The best of the worst
 

So, what are some of the most worthy of the low end pistols? Like sub-$200.

High point, Star, Heritage...there's a few off the top of my head.

Taurus cranks out a lot of junk too

Taurus has a pretty nasty reputation and can often be found pretty cheap. I don't understand it but I take full advantage of it. I've shot several Taurus firearms and never had a problem with any of them. I've shot their 1911 which I swear will run right alongside my Kimber any day. I've shot one of their polymer 45's (I forget which model) that reminded me of a sig. It wasn't quite as comfortable as the sig but performed just as well. I've shot one of the judge models which I actually didn't care for. It was no fault of the gun, the gun worked fine, but I just don't have need for a gun like that. I own one of the Taurus 24/7's and can say that it will keep up with my xd and my glock any day. Actually, it outperforms the glock because the 24/7 I have has never had a malfunction of any kind. I cannot say the same for my glock.
Based on their reputation, it seems to be a gamble whether you get a good one or a bad one. Maybe I've been extremely lucky, maybe not, but if the price is right on one, I personally wouldn't hesitate.

Which Taurus guns do you have experience with? Just curious.

I'm still tryin' to find that junky Taurus everybody's talkin' about I've had the 24/7 pro c (9mm), the PT1911 (.45), the Judge (6.5" ss)...they all shot good and never failed me. Oh well I'll just keep on lookin

Every person I know, ( I know quite a few gun nuts) that has owned a Taurus, has had some type of problem. Wait I heard good things about the 24/7 but anything else has had problems, especially the revolvers and the 1911s

Jeminez and Phoenix are also cheap garbage.

I'll see your second hand accounts and raise you a first hand account

Own a 45 24/7 taurus. Never had any issues with it. Well over 1k rounds had one bad mag.