Is a stainless .380 worth $130?

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Ledhead686

Ledhead686

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You tell me... I've the opportunity to buy one, and I've done my online research on, well, the cheapest American-made handgun to put it bluntly, but is it worth the price? Keep in mind, it'll be my only means of self defense; I'm on a very limited budget.
 
Jennings/Bryco/Jiminez stainless 380??? If so, I've had one for close to 15 years. I bought it new for $60. Killed a coyote with it once. Probably worth that much, but you can get a Hi-Point 380 for about the same price with a lifetime warranty. They're butt-ugly, but pretty durable/reliable once you adjust the feed lips, and probably a better overall value than the J/B/J guns.

If you're talking about another cheapest gun, then I don't know. Maybe a Cobra?
 
I think the Cobra CA380 Freedom is the cheapest American-made pistol, you can get them for $99.99 shipped. But the're not stainless steel. Its an alloy frame with Zamak cast around a steel breech block.
 
I know you said you were on a tight budget and that is perfectly understandable.

If you can swing the Taurus for $199 I think it is a much better option. I carry a Taurus 709 Slim in 9mm and that is what I paid for it.
It has been very reliable and plenty accurate at self defense distances. I would go that route if you can.

If you cannot, I echo the above post regarding a Hi Point. They are much more reliable than the Jennings/Bryco/Cobra stuff.
Won't win any beauty contests but that's not what you're wanting. They work.
 
Add a few bucks and you can probably still find a first gen Ruger LCP for under $200, possibly with stainless parts.
 
Do you need a gun for carry? The cheapest I've seen a Hi-Point going for lately is $136.79 + $9.99 shipping, and then most FFLs charge at least $20.00 for a transfer and that brings the cost of the gun up to $166.78 and a Hi-Point is not going to be as easy to carry as one of the Cobra 380 models. But for home defense I think the Hi-Point is better.

Cobra does have a lifetime warranty, but from what I can tell, they don't send out paid shipping labels. I think you have to pay for the shipping to them, and it has to be Fed-Ex or UPS overnight.

Occasionally the Taurus TCP goes on sale for around $179.00 including shipping, $20.00 FFL transfer brings the cost almost up to $200.00

If you can't put together that extra 70 bucks for Taurus, and the Hi-Point is either too big for the purpose, or also too expensive, then get the Cobra.

The reviews of Cobra firearms that I've read or watched on YouTube seem to indicate that they have occasional but on-going problems with ejecting spent cases. I think many Cobra owners just accept that their gun is going to have 5 or 6 FTEs per every hundred or so rounds. For a hundred bucks they're wiling to have a firearm that has a 94% chance of functioning correctly each time the trigger is pulled.
 
Also, I do think the very cheapest pistols are American made because there is a law somewhere that bans the importation of zinc-alloy firearms IIRC.... I think only American manufacturers can use zinc alloy components in firearms.
 
I never thought I would ever say this but for home defense and non-conceal carry I would choose the Hi-Point.

Check out the numerous youtube videos. The dang thing works, works well with a variety of ammunition and has a life-time warranty. Even Hickcock45 tested it and gave it a positive review.

A co-worker recently brought one ($60.00 from a Pawn Shop. Some people have all the luck). It is well made, parts are well fitted, has good sights and according to him is very reliable and never jammed.

I am thinking that the inexpensive Hi-Point in 9mm can have a place in my handgun collection.
 
Are you new to guns?

I know this isn't answering your question directly. But, if I could have one gun, and one gun only to protect myself, I would not buy the cheapest auto I could find.

I would look for an old smith model 10 or 64. If it had little or no finish left, dinged up and beat up, if it works well mechanically, you would be very well armed for the rest of your life.
 
C0untZer0 said:
Also, I do think the very cheapest pistols are American made because there is a law somewhere that bans the importation of zinc-alloy firearms IIRC.... I think only American manufacturers can use zinc alloy components in firearms.
Click to expand...

There's a point system used by the BATFE for imported handguns. One of those "points" is what the frame is made from.

