Looking for good, but very cheap handgun

[JohnKSa]

Not the Nagant that requires the $$ Fiocci ammunition that only puts out a wimpy 137ft/lbs, I hope.

Some have reported good results shooting .32S&W Longs and .32H&RMag out of the little pistols. Cases bulge and may split due to the chamber/cartridge mismatch, but I have not heard of functioning problems, and no one seems to feel that this is a dangerous gun/ammo combination.

You can also find Russian commercial Nagant ammunition for around $15 a box of 40. http://www.southernohiogun.com/ammo.html

It's worth noting that most people don't shoot their self defense guns much, and to a person like that, a sturdy, reliable, $60 revolver is a pretty good deal, even if you have to pay extra for the ammunition.

You're right though, it's certainly no powerhouse.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I have a few handguns that cost less than $200:

Bersa Thunder .380 ($199) - this would be my first choice. Nice gun and mine is very reliable.

Bulgarian Makarov ($130) - this would be my second choice, a very close second. Its a bit heavier but still a good gun for the money - change that to a great gun for the money.

Zastava Model 70 ($110 from SOG) - I just picked this up a week ago. Its chambered in .32ACP which is a little light for a defensive gun. I wouldnt hesitate to use it if its all I had - better than a stick and harsh words. Solid little gun for the money. Not sure which would be my third choice between this and the CZ52 below.

CZ52 ($100) - this one uses odd ammo but first rule is bring a gun - this is a gun. Seems well built and mine has never failed me. Its a little large.

NAA Mini-revolver ($175) - mine is chambered in .22mag but I still would pick this last on my list....I would prefer the older guns listed above because of stopping power but if this was all I could tote I would grab it in a heartbeat. It beats nothing....


Guns I dont have but would consider:

Highpoint - large and ugly but the ones I have handled went bang everytime

Used .38spl Smith revolver - these can be had between $150 and $200 alot of the times. Great defensive revolvers......

Ruger SP100 - Century has these listed at $179 and up chambered in .357 mag - this would probably be at the top of my lists. Im actually planing on picking one up in the near future.

 

[MillCreek]

I can only join in all the opinions for a used .38 revolver:

• easy to find at this price point
• less complex for a novice to handle
• can more easily withstand long periods of no or little maintenance
• ammunition is easy and cheap to come by

 

[gunfan]

I'll be damned if my .32 S&W Long chambered H&R revolvers don't bark "bang" every time that they're fired, and shoot accurately to boot!

Shot placemnt, shot placement, shot placement. Did I mention shot placement?

Did I mention that they each cost less than $150.00? Perhaps not.

LOL!

Scott

 

[TexAg]

enough to be any good with. Basically, she will just be "bluffing" with her gun, regardless of what caliber it is. Get her a Phoenix HP22 in .22lr. It's got an external hammer, and the safety really does block the sear. Get a spare safety, because it's made of zinc, and will wear out pretty quickly. Best figure on carrying it with the hammer lowered, but it's a lot more gun than any derringer or mini-revolver. Check it out carefully, it may need the chamber and feed ramp polished before it's reliable. It will group 2" or better at 50 ft, and it will hold up to several thousand rds of practice firing. Saving 8c a shot over Makarov ammo, 4000 rds lets her buy a real pistol, (like a used Glock 9mm) not some feeble joke like a Makarov.

Honestly to be "any good with" at defensive ranges doesn't require a ton of practice and I won't mind buying a few boxes of ammo for her. If I recommended her a piece of junk gun that needed the safety replaced "pretty quickly" it won't matter how much she practices with it if its being repaired and she doesn't have it. I don't think the Makarov is a feeble joke and there are alot more people who carry one every day who would agree with me.

 

[jshipma]

Not to sound overly harsh, but I have a Bersa Thunder .380 and after firing only a few rounds the front sight flew off. Now that's understandable for a sub $200 gun. What is absolutely unacceptable is the fact that it has taken over 4 months for a new sight to be sent in and installed under warranty at gander mountain. If you want a good cheap gun, a Bersa's not a bad way to go, but if you have a problem be in for a long wait to get parts or work done under the "lifetime warranty" cuz that's exactly how long it's gonna take to get done!

