Which handgun "PURCHASED NEW" was the best value for the money

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From the title: "Which handgun "PURCHASED NEW" was the best value for the money" -- For me, it's undoubtedly my S&W Shield, 1.0, 9mm. It was right before the 2.0s came out (2017?), so 1.0 prices were falling and I took advantage of an S&W rebate deal. I paid right at $340 for: (a) pistol w/ 2 mags; (b) 2 more mags; (c) one mag loader; (d) 2 boxes of Hornady Critical Defense. That cost also includes about 6 backup mags that I purchased on sale elsewhere, but which were not part of the S&W rebate. (I shopped victoriously!) It became my EDC just as soon as I put a few hundred rounds through it and it's been a great little pistol, especially in light of the deal(s) I got.
 
Spats McGee said:
From the title: "Which handgun "PURCHASED NEW" was the best value for the money" -- For me, it's undoubtedly my S&W Shield, 1.0, 9mm. It was right before the 2.0s came out (2017?), so 1.0 prices were falling and I took advantage of an S&W rebate deal. I paid right at $340 for: (a) pistol w/ 2 mags; (b) 2 more mags; (c) one mag loader; (d) 2 boxes of Hornady Critical Defense. That cost also includes about 6 backup mags that I purchased on sale elsewhere, but which were not part of the S&W rebate. (I shopped victoriously!) It became my EDC just as soon as I put a few hundred rounds through it and it's been a great little pistol, especially in light of the deal(s) I got.
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Oddly enough, I was at a Gunshow shortly after the 2.0 Shield 9's came out. Was looking at trying to take advantage and get a Shield 1.0 just like you. Surprisingly a pair of young gals come up next to me and one says, you looking at getting one? I have the 2.0, have only fired about 40 rounds from it and am selling it for 300.00. I was a bit skeptical as I had never been approached at a gunshow offering to sell a firearm. After thinking about it and verifying FTF sales are legal, I said ok (turns out they were sisters and she wanted like the Springfield Armory Compact 9 over the M&P because of the safety which the Shield did not have). Of course the 1.0's were 278.00 at the table new, but getting a 2.0 for 22 dollars more was still a great bargain. One of the best purchases I have made to date. I still have it and after changing out the sites and putting an APEX trigger it serves as my CC.

1.0 or 2.0 you cannot go wrong with the Shield. I have since then added the Shield45 because I liked the Shield9 so much.


CH
 
Crazy Horse said:
....Of course the 1.0's were 278.00 at the table new, but getting a 2.0 for 22 dollars more was still a great bargain. One of the best purchases I have made to date. I still have it and after changing out the sites and putting an APEX trigger it serves as my CC.

1.0 or 2.0 you cannot go wrong with the Shield. I have since then added the Shield45 because I liked the Shield9 so much....
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Don't you love a good bargain?

This year, I also added a Shield 45 to my stable. Paid ~$500, including price, transfer, etc., so it wasn't as good a deal, but I sure do like it.
 
Shield prices on grab a gun have climbed to $479. 1.0 and $499. 2.0

I bought a 2.0 Shield40 with 3 mags and tritium sights for $499. Back in August.

Unlike Glock S&W prices seems to vary widely as does the SKU.
 
RIA 1911 Tactical in 9mm. Ended up buying three of them, we like them so much. $500 each OTD back in the SSE days.
 
Tough question depending on meaning. If best value means best deal I felt I got on a gun it would be an HK P30sk I nabbed for $450 at Cabelas a few years ago. Extra merit because usually Cabelas over priced. After many many years of buying and selling just about everything, I still would say getting a new Glock for around $499 still best value out there for what you get in a defensive handgun with much reasonably priced aftermarket and especially compatibility with pcc’s on the market. And I too love the 9/40/357 sig barrel swap options of Glocks. I have a G32 and all 3 barrels which is probably my must coveted handgun.
 
Feg hi power for around 200 bucks 20 years ago or my Ruger SR9E for 250 just a couple years ago on close out at CDNN.
 
Since everything is relative, my P7M8, which was expensive at the time (2001) and always had been, has tripled or even quadrupled its value in the used market by now. And compared to the pittance for which I purchased my "new/old stock" (as opposed to used milsurp) Bulgie Makarov 9x18mm, its market price on the used market has more than quadrupled the last time I checked.
 
