Looking to buy a new handgun, Got around $200 to spend

[Devonai]

You might not be pleased with the trigger pull on the Kel-Tec P11. I keep one in my arsenal as it's the smallest pistol/caliber/capacity I find acceptable, but I'm not doing any precision target work with it, to be sure.

For the price range, I would go with a Bersa 95 series or Thunder.

 

[JoshuaC]

Really starting to fall in love with the Bersa Thunder the more I read about it. Can anyone talk me out of possibly picking it up if I find it tomorrow?

 

[Mastiff]

You might want to check out the EAA M-88. It fires the 9mm, and the cheapest price I've seen for it is $218 for a new one. It is basically an updated version of the Tokarev TT-33, designed around the 9mm, and shortened to make the already very concealable TT-33 even easier to conceal.

 

[JDGray]

Keltec P11 and plinking, go together like water and oil Them thangs are hard to shoot well, and plinking will turn to frustration. Although mine ran 100%, I sold it for a P32, which is also hard to shoot well, I'll make you a great deal

My Brothers Makarov (9x18) is a tackdriver with the military sights, great little gun, but hard to find ammo.

 

[Hoffy]

My two East German Makarov's are my favorite guns to shoot. I bought my first (95%) from a private party for $300 that I connected with here: http://forums.gunboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47. My second (85%) and favorite I bought for $169, but that was an unusual deal. Look for a Bulgarian Makarov, more bang for the buck than the Russian Makarovs with adjustable sights. One can usually be found for around $200.

The CZ-82 that I got from AIM was a great value, I'm glad I bought it, I shoot it every time I'm at the range, but I like it less than my Makarov's (YMMV).

Finding 9x18 ammo is a quest, but it can be found for under $10 per box delivered. 9x19 is much easier to find for under that price but generally .380 is as much or more from internet outlets. I would purchase a Sig 225, if I was not already so heavily invested in 9x18...I just can't see adding another auto caliber (maybe soon I'll start down the .38/.357 road).

My next purchase? I'm in the market for a polished stainless Beretta 21a for under $300. However, the FEG peashooters at http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=234 are also tempting me for $130.

Good Luck!

 

[Rex B]

CD HP or Llama

Charles Daly just discontinued their HP clone, which was retailing at some stores for as little as $249. If you can find a gently used one for that one or less, you'll have a bargain and a great pistol. It's also 9mm, so ammo is cheap.

Llamas - some people sneer at them, but I have several (7) and only one has ever hiccuped. The Max-1 was made approx 1995-2005 and is a reliable 1911, with some small differences (grip screw placing, for example) I have seen them sell for $150 - $250 within the last year. There are also some Minimax variants which are compact 1911s, same deal. I bought one recently for $200. They get no respect except from those who own them, so it's pretty easy to buy one cheap.