Here's a link. https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/form/atf-form-4590-factoring-criteria-weapons/download

What I'd love to see is the number of points the Glock 42 scores. I've got a nasty cold right now and don't feel like doing the research it would take to fill in the form.
 
Here are the points:

index.php


And here is the score for a G25:

G25:
Length: 3 points
Weight: 20 points
Caliber: 3 points
Safety features: 20 points
Miscellaneous equip:
Double Action: 10 points
Click adj target sight: 10 points
Target grips: 5 points
Target trigger: 2 points
____________
Total: 73 points

Does the G43 have click adjustable sights? I think it may actually score lower ?


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BSA1 said:
I never thought I would ever say this but for home defense and non-conceal carry I would choose the Hi-Point.
I am thinking that the inexpensive Hi-Point in 9mm can have a place in my handgun collection.

- Cannibul -
Click to expand...

Yep, I am going to get one.

I'm going to get a Hi-Point for the bathroom, especially after that story of Chuck de Caro coming out of the shower and being confronted with an armed robber in their motel room.

Most of the stuff on a Hi-Point that can rust is interior and can have oil or light grease on it all of time, so I don't think the guts will be much susceptible to rust I don't think the ZAMAK rusts from simple humidity and contact with the air.

I go out of my way to make sure the humidity from the shower doesn't go into my bedroom where I have some firearms, and I don't take a firearm with me into the bathroom because I don't want to expose it to all of that humidity.

Every so often I'll be in the shower and I'll hear a noise and I'm not sure if it is the thump of a truck outside putting down its lift gate (or something similar) or someone kicking down my door - I mean I'm in the shower and I have no clue what the noise is. I want to get a "bathroom only" Hi-Point. I don't think there is much on a Hi-Point that rusts, and if a part gets rusty I'll just scrub the rust and for $175.00 I don't care if it gets a little rust on it..
 
I could have calculated this wrong but here is my scoring for the G43

G43:
Length: 1 points
Weight: 18 points
Caliber: 10 points
Locked breach: 5 points
Firing pin block:10 points

Miscellaneous equip:

Double Action: 10 points
Target grips: 5 points
Target trigger: 2 points
____________
Total: 61 points
 
If you want a real value on a good self defense gun, the Armscor M200 4-inch 38 special is right at $200. Well built, dead-nuts accurate, and simple as it gets. If it is for carrying, the M206 has a 2 inch barrel, and costs about $20 more.
 
C0untZer0 said:
I could have calculated this wrong but here is my scoring for the G43

G43:
Length: 1 points
Weight: 18 points
Caliber: 10 points
Locked breach: 5 points
Firing pin block:10 points

Miscellaneous equip:

Double Action: 10 points
Target grips: 5 points
Target trigger: 2 points
____________
Total: 61 points
Click to expand...

That sounds about right...if the BATFE actually considers it a double action.

I know the Glock 25 is only available for LEO use. It doesn't score enough points (at Glock 19 size) for importation for civilian use.
 
If you are looking for something for a budget, guns are pretty hard to practice with without spending money... Unless dryfiring counts, which it does... kinda. I know that it isn't what you asked, but have you considered pepper spray or a knife, or something like that? You can get a decent size serving of pepper spray for not very many dollars, and a good knife for (again) not much.

If I were in this position, I would probably go for the knife/pepper spray approach, until I saved enough to get a used or even an abused older revolver, or even a new Armscor. Another option, if you are comfortable with it, you might be able to find a good deal on Gunbroker on an older (not really old, like from the 1800s) shotgun. There are plenty of them out there to choose from, and if you have a hacksaw you can chop off some of the barrel if you like.

Take a look at this one. I don't know about it, you would need to do your research, but...

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/592507233

Older bolt action shotgun. Not pretty, and you won't win many skeet matches with it, but it will probably work!

These kind of guns are out there, looking for a nice home! Your local shop might have something like this too. I know it might not be what you are looking for... but I figured it might be something you hadn't thought of.
 
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