Best handgun for under $100?

[JohnKSa]

Look for a Bulgarian Mak in nice condition (Should run about $100-$150 out the door) and buy a Pearce Rubber Grip for it (another $10.)

That will give you a nice looking gun (for $110 to $160) that is reliable and fun to shoot. If you've never tried the Pearce Grip, you'll be amazed at the difference it makes.

Either find or make a mag loader for her. Before you give the gun to her, dryfire it about 500 times to smooth out the trigger.

9mmMak Wolf ammo can be purchased quite reasonably and is perfectly suitable for use in the Mak.

 

[albanian]

The best gun for the money is the Star BM. They are miles ahead of the Mak or CZ-52 but cost about the same. They are 9mm Luger so they are powerful and cheap to shoot. There are many loads available and any place that sells pistol ammo will sell 9mm. Try finding 9x18mm or 7.62x25mm at Walmart or some small gunstore. They also have very good triggers, the Maks are not known for good triggers. The Star also looks and feels like a modern gun so it is a good trainer for guns that she may get in the future like a 1911. My Stars are more accurate by far than the Mak or CZ-52 I had.

I did have a CZ-70 that was quite accurate in SA but the trigger was not good and the slide may be hard for a lady to pull back. My wife couldn't pull it back and could barely pull the DA trigger with two fingers. The DA was really heavy but in SA I could hit bottle caps at 15 feet. Not bad for a small service pistol. I paid about $70 for it.

 

[tbeb]

"What do you think I'd expect to pay for a Star B/BM in a gun shop or show around the NW?"

I do not know. My book says $245 for a blue finish Star BM in excellent condition, and $208 for one in very good condition.

On 9/15, www.jgsales.com listed one in very good condition for $140. Shipping for one handgun is $17-$19. J&G would send it to your gun dealer, and you pay him a transfer fee. (My dealer charges $20, so I could have this gun for $177-$179.)

The Star BM is a good choice if you want a single action 9mm. Ammo is reasonable right now, and you can find it about anywhere. If you decide on this pistol, then you might first want to find out if someone can fix it if it breaks.

 

[joey93turbo]

Are Stars SA only?

 

[Mad Man]

About 10 years ago, I picked up a Ballester Molina for a little over $100. I have no idea what they're going for today, or if anybody has them available.

100% reliable, even with Remington Gold Saber hollowpoints. It was pretty accurate too, until the front sight fell off.

 

[wally]

Surplus Star BM guns

My book says $245 for a blue finish Star BM in excellent condition, and $208 for one in very good condition.

The ~140 Star BM guns are Spanish Police surplus, most have been shot little but carried a lot meaning they are in at best good standards by "book" grading.

The two I have are maybe 70-75% original finish, but shoot great. A little steel wool, elbow grease, and cold blue has them looking pretty decent. I think CAI (the importer) has done minor repairs when necessary to insure function out of the box, this also reduces any "collector value". Grips are usually marred and well worn.


Lots of gun show delears price them like they were in excellent condition and hope some sucker comes along (Easy to find at $250 at every gun show since they sit like rocks ). Other dealers look to move a decent quantity quicky and make their profit on the transfer fees. Know the price from places like J&G Sales, AIM Surplus, SOG etc. and look for one at a gun show priced under $40-50 above this floor. I got my first gun (with only one mag) from J&G Sales $140 + $20 shipping and $10 FFl transfer. Found the second at a small gun show for $145 + tax for $158 out the door with two mags.

I think you will have to go twice the price to get any other equal or better gun.

They are cocked and locked SA like a 1911.

--wally.

 

[obiwan1]

A friend of mine actually found a PPK .32 at a garage sale. Made an offer of $35 to the lady (a widow) who said "Sold!... I just want it out of here...". Why aren't I that lucky:banghead:

 

[DMK]

I'll have to throw in another vote for the Makarov.

1) The recoil isn't that bad, especially if you get the rubber Pierce grips for it from Makarov.com

2) They are generally one of the most reliable handguns you can buy for any amount of money.

3) 9x18 Ammo is cheap! www.dansammo.com

4) Mags are cheap! www.jgsales.com

5) You should be able to find a good Mak at any local gunshow for around $100 +/- $20

I own a Mak, a CZ-70 (just like the CZ-50), and a CZ-52. The Mak is without a doubt the most affordable, comfortable and easiest to shoot of the three. I love my CZ-52, but it is a real handful, has an akward grip angle and has awful sights. I would not recommend one for any inexperienced shooter.

 

[Mad Man]

Best handgun for under $100?

One of the girls I take shooting regularly wants a handgun for Christmas so I'm gonna buy one for her. Thing is, I dont have alot of money. She wants an autoloader and it will be her first gun. I need some recommendations. Under $100 please...

While we all have our opinions on this matter, is there anybody in the Portland area willing to give this guy a good deal on a handgun that meets his criteria?

If it adds another member to our ranks, wouldn't it be worth it?

 

[albanian]

Aim and other have the Star BM for $129. If you can find one for anywhere near this price, it is a great deal. I paid the $129 from AIM for two of them and then I had to pay shipping (~$25 for both) and FFL fee ($20 each). So the total for two BMs was $129 x 2 = $260 + $25 + $40 = $325 for two or about $165 each. I think that is a pretty good price considering what the dealer price is on them. I have heard of dealers selling them for less than $160-170 at shows and think if you come across one at $160 or less, it is a great deal. Mine came witht the clear plastic box, the original Spanish owners manual and two mags. Niether of mine looked all that bad, I would estimate about 80% on both of them. They have great triggers and shoot like target guns. I have been so impressed that I am on the lookout for more even though I have no use for additional BMs.

