Best Inexpensive Firearms

[wmg1299]

I've read great things about the SAR and Canik polymer handguns, and believe that the SAR9 is currently the best striker-fired polymer gun for the money. The only reasons I haven't bought a SAR9 are that I already own several polymer 9mm's and the mags are expensive (if you can find them).

I didn't remember posting about this in Jan. 2021 until the thread was revived this week. I purchased a SAR9 almost exactly a year after my post when it went on sale for $249.99 with free shipping. The mags have come down in price a bit, but they are still more expensive than I would like. My SAR9 has fired hundreds of rounds without any malfunctions, and the ergonomics are fantastic (think Glock-inspired slide mounted to an H&K-inspired frame and grip module).

I'm not going to claim that the SAR is a "better" gun than most of the guns offered by the more well-known manufacturers, but it is definitely as good or better than several much more expensive pistols I have fired. I can confidently say that a new or casual shooter with $500-$600 dollars to spend would be better served by buying a SAR9, a training course, and a few hundred rounds of ammo than they would by buying a more expensive pistol.

 

[RickAnderson]

I paid $500 for an XD Mod 2 4" .45 that's one of the most reliable and accurate guns I own. Doesn't seem like twice the price to me. And it came with 4 mags and a case.

The original HS2000 was under $300, if memory serves…

And today dollars, I'm sure a HS2000 would be closer to $400. And it is probably more accurate to say the MSRP was probably double, with most XD's and later improved versions going for less than MSRP if you shop around.

I got a XD-M Elite OSP for $650, and it has a lot of improvements over the XD, improved trigger, mag well, Optics cut slide with the accessories, longer threaded barrel, etc... ....I'm in Maryland and the 10rnd Mag rule creates a lot of difficulty buying online if the package doesn't come with 10rnd magazines... ...the law has exceptions, you can still get it, but no one will bother checking the law to ship to you, you have to get the dealer to find it for you and pay what he wants... ....I'm sure if I was in a more free state, I could have gotten it for far less....

I just checked gun.deals and I'm seeing XD's for as little as $350. So the criticism might be a little inflated. But, it is a good relatively cheap pistol. With all the enthusiasm for Glocks, you'd think some would pick up on the XD line.