Which cheap pistol would you recomend?

Garaldtao said:
So I began my collection with very expensive rifles, shotguns and handguns and later switched to collecting some of the less expensive guns. Even though I have done things backwards, take it from someone who owns close to 200 firearms, when I say that there is nothing wrong with purchasing a gun at the $300 to $400 price point. In fact, I enjoy hunting for deals and discovering how well built some of these less expensive guns are.

From 1st hand experience, the Norinco 1911 np29 is exceptional value because the material is good and the majority of parts are interchangable with something like my Colt 1911. I bought this gun from SFRC during their monthly 12% off sale and it came with free delivery... to my door $326.

The Norc np22 and np85b all followed for around the same price. I have to say that my expectations weren't high with all this jibber jabber about how Norincos are crap but to be totally honest, they all far exceeded my expectations. I think the people flapping their gums have never owned or have only ever owned a Norinco. So the 1911 and sig clone is on the top of my pick list (in that order).

The OP owns a tt and if he can appriciate its historic value, iconic image and slim, yet robust design a Zastava m70a should be in the running. Essentially it is a 9mm Tokerav. Mine is not very accurate compared to the Norincos but hey, it was under $300 and I have a lot of fun with it on the range. All my guest would be shooting my Berettas and Colts and Kimbers and I would be walking around with my m70a in my holster (with a rubber grip sleeve of course)lol.

But ever before the m70a, I would recomend a Starr super B. These are exceptional guns for the value. They have a great history as a rear echelon gun for the Nazi's and is quite an interesting take on the Browning 1911 designed by the Spanish. They are reliable and you can find them for under $300. Maybe, I will put the Starr as my 2nd choice between the Norinco np29 and np22.

Damn it, forgot about my np34 (sig p228) clone... Better than the np22.lol
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Just wandering where you can find a super b for under $300?
 
One thing about the norc 1911's....because it is a 1911 there are parts available for it that might not be easy to find for other pistols...plus the huge customization possibilities. Nothing beats a well tuned 1911 trigger. Mags are easy to find and mine eats anything i have thrown at it.

The np-22 (sig clone) has also been very reliable.

That said, the Girsan Beretta clone has many interchangeable parts and is a VERY good quality pistol out of the box.
 
albertaman238 said:
One thing about the norc 1911's....because it is a 1911 there are parts available for it that might not be easy to find for other pistols...plus the huge customization possibilities. Nothing beats a well tuned 1911 trigger. Mags are easy to find and mine eats anything i have thrown at it.
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This/\ is my second best reason for owning 1911s

The primary reason the 1911 in .45 is still my favourite platform is because its ergos fit me best.

In 45 cal because I reload and cast so ammo cost is not a concern.
 
I just picked up my first restricted, a FNS-9. It was on sale at my local shop brand new for $415. I wasn’t planning on buying it, but after reading some reviews online I was sold. Lots of Glock users like it cause the size and feel is comparable. It’s performance is also comparable as well and I got it for about half of what a Glock goes for!

edgy said:
Why not have a look into an FNS9LS,,, I bet you can find one for $400-450 on the EE, and it is a better built gun than anything else mentioned here for the money you want to spend. I shoot a Glock 19 in competition, but my first striker fired pistol was the FN, probably close to 20,000 rounds thru my FN and it looks as good as the day I bought it. My wife also has an FN with probably over 20k thru it, looks brand new. I have compared it to many of the " cheaper" handguns, Canik, PPX, Girsan etc, and I would rank the FN at the top of the pile without a doubt. Every internal part is steel, not plastic, and FN has been around for a while now lol.
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There is a PPX on the EE for $380. If the OP hasn't bought it, and it is still available he ought to take a look based upon his opinion expressed in his post.


Take Care

Bob
 
OP, if $300-400 is a must -- and that really is a very low price -- I would look at the Norinco clones of the 1911.

I love SIGs and Norinco SIG clones would fit the budget too, but if you hate the trigger, then there's no point in getting one unless you install the short reset "trigger" kit (not actually the trigger but replacing a couple internal pieces) which improves the reset for $80.

Tenda has a sale on Norinco handguns right now.
 
