SAR USA 2000
https://www.kygunco.com/product/sar-usa-2000bl-2000-black-9mm-17rd
$344.67
Reviews seem good. Cheap option for people who want a CZ-like DA/SA
SAR USA 2000
https://www.kygunco.com/product/sar-usa-2000bl-2000-black-9mm-17rd
$344.67
Reviews seem good. Cheap option for people who want a CZ-like DA/SA
CZ 75 SP01
Seems popular among people who like Double Action / Single Action. Haven't been able to try one out myself. imo DA/SA is more fun, but whether it's better or worse is mostly preference.
https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product/cz-89153-sp01-tact-9mm-luminescent-sgt-18rd
https://dahlonegaarmory.com/product/cz-89152-sp01-9mm-luminescent-sgt-18rd
$599.51
Glocks
Gold standard for simple and reliable. Good aftermarket support. Can often find used or police trade-in.
There are small differences between Gen 3, 4, and 5 but any will be functional.
Glock 19 is probably the most common model, but there's a wide variety of different sizes and calibers.
Glock 19 gen 5 $479.99
Glock 17 gen 5 $494.99
S&W M&P EZ
Comes in 9mm (better ballistics) and 380 (less recoil), with or without a thumb safety.
Lives up to its name in that its very easy to use, but makes some meaningful sacrifices to do so. I'd only recommend this if you've already tried other common guns because other than ease of use there are many better options at this price point.
See this on sale occasionally at big box retailers, if you don't want to deal with shipping to an FFL.
9mm $399.99
9mm w thumb safety $387.99
380 $339.99
380 w thumb safety $329.99
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-dagger/handguns.html?product_list_order=price_asc
PSA Dagger
Glock clone. Price usually starts at around $300, depending on features, size, and accessories. If you don't care about features, vanilla Glocks can be found for ~$400 used. But Glocks with features like optics/carry cuts and threaded barrels are usually going to cost more.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-pa-15-16-nitride-m4-carbine-5-56-nato-moe-psa-dagger-compact-9mm-green.html
$749.99 PSA Dagger + AR-15 Combo
Somewhere between fine and good deal, depending on how much you value each gun and its features. PSA almost always has an AR on sale for ~$470 and a Dagger on sale for ~$300, if features/ironsights/barrel length aren't important to you. May also save a tiny bit if your FFL discounts additional transfers.
PSA ARs are considered solid entry-level guns. Small chance of QC issues as with all sub-$1,000 ARs, but the manufacture will usually make it right.
The PSA Dagger is a Glock clone. For people that care about features and accessories it's a good value, but otherwise vanilla Glocks can be found used for ~$400
https://www.smga.com/smith-and-wesson/sport-ii-with-5-free-hex-mags-64708
$499.99 S&W M&P Sport II
The Sport II is considered a solid entry-level AR. Usually can be found for around $500 for the optics-ready base model, so $499.99 with sights and extra mags is a pretty good value. Packages like this come around frequently, although this is the first time I remember seeing irons and extra mags for $499.
https://www.shoot-straight.com/product/cz-75-b-omega-16rd-semi-auto-pistol-9mm/
$549.00 CZ 75B
Sorry, been busy and didn't see this until now.
That's the purpose of these stickies, since the comm isn't active enough to keep a discussion thread on the front page longer than a few minutes. If you would like to make an effortpost, let me know and we can link to it and/or sticky it. If we want to organize regular study or learning threads that could be a good idea too.
To be honest, I don't think the community is really active enough to warrant restricting picture posts. There are usually only 4-6 of them per day, and the default sorting is "active" so threads with comments should be higher anyway. But blocking image posts in the community is within our capabilities, if they prove to be taking the spotlight from regular discussion or effortposts. That just hasn't seemed to be the case so far.
https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/283060
$719.99 CMMG Banshee 12.5" Pistol
According to Reddit comments it's comparable to the IWI Z-15.
https://www.familyfirearms.com/product/glock-px4350201-g43x-9mm-luger-3.41-101-black-black-ndlc-slide-black-polymer-grip
$412.96 Glock 43X
https://www.familyfirearms.com/product/glock-pa195s203-g19-gen5-9mm-luger-4.02-151-black
$494.99 Glock 19 Gen 5
https://old.reddit.com/r/gundeals/comments/zb2adn/handgun_steyr_m9a2_mf_9mm_luger_4_171_40799/
$408 Steyr M9-A2
I don't know anything about this handgun, so I linked the discussion thread. Most of the comments seem positive.
https://www.kygunco.com/product/cz-usa-95132-qp-only-usa-p-10-c-9mm-3-15rd-mags-blk-3-dot-ns
$419.99 CZ P10C
One of these days I'm gonna have to get one of these to try it out. $200 for a range toy or hand off gun isn't bad