SleazyRider
Member
Bingo! The CZ82 is an incredibly accurate and reliable pistol, my vote for the best bargain out there with the possible exception of Model 10 police trade-ins.
Are there really 'best bargains' in inexpensive pistols?
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Esoxchaser
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A fairly inexpensive pistol that goes bang almost always, and has ergonics that some don't find unacceptable....... a Glock.
But I don't own one, never will. I am not one of those that like the way it fits my hand.
And haven't liked them since the early 80's when a buddy was showing his off, dropped it 3' to the floor and it fired, shooting a bullet through the ceiling over my shoulder. I know the newer ones won't do that but it made me distrust them forever. Never claimed logic was part of the equation, almost getting shot by a dropped one creates some powerful emotion.........
But I don't own one, never will. I am not one of those that like the way it fits my hand.
And haven't liked them since the early 80's when a buddy was showing his off, dropped it 3' to the floor and it fired, shooting a bullet through the ceiling over my shoulder. I know the newer ones won't do that but it made me distrust them forever. Never claimed logic was part of the equation, almost getting shot by a dropped one creates some powerful emotion.........
The best bargain gun you will ever buy is the gun that you don't have to replace with something better.
I've bought some "bargain" items and ended up having to eat the cost when I finally bought the more expensive product to get satisfactory results.
I've bought some "bargain" items and ended up having to eat the cost when I finally bought the more expensive product to get satisfactory results.
browningguy
Member
The shortest answer is no, you don't necessarily get what you pay for. With todays technology you can make a mighty good shooting pistol for $500 or so, the Walther PPS comes to mind. For a heavy steel frame gun you can get a EAA Witness Elite Match in the $500 range, and none of the production guns up to about $1200 or so will even come close in the accuracy department. And as already mentioned pistols like the Bersa .380 are very good pistols for the price, no reason at all to worry about them when using as an HD pistol.
At the top end people really go crazy, I've shot a $4000 Nighthawk, which people apparently buy like crazy. And it has absolutely nothing over a Baer at almost 1/2 the price. Not in fit, finish, accuracy or reliability. I don't mind spending money for really good things, buying that last 5% of performance (whether talking about fit, finish or accuracy) costs a lot, usually it becomes geometric. The problem is that people think you can just keep paying more and getting more and that's simply not true. Once you reach 100% it won't be better no matter how much more you spend.
Now once you get into artistic things, fancy engraving and really expensive wood, then the price is whatever someone will pay.
At the top end people really go crazy, I've shot a $4000 Nighthawk, which people apparently buy like crazy. And it has absolutely nothing over a Baer at almost 1/2 the price. Not in fit, finish, accuracy or reliability. I don't mind spending money for really good things, buying that last 5% of performance (whether talking about fit, finish or accuracy) costs a lot, usually it becomes geometric. The problem is that people think you can just keep paying more and getting more and that's simply not true. Once you reach 100% it won't be better no matter how much more you spend.
Now once you get into artistic things, fancy engraving and really expensive wood, then the price is whatever someone will pay.
It all comes down to how much you have to spend.
If all you have is $200 and you need to buy a gun then a Hi Point C-9 9mm is a suitable weapon. It's heavy, it's ugly, it has a low capacity for such a huge gun, but it generally goes bang every time. Customer service is outstanding and the warranty follows the gun so even used guns are under full warranty. I say 9mm because if you only have $200 for a gun then 9mm will be the most affordable ammo. You can sometimes find a Hungarian "Makarov" pistol for less than $200. I bought one a few weeks ago that is a good shooter. Of course these are not "new production" guns but they are good shooters and very dependable.
If you have $300 then you can reach up into some of the smaller 380 and 9mm "pocket pistols" like Kel Tec, P3AT and PF-9, and Diamondback DB-9. Ruger and Smith small 380s and 9mms will run closer to the $400 mark, For $400 there are a lot of good quality pistols. I don't own a Taurus so I can't really say much about them but I see them in this price range.
Once you reach the $500 figure the doors open wide and there are a lot of quality revolvers and semis available. Glocks are $500ish and there are a lot of 1911's out there.
