What is a good, cheap gun?

[dairycreek]

Lot of discussion about guns and their prices. I have paid as high as $2000 for a high end 1911. So much for a "good, expensive gun"! But I would like to hear some discussion and recommendations for a "good, cheap gun". Note that I have set absolutely no criteria for either "cheap" or "good". So, have at it if you will. Good shooting

 

[vanfunk]

Good + Cheap = Smith and Wesson Model 10 .38 Special

In my considered opinion, and on the behalf of my constituents, I say verily unto you, dear reader...

The S&W Model 10 of any flavor, produced in the last 40 years (+p capability) can accomplish 90% of anything that needs doing with a handgun. Used ones in excellent condition can be found in the $150 - 200 range without difficulty.

Thus spoke vanfunk

 

[gbelleh]

Makarov

 

[Cawdor]

Ruger makes good guns at lower prices than other manufacturers. So does CZ.

 

[MJRW]

Bersa Thunder

 

[10-Ring]

Bought a S&W mod 19 last month. For $275 it is unbelievably good & was pretty cheap too

 

[TarpleyG]

Kel-Tec. Lifetime warranty and around $200 for a .32 or 9mm. Wonderful little pistols.

GT

 

[Ala Dan]

No Such A Thing As A "Cheap Gun"-

I would rather use the phrase "Less Expensive"

and with that said, the Bersa Thunder .380 gets my vote!


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[charleym3]

Cheap is a matter of opinion. To me it means something south of 2 "C" notes. I have a Model 10 that I got for 150 and a Model 64 that I paid 130 for. I carry the 64 everyday. CDNN has model 10s for $139 in fair to good condition. Sounds like a deal to me. I may just order 2. After all I have 2 hands.

 

[22x9]

Kel-Tec P-32 & P-11

Steyr M & S series (cheap at CDNN)

 

[COHIBA]

i think keltecs are a great value. a little higher and the enchanced sigma aint bad. a little more and you can get a steyr.
then a XD
then a glock
then a kimber
then an sig
then an HK...
thats what happened to me( w/ the exeption of the sigma, of course).

 

[cratz2]

Depends on the 'cheap' price range. What I consider 'cheap' after receiving my quarterly bonus might be more than some that has to wait a week to fix a broken down car.

Well used S&W 38 Special
Makarov
KelTec PT32
TelTec PT11
EAA Witness series
CZ75 series
Taurus PT92/PT99

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Used Dan Wesson, Monson, Mass. manufacture of course, Model 15. Certainly reasonable at an average price of $200 to $225. Accuracy and durability superb.
Take Care

 

[ChristopherG]

The first answer is the right answer. Inexpensive S&W .38s are impossibly cheap for the quality and refinement that they exude.
cg

 

[chaim]

Open ended "good, cheap gun", based on my cheap for a gun criteria:

-a good condition used Smith revolver
-Taurus revolvers
-Taurus 911/940/945 (depending on caliber preference)
-Taurus PT92/99 or PT100/101 (depending on caliber/sights pref)
-Bersa
-Ruger revolvers
-CZs
-Ruger autos (if you can deal w/ the look and feel)
-SA Mil-spec (in my area not quite cheap at $550, but cheap for a high quality 1911)

There are others, but this is what comes to mind with little trying.

 

[Soap]

Depends on how you define "cheap". For handguns, I would say anything sub-$500 is cheap. $500-$1000 is mid priced. $1000-$2000 is high end and $2000+ better be a work of art.

But for the lowest price with max quality I think that the Makarov, old Smiths, and CZs are among the best choices. A used Glock is a good choice too.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Used S&W revolver, e.g., Model 10 or 15.

Makarov.

 

[Brian Williams]

$275 S&W 586-1 4"
$325 Sistema 1911
$300 S&W 13 3"
$185 Ruger single six
$275 S&W 65-2 4"
$0 Glock 19 Wife won in a drawing


$299 S&W 940 coming soon to a IWB near me

 

[Gerald McDonald]

Any inexpensive firearm that goes bang every time with reasonable accuracy. My wifes ex gave her a New England Firearms 9 shot 22 lr with about a 3" barrel for a car gun. I gave her a Ruger Security Six with 2 3/4" barrel and took the NEF for a tackle box gun. After about 500 rounds at the range I have decided its not really a bad little revolver. It has never failed to go bang and it is very accurate if fired single action, it takes a lot of practice to use D/A as the trigger is heavy. Not what I would wish to carry for a defensive piece, but perfectly functional as an inexpensive outdoor tool. The same could be said of any of the Brazilian revolvers, not ideal for combat but perfectly able to get the job done. There is a place for cheap handguns in this world, if I didnt have the money and needed a handgun for protection I would much rather have a Taurus now than risk a wait six months longer for a Kimber or Smith
Gerald

 

[sanchezero]

Maks, FM hipowers.

 

[Mike Irwin]

Any of a number of used Smith & Wesson revolvers.

Any of a number of used Ruger revolvers.

 

[cool45auto]

Another vote for the P32

 

[Yohan]

Raven

 

[stevesmith7]

No disagreements yet, but no one's mentioned the FEG Hi Power copies.
Not much more than $200, all steel and decent triggers with a little work.

Steve

 

[Blackhawk]

My Kel-Tecs were cheap and they're good, very good, in fact. Make that excellent!