sell me on a cheap handgun.
- Thread starter tahunua001
- Start date
Friends don't let friends buy cheap handguns. I can't begin to sell myself on cheap guns, how would I ever be able to sell someone else on a cheap gun? OK, that said, in your price range of cheap a Taurus PT92 may work. ot a bad gun and not a great gun but a reasonably priced gun.
Ron
You sound like a typical gun snob. Because a gun is cheap doesn't mean it is not good or accurate. Of my 14 firearms, my most expensive one was under $500. They range from new this year to several that were made in the 40s and 50s. None have any problems and they are as accurate as similar guns that cost much more. My S&W SD9VE is as accurate as my son-in-law's accessoried up Glock 19 and I have half as much in it as he does his. My RIA 1911 Tactical has been dead reliable, under $500 and is very accurate (did I mention both have a lifetime warranty?). My Taurus 38 Special revolver and little Taurus TCP are reliable as are my Ruger 22/45 and Heritage Rough Rider. If I had bought the guns you would have chosen, I would have spent at least triple what I spent and the only advantage would be in my mind. My guns will be good and reliable long after I am dead and buried. I shoot my Ruger 22/45 and my Ria 1911 a lot but the other dozen don't get much use other than carrying concealed when I need them.
Just bought a $700+ crapomatic Kahr P380. Supposed to run 200 rounds for break-in, trust us, once you hit that 199th round it will all be OK.
Up to 75 rounds, cleaned, oiled, feed ramp polished, 5 different ammo types, but it is getting better, it will now run up to 3 rounds without jamming, assuming you can get the 1st round chambered.
Oh yeah, whatever you do, don't buy a cheap handgun.
Up to 75 rounds, cleaned, oiled, feed ramp polished, 5 different ammo types, but it is getting better, it will now run up to 3 rounds without jamming, assuming you can get the 1st round chambered.
Oh yeah, whatever you do, don't buy a cheap handgun.
The price you pay does not necessarily make the firearm a cheaply designed or made weapon, inhave some finely made pistols that I purchased way below value for whatever reason. However, there are also pistols for sale that are made of poorer materials and can be expected to have lower value and usually reliability.
I was recently hoping for gr! offered a Hi Point as a gift but refused it suggesting a person who needed a "house gun" that would only be fired if ,,, a bad guy presented himself.
I was recently hoping for gr! offered a Hi Point as a gift but refused it suggesting a person who needed a "house gun" that would only be fired if ,,, a bad guy presented himself.
osbornk:
Gun snob? Look, the post was a shot at some humor. Now if you have no sense of humor I am sorry. I suggested a lower priced gun in my post so if you did not see the humor in my post I am sorry but I am far from a gun snob whatever a gun snob would be in your opinion.
Thank You
Ron
Gun snob? Look, the post was a shot at some humor. Now if you have no sense of humor I am sorry. I suggested a lower priced gun in my post so if you did not see the humor in my post I am sorry but I am far from a gun snob whatever a gun snob would be in your opinion.
Thank You
Ron
Ride Madone
New member
Another vote for the Walther PPX. They don't make them anymore so they are cheap and a great gun. CDNN as had then for as cheap as $269.99, which is a great price. I own three of them and keep one in each of my cars. I have fired quite literally thousands of rounds through them with zero malfunctions.
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BigMikey76
New member
Bersa BP9. Runs around $350, and is, by every review I have seen and my personal experience with the one my buddy owns a good shooter. It is also available in a variety of frame colors, so you can get one that floats your boat.
If I was looking for a compact or full size (4" or more) 9mm for under $400, action wasn't important but it had to be new, I'd look to a handful of options:
-I know you don't want Taurus. With the reputation, I understand. I've had great luck with their revolvers, the autos... my PT140 Millennium Pro was a great gun, until it wasn't anymore. That said, the steel framed autos have always been pretty good and you can probably get a PT92 for under $400. If I was going to be hard and fast to $400 and not a penny over, and it had to be new that would probably be my top choice. I'd also take a close look at the polymer guns since the prices are so attractive right now (for that $400, you can get a PT111, 24/7 or 809 and 100-200 rounds of ammo).
-The SIG P2022 that others have mentioned would be a terrific option if you can get it for under $400 (or more likely, if you are willing to go 10-20% over that budget). Around here, they seem to run more like $500-550, and remember to add back shipping and FFL transfer fees to that $400 gun online (around here transfer fees seem to run about $75). If I did see one for $400 locally, it would probably be my first choice.
-The CZ P07 is pretty much the same story as the P2022. Around here, they tend to run around $500-550, online I've seen them for less, but not after FFL transfer fees are considered. A lot of the people on this thread must have very nice local prices, if yours are similarly low this and the P2022 would be my top choices.
So, discounting those you say you don't want (Taurus) and those that seem to be pushing your stated criteria (they'll almost certainly be over $400), my more realistic suggestions:
-Kahr CW9 or CT9. The CW or CT series is their budget line and you can probably find one for under $400. I know Kahr seems to be a love it or hate it gun (many don't like the 200 round break-in), but those I have had first hand experience with (friends have had a few) have been terrific guns. I'm not crazy about the 7 round (CW 9) or 8 round (CT9) single stack mag though (I'd prefer a double stack with 10 rounds or more). They are a little under 4" but they are as close to a traditional compact (smaller service size) pistol as you will find from Kahr.
-Bersa. I'd go with some variation of the Bersa T9 Thunder. I had a Bersa Thunder .380 for some time about a decade ago and it was a good gun. I've read very few complaints from Bersa owners. It may be the best budget option out there, though most of the Bersas will be a tad under 4".