CTD has RIA 1911'2 for $349 before shipping.
All of these guns are decent guns for the price range. I don't think a Hi Point is as good as a Dan Wesson but I rarely see those for under $200 around here. If you have $2500 then there are guns in that range. There are plenty of people that use the old "save up" philosophy but I know sometimes you have to get what you can afford right now.
If all you have is $200 and you need to buy a gun then a Hi Point C-9 9mm is a suitable weapon. It's heavy, it's ugly, it has a low capacity for such a huge gun, but it generally goes bang every time. Customer service is outstanding and the warranty follows the gun so even used guns are under full warranty. I say 9mm because if you only have $200 for a gun then 9mm will be the most affordable ammo. You can sometimes find a Hungarian "Makarov" pistol for less than $200. I bought one a few weeks ago that is a good shooter. Of course these are not "new production" guns but they are good shooters and very dependable.
If you have $300 then you can reach up into some of the smaller 380 and 9mm "pocket pistols" like Kel Tec, P3AT and PF-9, and Diamondback DB-9. Ruger and Smith small 380s and 9mms will run closer to the $400 mark, For $400 there are a lot of good quality pistols. I don't own a Taurus so I can't really say much about them but I see them in this price range.
Once you reach the $500 figure the doors open wide and there are a lot of quality revolvers and semis available. Glocks are $500ish and there are a lot of 1911's out there.
CTD has RIA 1911'2 for $349 before shipping.
All of these guns are decent guns for the price range. I don't think a Hi Point is as good as a Dan Wesson but I rarely see those for under $200 around here. If you have $2500 then there are guns in that range. There are plenty of people that use the old "save up" philosophy but I know sometimes you have to get what you can afford right now.
orionengnr
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in my experience...
You don't always get what you pay for, but you almost never get what you don't pay for.
It is possible to get a bargain, but you had better either a) know what you are looking at or b) get very lucky.
In the $200 range, a Brinks trade-in S&W M64 is by far the best handgun I have bought (several of them, by the way). Used Kel-Tecs (four in all) have been a bust. Cheap revolvers (cough cough Taurus/Rossi) have been a bust.
In the $300 range, an LE S&W 3rd Gen semi (any of them) or any S&W police revolver is my "best buy". Used RIA 1911s and many other semi autos have been a bust.
In the $400 range, used Glocks, XDs, etc., become a possibility. Hard to go wrong here. I have also bought used Kahrs and functional 1911s in this price range.
If you can step up to $500, your options are practically unlimited.
Enjoy your search, and shop wisely (meet the guy at the range and put 50-100 rounds of ammo downrange--the ammo will pay for itself, the first time you don't buy someone else's problem).
You don't always get what you pay for, but you almost never get what you don't pay for.
It is possible to get a bargain, but you had better either a) know what you are looking at or b) get very lucky.
In the $200 range, a Brinks trade-in S&W M64 is by far the best handgun I have bought (several of them, by the way). Used Kel-Tecs (four in all) have been a bust. Cheap revolvers (cough cough Taurus/Rossi) have been a bust.
In the $300 range, an LE S&W 3rd Gen semi (any of them) or any S&W police revolver is my "best buy". Used RIA 1911s and many other semi autos have been a bust.
In the $400 range, used Glocks, XDs, etc., become a possibility. Hard to go wrong here. I have also bought used Kahrs and functional 1911s in this price range.
If you can step up to $500, your options are practically unlimited.
Enjoy your search, and shop wisely (meet the guy at the range and put 50-100 rounds of ammo downrange--the ammo will pay for itself, the first time you don't buy someone else's problem).
Phaedrus/69
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Whoops! Sorry guys...missed that we were discussing handguns, not guns in general.
silicosys4
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New guns....I think the cz-75b at right around $400-$500 new is a great deal, seeing as you are getting a proven, high quality, all steel handgun at around the same price as most of its clones. I paid $450 for mine and was amazed at what I got for the money.
The newer auto loaders in general are getting pretty bargain-y considering what you get for $350-$500 from ruger, s&w, Springfield, glock, and all the Turkish and Philippine guns.
