Whats a good gun?

[karajbear22]

Well i dont know a whole lot about the different types of guns, my husband has a cz52 and wants me to go out shooting with him, but i want my own gun i can be proud of! Can anyone suggest a good gun for someone thats not an expert shooter....I know i want a semi automatic pistol and something that i would be able to find used for under $200.00! Ive seen alot that i liked, but if someone could offer some good advice on a good gun i would really appreciate it!

[Cyrano]

karajbear22, here are some that meet the specifications you gave: $200 or less (I am not counting shipping and transfer fees in that), and semi-automatic, suitable for someone not terribly experienced.

Sarco is offering Star Modelo Bs, essentially copies of the classic M1911A1 Colt .45 in 9mm Largo (aka 9mm Bergmann), for $139.50 a crack, spare magazines for $10 each, and ammo as low as $16.50/100 rounds, with lower prices in quantity. (I'd spend a tad more and buy the noncorrosive ammo, though.)

Sarco, Inc. Virtual Showroom

J&G Sales has two possibilities for you. There is the Romanian TT-33 Tokarev in 7.62x25 for $200, with 2 magazines.

Romanian TTC Tokarev Pistol, 7.62x25 caliber.

There is also the Hungarian FEG PA-63 in 9x18 Makarov for $99 with 1 magazine, and additional magazines are $15 a pop. In ten words or less, this is a Walther PP with a Hungarian accent.

J&G Sales

Classic Arms has the CZ-82, the successor to your husband's CZ-52, in 9x18 Makarov at $200 each. They come with 2 magazines, a leather holder, a lanyard and a cleaning rod. Good deal on a good pistol.

Classic Arms Inc.

Ammo for all of these is easy to get online. I can't speak for your local gun shops.

My opinion is the PA-63 is the most elegant of the bunch; the Star Modelo B probably is the simplest to disassemble and reassemble, with controls placed the same as on the Colt .45 ACP - and with the ability to assemble a ready-to-go-to-the-range package right there on one site; and the CZ-82 may be the best all-around deal once you add the holster and its higher capacity magazines into the picture. But you can go with any of these pistols and they will start you off shooting with a respectable firearm. Good luck!

[two-70]

Ruger P series are good guns

[karajbear22]

Thanks ill have to check those out! I appreciate all the help!

[MrsS]

Karajbear, I am new to the world of handguns, having owned mine for less than a month; to me, it pretty much boils down to the gun that fits my hand the best and is the easiest for me to control. I have a FEG R61 .380. Like the PA-63, its more compact and not bulky (very easy to carry concealed); the grip is perfect for my little hands and the recoil is negligable, considering my shooting hand has a thumb weakened from a dislocation and torn tendons. I wouldn't let the husband shoot it, unless he has small hands (my husband did it and it "bit" him, as he called it; the slide pinched the web of his hand/thumb when he fired it); I can't tell you how the other guns will do, as this is my first gun. Good Luck on finding your perfect gun.

[Cyrano]

Mrs S, not to be a Nervous Nellie, but are you positive your FEG R61 is chambered for .380 ACP?

The reason I ask is I just looked up the model on gunbroker.com. The example up for auction had excellent photos of the slide, and the left hand side of the slide is clearly marked, "Cal 9mmM." As far as I know, this means it is chambered for 9x18mm Makarov, which is not the same as .380 ACP. The .380 ACP is also known as a 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz (abbreviated "9mmK"), 9mm Short or 9mm Corto.

Please check your pistol and verify what it is chambered for. I've been told that the FEG pistols chambered for 9mm Makarov are very forgiving and that they will chamber and fire .380 ACP rounds; but the fact remains FEG pistols aren't chambered for .380 ACP no matter which designation is on the ammo box. 9x17 is not 9x18, and even if the round will load it's dangerous to fire a different cartridge than the pistol is chambered for.

Yes, I know there are exceptions to that rule, e.g., .38 Special from a .357 Magnum; .44 Special from a .44 Magnum; and .22 Short from a .22 LR. But these are very much exceptions, and people know them as such. No such exception applies to shooting 9x17 in a 9x18 pistol. Please, make sure you are using the correct ammunition in your pistol!

[MrsS]

Cyrano...thank you for the information..I am so glad that others out there are willing to get the backs of others..especially those of us new to the world of guns. Actually, because I thought the same thing, I actually jammed my gun when I loaded it with 9mm Makarov!!! It loaded well in the magazine but when I racked my gun it jammed the Makarov in the chamber! The ammo wouldn't go all the way in to the chamber! Thank God that happened while shooting it in an armory!!!! The technician unjammed my gun, then took it to be inspected by others there......I was told that even though it states "9mmM", its actually calibrated for .380 and that is what the "9mm short" translates to (that is stamped on the slide part that covers the ammo when chambered); the only thing I am having difficulty with is getting any information on that gun; I have written to FegArmy but never got a response. As much as i adore my gun, I pray never to have to learn about it the hard, or dangerous, way. I would love any information from anyone who knows about my R61. Thanks again Cyrano.

[neophyte]

MrsS: Ma'am; I did a google search on the FEG R61, valued @$495.00 in good condition. Hungarian made 9mm Makarov rd.? Walthers PPG based
Quite an interesting read.
Follow up with some range reporting

Thanks

MrsS: Ma'am; I did a google search on the FEG R61, valued @$495.00 in good condition. Hungarian made 9mmM Makarov rd.? Walthers PPG based
Same rd as the CZ 52
Quite an interesting read.
Follow up with some range reporting

Thanks

[redhed]

I just got a FEG AP a couple of weeks ago at a gun show for 115.00 and two magazines.
It's .32 cal and it's absolutely one sweet little weapon to shoot. Good buys under 200 dollars are out there if you have the patience to look for them.

[MrsS]

Neo...I think I found the site of the FEG R61...my gun looks exactly like that, crest and all!! The only difference I & my husband noticed is at the area where the ammo case "spits" out; the gun on the site has nothing stamped on its silver portion whereas mine is stamped "9mm short"; I bought my gun no where near its value-mine is also in good condition....bought at a local gun show for under $200! I am practicing shooting at 5, 7 and 15 yards to get ready for my carry class on the 1st; I do well at 5& 7yards; but am having to learn the whole trajectory thing at 15 yards; I have a fixed site so I am trying to figure out how my site relates to a point of the target; kind of hard to explain and probably sounds funny to all those who can shoot a gun.

[squirrelbaster]

of the above mentioned guns i think the best picks would be eather the FEG and the CZ82. i own neather but have shot both and both are on my LOOONNGG list of guns to buy....

[Cyrano]

Originally Posted by MrsS

Neo...I think I found the site of the FEG R61...my gun looks exactly like that, crest and all!! The only difference I & my husband noticed is at the area where the ammo case "spits" out; the gun on the site has nothing stamped on its silver portion whereas mine is stamped "9mm short"; I bought my gun no where near its value-mine is also in good condition....

Well, MrsS, if your pistol is stamped "9mm Short," it is in fact chambered for .380 ACP. Lucky you! You won't have any trouble getting ammo for it. It looks as if FEG is using the same slide for its 9mm Maks as for its .380 ACPs. And boy, did you get a good deal on your pistol!