inexpensive Handgun

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Fat Boy

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Here I am again, the guy trying to figure it all out. I am trying to find the best handgun for all purposes, at the most inexpensive cost, that is utterly reliable and durable. Primary purpose is CCW. I have been reading lately about Canik guns and also wonder about Citadel 1911,s. I like the 1911 guns but can't afford most of them. But I want reliability. If you would, please provide experience, thoughts, advice on Caniks and Citadels and any other less-costly guns. Thank you!
 
Ruger P95's. Inexpensive new and used, Very reliable. Accurate.

Only downside is they are a bit bulky.
 
Taurus made a clone of the Beretta 92 compact back n the 90's - absolutely reliable and a pretty good shooter. 9mm, 13 round mags, pretty inexpensive if you can find a used one. A very nice all purpose pistol.
 
My 2cents...don't buy based on price. Buy based on how it feels. Hold as many as you can and when you pick the right one up it will tell you it's ready to go home. Think about it this way, if you shoot one box of ammo a month (not much) in a year you will put 600 rds through it. Add to that carrying it each and every day. So what if you need to save a little longer. Find the right gun, and buy it.
 
"Utterly reliable" is a big request. I have Hi Points that are utterly reliable but I don't know that I would want to carry them because they are HUGE.
I have a Diamondback DB-9 that has been 100% reliable with everything I have fed it but lots of people will tell you not to buy one.
I have a 1911 that won't reliably feed HP ammo of any kind but is reliable with FMJ.
I have a Ruger P-85 that is the most finicky gun I have ever seen and they are generally considered to be very reliable.
The list goes on and on. Shield, Smith, Kahr, Kel Tec, Ruger, Makarovs, Taurus,Browning,etc. Colt and Smith revolvers. More autos than I can recall off the top of my head. Big, small and in between.

I'm still looking for the perfect pistol. I can't even figure out the perfect caliber.
 
Utterly reliable and cheap. My vote would be for a S&W Model 19 revolver.

I personally would stay away from off brands like you mentioned.
 
For $400 to $450 I'd say:

Glock 3gen used sub-compact. 9mm being the easiest and least costly to shoot.

They can be had at pawn shops for that price.

I've used them for years in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357 Sig.

Outstandingly reliable, rugged, and accurate.

They will do to ride the river with.

Deaf
 
Fat Boy said:
My price range is $400 to $450
Click to expand...
You can get a compact Rock Island Armory 1911 @ cheaper than dirt for $410 New. You might be able to find them even cheaper elsewhere. Side note if you get a 1911 in 9mm or 38 Super with the 5 inch barrel, J&G sales has a conversion kit so you can fire the 7.62x25 Tokarev round out of the 1911. You can also get a 22LR conversion kit for them too giving you basically three guns in one.
 
How inexpensive are you talking? Each person defines that differently. Me I would say a cheap pistol would be $400-$600, for that you can get a glock or a springfield xds. Personally I don't like the way the glock looks but they are very dependable and well built, plus easy to maintain. I like the springfields, they come with holster, 3 mags, and double mag holder. I have a XD-M.
 
To answer about the two guns you actually asked about, yes both the Canik and Citadel 1911 are reliable and good guns. I have the Canik C100 right now and it is light, shoots well, and has never had a malfunction. I don't own a Citadel 1911, but own a Rock Island Arms 1911 which is made by the same company that makes Citadel, Armscor. It is also a great reliable pistol.
IMHO you can't go wrong with either of those pistols, good luck with your choice!
 
Just curious, but when you say "all purposes", do you mean...

CCW
Home defense
Woods defense (i.e. "bear defense")
Target shooting
Action competition

Or just some of those?
 
Although a little over the budget you laid out, I bought a Glock 30s today for CCW. I gave a ton of thought to the most effective concealed gun choice I could make that would be good for many years to come. This .45 ACP, 10 round, Glock tried-and-tested durable, rock reliable little doodlebug made the top of the list.
 
When I think CCW the words cheap gun DO NOT come to mind. There are times you can cut corners but your carry handgun is not one of them. Sorry that's not what you want to hear but it's true.

The above suggestions for a used Glock are good ones since a Glock is usually extremely reliable. I'm a revolver guy so I carry a J frame daily. Nothing wrong with a used S&W J frame either.
 
You want cheep, reliable, and durable right? Then get a Makarov. While there are better guns out there for power and weight very few can claim anywhere near the reliability of the Makarov. Underpowered for its size and weight, yes, but how many guns can be found for under $300 that will eat any ammo you want to run?
 
Hi
No offense, but I have a question. I own and shoot a Taurus PT92, great gun, one of my favorites. More accurate that I am, dependable, eats everything I put through it, hasall the features I like. My question is this. If I read it correct the original poster here said primary purpose would be CCW. I have about 12 or 14 various handguns, the PT92 due to it's size I think it and maybe my 6" inch 357 revolver would be one of my last choices for ccw. what am I missing here?
Thanks
 
I agree with tarosean, a 4" K frame S&W .357mag is a quality weapon and as versatile and reliable a handgun as you'll find. Nice examples can be found in your price range if you shop around.
 
Fat Boy said:
Here I am again, the guy trying to figure it all out. I am trying to find the best handgun for all purposes, at the most inexpensive cost, that is utterly reliable and durable. Primary purpose is CCW. I have been reading lately about Canik guns and also wonder about Citadel 1911,s. I like the 1911 guns but can't afford most of them. But I want reliability. If you would, please provide experience, thoughts, advice on Caniks and Citadels and any other less-costly guns. Thank you!
Click to expand...

"I am trying to find the best handgun for all purposes, at the most inexpensive cost, that is utterly reliable and durable."

So, you want the unicorn of handguns, huh?

You aren't going to find a "best handgun for all purposes", much less all your other criteria. No such a critter, outside of the movies.

That's almost akin to asking "I want the best tool for all purposes..."

A better way to go about choosing a handgun is to start with what you want to use it for. THEN you can start down the path towards figuring out what to get.

And don't go about this like a kid in a toy store: "I want this and this and this and this and this..."

Pllinking/target shooting? Competition shooting? Personal defense? Home defense? Hunting? Collector's item? Something else?
 
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