T.R.
Member
There is nothing wrong with Bersa handguns.
TR
TR
Favorite budget firearm manufacturer?
- Thread starter 38-45 Special
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Elkins45
Member
Buds has some Beretta APX 40s for around $350. That’s cheap for a first-line manufacturer and AFAIK there’s nothing wrong with the APX design.
Now sold out. The Covid panic must be worse than I thought because the prices have gone up on even their cheapest 40s.
Now sold out. The Covid panic must be worse than I thought because the prices have gone up on even their cheapest 40s.
EIB0879
Member
Mossberg.
Robbins290
Member
Seems like sriker fired polymer pistols are all the hot rage right now. Just about all makers of handguns have a striker fired polymer pistol in there line up. Even from companies that i never would have thought to make them, like Beretta, CZ and SIG.
Among makers of inexpensive guns that are still in business, I have had good luck with Taurus.
I bought a PT111 Gen 2 (9mm) and right out of the box it has functioned flawlessly with factory ammunition. It didn't like my first attempts loading for it, but after I got a proper load worked up it has functioned flawlessly with reloads. I added the aftermarket Lakeline recoil spring assembly and it shoots even better.
I have heard good things about Hi-Point, Kel-Tec and SCCY, but have no experience with them.
I bought a PT111 Gen 2 (9mm) and right out of the box it has functioned flawlessly with factory ammunition. It didn't like my first attempts loading for it, but after I got a proper load worked up it has functioned flawlessly with reloads. I added the aftermarket Lakeline recoil spring assembly and it shoots even better.
I have heard good things about Hi-Point, Kel-Tec and SCCY, but have no experience with them.
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
I've had good experience with Kel-Tec (P11, P3AT), Taurus (M44, 941), and Charter Arms (Bulldog) and would recommend them to someone on a budget.
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I stay away from budget guns. If it is worth owning it is worth paying for a quality weapon. If I can get a quality weapon for a good price I am down with that.
The one low price weapon that I own and frequently carry is a DiamondBack DB9 at ~$200. I bought the DB9 due to its size rather than its price. My DB9 has been 100% reliable from the very first shot, if it wasn't I would get rid of it.
I usually buy based on the particular weapon rather than the manufacture. Even SIG has made some lousy weapons... so I would never buy a SIG jsut because it was a SIG.
I have never owned a Taurus... but I have heard such constant negative feedback of their weapons that I have never felt the need to gamble on their quality when other manufactures make similar hand guns with MUCH better reputations. Some day I might try a Charter arms in .44 spec.
The one low price weapon that I own and frequently carry is a DiamondBack DB9 at ~$200. I bought the DB9 due to its size rather than its price. My DB9 has been 100% reliable from the very first shot, if it wasn't I would get rid of it.
I usually buy based on the particular weapon rather than the manufacture. Even SIG has made some lousy weapons... so I would never buy a SIG jsut because it was a SIG.
I have never owned a Taurus... but I have heard such constant negative feedback of their weapons that I have never felt the need to gamble on their quality when other manufactures make similar hand guns with MUCH better reputations. Some day I might try a Charter arms in .44 spec.
cluttonfred
Member
Surplus Yugoslavian and Romanian Tokarevs are readily available and a little over $200, worth a look for a budget gun. If you’re patient you can find cheap ammo, too, though not right now.
JeeperCreeper
Member
Anything from Turkey
Poper
Member
I have owned 2 Taurus revolvers that both had issues.
the .44 mag. Tracker would bind up after 1 or 2 cylinders - enough to get it warm. In lieu of sending it back to Taurus with the 6 week back log, I paid a gunsmith $85 to turn the face of the cylinder to complete the machining and remove the burrs.
The M94 .22lr had the worst trigger pull of any firearm I have ever owned bar none - by a long shot - (I have owned some pretty bad ones over the years) and would bind up when it got hot. I did about 10 hours of clean-up and polishing to the bearing surfaces (not the sear!) where things pivoted, polished the sides of the hammer and removed the bur from the firing pin hole.
All was ok after that. A lot of effort for something that should not have been shipped with all those issues.
This was all several years ago and maybe Taurus has addressed their QC issues since then. I for one will pass.
ETA: I do have one Taurus in my assortment: The .44 Special Titanium 5-shot revolver bought used. It has been without issue but is no longer made. It is my outdoors carry gun for its light weight. But then at $500 used (a few years ago) it is not what I would call a 'budget' handgun.
