Best Budget Handguns [2026]

Ah, the age-old question — “What can I get for my money?”

Everyone always hopes the new gun they pick up is quality; they want it to scratch that itch and feel like they made a good purchase. But not everyone wants to shell out the big bucks to do so…

Fortunately, it is a buyer’s market right now, and there are some stellar handguns out there that will put a smile on your face while keeping your bank account happy.

We are going to take a look at a few of the cheapest pistols on the market. And when I say cheap, I mean cheap cheap.

Everything on this list is right at $400 or less, and there is a little something in there for everyone.

Budget Handguns Comparison Chart

How We Tested the Best Budget Handguns

The entire Pew Pew Tactical team, as well as freelance writers, contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and experience.

To choose the best affordable and budget-friendly handgun, we first set a definition of "affordable." For us, a price threshold of $400 seemed like a good starting point.

Round Count & Reliability Testing

Every review handgun undergoes a strict testing protocol that requires a minimum of 500 rounds of both FMJ and JHP ammo. All stoppages or issues are logged, which are noted in either this article or our standalone reviews for each gun. Each gun on this list was tested using OEM magazines.

Accuracy Testing

We typically conduct accuracy testing at 7 yards using a pistol rest to remove shooter error, check for mechanical accuracy, and verify sight alignment. During this time, we also use a Lyman Digital Trigger gauge to get an average trigger pull weight for each firearm.

Meet the Experts

Leading the research and testing for this article is Pew Pew Tactical Editor, Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-and USSCA-certified instructor with previous experience as a competitive shooter. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. In fact, many of the firearms mentioned here are ones that Wyatt personally owns and uses. Purchasing and owning so many guns means that Wyatt has to shop smart and within a budget, making the obvious choice for this article.

PPT Founder and CEO Eric Hung also contributed to this article, adding the PSA Dagger Compact after extensive hands-on testing at the range. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor. He has also researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear. He brings this expertise to this article, offering his perspective on the Dagger as it compares to other guns he's reviewed.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical. Jacki was once a single mother of two living on a budget, so she uses that perspective to ensure all budget picks are truly within the reach of a majority of gun owners.

Best Affordable Handguns

1. CZ P-10C - Best All-Around Budget Pistol

Best All-Around Pick

CZ P-10 C

$393

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$393 at BattleHawk Armory

Classic Firearms (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 4.02"
• Overall Length: 7.3"
• Height: 5.2"
• Width: 1.26"
• Weight: 26 oz
• Capacity: 15+1

I don’t exactly know what CZ is doing, but prices for the P-10C have been slashed across the board.

The P-10C is arguably the best value buy in the handgun world.

These pistols are excellent striker-fired pistols that fill that duty, home defense, concealed carry, or “anything else a Glock 19-sized gun can do” role.

You get amazing ergonomics with extremely aggressive grip texturing, aggressive slide serrations, a better-than-Glock trigger that is pretty good in its own right, and 15+1 rounds of 9mm on tap.

Both the magazines and the sights are metal, and the accuracy and reliability are outstanding. These guns shoot flat and fast.

While the aftermarket isn’t as robust as Glock’s, I truly believe the CZ P-10C is a much better-shooting, better-feeling gun out of the box.

I bought mine at full price when they were around $500, and I don’t regret it.

But with the base model prices at a jaw-dropping $300-350 and optics-ready and night sight models coming in under $400, it is impossible to deny the P-10C a spot.

Not sold? Well, our resident big man, Sean Curtis, was, and he bought one immediately after shooting mine.

Still unsure? We got you covered with a full review!

2. Canik TP9 Elite SC - Best Subcompact Budget Handgun

Best Subcompact

Canik TP9 Elite SC

$339

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$339 at BattleHawk Armory

Midway USA (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 3.6"
• Overall Length: 6.7"
• Height: 4.6"
• Width: 1.45"
• Weight: 24.8 oz
• Magazine Capacity: 12+1 or 15+1

You will be hard-pressed to find a list of best budget handguns without seeing Canik pop up.

I had shot the TP9 Elite SC (~$399) prior to including it on this list. I knew I had to slot it in the list, so I requested one directly from Canik.

It was exactly what I'd experienced before. This is a true subcompact gun, not a micro compact. So think Glock 26-sized, not P365. Yeah, it is a little chunkier, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

On top of being able to accept the full-sized magazines of the larger TP9 models, the extra girth just makes the gun a bit easier to hold on to and feels a little more substantial in the hand (insert joke here).

Micro compacts are awesome to carry, but that paper-thin profile doesn’t always feel great when shooting.

