i bought a walther model 7 for 170 dollars. the dealer told me he was giving me $100 off because it was missing a part. he really was it was $270 a few weeks before. turns out that the recoil spring was on backwards. as in the second picture
Biggest Handgun Surprise in a Pleasant way?
- Thread starter tinygnat219
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evan price
Member
S&W 10-8 heavy barrel. Paid $219 for it, and it turned out when I got it home discovered it had had maybe 100 rounds through it in its life. Took it out shooting, and the first 6 shots were a raggedy hole in the center of the 10-ring of the target at 25 feet.
Haven't been able to duplicate that, since.
Haven't been able to duplicate that, since.
loop
Member
My biggest surprise, on the pleasant side, was an EAA Witness in .45. I had a few guns with me, but it turned out all I had that could complete the course of fire (not enough rounds) with the mags I brought was an EAA.
I had not won an IDPA match in my class in more than a year. I won six straight with the EAA. I was about to drop several hundred dollars into the low-end gun when my wife suggested I upgrade.
I bought an EAA (Tanfoglio) Elite Match and won five-of-six matches (I was real sick and came in second on the one I did not win).
From years without even placing in IDPA to winning every match? Best $300 I ever spent.
I already sold that original gun that got me started with the Tanfoglios. But, no one has enough money to buy the one that is my current carry gun.
I had not won an IDPA match in my class in more than a year. I won six straight with the EAA. I was about to drop several hundred dollars into the low-end gun when my wife suggested I upgrade.
I bought an EAA (Tanfoglio) Elite Match and won five-of-six matches (I was real sick and came in second on the one I did not win).
From years without even placing in IDPA to winning every match? Best $300 I ever spent.
I already sold that original gun that got me started with the Tanfoglios. But, no one has enough money to buy the one that is my current carry gun.
tinygnat219
Member
HM2PAC,
I am trying not to ruin yet another keyboard with Diet Coke. Good one!
I am trying not to ruin yet another keyboard with Diet Coke. Good one!
tinygnat219
Member
There are some nice ones here. I especially like the 100 dollar discount on the recoil spring being backward.
I got a Phoenix HP-22 for a fair deal; thought it would be a good gift for a new shooter friend of mine. I ended up keeping it. It's not jammed except for the time another new shooter didn't seat the mag all the way, and it seems to be able to do somewhere around paper plate at 25 yards.
biblefreak
Member
Glock 26. I was inbetween a 26 and a Smith lightweight snubby. Came across a good deal after selling off a 19-3 and have been quite impressed. Accurate, easy to shoot even with a dangling pinky and super easy to conceal. My 1911 has my heart, but that little 26 holds a special place..........in my holster!!!!
dagger dog
Member
Bought a Beretta mdl 21A .22 long rifle, barrel can't be over an inch and a half long, sights if you want to call them that, are so small I have to feel for them to tell they are there. Belly gun for sure, NOT, this thing is amazing, squinting real hard, and sandbagging the little bugger it will print some 2" groups at the first berm at the range where I shoot 10 yds or s
nce I learned how to point shoot it tin cans scream mercy, and the thing won't jam, digests any ammo but it has a preference for standard velocity Agulia Super Extra an Ely primed sub sonic round.
For under $200.00 a superb little pocket pistol.
nce I learned how to point shoot it tin cans scream mercy, and the thing won't jam, digests any ammo but it has a preference for standard velocity Agulia Super Extra an Ely primed sub sonic round.For under $200.00 a superb little pocket pistol.
My father in law is really into milsurps and bought a Makarov. I looked at it like it was worse than a SNS. I shot it and was truly impressed. I ended up buying one. For $80 how can you say no? The funny part was when I went to buy mine he went with me and bought a Nagant revolver. He will not be getting me to buy one of those.
TehK1w1
Member
Nagants are fun, and if you shoot one in DA you are exercising as well My Makarov would definitely be it for me-I can't make it malfunction...
