Are there really 'best bargains' in inexpensive pistols?

[Blade First]

Is the guideline in the firearms business that 'you always get what you pay for' really just internet myth or really a reliable guideline?

I'd like your input on buying a modern-day, current-production pistol that you think represents an exceptional buy for the money.

In other words, would you actually be willing to buy such a pistol [not because you like the idea of hanging with the "special" ones] because there are certain mfrs. who produce exceptional value for the money?

If so, what are your choices...specific brands and model names, please!

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Hmmm...I guess it depends on what you want the pistol for. For CCW I think the Beretta Nano is a pretty good value. They're well made, reliable accurate, and currently sell for around $400 with one 8 round mag and one 6 round mag. The Bersa BP9CC is also a very good value, selling for around $375 or so.

I think the Taurus 85 is a pretty good deal. It probably depends on whether you "get a good one" or not. Maybe I was lucky, I had five good ones and never saw a bad one. Currently they run around $350.

The STI Spartan is a lot of 1911 for $650 or so. A good value if you want a 1911. On the other hand, I think a Colt is a good value, too. Very good 1911s for less than a Sig or Kimber costs.

The 870 Remington Tactical is a great gun for the money, too. Brand new they run around $330 and are very well made.

A Ruger 10/22 might be the best bang for the buck to be had in the shooting world. You can pick up a bare-bones model for not much over $200 but they'll hang with guns several times their price. If you can find any .22lr ammo, that is.

 

[zenshootist]

In general, you do get what you pay for - a Kimber will have better fit and finish than a Taurus - but you can find good prices on most weapons if you shop around. Buds is a good place to start (if you're buying) - know the going price of what you want to buy - then look at gunbroker, the gun shows and see how badly people want to make a sale. In general, you'll find a lot more 'fair deals' than awesome deals. People pay good money for a gun and want to get a fair return when they sell or trade ...

 

[ColtPythonElite]

A Ruger 10/22 might be the best bang for the buck to be had in the shooting world. You can pick up a bare-bones model for not much over $200 but they'll hang with guns several times their price. If you can find any .22lr ammo, that is.

Hang with how?....Certainly not in the accuracy department.

 

[Tcruse]

Look at police trade-ins, many times you can get them in the $400 or less range.

 

[MedWheeler]

For carry/defense, it's hard to beat the Bersa Thunder line. These are SA/DA pistols, with aluminum frames and steel slides. They run around $275 for the .380ACP model, and go up a little as caliber does (9mm, .40S&W, and .45ACP.)

The Ruger SR-series is one of the highest-respected-for-the-price series of American-made centerfire pistols. The P-series, while possibly even more ruggedly-built, has just been discontinued as of October, 2013. At least, the 9mm one (P-95) has; not sure if the entire line was dropped. They started right around $300, and many shops still have them.

For the "just-to-have-a-gun" gun, the Hi-Point line is a line of solid, clunky, reliably-running (but heavy and butt-ugly!) ultra-affordable pistols. They all come in well south of two bills, and are all single-action, striker-fired, blowback guns. The .45 is about the size and weight of a large cordless drill!

All of my handguns are so-called "beer-budget" guns, and the some of the ones mentioned above are represented in my collection.

 

[tarosean]

I'd like your input on buying a modern-day, current-production pistol that you think represents an exceptional buy for the money.

If I was on a strict budget I would go the surplus market, LEO trade ins or 3rd gen S&W.

I learned my lesson with cheap guns back in the 80's with Jennings, etc.

Now a days I primarily stick with known manufactures of quality arms. Even then you are not immune to acquiring a lemon once in a while.

 

[ritepath]

I'm going to assume NEW pistols here, at a budget price that work.

Some of the Ruger SR series pistols (9&40) are exceptional value in the 350-400 range. Accurate, Reliable, good triggers.

The M&P shield can be found for 380-400 range; fit, finish, and function are excellent.

 

[TParrish]

If I was on a strict budget I would go the surplus market, LEO trade ins or 3rd gen S&W.

I learned my lesson with cheap guns back in the 80's with Jennings, etc.

Now a days I primarily stick with known manufactures of quality arms. Even then you are not immune to acquiring a lemon once in a while.

Count me as chiming in in favor of police trade-ins. I just picked up a Smith & Wesson Model 915 in almost unfired condition, so I concur about the third-gen S&Ws, too.

That being said, in keeping with the spirit of the original question, one can get a Beretta 8000, currently manufactured, by looking for a Stoeger Cougar. One can get a highly-thought-of CZ-75-inspired pistol by looking for pistols from Canick55 (I almost bought an S-120) or Tanfoglio (the Witness). The owners of these pistols seem to swear by them.

 

[5-SHOTS]

There are some good inexpensive pistols in the market (in not particular order):
Ruger P95DC (recently out of production);
S&W SD series;
Stoeger Cougar 8000;
Ruger SR series;
EAA Witness P (Tanfoglio Force);
EAA Witness (Tanfoglio) Combat and Compact;
Zastava CZ99 (EZ9);
SIG-Sauer SP2022;
Norinco 1911, NP34 etc.;
in general, made in Turkey pistols are good guns for the money (Canik, Yavuz Girsan, Trabzon Gun Industry and so on).

 

[bannockburn]

In new manufacture I think River offers a quality product at a pretty decent price. If you're considering used then I would look at police trade-ins along with Third Gen. S&W semi-autos.

 

[sigarms228]

The SIG SP2022 is a terrific pistol though prices have gone up since earlier in the year but have been coming back down. Easily my top choice for a high quality inexpensive pistol and I do own one. They often were available at around $400 but closer to $450 these days.

