Opinions on cheap Auto

C

CincySS

Inactive
Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this forum and just wondered if I could get your opinion on a new handgun.
1.)Price: Looking for a sub $400 gun. I'd love to have a nice $1500 Kimber or Prepped Glock, but that's not in the budget right now.
2.) Autoloader.. no revolvers. I never felt comfortable shooting revolvers for some reason. I'd like to stick with what I'm used too.
3.) Caliber: Preferably .40 or .45 but I might consider a good 9mm.
4.) Mid-size: I want to be able to get a good grip but still be able to conceal if the Ohio CC law gets passed. 3.5 to 4.5 barrel seems about the right size.
5.) Use: Basically a do-all. I'm starting from scratch. I haven't owned a gun of my own since I got married 8 years ago. HD,PD, and target. My wife has never fired a weapon before and she'd like to start. So ease of use is also a consideration.

I've looked at the S&W 40SVE and the Ruger P90. Both around $350. Kind of leaning toward the S&W due to it's lightweight.
The only thing that "worries" me is the lack of an external safety. It's just different.. but seems like one less thing to think about if TSHTF.
Any advice on Hi-Point? Heck at $125 I could buy one for myself and my wife. Any good or junk?
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
Skip the Sigma and go with the Ruger P90 (.45ACP) or the P94 (.40S&W). Also give the pistols from CZ a check.
 
I hate to say this! But, for those $400 you can get a factory reconditioned Glock. Friend keep friends from buying ugly guns, but this is the exception. They look brand new, factory warranty and usually have high capacity magazine too. Get the best for your money, that Glock deal is it.

Robert
 
I will go you one even better. If you really need to hold the line on a budget, consider a Makarov in the Russian or Bulgarian flavor. You can have it for $200.00-----tax,title and license so to speak. The 9mm Mak round may not be a ballistic powerhouse but it will do the job at self defense ranges if you do your part.

I know of an Armenian Defector to the Soviet Union who has put 5,800 rounds through a Russian Mak with no bobbles.

I believe everyone should have one around as a knock-about gun or for future barter.

Good luck, I know about the old piggy bank with kiddos in private schools and a traditional nuclear family w/one income----thank God.



------------------
"When guns are outlawed;I will be an outlaw."
 
Please dont buy hi-point's. They are simply saturday night specials. They are cheap junk. if you are looking for something to protect yourself with, maybe a hammer or a shovel would be better than a hi-point. Do yourself a favor and take the advice of the fine folks on the firing line. I dont think one person here owns a hi-point. Get the makarov or a tarus or a glock. dont curse yourself and your family with a hi-point. If you want a good but inexpensive firearm go with a known reliable brand. I know my gun shops have plenty of decent guns in the 200-400 range. keep looking. im sure you will come across something you like.



------------------
TIM : )
 
I bought a Ruger P97 a few months ago for $350, in my opnion it's a VERY nice gun! I've put about 2000 rounds through it and had about 8 jams, and that was all my fault due to weenie wristing since I'm new to guns and a .45 has a healthy recoil. Only thing about the RugerP97 is ya gotta hold on to it pretty good. It needs that recoil to cycle, so keep a firm grip on it. I don't know if it would be good for your wife, I don't know how strong she is. If she isn't that strong maybe look at the Ruger P95, almsot the same as the P97 but in 9mm.

Other than that the gun has worked like a dream, although I wouldn't mind trading it for a H&K USP .45 :)


good luck!
-Frank the Spank
 
Rugers function very well but are large to conceal.The glock IMO is the way to go.The mak shoots well and small enough to conceal.The cal is a little light for my taste but thats me.The G19-23-25-25 all are fine weapons for concealment.I carry a sig but allso have a G19.
Bob
 
Greetings CincySS; How much is your life worth? Stay away from those el'cheapo auto's.
Cut-off point should be at or near the
Ruger line; as "you get what you pay for" !!!
That should be the "bottom line Ruger's".
Best Wishes;


------------------
Ala Dan
 
I like the Ruger P-95 (or P-97), too.

And contrary to most people's thinking (including mine until I started checking measurements), the Rugers aren't really all that big.

If you compare measurements you'll see that the P-95 is smaller than the Sig Pro, the H&K USP9, the about the same size as the Walther 99, and shorter htan the Glock 17. It is heavier than some of these guns, but they can be concealed.

There's just something about the LOOK of a Ruger pistol that makes it look bigger than it is...
 
Go with a Ruger, they may be big and not all that pretty, but they always go bang. And they will feed almost anything
 
Thanks for the help everyone. Definetly ruled out the hi-point junk, seems like no one like s the S&W either... I was kind of surprised there, seems to be an imitation Glock. Even the re-conditioned Glocks I have seen have been in the $500 range. Anyone have a good lead on one of those?
How about the Kel-Tec P40? I've seen some decent reviews of the P-32, is their P40 just as good? A local dealer here has one NIB w/2 mags and lock for under $300. I haven't held this one yet though.
Again thanks for all the help.
 
I got a Hi-Point. and I'm willing to bet all those people who have put it down have never fired one. I own a 9mm carbine made by Hi Point and I'm well pleased with it.

I have put well over a thousand rounds threw it with no malfunctions. In fact it's the most reliable auto loader I have.

