The surprisingly good value firearms ....

[CountryGent]

In this neck of the woods a pump Remington rifle can be found cheap. I've bought a couple of 70's rifles for less than $300 a piece, one a lefty Savage and the other a Remington 700.

Very nice. I'm eyeing a 7400 in .270 and a 742 in .30'06 right now that are just north of that price. Considering how little the dollar buys these days, that's not bad.

 

[CLT65]

I'm impressed with the value/usability of today's inexpensive guns. I see that Bimart has the Rough Rider .22 revolvers on sale again for $99. What do you get for under a hundred bucks nowadays? I wouldn't ever buy another one myself because of the poor quality, but if you get a good one I hear they work fine, and lots of people out there are happy with them.

You can get some surprisingly usable new handguns for $200-$300, like the Taurus G2c and others. No they're not what serious gun guys would buy, and a lot of us look down our noses at them, but many of them are very usable guns for the money. I don't think I could ever bring myself to buy a High-Point, but a lot of people like those too. I have to admit, cheap guns now seem to hold up a lot better than the cheap guns of yesteryear: anyone remember the RG10, and going further back, the ubiquitous revolvers in .32 and .38 S&W from the early 20th century? After inflation, they were probably about the same price as the cheapos today, but they were nearly worn out after a couple boxes of ammo.

The best values that I've found personally, are used older guns when you wait and stumble across an exceptional deal. Several years ago I found a couple old S&W models 10 revolvers for $230 each. They were re-imports for overseas somewhere; the grips were worn and they had some minor surface rust so they're not real pretty, but mechanically they're fine. I had a Rock Island M200 .38 special revolver at the time, a decent value in it's own right, but when I compared it against the old beater S&W, there was really no comparison, and I sold the M200.

Speaking of H&R, I have an old H&R rifle from the 1950's, a semi-auto 30-06. I'm a little embarrassed to talk about it though, because I recently heard that it's "salty old junk".

 

[Andy54Hawken]

The Indian made Northwest Trade Guns imported by Access Heritage...
www.militaryheritage.com
Far more historically correct in looks and production than the more expensive Pedersoli "Indian Trade Gun."
You will need to drill the vent ....but that is fairly easy to do .
$599.....a damn good deal.

While I don't have one...I own an original ....
I have shot many of the replicas....they look good ... are well made...handle nicely ...and shoot just fine.

Parker Field Northwest Tradegun circa 1854

• Andy54Hawken
• Sep 1, 2024

Converted lock Parker Field Northwest Tradegun

• Andy54Hawken
• Sep 1, 2024

Sideplate , Parker Field Northwest Tradegun.

• Andy54Hawken
• Sep 1, 2024

Here is an actual Northwest Trade Gun....circa 1854...please note that it has been converted from flint to percussion.
And it still shoots good....
Andy

 

[raftman]

It's pretty much the golden age of extremely affordable polymer 9mm's (even cheaper if one goes for .40's). A lot of police surplus pistols like Glocks and M&P's going for the mid-300's and often even the 200's. There's tons of new stuff in that same price range as well, I don't think there's ever been a better time to pick up a quality, modern pistol for like 200-300.

 

[bradsteen]

I suppose it's worth mentioning break-action shotguns can be had for about $100 - they go bang every time, and some even fold in half for transport / storage. Picked one up a while back, and it's a handy little thing. Packs a thump on the shoulder too. Need to try it with mini shells next time I go out, so how it does.

ATI NOMAD SGS 12GA SINGLE SHOT 18' TAN STYLE WITH PIC RAIL

americantactical.us

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Not to my taste aesthetically but good value (at least in terms of what they used to sell for) b&t mark II in tan for $699. You still see them for sale for $1150-$1450 on some sites.

 

[CountryGent]

It has been a little while since I really looked, though I just did a few random GB searches to recall; full size, steel not plastic, Wonder 9s or Forties from the 1980s to early 2000s can often be had a good rates. As a plinker or defensive piece, one could do worse.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

It has been a little while since I really looked, though I just did a few random GB searches to recall; full size, steel not plastic, Wonder 9s or Forties from the 1980s to early 2000s can often be had a good rates. As a plinker or defensive piece, one could do worse.

I recall seeing many of the s&w ones, 5904 maybe? Cant recall the names but they are stainless semi autos. Still tons of those around for cheap.

