Illuminate
Member
Cheap does not equate to cheaply made when you're talking surplus.
What's a good pistol for a low price?
- Thread starter Dionysusigma
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Illuminate
Member
Then I agree. 
Okiecruffler
Member
The flip side of that is that you don't always get what you pay for. Most of the high end guns are so overpriced, you're paying for alot of hype. I'll be the last person to tell you that an HK USP45 Tactical for instance isn't a great gun (my personal favorite to dream about owning), but if you think it's worth the grand they ask for it I'd like to sell you my collection of WWII relics. And do you really think that Springfield improved the HS 2000 so much that it warranted adding another franklin to the price?
Safety First
Member
I have Bersa thunder 380 on order, and can't wait for it to come in. The one I ordered is in nickel with an extra mag,price is 239.00. They are available in matte and duo-tone for around 200.00 with one mag in most stores. There are a lot of folks on THR that have nothing but good things to say about that gun. Bersa also advertises it in 9mm and .40 but I have not actually seen those available for sale. The 45 is available now...Another good value is CZ and between those two brands should get the most gun for the money and both have a reputation for reliability.. good luck...
I am a big fan of quality cheap guns. There have been many good suggestions. In the $200 and under category:
1. Makarov (ammo might be hard to find in your area 9x18 aka 9mm Makarov. The Maks also come in .380 . You can mail order ammo too. I have a Russian model and an E. German. Keep your eyes open for a nice one. Bulgarians are also good. Don't have one yet.
2. FEG PJK-9HP (any FEG 9mm would be a decent choice.) I own one. Decent copy of the Hi-Power. Quality varies. Mine has really nice bluing. Arcus 94 is also a Hi-Power copy (blockier slide) and is supposed to be very good value. I have not seen one in person.
3. Bersa .380 or FEG .380. I'm not a huge fan, but they are reliable.
4. Used Dan Wesson or Smith or Ruger if you can find one under $200. They are out there. I got a DW 15 with extra barrels for $200.
Over $200
1. CZ-75 or 85. Any variety. I absolutely love my 85 Combat model. The CZ-75BD's were going new for $319 for a while. You can still find some. If you spot a used CZ-75 one they are great guns. I also like the CZ-83 in either 9mm Mak or .380. They are nicer than the Makarov surplus guns, but more expensive.
2. Ruger autoloaders are ugly, but tough and accurate. I have seen bargains in the used dept. Don't own one though.
3. Used S&W autoloaders. Police trade-ins etc... The 5900 series are good solid guns. I would buy one if I didn't already have a CZ.
4. Norinco 1911's. I'm on the lookout for a cheap one. Not sure what your intended purpose is, but 1911's are fun guns.
5. Daewoo DP-51 - often overlooked. It is an excellent gun at a great price.
You mentioned autoloaders specifically, but used revolvers can be a great deal. Ruger GP-100's are excellent choices. Read the revolver checkout thread that floats at the top of the revolver forum. Jim March is the original author. Goes over how to check out new/used revo's.
1. Makarov (ammo might be hard to find in your area 9x18 aka 9mm Makarov. The Maks also come in .380 . You can mail order ammo too. I have a Russian model and an E. German. Keep your eyes open for a nice one. Bulgarians are also good. Don't have one yet.
2. FEG PJK-9HP (any FEG 9mm would be a decent choice.) I own one. Decent copy of the Hi-Power. Quality varies. Mine has really nice bluing. Arcus 94 is also a Hi-Power copy (blockier slide) and is supposed to be very good value. I have not seen one in person.
3. Bersa .380 or FEG .380. I'm not a huge fan, but they are reliable.
4. Used Dan Wesson or Smith or Ruger if you can find one under $200. They are out there. I got a DW 15 with extra barrels for $200.
Over $200
1. CZ-75 or 85. Any variety. I absolutely love my 85 Combat model. The CZ-75BD's were going new for $319 for a while. You can still find some. If you spot a used CZ-75 one they are great guns. I also like the CZ-83 in either 9mm Mak or .380. They are nicer than the Makarov surplus guns, but more expensive.
2. Ruger autoloaders are ugly, but tough and accurate. I have seen bargains in the used dept. Don't own one though.
3. Used S&W autoloaders. Police trade-ins etc... The 5900 series are good solid guns. I would buy one if I didn't already have a CZ.
4. Norinco 1911's. I'm on the lookout for a cheap one. Not sure what your intended purpose is, but 1911's are fun guns.
5. Daewoo DP-51 - often overlooked. It is an excellent gun at a great price.
You mentioned autoloaders specifically, but used revolvers can be a great deal. Ruger GP-100's are excellent choices. Read the revolver checkout thread that floats at the top of the revolver forum. Jim March is the original author. Goes over how to check out new/used revo's.
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
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- 2,430
Hello. Some thoughts on this subject can be found via the links below.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/makarov.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BestBuys.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BestBuys2.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/TaurusPT92.htm
Best and good luck in your search.
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/makarov.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BestBuys.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/BestBuys2.htm
http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/TaurusPT92.htm
Best and good luck in your search.
AUTIGER04
member
Mr.Camp, Very Nice report on the Taurus PT92/99.