 

[Drakejake]

Makarov vs. CZ-52

The Makarov is a great little pistol and can be bought for a little over $100 C&R (not all of them). It is a good-looking pistol, small, light, easy to carry, accurate, soft-recoiling, and fun to shoot. The CZ-52 is cheaper but may require some aftermarket parts, such as a replacment firing pin. Recoil is surprisingly mild but the original trigger is heavy and gritty. I found the gun in its original state impossible to shoot accurately. Spend less than $50 on a replacement Harrington firing pin from Makarov.com and the CZ trigger pull improves substantially and the pistol becomes quite accurate. I consider the Makarov a practical, carriable handgun, while the CZ-52 is an enjoyable novelty to shoot for fun at the range.

Drakejake

 

[Bainx]

I would vote for the Mak also if you can step up the budget a little.
Mine was my first carry gun and now pulls duty as my truck gun.
Dead-nuts reliable.
Have also heard positive things about the Phoenix .22. NRA American Rifleman did an evaluation of this gun a few years ago and had basically good things to say about it.

Ross-Man, welcome aboard!

 

[Coronach]

Do this:

Give her a box. In it there is a note, to this effect:

"I want to buy you a handgun. Lets go shopping."

Then take her out, and let her pick the gun.

This gives you an immediate gift to give. This also gives you more time to save up money for something decent.

She gets to pick the weapon, which is a far more useful method of handgun selection than just figuring out what you can get for $100.

The real problem with this is that your selection is really limited for autoloaders at the $100 pricepoint. there just aren't many, and most of those that are there are total crap. The rest (Makarov, for example) may or may not be to her liking.

If someone just went out and bought you a gun, any gun, you'd likely be appreciative. But if someone allowed you to pick a gun and then payed for it, you'd like it more, I'm sure. What gun works for you is a personal choice. What seems like a good fit might not be seen that way by the recipient.

That Said (tm), I have bought a gun for someone, with no consultation. It was a Makarov, and it was for my father. He loves it. Of course, he is also not a novice shooter who could be developing bad habits from a poor-fit of a budget handgun (his bad habits are already well engrained, alas), and I knew that he liked my P232 (which has similar feel), insisted that a .22 revo was a perfectly fine CCW gun (sigh), and needed something that could withstand the tender care of Warsaw Pact conscript troops (sigh!). The Mak was perfect for him.

Mike

 

[sonar]

One of the girls

I would reduce the number of the girls, otherwise everythng even for less than $100 could be a big. big, big mess.

PP. A modest experiance: reasonable at that price I have seen Makarov only.

 

[Jason Demond]

A CZ50 or a CZ70, maybe. I don't know what they are going for nowdays.

 

[The_Antibubba]

Option #2

I think it's great that you want to get her this gun, but $100 is not realistic. $150, maybe. But a centerfire auto of any quality (besides mil-surp) for that price isn't likely to happen. For $100, you could probably find a decent used pump-action shotgun, .22 rifle, or mil-surp rifle.

If $100 is an absolute ceiling, get her a gift certificate at the range you go to, or a gun store. Frankly, if she's just one of the girls you're seeing, that is certainly generous enough. If you're more serious about her, and she's a nice girl, she won't have a problem with your lack of wealth.

Good luck.

 

[SAG0282]

I'm sure you don't want to hear it and have already, but a $100 is going to be a pretty poor investment. With your SIG, I know you have taste in pistols and I realize of course budgetary concerns.

But, on to the recommendation. Take a look at the newest issue of "Guns and Weapons of Law Enforcement". On page 34, they have a write-up on the .40S&W carbine and .380 handgun from Hi-Point. They have pretty decent things to say about it, ending it with;

If you would like to treat yourself to a .380ACP pistol that actually shoots and won't beat up your hands mercilessly, the $99 price tag is hard to pass up.

Just be glad you aren't me.....I have an agreement to buy a close friend a SIG P239 upon her 21st birthday.

 

[Rogerwilco]

Zastava mod 70 .32...$99 at Dansammo...better getum quick...BATF just stopped all imports on this pistol.

 

[bnolsen]

You're best bet would be to give her a $100 "gift certificate" towards a pistol purchase.

THEN take her to a range that allows pistols to be rented, fire the Mak, CZ52, Bersa, etc. Let her make the decision and let her decide how much more she wants to kick in to get what she wants.

At that point she can't blame you for a crappy pistol, and she also won't go crazy buying something she can't afford.

 

[Del3030k]

If I were dating multiple girls at the same time, I sure wouldn't want to arm any of them!!!

I second the notion that you shouldn't rush into this and get something you don't know about.

Save up for the Sig or whatever else you or she REALLY wants. You will be happier in the end.

Check out CDNN for great deals on Police trade ins, you can find Sig's and Glocks under $400. You will need to download their newest catalog to see the guns, they are not on the web page

http://www.cdnninvestments.com/

Keith

 

[Michael_2112]

Under $100?

I have to concur with what has already been said. I don't think you will find anything worthwhile under $100.00.

My top choices would be:

Makarov
Star
Bersa/Firestorm .380

I'm not sure what the Bersa runs these days, but I paid $180 NIB out the door. Which is more then your looking to spend, but certainly worth the extra money. The only thing to also keep in mind though, is that the Bersa is a blowback designed .380.


I know you said auto, but for $200 and under might be able to find a servicable revolver.


Mike