Best Gun $500 can buy

[sastark]

I'm curious: what, in your opinion, is the best gun $500 could buy? It could be a shotgun, rifle, handgun. It could be blackpowder, single action, semi-auto, bolt action, etc. The only restriction is the $500 (and being California legal, of course).

Edited to add: It could be new OR used, also.

[DVSmith]

You should be able to get a used GLOCK in that budget; can't go wrong with a GLOCK. As they say, more bang for your buck!

But for just pure fun plinking, I would have to go with a ruger 10/22.

[Dirtbiker]

WOW, that leaves a lot open for discussion.

Can you please narrow things down a bit?

[ghost]

rock island 1911 .45acp

[Suvorov]

Very open ended question. What would be the primary use of the gun?

[Eroland7]

maybe a good deal on a mini 14 or mini 30?

[sastark]

Something that fits the following:

Fun to shoot.
Reliable.
Accurate.
Preferably, cheap ammo (or at least in a common caliber/gauge).

Yes, I realize that doesn't narrow it down much, but I purposely left it open ended to get a wide variety of answers.

[sastark]

rock island 1911 .45acp

I have actually been looking at these. I don't have a 1911, so I'm leaning this way.

Thanks!

[Black Majik]

Interesting question, and a fun question to think about.

I'll break it up into 3 categories, for IMO the best way to spend $500.

Shotgun: Remington 870 Police model. With some searching you could probably find a lightly used parked 870 Police or WM for $500. It'll be a superb low maintenance pump shotgun that'll last a lifetime.

Rifle: Probably not anymore, but a Saiga in .223 or x39 would be my choice. Low maintenance, reliable and detachable magazines. AK action. Best sub $1000 SHTF rifle.

Pistol: Lightly used Glock 17,19,22,23,21 with night sights. Easy to use, easy to shoot, easy to modify and low maintenance. It'll also last a lifetime for most shooters, and if I could only own one, I think it would be a strong consideration. XD and M&P would be my runner ups, though they don't have as long of a track record, which is important to me. Parts are most plentiful for Glock pistols as well for cheap.

Those are my picks. They all have something in common. Long track records, low maintenance, and reliable.

[Barbarossa]

What do you want to use it for?

[Norcalkid]

I don’t know if I can even begin to answer this. But I know I would be looking for something used. Could stretch your money a lot further. If new The Saiga idea is good. I recently purchased one for under $500 all in. Great gun and relatively cheap to shoot. I would also consider a 10/22 with a few mods and a lifetime supply of ammo.

[sastark]

Those of you recommending a Saiga, would you still recommend it if I already owned an SKS?

[will227457]

glock 9mm, lots of parts, hugh after market, cheap ammo....

[snowdog650]

Saiga .223 or 7.62x39.

Even if you have an SKS.

[Black Majik]

Those of you recommending a Saiga, would you still recommend it if I already owned an SKS?

Yes. Even at the current rate, I still think it's a good buy. We've just been so conditioned to the pre-Obama /pre-hoarding prices of $275.

While it's rough around the edges, comparable to other $600 rifles it's still a worthwhile buy. I'd certainly still drop for a Saiga if I really wanted one at current prices.