Budget Gun, Or Priced Right?

Budget gun has an interesting sound to it that sends mixed emotions. Some people feel that guns priced below a certain amount can not be reliable or good in any way, shape, or form. That price range can vary from being over $400 to over $600. But no matter what this dedicated price range judgement is, I think people need to realize the fact that you don't always get what you pay for. Also, just because something is really inexpensive, it doesn't mean it is junk.

There is a new wave of firearms that have been coming into the gun market recently. Those guns are mainly low priced guns. These are mostly pistols coming from popular manufacturers who are trying to accommodate this pocket of the gun community that would like to get a pistol they can use, but without having to take out a loan in order to do it. This is a very interesting market, or at least target market. To me, I see many people buying these guns that can afford much more expensive firearms. Usually these people, like myself, come away feeling different about budget guns and become more critical about the more expensive pistols.
It is interesting how guns are classified as a "budget gun" when in reality, they are just less expensive guns that are probably more appropriately priced in comparison to the more premium brands. These less expensive offerings are proving to be highly reliable, finely machined, and easy to use. This does not seem like the characteristics you should expect from a budget gun. But this is exactly why I feel like this new wave of "budget guns" could change the hearts and minds of the shooting community. We are paying alot, sometimes too much, for these guns that are marginally better. Most of the time we are paying towards a name or an idea.
For me, my experience with pistols in the $300-$400 range really made me start questioning the pricing on other pistols that offer less refined pistols or more problematic platforms. Though, I will say that my recent entry into the $200 pistol market really has changed my view of the current pistol market, possibly forever. These $200 pistols have been reliable, are well made, have inexpensive parts, and have proven to have terrific warranties. How was I justifying paying two, three, four, even five times this much on pistols that perform the same? I honestly don't remember, but I am highly disappointed in myself for ignoring these less expensive pistols. These are not hi-Point pistols that have slick grips, and an awkward balance. These are pistols that have been around a while or may be pretty new and made by reputable companies. Guns like the CZ P-07, Walther PPX/CCP/Creed,Beretta Nano, Kahr CM9, Girsan MC-28, Kel-Tec PF-9, and the SCCY CPX-2 have changed me and how I look at more expensive pistols.