"Off-brand" handgun that's been really good for you

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Sarsilmaz K2-45
Double stack .45, copy of a Tanfoglio (which is a copy of a CZ, but not an identical clone). From the factory, it is every bit as good as my CZs. Actually... better, because the trigger is much better. However, Cajun Gun Works doesn't make parts for Sarsilmaz guns, so one of my CZs has gotten better than the Sarsilmaz. It still isn't a double stack .45 though.

If it's formatted on the Tanfo' pattern, there's a ton of aftermarket supply/choice. Tons.
 
I would have to say the Curio & Relic CZ 82. I had just gotten my license and AIM had them advertised for $180.00 with holster an two magazines so I ordered one with a couple hundred rounds of Russian FMJ. The pistol appeared new, but had a mark just below the trigger guard from rack storage, I field stripped it and when I inspected the barrel my thought was "I got taken! No rifling in the barrel". A technician from AIM calmed me down and explained polygon rifling. Anyway I walked to the range and loaded up. Silhouette target at 25 yards and I aimed for center mass. Talk about surprised! 12 shots in a tight cluster exactly where I aimed. I ordered six more. I had never heard of CZ as a maker of modern firearms and the rest is (an expensive) History. CZ P-01, CZ 75b, CZ Compact, CZ P-09, P 97b and a .22 Kadet Kit, IMG_3403.JPG IMG_1296.JPG .
 
If it's formatted on the Tanfo' pattern, there's a ton of aftermarket supply/choice. Tons.

Yeah... but...

I got a Tanfoglio Limited now, and the frame size is a little... off.
I'm in the process (meaning I've had it apart once and tried sticking parts together that weren't made to go together) of turning a Sarsilmaz CM9 into an "Open" gun using Tanfo parts. And the parts are VERY close, but not identical. I think I can get it done, but some stuff just isn't the same. Now, that's a polymer frame too, so maybe there is a problem with that. It's a couple of projects down the list, so that doesn't help it's case either!

The Tanfoglio double stack .45 isn't the same magazine, and I don't think it's the same size grip either. The barrel locks up to the slide using the ejection port and the front of the barrel hood. So... another difference.

Still, pretty nice from the factory!
 
FEG SMC-380...a .380 ACP Walther PPK/s knock off.

It worked more reliably, and shot more accurately, than my Interarms Manhurin Walther PPK/s did... so I sent the "brand name" PPK/s packing and kept the no-name FEG. :thumbup:

(This is a target shot for one of the monthly challenges from a while back)
B3 SMC 380.jpg

Stay safe.
 
Interesting thread. I had a Star chambered for 9mm Largo back in the 90's. It was a neat little pistol. I had never heard of them when I bought it. The salesman talked me into it. I hadn't really thought of Kel-Tec as off brand but I had a P-11. It was small & light easy to carry with a 10 round capacity. It worked well. The trigger was like dragging 8 pounds down a gravel road but the little pistol shot good once I got used to it. I wound up buying something I thought was nicer. A friend was interested in carrying. We got together & I let him shoot my guns to get an idea of what he might like. He picked the little Kel-Tec up & shot it better than anything else he handled that day. I gave it to him.
 
I guess these?
MS Safari Arms (NOT Olympic) .45
AMT x2
Bersa
J.C. Higgins Model 80. Though a re-branded Hi Standard, it still raises eye-brows with the otherwise well informed.

*Off-Brand* being rather subjective.

Interestingly, there was a time that my favorite revolver and semi-autos would have been *off-brand* as less than half of the fellas at any given gun show could even identify them. Ironically, they are now under the same umbrella; CZ and Dan Wesson.

Todd.
View attachment 906948
Nice Longslide AMT 1911 there ApacheCoTodd, now time to acquire a retro laser site for it. ;)
 
You know the saying, even a bind squirrel finds an acorn now and then?

Same applies to lower quality manufacturing. On the average they may be junk, but once in a while all the parts fit just right and that 1 in a thousand rolls off the line. Sounds like some of you lucked out with your off brands. Me I tend to get one of the other 999.
Not sure what you're saying here. For example, Star: a long-time maker of quality firearms for the European market (regrettably, now gone) -- "off-brand" for us Americans, but this company's guns have served many military and civilians well for many years. Taurus, same. The Turkish gun companies? The Turks have been producing high-quality firearms for years. Star, and the Turkish companies, are not "off-brand." Taurus, regardless of its internet reputation, has been producing quality handguns for military, civilian and law enforcement markets for years (just maybe not ours).

