What would you get for $200?

[RobMoore]

If all I had were $200, I'd put it someplace safe until I could triple it and be able to buy a real gun, extra mags for it, maybe a holster and pouches, and a few boxes of ammo.

Settling for junk because all you have is $200 is not the answer. You'll have a junk pistol, not have your $200, and probably won't shoot it very often because you only have 1 magazine for it.

 

[Ed Ames]

I've seen used S&W M10s for under $200 within the last 3 months. I would steer someone towards that or a used 22 pistol.

 

[Brian Williams]

This Spring I got a S&W Model 10-5 round butt with a 4" standard barrel for $200, plus shipping and my FFL stuff, out the door was around $240

 

[RDCL]

I've read and heard that Llama revolvers are very low priced.

Russ

 

[WesM]

If all I had were $200, I'd put it someplace safe until I could triple it and be able to buy a real gun, extra mags for it, maybe a holster and pouches, and a few boxes of ammo.

Settling for junk because all you have is $200 is not the answer. You'll have a junk pistol, not have your $200, and probably won't shoot it very often because you only have 1 magazine for it.

I disagree with this in its entirety. I mentioned earlier in this thread, a used Ruger 22/45 can be had for $200, and it fits his friend's criteria exactly - a range pistol for shooting with friends. There is no requirement that you have to have a $600 gun, or 4 magazines, or anything else.

I'd put it someplace safe until I could triple it and be able to buy a real gun,

I don't think a Ruger 22/45 is a second-class gun.

extra mags for it,

Extra mags would be nice, but are not necessary. You don't have to avoid the range until you can afford them.

maybe a holster and pouches,

Again, would be nice but not necessary.

and a few boxes of ammo.

It will take a while to burn through a whopping $13 worth of ammo for the Ruger.

 

[bearmgc]

FEG Hungarian PA63, a half a dozen on auction Arms for less than $200. Some less than $175. new. From .32 caliber to 9mm to 9x18 makarov. Good solid handguns. I personally think there is a little gun snobbery flying around, but a $.99 cent flyswatter or rolled up newspaper solves that easily.

 

[highmountain78]

I am sorry but, to be honest for $200.00 you might get something that could blow up in your hand or at best, not be very reliable.

This is simply a fact of market price for a good gun. You don't need to buy high end or the best but, when it comes to a gun, you do need something that is at least reliable.

Would you trust your life and that of your families to a car with bald tires and no brakes, the same principle applies here.

 

[Mr.P345]

Thanks guys, these are some pretty decent suggestions. I'll pass it along. I fully expected there to be nay sayers considering the buget. I found a used P95 for $240 that I'm going to try to talk him into. I've never had a miss with either of my Rugers, but like I said, his motivation is not self defense. Just something to take to the range. His wife is not cool with a loaded gun in the house, let alone cc/ present in their bedroom for sd.

 

[bearmgc]

Feg PA63 was used by the hungarian Army until 1996, when it was replaced by the
FEG P9RC 9mm, which also can be had for just under $200. new. A generalization that a $200 gun will blow up in your hands, will of course be swatted with my Sunday newspaper. Dang flying generalizations....

No such thing as fair market price with firearms. One only has to look at our own Classifieds here. Smokin deals can be had, as well as hillarious examples of outrageous attempts at gouging fellow members.

 

[highmountain78]

Fine, perhaps I exaggerated a bit, no doubt there may be well worn and reliable firearms in the price range. Go for it, and best of luck.

Sunday papers should be used for catching up on the state of the world and humanity which seems to be slipping with each passing day. UGGGGhhh

 

[bearmgc]

Yes of course, Sunday newspapers can be read to increase global knowledge and then be recycled into useful tools, such as the basic flyswatter, thickness adjustable, an elk calling apparatus, a firestarter, either for the kindling stage or as a log, and so much more. Only limited by one's imagination. Of course assuming one has an imagination....

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Savage

If he doesn't mind a little of the "exotic" there's always the Savage 1907-1917 autopistol in .32 ACP.

I've seen them in shops for between $200 and $250.


