guntotinguy
Member
Bersa Thunder .380...not badly priced and reliable.Dont get me wrong,I love my P94,wouldnt trade it,sell it,etc,but the Bersa seems to me a more likely choice for a 'reasonable' amount.
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Cheap and reliable semi auto pistol?
- Thread starter G.A.Pster
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charliemopic
Member
At least one other poster suggested the CZ 52. I'll go on to say that the CZ 52 is one reliable pistol and mine is 100% reliable.
I have at least 3500 rounds of Romanian 7.62x25 FMJ milsurp I got from from Aimsurplus.com thru mine without a single gun related stoppage. I've had a few failure to fire because the ammo was bad but never a jam of any kind. I've also put 300 rounds of Wolf Gold hollow point thru it with no stoppages at all.
I'm thinking the bottle neck design of the 7.62x25 has much to do with how well it feeds. The 85 grain Wolf Gold hollow point expands well too.
I got my CZ 52 from a place called 'Black Bear Arms' in New Mexico. It's gray in color and came with a holster, 2 original 8 round CZ magazines, a lanyard and extra firing pin for $179 a few years ago.
I've heard about brittle firing pins but I havn't had any trouble with mine yet and it has been dry fired more than a few times.
Thanks
I have at least 3500 rounds of Romanian 7.62x25 FMJ milsurp I got from from Aimsurplus.com thru mine without a single gun related stoppage. I've had a few failure to fire because the ammo was bad but never a jam of any kind. I've also put 300 rounds of Wolf Gold hollow point thru it with no stoppages at all.
I'm thinking the bottle neck design of the 7.62x25 has much to do with how well it feeds. The 85 grain Wolf Gold hollow point expands well too.
I got my CZ 52 from a place called 'Black Bear Arms' in New Mexico. It's gray in color and came with a holster, 2 original 8 round CZ magazines, a lanyard and extra firing pin for $179 a few years ago.
I've heard about brittle firing pins but I havn't had any trouble with mine yet and it has been dry fired more than a few times.
Thanks
Cliff47
Member
I concur with the CZ, pick your flavor/caliber and enjoy. One of the best-kept secrets around. If you like 9mm and the Hi-Power design, look around for a used FM Hi-Power that was made in Argentina (under FN license preferably). Picked one up at a gunshop for under $225 a while back.
Tokarev pistols are still cheap and built like tanks. I should be a little wary of pushing the limits of the CZ-52 however. Clark, on this board has done a lot of research on them and the Tokarevs and concluded that the strength of the CZ-52 leaves a lot to be desired.
I am buying Tokarevs myself and shooting a lot of hot Czech smg ammo through it. Thinking of converting a barrel to 9x23 for fun and using it in the Tok. It is one strong pistol.
Have fun and be safe. What about posting a picture of your CZ-52?
Did I mention they were cheap? $179 for a new forged, not cast, pistol.
I am buying Tokarevs myself and shooting a lot of hot Czech smg ammo through it. Thinking of converting a barrel to 9x23 for fun and using it in the Tok. It is one strong pistol.
Have fun and be safe. What about posting a picture of your CZ-52?
Did I mention they were cheap? $179 for a new forged, not cast, pistol.
Hokkmike
Member
Bersa Thunder .380.
SlipperyShooter
Member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2007
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- 95
Taurus 24/7 Pro or Millenium Pro
One for target, one for concealed carry.
Nice little guns, and very inexpensive.
One for target, one for concealed carry.
Nice little guns, and very inexpensive.
telecaster1981
Member
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- Jan 8, 2006
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- 297
Don't listen to the nay-sayers. There are inexpensive, yet reliable autoloaders out there!
The only semi-auto pistol I've ever owned that's never had a malfunction of any kind is a Polish P-64. I put new (and different) springs in it before I ever fired a round, but I've got a total of $180 wrapped up in it and I may have payed too much! Either way, it's VERY accurate, totally reliable, and affordable as well. Oh, and it's way more sexy than any GLOCK!
Also, I've got a FEG Hi-Power that's been the most reliable of my three HPs, including a FN and Inglis. Paid $250. Check out the FM HPs too...I hear they're quite good!
In my experience, the CZ 52 isn't a bad way to go either. Mine's been 100% reliable and ammo is cheap. I will say, however, that my buddy and I were shooting our '52s on the range one day and his chucked the extractor into the back 40, never to be seen again.
I hear the CZ-82s are exceptional as well, and right at $200!
So, you have quite a few options!
The only semi-auto pistol I've ever owned that's never had a malfunction of any kind is a Polish P-64. I put new (and different) springs in it before I ever fired a round, but I've got a total of $180 wrapped up in it and I may have payed too much! Either way, it's VERY accurate, totally reliable, and affordable as well. Oh, and it's way more sexy than any GLOCK!
Also, I've got a FEG Hi-Power that's been the most reliable of my three HPs, including a FN and Inglis. Paid $250. Check out the FM HPs too...I hear they're quite good!
In my experience, the CZ 52 isn't a bad way to go either. Mine's been 100% reliable and ammo is cheap. I will say, however, that my buddy and I were shooting our '52s on the range one day and his chucked the extractor into the back 40, never to be seen again.
I hear the CZ-82s are exceptional as well, and right at $200!
So, you have quite a few options!
jcwit
member
CZ, Makorv, Hi-Point----Problem is alot of people can't equate cheap as in good value.
johnnyonthespot
Member
cz82
Rod B
Member
Another vote for the Tokarev TT33.
They are cheap & reliable, mine is more accurate than a pistol of this price has a right to be.
The 7.62 X 25 is a fun to shoot cartridge that packs a surprising wallop for it's size .
They are cheap & reliable, mine is more accurate than a pistol of this price has a right to be.