I guess that would depend on the application of the handgun. To me it would be as follows:

The semi auto concealed carrier: any of the "1.5" stack guns like the P365 that now carry rd counts akin to their larger brothers, a new shooter can get one of these guns and forego the use of the larger handguns if they want, of course true gun people will never stop at one

The revolver concealed carrier: the Taurus 856, this is the only 6 shot revolver (that I'm aware of) that is competing with the newer Colt Cobra at times for less than half the cost, .38 is no slouch in the right bullet configuration and speed but a revolver also adds the ability to shoot many different bullet profiles, snake shot is especially important for me where I live.

The Semi Auto hunter: a 10mm of some sort, in addition to the 10mm many people including I have taken to shooting .40 Smith in them for relatively cheap practice, the round is a decent medium game rd that would also do decently well in am SD situation.

The Handgun hunter: IF it was ever offered in a longer barrel length the Redhawk in .45 caliber with both Colt and ACP ability would be the creme de le creme of them, ability to shoot loads near .454 casull (some customs even have the .454 super hawk cylinder in the regular redhawk) for big game and then
45 acp for cheap practice or double as an SD duty as well as having the ability to shoot .45 GAP, .45 Super, .460 Rowland, and .45 Magnum with a wide margin of safety what's not to love?
 
The one you will train with to defend your life....
Doesnt matter what you paid for it.
 
Gen3 Glock 17, bought new in 2009. It’s not my best or favorite gun, but I probably have about 50K rounds through it, it has definitely seen a lot of rangetime, and I believe I have shot every variation of 9mm ammo I can think of with this gun.

I almost traded it off for a Gen5 17 a few years back, but they wanted $400 & my gun which meant they were only giving me about 2 bills for my Gen3. No way I would do that deal. Since then I put a set of Wilson Combat Vickers Elite sights on it, and an APEX Action Enhancement Package trigger on it. I’d still like to get a Gen5, but I wouldn’t trade this Gen3 the way it is now straight up for a Gen5.
 
Crazy Horse said:
Love reloading for the shield 45.
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What a huge difference a single word can make :D :D

I also love reloading the .45 acp - great round to handload!

I sure as heck don't love - like - or even learn to get along with - - - LOADING the .45acp Shield.
I'l take down & put back together 1000 Ruger Mark II guns before trying to cram rounds into those Shield .45 acp magazines. Those things are horrible!
Thank heavens God gave someone the brains to invent that UpLULA® !
 
My first was a Glock 43 and I thought there would be others to replace it. Single stack, factory sights, getting the "Glock knuckle", so I looked at others and purchased others. However, this gun has provided the most for the value ($450) and I am very comfortable with it. Great value for the price paid, just needed to customize (add Taran Tactical +2 mag, Ameriglo night sights, dremel the trigger guard, Talon grips) and voila. Hmm, is it still of value if I have to customize so much?
 
Kimber Det-1 and a Beretta M-9 in one of those service packs in the mid 90's.

Browning High Power 88 new in, I think, '82?

All three stupid cheap for what they are worth now. the Kimber no doubt blows the other two away but as it's so rare, the Browning & Beretta deserve notice.

Todd.
 
triplebike said:
I have purchased about 15 "brand new" handguns in the last 10+ years from many different manufacturers. The one that stands out for me as the best value is the RUGER SR9C. I paid $309 for it NIB. I believe it's one of Rugers finest moments. It's everything a handgun should be. It's a great carry or home defense weapon with it's supplied 10 & 17 rd mags. It's dependable accurate and built to last a lifetime. It's extremely well balanced and very easy to shoot accurately. I have yet to find ammo it doesn't like and has well over 3000 rds through and still looks like the day I brought it, shows no wear at all.
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This is a thread topic for the ages.

My version, “What super-inexpensive gun have you owned for a long time and actually been impressed with?”

SR9C it is! Will probably buy.
 
I think my Ruger SR9c was the best value for the money. Reasonable price, fits the hand well and ears everything I feed it, and is accurate. If I had to choose another, it’d be my Govt Target Stainless Ruger Mk II.

I’m sensing a pattern here.....
 
sparkyv said:
Smith & Wesson Victory, paid $314.00 in 2018. Excellent shooter. In fact, I had it out at the range at noon today.
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love the straight trigger, but I am (at least for now) too cheap to get one for one of my 22 Ruger's...........
 
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