You do not have to spend $1000 to get a good weapon.

[bestseller92]

I think most newbies reading the gun rags and even the legit gun mags today might come to the conclusion that a person has to spend at least a grand to get a decent weapon, be it rifle, shotgun or pistol.

They are crammed to overflowing with $2500 1911s, $3000 double barrel and $1500 semi auto shotguns, $1700 bolt actions and $2000 ARs.

That's probably enough to scare some new shooters/hunters off, or worse, make them buy ultra cheap junk guns like Lorcins,etc.

I did a little thinking (well, very little ) and came up with a list of high quality, reasonably priced new guns for just about any application:

SEMIAUTO HOME/SELF DEFENSE PISTOL:

Ruger P95 9mm, $325

Ruger P90 .45, $400

Just about any GLOCK: $550 or less.

Springfield XD, $500

DOUBLE ACTION HOME/SELF DEFENSE REVOLVER:

Ruger GP100 .357, $425

Taurus 669 .357: $325

Taurus 85 .38: $265

BOLT ACTION HUNTING RIFLE:

Stevens Model 200, $300 or less

Savage Model 111 w/scope, $400

HOME DEFENSE/HUNTING SHOTGUN:

Mossberg 500 pump, $250

Remington 870 Express, $300 or so.

PLINKING/HUNTING .22 RIFLE:

Ruger 10/22, $200

Marlin Model 60, $150

PLINKING/HUNTING .22 HANDGUN:

Ruger Single Six, $325

ASSAULT/ESTATE DEFENSE RIFLE:

Ruger Mini 14, $585.



Some of you may disagree with my choices (they are just representative samples, more than anything else), but the fact remains that excellent quailty weaponry can be had new without spending megabucks.



Agree/disagree?

 

[rantingredneck]

To your Bolt action rifle list I would add the Remington 700 ADL.

 

[ramis]

Don't forget the CZ-75 B!

 

[CountGlockula]

I agree. Good research there.

Most serious new gun owners should better of studying different types of pistols before purchasing...which also includes shopping around for the best prices.

 

[psyopspec]

S&W M&P is competitive with Glock prices.

 

[bestseller92]

Feel free to add any weapons that you think are great values. I've restricted mine to new, just to make the point, but there are great used values as well.

I have nothing against high dollar weapons -- I just can't justify the added expense, when there are lower cost firearms that'll do the job just as well.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

S&W M&P is competitive with Glock prices.

+1 I just got my M&P 9c from buds for $439 shipped w/2 free mags.

 

[El Tejon]

While there most certainly are good values, in firearms you largely get what you pay for and that's what makes guns so attractive.

 

[Mannlicher]

I like custom touches and features. These don't come on plain vanilla guns. I have a lot of 'better' guns that were purchased 'on the cheap', as used guns. These are a bargain, compared to new guns in many cases.

 

[GigaBuist]

What about the military surplus market? I've surprised many folks that are interested in possibly owning a gun or two by bringing them up.

Semi auto pistol? $150 for a Makarov, $250-ish for a CZ-82, etc.

Bolt gun? K-31's, Mosins, Yugo Mausers. All under $200.

Semi auto: SKS.

 

[teknoid]

Many could be added, some are much less than $400, such as the Stoeger Cougar and EAA Witness. People who believe otherwise aren't doing much research. Heck, my most expensive is the Springer 1911 Mil-Spec. It was less than $600, and I like all of them.

 

[MD_Willington]

Saiga 223...

~$300, does the same thing as the mini-14...

 

[GTSteve03]

Saiga 223...

~$300, does the same thing as the mini-14...

Or SKS or Saiga 7.62x39 if you want the Commie caliber.

 

[rocinante]

dont forget the saiga 12 guage for the shotgun category. they are about 440 average now.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

But then what are you going to show off at BBQs?

 

[kcmarine]

But then what are you going to show off at BBQs?

The converted Saiga.

But seriously... you didn't have to tell us Saiga owners that you don't need to get another mortgage for a good weapon... ha ha.

Ah, the Saiga rifle... there isn't a better rifle for the price, PERIOD.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

They are crammed to overflowing with $2500 1911s, $3000 double barrel and $1500 semi auto shotguns, $1700 bolt actions and $2000 ARs.