My Makarov would definitely be it for me-I can't make it malfunction...skinewmexico
Member
Either my used CZ 75 from CDNN for $169, or my Star BM for $129. Probably the Star, it's a better shooter. Too bad it doesn't have a cool motto like HK.
Hawk
Member
STI VIP.
It's a surprise because I don't care for polymer, untraditional guide rods, 60.00 magazines, matt finishes, large slide markings or 1911 mutant pistols in calibers other than .45. The VIP has all these things and remains my favorite.
That's a surprise.
At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, (and it'd probably be an accurate accusation), it did everything so well I haven't bought another semi-auto since. This has allowed me to go play in the revolver forum (hadn't owned a wheelgun in 25 years) which has proven to be great fun.
It's a surprise because I don't care for polymer, untraditional guide rods, 60.00 magazines, matt finishes, large slide markings or 1911 mutant pistols in calibers other than .45. The VIP has all these things and remains my favorite.
That's a surprise.
At the risk of sounding like a fanboy, (and it'd probably be an accurate accusation), it did everything so well I haven't bought another semi-auto since. This has allowed me to go play in the revolver forum (hadn't owned a wheelgun in 25 years) which has proven to be great fun.
Phonetic Diabetic
Member
I read so much about CDNN, but when I went to their site, it says they don't sell guns on the internet. Bummer!
possum
Member
the biggest suprise for me was and is my ruger p345, $369 otd and it is the most accurate handgun that i own.
Sig 239. My brother bought a very used one for $390, and I thought it would shoot ok. I mean, it doesn't exactly have the best sight radius for good shooting, but boy howdy. First time out I had 2" groups at 50 feet. I can only occasionally match that with my ruger 22/45.
modifiedbrowning
Member
Bersa Thunder 9 Ultracompact. I liked it so much that I bought a Thunder 9 Fullsize and then a Firestorm Mini-9 (made by Bersa and the same as a Thunder 9 except a rounded trigger guard). Then I bought a Firestorm .22 with a 6" barrel and it is now one of my favorite pistols as long as I shoot high velocity ammo through it (CCI Minimags), Federal doesn't work.
My daily CCW is Bersa Thunder 9 Ultracompact. They go bang everytime and have very nice triggers after some break in.
My daily CCW is Bersa Thunder 9 Ultracompact. They go bang everytime and have very nice triggers after some break in.
janobles14
Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2008
- Messages
- 1,095
ruger p944 special edition. less than 300 bucks and shoots better than any $1000 dollar gun i own.
Tom Fury
Member
Best surprises
Police trade (San Antonio Sheriff's?) S&W 4506 I bought actually for a parts gun; discovered it had been lightly stroked in the trigger dept. and was by far more accurate than the gun it had been bought to source parts for; which was no slouch in and of itself. 4506's grow on you.
Kimber Custom Aluminum Stainless; 1st Gen. Came in the shop in trade for a 686; I really wanted a 640, was looking for a summer (close to sweaty body) gun that was small and stainless, or alloy stainless. Couldn't find one without the lock; Price was very right for an employee, and when I took it to the range; WOW! ate everything and grouped very small.
Very Pleasant surprise. Changed my outlook on Kimbers.
Cheers, TF
Police trade (San Antonio Sheriff's?) S&W 4506 I bought actually for a parts gun; discovered it had been lightly stroked in the trigger dept. and was by far more accurate than the gun it had been bought to source parts for; which was no slouch in and of itself. 4506's grow on you.
Kimber Custom Aluminum Stainless; 1st Gen. Came in the shop in trade for a 686; I really wanted a 640, was looking for a summer (close to sweaty body) gun that was small and stainless, or alloy stainless. Couldn't find one without the lock; Price was very right for an employee, and when I took it to the range; WOW! ate everything and grouped very small.
Very Pleasant surprise. Changed my outlook on Kimbers.
Cheers, TF
GBExpat
Member
Polish TT-33
For quite awhile I saw them advertised on websites like SOG for ~$140 and the looked rather odd & unlovely to me ... until I finally bought one.