Edit: 5906 is the name I was thinking of. There are a bunch of others I can't recall le trade in s&w semi autos

 

[CountryGent]

Modern-ish Astras. Their early guns, while not bad, reflected the production quality of that time and place. But the pistols and revolvers they put out in the last quarter of the 20th century were solid, and a bargain at the prices they go for. Pocket pistols, full sized autos, and revolvers; there are many options. I really like the Astra 44 in .44 Magnum I picked up not long ago.

 

[Old Dog]

It has been a little while since I really looked, though I just did a few random GB searches to recall; full size, steel not plastic, Wonder 9s or Forties from the 1980s to early 2000s can often be had a good rates.

My LGS often has 3rd Gen S&W semi-autos for sale, often from $350 - $450, usually in well-worn to beater condition, but functional, sometimes in nice condition. Too bad we've got a mag capacity ban now. But to me, the 3rd Gen Smiths are great both as plinkers and defensive pistols.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

Seems like current prices of ruger 10/22 and Glocks are the same price as late 1980's early 1990s. Pump shotguns like mossberg and 870s have went up a lot since then but Turkish made ones have kinda replaced that ultra low cost pump shotgun. Mini 14 might be another one to compare 1990's to now (no idea what they used to cost). Cant really compare AR prices cuz they have evolved so much and countless brands now compared to what 3 major brands in 1990s? Maybe beretta 92 and cz75 woudl be other good ones to compare to 1990s prices?

 

[orygun]

I suppose it's worth mentioning break-action shotguns can be had for about $100 - they go bang every time, and some even fold in half for transport / storage. Picked one up a while back, and it's a handy little thing. Packs a thump on the shoulder too. Need to try it with mini shells next time I go out, so how it does.

ATI NOMAD SGS 12GA SINGLE SHOT 18' TAN STYLE WITH PIC RAIL

americantactical.us

I had an H&R 20 gauge break open single shot shotgun for a while. It was a decent little gun. I could bust clays with it all day long.

 

[oremike]

For used guns the P and SR series of Rugers are a solid choice.

 

[MikeInOr]

I think the DiamondBack DB9's are excellent deals at about $240.


Top is a DB9 Gen 4 with 250rnd through it. The bottom is a DB9 Gen 3 with 800rnds through it. Both have been 100% from the first round. I have never had any kind of jam or malfunction from either. (I clean, dry rack the slide a couple hundred times, clean and lube my small guns before ever taking them to the range. Kind a of a dry break in process that found works very well.)


They are smaller enough than a Kahr CM9 or Springfield Hellcat that I can pocket carry the DB9's and get them out of my pocket easily where I can't with the CM9 or Hellcat. I believe the Bond Arms Bullpup 9 / Boberg is smaller but they are considerably more expensive and the reviews I have read says the Bullpup 9 is very ammo picky due to its Bullpup design.

Both my CM9 and Hellcat have a feel of better quality in the hand but the DB9 comes through where it counts, reliability (CM9 and Hellcat have both also been 100% reliable for me). The DB9 ISN'T a range gun. It is NOT fun to shoot. But with XXL hands I have found it controllable and accurate with an appropriate investment in range time practicing with them. More so than most guns the DB9 takes practice to master... due to its small size. Within 20 yards I am confident in my ability to make a kill shot with the DB9... but practice is required.

The DB9's are slightly larger than my LCP but moving up from a 380 to a 9mm with a very small weight/size penalty is well worth it for me. I carried for 25 years wishing someone would make an affordable micro 9 suitable for pocket carry before I bought my first DB9. The DB9 has been my main carry pistol ever since (I bought the DB9 Gen 3 when it first came out).

 

[nammac]

Every bit as good how, specifically? From a mechanical perspective I'm inclined to agree but from a fit/finish perspective, they're laps behind. Heck, on my RIA you can literally see where they took a grinder to the slide/frame in an attempt to blend them together. However, it hasn't hiccuped so I can't talk too much trash

Don't have an RIA, but I've had a Citadel Compact (officers size) as well as an ATI Commander size, both sourced from the Philippines, both incredibly tight tolerances and both nicely finished for the $400 or so price point…

 

[nammac]

Rampant inflation, out of control prices, the dollar just not going that far. Well, how about some good news, you know, a counterpoint to this old thread:

What guns have become desirable/popular/expensive for no good reason?

For me, I cannot understand the huge popularity of the snake guns. Yes, they are nice, quality guns, but are they worth the prices they are commanding? Yes, I understand supply and demand, but what prompted the demand? Second, the Moisin Nagant. I’ve shot them, cumbersome, ugly, boring...

www.northwestfirearms.com

What guns have you found are great and can be had at reasonable rates these days?

