Best deal... that's tough.
Probably one of the better deals I got came online, off Auction Arms (what's now called Gun Auction).
Somebody listed a Norinco T-54 (a Sportarms import, Tokarev, with a 9mm barrel), with some crazy-but-functional aftermarket grips, simply called it an "ugly 9mm shooter" or something like that. The grips were greenish formica I think, with a steel shim insert that fit into the opening on the sides of the frame grip. They were held in place by a piece of bicycle innertube. It came with 2 standard Tokarev magazines, and an extra 9mm barrel to go with the one in the gun.
This was early 2000's, before everyone was dialed into the used gun market online, before everyone knew how to turn a buck from this.
I won the auction at $67, with I think $5 shipping. I found a pawnshop nearby ran by a grumpy dude who said he would do transfers for 10%. Back then I think most places charged set a set $20 or $25. I tried to explain what my price was, he said "if the gun costs 200, you pay me 20. If if costs 300, you pay me 30. No exceptions. Don't like it, go somewhere else".
So it cost me $6.70 to tranfer
, and I've never bothered to deal with him again, he cussed the whole time but honored it. And I think changed policy that afternoon.
What made the deal even better, my first ever pistol was the exact same gun NIB from a gunshow, bought it @ $159. I liked it as a shooter, didn't like the wraparound grips that came with it. So I had searched online and had found a pair, ordered them (maybe around $15)... after a couple months they hadn't come in despite my emails asking about them, so I bought another pair which did come. Another month later, the first set finally did, so I had a spare set of original grips.
I know, a Chinese Tok in 9mm doesn't seem that great a deal, even under $100. But I have to say, other than an issue related to the crappy aftermarket safety (it sheared the tiny screws, and jammed the slide with the metal 'sand' from it), those guns were wonderful. Very straight and accurate shooters, steel frame and slide, slim, comfortable, good SAO trigger. I've bought more prestigious guns, but I can't say I've bought "better" guns.
I finally sold the cheaper one to a buddy for $200, after splurging and putting nice walnut grips on it (grips4u). He loves it.
More recently, I think, used deals: my 2nd Star BM, a Fair grade model, bought from Classic @ $149. I ordered a 2nd magazine for another 20, so it was 169 + shipping and FFL (20 at my range). I had already bought a VG from somewhere else for $226 with extra mag, I loved it; nice matte blued finish. Good little gun.
Classic sent me a gun with maybe 50% finish left, and looking it over, me and the guy at the counter found a hairline crack on the slide. So we sent it back. Classic then sent me the replacement- still with a Fair sticker.
This, with a box
Not bad at all for the price.