best handgun value

I've had good luck with used S&W revolvers but you have to learn how to inspect the revolvers to reduce your chances of buying a gun with problems. If you want an economical high capacity pistol, the Ruger P series gets my vote. Here's some pics of my P89 which was purchased for $200 (special low price from family). I put some nice Hogue wood stocks on it to make it less homely. I like the way it looks but I wont argue if you think it's still homely! :)

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Model 67 from J&G Sales

Before.....

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After.....

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$279.00 plus 20.00 delivery (I bought two so it really was 10.00 delivery)

The Model 15 just got a new single action hammer today. I don't have any pictures yet..

I've never considered police trade ins the value people make them out to be. They've got a lot of range time and holster wear. Which would be fine, only the price doesn't really reflect that.
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I would stay away from a police trade-in. Worn out and probably not dirt cheap.
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I couldn't disagree more. You have to know what you are looking for and buy from a reputable dealer. Both of mine were fired little carried a lot. Of course if there had been a problem I could have returned them. I'm sure there are dogs out there, I usually pay for the "Very Good +".
 
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I'd +1 the Ruger Sec Six, the Bulg or East German Makarov, and add the CZ52 just because the 7.62x25 round is so impressive. The TT mentioned above uses it too although it is also found in 9mm. The CZ52 is built like a steam locomotive and even with the power of the round the weight of the fore end really holds down the flip. A roller block recoil rounds out a very reliable package - once you change the firing pin to a real alloy ;) Its not small but it is very slim (as is the TT), very cheap and an excellent buy.

I like the Maks but they will jump a little though they won't break easy, and the folks above really know a good buy for the money on the Security Six, but I was always unwilling to trade off the six rounds and its extra size for a decent small semi.

I don't agree that finding a used Glock in that $$ range and good condition (or even reasonable condition) is easy, but if you can, ugly as they are, and they are, they will work. I'm sure someone has said it, but the money won't matter if it doesn't shoot - and all those above will. Hell even my HK P2000SK will probably cough a hairball when I need it most ;)
 
All of this is most excellent advice. For the large part, cheap, reliable, and pretty don't really go together all that frighteningly well. Cheap and reliable, yes. Reliable and pretty, yes. Pretty and cheap, yes. All three together are going to be a little bit tougher to come across. I'm sure it would help a lot if we knew what kind of magazine capacity you'd like, what caliber you'd prefer, and what your definitions of 'cheap' and 'pretty' are.

It's also worth considering how you're going to carry it. Is this a weapon you're carrying on your person? In your car? If so, where in your car? Do you want a DA/SA, one, or the other? Plastic or metal?

... so many questions ... :confused:

But, anyway, if you want my vote, I think (as others have said) that a nice Makarov would do the trick.
 
I'll put these two cents in. My main gun is a Sig P6 Police Trade in. Solid as hell, accurate as a just recently broken in pistol and pretty as a fresh off the line pistol. I've seen P6's that look like they've been abused and seen them where they look perfect. I LOVE my police trade in, it's wonderful. Don't nix Police Trade Ins. Most of the time, they haven't really seen much range time (no more than an average gun owner) and the holster wear is the equivalent of any CCW carrier who removes their gun from the holster each night. Some have more wear, but I've honestly (out of all the Maks, FEGs, Sigs and S&W police trade ins) never seen one with a bad barrel. The barrels are usually clean as a whistle and bright as the sun. It's Military surplus and used, neglected civilian guns that'll have bad barrels and shoot like crap. The police take care of their guns.
 
I'd say Ruger is your best bet. Even brand new they're not unreasonable. They're built to last.....and last and last, so buying used(not abused) shouldn't be a problem. Sure you can find cheaper stuff but not by much and the quality isn't nearly the same.

Smith and Wesson is good too but they're more pricey.
 
I do not know about reliability yet but S&W Sigma series are very reasonable and semi-autos. I saw them just the other day for $339 with a $50 mail in rebate that is $289 for a brand new gun with two mags in 9mm or 40s&w.
 
I had a model S&W 39-2 in 1974 and I remember once I was at the range and the slidestop popped right out when I fired the pistol.
I paid 145.00 for it new. Got rid of it, got a sig ten years later, still have it
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Best Handgun value

Go to your local Academy store and buy a Rossi 3 inch .38 revolver for $229, or a Rossi 4 inch .357 for $299. Both good revolvers.
 
Go to your local Academy store and buy a Rossi 3 inch .38 revolver for $229, or a Rossi 4 inch .357 for $299. Both good revolvers.
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Rossi doesn't have a good reputation. For the same money, I'll take a police trade-in S&W or Ruger any day of the week.
 
Best handgun value

S & W and Ruger are both make good revolvers. I own both. The S & W model 36, I have owned for 37 years and it's a good revolver. I also own two Rossi revolvers. They both are a pleasure to shoot. Years ago, the Rossi revolvers did have a bad name, however the newer models are good for a lower price than a S & W or Ruger. Most people who talk down Rossi revolvers have never owned one. You can buy a bad revolver from any company. Check all the brands and make your choice. It's your money.
Good luck.
 
Model 36, the chiefs special. 5 shot within 10 ft.
I used to wear one under my uniform in an upside down shoulder holster.
I wish I never got rid of it. I paid 90 bucks for it, brand new in the box. Now they go for 800.00

Mustang, I used to live not far from Weatherford. Went to Fort Walters in Mineral Wells for night fire on the m-60 machine gun. That was a tank training ground back then. I was based in Ft Worth for 4 years.
I wish I was still living in Texas.
 
Best Handgun Value

The north part of Fort Wolters is still in operation. The ranges are used by Reserve and National Guard units for firing and drop zones. Carswell Air Force base was closed in Fort Worth, then reopened as Naval Air Station Fort Worth Combined Reserve Center. It's a very busy base.
 
My older son was born in the base hospital, its now a womens prison.

I was there about 2006 for a visit with my youngest son, they let me on base for a look see. I think the unit was deployed, just some C-130's.Most of my friends went to work for General Dynamics after we got out, F-16 was built there. It was a B-52d squadron when I was there. Bombers and tankers. small reserve fighter wing, F105's

I had a good time, had my Harley, did a lot of riding, hot in the summer.
 
I would suggest a RIA 1911 Tactical. Can be had new for around $450. Or you could go for the non-tactical version for under $400. Excellent pistols that come with a lifetime warranty and customer service that can't be beat should you ever need it. Just my .02 from experience.
 
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