There's a SAM 1911 in 9mm on the EE right now for $480.
a little above your budget but the fit and finish is better than Norinco
 
Old thread resurected? :) Well, for those in a similar boat I would highly recomend the Norinco NZ85. I picked up a slightly used one at a great price and upgraded the mainspring and recoil spring and it shoots beautifully. Nice light and crisp trigger. I also recently added a fibre optic front sight (have a fibre optic rear but haven't installed it yet) and Hogue grips and it's a keeper. It's a fantastic shooter for about $450 all in.

Bought an MC28 as my first one and found it hard to shoot well as a newbie but there was nothing wrong with it. I also bought one of the Italian surplus Beretta 92S and really like how it handles. I'm planning some upgrades and cerakote on it at some point. Also have a Norinco 1911a1. The trigger is a bit heavy and the grip safety rubs my hand the wrong way leaving scrapes. But with export restrictions eased I have some springs and a better Wilson Combat beavertail along witha Wilson Combat hammer and sear on the way which I'm hoping will make it a far better experience.
 
RK99 said:
Old thread resurected? :) Well, for those in a similar boat I would highly recomend the Norinco NZ85. I picked up a slightly used one at a great price and upgraded the mainspring and recoil spring and it shoots beautifully. Nice light and crisp trigger. I also recently added a fibre optic front sight (have a fibre optic rear but haven't installed it yet) and Hogue grips and it's a keeper. It's a fantastic shooter for about $450 all in.
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....the rear fibre optic might have a little too much "visual noise" for you. When you try it, also try it with little pieces of black tape covering the rear fibre, so it's just black.

For precision, you don't use the little dots anyhow. You use the top horizontal line of the FSP lined up with the top of the RSP.

For fast work, you'll need to see 3 dots and get them kinda lined up, rather than just one dot in an opening. Different people have different preferences, but now you'll be in a position where you can try both.

Have fun!
 
jimbo14 said:
....the rear fibre optic might have a little too much "visual noise" for you. When you try it, also try it with little pieces of black tape covering the rear fibre, so it's just black.

For precision, you don't use the little dots anyhow. You use the top horizontal line of the FSP lined up with the top of the RSP.

For fast work, you'll need to see 3 dots and get them kinda lined up, rather than just one dot in an opening. Different people have different preferences, but now you'll be in a position where you can try both.

Have fun!
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I was going to install the rear sight today but found that the dovetail for the sight is much wider than the one on the pistol so it won't fit. Going to reevaluate the plan :)

Now i just need the proper barrel bushing. I did a dumb thing and lost it somehow when I put the front sight in. Ordered a replacement Cajun one from DoubleTap but they sent me the wrong one :(
 
If you are looking for a "never sell" pistol then the Norinco 1911 in 9 or 45 is your huckleberry.

Why? Because parts for upgrades are never-ending. It is single action, and nothing beats a well tuned trigger on a 1911. Price. You simply cannot find a pistol with the range of tuning parts available, grips, slides, barrels, etc that can beat what you can do with a 1911 to bring it to what you exactly want for YOU. Well within your price range.

And. There are LOADS of guys here on cgn with years of knowledge they would be happy to share with you if you run into problems. Also, there are heaps of videos/instructions on tear-down, tuning, rebuilds, etc on the net.
 
I still own 2 norks. A .45 1911 and a NZ85 B. The 1911 is a good, well made and well finished (yes it is; satin chrome); the NZ85 is amazing. The NZ had the worst factory grips ever when I got it, but I put on a set of CZ over molded factory rubber grips, and now it is the best feeliing pistol ever! The trigger was good from new, but got a lot better after 200 rounds and a bunch of dry firing. D/A trigger is very good too.

Only thing with the NZ is it does not fit well in CZ holsters, as the slide profile is that of a Tanfoglio.

I also got new a while back, a .40 Jericho full size, all steel from Tenda; have not seen them in a while, but it was only $550.00 with three mags and a holster. Frame Safety de-cocker, which I like, though some dont. Jericho has great trigger in single and double.

All three of these are great shooters.

I had a Nork Sig clone, and the trigger had an excessively long reset in S/A, and a horible, long heavy pull in double. Nicely finished gun though.
 
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