That's my main complaint about gun rags. I would rather read about guns I might actually be able to purchase at some point, not guns I'd have to sell my car to buy.

 

[Gustav]

Another vote for checking into either surplus or used firearms if on a low budget firearms are if taken care of a very long lasting and durable item.
Many good police trade in pistols can be had everything from Sigs Smith & Wessons and Glocks to Remington 870s.
Surplus military rifles and pistols also are well worth checking into they were designed and built to last under tougher conditions than any hunting rifle pistol or shotgun and are usually easier to find parts for and repair if and when they need it.
Just because something is not new or "modern" does not mean it is not capable of doing what it did when it was new, many old firearms serve quite well for years and even decades of hard use.
Good handguns on the cheap include used Glocks Sigs Makarovs Walthers Smith & Wessons Colts Rugers.
Good rifles can very from a cheap Mosin Nagant to an SKS or AK to a Swiss K31 or British SMLE or Enfield up to a Garand, all will serve and have served the test of time.
If you shop around and check the online auction sites such as Gunbroker and Auction Arms or due a search for curio and relic dealers and use you local FFL you can have a couple good rifles and pistols and maybe even a used Remington 870 all for less than $1000 with perhaps some left over for ammunition.

 

[MaddSkillz]

Hey, I think I've seen this thread somewhere else.

 

[jhco50]

Quote:
While there most certainly are good values, in firearms you largely get what you pay for and that's what makes guns so attractive.
====================
Not always. The guns mentioned are top of the line guns, they just don't have all of the bells and whistles. All of the magazines are just a big advertisement now. They sell for the companies that advertise in their rags. Of course they are going to push the guns that have the bigest profit margine, but sell the least. They have actually caused me to sit back on my haunches and shake my head.

You can buy high dollar supposedly better built guns or buy working guns. I will be honest, I have looked at some of these high dollar guns in the fit and finish dept. and most of them don't make the grade.

 

[Crunker1337]

Throw in the civie AK clone for sports utility rifle. If you look around, you can get them for under $400 - quite reasonable.

You do need to pay a bit more for a good 1911 or AR-15.

 

[hrgrisso]

+1 for shopping and used guns

Honestly I think thats one of the best things about guns, you don't have to be a mechanic to look under the hood and see if a gun is a good quality enough to buy.

A serious buyer who has done his homework, knows what to look for. In modern firearms there are usually, let me stress that USUALLY, only a few things that can or usually go wrong.

Someone looking for problems with a brain can usually spot them miles away. And as many of us know, the used market opens gems to the possibility!

 

[ABTOMAT]

Mosin Nagant M44 - $59

 

[Samuraigg]

Need to put in SKS or Saiga.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Don't forget the CZ-75 B!

One of those would be my suggestion. I have shot a number of auto's (I own a Blackhawk, and shoot friend's guns). I have to say that of the auto's I have shot, the CZ-75 would be my pick in the price range I can afford.

But I have to tell you, for an inexpensive handgun with a sweet trigger, I have to mention a Ruger Blackhawk - pick your own caliber (I chose 45 LC/45 ACP Convertible). No auto I have shot comes close. I sort of believe people who tell me that a very expensive 1911 might have a better trigger, but not for $399.

If I had to do it again, I would skip the 45 ACP - I have used that cylinder to make sure that it works, and that's it. I have no use for the wimpy stunted little 45 ACP round - I like them better all growed up.

I think it's also a pretty good choice for SD. I know the tactical sorts claim they expect to need 30 rounds for a battle in the front hall, but I reckon 6 rounds of 255gr.@900 fps will handle 99.99% of anything I ever going to face in my house. If waves of mutant bikers with full auto weapons storm my house, and I get popped while fumbling with the reloading gate, I promise that the last words out mouth will be, "I should have listened to all those guys on THR!"

As far as hunting handguns, the Blackhawk has a pretty good reputation as well. There are Ruger-only loads in 41 magnum, 44 magnum, and 45 LC that are supposed to be good enough for any North American game.

Without the extra cylinder, it's probably $365-$375.

Mike