Author Topic: "Off brand" guns (Read 38890 times)

Tallpine · « **on:** April 30, 2011, 12:29:15 PM »

I generally prefer to buy quality, but egads prices are getting crazy.

So which of the minor brands are okay and which aren't ?

For example, browsing at a little shop yesterday, everything (revolvers) S&W, Ruger, or Colt were $500++ regardless of age or condition.

But there was a little EAA snubbie for $179. Junk, or suitable for everyday use

Then at the ranch supply they had a synthetic stocked short barrelled stainless 12 gauge "E..." somthing (can't remember now) for $199. Not something to go hunt birds or shoot clays with, but just because I don't have a shotgun.

dogmush · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2011, 12:54:37 PM »

I've had good luck with RIA, and mediocre luck with Taurus.

I have an off brand 12ga pump that is ugly but works well. (Hawk maybe? I honestly don't remember, and the sidesaddle covers the rollmark)

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I like CAI guns too.

I guess it would depend on which off brand. What are you looking for?

FWIW S&W revolvers for less then $500

Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas · « **Reply #2 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:01:56 PM »

I have a Sterling carbine from CAI - the work was done by, IIRC, Wiselite. Very reliable piece.
RIA/Armscor has a pretty good Colt Detective Special copy - the 206/M206 - for about $200.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #3 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:10:13 PM »

Some "off brands" are guns made by "quality" makers for dept stores and the like. JC Higgens is an example. Those were frequently made by Savage, Mossberg, etc for Sears.

Chris

SADShooter · « **Reply #4 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:26:13 PM »

I bought an EAA Witness Elite Match in .38 Super I've been happy with. Can't speak to their wheelguns.

French G. · « **Reply #5 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:26:45 PM »

Other than knowing of a reliable CAI FAL and owning a reliable CAI garand for a bit I don't have much experience. I'd prefer to slum around the used market, deals are out there. I've seen a NIB 870 express and a little junk .410 get sold to a pawn shop for $50 for the lot. I immediately offered $100 on the 870, but no luck. I fell into a like new Vaquero for $200. Cop trade in Ithaca 37 for $100.

Boomhauer · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:37:39 PM »

Quote from: mtnbkr on April 30, 2011, 01:10:13 PM

Some "off brands" are guns made by "quality" makers for dept stores and the like. JC Higgens is an example. Those were frequently made by Savage, Mossberg, etc for Sears.

Chris

He's talking about stuff like the EAA russian made revolvers and stuff like the Escort shotguns...definitley not made by the better makers.

Some of the stuff is OK. Some ain't. The Escorts are a bit meh...I'd look for a used Rem or Mossberg myself...the Mossberg Mavrick 88 shotguns are phenomenal deals... You need to shop at a different store, over the internet, or used to get some better deals. Forget Colt, frequently way too expensive because they got out of the DA revolver business and prices shot way up. I'd prefer to buy a used Ruger instead of an EAA revolver. EAA is just the importer, by the way.

Look for stuff like Ruger GP-100s and Security Sixes, particuarly used guns or guns on trade in from police or security businesses. I've seen GP-100s in great condition, trade ins, for $350.

Some smiths are available for around $400, their basic airweight snubbies, for example.

Forget CAI done stuff except for Romainian WASRs and say, the sterling actually made by Wiselite. Avoiding the FALs, Galils/Golanis, and such is a wise move.

mtnbkr · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:41:37 PM »

Quote from: Avenger29 on April 30, 2011, 01:37:39 PM

He's talking about stuff like the EAA russian made revolvers and stuff like the Escort shotguns...definitley not made by the better makers.

Oh, yeah, screw that. Find another shop or someone who can do transfers. Even here in NOVA, you can find used guns from top tier companies for less than $500, even less than $400 if you're patient.

Chris

lee n. field · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2011, 01:56:00 PM »

Quote from: Tallpine on April 30, 2011, 12:29:15 PM

I generally prefer to buy quality, but egads prices are getting crazy.

So which of the minor brands are okay and which aren't ?

For example, browsing at a little shop yesterday, everything (revolvers) S&W, Ruger, or Colt were $500++ regardless of age or condition.

