First Gun for a Man on a Budget

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Makarov!

I will also say a good word for a Mak. Very rugged, simple, reliable, compact firearm. It has enough firepower for what it is, just do your part and this gun will do it's part. Ammo is cheap and easy to get. I have Soviet made Makarov and I love the little gun. I really enjoy shooting it too...
 
I'll chime in another vote for the Star BM. 9mm can be had for $10-20 a case less than 9mm Mak ammo and is significantly more powerful. My Star BM from www.jgsales.com for $140 has been great.


If you can find one, I picked up a RAP 440 (Republic Arms, made in S. Africa) .40 S&W for $200 used (although could have fooled me as it looked new) at last weeks gun show. Functioned 100% out of the box. Hard to beat the bang for the buck, but I bought the first and only one I've ever seen after hearing good things about them here.

--wally.
 
Im gonna say any of the ruger autos,theyre proven reliable,tough as hammers and cheap.And there full power handguns,i wouldnt steer someone to minimum power hanguns for a single defense gun.Or you can get a Springfield 1911 between 380.00 and 500.00 and the 1911s always agood choice as long as you take the time to learn it.
 
Used GP100.
Used 9mm Ruger Autopistol P89, P93,P94, or P95
Maks are OK but the sights are tiny--same with CZ52.
 
I vote against the Makarov. The recoil is too snappy for a beginner and ammo is not as readily available as 9mm.

Getting a 9mm Ruger or CZ 75 (any variation) is a real good choice. They will be easier to learn on and are good carry weapons.
 
I'd like to keep it under... say, $250... especially since I'll need to have something left for ammo, etc.

I like the CZ75s (I have a blank fire version I like, anyway), but they tend to be more than that. Haven't tried the Rugers yet, need to see if I can rent any at the local range.

Any second opinion on those Steyrs? I handled one briefly at a gun store and was a bit too afraid that there were just too darn many safties... in a jam, I might forget one of the three things.... Felt nice enough though.
 
K frame Smith for a first handgun is is about a perfect choice. Actually they are always a good choice. Except for some exceptions like the Mak or Rugers, it is wise not to skimp on autos. I've had some cheap autos that were decent for the money and some that made better paperweights than pistols. Don't let the cool factor of an auto sway you from considering a wheel gun for your one and only handgun. They are generally much easier to learn with and easier to teach with if your inclined to have your wife shoot too.
 
Yes I know this is in the Autoloader Forum

I have to agree and suggest a K frame revolver. Used , police trade -ins and such. Use the Float on Jim March's Checkout.

Why a Revolver?

- Skills learned will translate to other platforms , be it SA, DA/SA or DAO semi's.

- Semi's require magazines and maintenance of Mags. Instead of spending monies [ from $15 and up ]for mags- use that money toward lessons, CCW, training, good belt and holsters....Besides... Speed loaders are NOT required to run a revolver, they are less monies, but the revolver will run without one. A semi will not run with a good mag.

-You mentioned a wife and new arrival....I would want my other half to know and be able to use the guns around the house in the event she needed to . The revolver is what I always started teaching folks with - I taught a lot of ladies. You might be in the shower when the door bell rings....she can answer the door with a revolver if need...

-For the money, the best dollars spent for return on quality of product - is the used revolver. I like K frames, don't rule out the Ruger Security Sixes, and similar, the older Colts as well.

-Basic , simple, functional firearm and skills with good belt /holster and such is best acheived with a Revolver - IMO as well.

$250 budget ? Lets see ene Ruger Security six was $160 another was $170. Used Police trade model 10 2" bbl - the lady was needing a CCW - she didn't care about looks but mechanical ....$ 185 ....we didn't worry about the rust and pitting, we cleaned the gun up and smoothed the trigger. Put on some Used grips from the "used bin" that fit her. She had a guy at the shoe shop sew up a used holster from the"used bin" as well....needed "altering " to better fit a womans anatomy....

These guns run evertime, these folks do shoot/ practice because they can afford to shoot regular old ammo that is affordable.
 
Makarov... best pistol on a budget. Pick up extra magazines and quality holster, and ammo your good to go. Finally, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
 
Though the Mak' can be a handful, it is still a great gun and I would recommend it.

CZ52 - try it, you'll like it.

Can't beat the price/quality for either.

cheers, ab

ps: if you get the chance, go to a range that rents and try a few out.
Many times people at the range like to let you shoot what they
are using. I do suggest that, before you buy anything.
 
I would look at a second hand CZ-75. It was my frist handgun. I bought it VERY secondhand also because that was all that I could afford at the time and the ammo for 9mm Para is cheap. Never any problems. I sold it again after another 10 000 rounds with ONE stove pipe that's it. I only sold it because We are only allowed one handgun for self defence here in South Africa. Around here you can get them for under the equivalent of $300 almost new.

wildehond
 
Makarov. Cheap ammo is available for practice and its an overbuilt reliable weapon. Many different grips are available if you fine the pereceived recoild too "snappy". My range Maks where Pearce, rubber grips while my carry Maks usually have the original, slimmer, plastic grip.
 
I personally find stories about Makarov recoil greatly exaggerated. Makarov is very fast and agile pistol capable of accurate and rapid fire. I can shoot my Makarov as fast and as accurate as my Browning Hi Power on distances up to 10 yards. The further out you get, the better BHP shoots comparing to Makarov. However on distances up to 10 yards they are equal when it comes to rapid fire.
 
get a revolver

If you can't get a S&W get a Ruger but really try to get a Smith.

