The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers - The Firearms Forum

Rhuga · 11-19-2011, 10:57 AM

Which is the best and most trouble free of the following manufacturers?
Cobra
I.O.
Phoenix
Taurus
Kel-Tec
Bersa

Which brand is the worst?

6x6pinz · 11-19-2011, 11:32 AM

for me it is like this
Bersa
Taurus
Ket-tec
Phoenix
Cobra
would not list IO since they can't seem to get things right and if you do end up with one and there is a problem they won't even return your email/faxes or phone calls or your FFL dealers

CampingJosh · 11-19-2011, 02:28 PM

I would place these into two groups.

Bersa, Kel-tec, Taurus (Equal, just alphabetical)

Then lower: Cobra, IO, Phoenix (again alphabetical)

Some of Taurus' stuff will be better than some of Kel-tec's, but then on other guns it will be opposite. Both Kel-tec and Taurus are "idea" companies that frequently introduce new styles that are unlike anything else currently in production. When one of their guns shows strong market viability, one of the higher-end manufacturers will copy it in better materials and with tighter quality standards (S&W and Ruger have been guilty of this in recent years). Bersa seems less innovative, but they still make good firearms at a low price point.

jacksonco · 11-19-2011, 06:18 PM

What? No Hi-Point?

Helix_FR · 11-19-2011, 06:21 PM

Yep, Id say Hi Point, Bersa, Keltec

north tex · 11-19-2011, 08:03 PM

I'd have to say that in my experience it would be:
Bersa
Kel-Tec
Taurus (customer service is their downfall)
High Point would mix in about here, but IMHO they are aimed at a different market.
The rest of them I haven't handled. Just see some negative stuff about the on the internet.

savage170 · 11-20-2011, 12:05 AM

Bersa
Keltec
Taurus
I have also had pretty good luck with some of the FEG clones

fleetwood1976 · 11-20-2011, 07:41 AM

I would say kel-tec and bersa. taurus is good but I don't consider them low end on price anymore.

group17 · 11-21-2011, 09:41 AM

Bersa
keltec
hi point
Taurus / customer service issues
Phoenix / read the reveiws and you will see they are much better then ring of fire quality.

Jim Hauff · 11-21-2011, 11:00 AM

My thoughts mirror what Camping Josh posted, based upon both personal experience and from feed back from my circle of serious gun owners and shooters - all of which have CCW permits and carry and shoot regularly.

Rhuga · 12-03-2011, 09:56 PM

Thanks folks. Sorry, I forgot the Hi-Point. Right now, the High-Point C-9 9mm has some great prices as the year comes to an end.

franco45 · 12-06-2011, 02:27 PM

I have had several Bersas and Kel-Tecs that had no problems. I also had 2 Phoenix pistols that were reliable but just too many safeties for my liking.

Double Deuce · 12-06-2011, 03:37 PM

I would say Kel Tec then Bersa

BobMcG · 12-17-2011, 09:19 PM

I'll group them like CJ did except I'll break them into three groups, and all in my humble opinion of course.

!st: Bersa, Taurus (own firearms from both).

2nd: Hi-Point, Kel-tec (own firearms from both).

3rd: Cobra, IO, Phoenix (no plans to own).

jericho · 12-20-2011, 11:37 AM

Where does American Tactical rank?
I see they are in CDNN catalog.

CampingJosh · 12-20-2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jericho

Where does American Tactical rank?
I see they are in CDNN catalog.

American Tactical Imports is an importing company; they represent several manufacturers. This is one of those harder-to-answer questions without knowing which particular model you're looking at.

I've heard many, many positive reports about the .22LR 1911s that they offer (manufactured by GSG), but I can't really tell you anything specific beyond that.

DixieLandMan · 12-20-2011, 01:03 PM

Haven't shot all those listed but the two I have shot are:
Taurus
Kel-tec.

I love both guns and have 2 Taurus.

