inexpensive Handgun

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endebt said:
I carry the Bersa because I can control it. Over the years I have carried 1911, Glock's, S&W's,Colt"s. Now I am getting long in the tooth and not able to control any thing bigger. It all boils down to 2 Shot between the eyes and it is over. I don't care if it is a 22LR bullet placement is the name of the game. That takes practice.
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That's a caliber issue, not a brand issue. Don't be a cheap gun snob, giving the OP grief for wanting an inexpensive weapon while you yourself carry one with a reputation for being a low buck option.

In fact, given his question and the brand's price points, I'd think you would be recommending a Bersa if yours is that good.
 
I don't usually recommend most low priced firearms to folks or one of my students that ask me. But I do think SCCY deserves a very hard look. I toured their plant this past week and talked to the owner. Even more importantly than the impressive machinery they have is his approach to reducing costs while still putting out a reliable firearm. Needless to say I was very impressed.
 
Used S&W model 10 or a used mid size Glock . Everything you need, and nothing you don't.

Small enough to carry. Big enough to shoot at the range with comfort. About as reliable as anyone could ever expect,, and shoots common and available rounds.

These are well within the price range listed, and any gunsmith will be familiar with them should anything ever go wrong with them.
 
I don't have any experience with the Canik guns or the Citadel, RIA 1911's but everything I see posted about them is positive. I believe you would be fine with either one. There are other options in your price range though. It really all comes down to what you want. To me there is a difference between cheap guns & inexpensive ones.
 
If money is very tight then my suggestion is a S&W M10 from a pawn shop. Probably in the $200 range. I would want a proven design and something with milspec (loose) tolerances. I hear Bersa's are reliable. Perhaps a CZ 82 from J&G or similar vendor. I wouldn't get something from an unproven manufacturer just because it's new.
 
I had a Citadel 1911 Compact 3.5" .45acp. They are made by Rock Island and I trusted the RI reputation. I don't know if it is just the compact version, or if I got a lemon or what the problem was, but my gun would not run 2 mags back to back without a jam.

It would jam with JHP, FMJ, LRN, factory ammo, reloads, in short everything I tried. I tried different mags, and other shooters. Same story, so I sent it back, they kept it 3 weeks and returned it. Same problems. It now has a new owner.

This was the only Citadel or RI handgun that I've owned, so my experience is limited.
 
Like post #54 mentioned, a S&W mod. 10, a fine revolver, don't look away from these. As had been mentioned earlier, look at pawns for an honest priced, good, reliable revolver. They are out there if you look, I was lucky when I happened onto a Colt Trooper 4" .38 Spl in a pawn, I gave $325 OTD for it, still had the original box, carried a lot, not shot much.
 
Two of my daily caries top breaks .38 S&W Herington & Richardson got for $100 and another Ivar Johnson $150.
 
my cousin had a Citadel 1911. good gun for the most part but he traded it in for an old remington 7400. the gun only had 100 rounds through it. I thought about buying it from him but I like higher end 1911s like kimber and such. too bad i never got a chance to shoot it. honestly i would just add a little more and get glock.

for that price:
taurus millenium pro 9mm
ruger sr9c
ruger p95
keltec pf9
keltec p11
bersa thunder series

you kind of have to decide what kind of caliber you feel comfortable carrying and shoot well with. Try to go to a range and rent a potential gun you're interested in. just cause you like the look and feel, doesn't mean you will like it overall. example i recently bought a 92fs. i've always wanted one but never held or shot one. When I took it to the range, i notice I kept engaging the slide mounted safety and the trigger was some getting use to... there was things i discovered i didn't like immediately after i shot it. Other than that i shoot it a lot better than any of my glocks.
 
I would find a lightly used Glock, M&P, or XD in the size and caliber you prefer.

I like 1911's but a budget minded option cuts corners. You may get a great one or you may not. If you deviate from the original spec (which most everybody today does in some way), you get into finicky issues. I'd pass for a primary firearm. If its a second or third option, get one, but I wouldn't make a budget 1911 my one and only pistol.

You can grab a few used revolvers in that range as well which are a great value. I would look for lightly used in either Ruger or S&W for a wheel gun.

When it comes to auto loaders, the Glock, M&P, and XD all are great options. Some prefer one to another but that is a pick for you to make. I like them all, you're pretty sure to get a good one new or used, and if an issue does pop up, they are simple to part swap at home or are covered by good companies for factory work. There are cheaper options but I think you get the most for your money from one of these three, new or used. Plus, if you want to tinker, they all have a large aftermarket support to adjust anything you desire. Its a very flexible option. You will have a wide range of holsters available too. Popularity has benefits in the firearm world.
 
S&W sigma's are pretty accurate and dependable. The newer ones don't have as bad of a trigger as the old ones did. I have fired thousands of rounds and it seems to be as reliable as my glocks are and about half the price.
 
From personal experience I can recommend the Stoeger Cougar in 9mm or .40, each can be found for under $400. They are a Beretta with a much lower price, and eat everything I put into them. Reliable, durable and fit my hand well. If the all-metal weight is too much, then the Ruger SR9C is another that I have found to be completely reliable at a lighter weight. I also own a compact Citadel 1911 which has been reliable for me, and the only reason I do not carry it more is the very mediocre all-black sights. I plan to update them so it can be carried and used in low-light situations. It's a superb shooter.
 
Can't go wrong with a Canik or a Sar(if you like plastic).
Forget the Citadel. Check out Tisas and Girsan. Basic Tisas 1911 is $399. Upgrade it as you see fit over time. The Turkish 1911s are built better than the Philippine ones and as someone else said. The prices will rise.
 
Utterly reliable?,,,

Utterly reliable?,,,
Get yourself a revolver,,,
Then make sure you get a S&W or Ruger.

One thing is almost certain,,,
You won't get it right the first time. ;)

But if you can afford it,,,
Go to a range that rents handguns,,,
Spending a $100.00 bill on rent and ammo,,,
That can save you from buying the wrong $400.00 handgun.

Any time you ask in a forum for the "best" of anything,,,
You may get some reasoned informative responses,,,
Mostly what you will get is each posters favorite.

That's not necessarily a bad thing,,,
But the term "best" is simply too subjective.

Handle as many guns as you can,,,
Find out where the safety switch is at,,,
Make sure you can reach it and the mag release.

After you do that you can start the process all over again,,,
Selecting the proper holster you will be happy with,,,
That's just as involved as choosing the gun. :banghead:

Good luck and don't get in too much of a hurry.

Aarond

.
 
If you join the GSSF for two years (around $70) you immediately get a coupon for 1 gun at the discounted price. Around 400 for a gen 3.

The next year you can buy another one at the discounted price.
 
Used Beretta 92FS, J&G Sales, $399 or so.
S&W SD9.
Makarov.
Bersa .380.
Kahr CW9.
S&W 5906, 6906, 3913, etc- any third gen.

Got a CZ75 for $329, barely used. Once upon a time, any Airweight Jframe S&W .38 went for about that much. Go shopping!
 
Here's my 2 cents - - - 'cheap' and '1911' don't go together when it comes to a reliable CCW handgun.
A gun for fun at the range is another matter.

For a reliable pistol as you described, do some research on Glocks.

The OP didn't give any more details on his preferences (caliber, etc) so can't really say much more.
 
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