Which beater?

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brewer12345: Your requirement seems to exclude the capacity of a Makarov.

Otherwise I would suggest a .380 commercial Russian Mak. (like mine). They have little, if any, collector value and sell for about $350.
My only single malfunction in about 1,000 rds. was caused by a moment of limp-wristing. True Makarovs have been described as possibly the most reliable semi-auto handguns ever produced. But if not, they might be the most rugged.
 
A friend bought a Taurus 9mm G2C for his wife at $199. 12 round capacity and small enough package for carry with lifetime warranty.

I have seen it on sale for as low as $179.
 
Ignition Override said:
brewer12345: Your requirement seems to exclude the capacity of a Makarov.

Otherwise I would suggest a .380 commercial Russian Mak. (like mine). They have little, if any, collector value and sell for about $350.
My only single malfunction in about 1,000 rds. was caused by a moment of limp-wristing. True Makarovs have been described as possibly the most reliable semi-auto handguns ever produced. But if not, they might be the most rugged.
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That would add another cartridge, which I would rather not do. My Bulgarian Mak is built like a tank and I most often hunt with a Baikal 20 gauge that always goes bang in all kinds of weather and conditions. I have a healthy respect for how Russian guns are built, at least when it comes to reliability.
 
Late to this thread but I picked up a very used and abused Glock 30SF for cheap.

Gun runs fine after I cleaned the heck out of it. Sand and fouling was everywhere. Finish was worn badly, but the gun shoots just fine.

My point being, pick up a well used Glock, M&P etc. in .380, 9mm or .45 ACP.
 
I would have gone with the CZ-82 for $200 even if the Star were available, these are great shooting guns.

I wish you could buy new guns in 9X18 Mak caliber, if Glock offered a19 pattern pistol in the caliber I’d want one.
 
Glock 22s with night sights can be found all day right now for 299 and M&P are even less. Trade in sig 226 are out there for under 400. And those are store prices. Not auctions. I see no reason to buy a lesser gun with less support for parts/springs/mags unless its under 100-150 for actual use.

As far as recoil, shoot a 40 with light bullets and a 9 in the same platform and I highly doubt you can tell a difference. Ive made many try just that and no one notices any huge difference in a full size gun.
 
deputy tom said:
SD9VE new or used for the win. tom.
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Yes, this. My SD9 has been flawless.

Also, the G2C fits the bill for being both inexpensive and AK reliable.
My P111G2 and G2C were both purchased new for under $200, though now there's a rebate where one could purchase a G2C for around $157 if purchased from Gunprime or some similar online retailer. I have purcased from Gunprime several times now without any issues.

I love military surplus, but I believe the G2C would be a better fit for you, especially if you want to use JHPs (my Pt111G2 and G2C will feed anything).
The G2C is the first things that comes to mind for a beater pistol, especially with a stainless slide: 12 +1 of any 9mm of your choosing in a reliable platform that's rust resistant costing and with 2nd strike capability for cheap.
 
brewer12345 said:
I am wanting a beater/truck gun semi auto in a caliber suitable for things ranging from finishing off a wounded jackrabbit from 5 paces to a plausible self defense option. I want a gun that I do not care if I lose it/drop in the mud/break bashing in a bear's skull, so this needs to be inexpensive. My only other handgun I would call a beater is a Taurus 85 I pocket carry daily (and boy does it look it). I thought about a police trade in, but I don't care for glocks and .40 seems like more recoil than necessary for a round that may become difficult to source in the future. I see two options at the moment:

- Star BM for $150: all steel, seem like they are well made. Throwaway price even if you add a second mag. I do not own a 9x19 so this would be adding another caliber, albeit perhaps the easiest and cheapest to find. Somewhat heavy and only 8 round capacity.

- CZ-82 for $200: well made service pistols. Comes with a flap holster. Apparently sold in somewhat less pretty condition than the Star (holster wear, finish is inclined to flake). 12 round capacity in 9x18. I have a Bulgarian Mak, so I already load and cast for this caliber.

Thoughts? I am torn.
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There are a bunch of underappreciated new guns like Sarsimlaz imported from Turkey. The generics are through Century Arms, EAA,......in addition brand names can be had from places like Bud's, Grab a Gun,.....If you have large hands one great choice is K2-45. "Le Beast" is usually is out of stock becase it represents such a great value for $ spent.
 
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Police surplus Glocks are one of the best deals in guns right now. And if you don’t care for 40s&w, it’s a simple matter to drop a 9mm barrel in.
I have a Gen 4 G22 with night sights on the way right now...$319.
 
SwampWolf said:
Have you looked at Korths?
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Interesting, that is like buying Blancpan Fifty Fathoms for daily wear in adverse conditions. Fine selection as it was originally designed to be worn by combat divers. The specs were so demanding that only one company whos CEO was an avid diver made it. The rest would not touch that project with a flag pole. What you have there is worlds finest diver watch.
 
LoL, my wife must be right about how cheap I am!

I believe I own or have owned every model listed in this thread.

I hope the OP is enjoying his CZ82.

For quality and a low price, the milsurp and police trade-ins are my favorites.

