Favorite off brand handgun

Is Kel-tec "off brand"? I have a P17 22, it is a suppressor host. Really like it for what I use it for.

The only one I own that I'd consider a bit of an off brand is an AMT Lightning. I think I like it slightly better than the equivalent Ruger MK IIs I've owned, but it's definitely not one of my favorite handguns.

Some of us are old enough to remember when Glocks were "off brand" pistols. The first time I heard about Glock pistols was from a buddy (of sorts) at work. He told me about the "newfangled plastic guns" he'd seen at the gunshop. He said they were made "somewhere in Europe and would go thru airport metal detectors."

Does Dornaus and Dixon count?

This thread topic just screams out for pictures...Dragonfly and I doing our part...best you boys start picking up the slack...

This is about the only off brand handgun I have, so I guess its my favorite at the moment. Its a fun and accurate shooter. Loaded with 38/200 of course.

I have a Mauser revolver. Now Mauser ain't exactly off brand, but it's not the first one to come to mind when you say revolver. It's chambered for 38 Special, has an alloy frame, six inch barrel, and adjustable sights.

The only "off-brand" guns I own are a couple of small revolvers. One is a Taurus, not sure what model, but a snub-nose 5-shot .38 Spl, and a Rossi, also don't know the model, but a 5-shot .38 Spl. All my other revolvers are S&W, and my semi's are a mix of SA, Colt, Browning, Ruger, and RIA.

My "most" off-brand is a Sig/Mauser hybrid, the M2 in .45ACP. It's a solid-feeling-pistol with an aluminum frame and steel everything-else. However, I've not shot it yet, so I can't comment on its performance.

I have a Bersa Thunder 380 that just shoots and shoots. Can't make it malfunction, and it shoots pretty true, too.

My TISAS 1911A2 is an example of an excellent value in an all-steel 1911. Handsome, too. For now, that one probably takes the title.

1943 Astra A600.
My Dad has a Brazilian INA Tiger which he is rather fond of- thats pretty far off brand.

Coonan, Dan Wesson, Great Western (the original company), Seacamp, and Freedom Arms would be on my list.

unspellable said:

Now Mauser ain't exactly off brand, but it's not the first one to come to mind when you say revolver.

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Kind of like Benelli and 9mm pistols!

Following @FL-NC here’s my “off brand” favorite:

Keltec CP33

GONRA suggests MedWheeler lube the .45 ACP rotating barrel
Mauser M2 cams / lugs with the slickest grease he can find
and exercise the action a zillion times before shootin'.
That's a great collector item! Not many out there? ???

I keep hearing from haters that all of my pistols are off brand: Taurus.

I’d have to go with the FEG PA-63. A Communist copy of the Walter PP with an aluminum frame and the bigger 9mm Makarov round. I’ve never thought of it but is it the most powerful round in the PP design? It’s not the most pleasant shooter but with mild reloads it’s not bad. It’s capacity is small and the end of the barrel feels long vs a Shield or J-frame, but it’s still my favorite walking when I don’t expect trouble or want a manual safety.

High Standard Supermatic Citation Military (same grip angle as a 1911, or supposed to be). 10 shot .22 LR Bullseye machine with Eley Match or Remington Target.

Have to say my Manurhin P1, made in France, would be about as off brand as I can get!

Does Llama count?

I guess this would be my favorite off brand mouse gun.


Titan .25 auto. It has never failed to go bang. And it is purely for fun.

Erma Werke KGP 68A in 32 ACP



I actually just acquired a correct box and manual for it, for 25 cents!

And the only pistols Savage made for almost 100 years... A pair of Strikers.

BigBlue 94 said:

Erma Werke KGP 68A in 32 ACP

I actually just acquired a correct box and manual for it, for 25 cents!

And the only pistols Savage made for almost 100 years... A pair of Strikers.

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Love the Erma, the .32s are a bit rare.
Savage actually made a single-shot cowboy style pistol, the Model 101, in the 60's-


And Savage is off-brand?!?

BLACKHAWKNJ said:

Saw this posted on another board. My AMT Hardballer, bought it in 1978 when it was first introduced, IIRC it was the first, if not the first stainless M1911. AMT and its successor companies long gone. Mine shot too low even with the rear sight fully elevated, sent the slide back, they returned it-or a replacement, shooting fine ever since. A white outline rear sight blade, Pachmayr grips the only modfifications. Fired it in some IPSC matches 1979-1980. never missed a beat, often shot better than people with fancier modified pistols. I read that Harry Sanford of AMT-was a brilliant designer-he also designed the Auto-Mag, but not as capable a businessman.

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That was me who posted that ... and that early AMT Hardballer is sitting on the desk next to me .
The Colt Gold Cup and Colt Commander are both gone ... The Harballer was more accurate that either . I never had any problems with my rear sight . I don't know if someone paid this one some extra attention but it has always shot , fed , fired and ejected well . I called the AMT shop about getting another magazine and as an aside the tech told me to lube the sliding parts with Lucas Red-N-Tacky Lithium grease ... not all the galling bugs had been worked out of early stainless steel so do it instead of using oil ... been running fine with that bit of advice .
Yeah ... AMT Hardballer has to be my favorite "Off-Brand" too !
Gary

Don't own one but I remember the Randell line of 1911s,even had a left handed model all stainless if I recall correctly.