Looking for good, but very cheap handgun

[gudel]

cheap and good usually don't go together hand to hand.
but if i only have $200 for a gun, I'd probably get the Bersa.

 

[Rezin]

Another Besa recommendation here. The wife and My busines partner both carry Thunder .380 adn I have fired them as welkl. great little gun for the $$$

 

[Seven High]

If you can arrange it, take your financially challenged friend to a firing range that rents pistols. Have her try out various types. See which one she likes the best. That should give you a good idea of what to look for. It has to fit her hand, not yours.

 

[Preacherman]

Unless your friend is willing to put in the training and practice time to master a semi-auto pistol, I'd strongly recommend a revolver, for the sake of simplicity and reliability. A used .38 Special revolver (Rossi, Taurus, sometimes a Ruger or S&W - although the latter may not be in great shape if the price is very low) can be had within your budget, and should give good service.

 

[georgeduz]

alot of cheep crap stay away for it,u can find a good s&w or colt used for under 200,the mod 10 is a good one.

 

[Malodorousroadkill]

For a comprimise of cost, reliablity, power, and concealablity, a Bulgy Makarov is HARD to beat. I carry 115 grain Silver Bear HPs zipping along at 1050fps. They're easy to clean, disassemble, etc. They are also TANKS. Hard to break one. Nicely smooth for CCW. I recommend the Falco IWB holster. It has a thumbrake that keeps the safety out of your kidneys. I'd take one over a Walther PPK any day of the week. And if I HAD to have a walther, as in someone gives it to me, I'd sell the bugger and buy 2 maks. The Cons are the sights and the mag release. Sights are Tiny, you'll be better off learning to point-shoot with a Mak. But a lil green paint makes them much easier to see. Then the mag release is a heal release. But with a lil training you'd be golden.

 

[bompa]

How about something a bit bigger and a little more expensive ?? I believe a SW9VE,Sigma,is a great gun and only about $300 out the door..That is a new gun with a lifetime warranty..The trigger might be a bit stiff to begin with but with use gets better..Also there is nothing cheaper to shoot,only 22lr,and one needs to shoot to gain confidence and ability..
I like mine and use it a lot,range time,along with more expensive handguns..Only thing that gets more use is a 22lr conv. unit on a 1911 frame.
The Sigma shoots a cast bullet just great also..

 

[KadicDeshi]

http://www.southernohiogun.com/surplushandguns.html

How about a Star BM? My roommate from college has one that he loves. He's even carried it in an ankle holster.

Barrett

 

[gfen]

The real Makarov is the bee's knees if you want a reliable, small package and don't mind a little weight. 9x18mak isn't the most common ammo, but if you're not gonna shoot it lots, $9/box isn't gonna kill your budget. But, it is heavy. Its a solid, heavy hunk 'o steel.

The Bulgarians are all over, and still cheap. Easy to take down and clean and highly functional.

Or, an older J frame revolver. You can find used models for around $200, and if you get an airweight, its not nearly as much of a brick in your pocket feeling. My airweight model 38 disappears into my pocket and I hardly know its there, the Mak doesn't get forgotten on my hip.

I bought a Bulgarian Mak for $170 about a year ago, and about three months ago replaced it as my CCW with the aforementioned M38 which I paid $210 for.

I originally wanted the revolver because I loathe using the decocker on a live round in the living room. The weight savings was what I didn't expect and pleases me far more.

gfen.

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Makarov, lots of ammo, training and a promise to do lots of practice.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I'm reading into the original post that the family probably has no experience with handguns, so...

+1 for a K-frame Smith or Ruger SP101/GP100. Simple, reliable, and easy to use and care for.

Brad

 

[gunfan]

+1 for Charter 2000!

You can obtain an excellent Charter 2000 specimen for under $200.00 on either GunsAmerica or the GunBroker auction site. I own several Charter Arms' older revolvers and have nothing but praise for them. They are an excellent value for the money.

Scott

 

[George Hill]

Makarov.

 

[TexAg]

How about something a bit bigger and a little more expensive ??

Well, because thats outside the parameters. I don't think a Sigma is too big, but a new one is too expenxive and there is definitely bad press on the old ones.

So Maks and j-frames are leading the way. The said lady in this situation is getting a "two-shot .25" from her mother-in-law (apparently her deceased husband left it and she doesn't want it). I can only imagine its a derringer, I will look at it as soon as she gets it, but I think I will campaign for her to get something in addition (or instead) as well. Its a free gun to her so you can't knock that, but especially as home defense gun I think its underpowered and too low capacity. I am still leaning toward a used S&W .38
Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[donkee]

Makarov, it's reliable, inexpensive and with some training (Manditory for any firearms handling) and good gun. Also, the S&W M10 used is plentiful, inexpensive, and reliable. The Bersa, being recently improved, would be low on my list. If they didn't get it right before, you gonna trust them now? The S&Ws and Maks have proven track records even though they might not be stylish plastic guns........

