Gun snob recommendations

[NGIB]

OK folks, here's one where we gun snobs (anyone that owns a single gun worth 1K or more) can provide recommendations for inexpensive guns. One caveat, you have to have owned/used the gun you recommend and provide some useful info on it. Let's use < $300 as a max price.

I'll start: used S&W Sigma, can find for $250-$300 pretty easy.

Apart from the terrible trigger pull, which can be improved some at no cost, these are pretty good guns. I've had 2, a 9mm and a .40 and both were reliable and reasonably accurate. They are high capacity, have good ergo's, and generally come with 2-4 mags due to the S&W rebate. I had about $250 each in the 2 that I had.

On a budget, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these as an all-purpose self-defense gun...

 

[Dr.Rob]

FEG (now defunct) small frame DA pistols on .380, 9mm Mak and .32 remain a bargain in this current market. The gritty DA pull can be improved but a 9mm Mak pistol for around $100? You can't beat that.

 

[Davionmaximus]

Any Bersa gun. They shoot well enough and for the price (usually around 300-400 greenbacks new). At that price you can almost afford the ammo.

 

[Pizzagunner]

<$300? At today's prices? Forget it. EVERYTHING NIB at or below this price point is either full sized garbage or subcompact hit and miss. At that price point there also used to be some great deals to be had on world class, but used, pieces, but those days are gone too.

I have used NIB "value guns" by Ruger, CZ, and HS before they partnered up with Springfield, but none are at that price point any more. None of them today offer the value they used to. I guess my pick would be a used Ruger P-series, particularly in .45ACP.

I guess I am glad to have moved up to "snob" status if that is defined as being willing to pay $450.00 and up for some semblance of quality.

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah. You used to be able to get a new CZ75 for 300 bucks. Then, people "discovered" them, and they went to $350, then $400, $450... and soon they were still great guns but not insane bargains like they once were.

And I even knew what bargains they were and DIDN'T GET ONE!:banghead:

Still, I think the low-priced Smiths are serviceable. Never heard of them failing, exploding, etc. They just don't have match triggers.

 

[NGIB]

The reason I posted this is in hopes of providing some good info to the folks on a tight budget that post the endless "what's best for $$$". I figured we folks that own the higher dollar guns probably started somewhere and can provide decent recommendations.

A year ago my answer would have been a Sig P6 as I got mine for $260 with 2 mags - not so today...

 

[Pistol Toter]

I've actually considered buying a HiPoint running several hundred rounds through it to establish reliability / accuracy and carrying it instead of a more expensive Ruger, Glock or S&W. They can be bought here locally for $99. If you could hit a gallon jug with it at 30 or 40 feet and it not jam that would be good enough to defend yourself with.

 

[dat2]

browning buckmark, not much for self defence, but a great shooting and plinking gun

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I have at least two problems with the entire premise: One is that owning 1 or more guns over $1K doesn't make one a gun snob - not in my case. Two is that the thread pre-supposes that only those who DO own $1K plus guns are qualified to recommend good cheap ones. It seems that, if anything, it should be the other way around, and gun snobs (as you define them) should be *excluded* from giving recommendations on cheap guns. We current and former "po boys" probably know a little better which cheap ones are the best values.

In any event, the answer didn't change from the last 34058973245987 threads on the subject:

-Makarov
-Bersa
-Stoeger Condor
-Sig P6
-CZ P40
-CZ 83
-PA 63
-FEG
-Arcus
-CDNN used S&W auto

and etc. Sorry if I sound harsh; don't mean to; just relating reality here.

 

[SharpsDressedMan]

Most Tokarevs, some Makarovs, used police S&W revolvers (g-vg cond), Walther P-1's. All of these are fine quality self defense guns for under $300. I like the Makarov for concealed carry, and the Walther P-38/P1 for general home defense and possibly CCW with the right holster. I have had good luck with both with modern hollowpoint ammo, and there is even some nice HP ammo for the Tokarevs. Of course, a fine condition used S&W .38 Special revolver, 2-4" barrel is a great gun for all shooting. Since we have the $300 limit, better calibers/weapons are excluded, but any of these will be pretty good quality, reliable, and have been in use as defensive seapons for more years than most of us have been alive or shoting.

 

[UKJ]

Finding NIB pistols for less then $300 is a toughie, here are a few based on Bud's Gun Shop -

Browning Buck Mark
Charter Arms Bulldog
Rossi 351 / 851
EAA - .38 Super model and the single actions
Uberti 1873
Ruger Mark III

My choice would be to skip a lunch at Burger King, take the $3 and buy a Ruger P95 9mm for $303.

So there are a few out there that don't cost a lot and won't fall apart / blow up in your hand. Shame most of them aren't in stock.

 

[jmr40]

I don't consider myself a gun snob, but one horrible experience with a Sigma left a bad taste in my mouth. Tried the CZ and felt it was an OK gun that is overrated by a lot on this forum. My vote for the best budget gun is Ruger.

I've never paid over $600 for a handgun, usually under $500. By shopping carefully and buying used I have some very nice Sigs, H&K's Colts, Berettas, and Smith revolvers. I've watched people pay more for their Sigma than I paid for many of my nicer guns.

