Favorite "Sleeper" Handgun

[local2fed]

What's your favorite cheapish sleeper or underrated semi handgun? The only "rule" for my list must be the sleeper semi auto handgun must be super reliable. Mabye some foreign handgun? Perhaps an off brand? How bout a model that wasnt a good seller or isnt popular any longer?

My list in no particular order are the Ruger P85/89, Original M&P, Taurus PT92 and Tokarev

 

[Magdump]

I once owned 3 Smith and Wesson Sigmas. One in .40 and two 9mm. They were just good cheap backup pistols/truck guns/hide outs that always went bang and cost around $250. I could say the same for the Ruger American 9mm or the previous security models. Cheap and reliable.
(Throwing in a revolver anyway)
Charter Arms 44 Bulldog. Still a great thumper.

 

[BOSS351]

For me it was a stainless Ruger P90DC. Ate everything I put in it and sold it years ago with most of my collection at the time for employment issues. My favorite oddball now rare one is a Steyr GB I bought new in the early to mid 80s. Love that pistol!

 

[GunRelated]

Anyone have any experience with the Stoeger STR line or SAR9?

 

[T-boy]

Had a stainless Ruger P97DC. Sloppiest trigger I've ever felt on a pistol, but went BANG every time.

 

[Jstudz220]

The Beretta apx hands down imo #1 under rated gun. Easily found under $400 usually closer to $325 or so. It was one of Berettas entries for the military’s XM17 modular handgun trials. When you look at the engineering and testing that went into making it, it still blows my mind it’s sold so cheap. Built like a tank, goes bang every time even in bad conditions, and parts are actually not that hard to find for it. It’s a gun that could easily be sold for double its price but for whatever reason never really gained traction probably more than likely because of Berettas terrible marketing to the US. The apx a1 was just released which is the exact same gun but they all come optics ready and no finger groves on the grip. Options that were already available with the original model.

Comes 17+1 full size also with the option for 21+1. Mags made by mec gar. 15 + 1 compact. I think it’s biggest fault is for whatever reason the carry version is single stack 6+1 and very big for what it is. Why they didn’t go double stack for the carry version is beyond me.

 

[twinin]

Yes older Ruger P Series heavy and terrible trigger but built well

For modern striker fired I agree again with Beretta APX and maybe add CZ P10 sometimes in the $400 range

 

[Cheesy Lasagna]

Beretta APX Centurion.
Hands down for me the top of the sleepers.
I’ve purchased several brand new for $230 each within the last two years.
Don’t know how much they are going for now.

 

[Jstudz220]

Beretta APX Centurion.
Hands down for me the top of the sleepers.
I’ve purchased several brand new for $230 each within the last two years.
Don’t know how much they are going for now.

$230 brand new!?!? That’s a steal man I don’t recall ever seeing them under $300

 

[sgt z]

Polish P-64. Solid, old school all steel. 9x18 Mak not a powerhouse but I don't want to be shot with it, sights are difficult. Really small, never failed, reliable. $200 with a holster

 

[Magdump]

Anyone have any experience with the Stoeger STR line or SAR9?

Stoeger, Benelli, Beretta.
They’ve been good pistols. Little more of a challenge to get mags but they’re out there. They’re definitely underpriced. The Stoeger 8000 is a Beretta. Stoeger is run by Benelli and owned by Beretta.

 

[J. W. Harris]

I have two nominations. A CZ P 07 duty; decent trigger and more accurate than I am. Second is a S/S P90 with prop sheet and autographed pictures tying it to the movie 'True Lies' If it's good enough for Arnold, it's good enough for me!

 

[BOSS351]

Had a stainless Ruger P97DC. Sloppiest trigger I've ever felt on a pistol, but went BANG every time.

True dat!! That was the thing that stands out with that P90DC also! But like you said went bang every time!

 

[rcm192]

Definitely my HK P7.

 

[J. W. Harris]

local2feed. Thanks for the fun subject/idea. How about " guns I
should have never sold to remind me of my goofy youth? Thanks JW

 

[Magdump]

local2feed. Thanks for the fun subject/idea. How about " guns I
should have never sold to remind me of my goofy youth? Thanks JW

That one’s been done a time or two, but why not.

 

[Peacemaker]

I once had a Taurus 9mm that looked just like the Berretta M9, it was very accurate, and very reliable. That was a really good sleeper.

Oh... and only cost about $250.00 when I bought it, used, and then shot the hell out of it for a few years and then sold it for $250.00.

It really was a good pistol.

 

[MetalVendor]

Anyone have any experience with the Stoeger STR line or SAR9?

The Sar 9 is an excellent pistol.

 

[SVT Bansheeman]

ole trusty Nintendo zapper

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I have an Arsenal Makarov 9X17 which is the same as 380.

Another good one is the CZ Model 82, which is a double stack 9X18.