The next four people who respond to this will ask the same question...so here it is, "What do you want it for?" It might be cheap but if it doesn't fill your needs, price doesn't matter. (Car analogy: A Ford Festiva might be a good cheap car...unless you need a vehicle to haul 1,000 pounds of mulch, or bales of hay or bricks for a patio...it ain't the truck you really need.)
Range fun and plinking, bedside/home defense pistol, carry gun, target work, walk in the woods protection, etc.??? You get the idea.
For me, while price is a concern, I wouldn't ask what's the cheapest, but what's the best value. How do I spend my money wisely and end up with the best firearm for the purpose I need it for that I can afford?
A couple of years ago I decided that Smith and Wesson 39's and 59's were the best value out there. If I were going to say buy this gun or that one, I say look for a good solid S&W 5906, unless you want it for concealed carry.
It's solid, has great reputation for being dependable, holds a bunch of bullets, will always go bang when you pull the trigger, parts are readily available, the bullets go where you aim them, lots of smiths know their way around them, and they are still underpriced.
For a concealed gun, I'd say the S&W 908. All the same stuff but not as big and heavy. But a great value.
The Glock fan boys will arrive shortly and you'll hear that's the only gun to buy. It might be, but not for me. I've traded up over the years and now have Berettas, Sigs, Walthers, Smiths, and a beautiful Hi Power (and even a Lahti M40).
But starting out, for me, it was S&W, certain Taurus models (Pt 92 and 99 which are clones of the Beretta 92), and FEG for Browning Hi Power clones. Good guns, good value, and dependable.
Good luck with your search.