I was delighted! It is thin, light, comfortable and quite accurate ... and it doesn't look quite as odd & unlovely to me any more.
Unfortunately, my purchase occurred AFTER the gobs of $140 Polish TT-33s had been sold, otherwise, I would have a pile of them right now.
I have, however, been able to acquire a second Polish TT-33 and 3 Soviet TT-33s since, all of them for very good prices ... just had to keep a lookout for the bargains.
For quite awhile I saw them advertised on websites like SOG for ~$140 and the looked rather odd & unlovely to me ... until I finally bought one.
I was delighted! It is thin, light, comfortable and quite accurate ... and it doesn't look quite as odd & unlovely to me any more.
Unfortunately, my purchase occurred AFTER the gobs of $140 Polish TT-33s had been sold, otherwise, I would have a pile of them right now.
I have, however, been able to acquire a second Polish TT-33 and 3 Soviet TT-33s since, all of them for very good prices ... just had to keep a lookout for the bargains.
CHEVELLE427
Member
cia 850, XD40
I was thoroughly amazed at the accuracy of the little 3in barrel of my XD .40 subcompact as well. BOTH my XD's i have are great.
this cia TITANIUM 38+P i picked up for $250
Liked my XD45 so much I traded my baby eagle 40 for a XD SUB COMPACT 40.
LIKE STATED ALREADY THE BABY EAGLE 40 was a super gun.
that is also why i kept the BABY EAGLE 45.
I was thoroughly amazed at the accuracy of the little 3in barrel of my XD .40 subcompact as well. BOTH my XD's i have are great.
this cia TITANIUM 38+P i picked up for $250
Liked my XD45 so much I traded my baby eagle 40 for a XD SUB COMPACT 40.
LIKE STATED ALREADY THE BABY EAGLE 40 was a super gun.
that is also why i kept the BABY EAGLE 45.
tinygnat219
Member
Nice!
Surprising how many times the Makarov is mentioned here.
Surprising how many times the Makarov is mentioned here.
20+ years ago I got an ODI Viking .45 with a Seecamp double action in a trade. Cool gun, stainless, ahead of it's time, and I couldn't hit a thing with it. Traded it for a round butt 2 1/2" S&W Model 19, what a gun!! Beautiful fit and finish and wicked accurate, no trouble hitting paint cans at 50 yds!
More recently I picked up a 4 5/8" .41mag Blackhawk for $200 . The gun looked new except the bore was a leaded up. Agood long scrubbing and plenty of elbow grease and she was ready to go.
Just a few weeks ago I bought a Beretta Mini Cougar 8000D 9mm from Bud's Gun Shop. It was used but supposed to be nice and had the original box, paperwork, mags, all for $368 shipped. I was leery buying used without seeing it in person but when it arrived it was, for all intents and purposes, brand new! It an absolute pleasure to shoot and I was able to buy original factory 15rd mags from Beretta for only $19.95. They also still had the sleeves that fill the space between the short grip and the long mag for $9 each. I love this gun, it has replaced my much larger and heavier M9 for duty carry plus it conceals very well with the short mag in it.
More recently I picked up a 4 5/8" .41mag Blackhawk for $200 . The gun looked new except the bore was a leaded up. Agood long scrubbing and plenty of elbow grease and she was ready to go.
Just a few weeks ago I bought a Beretta Mini Cougar 8000D 9mm from Bud's Gun Shop. It was used but supposed to be nice and had the original box, paperwork, mags, all for $368 shipped. I was leery buying used without seeing it in person but when it arrived it was, for all intents and purposes, brand new! It an absolute pleasure to shoot and I was able to buy original factory 15rd mags from Beretta for only $19.95. They also still had the sleeves that fill the space between the short grip and the long mag for $9 each. I love this gun, it has replaced my much larger and heavier M9 for duty carry plus it conceals very well with the short mag in it.
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