Outstanding Affordable Handguns - Why?

[eblevins]

norinco 1911

The Norinco 1911 is as good as it gets. Unfortunantly they are no longer imported. If get a chance pick one up.

 

[Titanium Man]

Just picked up a SIG 2022, and I love it. I think retail on these guns is $400, and it is very well made, fits hand well, and I'm surprisingly happy with it. As it only comes with one mag for the $400 price, buying a couple of extra will tack on the $100 extra dollars to your price tag. Nonetheless, I'm pleased with it, and I was also able to stay with my favored 9mm caliber, for affordability. Out of a lot of guns, this is my first SIG, and won't be my last!

http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/sp2022.aspx

 

[eblevins]

Taurus autos Rossi revolvers

If you are not hung up on name brands Taurus has several model autos under $500.00 Rossi revolvers are inexpensive but well made. I would prefer a used Smith K frame.

 

[TopDog]

Im pretty happy with my first pistol and daily carry, a Regent R100 1911A1. Bought in late October, I now have right around 1000 rounds through the gun with no problems. I mainly shoot ball ammo, but have shot around 200 rounds of various hollow points to see if they would feed. I know the gun can shoot better than i can right now, maybe an inch or a little more at 7 yards. It has a forged slide, cast frame, roughly 6 pound trigger, stainless steel barrel, and price is right around $400

Thanks for posting about the Regent.

I have read good reviews on the Regent and it comes with a few features that the RIA (one of my favorite under $500 guns) does not, like a stainless steel barrel. I have a Turkish made Escort shotgun Im happy with. I would not hesitate to buy a gun made in Turkey.

 

[nailknocker]

I like wheel guns, and it's obivious that I am in the minority here.

I am a fan of the Taurus line of revolvers, I would say that about 80% of their line would come in under the $500.00 mark, until you get to the elephant thumpers.

I have owned any number of them down through the years and have found them all to be rock solid performers both in accuracy and function, reasonable to buy, and a lifetime warranty.

 

[finnegan]

I'm going to have to say the Tokarev. Its a surplus piece with a reputation for reliability that fires the vastly underappreciated 7.62 x 25 round (look up vids on youtube of this round consistently defeating Kevlar and still getting 12+ inches of penetration) that the modern 5.7 round is still trying to best.

Its a shameless Soviet rip off of the 1911 with an odd grip angle and iron combat sights, but can be had for around $200. Ammo costs about $20 per 100 also.

 

[mjblazor]

Gentlemen I really appreciate your votes for certain guns. But why do you think they are outstanding, what is it you think sets them apart. Please share your experience and knowledge.

I recently purchased an brand new FNP 40 for $399 with 3 10rnd mags. Plus and additional 3 xtra 14 rnd mags for $15/ea. It is a full size 40 cal that (for me) shoots better than the glock 19 I had. Less recoil, better sight, better POA. I could not shoot the 19 very well but I still liked it. However, for the cost of this gun it is MUCH better value.

 

[1911]

1000 rounds since October? Congrats to you for taking that thing out and actually shooting it! Makes my heart glad!

Im lucky enough to have a girlfriend that took my hobbies and made them hers Our dates usually consist of going to the range every other week, but my uncle recently told me we could shoot on his land anytime so ill likely double that number here shortly. I dry fire usually 2 or 3 times a week, usually around 100 trigger pulls a session and it seems to help alot. Since i introduced her to shooting and the beauty of the 1911, she wont even consider another pistol or caliber for her first gun, and i made sure not to biase her towards it. Im a better than average rifle shot, thanks to MCFG and their junior marksmen program and lots of time at the range, but we are both learning pistol shooting together. I know it will be a long road if we want to be alot better than average, but i feel if we keep practicing on a regular basis then we will eventually get there

 

[Hoosier8]

What? No Hi Points?

I just sent in a C9 that needs a new slide and frame. Yes they are cheap but the no questions asked repair is not to be trifled with and they go bang when you pull the trigger.

OK, I am quoting myself.

I will second the Hi-Point again, specifically because they work, they are cheap, and the warranty is amazing.

I got the C9 back and basically got a new gun. "Repaired frame (I think they replaced it), replaced slide, springs, and all parts."

No questions asked. Can't beat that.

 

[Bronsonbull]

Anything from the Tanfoglio Witness line

Try an EAA Witness (made by Tanfoglio). They are CZ clones and are the some of the best shooters for the price that you can find. Their "classic" versions are CZ75B clones that will out shoot CZs for a lot less $$ (in the $300-$350 range). Their Witness Elite Match guns go for about $500-$550 and will out shoot $2,000 guns all day long. Try one.

 

[Txlur]

OK, I am quoting myself.

I will second the Hi-Point again, specifically because they work, they are cheap, and the warranty is amazing.

I got the C9 back and basically got a new gun. "Repaired frame (I think they replaced it), replaced slide, springs, and all parts."

No questions asked. Can't beat that.

I would tend to think that you CAN beat that, possibly with any handgun that does not have to be mailed off to replace the slide, springs, and all parts, as well as a frame repair? What kind of failure happened that all of this work needs to be done? How many rounds down the tube before it broke?

How can a handgun be any good at all if it needs to be sent away, leaving you without it's utility and protection? It certainly isn't doing any "work" during downtime. Inexpensive is not the same as cheap. Piece of mind > 200$ price tag, no matter what the warranty.

 

[GlockZ]

Don't own one but have shot one. Wather P99 runs well over 500, but there is a cheaper version of the same gun. S&W imports them and makes the S&W SW99 in .40 for under 300 out the door. Thinking about picking one up!

 

[maxmayhem]

used Glock, ruger sr seriew, ruger p series, some keltecs, used smith and wesson, m and p, springfield xd, sig p6, maybe sig p250's, FNp 9,FNP 40, Bersa Thunder are ok , taurus 24/7 are good , smith sigma line are ok....that should give you a list...
if i were to pick ing
around 500 glock
around 450 used g19
around 400 used g22 or g23
around 400 -xd's
around 350 ruger lc9
around 315 ruger p95
around 225 used keltec pf9 (maybe as these are hit and miss)
anything less than this get a big knife or take a chance on a high point

 

[jimmyw86]

sig p250 or glock

 

[sigmachijc]

Bersa really surprised me as well! What an amazing pistol for the money!

 

[Roadie]

Bersa really surprised me as well! What an amazing pistol for the money!

Agreed. Loved my Bersas!

What about the S&W SD9 and SD40? I have heard some pretty good things about them.

• Trigger improved over the Sigma
• front Nite Sight
• weapon light
• spare mag
• and a small GunVault handgun safe

..all for around $400? Closer to $300 for just the gun.

Sounds like a great starter package to me..

 

[moosebag]

Ruger LCP .380

 

[Richwon4]

Taurus 627 because it looks good, performs great, easy to shoot, you can get good groups your first time out which builds confidence. It is a wheel gun so not to much to worry about there in the way of malfunctions. Simple, and I'll say it is a bad looking gun in a 6 1/2 inch barrel. Nickel Plated. 38 rounds, 357 if you want to annoy people and have extra money to blow up.