I'll get this party started: nicely blued, accurate, well built, classic Smith & Wesson revolvers. To whit:

View attachment 1942974
Smith & Wesson 25—2 1955 Target Model in .45 ACP and 10—6 in .38 Special. Former built in the early 1980s, the latter the late 1960s. Both rock solid reliable and accurate. The former, if I do my part, prints nice little six peddle clovers on the target; damn that thing is accurate. The kicker? Got them both for around, give or take, or a tad more what one would spend on a contemporary plastic-fantastic, striker-fired auto.

What say you on the the surprisingly good finds? Thanks for sharing.

S&W Model 10's with the right wadcutter or semi wadcutter loads are known to be single hole performers. Great finds and great scores. Enjoy!

 

[Member 53867]

I picked up a very nice little Turkish-made CZ/Huglu Ringneck side-by-side .410 shotgun at the Cabela's in Lacey a few years ago. It was tagged as Used but looked unfired. They were selling new for $1100+ at that time. I paid less than $900



I also bought a 'Used' Ruger American in .22-250 for $249 @ Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee. Again, it looked like it had never been fired. And I got a Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x50AO scope on sale online for less (even with tax & shipping) than the Vortex Crossfire II 4-12x40 scope I had been looking at was at regular price.

And this,


Palmetto State Armory threaded-barrel Dagger 9mm with five 15-round magazines, Vortex Venom 3 MOA RDS, Streamlight TLR7a, Skullhead Arms holster and 75 rounds of ammo. Less than $800 total.


The cat, though, is a continual expense because you never stop paying for pu$$y.

 

[ron]

S&W Model 10's with the right wadcutter or semi wadcutter loads are known to be single hole performers. Great finds and great scores. Enjoy!

I love the older S&W revolvers. Good deals can be found on NWFA and GB. I picked up a nice
model 14 no dash "Target Masterpiece" for $500. Finish ware but what a shooter!

 

[Spitpatch]

As to new guns (I profess no expertise: I buy few), somewhat recently I have been no-end impressed with the purchase of three Turkish-made shotguns (as noted also by the CZ owner previously).

The wood is striking in quality, and the fit and finish are way above par for what are priced for the working man. They all function perfectly.


Top to bottom: Stevens Model 555 Over/Under 20ga. ,Another 555 in .410, Tri-Star Gold Viper G2 Gas Auto 28ga. (When I loaned it on a Pheasant hunt, I told the borrower that it was my "Gay Gun", and he suffered repeated snickers from all others in the party.) All are supplied with multiple interchangeable chokes.

 

[Spitpatch]

A Marlin is (and always has been) a good value. While prices skyrocketed on the more popular models (1894 .357/.44, etc.), they mitigated a bit not when made by Remington, but with Ruger's effort. This satisfied those who wanted one "just to shoot", at comparable prices to what it cost to obtain a JM.

Side by side, the Ruger is a good effort, but cannot hold a candle to the Real McCoy. Here's a couple unusual Marlins and what I call "the sleeper" that just about anyone can still afford.



All Marlins and all a good value, even at today's prices. Top: Marlin Model 90 Over/Under shotgun, 16ga., Mfg 1956. When introduced and for 20 years, it was the only Over/Under made and sold in America (and priced for the working man). The LGS owner didn't even know what it was, and claimed "Marlin must've imported those from Spain or Italy". I got it for a song.

Middle: Marlin Model 444, Mfg 1980, with butt wood we shall not see off the Ruger line.

Bottom: Marlin Model 336 RC, Mfg 1948. "waffle top" (squigglys engraved on the top of the receiver to reduce sighting glare). Caliber .30-30 Winchester, Lyman Alaskan 2.5x post reticle scope. 336's were among the last Marlins to start increasing swiftly in price, and very good ones can still be had often cheaper than other new deer rifles. This one shoots groups of a measurement more often seen from fat-barreled bolt guns.

Good value comes sometimes apart from economy. True Marlins will never be made or equaled again. Work the lever on the .444 or the 336, and you will look at your shoes to see where the melted butter dripped from the bottom of the action. The 336 action is accurate enough that it was a common (and victorious) competitor in the earlier days of benchrest competition, and in my opinion still the very best American Deer Rifle that will ever be made.

THERE is value at any price.