Go below $350 though, and you are better off shopping used IMO.
Used, s&w M10's are still pretty common and can be had for sub $300. I bought a hb m10 last year for $275 with holster wear, and incredibly, a lovely m10 pencil barrel that is almost unmarred except for a faint turn line not even through the bluing....for $205. I keep seeing bobbed dao m64's for sale for $275 online.
I have bought two zasteva ez9's for less than $250 each the last few years, and those were incredible handguns for the money, and dirt cheap because nobody knows what they are, it seems.
And as a closer, hi point. Because it will go bang for $100 unless you are one of the unlucky few that got a dead hi point.
The newer auto loaders in general are getting pretty bargain-y considering what you get for $350-$500 from ruger, s&w, Springfield, glock, and all the Turkish and Philippine guns.
Go below $350 though, and you are better off shopping used IMO.
Used, s&w M10's are still pretty common and can be had for sub $300. I bought a hb m10 last year for $275 with holster wear, and incredibly, a lovely m10 pencil barrel that is almost unmarred except for a faint turn line not even through the bluing....for $205. I keep seeing bobbed dao m64's for sale for $275 online.
I have bought two zasteva ez9's for less than $250 each the last few years, and those were incredible handguns for the money, and dirt cheap because nobody knows what they are, it seems.
And as a closer, hi point. Because it will go bang for $100 unless you are one of the unlucky few that got a dead hi point.
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Zaydok Allen
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Stoegar Cougar represents a really good value in my book, but in general, I think you do get what you pay for.
WardenWolf
member
I paid $160 for my carry piece, a Polish P-64, and it genuinely is a good gun. On the other hand, some people have paid $500 for high-dollar pocket guns from Beretta and the like, only to discover they crack slides and frames, and have other problems.
Ultimately, the answer is really, "Do your research". There's plenty of high-dollar turds and low-dollar gems. Pretty much the only big-name company out there that hasn't produced at least one total turd is Ruger. Yes, they've had a few minor recalls, but they haven't had any outright failures. You can't really point to anything they've made (aside from their older Red Label shotguns) and say "This is a bad product. Stay away from it."
Ultimately, the answer is really, "Do your research". There's plenty of high-dollar turds and low-dollar gems. Pretty much the only big-name company out there that hasn't produced at least one total turd is Ruger. Yes, they've had a few minor recalls, but they haven't had any outright failures. You can't really point to anything they've made (aside from their older Red Label shotguns) and say "This is a bad product. Stay away from it."
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Madcap_Magician
Member
Most of the Bersa guns, but particularly the BP9CC.
S&W M&Ps. Mainstream, but directly comparable to the SA XD and the Glocks, yet somehow $50-100 cheaper.
Sig Pro SP2022.
Taurus 709.
S&W M&Ps. Mainstream, but directly comparable to the SA XD and the Glocks, yet somehow $50-100 cheaper.
Sig Pro SP2022.
Taurus 709.
armedaccountant
Member
When I was shopping for a carry gun I was planning on spending $600-$800. Then someone put a SR40C in my hand. Not saying it will be great for everyone, but it fit MY and I liked the trigger. Bud's Gun Shop has them for around $400 free shipping now. I think it is an excellent value.
CajunBass
Member
If you're talking new guns, I can't help you. It's been so long since I even looked at a new gun, I don't even know what they sell for these days.
I always go straight to the used case to find what I'm looking for. Since I'm a revolver guy, that's what I usually look for. Smith & Wesson Model 10's, Colt Official Police, and older Taurus 38/357's are some I've seen and purchased recently for less than $400.00 certainly...In many cases under $350.00. A couple of months ago I bought this Taurus 65 for about $300.00. A darn nice gun IMHO. K-Frame size, six shots, 4" barrel, 357 Magnum.
Since this is the semi-auto section, I'll add this one. A FEG "Hungarian Hi-Power" 9mm, for $350.00 a few weeks ago. I don't buy many semi's but I couldn't pass on this one.
I'd call them bargans.