 

[d2wing]

My favorite is a Ruger Security six .357. But I also have a Sigma, and Walther
P1, and a Norinco 9mm target model. OF THE 9MM's I like the Walther best, the Sigma is less accurate but higher cap and comfortable. The Norinco is a decent shooter. I had a Ruger P89 9mm. It was ok but the Norinco was more accurate if you can call any 9mm accurate. I had a Cz52, too many issues.
I dunno about being a gun snob has anything to do with anything. I have guns worth that but, I wouldn't if they didn't shoot.

 

[BENELLIMONTE]

I agree with UKJ & Pizzagunner my Ruger P95DC $299 (5 years ago) is the best bang for buck semi auto I own!

 

[Weedmonk]

I've seen some very low prices on used Stoeger Cougars. They are basically the same handgun that Beretta made - only now made in Turkey on the equipment supplied by Beretta. Personally, I prefer the Cougar over the Beretta model 92.

 

[Hostile Amish]

Buckmark/Ruger III

 

[Lucky]

S&W K frame, .38? Heavy but reliable.

One I don't own but have seen for sale is the P38 from WW2 Germans. Kind of a proven design.

Selling my HK because I'm just not feeling it.

 

[loop]

The original post did not say "NIB" so I'll recommend the CZ82. It is still widely available for under $300 and has features you normally must pay at least $500 to get.

It has polygonal rifling and is very accurate. It carries a double stack 12-round mag. It has a frame mounted button mag release, three dot sights, ambidextrous safety, etc.

Admittedly, it shoots the 9X18 which is on a par with a .380, but if you are on a $300 and under budget you can still get cheap ammo in 9X18, which should be a factor when buying a low-dollar gun.

If you can't afford practice ammo you won't be worth a darn with the gun if you should ever need it.

Another plus for the CZ82 is that it is small enough to be readily concealable with almost any form of dress.

I mostly carry 1911s and all of mine are worth more than $1,000. But, when I don't carry a 1911 I carry a Kahr MK40 or the CZ82. Of course, I always have a KelTec P32 on me somewhere no matter what else I'm carrying.

I also would not hesitate to recommend the KelTec in .32 or .380. They are very reliable and if you need service they have the best turnaround of any gun maker I've ever dealt with.

Another reason for carrying the CZ82 is that if it should ever be confiscated by the police, lost or stolen, I'll just be a little PO'd. It certainly wouldn't be as bad as losing one of my custom 1911s.

 

[Revolver Ocelot]

something along the lines of a s&w model 10

 

[10-Ring]

Look for something 'pre-owned' -- like a police trade in Beretta, SIG or Glock. Usually have its share of holster wear, but mechanically sound and at a pretty good price to boot

 

[NGIB]

The only reason I titled the thread this way is many threads call folks with 1K+ guns snobs. Also nowhere did I say new, in fact my recommendation was a used Sigma.

I own a wide variety of stuff from inexpensive to not and I just thought it was a different way to address a question asked here many times every day.

Great sense of humor you have Dr Winslow...

 

[krs]

The reason I posted this is in hopes of providing some good info to the folks on a tight budget that post the endless "what's best for $$$". I figured we folks that own the higher dollar guns probably started somewhere and can provide decent recommendations.

Start somewhere?

My dad let me buy this old gun when I was fifteen for $21.95 mail order. He wrote the check but I filled in the order blank in the ad I cut out and made out the envelope in MY name so they'd send it to ME, not him. He made me work like a slave for a while even though I had the money because I'd painted a neighbor's house for $150.

I used some of my money to buy a 1953 Ford 2 door coupe for $40. and spent the summer putting rings and grinding the flathead valves and putting in a Hurst floor shifter so it would be running when I got my license at sixteen. But that's off topic, huh?

I sold my Ford for $150. to Dave Reese and bought a 1957 Chevy Bel Air two door hardtop for $450. off of a used car lot the next year. Boy, that car was cherry with chrome wheels and a dark green paintjob. I sure loved it, but I gave it to my brother when I got drafted and he wrecked it while I was in Vietnam. I remember my dad's face when he came to sign for the loan and got in the car to test drive it. He said "Did You know how bad this clutch is!!!!". And I said "I know. Don't worry, Chris and I will fix it, and we did. New clutch - $26.00 from Grand Auto. It might have been a rebuilt.

I still have the old gun anyway. It's a Remington.

Start somewhere?

 

[krs]

My choice would be to skip a lunch at Burger King, take the $3 and buy a Ruger P95 9mm for $303.

Can you get lunch at Burger King for $3.00? Hey, that's a bargain if true!

 

[jackpinesavages]

Err, OK, ummmm

Well, beauty is in the hands of the shooter. I found a SS Dan Wesson .44 Mag CTG with a 6" fixed barrel for $275 as my first handgun about 10 years ago. Longtime shooter of rifles and shotguns, had ZERO knowledge of handguns but I knew it was worth more than that. My recommendation is to study and research and search the local gunshops and ranges. Do some shooting. Ask questions. Do some more shooting. Then jump in.

 

[searcher451]

How about an Iver Johnson top-break 5-shot revolver in .32 caliber?

Most of us wouldn't give it much consideration, and it wouldn't draw much of a bid if you stumbled on one for sale at GunsAmerica or Gunbroker. For me, the gun is priceless; my dad carried it as his service revolver when he was an LEO with a small-town force on the East Coast.

One man's junk is another man's must-have treasure.