The 7.62 X 25 is a fun to shoot cartridge that packs a surprising wallop for it's size .
Confederate
Member
First, don't buy new.
Find a good, used S&W 659, 5906, 639, 645, or 4506—and you'll make out like a bandit. Don't know what people mean when they say pistols or revolvers. Some of the best pistols I ever had were revolvers!
If you went out today to buy a .357 mag revolver, you'd pay $500+ for a really decent one. But if you bought a good used (pristine) .357, you could get it for about $300. Autos are the same. Today's prices are outrageous when one considers what can be had on the used market.
Back in the 1980s, and before, there wasn't much difference between a new and used handgun if they were in great shape. And you could shoot a gun for a year or two and often sell it for more than you paid, depending on the demand.
Bersa has always made pistols that were a good value, but I'd rather have my S&W 645 auto than many of the $1K 1911s on the market. It's certainly more reliable than most 1911s out of the box.
I'd keep an eye out for a good 9mm or .45 auto. You can check Auctionarms.com, Gunbroker.com, GunsAmerica.com or just your local gun store. Many of the Internet auction outlets include a listing of licensed gun dealers in your area and the price they'd charge for transferring the gun (usually $25 or so). At a gun store, you're likely to pay a premium, but sometimes you can get a real bargain, especially if the dealer stands behind the guns they sell. Uh...figuratively speaking that is.
Find a good, used S&W 659, 5906, 639, 645, or 4506—and you'll make out like a bandit. Don't know what people mean when they say pistols or revolvers. Some of the best pistols I ever had were revolvers!
If you went out today to buy a .357 mag revolver, you'd pay $500+ for a really decent one. But if you bought a good used (pristine) .357, you could get it for about $300. Autos are the same. Today's prices are outrageous when one considers what can be had on the used market.
Back in the 1980s, and before, there wasn't much difference between a new and used handgun if they were in great shape. And you could shoot a gun for a year or two and often sell it for more than you paid, depending on the demand.
Bersa has always made pistols that were a good value, but I'd rather have my S&W 645 auto than many of the $1K 1911s on the market. It's certainly more reliable than most 1911s out of the box.
I'd keep an eye out for a good 9mm or .45 auto. You can check Auctionarms.com, Gunbroker.com, GunsAmerica.com or just your local gun store. Many of the Internet auction outlets include a listing of licensed gun dealers in your area and the price they'd charge for transferring the gun (usually $25 or so). At a gun store, you're likely to pay a premium, but sometimes you can get a real bargain, especially if the dealer stands behind the guns they sell. Uh...figuratively speaking that is.
macadore
Member
The 9mm Tokarevs are a bargain.
romma
Member
I think there are a lot of guns that fit that bill... The most choices cost effective would be .380...
When you jump to 9 milimeter, price/reliability, the price can jump a bit unless Keltec is an acceptable option...
That Stoeger Cougar sounds like a deal as well..
When you jump to 9 milimeter, price/reliability, the price can jump a bit unless Keltec is an acceptable option...
That Stoeger Cougar sounds like a deal as well..
High Planes Drifter
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- 1,204
I have no experience with the Tokerov's, so I wont comment on them.
Ruger P series handguns are great be sure to stick with reputable mags.
Makarovs are also very reliable handguns. I have owned one for years and have ye tto have a jam.
Ruger P series handguns are great be sure to stick with reputable mags.
Makarovs are also very reliable handguns. I have owned one for years and have ye tto have a jam.
tacmedicp94
Member
All metal- Ruger P-series
Plastic- New model S&W Sigma
Plastic- New model S&W Sigma
Quoheleth
Member
You look around you can find a Taurus PT92 for @ $200 or so. Even Taurus bashers will admit this model gives excellent service. Older ones don't have the crummy-looking rail, giving it cleaner lines. Comes in 9mm (model 92 or 99) or .40 (model 100 or 101), blued or stainless. Big, all-steel, and a horse.
Q
Q
thunder173
Member
I have 3 Bersa's, A Thunder .380,...a .22 LR on the same platform,...and a Mini Thunder in 45 ACP....all shoot well for me, ....Would I buy another one?? Yup. Are they really pretty, well finished expensive guns?? Nope. Do I care if I scratch one up? Nope. Do they work and go bang when I pull the trigger?? Yes,...and they ALL have,... without fail. They hit where I point too, which is always a good thing......the ONLY complaint I have is that they come with ONE mag,...and spares are expensive.
P97
Member
All the P-Series Rugers are great guns. I think the P90 is the top of the line. 
PhillyGlocker
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- Oct 28, 2006
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- 235
Websters defintion of reliable ----> Glock.
chupacabrah
Member
Nasty, how do you like that? is it thin enough for CCW? I've been eyeing those recently...
cheap reliable auto pisto
I would have to vouch for the ruger as well. Eats anything I put through it and never had one failure. I have the SR9 and it it wonderful. It's a **** to load the magazine by hand but once its full you have 17 rounds enough to make swiss cheese out of anything coming your way. Only 456.00 retail. For less than 500 bucks it cant be beat.
I would have to vouch for the ruger as well. Eats anything I put through it and never had one failure. I have the SR9 and it it wonderful. It's a **** to load the magazine by hand but once its full you have 17 rounds enough to make swiss cheese out of anything coming your way. Only 456.00 retail. For less than 500 bucks it cant be beat.
I'd say look around for a used, good condition P-series Ruger. Rock solid reliable,and tough enough to take abuse of the +P loads. I picked up a used P89 last week for $325 in mint condition with case and 2-15 round mags. I got out the door with a set of Hogue grips,the Ruger with 2 mags,a spare mag,and a box of CCI FMJ 115gr for under $400.
JL
JL
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