$300 or so to spend

Shield or pps if you want a single stack

Ruger SR9, EAA witness, or canik for a full size

For another $100 your options open up such as a SW 2.0, APX, Ruger American, some glocks on sale

The CCP trigger isn't bad but it isn't a range gun either simply because of the design it heats up quickly.

Cump

Tried the Beretta Nano and the Ruger LC9S: didn't care for the ergonomics or the trigger on either of them. Went with a Kahr CM9 instead. Have handled the Walther PPS but didn't like how flat the grip frame felt in my hand. Did like the S&W Shield but it's slightly larger than my CM9.

My experience with cheap ≤ 300 dollar guns - like the SAR B6P and the Taurus Millennium G2 PT111 is that the best thing about them is the cheap price. I get a little bit of a rush picking up a reliable functioning firearm for less than 300 bucks - but then that wears off and they're mediocre in every other respect. The sights aren't horrible but they're not great. The trigger is not horrible but it's not that good either. The finish is usually - ehhh... nothing to write home about. They're not a joy to shoot or anything, but for a truck gun or throwing into a GHB, they're OK.

So if I have money I want to spend just because I like firearms or like shooting - I'd save the money until I could buy something that is more enjoyable to shoot or even nicer to look at.

I would say one of the Italian police trade in Beretta 92s Buds had recently for $300- not sure if they are all gone. There were some surplus hi-powers and cz75s for the same price too.
But it sounds like your aiming for a pocket pistol, so how bout the Bersa Thunder Carry?

I second the 92s

You can get a Bulgarian Makarov for about that now. Rock-solid, and with a military pedigree that enhances its value as both a shooter and as a collectible. If you don't like it, you will be able to recoup that money in the near future.

The CZ-70 can also be found for around that, as can the Romanian TTC you mentioned.

I've bought $300-class guns before just to "add another gun", but I won't do that anymore. I will only buy guns that I'm certain will retain their value, or increase in it.

9mm under $300.00

Bersa B9P
Century Arms Canik TP9SA
EAA SAR B6P, SARGUN, K2P and Witness Pavona
FMK 9C1 G2
Kahr Arms CW9
Ruger 9E
S&W SD9VE
Taurus Millenium Pro G2 PT111
Walther Creed
ZENITH Girasn MC28SA

C0untZer0 said:

9mm under $300.00

Bersa B9P
Century Arms Canik TP9SA
EAA SAR B6P, SARGUN, K2P and Witness Pavona
FMK 9C1 G2
Kahr Arms CW9
Ruger 9E
S&W SD9VE
Taurus Millenium Pro G2 PT111
Walther Creed
ZENITH Girasn MC28SA

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That's a good list... we'll done

The S&W is what I'd look at if you're looking at something that size. I don't have experience with it other than holding it but they seem to be reliable from what I've read.

I second the military Makarov, the CZ 82 ain't bad either. If your are ok with the 9x18 Makarov cartridge these two firearms are reliable and accurate shooters.

None of the new guns in that price range do much for me. Used or surplus is a better bet. Going to $400 opens up some doors, and going to $500 opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Cump said:

Not necessarily aiming for pocket, that's just what I've seen deals on.

Have also thought about a tokarev variant or a ruger mark iii.

Really just brainstorming.

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If you don't already have a target style .22, then the Mark III is hands down what you should get.

Taurus 605 .357 mag. $290+ and the polymer 605 .357 mag. $270.00 revolvers.

Cump said:

Can anyone comment on the long-term reliability of the new production tokarevs made by zastava? M57.

Also have been intrigued by the witness pavona for the SO. Any experience?

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I've generally heard good things about the M57. One extra round, a functional safety not sloppily ground into the slide. The only thing is that surplus mags won't work. Then again I haven't seen T33 surplus mags kicking around in great number since all the 7.62x25 surplus ammo dried up 7 or 8 years ago.

There is a Norinco under the glass at my LGS that has caught my eye. I haven't looked hard at it. I dunno if it's an import with the safety installed or a military piece. The relative obscurity of the gun in this area would mean that it very well could be a collector's piece they didn't know was worth much.

My guess is that it's an import with the sloppy safety.

Anyway, the tok round has to be shot to be appreciated Flat, loud, with an 18" fireball. The T33 variations is a heckova woods pistol. Solid, simple, and potent if you value a light and fast round.

Fiv3r said:

I've generally heard good things about the M57. One extra round, a functional safety not sloppily ground into the slide. The only thing is that surplus mags won't work. Then again I haven't seen T33 surplus mags kicking around in great number since all the 7.62x25 surplus ammo dried up 7 or 8 years ago.

There is a Norinco under the glass at my LGS that has caught my eye. I haven't looked hard at it. I dunno if it's an import with the safety installed or a military piece. The relative obscurity of the gun in this area would mean that it very well could be a collector's piece they didn't know was worth much.

My guess is that it's an import with the sloppy safety.

Anyway, the tok round has to be shot to be appreciated Flat, loud, with an 18" fireball. The T33 variations is a heckova woods pistol. Solid, simple, and potent if you value a light and fast round.

Click to expand...

Thanks Fiv3r. I just worked up some loads for my girlfriend's CZ52 in 7.62 Tok. The more I shoot it, the more I like the round. Now I've decided I need something in 7.62 tok. I'm leaning towards a new production m57.

If you want a fireball, try a full load of w296. Puts the S&B and suplus ammo to shame.

Instead of buying $300 budget guns that aren't what you really want and then no doubt losing your shirt on a trade, save until you can afford the gun you want.

For a new one under $300, I would say the S&W SD9.

About 6 years ago I missed out on a chance to buy a used Sigma 40 for $240 but that got my attention on getting a new handgun to compliment my Ruger Service Six and Auto Ordnance 1911 that I've been shooting since the 80's. A new Sigma/SD9VE was going for about $300 but I started to think "for $115 more I could get an M&P40 which is a whole lot better" I did and never regretted it. Yes it cost 1/3 more at the time, but it was much better than double the gun to me.

If you have no handguns and need one but only have $300-$350, an SD9VE is a good buy for a HD, "truck gun" or even a plinker. Much better than a HiPoint or ring of fire pot metal gun and with S&W's support, it will be a good utility gun for a lifetime. But for a range toy, if you have anything better (and a lot of the more expensive guns are much better), you will wind up leaving it at home more often than not.

The bottom line is if you have $300 to throw away, you can get a gun to get by but for $100-$200 more, you can get a gun you really like and would probably not consider "disposable".

For $300, I'd be looking at used, rather than new.

You posted that you found a Ruger American for $299. I bought one for my wife a while back. I really haven't shot it a lot but I like it. I believe it to be a well made service sized pistol. I wonder what the "blemish" is. $300 would be a good price for it. I have a Taurus PT 111 Millennium G2. It is under $300 & is a decent enough little gun but the blued finish isn't very durable & the trigger sucks. Have you looked at gun.deals?