Looking for a Handgun for < $200

Status
Not open for further replies.
35 Whelen

35 Whelen

Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
4,039
Location
North Texas
My 25 year old son wants a handgun for his birthday. He didn't specify what, but I know most young 'uns prefer semi-autos. Even so, I don't think he'd be the least bit unhappy with a revolver.

From what I've seen, the only semi-auto's evev close to under $200 are either Hi-Points (low quality), or those chambered for a relatively obscure cartridge such as the 7.62x25 or 9x18.

SOG has some used Taurus .38 Specials for $150 that look appealing. Personally I like a revolver because they're simple and I especially like the 38 Special because it's such a versatile round, especially when handloaded.

I'd also like the handgun to be chambered for something I already reload (9mm, 38 Spec., 357, 45 ACP) so I can keep him in ammunition.

One other caveat is that I have a C&R license which would save me a $25 transfer fee than I could add into what I pay for the pistol.

Any ideas?

35W
 
shop around
and 9mak and tok aren't that 'exotic'
look on the used market, you can find guns like KT

OR you save some pennies till next month and buy something you like. Compared to the ammo you are going to shoot through it, most guns are inexpensive.
 
I see the Taurus .38 revolvers for around $150 pretty regularly, that is what I would go
with.

You might be able to find a S&W Sigma or Ruger P89 for $200 but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I am 26 and I think I would rather have the revolver than a cheap/inexpensive semi auto.
 
Shadow 7D said:
shop around
and 9mak and tok aren't that 'exotic'
look on the used market, you can find guns like KT
Click to expand...

They're obscure (not exotic) in the sense that ammo isn't available at the corner WalMart and I don't have bullet moulds and dies for either of them (for a reason).

That being said, I wouldn't mind a Mak if the price was right.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

35W
 
I'd rather have a nice pair of hunting boots or a new rod and reel than a 200 dollar handgun. (I'm 25)
 
Other than maybe a LEO trade in of some sort, somewhere, you've pretty much got it. At least as far as full size go. Possibly a used KelTec PMR 30 maybe? Or maybe any other used .22 type. You might try the local gunshows, like the one in Canton this weekend.

http://www.gunshows-usa.com/texas_gun_&_knife_shows.htm

I know a few guys in the Dallas and East Texas area with pistols up for sale but, I don't know of any that inexpensive.
 
Last edited:
The Taurus 82 is probably your best bet in a revolver. As for an auto, it's $40 to $50 over your budget, but the Vz.82 (aka CZ-82) chambered in 9x18 Makarov is an excellent option. I've also got my C&R, and just got mine yesterday. With shipping from Aimsurplus.com, the total came to under $250. It included 2 12 round mags, a leather holster, cleaning rod and lanyard. Impressive little gun.
 
If you can bump the budget up to the cost of one of Bud's Model 10s that would be outstanding.
 
If it has to be that cheap (been there done that) then the Taurus is your best bet. The 82's are decent quality revolvers. As has been mentioned, though, there are the Model 10's at Bud's which are not that much more expensive if you can swing it. Their quality is considerably better though so it is, really, worth it if you can. I carried a Model 10 (open and CCW) for a couple of years till I could afford my current EDC, a Glock 19.

Edit: Noticed this is for son, not you. Still if he get's a permit, either revolver is doable until he can afford/decide for himself.

Good luck!
 
If you can tolerate the 9mm Mak, I'd suggest a CZ-83. I've seen mixed reviews of the used Taurus police guns currently on the market.

If a .22 is acceptable, there are a variety of nice .22 autos that might be found, used, in that price range. My first choice there would be a Ruger Mk II.
 
Buy him a gift certificate for $200 so he can put some of his own money towards one.

Besides, you cant buy a gun for someone else (straw purchase).
 
Another +1 for the CZ82/83.$189 for the 82 from century, 83s are on gunbroker for a few dollars more if the more common .380 makes you more comfortable about ammo supply. I have both and prefer the 9mm MAK.

Sent from my PB99400 using Tapatalk
 
There is a member selling a cz50 in the trading post area for $200 w/ a spare magazine. .32acp is common enough, and the gun is C&R eligible.
 
may not be what he is looking for but you can get a new taurus tcp 738 (380 acp) for $199
 
A couple of years ago I purchased a Bersa Thunder .380 for $200 in a private sale. There are deals to be had out there, you just have to watch for them and be ready.
 
Side note, since it's for a present, he may absolutely be willing to kick in $50 or $75 so you can get him a sweet S&W revolver without breaking your budget and also just 'cause it's not unreasonable.

Still a hell of a present, and one that'll last a good forever.
 
Quote:
"It's legal to purchase a gun as a gift for someone who is legally able to own it."

That may be true. However, a couple of years ago, my wife and I, both CHL holders went into a gunshop to buy her a revolver. The clerk told us that he had a genuine concern about me buying it for her - even to the point of which of us handed him the credit card.

Maybe he was uninformed. But when dealing with the federal bureaucracy it is far far better to err on the side of caution. Hence, I would be inclined to simply give my son the money and point him to the source.

Vernon
 
CZ 82... because they are surplus and there's a bunch out there, the price hovers around $200. But the price is misleading because this is a high quality pistol with a fantastic trigger and service available from CZ. It's accurate and reliable.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

A
  • Locked
Popular handguns in the UK
Replies
14
Views
2K
Jim Watson
J
T
  • Locked
Looking for good, but very cheap handgun
2 3
Replies
64
Views
13K
aaronrkelly
A
2
  • Locked
Handgun Caliber birthdates
Replies
19
Views
4K
BigG
B
A
  • Locked
Affordable handgun?
2
Replies
38
Views
2K
momano
M
A
  • Locked
Looking for a first handgun...
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
BCRider
BCRider
Back
Top