If you have one and only one handgun then it must be a .357 S&W revolver.

If you can't afford one then save more money. As for women, Every woman that has ever shot mine loves it and they are naturally good with a S&W 686 or Mod 19.

A .357 will do everything you need a handgun to do. Probably the most versatile of all handguns. Not too big, Not too small, Load it hot or not, shoot .38's or .357's. Accurate, powerful, reliable. No automatic is as reliable as my smith, and if it is 100% reliable it is not as accurate, and if it is 100% accurate and reliable, it is not as powerful. Unless of course it is a bigger revolver.

if you have to have a cheap auto, then everyone else has given you good advice. Buy a Mak.

-bevr
 
My vote is for a used CZ 75 series 9mm or a revolver. I picked up a used Taurus that should have been a cheap gun but apparently a previous owner had some serious trigger work done to it and it's a great gun. Got it for $250 from a friend who needed money. They can be had used for quite a bit less. Rugers and S&Ws are generally going to be better revolvers, particularly used.
 
I'd say .357 revolver, used Ruger or Smith (I prefer S&W). Makes a great house gun, and nice at the range also, with .38 Spcl or .357 mag as your option in the same gun.
For the semi-auto, look at the CZ75.
 
The CZs seem to be mostly out of my range. Thoughts on an Arcus 94 as an alternative?
Found one of those for $150 and it's pretty tempting. They seem to have gotten good reviews here in the past.

I'd prefer a semiauto to a wheel gun for a couple reasons: More shots before you run out of ammo, slimmer profile for carrying, and the ability to reload while still having one in the chamber. While I'd like to pick up a revolver one of these days, I want my first to be a semi. It's not that I haven't shot before, just that I don't own.
 
you get what you pay for

A $150 Arcus is not going to compare to much other than another $150 Arcus.

They are not true HP clones. So yourself a favor and go for as much quality as you can for the buck. Again, Mak, Smith, Ruger.

As for mag changes and ammo in the chamber. As neat as that must seem on TV, if you can't solve your real life problems with 6-7 shots from a .357, you should stop shooting cause you are just spraying lead at innocent bystanders.

Also look for deals on Police trade in S&W auto's. Many are great guns and inexpensive.

I just don't know how good I would feel with my wife and kids(as well as mine) lives being in danger and then going to grab my "ARCUS":rolleyes:

When you pick up a quality revolver in the wee hours, you don't have to think about anything other than verifying your target. Peace of Mind!

Although, I keep a choice in my night stand. cz75b or S&W 686+. That will get me to my mossberg. Then we are ready to repel the interlopers.

-bevr
 
I just don't know how good I would feel with my wife and kids(as well as mine) lives being in danger and then going to grab my "ARCUS"
Click to expand...

My Arcus is a rugged little gun...I'd trust my life with it, and know of several other satisfied owners.

Given the budget listed, this might be a good alternative. A search on Arcus should provide confirmation.

KRD mag's offer affordable 17-rd mag's...mine have been very reliable. The trigger takes a little getting used to, but this is a solid little weapon.

Beyond the Arcus, the Makarov is another good "entry level" autoloader. If you are already shooting semi-auto's via rental, you should be able to handle a Mak' just fine, and 9x18 is widely available at affordable prices on the web.

Good luck!

CZ52'
 
Back when I was actually in your shoes and lived with my wife and kids in a rough part of town, I bought a shotgun for home defense and fun at the range. I bought a brand spanking new "cheap" S&W mdel 916 12-gauge that 33 years later is still pumping reliably away. In fact, it's under our bed right now. Today? It's not hard to find an 870 or Mossberg under $300 used.

I know, I know, it ain't a handgun. But shotguns seem to be better values monetarily than handguns. If you want to stop an assailant, nothing is more devastating within 15 yards. Also consider the following, according to PlusP.com:

"There is no logical debate that the shotgun is the king of self-defense weapons. Let's look at the blunt truth. If hit in the chest with a handgun your chances of death are about 14%. If hit with an AK-47 chances of death are 17% based on latest info from various sources including the International Wound Ballistics Assn. If hit with a shotgun the chances of death skyrocket to about 64%."

Handgun-wise, you say you're renting at the range. What do you shoot best? I'd get the most inexpensive version of whatever that is. But don't forget reliability. Cheap handguns are often cheap for a reason. In your price range, a used revolver is definitely worth considering. Given a choice between something like a Makarov 9x18 and a .357 mag, I know which I'd pick first.
 
Ruger P95. Can be had brand new for around $300. Rugged and reliable as anything.

I also like the Star BMs. They can be had for around $165. I have no first hand experience with them, so can't attest to their reliability. They are not a full-size handgun though, if you do carry it one day.
 
Maxer makes a good point about the shotgun.

Best defensive weapon maybe ever invented. Provides lots and lots of options, lethal and non lethal.

Shotguns are way fun too. And you can dress em up if you want.

I need to scan a picture in of a GIANT whole I shot in a truck with a foster slug. I hit it at an angle and just tore the most tremendous gash in the sheet metal. Oh it was sweet.

-bevr

added.... I broke the firing pin in a Star. Man they are brittle and the firing pins look like they are made out of pig iron when broke. DO NOT DRY FIRE A STAR!
 
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