Guys need your help...$250 travel gun

[Gelgoog]

Another vote for the CZ-82. It has a good DA/SA trigger ( much better then a sigma). It is very accurate due to its fixed barrel design. For a blowback design, recoil is negliable especially when compared to other designs like it. Extremely reliable, and very simple to break down for cleanings. Can carry it cocked and locked like a 1911, or hammer down like regular DA/SA pistols. Easy to carry concealed, very thin profile.

I have owned two of them and they are rock solid. CZ-82s are almost universally loved, and you will be hard pressed to find anyone knocking them on the gun boards...which in itself says alot since we love to bitch about everything.

As far as finding ammo, welll any decent gun store or sporting goods store will carry 9x18. Its very cheap, so you can get alot of practice in, and you can buy bulk ammo online just about anywhere. I do not see the reasoning for the OP to not choose the CZ-82 just because he may not be able to find it in some dinky town....so what? Just because he is carrying that firearm in those areas does not mean he is going to go out plinking with it and suddenly need to buy more ammo locally. He could just throw a couple of extra boxes of 9x18 with him where ever he goes.

There really is no logical reason not to buy the CZ-82, and at the OP's price point, it is probably the best thing going. Your essentially getting a $600 handgun for $200 because its surplus, not because it is cheaply made like a sigma/bersa/keltec.

 

[timburn]

Another CZ 82

Love mine. Buy ammo on line. Nice ballistics. Points like the end of your hand.

 

[galena]

I've got to vote for a K frame S&W. A Model 10, 13, 64 or 65 is not difficult to carry in an IWB holster. I would try to get a round butt version as it is slightly easier to conceal. There are many dealers with police turn ins. Try JG Sales, they have a bunch of round butt, DA only NYPD configured 64s in your price range. I have found .38Sp/.357 ammo in practially every small town in America (especially western states). Not so with 9mm Mak, or even 9mm Luger.

 

[Trigger Creep]

I always fly with a handgun and have never had any trouble other than delayed delivery of bags when my bags took a different flight due to baggage loads.

I'd be more concerned with having an effective and reliable piece, rather than making my choice based on what would be acceptable to lose. Having one lost or stolen is never acceptable. What the airlines insurance won't cover, your homeowners ins will.

I fly with a variety of pistols, depending more on weather and clothing. I carry anything from a 32 to a 45.

As far as the CZ and the ammo concern, they're fine pistols and are a good price. Check with your airline, mine allowed 11lbs of ammo in checked luggage as long as it was in factory boxes. When 380 was scarce, I bought back 10.75lbs in checked luggage.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I'd vote for the Mak or a P-64. Also both are C&R eligible. So you if you get a C&R you might be able to ship/mail it home to yourself if you want to only go with hand luggage.

 

[winddummy]

$250 hand gun

budsgunshop.com has new kel tec's P11 for $250 alson have S&W sigma's for $289 plus a factory rebate also check out there used guns

 

[TCB in TN]

Either keltec (.380 or .32) or the little Bersa .380 for pistols, a used Charter or Rossi 38 in revolvers. I have had all 4 and have found them good values for what they are meant for. Not target guns, but if you want something that goes bang for up close every time, for not to much money then they are great.

 

[syco]

Having done a side by side of a P11 (friends) and a PF9 (mine) last week at the range I would go PF9 every time. We both agreed the P11 trigger was horrible in comparison. The PF9 is so slim and light, I carry it IWB in a soft uncles Miles and forget about it. I feel no need to go to the smaller .380s when I can carry a 9mm comfortably all day every day, desk and walking around.

You've already told yourself why you should get a 9x19mm!! Although the .380s are popular and the panic buying has subsided (and we still have our guns!!), the ammo is still harder to get compared to 9x19 and of course 9x18.

 

[GCBurner]

$250 Travel Gun

In that price range, I'd go for an inexpensive 9mm, like a Tokarev, or the Egyptian "Helwan" clone of the Beretta 1951. Cheap, but reliable and fairly powerful, more so that a .32, .380, or 9mmMak.

 

[harmon rabb]

You can get a CZ-83 (that's right, 83, not 82) from SOG right now in your price range. They are the same thing as the '82, but chambered in 380.

You could also buy a used kel-tec PF-9 or P-11.

 

[harmon rabb]

Another idea, if you want to go ultra cheap (but not get a cheaply made gun) -- SOG currently has PA-63's for under $150. Light, reliable, easy to carry 9x18 pistol. Just need to swap some springs around so the DA trigger doesn't suck (the springs are like $10 total from Wolf)

 

[PzGren]

I find it interesting how little value, $250, you attach to your life!

You can always get a cable lock and drill holes into the gun case to lock the pistol to the box. While it is easy to steal a handgun from an unlocked box and shove it into your pants, the whole case in the pants will look kind of awkward...

 

[mgmorden]

CZ-82 is a good choice in that price range.

 

[gatopardo]

Cz's are superior quality IMO, I don't own one yet, but I've shot some and every time I was impressed how they remain on target, shot after shot.

I think they are a little pricey. I was told by a CZ owner, police departments in Europe are issued CZ's, not surprised.

In anycase, with $250 I'd go for a PF9.

 

[NMGonzo]

kel tec

 

[S&Wfan]

I have only 3 requirements: cost (~$250), reliability, and resonably easy to conceal

.

Sounds like you need an affordable (finished-challenged) S&W Airweight J-frame revolver . . . probably the finest little concealable handgun ever made, IMHO. Pristine ones sell used for $350-$400 generally, but those with some good, honest wear can be had for about $150 all over the place.

Pop one in an Uncle Mikes #3 pocket holster (under $20) or, better yet, a DeSantis Nemesis (under $30) and you can take it anywhere legal without detection . . . and have zero concerns about the gun being reliable. .38 Spl. ammo is available everywhere too!

They are so concealable that I carry my Airweight (a Model 37) as my "always" (always on me) gun. It's in my pocket now. I can even carry it in my gym shorts pocket mowing the lawn with a push mower. Naturally, you'll also be able to hop out of your car at a filling station in the middle of nowhere and KNOW that your protection is ALWAYS on your person if trouble comes.

NO GUN is any good . . . if you don't have it handy when trouble surprises you!


Here's a pair of J frames I own, one in the Uncle Mikes, with the Model 37 in the Nemesis on the right.

 

[nwhunter]

I like the sugestions made, but a I would be more confidant for a little more stopping power and would pic a used 44 special revolver from charter arms. Those are available at your price and with proper loads give me tremendous confindance . Buy the way, that is my choice for a nightstand gun.

 

[Alpine]

Kel Tec popped into my head

 

[45crittergitter]

Used revolver in .38, .357 etc. or a Taurus 24/7 available new around $250-350.