$200 to spend on a handgun - what do you get?

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N3rday

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Pretend you're a poor-ars college student. You have $200 (or maybe a little more) to spend on a handgun in a reasonable defense caliber (you already have a .22 for target practice). What do you buy, and why?

Note: I'd prefer a 9mm/.38 spl or better, but 9x18 and 9x17 are acceptable. Right now, I'm not swayed either way between autoloaders and revolvers, my .22 is an autoloader so I'm 'proficient' with both, you could say.

edit: okay, based on Euclidean's remark, let's make it $300.
 
Used .38 special revolver from one of the major brands.

Maybe get lucky on a used Ruger or CZ.

Or better yet, wait until I'm at a better place in life and can spend $300 and a huge world of better options will open up.:what:
 
I bought a new Taurus 4" .38spl for $220 about 6 months ago.
Kel-tek P11 9mm runs about $250 new.

I'd be looking at a used revolver, or a good deal on a used auto in 9mm (cheap ammo).

A makorov in 9x18 would be great, and falls right around your budget, but ammo is more expensive. You'd be better off spending more on a 9mm and saving the ammo costs.
 
Agreed with the $300 option, just was out looking for a "cheap" pistol for a female friend, and not finding much for 200 or so but once you move up to $300 all kinds of options, even found a S&W 586 revolver (with holster wear but hey). For 2 bills your gonna be looking at makarov or similar, maybe some tiny off brand .38 specials, and more .22s, etc.
 
Okay, okay...let's make it $300. I will be getting a job this summer, so I'm sure I can make up the difference.
 
might want to check out Hi-Point they are very reasonable or check out cdnn for a nice used cz
 
A S&W M10 (Military & Police), M64 (Stainless M&P), M13 (M&P Magnum), M65 (Stainless M&P Magnum), and many other S&W revolvers are available on the used market for $300 or less.
 
No CDNN, AimSurplus or Gun Shops.

If you're familiar with Federal law, there's a law that prohibits an FFL to sell to anyone under 21. Yet, Texas law allows anyone 18 and above to purchase or own a handgun, Federal laws permitting. So those of us Texans stuck between the ages of 18 and 21 can only buy handguns from non-FFLs. Make sense?

Well...no, it doesn't. But that's the law :( .
 
An older new-in-box Taurus revolver in .38. These seem to be under-valued and available.

BusDog
 
From www.gunsamerica.com

Colt Police Positive
38 spl.
GA# 976606142
$200.00
Blue steel, 4" barrel, .38 spl, dbl action, swing out cylinder fair condition, non original grips, marked "Republica de Colombia Policia Nacional" on top of barrel. $12.00 shipping to FFL only. Not sold or shipped where banned or restricted, all Federal, Stated and local laws apply.

You'll have to pay shipping and a fee to the FFL who handles the paperwork for you (about $10 to $20 in most places) but this is a very good used gun.
 
Makarov, used S&W or Ruger revolver, or at right around $300 an Arcus 94 hi-power copy, or maybe an FM hi-power from CDNN if they still have those.
 
Sub $300 handguns I have actually seen for sale that were worth a flip, all used:

Colt Agent for $225
Colt Dick Special for $260
CZ 75B for $225
Ruger P89 for $295
Taurus revolvers in .38, 3 times
Ruger Security Six, .357 Magnum, 6" bbl $275
Bersa Thunder $200
Charter Arms Undercover Special $200
Various Smith and Wesson revolvers (don't come up too often)

They're out there... a whole world of things worth having at that price range.

Now to make it even worse for you, if you step up to $400 you can have pratically anything you want with enough patience...:neener:

$100 makes a huge difference when shopping for a handgun, and purchasing one good handgun is better than wasting money on three rotten ones.
 
I'd get either a Bersa .380 or a Ruger P series 9mm. I am not into revolvers, and there really isn't anything out there for that $ that I would trust. Not a huge fan of Taurus, but their clones of the Beretta aren't too bad. I think U are looking at $350 for that, though.
 
Not too long ago I picked up a used Taurus 605 in .357. Stainless, good to very good condition....pawn shop deal at $175.00
 
Of the few centerfire handguns that I have spent less than $200 on, the CZ52 is by far the best. You should be able to find one of these for under $150 and the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge is nothing to sneeze at. With a decent load, it nips at the heels of the .357 magnum.
 
Ok, here are two options from recent experience. A S&W M&P (became model 10) and a Kel-Tec P-11. The S&W was $200, the Kel-Tec was $190; both prices are before tax, ammo, holster, and spare mag (Kel-Tec). I'm very happy with both. If I could find any of the earlier mentioned wheel guns in this thread for around $200, particularly the 357 Mag models, I'd pick one up. The P-11 is a great little pistol, but it's little; so if you don't shoot large caliber small handguns it will take some getting used to. It's true that more options will open up at $300, but there are still good options at around $200.
 
Either a used S&W revolver in .38SPL/.357MAG, or a Bulgarian Milsurp Makarov in 9x18.

The above are good, reliable, well built, quality firearms & can be had for a reasonable cost.
 
Well...I don't actually own that .38, it's my dad's old (probably ex-police) revolver. If I were to get a revolver, it would be in .357; I just don't see the point in buying a dedicated .38 when I could have a .357 and shoot either cartridge.
 
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