Cheap-Gat Criteria

In a relatively unarbitrary way, here are my criteria for reviewing a cheap gat:

1. Low Price. $200 MSRP or less (2015 dollars) sounds good.

2. New Production. There are plenty of used and surplus guns out there for less than $200, and I'll considered them on this blog, but pulling off a sub-$200 gun is more of a feat, if it was made last week - and it's more "cheap" and "gatty."

3. Function. Is it a jam'o'matic or does it function like a, well, functioning firearm? Does it serve the purpose of a gun that is available that can be used for self defense? Many relegate cheap gats to range-toy status, but ...

4. Cheap Ammo. The gun is capable of shooting cheap ammo (2015 prices). And yes the ability to shoot cheap surplus ammo will be taken into consideration, but there will be a preference for new-production ammo.

5. Style. The gun by God and gumption should have some style: cheap style, that is. Even iconic cheap style.

Why Cheap Guns?

I've never owned a cheap gun, but I'm fascinated by them.

Well, I do own an inexpensive gun - and it might qualify as cheap: a Taurus PT22 Poly .22LR.

Well, here's a new journey into the territory of Cheap Gats, which I might have already inadvertently started.