what's out there for cheap but reliable pieces?

I've got more Star pistols than anything else. Two M45 Firestars are my main EDC's.
Made that decision based on reliability, size, and precision...I could carry my
S&W CS45 or CS40, but one thing I figured out is that in case of actually having
to have another defensive use, the pistol in question is confiscated indefinitely until
the investigation is over, and it hurts way less loosing a $200-300 Star as opposed to a
$700+ S&W, even temporarily.

Plus you never know what kinda morons are storing that pistol you just used...
and they dang sure ain't gonna clean or oil it after you just shot it & got it
all sweaty from adrenaline rush. All thing being equal, use a cheapie for EDC ;)

That's one reason folks went bonzo over the last big S&W Shield/M&P rebate...
a solid pistol for low bucks that you won't care if it gets trashed by the local LEO's.
 
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The Bersa .380s are a good bet. I used to carry one quite a bit. Never had an issue with it. The Kahr CM9 is priced at $265 at Bud's right now and I often carry mine.

Big Shrek mentioned Star pistols. The Star BM (9mm) is being imported right now and can be purchased at a very reasonable price if you don't mind used. I just picked one up but haven't gotten it to the range yet. I have a Star Model B Super that is very nice.
 
Ruger is locking down the market.

The LCP/LCP2, EC9S, LC9/S, LC380, Security 9, E9, and SR series are all great choices depending on your needs.

S&W has a few options. The SD whatevers are ok-ish, Shields are good, and J-frame revolvers tend to just creep past $300 but I'd swear I've seen them for just under.

If you are feeling adventurous, Remington's new semiautos are frighteningly cheap with the current rebate. The RM380 can be had for $100-150 after rebate, and the RP9 or RP45 for a bit under $200 after rebate. The RP9 has mixed reviews, though, and I'd probably pass on the R51.
 
Ruger is locking down the market.
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Ruger is where I would go for a reliable budget pistol.

Another option are some Kahr models: CT9, CT380, Sportsman's Guide has the CW9 on clearance for $249.99 Non-members, $237.49 Members.
 
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for an out the door price of $300 I'd like to see some of these advertisements. basically you're looking for a $260 price tag on a gun.
 
They're ugly and heavy, but for all the knocks on Hi-Points they actually do run. There's a reason it's the gat of choice in the hood.
 
I saw a full size Remington semi 9mm that was under the $300 price new. Looked like a nice gun for the price, also the Shield and LCP come to mind.

Also just to mention, your doing yourself an injustice by not considering used guns. Over 90% of the guns I've bought have been used and consider them a good deal.
 
Also just to mention, your doing yourself an injustice by not considering used guns.
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I agree, some pawn shops have great prices on used guns.

Just beware of some shops and individuals who price their used guns more than a new one (I know you have all seen this).
 
kozak6 said:
Ruger is locking down the market.
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Not in anything I find desireable. The shield in 9mm and 45 and the mp22 are great pistols that work very nicely at the range and arguably best in class. I haven't looked at the new ruger american yet.

As for the taurus, the pt111 *is* a great budget pistol. The biggest problem which doesn't affect reliability is that a high number of them have issues with the trigger safety blade catching during travel (mine included, replaced with 20usd nylon trigger). Otherwise it seems like there are just as many complaints with bad QC on shields. Almost all complaints I see are from "me too" knee jerk taurus haters who've never even handled the pt111.

Sorry springfield guys but I've seen too much bad about their semi autos and hard stats on instructors choosing to avoid carrying anything offered.
 
Sarsilmaz. Imported by EAA. I have the K2P 9mm. It was $279 brand new and has been reliable through thousands of rounds. Also available for around $250 is the SAR B6P. Sarsilmaz is a Turkish family owned company that has been making firearms since the 1800's. The k2p and b6p have features in common with the Browning high power and the cz75b. The k2p has a 2nd generation available now called the CM9. It's the same mechanically, but styled a little differently.
 
I snatched up a Remington rm380 recently. The out the door cost was $253+change and that is before the $100 rebate. I got my order in on the last day of rebate which was the 6th.
 
The Zastava Tokarev 9mm and 7.62s are brand new and can be had for $200. They are full steel pistols with a proven track record yet are fairly light and incredibly thin. Super reliable and durable just like the original Tokarevs. I'd trust one over the myriad of cookie-cutter poly guns on the market for the same price. Packable, practical, not tactical. The Zasty Toks are a winner!
 
