Budget of $250

chris in va · January 14, 2019, 11:20 AM

Aside from a Ruger LC9s, are there other decent handguns in the $250 range? I'm not sold on Taurus just yet.

Cheapshooter · January 14, 2019, 11:32 AM

"Decent" for what?
Then there's what you mean by "decent".
If you have been intimidated by internet hatred for Taurus there is Bersa, and SCCY.
Even the often maligned Hi-Point is quite decent when it comes to reliability, and much more than decent with accuracy.

Doyle · January 14, 2019, 11:41 AM

If you don't mind the weight of a steel frame, you can pick up a Makarov in that price range. Lots of fun to play with.

gc70 · January 14, 2019, 11:47 AM

I suppose your caveat means the Taurus G2C 9mm for $197 is a no-go.

While options are a bit limited, there are some choices, even without looking at used guns.
S&W Shield 9mm for $250
Armscor M206 .38 revolver for $187
Kahr CT40 .40S&W for $270 (shipped)
SAR B6C 9mm for $245
Walther Creed 9mm for $250
Bersa BP9CC 9mm for $243

Dan-O · January 14, 2019, 11:47 AM

Star bm 9mm

sigarms228 · January 14, 2019, 12:05 PM

M&P Shield, Walther PPS, Walther Creed, Smith and Wesson SD9VE are all often close to that price range.

Siggy-06 · January 14, 2019, 12:11 PM

Bersa Thunder

TruthTellers · January 14, 2019, 01:09 PM

Ruger 9E. Not made anymore, but can be found used for under 250.

SD9VE. Again, used.

SCCY if you don't mind a long and terrible trigger.

Kel-Tec PF9 and P11.

Skans · January 14, 2019, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Aside from a Ruger LC9s, are there other decent handguns in the $250 range? I'm not sold on Taurus just yet.

I basically swapped my LC9 out for a Diamondback DB9 for ease of carry. I however, will not recommend a DB9 to most people because they can be finicky, especially with hollow points. To get around this, I carry a hollow point in the chamber, first round out of the magazine is rounded ball ammo and the rest hollow points. This way the entire magazines feeds reliably and consistently. I've also polished the feed ramp (really doesn't need much) and some parts of the magazine; and I had to go through several magazines before I found one that I really liked. Most people would find this "unacceptable". But, it works for me.

T. O'Heir · January 14, 2019, 01:30 PM

A great deal will depend on what's available in Louisville. I suspect shipping, FFL fees, etc. would be prohibitively expensive.
Rummage around on the assorted auction sites.

TBM900 · January 14, 2019, 02:17 PM

You’ll really have to scrounge and it will likely take time, but occasionally sub $300 Makarovs can be found. Of which I would take any day over ANY of the brand new offerings at that price point. Local private sale will eliminate cost for shipping, transfer, tax.

If you crap out finding one, next bet is a surplus P83 or even P64. Not as shootable as a Makarov but still solid (built like a tank) proven defensive firearms. Easily found in your budget, and again I would take either any day over similarly priced more modern pistols.

Bill DeShivs · January 14, 2019, 02:24 PM

The original mini 9mm- the Keltec P11 is available.
And the even thinner Keltec PF9 is there, too.
Both are budget guns that work very well.
Both also require practice to use effectively.

GarandTd · January 14, 2019, 04:35 PM

Remington rm380. Reliable, accurate for it's size, all metal, includes 2 mags. Often available for just over $200.

KyJim · January 14, 2019, 04:50 PM

Besides used guns and those already mentioned:

(1) the M&P Shield for $271 after rebate;

(2) Kahr CW 4043 (.40 SW) for $247.

Both at Bud's.

Fishbed77 · January 14, 2019, 06:13 PM

Not sure what the OP's intended role is, bu I'll toss out a few more suggestions:

Not my cup of tea, but Classic has police trade-in .40SW Beretta PX4s for $230. All kinds of deals can be found on .40SW pistols as departments dump them for 9x19mm.

Quite a few pistols chambered in 9x18mm Makarov can be found for under $300. In the past year, I've picked up a Bulgarian PM for $275, a CZ-82 for $299, and a P-64 for $190. All are very high-quality pistols and in practically un-issued condition.

