Best off brand handgun you've ever owned?

[Plink]

I have 2 off branders that have turned in highly impressive performances. First off is a pre Braztech Rossi model 720D .44 special revolver with adjustable sights. Other than having a plastic front sight, I don't have a single issue with the gun. I had heard how terrible Rossi's were, but I fell into it cheap and figured why not. As far as accuracy, it holds it's own with anything in it's class and has outshot a number of pricey guns. It's a tackdriver for a 3 inch barrel. Great timing, solid lockup, and a little trigger work put it in line with a tuned S&W. I know I just got lucky on that one.

The other is a Llama .38 super from the early '70's. For all the crap guns that Llama has put out, this one is a jewel. It has never malfunctioned, is fairly accurate considering the old .38 supers used to headspace on the semi-rim. The gun has had many thousands of rounds through it, including some overly hot, sloppy handloads from when I was a brainless 12 year old learning to reload. It has never loosened or had any issues. It also has as good of fit and finish as any gun of the era and the bluing and metal work are quite nice. From what I've heard about Llama guns over the years, this is certainly not the norm.

 

[MrDig]

FEG PJK 9HP the BHP knock off. I also own an Argentine FM M95 Classic Technically not a knock-off as it is Licensed. These are both excelent and "Off Brand" handguns.

 

[nathan]

I would concur on the FEG PJK 9 HP. Very well made . I have a East German Makarov and its is super smooth, the workmanship is topnotch.

 

[1911 guy]

My best "off brand" pistol.

Have to be the Charles Daly 1911 pattern handguns. I've got two and they run great. Reasonably accurate and have some basic mods that are nice changes from the stock 1911A1.

 

[John C]

My best off brander is an FIE TA-90. It's imported now by EAA as the Witness. It's the exact same pistol, made by the same company, Tanfolio. I picked mine up for $215, 9mm full size and ported. It shoots as well as my SIG P226.

The second best, may become the best, is a Star Model B is 9mm luger. Picked it up for $75 OTD and $34 for the mag, and it shoots fantastic. I love cheap, off brand guns that perform.

-John

 

[TonyB]

Rossi 461 2" in 357mag....$150 used,great gun that I bought for a knock around gun.It's so accurate,I use it in IDPA.

 

[foghornl]

I had one of the mid-70's vintage Charter "Bulldog" 44 Spl. Decent gun, good shooter, but that .44Spl ammo was PRICEY...about double what the .44Mags cost.

 

[HeedJSU]

I third the early 70's charter arms bulldog .44 special. Same weapon the Son of Sam killer used in the 70's. (not a good point, but interesting trivia) I keep mine in the drawer beside the bed.

Justin

 

[LotI]

Another vote for FEG. Mine is a PA-63 in 9x18 and it's as accurate as could be.

Aluminum frame and a blowback system makes it kick, though.

 

[commygun]

Kareen copy of the basic 1935 Hi-power. Later they started offering Hi-power clones all foo-fooed up and two-toned but this one is a plain Jane GP1935 copy. Never seen it catalogued anywhere but it's been stone reliable.

 

[nathan]

Also try the Rock Island 1911 .45, pride of the Philippines.

 

[P. Plainsman]

Can Bersa really be called an "off brand" anymore ? I'm not sure really. They're become a huge seller.

Yep, that was my quandary.

If so, I'll stick with the Bersa as my answer.

That's my pick. Does exactly one irritating thing -- the grip screws start to loosen up after around 20 rounds. Loc-Tite them in place or take a screwdriver to the range.

Otherwise: $250 pistol with a nice DA/SA trigger [!] and good practical accuracy. Looks good, feels good in the hand, runs reliably. Great buy. If only it wasn't such a pain obtaining extra magazines. I guess that's a second irritant. The Argentinians don't seem to have picked up yet that here in 'Merica, son, we shoot our guns a lot. Bring on the spare mags!

 

[Longbow]

My most obscure gun was a Miruko .38spcl revolver (6 shot, 2" snub). Sold it for fear of parts breaking and not finding parts. I traded it for a Keltec P3AT.