 

[mndfusion]

Tokareves are sweet, and makarovs. And a fire desent power and are both concealable. Ones a sweet 1911 action the other a PP, both stripped of there overenginering. and they all just work really well, and are not much cash. They are the 1st choice in inexspesive defensive power IMO, they are both about 150 or less...!!!!!

 

[VirgilCaine]

Some have reported good results shooting .32S&W Longs and .32H&RMag out of the little pistols. Cases bulge and may split due to the chamber/cartridge mismatch, but I have not heard of functioning problems, and no one seems to feel that this is a dangerous gun/ammo combination.

IIRC you can get .32 ACP cylinders for Nagants, which is a lot more common than any of the previous cartridges.

 

[Wllm. Legrand]

Several posters above displayed their wise insight into the TRUE ANSWER to the question: S&W .38, probably a Model 10 being the best case.

End of discussion, based upon previously posted parameters.

 

[CAnnoneer]

Self-defense is nothing to skimp on.

If your friend can save 200, he can also save 400. Then he can buy a new stainless Ruger P-series (e.g. in 9mm) for 350 and spend the rest on a simple shooting course to get the basics. 9mm is the second cheapest round to shoot, so much practice will not kill the bank.

Buying a used gun also buys all the problems. What if he spends in 150 on a gun, then it does not work properly? Labor these days is horribly expensive. How many trips to a gunsmith before an old gun becomes more expensive than a new one? Ruger customer service is legendary. People at this forum have had old guns rebuilt with new parts at the factory, free of charge!

"I am not rich enough to buy cheap." British proverb

Finally, with all due respect to other posters at THR, many of them spend much of their time tricking up their babies, doing custom coating, filing triggers, cutting springs, etc. Basically, they are gunsmiths by hobby or profession. They see a cheap gun with flaws at a gun show, they buy it for peanuts, then spend many manhours fixing it with spare parts or modified parts from other guns, then they tell the rest of us "See what I got and how little I paid for it." Sorry, guys, but while I respect your skills, let's not give crappy advice to newbies, okay?

 

[aaronrkelly]

Self-defense is nothing to skimp on.

If your friend can save 200, he can also save 400.

There are alot of $200 handguns out there that are far better guns than some of the $400 ones. Dont buy anything based on the price.

I have never understood why some people always equate price with quality. Sometimes this just isnt the case.

I have owned a brand spanking new $450 Walther PPK (new Smith and Wesson). It was the biggest pile I ever owned. The $200 Bersa Thunder I bought the next month was 10 times the handgun that Walther was.

I have about 4 handguns under $200 that have NEVER failed me......and I owned some guns that cost $500+ that you cant guarantee will fire a complete magazine without failure.

When buying a handgun I will Google for reviews and experiences - that and handling the gun are what I use.

 

[TexAg]

Good post Sir!

There are alot of $200 handguns out there that are far better guns than some of the $400 ones. Dont buy anything based on the price.

I have never understood why some people always equate price with quality. Sometimes this just isnt the case.

I have owned a brand spanking new $450 Walther PPK (new Smith and Wesson). It was the biggest pile I ever owned. The $200 Bersa Thunder I bought the next month was 10 times the handgun that Walther was.

I have about 4 handguns under $200 that have NEVER failed me......and I owned some guns that cost $500+ that you cant guarantee will fire a complete magazine without failure.

When buying a handgun I will Google for reviews and experiences - that and handling the gun are what I use.

I think you are exactly right and that is why I asked the question I did. Thank you!

 

[Nightdiver]

When my wife finally decided to CC, she appropriated my Hungarian Mak in 9x18. I feel confident, and more important she has confidence in this gun.

Whatever gun she chooses, it should be something she feels comfortable and confident with.

That's my $.02.

 

[JohnKSa]

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Hungarian Mak in 9x18

PA-63?

 

[aaronrkelly]

Just picked up a Star Model BM chambered in regular old 9mm.

Very serviceable looking pistol. Cost $139 from SOG, by the time I paid shipping and $15 transfer fee I had $166 in it.

Modeled after a 1911 but its fits my hand *BETTER* than my Kimber Pro Carry. Great feeling trigger.

Read more about them here.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Critical%20Look%20at%20Star%20Model%20BM.htm