I always go straight to the used case to find what I'm looking for. Since I'm a revolver guy, that's what I usually look for. Smith & Wesson Model 10's, Colt Official Police, and older Taurus 38/357's are some I've seen and purchased recently for less than $400.00 certainly...In many cases under $350.00. A couple of months ago I bought this Taurus 65 for about $300.00. A darn nice gun IMHO. K-Frame size, six shots, 4" barrel, 357 Magnum.
Since this is the semi-auto section, I'll add this one. A FEG "Hungarian Hi-Power" 9mm, for $350.00 a few weeks ago. I don't buy many semi's but I couldn't pass on this one.
I'd call them bargans.
weblance
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I paid $185, new, for my Taurus PLY-22. Its an exceptional little 22 pistol. I paid $340 for my mint Ruger P97 45acp. It also is excellent. The P series Ruger 45s can be had in the low $300s, used. You can spend alot more money, but you wont find a better 45.
justice06rr
Member
Its already been mentioned, but some of the best bargain yet quality pistols are from Ruger and Smith&Wesson. IMO the best bargains would be:
- S&W SD9/40 and Sigma series
- Ruger P95/LC9/LCP
I'm sure there are a few others, but those above are American made and known to be decent quality
- S&W SD9/40 and Sigma series
- Ruger P95/LC9/LCP
I'm sure there are a few others, but those above are American made and known to be decent quality
toivo
Member
IMO, the most handgun you can get for the money is a CZ-82 for autoloaders or a S&W Model 10 (or 64) for revolvers, both used, both under $300 last time I checked. That's a bargain for a first-class, time-tested service handgun.
The CZ is sort-of "current production" in that there's a .380 version commercially available that shares most parts with its milsurp brother, and the Model 10 is also still in production, although a new one will set you back far more than a security guard turn-in.
If you're talking strictly new, look at Bersa and (dare I say it?) Kel-Tec. Kel-Tecs are inconsistent, but there are plenty of good ones out there. My personal experience is thumbs-up on the P32 and thumbs-down on the PF9, but I'm sure there are folks out there whose experience differs from mine.
The CZ is sort-of "current production" in that there's a .380 version commercially available that shares most parts with its milsurp brother, and the Model 10 is also still in production, although a new one will set you back far more than a security guard turn-in.
If you're talking strictly new, look at Bersa and (dare I say it?) Kel-Tec. Kel-Tecs are inconsistent, but there are plenty of good ones out there. My personal experience is thumbs-up on the P32 and thumbs-down on the PF9, but I'm sure there are folks out there whose experience differs from mine.
jason41987
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cheap pistol i like a lot is the beretta, now stoeger cougar.. beretta moved all their machines for the cougar to their stoeger factory to keep making them under the stoeger name.. so same handgun, lower price.. like $400 brand new
snooperman
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Handguns , in general , are a much better bargain today than 50 years ago. One reason is there are more guns available in a wider variety of designs because more people are in the marketplace. There are better designs with better manufacturing methods. 50 years ago one had to work more hours to pay for a gun than today. There are some excellent bargains in used guns today that should not be overlooked. I just bought a S&W 5903 9mm 3rd gen in great shape for $350. They are excellent guns for the money and are very reliable. You can find them in 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP, in that price range.
gc70
Member
Blade First said:
While you usually get what you pay for, there will always be special circumstances. Two such pistols have already been mentioned - the Sig SP2022 and the Stoeger Cougar 8000.
In 2004, the Beretta Cougar 8000 had an MSRP of $800. In 2005, Beretta introduced the PX4 Storm, which is essentially a polymer-framed descendent of the Cougar. Beretta transferred production of the Cougar to Turkey and marketing to its Stoeger subsidiary. Today, the Stoeger Cougar 8000 has an MSRP of $469.
In 2005, Sig introduced the SP2022, which was a descendent of its SP2009/SP2340 commercial pistols as built for a quarter-million-unit French contract. The 2005 MSRP for the SP2022 was $640; today, the MSRP is $570.
rockhopper46038
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He's a third (or fourth, or fifth) plug for the Caniks. And the SP2022 is really solid; I wish I had bought 10 of them back when you could get them through a Slickguns link for $349.
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