-SIG P250. You might be able to find one right at $400. I love my .45ACP P250 Compact. Reliable, accurate, great size. The modular design makes them very versatile as you can buy conversion kits for other calibers or sizes, and you can also vary the size of the grip module within the different frame sizes for different sized hands. Out of these three options it would be my first choice, but you'll be right on your $400 ceiling while the others may be a few bucks under budget.
-I know you don't want Taurus. With the reputation, I understand. I've had great luck with their revolvers, the autos... my PT140 Millennium Pro was a great gun, until it wasn't anymore. That said, the steel framed autos have always been pretty good and you can probably get a PT92 for under $400. If I was going to be hard and fast to $400 and not a penny over, and it had to be new that would probably be my top choice. I'd also take a close look at the polymer guns since the prices are so attractive right now (for that $400, you can get a PT111, 24/7 or 809 and 100-200 rounds of ammo).
-The SIG P2022 that others have mentioned would be a terrific option if you can get it for under $400 (or more likely, if you are willing to go 10-20% over that budget). Around here, they seem to run more like $500-550, and remember to add back shipping and FFL transfer fees to that $400 gun online (around here transfer fees seem to run about $75). If I did see one for $400 locally, it would probably be my first choice.
-The CZ P07 is pretty much the same story as the P2022. Around here, they tend to run around $500-550, online I've seen them for less, but not after FFL transfer fees are considered. A lot of the people on this thread must have very nice local prices, if yours are similarly low this and the P2022 would be my top choices.
So, discounting those you say you don't want (Taurus) and those that seem to be pushing your stated criteria (they'll almost certainly be over $400), my more realistic suggestions:
-Kahr CW9 or CT9. The CW or CT series is their budget line and you can probably find one for under $400. I know Kahr seems to be a love it or hate it gun (many don't like the 200 round break-in), but those I have had first hand experience with (friends have had a few) have been terrific guns. I'm not crazy about the 7 round (CW 9) or 8 round (CT9) single stack mag though (I'd prefer a double stack with 10 rounds or more). They are a little under 4" but they are as close to a traditional compact (smaller service size) pistol as you will find from Kahr.
-Bersa. I'd go with some variation of the Bersa T9 Thunder. I had a Bersa Thunder .380 for some time about a decade ago and it was a good gun. I've read very few complaints from Bersa owners. It may be the best budget option out there, though most of the Bersas will be a tad under 4".
-SIG P250. You might be able to find one right at $400. I love my .45ACP P250 Compact. Reliable, accurate, great size. The modular design makes them very versatile as you can buy conversion kits for other calibers or sizes, and you can also vary the size of the grip module within the different frame sizes for different sized hands. Out of these three options it would be my first choice, but you'll be right on your $400 ceiling while the others may be a few bucks under budget.
Independent George
New member
Late last year, you could have gotten an FNS-9 for $400 after rebate. That's obviously no longer the case, but that was an absolute steal.
I don't have any experience with the Stoeger, but I did rent (and enjoy) the PX4, which is basically the same gun.
Speaking of Beretta, I think the Taurus PT92 is actually an improvement over the Beretta due to the frame mounted safety.
There's always the EAA Witness. They take MecGar mags, and have some conpatibility with the CZ.
I don't have any experience with the Stoeger, but I did rent (and enjoy) the PX4, which is basically the same gun.
Speaking of Beretta, I think the Taurus PT92 is actually an improvement over the Beretta due to the frame mounted safety.
There's always the EAA Witness. They take MecGar mags, and have some conpatibility with the CZ.
"You get what you pay for."
Time, patience, and research are forms of payment.
If anyone thinks my $89 Makarov, $124 Single Six, or $143 S&W pre Model 10 are not good firearms, then they have mental problems.
My Star Super B and Beretta 96 were around $250 apiece OTD. My Beretta 84 was 220-something. My S&W Hand Ejector in 32 long was $125.
There are plenty of good bargains out there. You just have to keep your eyes open, put in some time and effort.
Time, patience, and research are forms of payment.
If anyone thinks my $89 Makarov, $124 Single Six, or $143 S&W pre Model 10 are not good firearms, then they have mental problems.
My Star Super B and Beretta 96 were around $250 apiece OTD. My Beretta 84 was 220-something. My S&W Hand Ejector in 32 long was $125.
There are plenty of good bargains out there. You just have to keep your eyes open, put in some time and effort.
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tahunua001
New member
let's see if I can wrest control back of this one.
for everyone else, I'm liking the suggestions. I appreciate some real world pricing in here as well, a lot of what I'm seeing listed as sub400 guns are selling for $550 in my area right now, including the FNS and lower priced sigs which I would not mind buying if I could pick it up for less than $400(including shipping and FFL).
ok fellas let's not go down this road. I certainly get the "buy once cry once" mentality and for a long time i was starting to feel the same way. I had shot kahrs, hipoints, stars, you name it, and after buying the arcus and first generation canik, I was definitely becoming a believer in not buying cheap. there is a level of corner cutting with some companies that is completely unsat, and the end result is a barely passable firearm that does not possess the level of reliability to consider using as a self defense piece. with that said, if I had no other option, I would not hesitate to carry either my 9E, or the newer Canik which I purchased. so I can see both sides of the argument, lets just not resort to name calling.
I know, I love my SR9C
I love my XD-S9 4" more than the SR9C, it's my daily carry.
for everyone else, I'm liking the suggestions. I appreciate some real world pricing in here as well, a lot of what I'm seeing listed as sub400 guns are selling for $550 in my area right now, including the FNS and lower priced sigs which I would not mind buying if I could pick it up for less than $400(including shipping and FFL).