There's quite a few companies out there that whose brands may not have the cachet of S&W, Colt, Beretta, SIG or FN, but they're hardly "off-brand." A lot of the so-called second-tier manufacturers are using that the same high-quality methods, tooling and machinery of the more well-know makers. RIA, for example, is using state of the art manufacturing technology and putting out some fantastic guns.
 
Back in the mid-70s, I bought an Astra "Constable" in .380. It was my primary SD/HD handgun for many years. It is one of several handguns in "convenient locations" in my home (no kids) as I had a home break-in many years ago and I don't move as quickly now.
View attachment 906832
I had one of these and traded it off some years ago. Kicking myself, and been looking for another one ever since.
 
Not sure what you're saying here. For example, Star: a long-time maker of quality firearms for the European market (regrettably, now gone) -- "off-brand" for us Americans, but this company's guns have served many military and civilians well for many years. Taurus, same. The Turkish gun companies? The Turks have been producing high-quality firearms for years. Star, and the Turkish companies, are not "off-brand." Taurus, regardless of its internet reputation, has been producing quality handguns for military, civilian and law enforcement markets for years (just maybe not ours).

There's quite a few companies out there that whose brands may not have the cachet of S&W, Colt, Beretta, SIG or FN, but they're hardly "off-brand." A lot of the so-called second-tier manufacturers are using that the same high-quality methods, tooling and machinery of the more well-know makers. RIA, for example, is using state of the art manufacturing technology and putting out some fantastic guns.
I think that’s part of the point. To discuss less popular but solidly made guns. Aka not beretta, s&w, sig, Colt
 
"I think that’s part of the point. To discuss less popular but solidly made guns."


That's what I was hoping. One of the best things about THR is that we help educate each other as a community.

For instance, when I saw the Miroku revolver on sale, I didn't think, "Oh, a no-name piece of dung." I thought, "Oh, yeah. Some people on THR were posting about how well-made those are."

As a result I got a high-quality medium frame snub for a bid of $170-something.
 
"I think that’s part of the point. To discuss less popular but solidly made guns."


That's what I was hoping. One of the best things about THR is that we help educate each other as a community.

For instance, when I saw the Miroku revolver on sale, I didn't think, "Oh, a no-name piece of dung." I thought, "Oh, yeah. Some people on THR were posting about how well-made those are."

As a result I got a high-quality medium frame snub for a bid of $170-something.

This is where I don't get some people. Yes, I know many are brand conscious. Nothing wrong with that. It's that way with cars, clothes, neighborhoods, etc. That defines some people.

Then there are the many who want a good quality gun or car or house but have limited funds. That is where this type of information comes in handy. Many of this second group go without because they want the brand name yet they only want a utility product to service their needs. They think that les expensive means garbage when, in reality, it means lesser known but still good quality. Yes, there is the junk for cheap products and forums like this should help steer them away from that junk. However, there are many guns, cars, homes, etc that are less well known yet a very good bargain for the price. Caveat emptor rings true.
 
I've owned a number of "off brands" over the years, but the one that sticks out in my mind was a little 22 semi I bought once because it was inexpensive. The brand name was "Unique" and it was made in France after the war. I was surprised how nice a little gun that thing was. It never missed a beat I don't think. Any brand of ammo, it just worked and made tin cans dance. No spare magazine, and parts, especially grip panels were said to be impossible to find.

I sold it off to a fellow who saw it and just had to have it. <sigh> A sad tale, but true. I shudda held onto it just for the conversation starter factor if nothing else.
 
I've had reasonable luck with many off brands but if you want a true gem nobody seams to know about look into a Grand Power. I have an early one from when STI imported them. The ergonomics are very CZ/BHP like and the SA trigger is the absolute best on a DA/SA auto.
 
TISAS Fatih-13, a Turkish Beretta 84 approximation. That thing fills the hand, has little recoil, and runs like a champ. But I’ve always been a sucker for odd .380’s. No idea why.
 