And then, of course, there's the Savage MkII rifle. Mag-fed, bolt action, .22 LR. Well under $200, accurate, and fun to shoot.

 

[bearmgc]

Great rimfire that Savage. I got the Savage Model 93 left hand version in 22mag, which I purchased lightly used for $189, this past year. Maybe had one clip run through it. It has the accutrigger. I use it for turkey hunting in Wyoming. Its a tackdriver. Nice mention.

 

[Steve C]

You don't say what you want the gun for.

If self defense then one of these Polish P64 9x18 Makarov can be had in your price range. Makarov ammo is available and not at too high a price compared to the .380 acp. This is perhaps a better option CZ-82 9x18 Makarov caliber

If you want a pistol to learn to shoot, have some fun plinking and maybe shoot some small game then find yourself a good used .22 LR though you'll probably have to come up with another C note.

 

[Davek1977]

I own a S&W Sigma 9VE that ran me almost exactly $200 after store promotion and rebate. It was originally marked $330, but rang up at $300 at the register. The store had a Christmas promotion going on where every gun sold entitled the purchaser to a $50 dollar gift card that could bbe used TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF THE GUN!!! So, with the rebate, I wound up opwning a 9mm that that has yet to fail me in any way. yes, the trigger could be improved, but $200 for a NIB high cap 9mm that has yet to give me a single issue.... naysayers are plenty, I know, but I believe I got an incredibnle deal

 

[possom813]

And then, of course, there's the Savage MkII rifle. Mag-fed, bolt action, .22 LR. Well under $200, accurate, and fun to shoot.

Great rifle there, I picked one up about 3 years ago in a pawnshop in pretty good shape except for a little surface rust that came of with 4/0 and oil.

Out the door and in the truck for 48 bucks. I miss the days when pawnshops acted like .22's were worthless unless they were a 10/22.

 

[Sport45]

As others have mentioned, I'd suggest a used Ruger 22/45 or a CZ-82 .

A Russian Nagant Revolver might be a good option if he's not going to shoot a lot as the ammo isn't as inexpensive as the gun. (Better for reloaders)

 

[nelson133]

IMHO, the CZ82 is superior to the Maks and they are still available for around $200. 9x18 ammo is more available and affordable than most other handgun calibers right now also.

 

[earlthegoat2]

AMMO

Though a Makarov would also be tempting.

 

[christcorp]

If you needed a heavy hitting pistol because you really didn't have one; then I'd get a 7.62x25 tokarev caliber. Very reliable gun; plenty of ammo available; ammo prices at $6 a box of 50; and EXCEPT FOR A 44 MAGNUM and SOME 357 magnum; no other traditional self defense hand gun can touch it.

If you need a medium gun for more concealed carry; the 9mm Makarov in the CZ-82 model is the way to go. Extremely dependable; one of the most accurate pistols; ammo at less than $10 a box of 50; better gun than the russian makarov; hotter than a 380 and equal to the lower 9mm luger range of ammo.

For $200, you can get quite a bit of very reliable and dependable self defense weapons. Unfortunately, too many people think that if it isn't a glock, S&W, Ruger, Sig, etc... that it's not quality. Military weapons are tested more than just about anything else out there. You can find some excellent military/LE weapons. Those are all my favorites. ALL my hand guns (of significance) are either direct military guns or direct LE guns. And most of them can be found at a reasonable price. My Sig P220 (original LE) might have been expensive, but my S&W Mod 13-1 revolver was in the $200 range. As was all my other military/LE guns.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Buy Two Mosins!!!!

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Sorry, I forgot this was a handgun forum. A foolish but honest mistake.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

1st choice - CZ82
2nd choice - Used Ruger P-Series 9mm
3rd choice - CZ52
4th choice - PA63
5th choice - used Taurus or Rossi 38/357
6th choice - Hi-Point 9mm

All the above choices will serve the OP well. And all could be found for under 200 if he's patient.

 

[jhco]

I would go to the next gun show and buy 200 bucks worth of Beef Jerky

 

[Quilbilly]

Single shot 20G. Been wanting one for years.