Even at 1.45 inches wide, the TP9 Elite SC is still concealable with its manageable 3.6-inch barrel. You get a standard capacity of 12 rounds, with an optional 15-round extended magazine included.

It comes optics-ready, utilizing the Shield RMSc micro footprint, has two interchangeable backstraps, and even includes a reversible OWB/IWB holster.

The slide release is long and ambidextrous, and the magazine release is reversible.

Oh, and the best part? You get a best-in-class trigger. It breaks crisply around 3.5 pounds with a short and tactile reset.

I found the TP9 Elite SC to be crazy accurate for its size and exceedingly reliable. The trigger makes it fun to shoot for such a small gun.

I enjoyed my second go-around with this gun so much that I spent my own hard-earned coin to buy it and keep it. Since then, I have put over 2,500 rounds through this gun with nary a hiccup.

What do you think of the Canik? Rate it below!

And to read more on the Canik, head to our hands-on review of the TP9 Elite SC!

3. Tisas 1911 A1 - Best Budget 1911

Best Budget 1911

Tisas 1911 A1 Government

$299

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$299 at GrabAGun

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel Length: 4.85"
• Overall Length: 8.5"
• Height: 5.75"
• Width: 1.29"
• Weight: 38.4 oz
• Magazine Capacity: 7+1

Gone are the days of having to shell out $800-1000 for a 1911 that won’t choke every two rounds.

Companies like Rock Island Armory, Tisas, Girsan, and American Classic are producing quality 1911s at affordable prices.

Currently leading the pack for my money is the Tisas 1911 A1.

This is your standard WW2 GI-style 1911, and there is nothing wrong with that. For many people, the 1911 isn’t their go-to defensive pistol; they just want a cool, fun, aesthetically pleasing gun.

You get an excellent callback to a bygone era. A grey Cerakote mimics the classic 1911 parkerized finish. GI-style sights, walnut grips, a lanyard loop, and the classic GI hammer and trigger complete the look.

Tisas wisely avoided large, ugly branding, instead choosing a superb, minimal slide marking that simply reads “Model 1911 A1 U.S. Army.” They also include an additional set of plastic grips in the box for whatever reason.

The trigger is surprisingly good, breaking cleanly around 3 pounds with a short reset you’d expect from a good 1911.

We ran our last test gun out of the box with no additional lube other than what the factory provided, and it was flawless with both of the two provided 7-round magazines.

I’ve shot three different samples of this gun, and all have run 100%, which was shocking to me considering the Cerakote finish and the price.

With solid accuracy and seemingly great reliability, the Tisas 1911 A1 is an excellent pickup for someone wanting a budget 1911 or a gun that isn’t plastic.

NOTE: At the original time of writing, these guns were hovering right around $300-350. Tisas is currently changing importers, so prices have temporarily spiked to around $400-450; however, I anticipate the prices to come back down once production spins back up again.

Want more? Read up on the Tisas in our full review.

4. Taurus GX4 - Best for Concealed Carry

Best for Concealed Carry

Taurus GX4

$240

at BattleHawk Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$240 at BattleHawk Armory

Classic Firearms (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 3.06"
• Overall Length: 5.8" w/ Small Backstrap; 6.05" w/ Large Backstrap
• Height: 4.4"
• Width: 1.08"
• Weight: 18.5 oz
• Capacity: 11+1

Micro compacts are the hotness right now. It seems like everyone and their dog has a P365, Hellcat, Shield Plus, or something similar.

But hey, it makes sense. High capacity in a tiny, easy-to-carry package — who doesn’t want that?

Luckily, if you are eyeballing a new concealed carry gun but don’t quite have $500 to spend, Taurus has you covered with the GX4.

With a 3-inch barrel, a width of about an inch, a weight of 18.5 ounces, and a capacity of 11 rounds, the GX4 is right on par with its competition.

The difference? It does it for about $300.

They didn’t skimp out on design features, either. You get front slide serrations, adjustable backstraps, great stippling, and even grip cuts to help with magazine extraction.

Two 11-round magazines are included, but slightly extended 13-round magazines are also available.

I was shocked at how good this gun felt in my hand. Personally, I have it just behind the P365 and ahead of the Hellcat and Shield Plus in terms of comfort (your mileage may vary).

The trigger is a bit heavier than I would like, breaking around 5.5 pounds, but it hits a well-defined wall and breaks cleanly. I will take a heavier but consistent, tactile trigger over a lighter but mushy and unpredictable one any day.

