Ok.. the high point thread got me started..

[lazs]

I got nothing against hi points except they are plastic and ugly but no more so than glocks and.. they do shoot lead bullets so that is a plus but..

The thread was about cheap really.

Both glocks and hi points are cheap guns.. cheap to make and cheap to sell and cheap feeling. No big deal.. they work. They are ugly and cheap but work fairly well with minor glitches for reloaders and accuracy guys.

They are not for everyone sooooooo....

What is a good "cheap" gun for the everyman? a good used smith in .357 for 250-300 bucks is certainly a superior option. a good used ruger revolver is nice too and truck solid for your grand kids to use... but...

In semi autos? best deal by far.. a makarov.. at around 200 bucks it is dead reliable and accurate and uses cheap steel cased stuff but..it is a blowback gun and not really "new" even if unfired.. and only in 9x18 or,, at best .380 option.

So what else? May I humbly suggest the EAA Witness? This is a CZ 75 clone with some minor improvements.. the CZ 75 at one time was considered the height of semi auto evolution by some of the best in the business and.. for good reason.

The gun is a rock and is a double/single action gun that, in the large frame, can be converted to everything from 9mm to 10 mm to .357 sig to 45 acp in a matter of seconds.. it is a steel frame gun and feel like one with a really good grip angle and controls that allow it to be carried cocked and locked like a 1911 or.. double action first shot.

They used to run about the same or less than glocks.. used ones about like hi points.. conversions to other calibers take about 10 seconds if you are clumsy and cost a couple hundred bucks.. your-0-peeans use em to compete. they are very accurate and durable and.. being steel framed .. they really do feel good in the hand.

I have one in 45 with a 22 conversion. your-0-peeans (and probly kalifornians in the future) have a hard time owning one gun sooo.. the fact that the witness is so easy and cheap to convert makes it VERY popular..

Cz75/EAA witness are excellent and overlooked handguns for those who wish for a quality feeling and operating semi auto. You can leave it with one in the chamber and hammer down for a safe, and quick, double action first shot or.. cocked and locked in the classic 1911 carry with good single action trigger and easy to release thumb safety.

[PutTogether]

I submit the SW Sigma. You see them for 300 or less used (didn't buds even have them new for barely over 300?) and they just aren't that bad. The trigger kinda sucks, big deal. The trigger kinda sucks on almost everything.

[D.M.C.]

Some of us actually like the long steady pull on a Sigma. :-)

[Old Timer]

And some of us do some very simple and minor trigger modifications that make it one of the best triggers in my gun safe.

[diego-ted]

Another vote for the Sigma!

Diego

[PutTogether]

I made a post that people agreed with. I'm writing about this in my journal.

[bballwizard05]

used ruger p-95 or 89. Can be found on gunbroker for between 200-250. They run forever

[nick]

EAA Witness isn't that cheap, not in CA, anyway, since it's not on the roster. That being said, they're great guns, even the regular Witnesses are. I'm not even talking about their match guns.

Don't forget about various imports: FEGs, Makarovs, Astras, etc. They're cheap enough (although usually not in Hi-Point price range, but similar), and they work.

[JeffM]

If you look at the overall value of a firearm vs what most people choose to spend their money on, a well made pistol up to $1000 is a bargain.

When it comes to utility, longevity, and their ability to hold monetary value, firearms are best-buys.

That said, my FEG GP35 clone likely has the best value vs cost ratio of any handgun I own.

[radioburning]

used ruger p-95 or 89. Can be found on gunbroker for between 200-250. They run forever

That's what I was gonna say. Or, a Tokarev.

[bigthaiboy]

I submit the SW Sigma. You see them for 300 or less used (didn't buds even have them new for barely over 300?) and they just aren't that bad. The trigger kinda sucks, big deal. The trigger kinda sucks on almost everything.

I made a post that people agreed with. I'm writing about this in my journal.

I disagree with you.

You can buy a Sigma NEW for $300 with the $50 rebate S&W is running until 3rd October. That's how much I paid for my SW40VE.

[VegasND]

As it always is with guns, there's no one 'right' answer. There are inexpensive new guns that someone is going to like, but everybody is never going to be happy with one.

Used guns are crazy right now. People are hard up for money and I'm seeing some very good deals. Be patient and shop carefully -- you're going to find something you like. While I'm pleased to be able to buy nice used guns for a low price; it's because somebody is out of work and desperate enough to sell guns. I don't know how that makes you feel, but it saddens me.

For me: If I was looking for a handgun for the home I'd probably go with a RIA/Armscor 1911 -- I've always been a 1911 person and trust the design.

The Makarovs available for $250 or less are very good deals. J&G has Smith DAO .38s for $250 or less. The P-64s are under $200 -- while I disliked the one I had and sold it, I'd use it for HD if it's all I could afford. I'd use an 1895 Nagant (pretty much gone now, but recently available for $80) before I'd go defenseless.