"I think that’s part of the point. To discuss less popular but solidly made guns."


That's what I was hoping. One of the best things about THR is that we help educate each other as a community.

For instance, when I saw the Miroku revolver on sale, I didn't think, "Oh, a no-name piece of dung." I thought, "Oh, yeah. Some people on THR were posting about how well-made those are."

As a result I got a high-quality medium frame snub for a bid of $170-something.
I need one of those id love a decent lil revolver I could carry without worrying about it
 
I think that’s part of the point. To discuss less popular but solidly made guns. Aka not beretta, s&w, sig, Colt
Yeah, I understand that part -- I was responding to another poster who implied that "off-brand" firearms were "lower quality manufacturing. On the average they may be junk ..." Since he didn't come back to respond to my response, I'm still assuming he believes that. As I attempted to say, what may be "off-brand" to us is commonly relied-upon in other countries, and certainly some of the old firms in Europe and Asia could never be accused of "lower-quality manufacturing" or "junk." Most of the junk firearms have been made within our own borders.

In any event, I had inherited one of these (Turkish unlicensed clone of the Walther PP) ... only hollow-points it fed reliably were the old Remington standard JHPs, but ran perfectly with ball.
Krikkale.jpg
 
Same applies to lower quality manufacturing.

Not sure what you're saying here.

I guess that could have been taken to mean all "off brands". Didn't mean to imply that at all. I was simply referring to some of the stories of guns that were from manufacturers of lower quality that turned out to be good shooters.

I try not to think that my normal is everyone else's nor that mine is better. Sorry about that.
 
Like Old Dog said just because it wasn't made in the US doesn't mean its a second rate product. I have owned Taurus, Astra, Tangfolio, Unique, Manhurin and and few others I can't think of right now and all have been excellent guns. A few more, Bersa 22, 2/3 scale Luger in 380 but I don't remember who made it. A Llama 45 auto like a 1911 that shot like a match pistol I paid $125 for and would love to have it back. An old first run Kel-Tec 32acp and others I just can't recall.
 
Like Old Dog said just because it wasn't made in the US doesn't mean its a second rate product. I have owned Taurus, Astra, Tangfolio, Unique, Manhurin and and few others I can't think of right now and all have been excellent guns. A few more, Bersa 22, 2/3 scale Luger in 380 but I don't remember who made it. A Llama 45 auto like a 1911 that shot like a match pistol I paid $125 for and would love to have it back. An old first run Kel-Tec 32acp and others I just can't recall.
Agreed
 
Weihrauch Arminius HW9. This is one of the better HW models and sports excellent trigger characteristics, the barrels are made by Lothar Walther and also used in their airguns and by many well respected manufacturers.

I shot this group in double action at 25 yards and cannot do much better with a S&W K-22 or a Korth.

IMG-2452.jpg
 
Weihrauch Arminius HW9. This is one of the better HW models and sports excellent trigger

I have a Weihauch air rifle and it definite take springers to another level. Always wanted to get one of their .22lr rifles, but it's never bubbled to the top of the priority list.

Speaking of off brands, I spent my teenage years just blocks away from the Winslow company. They made some snazzy CF rifles as well as water rescue equipment (odd combo). One of their rifles would definitely be something along the line of a BBQ gun you'd take to a gathering to impress people.
 
Weihrauch Arminius HW9. This is one of the better HW models and sports excellent trigger characteristics, the barrels are made by Lothar Walther and also used in their airguns and by many well respected manufacturers.

I shot this group in double action at 25 yards and cannot do much better with a S&W K-22 or a Korth.

View attachment 907666

Ah! The pawn shop had one of those a year or so ago for next to nothing, and I picked it up, looked at it, and thought to myself, "Self, you don't have any idea what this is, or what it is worth!" So, self put it down and walked away. Now he's sad that he did.
 
There are a lot of sleeper guns out there that are vastly underrated. The Unique DES69 is one of them. This gun balances incredibly well and shoots like a dream. It is not just an off-brand, it also is what I consider an ugly duckling, yet when you shoot it and get used to it, it becomes a swan!

IMG-3046.jpg
 
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