Cheapest handgun you would consider using

[bigfatdave]

Many trips to the range, and no failures, what's to fail on a revolver?

junk under the extractor star
delicate precise clockwork that maintains timing and alignment/lockup
squibs
sideways blast from the cylinder gap

Revolver failures are NOT impossible, and generally result in a complete stoppage rather than an easily-cleared malfunction of some kind
The way I see it you have more frequent malfunctions that aren't impossible to clear with an autoloader, and less frequent harder-to-remedy stoppages in a wheelgun
... I'll take the ones I have a chance to rectify, but I can understand the appeal of less external controls and a more simple appearing mechanism

Take that sideplate off some time or start thinking about all the things that have to be just right to get that chamber lined up behind the barrel and locked into place, the revolver is not a "simpler" device - because it uses many chambers and only one barrel, it must repeatedly break and re-make that alignment, in addition to extracting spent rounds and accepting fresh ones with nothing but finger pressure.

 

[MCgunner]

Hell, there was a point in my life when all I had was a 50 dollar RG26 in .25ACP and a 50 dollar brass frame '51 Colt Navy replica. They were both reliable, but I couldn't hit squat with 'em past 10 feet. I finally got a Security Six, my first SERIOUS defensive handgun, and it was accurate enough that I learned to shoot it rather well with a lot of practice which the Ruger held up to. I carried the .25 for the longest when I felt the need, though. There was no legal concealed carry in Texas at the time and there was not really a choice that was much better, but that gun kept me from getting mugged by a guy with a knife, once. Paid for itself in spades right there. I didn't have to fire, fortunately. There are a lot more choices now and I have a CHL, thanks to Governor GW Bush. Queen Ann had vetoed our previous carry law attempt and she paid for it in 1992's elections. With all the laws for shall issue, all of a sudden, .380s the size of my .25 were on the market. I picked up my license, my Kel Tec P11, and my Taurus 85SSUL (traded in a Ruger P95 for that one) all in 1996. None of these weapons is a 2500 dollar semi custom, but they work as they shood. The KT and the Taurus are danged accurate as well as reliable.

The previously mentioned Radom P64 and most of the eastern bloc 9x18 firing guns are the REAL bargains out there now days. That P64 was under 200 bucks, 100 percent reliable, and 3" at 25 yards accurate. I mean, I just don't see how you can get any better in a pocket gun for three times the price. Oh, you could get a better out of the box trigger, but the Wolff spring kit fixed it. And, well, I do prefer my Kel Tec, lighter, almost as accurate, and more powerful. But, hey, it was 60 dollars more. LOL

Any of these, the Taurus revolver, the Kel Tec 9, or the Radom are effective and don't break most budgets. I mean, if you can't afford a 175 dollar CZ82 or P64, you probably need to think about affording food or the rent first. I'm thinkin' 175 bucks iin today's dollars is probably no more than 50 dollars in 1974 when i bought that RG26. And, man, it's a HELLUVA lot more weapon!

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, I had a Smith M10 crack the forcing cone which tied up the cylinder. I had a broken firing pin on a Rossi 971. Revolvers CAN break. Of course, I had a magazine release spring break on a Ruger KP90DC and recently, an extractor broke on my Kel Tec P11. None of these incidents was a big deal, but it might have been given I wasn't just shooting practice at the range, but in a social encounter of the worst kind. THIS is why I have a back up of some kind on me and sometimes I carry two when I am carrying a belt gun.

 

[harmon rabb]

would feel pretty well armed with a cz-82, which can be purchased under 200 these days. but i see that JG has some trade-in 38spl taurus revolvers for 150. would trust one of those as well, although personally between the two would much prefer a cz-82.

i guess if we want to go the ultimate in cheap, i would trust a nagant revolver, which runs about 90-100 these days, to go bang and send a bullet generally where the barrel is pointed. but the DA trigger is so god awful i wouldn't expect to be hitting much past 10-15ft in DA. would still much rather have one than, say, a sharp stick though.

 

[harmon rabb]

I agree life and limb are pricesless, but this question for me was along the lines of, if you were impoverished, had extremely small amounts of spare money, what would you get? One of the arguments for "Saturday Night Specials" (and I really dislike that term for inexpensive sidearms) is that eveyone, even the poor, have the right to defend themselves.

A makarov. Most reliable of the 9x18 family, cheap parts, easiest to replace parts. The cz-82 is a better shooter, but if all I'm going to be able to afford for a long time is one of them, would go with the mak.

