Anything that is really worth owning in the +/- $200?

There is always the Hi-point C9,,,

There is always the Hi-point C9,,,
Ugly as original sin,,,
But they work.

Aarond

.

If you look, more so in a private sale, you can find a mechanically perfect S&W Model 10 fir 200 or less. I bought 2 carried a lot shot little security guard guns for $125 a piece not that long ago.

I would think your best bet would be private sale or police trade in. I believe the normal police trade in on Buds typically go for the 3-400 range though

I bought a Sccy CPX-2 for $239 just on a whim and its a pretty nice little shooter. I mean my Glock 26 or S&W M&P compact are obviously nicer but for the price its a great value. Its a bit snappy, but its reliable and accurate enough for its intended use. I'd buy it again if I had it to do over.

I picked up a used Taurus Slim a little while ago for $180. They go for $220 new. I have had nothing but good luck with that little gun. The reviews were all generally positive. All my other 9mm's are full size and $500+. The Taurus is definitely a good value.

Taurus also has a compact double stack Millenium for a little more money that is also supposed to be a good gun.

NAA in .22lr -DISREGARD

Little gems are worth owning. Fun at the range and are a great BUG or primary if you can't carry anything more potent. NAA customer service is excellent and there are a lot of accesories for these little blasters.

I think a Sccy 9mm or Kel Tec p-11 might be best option.

Local Cabela's had used Russian commercial Makarov 9x18 for $214. That was excellent value for one in very good condition.

Used Mak's are a pretty good deal. Obnoxious recoil.

If he is looking for a HD...nightstand gun....perhaps he should look at shot guns.

NormH3 said:

If he is looking for a HD...nightstand gun....perhaps he should look at shot guns.

Click to expand...

That's kind of what I was thinking. For such a low price point there aren't many options, but there are plenty of used Remington/Winchester/Mossberg pump shotguns out there for not a lot of money.

Fit with a Limbsaver or similar, get some reduced recoil 00 or #1 buckshot (like Federal 132-00 or 132-1B perhaps), make sure he takes it to the range at least once to get a basic familiarity with its function (and see that you do in fact need to aim), tell him to emphatically rack the action all the way back to a hard stop for every shot (wouldn't want to short stroke)...seems like a much more effective choice than a chap pistol.

A good mechanical condition used revolver in .38spl or .357 mag or similar would be my goal if it is to be a handgun.

In a I would look for a used S&W Model 10 or Ruger Service Six, though you might have to go a little bit above the $200 price point.

A decent used Remington Model 870, Mossberg 500, or Maverick 88 would also work well in the home defense role.

The Taurus PT111 G2 can be had for ~$200 from PSA and other places. I had one and it was a pretty darn good shooting gun.

+1 on the Taurus PT111 G2. I just picked one up for $218 from Sportsman's Guide. I had one before and traded it for some reason. 12+1 in a compact package is nothing to sneeze at.

+1 on the Taurus PT-111

I also second the PT-111 G2.....good little gun and $200 from PSA.

P-64 pistols can be had in the $200 range, in 9mm Mak. They make great reliable pocket pistols, and fall into the category of -- they don't make them like they used to.

KyGunCo was, maybe still is, selling the LCP Custom for $219. That's definitely worthwhile, it's a great tiny pocket gun.

Taurus PT-111. Never hear anything bad about them when the price is considered.

Ruger LCP Custom. Probably the best .380 out there for less than $250.

Heritage Rough Rider .22Mag/.22 LR with 9 round cylinder. Stuff it with Speer Gold Dot .22 Mag ammo and you've got 9 rounds of pain at the ready.

Armscor M200. .38 Special with 4" barrel will give bullets enough speed to expand.

TTC Tokarev.

Save a little more lunch money, mow a few yards. $200 doesn't buy much these days, I haven't seen a S&W model 10 for 2 bills in a long time. Cheap guns these days are just that cheap. Sure it will go bang, but soon enough regret will set in and he'll try to sell or trade the clunker in and he'll get 1/2 or less what he paid. There is a big gap in quality between $200 and $300.

Ten years ago, I would have said police trade-in too. I think you need a few more dollars nowadays.

A Makarov in fair condition or another 9Mak-caliber gun might also work.

And then you have Hi-Point, which is actually intended for just this type of customer. There are a couple of other off-name revolver brands that are also available.



As stated - not a lot you can truly recommend for $200 these days. Also as stated - the money would go a lot further on a shotgun (I realize we are in the handgun subforum). I did not reference any micro-.380 because you said "nightstand gun", which implies a larger size in my mind. But they can be found for around that price, especially used.

All very good recommendations thus far, I would add that there are likely alot of used Ruger P85/P89s available in that price range. Good, solid pistols, high cap mags, very reliable, and very reasonably priced...

The SW sd9ve is pretty well regarded and can be found around 280 new if you look around. Lots of options in the ~300 range.

My past two P89/P95 pistols were well less than $300. For a reliable, durable anvil of a full size 9mm pistol, they're a good buy.

Failing that - I'd get a Keltec PF9.