Cheap first handgun?

[Markus]

So Ive been looking around for a cheap handgun to buy lately and had settled on getting a Makarov. Problem is me being a poor bastard and all the "hidden fees". They have the makarov on aimsurplus right now for 270 plus 10 for shipping. Then i got to pay 50 for receiving and transfer and then I have to have a california pistol certification card which is another 25 dollars. Oh and i forgot sales tax..... So i go from a 270 dollar gun to over 350 dollars.... Now I see why the one in store is priced for 350... Though i suppose some of you folks have spent more than that on just ammo...

So im just wondering is it even possible to get a handgun for under 300 with all the fees associated with it?

[lmudave]

well your handgun safety certificate is going to cost you $25 no matter what gun you buy so I wouldn't factor that into the price really. Keep your eyes on the classifieds section, you should be able to get a Bersa, Sigma, CZ-52, or other for less than $300. Private Party Transactions only cost $35 and there's no sales tax either... I think there's still that Hi-point 9mm for about $135 in the WTS section

[Call_me_Tom]

Buy used from PPT. My least valuable pistol was the one I paid the most money for as I bought it new.

[nagorb]

well your handgun safety certificate is going to cost you $25 no matter what gun you buy so I wouldn't factor that into the price really. Keep your eyes on the classifieds section, you should be able to get a Bersa, Sigma, CZ-52, or other for less than $300. Private Party Transactions only cost $35 and there's no sales tax either... I think there's still that Hi-point 9mm for about $135 in the WTS section

+1

No tax on ppt. I would go with a RIA 1911 or Springfield mil-spec/gi, its a little more that you want to spend but its worth it.

[Saym14]

buy a Ruger 9mm. the money you spend will be saved in ammo costs over makarov. alos buy in PPT if you can and save on tax.

[gorenut]

buy a Ruger 9mm. the money you spend will be saved in ammo costs over makarov. alos buy in PPT if you can and save on tax.

Seconded, always take ammo cost into consideration. If ammo costs too much, you won't really get that much practice (which I think is more important than the choice of handgun).

[gearhead15]

I can buy Makarov all day long online for $11-$13 per 50 for ball or FMJ. I know that loophole will close soon, but as long as it's an option I don't think the ammo cost is a reason to avoid a Makarov. And Mak ammo was always available even when other calibers were very hard to find. For about a year there I mail-ordered every round I purchased regardless of caliber.

[Swoop]

Plenty of 9mms around the 300 range, find a private party xfer place , there is one in anaheim only charging $25 I heard now and save yourself $ because you will keep it rather then selling it in 2 months and upgrading... spend the extra 50 bux and do yourself a favor, especially if you want it to be reliable

[Decoligny]

So Ive been looking around for a cheap handgun to buy lately and had settled on getting a Makarov. Problem is me being a poor bastard and all the "hidden fees". They have the makarov on aimsurplus right now for 270 plus 10 for shipping. Then i got to pay 50 for receiving and transfer and then I have to have a california pistol certification card which is another 25 dollars. Oh and i forgot sales tax..... So i go from a 270 dollar gun to over 350 dollars.... Now I see why the one in store is priced for 350... Though i suppose some of you folks have spent more than that on just ammo...

So im just wondering is it even possible to get a handgun for under 300 with all the fees associated with it?

I walked out of the store with a brand new Hi-Point C9 for just a hair over $200.00. That is including sales tax, lock, cheap nylon holster, and DROS.

[evidens83]

I just saw a Hi-Point in the classidieds going for $150 +ppt. How about lay-away at a gunshop?

[C_1]

The HSC is going to cost you $25 regardless. Maybe you can do that now, and save your money (perhaps for something 'better'), and look in the classifieds for something used, so you can PPT it. Or a layaway, if available, is not too bad of an idea. Usually you get 3 months to pay it off..

[Greg-Dawg]

1. Get a job.
2. Sell your stuff.
3. Go buy a Glock.

[bigthaiboy]

Makarovs are excellent guns, don't get me wrong, but 9x18mm Makarov ammo, requires a little extra effort to obtain, since it's not a caliber stocked in all stores, especially in mainstream outlets (Big 5, Walmart, etc). The ammo choices are limited, especially, if you are looking for HP defense ammo. I'm not saying you can't find it, you can, but it's not nearly as common place, as 9mm, .40S&W etc. Spare magazines are harder to find, too.

As a fun gun, or maybe even a CCW, a Makarov is a sound choice, but as a first handgun, there are better options. I have a friend who owns a Russian Makarov. Last time he shot it was two years ago, because he doesn't know where to buy ammo locally, so he just shoots his 9mm and .45ACP

Also with the prices you quoted, you're looking at around $370 OTD, to transfer it from AIM. For your budget, I would look for a used 9mm Ruger P89 or even P95. I paid $250 for my P89. Turners sometimes has the P95 new for $299 plus fees. They come up all the time on the classifieds section. Built like a tank, last forever, boringly reliable (which is a good thing), cheap and easy to find spare magazines, and a great gun to learn how a classic Browning action pistol works (one of the most commonly copied handgun actions ever).

Hi-Point C9 is an excellent gun for the money, BUT it's the kind of gun that makes you do this:

You: "Hey, I just bought my first handgun."
Your friend: "Cool. What did you get?"
You: "Oh, um......a....um....Hi- (cough, cough) Point."
(as you try to say the name with your hand over your mouth and as garbled and muffled as possible).

It's a great gun (I have one), but it lacks any "cool" factor, and is very much an acquired taste. Nothing wrong with having one as a knock-around/ plinker gun, though. Reliable and a lifetime guarantee, but not the best platform to learn about handguns, if it's going to be your first.

[IrishPirate]

I walked out of the store with a brand new Hi-Point C9 for just a hair over $200.00. That is including sales tax, lock, cheap nylon holster, and DROS.

Ditto....good gun too!!!

[Ranger20]

I owned an E German Makarov.... Very nice pistol... that you can count on... Ammo is cheap... But were seeing 9mm down to 10.00 a box for blazer local and 14 for the other target ammo.

I'd look for a nice used Glock, or other pistol Heck a Taurus Millenium is only around $300. New...

Buy used and do a ppt transfer... That way it only costs to transfer what 25 or so... and no sales tax. You will be way ahead.

I'd avoid a cheap made gun if you can .... it will just cost you... perhaps everything...