$350 limit.

[Black Majik]

Sig P225 / P6

Gander Mt had/has Police trade in P6s for sale for $349. P225s used to demand a premium, but so many SIG P6/P225s flooded the market that it's easily affordable for such a wonderful pistol!

 

[bhhacker]

I recommend the Rock island armory GI model .45. Its a 1911 model that has gotten some very decent reviews and its in your price range Happy shooting!

 

[ugaarguy]

Say what? A 9x19 barrel for the Makarov sized blowback CZ-83? I'm dubious.

I'm wondering if he didn't get the CZ-83 confused with the CZ-52.

As for the topic at hand, I'd look at the surplus SIG P6/P225 and Walther P1, new or used Bersas, and used Rugers or metal frame S&Ws.

 

[wardog]

Stoeger Cougar!

 

[-gunut-]

I like the CZ idea! Though, the Makarov is just so fun!

 

[Grayrider]

Ron Reed will sell you a standard full size steel Witness for around $350, in the caliber of your choice. 18 rounds of 9mm or .38 Super, 15 rounds of 40 or 10mm, 10 rounds of 45. If you want a defensive firearm that would be a great choice, just have to decide which caliber you prefer. Conversion kits are around $215 so you can expand your options later.

John

 

[steveracer]

3rd Gen Smith auto

I got a 3953, 3913, and 5906 for less than $350 each. All are still flawless in operation, if a little less pretty than some others.
Steve

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

For something NEW----Ruger P95---S&W Sigma

 

[tinygnat219]

Modern options:

New:Taurus, CZ, Cougar, Kel-Tec
Used: S&W, Glock, Taurus, etc.

For "Old Commie Guns" there are a couple that will work great:

Makarov, like you have stated. Great guns. Simple, rugged, reliable, but caliber is so-so. 200-300 bucks.

CZ-82, best bargain out there right now in milsurp land. Same arguments as above, but it has a 12+1 capacity. 200-250 bucks.

Stay away from:
CZ-52, not the best ergonomics and SD ammo is REALLY hard to come by. Factor in the noise and overpenetration coupled with some bad ergonomics and lousy sites and this is more of a Curio than anything else.

1895 Nagant, fires an anemic caliber, ammo is REALLY expensive, sites stink, DA pull is dreadful, etc.

 

[bhhacker]

As an owner of a sigma I have to say that I was unimpressed. The gun sounds great in theory, but that trigger is pretty bad.

 

[modifiedbrowning]

Bersa Thunder.
www.bersafirearmsusa.com

 

[Shipwreck]

Stoeger Cougar!!!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Black Majik has an excellent point with Gander Mountain's supply of used West German P6/P225 pistols. Our local Gander Mountain had six in stock, all priced at $350, and I picked one up on leave. I have been VERY pleased with it. It was a cheap entry into the SIG product line for me and it shoots like a dream. Some holster wear, but very sound mechanically.

If you are inclined towards SIGs or single stack 9mm I would recommend picking up one of these pistols.

 

[full metal]

The cz-52 for under $350

 

[tmackay3302]

Rock Island .45, I've heard some great things about them and I'm planning on picking one in the next few weeks. Here's a cheap one on gunbroker: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=74787935

 

[offthepaper]

The 82s are available for about $200 these days, but I understand that they have one spring that apparently is easily lost if you disassemble the thing (even accidentally) and it CANNOT be replaced from CZ.[/QUOTE

------------------------------------------------------------

Which spring is that?

 

[wrangler5]

Well, I THINK it's the slide stop spring, or at least a spring that wraps around/hooks over the slide stop shaft. I don't have an 82 (yet) but I've handled one and know (think) that I want one some day, so I do read the forums occasionally. There is a fix that lets you use an 83 spring, but it requires drilling or filing the frame and there appears to be some risk of irreversible frame damage if you don't have the right tools and technique.

Lots of people seem very happy with the 82, so the spring issue is not necessarily a total disqualifier. Just something to be aware of going in.

 

[obxned]

Give thought to used guns. If you must have new, KeTec or Bersa are the best option.

 

[Ghostrider_23]

Ruger

Ruger makes a supior gun NEW in the price range your talking about. They have both polymer and steel framed gun. Ruger is best known for it's robust and reliable functions of all their firearms and are pretty accurate out of the box.

 

[BryanP]

Several of my favorite handguns cost me $350 or less.

Ruger GP100 (used)
Springfield XD45 (okay, that was a bizarre anomaly but I only paid $300 for it)
Ruger 22/45 (new)
FEG Hi Power (since replaced with a nicer Browning, but still)

You can get good guns for less money if you bide your time and watch.

 

[wnycollector]

For $350 you could get a russian commercial mak AND 1000 rounds of ammo! I have a russian IJ-70 and LOVE it! I know that its not as collectable as other maks (i.e. East German) but its still a mak for less than $200! there is a seller on gunbroker that has 1000 rounds of silver bear JHP for ~$160.

 

[Tom Servo]

+1 on the Makarov. Expect to pay ~$200 for one, with $150 left over to stockpile ammo.

Now, for home defense, consider a used lever-action. With deer season coming up, we're getting deluged with gently-used Marlins, and they go for about $300-350. Nothing like .357mag doing ~2100fps.

There are also plenty of fine used revolvers out there in your price range if you're willing to put in some time browsing.

 

[Mak Maven]

East German Mak. Like new purchased July 3, 2007 $300. + tax
His brother still sitting there slight less in the finish department $279.00.
Email for info on location of gun shop.

[email protected]

 

[Caimlas]

For 350$ you could get a number of inexpensive new guns.

I'd vote for either a Taurus revolver ($260 or so for their cheapest .357 if you look hard) or the PT111/PT140 Pro - which should hit right around $320-$340 after tax. My 2nd edition PT111 Pro w/ a stainless slide was $320 out the door a couple years back - you should be able to get the 3rd gen (heine straight-8 sights and HIGHLY preferable trigger) for that, no problem - IMO, it's some of the best value out there.

Alternatively, you could go for something a bit more non-traditional, though it'd take a little searching: A Star BM 9mm: 1911 form factor and design, and very similar to the Springfield EMP in size and feel. I got mine for $175 a couple weeks ago, and it's going to be a project gun for me. Gunbroker.com has 'em for sale in better condition than mine, at around $250...

And if you're lucky, you might be able to find a Rock Island Armory 1911 for $350; I've heard of it being done (as little as $250 new, actually). I'm hoping for something like that myself.

 

[falling leaves]

Another option is a Hi-power clone. Sarco has Argentine FM's for $299. The finnish is not as good as a Browning, but they work great and it is a classic.