darnit, I cant decide which gun to get..

Status
Not open for further replies.

ruger270man

Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2005
Messages
424
Location
Erie, PA
okay, I need a cheap handgun to tide me over until I can afford a P-01..

It will be for carry and range use, probably once or twice a week at the range..

choices:

Bulgarian Makarov 9x18 $130
shgbmakpop.jpg



Star BM 9mm $140
shgstarbmpop.jpg



Bersa Thunder .380 $170
25381.jpg



Zastava Md. 70 .32 $110
shgzm70pop.jpg



What are pros/cons of each? What are ammo prices/availability like for each? reliability, ease of takedown, accuracy, recoil, parts availability, etc? What would you choose?

Any other guns you recommend, around the price range of these? What about the CZ52?

Thanks
 
Well I don't know much about the guns in question, but I do know that it cost about the same to feed a .40cal and a .380cal. As far a cheap to feed - go with the 9mm. That being said this would be my line of choice.

Star
Bersa
Mak
Zastava

Because I've handled the Star and like them, plus they're cheap to feed. Second I've handle the Bersa and liked them, but they are a little more to feed, but they are smaller. Overall I think between the two the Star would be more fun to shoot.

I've head good things about the Maks but I don't like the grip angle, and finally I have never heard of a Zastava.

Good luck.
 
I like my Mak a lot, it's very easy to shoot accurately, surprisingly, and fun, as long as it has the rubber pearce grips on it, the plastic ones sting a bit.
 
The one choice I do not like is the .32 ACP. Ammo is expensive, and caliber is least powerful of choices. From everything I've read about the Makarov and Star and Bersa, and that's a lot, I'd choose the Bersa, if ammo cost is not a problem. If you want to keep ammo cost down then go with the Star. I feel it is the most powerful caliber of choices, and all in all a pretty nice pistol.
 
Makarov, no question, but Bersa is a good second choice. The Mak ammo (9x18) can be bought a lot cheaper than .380 for the Bersa, so I'd still go Mak.
 
If you're planning on shooting a bunch, I'd go with the 9mm, just because ammo is so cheap.
 
Of those listed I'd go with the Star. Being a 9mm, it's the minimal caliber I'd want for a carry gun.

Otherwise you could probably find a good deal for $170 on a used gun. Shop around.
 
I vote for the Mak. You can generally pick up a Bulgarian for around $140 with a couple of mags and ammo is cheap, about $5/box. Fun to shoot, easy to carry, reliable and you'll have no problem finding a variety of holsters.
 
Makarov, no question, but Bersa is a good second choice. The Mak ammo (9x18) can be bought a lot cheaper than .380 for the Bersa, so I'd still go Mak.
__________________
Pilot

+1. Also, the 9x18 is more powerful than the .380 (although not by a great deal) and spare parts are cheaper for the Mak if that's important to you.
Tomac
 
My friend owns 5 Maks...........I tried one of them,,,,,,,,,,,,,now I own 2. This is the one I carry in my fishing bag too. Love the Mak. Durable accurate and I agree................go with the Pearce grips if you don't like the sting.
 
BM

You are planning on buying another 9mm, so they will eat the same ammo

9mm is about as cheap as it gets, so you will be encouraged to practice
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top