Low priced handguns

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Budgetshooter

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Hello, my first post here. I want to create a thread that names some cheaply priced handguns, that would still be great for personal defense of the home or to carry with a legal carry permit. In general, they should be under $300, not including any FFL or shipping fees.

Here is what i can offer up so far, please add if you can.


MDL 200 .38 Special revolver 4inch. Barrel. Prices found between $180 and $200.
armscor-model-200-38-special.jpg
 
Model 206 .38 special revolver snubnose priced under $200

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CZ-82 9x18 makarov (9mm mak) priced under $230

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Romanian Tokarev TT-33 Priced generally under $230. Very powerful gun, similar to 357 magnum in ballistics gel.

400px-TT-33.jpg
 
Both of those revolvers are TOTAL CRAP.

They'll end up costing you more, since you'll have to buy another one after those break.

Presuming, of course, the breakage didn't damage your hand(s) or eyesight......
 
Smith and Wesson Sigma in .40 or 9mm can be had for under $300. A lot of people don't like em, but now that I've found ammo that mine likes, it has been utterly reliable. Feels good in the hand and is accurate. Not a great trigger, but hey, you can't have it all for $300.
 
I like the sigmas too. Still have one in .40. The trigger is in fact crap, but thats my only gripe.
 
cheaply priced handguns, that would still be great for personal defense of the home
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How much do you value your life? For around $300 you can get a 12 ga. short-barreled shotgun workhorse that will not fail you under any circumstances. If you want a handgun as a primary means of home defense, I'd get a Glock or a name-brand .357. Get around $600 together before even looking. Good guns aren't cheap.
 
I bought one of the MDL200 in 38 spec and so far I sorta like the gun , I'll shoot a mild hand load , it's sorta ugly but I like the feel of it.
 
Police buy-backs...revolvers, autos, etc.

Best deals on the planet, followed by *some* of the mil-surp through companies like AIM Surplus.
 
Both of those revolvers are TOTAL CRAP.

They'll end up costing you more, since you'll have to buy another one after those break.

Presuming, of course, the breakage didn't damage your hand(s) or eyesight......
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And you know this how? How much experience do you have with them? How many rounds to failure? How many individual samples have you tested? Since I've never even seen one, I'd like to know the basis of your conclusions.

BTW. I've got both a CZ-82 and a Hi-Point 9mm. They're both good choices.
 
The EAA Windicator is my personal choice for a very inexpensive but still quality made handgun. The finish sucks but it is reliable and way overbuilt.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal_to_emotion
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Point of order, houle: OP is asking which cheap gun under $300 would be "great" for HD. If there were great guns for under $300, we wouldn't see that $800-$1000 is pretty much baseline for quality. Smart shopping for used can get that lower, but once you're in the cheap range, "great for HD" is a tough sell. When it comes to life safety equipment, well... The EEA Vindicator would probably be a good choice. Agreed.
 
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And you know this how? How much experience do you have with them? How many rounds to failure? How many individual samples have you tested? Since I've never even seen one, I'd like to know the basis of your conclusions.
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I couldn't find the picture of the one I saw blown up, but even the folks that like them find they have faults. Sometimes, very serious ones.

Here's one review of two of them by one of the THR moderators:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=416615

You waste your money if you want to, but there are so many better guns to buy for the same or less money.

Here's a picture of one that cost me $85 at a gunstore:

DSCF0009.jpg
 
I gotta give a +1 on the CZ-82. The Makarov cartridge is acceptable, and the ergonomics are awesome.

Also, I bought a Rossi M971 357 Mag revolver, and I was so happy with it I bought a M68 in 38 Spl. I think they are an underrated and excellent weapon.
 
Well i'll jump in here
I own a EAA Windicator, its my house gun and sits right next to my bed loaded with gold dot. I have only fired it on two occations each time firing 50 rounds ,with no issues.
Its in no way close to the quality of any of my Rugers or Smiths ,but its intended job is to go bang when i call on it. My only complaint is the trigger it is absolutly crap i am planning to do a trigger job on it next month.
Here's a pic to through in to the thread my price was $245
 

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The Sigmas, while technically a bit above $300 nowadays (barring mail-in rebates), qualify nicely in all other respects.

I picked one up on a whim a few years ago and, even though the trigger kinda sucks, I've got to say I'm nothing but impressed with it as a high-value sidearm.
 
Point of order, houle: OP is asking which cheap gun under $300 would be "great" for HD. If there were great guns for under $300, we wouldn't see that $800-$1000 is pretty much baseline for quality. Smart shopping for used can get that lower, but once you're in the cheap range, "great for HD" is a tough sell. When it comes to life safety equipment, well... The EEA Vindicator would probably be a good choice. Agreed.
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http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155909610#PIC

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155999132

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=155200140

All three of these guns are way under $800 your baseline for a HD gun. Tell me if you were going to use a handgun for self defense you think that one of these wouldn't keep you as safe as your higher end guns?
 
All three of these guns are way under $800 your baseline for a HD gun
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To be fair, the S&W revolver was the only one I'd get, and it's $550 way used. Hunt around on the Internet you can find some deals. I was in a gun shop today picking up some things and the stuff in the window is really high.
 
Well for my 2 cents if I needed a gun for under 300 I'd go with a Remmie 1858 clone, plus a spare cylinder. Fresh caps every week and 30 grns FFFg Goex. They will go bang alot more reliably than you would think. I've had year old spare cylinders fire all 6 without a hickup [fresh caps as I don't cap spare cylinders] of course some will claim .45 in BP are too weak for HD. I respectfully disagree. Gun, cyl, powder, caps, and balls and you're still under $300 but stay away from the brass frames, they won't last as long as the steel.
 
I looked at an EAA Windicator today. If I'd had the cash on me, I would have spent it. Not the prettiest by any stretch of the imagination, but for just barely $200 new it will do exactly what someone needs of it. Plus heavy enough that actually shooting magnum rounds isn't an exercise in masochism. Shoot standard pressure .38 special & it'll be a good trunk gun.

And a 2" model in your pocket would be a heck of a lot better than a sharp stick if the SHTF...

William
 
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