RedDotsOnly Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Other than the CZ Checkmate, what are some good options that are more towards the budget side that people have had good luck with? Would like to eventually try something out but do not want to spend the 7k+ on the popular Atlas/Infinity/etc. builds. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rnlinebacker Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Just now, RedDotsOnly said: Other than the CZ Checkmate, what are some good options that are more towards the budget side that people have had good luck with? Would like to eventually try something out but do not want to spend the 7k+ on the popular Atlas/Infinity/etc. builds. Thanks! Brazos makes a semi custom line that's very good for the money. I bought an open gun kit from him a couple years ago and it's still running strong. Only cost $2200 and got to put the parts i wanted on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 I think a local builder had one basically ready to go with a belt and all for $4,500 bucks or something like that. I don't know if it was new or slightly used. If you're interested in something like that I can get you his email and he can be a lot more specific than I am LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDotsOnly Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 2 minutes ago, Rnlinebacker said: Brazos makes a semi custom line that's very good for the money. I bought an open gun kit from him a couple years ago and it's still running strong. Only cost $2200 and got to put the parts i wanted on it. I will give this a look - Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDotsOnly Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 2 minutes ago, RJH said: I think a local builder had one basically ready to go with a belt and all for $4,500 bucks or something like that. I don't know if it was new or slightly used. If you're interested in something like that I can get you his email and he can be a lot more specific than I am LOL Thank you - I was thinking of doing something more from a larger (ish) company but, we all know those are more expensive so it might be something I look at in the future if nothing pans out. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Explosiveo Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 If you’re not comfortable buying a quality open gun. I wouldn’t try to switch to open. budget open is carry optics. There is a reason It’s so popular. Most people aren’t comfortable dropping 7k on a open gun. the gun isn’t even the expensive part. It’s the mags, ammo, upkeep, travel to majors. everything on a open gun is a consumable. that being said. It’s a ton of fun. I highly recommend buying a high quality gun and going for it if you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDotsOnly Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 25 minutes ago, Explosiveo said: If you’re not comfortable buying a quality open gun. I wouldn’t try to switch to open. budget open is carry optics. There is a reason It’s so popular. Most people aren’t comfortable dropping 7k on a open gun. the gun isn’t even the expensive part. It’s the mags, ammo, upkeep, travel to majors. everything on a open gun is a consumable. that being said. It’s a ton of fun. I highly recommend buying a high quality gun and going for it if you can. And we know you all need a backup for them cause they're not quality as durable as those budget open guns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caspian guy Posted August 20, 2023 Share Posted August 20, 2023 In my experience your best bet is to find someone at your local club who's got a gun that works that's looking to upgrade. Shoot it for a while and figure out what you want before you have one built. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDotsOnly Posted August 20, 2023 Author Share Posted August 20, 2023 13 minutes ago, caspian guy said: In my experience your best bet is to find someone at your local club who's got a gun that works that's looking to upgrade. Shoot it for a while and figure out what you want before you have one built. Thank you - Unfortunately, Atlas' tends to be very popular in our area so I get spoiled quick. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kilrb Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 You can pick up a good used one here. One sold this week for $2500 was a steal. I bought one last year that was $2500 built by top notch builder. Gun was a safe queen barely shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caspian guy Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 3 hours ago, RedDotsOnly said: Thank you - Unfortunately, Atlas' tends to be very popular in our area so I get spoiled quick. Lol Then you have your answer grab that high milage Atlas . Not sure where you are on your current journey, but my experience is that when you are getting started in open any gun that runs reliably is accurate, and is built by a reasonable name builder will serve you well and will carry you as far as you have the dedication for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scooterj Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 The MPA DS9 open guns are $4500 with steel grip and 2 MBX mags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximis228 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 (edited) 16 minutes ago, scooterj said: The MPA DS9 open guns are $4500 with steel grip and 2 MBX mags That would be the budget option. About as cheap as it gets for a brand new 2011 open gun these days. Edited August 21, 2023 by Maximis228 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandflea316 Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 MPA will be your best best for new. My Brazos SC open was almost $7k. Without the options probably closer to 5k Personally I'll find a used one for 3500-4000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StefVanHauwe Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I recommend to check out "Bul Armory", especially the "Ultimate Racer". Ready to race out of the box and cost-effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 The suggestion you buy a good used Open gun is a good one. I bought and shot three Open guns before I decided exactly what I liked and wanted. Then I built two. If I wasn't able to build my own, I'd have gone to a willing gunsmith and specified exactly what I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthwestGuy Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 8 hours ago, StefVanHauwe said: I recommend to check out "Bul Armory", especially the "Ultimate Racer". Ready to race out of the box and cost-effective. I agree. They are very well made, with excellent fit and finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedDotsOnly Posted August 21, 2023 Author Share Posted August 21, 2023 9 hours ago, StefVanHauwe said: I recommend to check out "Bul Armory", especially the "Ultimate Racer". Ready to race out of the box and cost-effective. This is what i've been looking at mostly - thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 I thought the bull armory guns were cracking slides at a few thousand rounds. I could be wrong though but, it seems like there was a thread on here where a guy was sending them in at about 8 to 10,000 rounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yigal Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 1 hour ago, RJH said: I thought the bull armory guns were cracking slides at a few thousand rounds. I could be wrong though but, it seems like there was a thread on here where a guy was sending them in at about 8 to 10,000 rounds What 8k to 10k? According to the review that was here on the forum barely 7.5k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJH Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 18 minutes ago, yigal said: What 8k to 10k? According to the review that was here on the forum barely 7.5k Guess I was being overly optimistic LOL. But if that's the norm or anywhere near the norm I think I would look elsewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Have a friend with a bul. Nothing but problems. Not cracked but locking lugs eating themselves and slide galling issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chapo Posted August 21, 2023 Share Posted August 21, 2023 RedDotsOnly, Check out this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
858 Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 My Czechmate runs like a sewing machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy_Ninja Posted August 22, 2023 Share Posted August 22, 2023 2 hours ago, 858 said: My Czechmate runs like a sewing machine. Same. 8k so far no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now