Whenever I publish a list of “cheap guns we recommend” something along those lines, someone will invariably pop up with “what about gun X” where X = a gun they really like. Usually, those guns don’t make the list because they’re either over the arbitrary price point we’ve selected for the article, we don’t have any experience with them, or we do have experience with them and it’s not been good. There is one gun that I really wanted to put on the list, but I couldn’t find under $400 however, and to the surprise of some of the newer readers, it’s a Taurus.
The Taurus PT92 is actually one of the guns that I recommend to people on a budget; it was the first gun I did any serious IDPA shooting with and one of the guns I carried the most. Mine was one of the first models with the accessory rail, which made finding holsters kind of tough, but since Beretta has producing M9s with rails for years now you can actually get a holster that will fit the PT92. Our friends at Blade-Tech make their excellent belt holster for the PT92 AR (Accessory Rail) and since the mags are the same size as Beretta 92 magazines, most generic double stack magazine pouches will fit them.
The PT92 isn’t perfect though; because it shares the Beretta M9′s lockup system, you do have to replace recoil springs and locking blocks with some frequency to keep the gun up and running. I don’t have much experience with ordering replacement parts from Taurus, although I’ve heard that it’s not easy. Some Beretta parts will interchange, but that’s on a case by case basis. Usually you can get Beretta locking blocks and recoil guide rods and springs to fit the Taurus, but not always.
A quick check of Gunbroker shows multiple PT92s for less than $400, but you will have to navigate the mess of things that Gunbroker is to get it. That being said, there you have it – a Taurus that I heartily recommend for someone on a budget.
Here it is for $415 and free shipping
http://www.thegunsource.com/item/543280__Taurus_Handguns_Pistols_TAU_192015117BD_M92_9MM_FS_CS_2MGS_BL.aspx?SR=1&APID=668&nn=3
Inexpensive guns aside,
“but you will have to navigate the mess of things that Gunbroker is to get it.”
Just curious what you mean, did you have a bad experience with them? or do you just mean the whole bidding, reserve thing? I guess if you’re just looking for a bargain gun that could be a hassle.
Gunbroker’s big problem is that they have no control over the user experience beyond the bidding process. Coordinating FFLs can actually be quite difficult and a hassle for someone not familiar with the process.
I guess it may be because I live in Arizona and have a lot of dealers that are used to doing transfers but I had no problems when I purchased my second gun from GunBroker (a lovely Ruger Vaquero).
It’s even difficult if you’re an FFL yourself. It’s getting better, but there was a time, and not long ago at all, where an FFL would insist that you MAIL a copy of your FFL before he would ship (ATF approval for fax/email transmission be damned).
The real mess isn’t Gunbroker itself, it’s the three-way communication you must engage in to make sure the purchase is successful (buyer, seller FFL, buyer FFL). You will get this on Gunsamerica, etc. as well.
(This is the first Andy to comment.) I was just curious as the FFL I deal with would rather get a root canal than deal with Auctionarms, so I was curious if there was something I hadn’t been exposed to with gunbroker.
Looking at the comments on your post on bargain guns though, I realize the sky isn’t necessarily the same color on the planet where I shoot:-)
I use gunbroker because our local gunshops are pretty loathsome, and thus far with gunbroker, have only had to deal with one fucktard, and wouldn’t you know it, he was right here in OR.
Keep up the good work!
My first pistol was a Taurus 92C, which was a smaller version of the 92. It was about 15 years old when I got it, but it worked every time. I gave it to my dad when I moved, and bought a new Taurus PT92, which also works every time.
Trying to find some of the info on gunbroker’s website is confusing and frustrating, especially if you have a question. Listing a gun takes a LOT of steps. Selling a revolver is difficult and expensive because of the ridiculous federal laws for shipping add a LOT of expense. Much easier to ship long guns USPS. That said, the obvious advantage to gunbroker is the worldwide audience and info and pictures you can provide once listed.