Have any thing about Beretta vs Taurus 92/99 vs Glock 17/19? I would be very much interested.
Have any thing about Beretta vs Taurus 92/99 vs Glock 17/19? I would be very much interested.
Trisha
Member
I have to agree with jercamp45!
The Ruger Security Six is a wonderful value, strong, accurate, and widely available. Good aftermarket grips may be a worthwhile investment, but I have a girlfriend who'd fight anyone that would want to change a thing on her mint, stock revolver (she paid $210 for it a few months ago - unfired, LNIB!).
Something just for fun? I'd recommend either the CZ 50 or the CZ 70! I've shot both and found them delightful and inexpensive, well-made and very serviceable (best groups were 3" at 25 yards, Weaver).
Trisha
The Ruger Security Six is a wonderful value, strong, accurate, and widely available. Good aftermarket grips may be a worthwhile investment, but I have a girlfriend who'd fight anyone that would want to change a thing on her mint, stock revolver (she paid $210 for it a few months ago - unfired, LNIB!).
Something just for fun? I'd recommend either the CZ 50 or the CZ 70! I've shot both and found them delightful and inexpensive, well-made and very serviceable (best groups were 3" at 25 yards, Weaver).
Trisha
Dorrin79
Member
as far as new commercial pistols go, I think the Bersa .380 is pretty great.
You should be able to get one for $200. they are very reliable, accurate, and pleasant to shoot.
A Makarov is good too, although the ammo is harder to find in stores.
You should be able to get one for $200. they are very reliable, accurate, and pleasant to shoot.
A Makarov is good too, although the ammo is harder to find in stores.
Stephen A. Camp
Moderator In Memoriam
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 2,430
Hello, AUTIGER04. No, not yet. I don't own a Beretta to use and none of my buddies do. I might be able to do a deal with the Glock 17/19 as that request is pretty frequent, but I'll have to borrow the guns.
I'll try. I'd be less than honest were I to say that deer season, which is nearly here, won't slow this all up quite a bit.
Best.
I'll try. I'd be less than honest were I to say that deer season, which is nearly here, won't slow this all up quite a bit.
Best.
AUTIGER04
member
Stephen, Thats fine I can wait.
Yep, I really enjoyed your article pairing the Beretta Vs Taurus. I have been trying to find info concerning this subject for a long time. Thanks again for a Very informative review. Two Thumbs Up.
Yep, I really enjoyed your article pairing the Beretta Vs Taurus. I have been trying to find info concerning this subject for a long time. Thanks again for a Very informative review. Two Thumbs Up.
Last edited:
igor
Member
That was one good piece on the Taurus 92, which I'd recommend anytime too. I've got a 99 decocker version with similar UM grips that has served me for a dozen years and over 20.000 rounds very well: just recently I had to replace my first locking block. The barrel is still dead on, very decent groups.
A couple of things about the article though: the front sight on my 99 seems very much the same size as the 92, not a bit taller. The mag release certainly doesn't interchange with Beretta as they don't share their history - at the time Beretta owned the factory the pistols still had mag catches at the heel of the butt. Both have since designed their own, likewise the safety arrangements where Beretta's more radical change made it worse in my opinion, no Cond. 1 carry possible.
The Taurus mag release is not ambi, but reversible though. You can push it way in and unscrew the plug on the other side, then put it in the other way.
The roll pin doesn't hold it in place. I don't know its purpose, but that's not it. Roll pins are an achilles heel of the pistol altogether, they shake loose and to bits. You'll need Lok-Tite... that's why I recommend to stay away from the 99, the rear sight abomination has several... :banghead: If you need adjustable, get a 92 and an aftermarket sight that'll fit its dovetail.
That's what I'm doing now, I'm getting a replacement slide soon because my nowadays active IPSC practice with kydex gear eats up the bluing and I hate the 99 rear sight anyway - after several roll pin replacements and fixes it's a mess with a vertical screw installed from top... it's tritium time and I'll try the factory 92BNS version sights first.
A couple of things about the article though: the front sight on my 99 seems very much the same size as the 92, not a bit taller. The mag release certainly doesn't interchange with Beretta as they don't share their history - at the time Beretta owned the factory the pistols still had mag catches at the heel of the butt. Both have since designed their own, likewise the safety arrangements where Beretta's more radical change made it worse in my opinion, no Cond. 1 carry possible.
The Taurus mag release is not ambi, but reversible though. You can push it way in and unscrew the plug on the other side, then put it in the other way.
The roll pin doesn't hold it in place. I don't know its purpose, but that's not it. Roll pins are an achilles heel of the pistol altogether, they shake loose and to bits. You'll need Lok-Tite... that's why I recommend to stay away from the 99, the rear sight abomination has several... :banghead: If you need adjustable, get a 92 and an aftermarket sight that'll fit its dovetail.
That's what I'm doing now, I'm getting a replacement slide soon because my nowadays active IPSC practice with kydex gear eats up the bluing and I hate the 99 rear sight anyway - after several roll pin replacements and fixes it's a mess with a vertical screw installed from top... it's tritium time and I'll try the factory 92BNS version sights first.
BerettaNut92
Member
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Springfield XD or Glock, IME.
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