Favorite budget firearm manufacturer?

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38-45 Special

38-45 Special

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With so many budget gun manufacturers on the market now (some of which make firearms that sell as low as $100 out the door brand new), there's nearly no excuse not to own a firearm, so long as you can do so legally. What is/are your favorite budget firearm manufacturer(s)? What I mean by this is positive experiences with their products, customer service, etc. Also, by "budget" I am referring to manufacturers like Cobra, Raven/Phoenix Arms, RIA, EAA, Bersa, etc.

I've been a big fan of EAA and all of their branches (Tanfoglio, Sarsilmaz/Sar Arms/Sar USA, Girsan). They make some pretty rugged firearms for their prices, namely their Windicator.
 
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The only budget firearms I own are from Hi Point. They've served me very well, but I don't know if I'd currently consider any of the other manufacturers in their price range.
 
Hi-Points are fun for plinking with and could do HD duties if needed. Would not feel comfortable carrying mine though unless it was literally the only handgun that I had and I had no way to beg borrow or steal a better one. I like some Taurus products. Rossis are OK too. Used to own several cheap handguns but got rid of most of them. Never bothered buying anything really cheap like a Jennings etc. Probably lots of decent cheap 22lr rifles and single shot shotguns in the $100 range.
 
Hi...
Don't really have a budget firearm favorite.
Just about everything I buy is either off the used market or, if new, a Marlin, a Ruger, Uberti, Cimarron or Taylor.
The last new gun I bought was about three weeks ago... a Marlin .lever action .44Mag rifle.
The last used gun I bought was a Virginian Dragoon in .44Mag about six weeks ago. Before that, it was a Uberti Remington 1875 revolver in .45Colt about three months ago.

I plan to buy a few more firearms this year.
I know where there are several Virginian Dragoons for sale as well as a Uberti Remington 1875. The same shop has a used Ruger flat top stainless steel Blackhawk in .44Spl that is drawing my attention as well.

Also seriously contemplating another lever action carbine in .357Mag. Haven't decided on a new Marlin or Henry...a used Marlin isn't off the board either.

Don't really need any of those firearms but need never enters into the discussion. Not really interested in any more hunting firearms...I have more than enough for my purposes and then some. Never know when I might see a nice rifle in a used rack somewhere that I think I might want to play with on the range and I am not against a autoloading shotgun to shoot clay birds with. Just that neither one is a priority...I have plenty of shotguns and rifles for those purposes.
 
Based only on my experience I would include: RIA (GI 1911), Taurus revolvers, Hi Point (ugly but reliable), and Heritage Rough Rider revolvers. In black powder guns I think Pietta cap and ball revolvers andthe Traditions Crockett 32 caliber rifles qualify. The Crockett is not inexpensive as such, but compared to other BP rifles it on the lower end and is an excellent value.

Jeff
 
Uberti. Was at the gun shop today and they had an Uberti Cattleman and a Ruger New Vaquero sitting side by side. Same configuration and caliber. The Ruger was $780 and the Uberti was $500. The Uberti had nicer bluing, case-coloring, and grain in the stocks.
 
I agree with the Evangelist Cowboy. There is a big difference between cheap and inexpensive.

I think Bersa makes some of the best firearms for the money. I've owned/own numerous of their Thunder 380's which are sweet shooting guns. They are very accurate and reliable. I also owned the Bersa Bp9cc. That is a really nice pistol also but I didn't care for the typical striker fired trigger, so I sold it.

Taurus makes some really good guns for the money as well.

God Bless,
Ralph
 
The Evangelist Cowboy said:
Big difference between cheap and inexpensive. I like Taurus in that variety, they have some models that no one else ever attempted to make like the 455 and 405 although it seems Charter Arms is trying to get in on that action a bit.
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I had a 405 briefly. Traded it even for a Taurus m44 6” stainless. It’s one of the revolvers I miss, and I do look for a replacement from time to time. If charter makes one similar enough to the Taurus then I may jump. The Taurus was very heavy for its size and it ate up the snappy 40sw recoil well. Super accurate too.
 
After dealing with a variety of "budget" firearms (my father owned a gunshop for some time) I don't do "budget" anymore. Except one- PSA. The only reason I do PSA is because ARs are easy to work on and I already know what needs to be fixed.
 
I'd have to say Ruger.

They offer a lot of stuff at a more affordable price point than the alternatives, big bore revolvers come to mind. Their single actions are notoriously strong and to get something similar you get into Freedom Arms, USFA territory etc...

The 10/22 is pretty legendary even though a lot of people have a love/hate attitude towards them. And I see the Wrangler doing well as a better quality alternative (but still inexpensive) to the rough rider for a plinker.

If we go into the really budget brands, I have to give hi-point a nod. I dont own any but have handled and shot the pistols and carbines. After less than stellar experiences with another budget manufacturer in the past (Brazilian bull that rhymes with Horace) I would consider something from them if I only had like $200 to spend and needed something.
 
I have a few PSA's and the only gripe I can think of is a slightly out of spec bolt catch/bolt catch spring. Good quality for the most part, no malfs to date. PSA is probably my favorite cheap brand.

Also the S&W Sport is considered by many to be a budget rifle and I think it could be my favorite, it's the one I've owned the longest and it's just a good mil specy feeling rifle, well worn in and reliable.

I would also put alot of ruger offerings in the budget category, alot of their handguns can be had for less than $300 and the SR9 specifically is a tack driver. I dont own one but I shot it a few times and I shot it better (more accurately) than any auto handgun I can think of to date. Definitely recommend Ruger to people who cant afford glock/HK/FN/S&W.

Also I know the 1st gen LCP's can be had for $200 or less nowadays but I bought mine when the first came out at close to $400 and over the last 12 or so years it has never malfunctioned with any ammo......
 
Jack Ryan said:
Here is a tip, from BTDT.

Save your money and buy QUALITY! "Budget" firearms are never a bargain.
Click to expand...
Interesting, never had an issue with Taurus, yet I've had rugers and Smith's that needed to get sent back to the factory or sold off.

Edited, forgot about Colt as well, damn officers ACP
 
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I have zero experience with Hi-Point, Kel-Tec, or Taurus. I own a number of Rugers and you get a lot for your money with many of them. Great customer service and made in the USA.

-Jeff
 
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