I've had my S&W SD9VE for years without a malfunction of any kind. It was my favorite carry gun until I got my $199 Taurus PT111 G2 that has also been fault free. I don't know of any guns that are a better value and more reliable. I got my first Taurus just to see how accurate the Taurus bashers were and as a result of their bashing, I have bought 2 new ones since I found no issues with the old used one I traded for.
 
At/under $300 new I'd have to go with a Ruger LC9S (striker). It's a little small for really big hands, but it's compact enough to fit in a pocket, dead reliable, holds 10 rds/mag, and is surprisingly easy to be accurate with. As a striker, the trigger pull is much improved over the hammer-fired version, in particular the reset is much shorter, so it's much easier to shoot quickly and accurately. It also somehow has a very subdued recoil impulse.

Cons: it's ugly. The grip is a little too narrow, which can be easily solved with a $6 Hogue slip-on grip sleeve, but the small dimensions of the grip/mag-well also make fast/efficient magazine insertions a bit of a trick. I've accidentally bit the heel of my hand a couple times trying to do so in training events. Finally, for what they are, extra mags are a little on the expensive side.
 
For CCW 200 buck range 380 I say bersa thunder. Some will actually fire every round.
Glocks are 400-500 brand new, no contest. I love'em.
Shot a few Taurus but they are getting more expensive the days.
Pawn shops are not the deal they once were, they are selling guns on layaway and getting more than retail in some cases.
Older, less traveled pawn shops are overloaded with handguns but are waiting for the turn around expected with the next administration. The pendulum always swing back....
 
Model12Win said:
The Zastava Tokarev 9mm and 7.62s are brand new and can be had for $200. They are full steel pistols with a proven track record yet are fairly light and incredibly thin. Super reliable and durable just like the original Tokarevs. I'd trust one over the myriad of cookie-cutter poly guns on the market for the same price. Packable, practical, not tactical. The Zasty Toks are a winner!
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Do tell where you're seeing 7.62x25 chambered Tokarev's for $200.
 
I won't claim to be an expert, but I know a thing or five about cheap guns.

Under $125:

Raven .25 ACP. Haven't been made in almost 30 years, but they are not the dumpster fire people make them out to be. Look for serial numbers under 1 million, this means they were older models that I believe were better made.

Of all the "Ring of Fire" pistols, I think the Ravens are the best. Are they great guns? No, the sights aren't great, the trigger isn't great, the safety just blocks the trigger, it doesn't stop the firing pin... but I've only had one FTE with it and that was on the last round of a magazine. 6 rounds of .25 isn't much, but so long as you shoot for the head, face, and neck, it's going to have an effect.

There's also 6 shot, .22 LR only Heritage revolvers you can get for $100 on Black Friday.

Under $200:

Used Ruger 9E, used LCP, Hi Points, used SCCY's, Heritage .22 Magnum, H&R .32's, Pietta black powder percussion revolvers.

I know you said no to Hi Points, but for home defense guns and not carry guns, they're fine. Great warranty, anything wrong, send it in, Hi Point fixes it and sends you a new magazine for your troubles.

The Heritage revolvers, I would go for a 9 shot model if you can find them in that price range. They're becoming tough to find apparently, not many places have them in stock. Lot of changes have happened with Heritage since Taurus bought them and I honestly don't think those changes have been for the better.

H&R .32 S&W Long revolvers are for some reason common on gunbroker and the prices are about $50+ lower than they were this time last year. Is .32 a stopper? No, but it's better than .22, .25, and .32 ACP.

Black powder revolvers... these are mostly going to be brass framed, but sometimes Cabela's has sales on 1858 steel frames for $200. Yes, you'll have to buy powder, bullets, primers, and lube or lubed wads, but you can also make some of those things to lower the cost.

Are they effective? Yup, when I hit the steel at 50 yards, it hits pretty hard. Maybe not .45 Colt levels hard, but the cool thing is for another $240, you can get a conversion cylinder and shoot cartridges from them.

After $200, you get into your usual suspects. Ruger's EC9s is CHEAP, used LC9s can be found for CHEAP, and they're not bad guns.

Armscor .38 revolvers are fine, they won't ever win a beauty contest, but they'll work. I think used Charter Arms revolvers made before 1990 are exceptional and, so long as it's not a .22 LR, you can get them for under $300. I scored a .357 Charter for $250 and the trigger is so smooth and light... man, it blows away any Ruger SP101.

I think everyone else has covered what's pretty good for over $200.
 
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