 

[sarge83]

PA63, goes bang every time, is accurate and very shootable once the springs are changed. Either that of one of my Makarovs.

 

[thecarfarmer]

I'd give the PA-63 a thumbs-up, too. Mine has been rock solid reliable (closing towards 1k rounds that I've shot thru it), except for when I put in a lighter hammer spring, and had light strikes on the primer. Good little gun for $125!

I'd recommend replacing the recoil spring on any PA-63; I think it makes it much, much more pleasant to shoot.

As far as ammo availability, I've started loading my own, and I paint the brass so I can recognize it from all the 9 parabellum at the range (and the paint hasn't jammed up on the face of the slide, the ejector mechanism, or in the chamber... so far, so good).

I just bought a FN model 1906 (similar to the later "Baby Browning"); the gun seems reliable (only have 100 or so down the pipe); is a JMB design made by a reputable company. Price $250 private sale. The downsides are the .25ACP cartridge isn't a real powerhouse, and the sights are 'vestiges' rather than being big enough to see. But, if I had to have a deep, deep conceal gun, I expect that it'd probably be mechanically reliable.

I haven't shot a Hi Point; am interested in doing so, so that I can have a more informed opinion of 'em. If they will repeatedly feed ammo, fire where they're aimed and eject the spent brass, then I'd be happy to own one.

But I wouldn't want to bet my survival on a Phoenix P-51... piece of junk. DAMHIK

-Bill

 

[harmon rabb]

I'd give the PA-63 a thumbs-up, too. Mine has been rock solid reliable (closing towards 1k rounds that I've shot thru it), except for when I put in a lighter hammer spring, and had light strikes on the primer. Good little gun for $125!

I'd recommend replacing the recoil spring on any PA-63; I think it makes it much, much more pleasant to shoot.

As far as ammo availability, I've started loading my own, and I paint the brass so I can recognize it from all the 9 parabellum at the range (and the paint hasn't jammed up on the face of the slide, the ejector mechanism, or in the chamber... so far, so good).

I just bought a FN model 1906 (similar to the later "Baby Browning"); the gun seems reliable (only have 100 or so down the pipe); is a JMB design made by a reputable company. Price $250 private sale. The downsides are the .25ACP cartridge isn't a real powerhouse, and the sights are 'vestiges' rather than being big enough to see. But, if I had to have a deep, deep conceal gun, I expect that it'd probably be mechanically reliable.

I haven't shot a Hi Point; am interested in doing so, so that I can have a more informed opinion of 'em. If they will repeatedly feed ammo, fire where they're aimed and eject the spent brass, then I'd be happy to own one.

But I wouldn't want to bet my survival on a Phoenix P-51... piece of junk. DAMHIK

-Bill

I'd trust anything in 9x18, good point. Perhaps "whatever the cheapest pistol in 9x18 i can find" would be a simpler answer. It's somewhat uncommon I think for a bunch of poor satellite countries of that era all developing reliable yet different sidearms. I wonder if the soviets had a standard set of tests they required the satellite nation's pistols to pass or something.

 

[roninrlm]

Whats The "CHEAPEST" handgun I would ues to defend myeself-----You gotta ask yourself "WHATS MY LIFE WORTH"?

I personaly use a Glock 9mm with TWO 32 shot mags by the bed.

Ronin

 

[lonestardiver]

Government 1911 (Norinco) ($350)
3.5" barrel 1911 (built from auto ordinance parts frame and slide, chip McCormick, Wilson, and Clark internals) ($400)
Firestar 9mm ($200)
Model 66 stainless .357 4" ($250)
Taurus snubbie .357 bobbed hammer, ported barrel (freebie)
Used to have a Charter Arms Bulldog Pug in .44spl paid $60 sold for $300

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Nagant Revolvers can still be had for around $100. The ammo is kinda pricey, though. I just added one of these antiques to my collection. It's really pretty cool. And if I was attacked whilst holding this gun in my hand, I would attempt to defend myself with it!

 

[Shadow 7D]

It's up to you to deceide what you want to carry
that said, surplus guns, guns that were designed for hard service
may be inexpensive, but rarely cheap.
compare that to a RG (sorry but, no) or a Zymak cast gun,
they work, but I wouldn't put them up for a torture test, unless it's a Hi-point
they just rock, and weigh more than a rock, and have decent customer service

That said, I find there are guns that are less expensive like the above surplus pistol that better fulfill the requirements for a carry gun.