 

[Manedwolf]

A bunch of private security firms have been selling off old handgun inventory in the last 5 years or so, and the market is awash with S&W K-frame 38 Special revolvers that have been carried a lot (may be ugly) but shot a little. For example, I saw six S&W Model 10/64s for sale yesterday in two different shops, all for under $200. I also saw a nice S&W Model 12 (alloy K-frame, six shot 2" snubby) for $190; I almost brought that one home with me to keep my other Model 12's company. That would be a choice that could transition to a carry weapon very easily.....

Also - keep in mind that revo's will probably be easier for most folks to learn on than a semi-auto, and certainly don't require that the operator learn to do tactical mag changes or tap-rack-bang drills.

Texas is definitely a different world than the northeast. I see all these prices quoted, and it seems like something out of an alternate universe. I have NEVER seen prices like that in this area...at shops, or shows. Marked up way, way, WAY above that, even for used.

 

[Manedwolf]

The PA-64 isn't usually thought of as highly as a Mak.

Here are some other options:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976582015.htm

http://www.kyimports.com/sw.htm#s&w (The very first and very last guns on the listing)

The Nagant revolvers might also be an option if the friend can tolerate the trigger.

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

You'll spend more on a box of ammo for it, anyway, than you would for a better gun, and it's a seriously weak caliber. It's a cute relic, but I wouldn't trust my life to it!

 

[TexasRifleman]

Another vote for the little Bersa Thunder 380. I paid just under $200 for mine brand new and it's been nothing but completely reliable.

 

[lee n. field]

This is for a friend of the family who is somewhat poor and is wanting a handgun for home defense, but will also probably get a CHL at some point, so concealablility (in a purse probably) is a factor.

"Somewhat poor." Been there. Some would consider that I still am.

There's a lot that feeds into this decision. I'll assume that this person is sane and responsible, strong enough to rack a slide and capable of learning the controls of whatever she (purse, I'm presuming it's a she) owns.

This needs to be safe and reliable first and foremost, cheap and I think at least a .32 caliber. This gun doesn't have to be pretty, won't need to stand up to thousands of rounds shot through it, but will need to go bang every time and hit a man sized target at 10-15 yards consistantly.

Makarov.

They can still be had cheap, if you keep your eyes open. Gun shop around here had a Christmas Eve sale, Bulgarian Mak for $125. I made myself busy until it was too late to get there in time, otherwise I'd have to be explaining to wifey about the extra Visa charge.

Extra magazines, parts (not like you're going to need parts, they don't tend to break) and accessories are relatively easy to find. The gun itself is pretty well understood, meaning if it has a problem, it can be resolved. If this person ends up carrying, decent holsters aren't hard to find.

I've also thought of used Ruger semi-autos, used Ruger .38 revolvers, and used S&W .38 specials.

If they could get one, that's be great. Around here nothing like that would be available in that price range. Maybe, if you're lucky, a beat up, misused and elderly S&W revolver (which, if it passed Jim March's revolver checkout would still be worth getting).

Bersa Thunder also sounds like a good bet, but I have no personal experience with it.

 

[tbeb]

I think you should go with a revolver. The manual of arms is much simpler. I'd look for a Smith & Wesson Model 10. Another choice that is every bit as good is a Ruger Speed Six or Ruger Service Six. I've owned 2 Speed Sixes; I still have one. I gave the other to my son to complement his 20 gauge. I think you can eventually find a Smith or Ruger that is mechanically perfect in your price range. You asked about Charter Arms... I had one back in the
70's. My most recent one was a 70's model, and I just traded it. I still have an old model .22 magnum. Quality is not the best. I don't want to depend on one for self defense. This statement is based on the fact that the two I no longer have, experienced intermittent problems. They worked most of the time, but that isn't good enough.

 

[Manedwolf]

Well, because thats outside the parameters. I don't think a Sigma is too big, but a new one is too expenxive and there is definitely bad press on the old ones.

So Maks and j-frames are leading the way. The said lady in this situation is getting a "two-shot .25" from her mother-in-law (apparently her deceased husband left it and she doesn't want it). I can only imagine its a derringer, I will look at it as soon as she gets it, but I think I will campaign for her to get something in addition (or instead) as well. Its a free gun to her so you can't knock that, but especially as home defense gun I think its underpowered and too low capacity. I am still leaning toward a used S&W .38
Thanks for the input everyone.

Two shots of .25? Yeah...that's underpowered. The reason why other deep-cover pocket pistol .25's like the Beretta Jetfire were and are actually somewhat effective is that when you have a round chambered, you have nine rounds to throw at the BG as fast as you can pull the trigger, making up for the lack of stopping power with more chances to hit something important or penetrate sufficiently. But two...no.

 

[Willieboy]

I would go with the Makarov or a Kel-tec P11.

 

[outofbattery]

Another vote for S&W M10 or an SP101.Cheaper to shoot than a .380 or 9X18 and everyone stocks .38spl.

 

[WarMachine]

I'd go with the Makarov, or better yet save a bit for a used Ruger. Either a P89 in 9mm or a P90 in .45 should be available for cheap in the used market.

Some say they are too big and clunky. I say they are damned reliable and easy to shoot. All for a good price.

 

[mnrivrat]

Used good quality 38 Spl revolver . S&W at top of list