But there was a little EAA snubbie for $179. Junk, or suitable for everyday use

No experience. This is where I'd look to the collective "wisdom" of Interwebz gun boards.

The Windicators are made by Herman Weihrauch, in Germany. The Bounty Hunter, I do not know.

The only currently made off brand I own now is Taurus. Abundant comment is available on fine gunboards everywhere, in weekly scheduled Two Minute Taurus Hate sessions.

Currently no longer made off brand, is a Star Firestar. Researching it on Gunborker before I made the trade, they tend to run in the high $200, low $300 range. Stout, but specialized in purpose on account of it's size.

Tallpine · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:17:53 PM »

"Escort" - that's what the shotgun was I think. (I didn't see any "Fiesta" brand guns

)

This stuff was all used - and some of it very very used.

I dunno where all the good deals are, but I never see them anymore. The pawn shops apparently take the new prices and then mark it up from there

I finally got my personal fund built up a bit and was thinking about getting something. I don't need a $700 six gun, though.

I should probably go back to my original wish list: either a .357 lever action or just a Marlin 336 30-30. The latter is a lot cheaper than the former, but still - $450 for a new 336

Boomhauer · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:20:14 PM »

Quote from: Tallpine on April 30, 2011, 02:17:53 PM

"Escort" - that's what the shotgun was I think. (I didn't see any "Fiesta" brand guns )

This stuff was all used - and some of it very very used.

I dunno where all the good deals are, but I never see them anymore. The pawn shops apparently take the new prices and then mark it up from there

I finally got my personal fund built up a bit and was thinking about getting something. I don't need a $700 six gun, though.

I should probably go back to my original wish list: either a .357 lever action or just a Marlin 336 30-30. The latter is a lot cheaper than the former, but still - $450 for a new 336

Those are bull*expletive deleted* prices. The prices you listed for the EAA revolver and the Escort shotgun would be "ok" at best for NEW guns. For used, especially well used...run away.

Check out the prices on the Marlin 336s at Wal-Mart.

Oh, and check this website out. http://www.summitgunbroker.com/ He frequently has a good selection of used guns, especially police trade-ins.

Tallpine · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2011, 02:42:22 PM »

Sorry, the Escort shotgun was new - I was talking about the revolvers used.

Dunno if the EAA was new or used for sure - it looked pretty good but it was in with a bunch of beat expensive up stuff so I assumed that it was used also.

Quote

Check out the prices on the Marlin 336s at Wal-Mart.

Guess, I should ... normally I never buy any gun stuff except .22 ammo from WM. Most stuff I have bought from the ranch supply store, because they actually know a little something there, and don't treat you weird just because you are looking at guns.

charby · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:02:06 PM »

Taurus has really upped their game on the over quality of the weapon. You may want to take a look at them.

If you are looking for little semi auto for carry, I'm quite happy with my Bersa .380.

Tallpine · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:12:21 PM »

Never been crazy about semi-autos. Doesn't bother me that other people have them.

I was sorta thinking about a 5-shot .38 snubbie for a "town gun"

What I'd really like to find is a beat up but serviceable 30-30 for $200-250.

PTK · « **Reply #14 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:14:31 PM »

I'll keep my eyes open - I see 336s in that price range a few times a month. Blued or stainless? Hardwood or laminate?

Viking · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:36:34 PM »

Baikal supposedly makes solid, dependable shotguns. Never had the opportunity to try one though.

Tallpine · « **Reply #16 on:** April 30, 2011, 03:47:18 PM »

Quote from: PTK on April 30, 2011, 03:14:31 PM

I'll keep my eyes open - I see 336s in that price range a few times a month. Blued or stainless? Hardwood or laminate?

blue/wood preferred (I'm a traditionalist

)

I ordered a leather saddle scabbard from Cabelas (stupid, they don't have them in stock at the store even in Billings

). I didn't want to carry a nice rifle at least at first until he gets used to it, in case he does something stupid. I will probably start out with a stick of wood in there to begin with, just to get used to it and make sure that it doesn't fall out.