Kvon2 · January 14, 2019, 06:16 PM

Police trade ins are a good option, hi point, and taurus if you're willing.

wnycollector · January 14, 2019, 07:45 PM

Another vote for a Star BM. Centerfire Systems has them for $189/free shipping.

O4L · January 14, 2019, 07:55 PM

This is a great deal on a new Shield.

https://palmettostatearmory.com/smit...--CENSORED-=cl

gw44 · January 14, 2019, 08:00 PM

That keltec PF9 is a good one !!!!!

PatientWolf · January 14, 2019, 09:24 PM

I like O4L's suggestion. The shield is a good choice.

Targa · January 14, 2019, 09:37 PM

O4L’s link is about as good as it gets.

TBM900 · January 14, 2019, 09:47 PM

Scrimp and save your pennies.....

$294

epl1007 · January 14, 2019, 09:56 PM

Do yourself a favor and save up an extra 200 dollars and get a Glock 43 or a shield. If that’s not possible ruger LC9s

ms6852 · January 14, 2019, 09:57 PM

If your life is worth $250 than buy whatever is available, if it is worth more than scrimp and save more as has been suggested. Better yet take a self defense class because if this is all you can afford than you will not be able to afford shooting to become proficient. You owe it to yourself to be good with or without a gun.

BigMikey76 · January 14, 2019, 10:01 PM

I take a look at https://gun.deals a couple times a week. That's how I found my Kahr CT380 ($196 NIB), my S&W SD9 ($259 NIB), my PSA AR-15 ($339 NIB), and my Taurus G2C ($189 NIB).

The used counter at your local range or gun shop can also provide some assistance. I just picked up a used Bersa Thunder CC for $150 at my local range.

If you have the time to delay your purchase in pursuit of a good deal, patience and persistence can pay great dividends.

January 14, 2019, 11:20 AM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Budget of $250 Aside from a Ruger LC9s, are there other decent handguns in the $250 range? I'm not sold on Taurus just yet.

January 14, 2019, 11:32 AM	#2
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	"Decent" for what? Then there's what you mean by "decent". If you have been intimidated by internet hatred for Taurus there is Bersa, and SCCY. Even the often maligned Hi-Point is quite decent when it comes to reliability, and much more than decent with accuracy. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 14, 2019, 11:47 AM	#4
gc70 Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,903	I suppose your caveat means the Taurus G2C 9mm for $197 is a no-go. While options are a bit limited, there are some choices, even without looking at used guns. S&W Shield 9mm for $250 Armscor M206 .38 revolver for $187 Kahr CT40 .40S&W for $270 (shipped) SAR B6C 9mm for $245 Walther Creed 9mm for $250 Bersa BP9CC 9mm for $243 Last edited by gc70; January 14, 2019 at 11:58 AM.

January 14, 2019, 12:05 PM	#6
sigarms228 Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 2011 Posts: 1,765	M&P Shield, Walther PPS, Walther Creed, Smith and Wesson SD9VE are all often close to that price range. __________________ “When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.” ― Benjamin Franklin

January 14, 2019, 12:11 PM	#7
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Bersa Thunder __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

January 14, 2019, 11:41 AM	#3
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	If you don't mind the weight of a steel frame, you can pick up a Makarov in that price range. Lots of fun to play with.

January 14, 2019, 11:47 AM	#5
Dan-O Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 969	Star bm 9mm

January 14, 2019, 01:09 PM	#8
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,883	Ruger 9E. Not made anymore, but can be found used for under 250. SD9VE. Again, used. SCCY if you don't mind a long and terrible trigger. Kel-Tec PF9 and P11. __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

January 14, 2019, 01:30 PM	#10
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	A great deal will depend on what's available in Louisville. I suspect shipping, FFL fees, etc. would be prohibitively expensive. Rummage around on the assorted auction sites. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

January 14, 2019, 02:17 PM	#11
TBM900 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2015 Posts: 777	You’ll really have to scrounge and it will likely take time, but occasionally sub $300 Makarovs can be found. Of which I would take any day over ANY of the brand new offerings at that price point. Local private sale will eliminate cost for shipping, transfer, tax. If you crap out finding one, next bet is a surplus P83 or even P64. Not as shootable as a Makarov but still solid (built like a tank) proven defensive firearms. Easily found in your budget, and again I would take either any day over similarly priced more modern pistols. Last edited by TBM900; January 14, 2019 at 02:57 PM.