 

[MCgunner]

Ruger is off brand?????? Well, I guess, to a brand snob, anything non-Smith and Wesson or PERHAPS Colt, is off brand. If Ruger is off brand, then by all means RUGER!!!!! My P90, heck, every Ruger I've ever owned has been excellent. If Ruger is main stream, then I'd have to go with either Taurus or Rossi. I have two Taurus M66 and they're both extremely accurate and with good fit/finish and good triggers. I have a M85 with a VERY nice trigger that's as accurate as any 2" .38 snub I've shot. All the Rossis I've owned, I'll have to say, were amazing for the money. They were all accurate and reliable. If you're picky about DA triggers, well, they wouldn't measure up, but they were all servicable and quite shootable. I have one excellent Kel Tec, as well.

I really have a thing for Rossis, but their selection leaves a lot to be desired now days. Their variety has dwindled since Taurus took 'em over. They're still quality guns, just wish they offered more variety in barrel lengths, sighting, etc.

 

[mmissile]

My best off brand pistol, is without a doubt....my CZ99. It's a SIG clone, but shoots as well, never hic-cups, has standard night sites, and is collectable.

 

[bluto]

My little Astra Constable in .380 (Walther clone) is a sweet little pistol. DA/SA option and it shoots very accurately at 15 yards. The grips kinda' suck but everything else is great.

 

[horge]

Armscor (RIA) 1911 Practical
BERSA Thunder 380
REXIO .38 snub


All dirt-cheap and seemingly bombproof in the crunch.

 

[aerod1]

EAA Witness compact steel in 40 caliber and an Auto Ordnance 1911A1 mil-spec. Both have been perfect.

 

[nelson133]

RIA Govt .45
Rossi 720
Hi-Point C9

 

[BigV]

My cheapest off brand gun is a Star, Firestar, sold by Interarms. I purchased this .40 single stack, SA 1911 model about 25 years ago. I found the grips to be a little short and my pinkie finger hung below it so I purchased a couple 7 shot magazines. These magazines added one more round and extended below the grip about ½". This was just enough to keep a firm grip without my pinkie slipping off the grip. This gun would shoot ANYTHING in .40 caliber that I could load into it. It shot the steel cased Wolf ammo just as well as the expensive stuff. In the 25 years I have owned this gun, it has NEVER had a FTF or FTE. I don’t carry this gun any longer, but I still shoot it every couple of weeks. I would guess that I have well over 10,000 rounds through this gun and have never replaced any parts. I found a Firestar in 9mm last week, but it didn’t have a single stack magazine so I passed on the deal. A couple days later I reconsidered and was too late. I will be looking for another Firestar soon.

 

[tmeyerabc]

Plink had a good comment. I purchased my Llama 38 Super in November of 1970 (paid $83 tax included). My dad had his S/W 38 spec. and I my Llama as we went to the Long Beach pistol range many a weekend to target shoot. I have fired way more reloads than factory loads and have never had an incident with the weapon. It is relatively accurate and fun to use. Still operational.

Tom

 

[Mike_In_BC]

I recently purchased a norinco copy of a colt commander. It is the "enhanced" version with a cheap looking three hole trigger and a beavertail. I was shocked when I took it out to the range. It shoots great, 2 inch groups at ten yards, 4 inch at 20 yards, no jams or anything. So far I've put about 1000 rounds of handloaded 230gr lrn through it without a single jam.

Even the trigger pull is pretty good, about 4.5 pounds and pretty sharp.

The finish is a bit rustic, and the inside looks like a hammer and chisel were applied to it, but you can't beat the price, 400 bucks (canadian bucks mind you).

 

[old4x4]

It was an AMT Hardballer longslide. Reliable, accurate, lots of velocity, and never jammed for me. Unfortunately, I was just getting into muzzleloader hunting and traded it for a muzzleloader. Wish I had it back.

 

[DC3-CVN-72]

Best off brand handgun I have is a FEG. PJK. 9HP. Hi-Power clone. I bought it a few years ago to replace My first handgun, a Browning Hi-Power, Target that I foolishly traided away years ago. what a great gun. shoots straight, has great blueing and the fiting is outstanding. I put the old cherry wood grips I still had from my first Hi-Power and other than the sights, hammer and the markings. you can't tell the differance. I paid $229.00 out the door. this is one of the few guns I bought new, and it is worth every penny.

 

[jrfoxx]

Firestorm "compact" (4.5" bbl) duo-tone finish .45acp 1911.Had it for about 4 years and fired I dont know how many rounds of any and all ammnly failure EVER was from 2 reloaded rounds from a friend, they stovepiped.Great gun, couldnt be happier or trust it more.