Do I still prefer my P365? Yes. Does the GX4 fill the same role for less money? Yes, and it does so admirably.

Check out our complete review!

5. Bersa TPR9 - Best DA/SA Pick

Best DA/SA Pick

Bersa TPR9

$348

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$348 at GrabAGun

BattleHawk Armory (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel length: 4.3"
• Overall length: 7.56"
• Height: 5.5"
• Width: 1.45"
• Weight: 30.7 oz
• Capacity: 17+1

Unknown, unheralded, a true dark horse — the Bersa TRP9 is a slayer.

Hold up, Bersa? The ones that make those cheap .380 PPK clones? Yeah, that Bersa. They also make one of my favorite budget handguns.

The TPR9 is a true full-sized, all-metal, hammer-fired handgun. Good guns like that are a rare find under the $400 mark.

These guns are internally similar to the older Walther P88, and copying Walther is always a good foundation.

Featuring an aluminum frame, DA/SA trigger, 17+1 capacity, and a manual safety/decocker, it sounds more like an offering from Sig.

But the devil is in the details. Full-length slide rails, front serrations, finger rest serrations on the frame, front strap serrations, a Picatinny rail, ambidextrous controls — it’s crazy what is on this thing.

Fit and finish are excellent both internally and externally; the takedown only requires a simple flick of a lever (no trigger pull needed), and the trigger is phenomenal for the price.

In single-action, the trigger breaks cleanly at 3.5-4 pounds with almost no overtravel. Double-action is a very smooth affair at around 7.5-8 pounds with no discernible stacking. And the piece-de-resistance, the reset is tactile and only about 1mm long, shorter than my CZ Shadow 2!

My only complaints are that the grip texture is a bit smooth (easily fixed with Talon tape) and that the mags are a bit spendy. Outside of those minor nitpicks, this gun is nearly perfect for the asking price.

Oh, they also make compact and threaded-barrel versions around the same price!

6. PSA Dagger Compact - Best Budget Glock Clone

Best Glock Clone

PSA Dagger Compact

$299

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$299 at Palmetto State Armory

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 3.9"
• Overall Length: 7.15"
• Height: 4.78"
• Weight: 22.4 oz
• Magazine: 15+1

A new contender that didn't make the video but that some of us have grown to love is the PSA Dagger Compact.

We've been testing the Dagger platform since it came out in 2021. And after nearly five years, we are confident enough to include it on our list of the best affordable handguns.

3000 rounds in, and we have only experienced some minor break-in issues during the very first one or two mags. That isn't too shabby for a Glock 19 clone that costs right around $300.

And for a little more, you can get options like different colors, threaded barrels, and optics-ready slides.

Plus, it is pretty accurate at handgun distances and does well suppressed, too.

Check out our full review for all the details!

7. Beretta APX A1 - Best Budget Full Size 9mm

Best Budget Full Size 9mm

Beretta APX A1

$369

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$369 at GrabAGun

Guns.com (see price)

Classic Firearms (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 4.25"
• Overall Length: 7.5"
• Height: 5.6"
• Width: 1.3"
• Weight: 29 oz
• Capacity: 17+1

While it didn't make our top five, the Beretta APX A1 performed well enough to secure our honorable mention spot in our best budget handguns video.

Although the APX A1 is often overlooked in Beretta's legendary stable of pistols, it does many things right.

First and foremost is ergonomics. While the gun looks a bit blocky, it is actually contoured nicely and feels good in the hand.

Secondly, I really liked the trigger. There is a bit of take-up with a tiny bit of grit, but then it comes to a very well-defined wall, followed by a crisp break. The reset is also short and very tactile. At around 4.5-5 pounds, I consider this a good combat trigger.

Sprinkle in an optics-cut slide, some nice slide serrations, and an ambi slide release, and bam, you have a nicely featured pistol from a great manufacturer for less than $400. And what is even better is that Beretta is currently running $100 rebates on these guns, bringing the price down to under $300!

You can check out our full review of the Beretta APX A1 or the video for even more information.

Final Thoughts

Ammo prices are still too damn high, but some things in the gun world have gotten cheap over the past few years.

Budget pistols are flourishing right now, and there are a ton of great options out there to cover just about any base.

As always, narrowing down the list to five was tough, so let us know what you liked and what we missed in the comments below! Interested in more budget picks? Check out our article on the 8 Best Budget Guns (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun)!

LATEST UPDATES

• March 2026: Removed S&W SD9 2.0. Added Beretta APX A1. Added additional testing information.
• November 2024: Added comparative information
• April 2024: Added PSA Dagger Compact