got lucky with one, the other is a jamomatic.

A Ruger MKII/III or Browning Buck Mark. I just bought a used Buck Mark for $200, upgraded to a stainless steel barrel for a net $10 (new barrel $50, sold old barrel for $40) , and the thing shoots like you wouldn't believe. I can put 10 rounds on target in a 4" circle at 75 feet. I am a mediocre shooter at best. For me, a 4" group of 10 at 75 feet is great.With this Buck Mark, I can do it every time.
 
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