 

[harmon rabb]

Nagant Revolvers can still be had for around $100. The ammo is kinda pricey, though. I just added one of these antiques to my collection. It's really pretty cool. And if I was attacked whilst holding this gun in my hand, I would attempt to defend myself with it!

Nagant revolvers can take 32s&w, 32s&w long, and 32h&r mag. you're not limited to the nagant ammo. For defense, I'd find the best 32mag jhp's I could. I bet hornady and some others make modern defense loads for it.

 

[Shadow 7D]

What about the .327mags?

 

[Rocketmedic]

No, too much pressure.

 

[skidder]

what is the cheapest handgun that you would consider viable for defending yourself.

Picked up this beater for $90 six months ago. Llama/Ruby 38. Can I trust it? So fare so good, it shoots like a champ, and since it's a Smith copy-cat I can use Smith parts if needed. So far the grips and yoke screw are the same as the k-frame.
I would trust this gun more than some of the new ones being pumped out. I'm done sending new guns back to the factory for repairs. From now on I'm buying used.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

p-64 for $165.00.

 

[Analogkid]

Ditto on the Nagants... I have a few here and there around the house in handi safes.

All Loaded with 32H&R.

Next up would be the Wifes 380 Hi-point. She has ran so many rounds through it that i would for sure feel comfortable using. Even eats JHP's with no issue.

Then the two VMAC9 models I would for sure use. The Carbine flat out rocks. I love it!
No Problem using JHP's in either of them the carbine or the pistol.

But if the zombies are coming.... My Dan Wessons are on my hips..and all my SNS guns are going to arm the neighborhood they all run enough to be trustworthy.

 

[Fishslayer]

I got this S&W about 6 months ago and had 150 bucks in it.

At $150 that ain't cheap. That's STOLEN! Nice snag.

If I couldn't find a $150 S&W I would not feel unarmed with a High Point. They're definitely cheap and have a pretty solid rep for reliabilty.

 

[jrdolall]

I have a Jennings 9 mm that has never failed to fire with several boxes of ammo run through it. It is not very accurate, ugly, and heavy but at 15 feet I would feel confident that I could hit someone. I paid $50 cash for it in the box with 2 12 round mags and a lock so it was a good buy despite all the negative comments I read about the line.
I also have a Hi-Point 9 mm that is very dependable and is relatively accurate at 25 feet. It fires cheap FMJ rounds and quality HP rounds equally well. Heavy and ugly but it is a great truck gun and cost $139 at a local gun show.

 

[jj1962hemi]

I've handled and fired an FIE Titan in .25 ACP that wouldn't make it through a six-shot clip on Winchester Silvertips and wouldn't trust it.

I've had good luck with Tuarus products and have seen Model 82s for $150 used and Model 85s for $200 new that I would trust. I'd put 100 rounds of +P ammo through each before I gained confidence though. Regarding semi-autos v. revolvers, I think jamming is a greater risk than mechanical/tolerance problems and would lean toward a revolver while shopping on the lower end of ths cost continuum.

I've always wanted a Nagant, but thought you could only fire .32 Nagant, or .32 ACP if you ordered and fitted a different cylinder.

In a pinch, anything that fires is better than nothing.

 

[gyvel]

Right you are, bernie. But I don't think everyone is connected with the meaning of the meaning of the words "limited means"..

At the risk of sounding very cynical, it has been my observation time after time that the so-called "poor" always seem to have enough money to buy cigarettes and booze, and rent DVDs.

 

[Don357]

It depends on your definition of the word "cheap". If your meaning is inexpensive, I have a RG66 .22 single action that I would not hesitate to use/carry and have carried. If your meaning is quality, I'd have to say the same RG66. So many people are "gun snobs" and don't even realize it. Low price does not always equate to low quality/unreliability. If I can get an Armscor that will do the same job as a Kimber, or a FEG PA-63 that will do the same job as a Walther PPK, you do the math.

 

[KenW.]

Correct you are gyvel. Today's poor have cell phones, satelite TV, iPods, stocked liquer cabinets, go on cruises, and wear designer clothes. i'm tired of hearing about how the economy is bad...

Back to the topic; the cheapest gun I'd use is a free one, depending on the use; range, defense, or decoration?

 

[partricp]

I have a CZ-52 that I paid under $100 for a couple years ago. I'd be confident until I had to reload. The foolish mag release on the bottom never works too well. It rings the hell out of the plates on the Texas star and dueling tree though.