Holy moley! Have they really gone up this much??? https://www.gunbroker.com/item/868876520
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Terry G
Member
Good "Budget" guns brings to mind C&R. CZ 82, Makarov, and Tokarevs. I bought multiples for under $200.00 Of course those day's are gone. Bersa .22's, the old M223 and the T22 are "Buy once, shoot forever." I have had very good luck with Taurus gun's, PT92 and PT99 and M94, M66, and M96. The Taurus
TX22 has done the once unthinkable of being a much better pistol than the Glock 44. I admit to carrying non budget guns, CZ P-01, 97b, Glock 21 and Springfield Hellcat but there are plenty of really good guns out there that cost less than half of what I paid for these. Heck, you can get a S&W 9MM for under $300.00 if you shop around.
TX22 has done the once unthinkable of being a much better pistol than the Glock 44. I admit to carrying non budget guns, CZ P-01, 97b, Glock 21 and Springfield Hellcat but there are plenty of really good guns out there that cost less than half of what I paid for these. Heck, you can get a S&W 9MM for under $300.00 if you shop around.Ignition Override
Member
Does — Izhevsk — fit the budget definition?
Commercial Makarovs are usually selling for over $300.
...but some people prefer what is often considered (even in the US) to be the most reliable and rugged semi-auto handgun ever manufactured.
Commercial Makarovs are usually selling for over $300.
...but some people prefer what is often considered (even in the US) to be the most reliable and rugged semi-auto handgun ever manufactured.
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KevininPa
Member
I've had a few Bersas that I was happy with.
I'd argue that Ruger has more or less maintained the production quality that they've had all along and increase their pricing as required to do so. I agree that the prices are getting close to S&W, but S&W's quality has moved down to Ruger's to get their pricing. See the price of a new Python to get a sense of what a properly built S&W might cost. Makes Ruger a budget gun in my mind. I'll take an old S&W, thank you. Just can't afford but a few.
Zaydok Allen
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I could see that as a logical standpoint.
Jack Ryan
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Life is too short to go through it buying and carrying cheap 2nd tier guns.
BUY WHAT YOU WANT and don't waste a bunch of money on a bunch of "good enough" stuff that always leaves you wanting what you REALLY wanted to start with. If a Glock is what you WANT, then buy it. For you that Glock IS a budget gun. But if a Colt is what you WANT, then BUY IT! You'll buy that Colt over and over and over and still never have it buying these "budget guns" you an "afford".
BUY WHAT YOU WANT and don't waste a bunch of money on a bunch of "good enough" stuff that always leaves you wanting what you REALLY wanted to start with. If a Glock is what you WANT, then buy it. For you that Glock IS a budget gun. But if a Colt is what you WANT, then BUY IT! You'll buy that Colt over and over and over and still never have it buying these "budget guns" you an "afford".
Good Ol' Boy
Member
My personal experience has been positive with Canik, Heritage and Dickinson.
Negative with Taurus.
I dont consider many brands that have been mentioned in this thread as budget, such as Ruger, Savage, Marlin, Mossberg, S&W, ect. They may make some affordable guns but I dont put them in the same class as manufacturers that produce mainly cheap guns.
Negative with Taurus.
I dont consider many brands that have been mentioned in this thread as budget, such as Ruger, Savage, Marlin, Mossberg, S&W, ect. They may make some affordable guns but I dont put them in the same class as manufacturers that produce mainly cheap guns.
swagbrdr
Member
Taurus G2C is a great shooter for 175-225. Got my wife the bigger G3 and so far am very happy with it also.
Had a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spcl years ago, had to tighten all of the screws back up after just about every box of ammo.
My Savage 720 is a great Auto 5 clone.
Had a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 spcl years ago, had to tighten all of the screws back up after just about every box of ammo.
My Savage 720 is a great Auto 5 clone.
I'm a big fan of lower cost, high value products. So, Bersa?...yup. RIA?...you bet. Cobra?...not so sure on that one. Companies like Ruger, RIA, Bersa, offer a product where the quality seems to exceed, or at least be on par with the cost. Companies like Colt and even S&W to some degree, have cooked into the price the cache and legacy of the brand. Jennings, Raven, Cobra....you're getting what you pay for, which in my opinion, isn't much. In that respect, hi point is a much better deal. They may be fugly, but they're cheap and they work. When I was first starting out, the Bersa thunder was a stretch for my budget...and I'm glad I did. That was a good first handgun.
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peeplwtchr
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PNW Oly Guy
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Another nod to Ruger. There old Security Six Wheel Gun is like a tank. Deliberately way overbuilt.
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