If someone insisted on buying new, my Taurus G2 has been completely reliable. It's worth it to pay the extra $20 or whatever for stainless, IMHO.

In a full-sized service pistol, 40 caliber is just barely spicier than 9mm... to me. YMMV.
 
Tallball said:
LoL, my wife must be right about how cheap I am!

I believe I own or have owned every model listed in this thread.

I hope the OP is enjoying his CZ82.

For quality and a low price, the milsurp and police trade-ins are my favorites.

If someone insisted on buying new, my Taurus G2 has been completely reliable. It's worth it to pay the extra $20 or whatever for stainless, IMHO.

In a full-sized service pistol, 40 caliber is just barely spicier than 9mm... to me. YMMV.
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CDNN has sale know where one can get new EAA Sar B6P for under $250. Its basically same thing as this Ruger. Lovely pink compact version is just $230.
 
You mean this one? Yeah, it's a good shooter. I got it about a month ago. :)

It seems to me to be a polymer CZ75 compact "clone". The trigger is pretty nice. Mine shoots to point of aim very well.

I kind of prefer the S&W M&P 45acp police trade-in I got a few months back for the same price, but for $229 plus whatever, you can't really go wrong either way.

I honestly don't understand what's going on with people who think they can't get a good reliable handgun for less than $500, or less than $800, or whatever they put in their posts. I have some very nice handguns that were less than $300 OTD.


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Smith and Wesson M&P 45acp

Smith and Wesson M&P 45acp

 
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There are a lot of great deals out there right now. Seems guns sales are slow and I've recently ran across some great bargains. Bought a S&W Shield 9m LNIB with 2 mags at a gun show this weekend for $225. Will be my son's College graduation present. Palmetto State Armory has the Shields for $249 with free shipping. Even though I'm a revolver man to the core, I just bought a new truck gun. Springfield XD9 in really decent shape for around $250. Holds 16+1 and I've run several hundred rounds through it mixing all kinds of ammo and I can't seem to make it jam, so it has a home. Check out the Local Pawn Shops and be patient. Have CASH available to make a deal. One of the worse things you can do is go in a Pawn Shop looking for a deal and pull out plastic. Cash is king. Don't be afraid to make an offer. If business is slow, sometimes dealers move stuff just for the cash flow.
 
If you don't like Glock police trade in-ins they also have Sig and Beretta's. Some in .40, some in 9mm.

I was at GT Distributors today picking up mags and ammo and they had several police trade in Sig's (226's and 229's) in the $299 to $319 range.

If not that I'd second the Ruger P-Series (that's what I chose for my 'truck gun' [It doesn't stay in there at night. More of a second carry pistol]) or the S&W SD9VE.

I have a couple friends who have beater Taurus G2C's that they're happy with. I've never owned one though.

I used to own a Star BM though. It was actually a solid little pistol. Sorta wish I hadn't sold it.
 
I got a scratched up Ruger P.... I think it's the P90 that's in 45acp, for something stupid like $149 plus whatever. I'm pretty sure it was a police trade-in of some kind. I liked it so much that I got a P series 40 (P94 maybe) and 9mm (P89?) as well. The 9mm needed a new mainspring. Other than that they've all been perfect. Their triggers are a little clunky, but they are inexpensive, well-made, and reliable.

Here's the 9mm. The 40 looks pretty good, too. The 45 looks like it was carried enough to get scratched up quite a bit, but I figure it just adds "character".

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This is my 'Truck Gun' (the Ruger P94 .40). Whenever I leave I just put it there in the door and then I take it in with me at night.

33868616178_caa015b8ee_o.jpg


Where it normally resides when driving.
IMG_8888.JPG

The Hi-Point is just something that got thrown into the deal, although I suppose that would make an okay vehicle gun.

The Walther PPS M1 is what I pocket carry if the weather is REALLY hot or if I'm in a social situation where it would be awkward if I crouched to the floor or reached up to pick something up and it was discovered that I was armed. The Ruger is there to just have a full size pistol available or to arm a passenger instead of solely relying on a sub-compact pistol.

If I go into a store I put it in my vehicle safe.

If I had it to do over again I'd probably have a police trade in Sig 226 or 229 (priced around $300) as my top pick and the Ruger P94 as my second pick, but the Ruger does well.

••••••••••••

Edit : In Dallas Texas at GT Distributors there are Sig 226's and 229's in .40 for around $300.

If not then there are web stores like this which are just a bit more.

https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/168884

IMG_8889.JPG
 
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I found a Ruger P89M that was part of an order for the Chicago PD. It's 9mm DAO and is now my truck gun. Chicago canceled the order before delivery. I like this gun and the Ruger P95's because they can handle long periods of heat or cold living in my truck and still work fine.
 
If you shoot DOA Revolver Triggers well I would suggest a basically unfired SW9VE Sigma in Stainless from the Pawn Shop.

About $100 around here.

Holds 16 Rounds and mines been flawless through 2,000+ Rounds.
 
You can get used Police Trade Sig 226 and 229 for $300-400 range but they are usually .40.
 
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