January 14, 2019, 02:24 PM	#12
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,980	The original mini 9mm- the Keltec P11 is available. And the even thinner Keltec PF9 is there, too. Both are budget guns that work very well. Both also require practice to use effectively. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

January 14, 2019, 04:35 PM	#13
GarandTd Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2016 Location: Rural PA Posts: 1,639	Remington rm380. Reliable, accurate for it's size, all metal, includes 2 mags. Often available for just over $200. __________________ 22lr, 20 gauge, 8mm Mauser, 35 Remington, 30-06, 5.56x45/223, 9mm, 380acp

January 14, 2019, 04:50 PM	#14
KyJim Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2005 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 9,142	Besides used guns and those already mentioned: (1) the M&P Shield for $271 after rebate; (2) Kahr CW 4043 (.40 SW) for $247. Both at Bud's.

January 14, 2019, 06:13 PM	#15
Fishbed77 Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 4,862	Not sure what the OP's intended role is, bu I'll toss out a few more suggestions: Not my cup of tea, but Classic has police trade-in .40SW Beretta PX4s for $230. All kinds of deals can be found on .40SW pistols as departments dump them for 9x19mm. Quite a few pistols chambered in 9x18mm Makarov can be found for under $300. In the past year, I've picked up a Bulgarian PM for $275, a CZ-82 for $299, and a P-64 for $190. All are very high-quality pistols and in practically un-issued condition.

January 14, 2019, 06:16 PM	#16
Kvon2 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2016 Posts: 757	Police trade ins are a good option, hi point, and taurus if you're willing.

January 14, 2019, 07:45 PM	#17
wnycollector Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 1,996	Another vote for a Star BM. Centerfire Systems has them for $189/free shipping. __________________ The wicked flee when no man pursueth - Proverbs 28:1

January 14, 2019, 07:55 PM	#18
O4L Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2015 Posts: 646	This is a great deal on a new Shield. https://palmettostatearmory.com/smit...--CENSORED-=cl

January 14, 2019, 08:00 PM	#19
gw44 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 311	That keltec PF9 is a good one !!!!!

January 14, 2019, 09:24 PM	#20
PatientWolf Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Location: NC Posts: 946	I like O4L's suggestion. The shield is a good choice.

January 14, 2019, 09:37 PM	#21
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	O4L’s link is about as good as it gets.

January 14, 2019, 09:47 PM	#22
TBM900 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2015 Posts: 777	Scrimp and save your pennies..... $294

January 14, 2019, 09:56 PM	#23
epl1007 Member Join Date: August 28, 2015 Posts: 72	Do yourself a favor and save up an extra 200 dollars and get a Glock 43 or a shield. If that’s not possible ruger LC9s

January 14, 2019, 09:57 PM	#24
ms6852 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,394	If your life is worth $250 than buy whatever is available, if it is worth more than scrimp and save more as has been suggested. Better yet take a self defense class because if this is all you can afford than you will not be able to afford shooting to become proficient. You owe it to yourself to be good with or without a gun. __________________ ONLY TWO DEFINING FORCES HAVE GIVEN UP THEIR LIVES FOR YOU. ONE IS JESUS CHRIST FOR YOUR SOUL AND THE OTHER IS THE AMERICAN SOLDIER FOR YOUR FREEDOM.

January 14, 2019, 10:01 PM	#25
BigMikey76 Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2011 Location: Bellevue, NE Posts: 981	I take a look at https://gun.deals a couple times a week. That's how I found my Kahr CT380 ($196 NIB), my S&W SD9 ($259 NIB), my PSA AR-15 ($339 NIB), and my Taurus G2C ($189 NIB). The used counter at your local range or gun shop can also provide some assistance. I just picked up a used Bersa Thunder CC for $150 at my local range. If you have the time to delay your purchase in pursuit of a good deal, patience and persistence can pay great dividends. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies - not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

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