CPO, Certified Pre Owned, SIG classic P series pistols are also a tremendously good value where you can often get like new P226 or P229 in the $550 dollar range.

 

[krupparms]

I think the S&W pistols are some of the best buys out there! New or used! The S.D.series is a great pistol at a great price! Used police trade -ins can be great buys also. And some of the others mentioned! Good luck!

 

[jmr40]

A Ruger 10/22 might be the best bang for the buck to be had in the shooting world. You can pick up a bare-bones model for not much over $200 but they'll hang with guns several times their price. If you can find any .22lr ammo, that is.

Hang with how?....Certainly not in the accuracy department.

Been a while since you shot a 10-22 apparently. Some of the newer guns are right with many guns long considered more accurate. I own several 10-22's, the older ones are 1.5"-2" guns at 50 yards. The 2 newest will consistently shoot well under 1/2" at the same range. About the same as my CZ bolt rifle.

But this is about handguns. The Glocks, M&P's and XD's are probably the most gun for the money. Any are available for under $600 and all are about as close to 100% reliable as anything made. The newer Ruger striker fired guns may prove just as good, but I did not include them as they just haven't been around long enough to be proven long term.

 

[Fishbed77]

I also highly recommend the Kahr CM9 for you are looking for a concealable 9mm pistol. I was able to get mine new on sale for $327 out-the-door. It's a high-quality little pistol and has been 100% reliable. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Is the guideline in the firearms business that 'you always get what you pay for' really just internet myth or really a reliable guideline?

I think to an extent, you get what you pay for, but its not quiet that cut and dried. Now, you can't spend $125 on a new pistol and think you have just as good a firearm as anyone else. The Lorcin, Jiminez and others like them are not fit for trusting your life to day in and day out. So in that instance, you get less than you pay for IMO.

I'd like your input on buying a modern-day, current-production pistol that you think represents an exceptional buy for the money.

I think the Sig SP2022 cannot be beat for the money. I paid $399 for mine NIB and while they have gone up a little, they are still well worth the money. Mine has been 100% reliable, is very accurate and the trigger is unlike any $400 gun I've ever shot.

If you like 1911s, the Rock Island guns are a great value.

I may catch some flak for this one, but for what you get, even buying a Glock brand new is a bargain IMO, though I don't own one. They are crazy reliable and plenty accurate for both range plinking and SD/HD.

 

[snooperman]

My grandson just bought a new S&W SD9 for $320. A very reliable gun. There are others as well including the S&W 3rd gen police trade-in guns that I have bought.

 

[SC Shooter]

I think that often times it is more a matter of where you buy not what you buy. I have gotten some really terrific bargains at gun shows where I have purchased good name brand guns at bargain prices. I will admit I have no problem buying used, and so far, I have not been burned.

 

[Dogguy]

There are several current production pistols with good reputations that can be found available brand new for less than $600. Glock, Smith M&P, Walther PPQ/P99, Beretta 92 variations, CZ 75b variations, SIG SP2022 all come to mind. Given current prices for handguns, less than $600 is a good buy.

Exceptional value? Bersa Thunder series pistols come readily to mind. I only have experience with the .380 model (definitely an exceptional value based on function alone) but I hear good stuff about their other models too. Also, look at the Kahr CW and CM pistols and Ruger's current series. I have no experience with the current Kahr or Ruger models but they seem priced well and many people speak highly of them.

 

[Rushthezeppelin]

On the Turkish CZ clone route there is also Sarsilmaz. I personally have their full sized polymer framed clone. Its sitting probably at about 1200+ rounds. It shoots like a tack driver with the right heavy loads (it definitely doesn't like 115 near as much as the heavy stuff). It cycles quite well, even bulgy cased SWCs have only given me trouble twice and those were probably super out of spec. Not had a single failure to fire and the only ejection problems I've had were underpowered loads caused by static on my powder drop during one reloading session. Fits my hand like a glove and even despite the polymer frame, points quite naturally (I will admit the metal frame ones do edge out a bit on the natural point-ability but not by much). Fit and finish is nice and tight and machining is very well done (only place I could even find tooling marks was the bottom of the slide where the hammer rides and that smoothed out real quick). Finish has yet to show any wear whatsoever except on the usual spots like the face of the hammer. For 300+tax at a show I think I definitely got my moneys worth. I'm fixing to take another leap into Turkish firearms soon with a tristar autoloader shotgun, I'm hoping my impression of Turkey will continue to remain good, and I'll be abusing this thing in 3 gun so well see how well it holds up there. I'll be a guinea pig for you other cheapskates

 

[IdahoHk416]

Are there really 'best bargains' in inexpensive pistols?

I tend to search different sites for slightly used guns. You can find Glocks, XD's, and M&P's LNIB for $350 sometimes. IMO that is a great deal.

I bought my LNIB used XD-9 for $350. I recently saw a like new, used Glock 27 with accessories on Armslist for $350.

The deals are out there. You just have to do some looking around.

 

[decoy562]

I bought a Ruger LCP for $269 and a Beretta Nano for $339. Both new. I agree with many of the others listed above.

 

[mooner]

Surplus Walther P1 for $350.

 

[Jlr2267]

CZ82 for ~$279

 

[TestPilot]

That is impossible to define, since "bargain" does not depend solely on price.

If I buy a $3000 retail price pistol I want at $2000, that would be a bargain, but at the same time if I buy a $300 retail price pistol and it does not meet my requirements, then it would be a $300 wasted.