11-19-2011, 10:57 AM	#1
Rhuga Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 645	The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Which is the best and most trouble free of the following manufacturers? Cobra I.O. Phoenix Taurus Kel-Tec Bersa Which brand is the worst? -->

11-19-2011, 11:32 AM	#2
6x6pinz V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 382	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers for me it is like this Bersa Taurus Ket-tec Phoenix Cobra would not list IO since they can't seem to get things right and if you do end up with one and there is a problem they won't even return your email/faxes or phone calls or your FFL dealers __________________ friends don't let friends carry glocks

11-19-2011, 02:28 PM	#3
CampingJosh TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Indiana Contributor Posts: 4,788	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I would place these into two groups. Bersa, Kel-tec, Taurus (Equal, just alphabetical) Then lower: Cobra, IO, Phoenix (again alphabetical) Some of Taurus' stuff will be better than some of Kel-tec's, but then on other guns it will be opposite. Both Kel-tec and Taurus are "idea" companies that frequently introduce new styles that are unlike anything else currently in production. When one of their guns shows strong market viability, one of the higher-end manufacturers will copy it in better materials and with tighter quality standards (S&W and Ruger have been guilty of this in recent years). Bersa seems less innovative, but they still make good firearms at a low price point. __________________ Nothing posted on TheFirearmsForum.com constitutes legal, accounting, gunsmithing, or other professional advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with qualified professionals for real advice. Your life is lived at your own risk. Don't blame me for the dumb things you do. Last edited by CampingJosh; 11-19-2011 at 02:36 PM..

11-19-2011, 06:18 PM	#4
jacksonco Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Jackson County West Virginia Posts: 2,237	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers What? No Hi-Point?

11-19-2011, 06:21 PM	#5
Helix_FR TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 3,625	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Yep, Id say Hi Point, Bersa, Keltec __________________ Only cowards shoot with their eyes closed.... helixgunsmith.com

11-19-2011, 08:03 PM	#6
north tex V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leonard, Tx Posts: 285	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I'd have to say that in my experience it would be: Bersa Kel-Tec Taurus (customer service is their downfall) High Point would mix in about here, but IMHO they are aimed at a different market. The rest of them I haven't handled. Just see some negative stuff about the on the internet. __________________ Project 404 (1974) Vet Last edited by north tex; 11-19-2011 at 08:07 PM..

11-20-2011, 12:05 AM	#7
savage170 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: FL Posts: 385	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Bersa Keltec Taurus I have also had pretty good luck with some of the FEG clones

11-20-2011, 07:41 AM	#8
fleetwood1976 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Contributor Posts: 1,333	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I would say kel-tec and bersa. taurus is good but I don't consider them low end on price anymore.

11-21-2011, 09:41 AM	#9
group17 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 98	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Bersa keltec hi point Taurus / customer service issues Phoenix / read the reveiws and you will see they are much better then ring of fire quality.

11-21-2011, 11:00 AM	#10
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers My thoughts mirror what Camping Josh posted, based upon both personal experience and from feed back from my circle of serious gun owners and shooters - all of which have CCW permits and carry and shoot regularly. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

12-03-2011, 09:56 PM	#11
Rhuga Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 645	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Thanks folks. Sorry, I forgot the Hi-Point. Right now, the High-Point C-9 9mm has some great prices as the year comes to an end.

12-06-2011, 02:27 PM	#12
franco45 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 8	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I have had several Bersas and Kel-Tecs that had no problems. I also had 2 Phoenix pistols that were reliable but just too many safeties for my liking.

12-06-2011, 03:37 PM	#13
Double Deuce V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 313	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I would say Kel Tec then Bersa

12-17-2011, 09:19 PM	#14
BobMcG Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Somewhere in the Twilight Zone. Contributor Posts: 1,119	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers I'll group them like CJ did except I'll break them into three groups, and all in my humble opinion of course. !st: Bersa, Taurus (own firearms from both). 2nd: Hi-Point, Kel-tec (own firearms from both). 3rd: Cobra, IO, Phoenix (no plans to own).

12-20-2011, 11:37 AM	#15
jericho Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 30	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Where does American Tactical rank? I see they are in CDNN catalog. __________________ "See You Space Cowboys" CZ 75B Jericho 941 Walther p99 AS Walther p22 5 Browning Hi Power Sig Sauer p226 tacops Remington 870 Express

12-20-2011, 01:03 PM	#17
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 607	Re: The Best Of The Lower End Manufacturers Haven't shot all those listed but the two I have shot are: Taurus Kel-tec. I love both guns and have 2 Taurus.