As for the term "Saturday night Special" or "Junk gun", well I think their is nothing wrong with an affordable guns. Not everyone can afford 600 bucks for a Glock.

The Hi Point is a good choice for people on a limited budget.

Before giving comments on the Hi-Point, I think it would only be fair for you to at least shoot one.

------------------
The new guy.

"I'm totin, this pistol because my dang SKS won't fit in my holster"
 
I remember hearing good things about the Heritage Stealth, if you want to carry. I've never shot one, but at $269.00, what's to lose? I'll put the address up here one I get back to my personal computer.
I always recommend the Ruger P-95. You will NOT be disappointed with it.

Here it is: http://www.heritagemfg.com/4plus/index.html
Ben

------------------
AOL IM: BenK911
ICQ # 53788523
"Gun Control Is Being Able To Hit Your Target"

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited November 21, 1999).]

[This message has been edited by Ben (edited November 21, 1999).]
 
I had a Kel Tec P40 for two weeks, sold that POS as quick as I could. I bought it used for $200, then took it to the range the next day. I couldn't get through a magazine without problems. Plus, the recoil with 180gr Remingtons was unpleasant. Took it to a gun show, the best I could get for it was $160. The gun looked new, no scratches or dings, but no resale value. Oh well, live and learn. It was my first "cheap" gun purchase, and it will be my last.
BTW, $500 seems a bit much for a reconditioned Glock, if you shop around you should be able to do better.
 
At the risk of sounding like I think I know something, I asked a similar question not long ago. FWIW, I decided to wait and save up for higher quality, and have nearly committed to buying a revolver instead.

However, among autos the standout to me was the EAA Witness in .45 acp. Haven't seen one higher than $350 online, holds 11 rnds, (I think, either 10 or 11) nice sights, solid design, external safety (if you're like me you love your safeties) can be carried cocked and locked or used double action. Like the Ruger, it looks big but isn't. The grip is thick but so well shaped my fiancee loved it--she hated 1911's, Glocks, and Rugers. http://www.eaacorp.com
If you like the Browning Hi-Power do a search for that and "AIM"--a recent thread showed a place to get a surplus HP still in storage grease, w/two mags, holster and mag carrier for $250. They're sold out right now and it sounds like if you get the end of the shipment the mechanics are rough; early in the shipment you get rough finish and good mechanics.

------------------
Don

"Its not criminals that go into schools and shoot children"
--Ann Pearston, British Gun Control apologist and moron
 
Here is a vote for Ruger, unless you can find a good used Glock or Sig for under $400(a local dealer occasionally gets used Glocks in and sell them for under $400, plus he has a Sig 225 and a Sig Pro 40 for under $400 right now.)

John
 
Jimmi,

Although we really werent discussing rifles ill still comment on the hi-points.

I have fired the hi-points. Both the 9mm carbine and the big,square,single action auto.(not sure of the model if there is one) The way i see it. Any gun manufacturer that paints their guns with spray paint is no gun to have as a defenseive arm for yourself and your family. Ive seen the hi-point handguns as low as $50. and the dealers cant give em away. the only time ive ever witnessed a sale of one of these is either to a person that knew nothing about guns or a person that was up to no good. I would never down the sales of inexpensive guns. I wish we had more of them. But the quality of a hi point is not something you want for home protection or a carry weapon. if you like your hi-points im happy for you. But the man that posted the question wants something to defend his home with. Im sorry but i will be the last person to recommend a hi-point.

P.S. if you are a college student or a starving actress, disreguard this post. get anything you can to defend yourself.

------------------
TIM : )
 
I own more than a few guns and I would say if your just looking for plinking and basic use (in your price range) stick with the S&W. But as one member said the factory reconditioned Glocks are a nice deal. I'm a SIG man myself and would never own a tupperware gun personally but it's a matter or personal preference not capability or reliability. The Makarov may not be a good gun to start with especially considering the lady of the house will be firing it. It's built on your classic blowback design and even in 9x18 the recoil is sharp and may be uncomfortable for your wife. Same problem with the Walther PPK. I carry a Walther as a backup to my P226 loaded with +P ammo and the jerk is considerable but not impossible. On the other hand I put 500 rounds of ammo thru each of my pistols per week in practice, so I am used to it.
My personal advice is that for the money that used Glock is a great deal but if you just going for no frills shooting, get the S&W.

Btw, the is alot of conflicting reviews on Hi-Point and the bottom line is that they have great guns for plinking or starters but no one in their right mind would ever own one of the pistols as a dedicated defensive weapon. You may as well be throwing rocks at the intruder. Having said that I should admit that I own 2 of their 9mm carbines and have had no problems with the carbines whatsoever in 3 years. I have one here in my home that my girlfriend just loves to shoot when we go to the outdoor range. She hates my .303 and my little AR-7 .22 doesnt thrill her at all. So the 9mm is a good in between weapon. I once needed a new site for it and Hi-Point damn near sent me a whole new gun when they sent me the part for it. They "threw" in a ton of other spare parts. My theory is for 150 bucks you cant get screwed anyway, so buy that when you have 150 extra and use it as a fun gun only. My second carbine is in my home in Honduras and has been modified by a friend down there. He modified the lockup and sear and converted it to full auto. It's a hack job and something I would never do here but for that country it's enough. Everytime I go I fire hundreds of rounds thru in practice and it has yet to fail once, even with all the hack work on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top