Fitz · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2011, 04:39:07 PM »

Armscorp at one point made decent 1911s in a factory in the philippines. This was 6 years ago when I had one. Not sure how they are now.

They had a GI spec one that was no frills, and their NICE model was equipped with novak night nights and mags

White Horseradish · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2011, 05:11:55 PM »

Quote from: French G. on April 30, 2011, 01:26:45 PM

Other than knowing of a reliable CAI FAL

Make that two. Mine runs with no problems, although I had to replace every spring in it down to the trigger return and rear sight retainer springs.

Quote from: Avenger29 on April 30, 2011, 01:37:39 PM

He's talking about stuff like the EAA russian made revolvers and stuff like the Escort shotguns...definitley not made by the better makers.

There are no new Russian made revolvers.

Quote from: lee n. field on April 30, 2011, 01:56:00 PM

The Windicators are made by Herman Weihrauch, in Germany. The Bounty Hunter, I do not know.

Currently no longer made off brand, is a Star Firestar. Researching it on Gunborker before I made the trade, they tend to run in the high $200, low $300 range. Stout, but specialized in purpose on account of it's size.

Many Star models are very nice, but parts are like hen's teeth.

Quote from: Tallpine on April 30, 2011, 03:12:21 PM

What I'd really like to find is a beat up but serviceable 30-30 for $200-250.

Look for store-branded gun. I have a 94 Winchester that is from Sears I bought for about that much. Made by Winchester. The only difference is a slightly different forend and an aluminum buttplate.

Quote from: Viking on April 30, 2011, 03:36:34 PM

Baikal supposedly makes solid, dependable shotguns. Never had the opportunity to try one though.

My wife has a Remington-branded one. Nice design, shoots great. Finish... Let's not talk about that. Checkering was definitely done on a Monday morning.

Matthew Carberry · « **Reply #19 on:** April 30, 2011, 05:38:56 PM »

Quote from: Tallpine on April 30, 2011, 03:47:18 PM

blue/wood preferred (I'm a traditionalist )

I ordered a leather saddle scabbard from Cabelas (stupid, they don't have them in stock at the store even in Billings ). I didn't want to carry a nice rifle at least at first until he gets used to it, in case he does something stupid. I will probably start out with a stick of wood in there to begin with, just to get used to it and make sure that it doesn't fall out.

for anyone wondering, "he" is the horse, I'm guessing.

lee n. field · « **Reply #20 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:05:50 PM »

Quote from: Fitz on April 30, 2011, 04:39:07 PM

Armscorp at one point made decent 1911s in a factory in the philippines. This was 6 years ago when I had one. Not sure how they are now.

They had a GI spec one that was no frills, and their NICE model was equipped with novak night nights and mags

They also make Colt snubby clones, that are the cheapest .38 revolvers I have seen in a long time.

Quote

There are no new Russian made revolvers.

That we can get here in the land of the supposedly free.

Tallpine · « **Reply #21 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:09:58 PM »

Quote from: Matthew Carberry on April 30, 2011, 05:38:56 PM

for anyone wondering, "he" is the horse, I'm guessing.

Well, yes of course - did you think I ride a mare ?

Tallpine · « **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:25:16 PM »

And once again ... I AM NOT SHOPPING FOR A SEMI AUTO

Boomhauer · « **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:28:39 PM »

Quote from: Tallpine on April 30, 2011, 06:25:16 PM

And once again ... I AM NOT SHOPPING FOR A SEMI AUTO

~~What kind of revolver (caliber and size) are you looking for?~~

Used S&W .38Spcl gun (642 for example) or a Ruger SP-101 or even a Ruger LCR is what you are looking for. Steel frame guns are heavier, but the weight tames recoil more. The lightweight guns aren't very pleasant to shoot.

Tallpine · « **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2011, 06:34:01 PM »

Quote from: Avenger29 on April 30, 2011, 06:28:39 PM

What kind of revolver (caliber and size) are you looking for?

Quote

I was sorta thinking about a 5-shot .38 snubbie for a "town gun"

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Author Topic: "Off brand" guns (Read 38890 times)