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Want a reliable and accurate concealed carry gun for an affordable price? Here are some of the most popular (and tested) CCW guns that don't cost over $400.
So, you've decided to carry concealed. Good for you! Now you just have to find the best CCW gun for your budget.
We know how hard it is to make sense of all the guns out there, let alone know which ones are worth your hard-earned money and which ones will leave you with buyer's remorse. Luckily, we have some answers for you.
This list contains the best CCW guns under $400. We've personally shot all of them, and they've earned our stamp of approval. Which of these is right for you? Let's find out!
| Caliber | Action | Capacity | Barrel Length | Overall Length | Weight | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger RXM | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 15+1 | 4" | 7.2" | 23 oz | $349 |
| PSA Dagger | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 15+1 | 3.9" | 7.2" | 22 oz | $299 |
Input into this article came from the PPT editorial team and our writers. Together, we have a combined shooting experience of 30+ years, including instruction, competition, and multiple shooting disciplines.
We’ve spent countless hours researching, analyzing, and testing guns to determine which is the best when it comes to features, reliability, ergonomics, and bang for your buck.
All of our picks have spent hands-on time at the range with one of our staff, shooting at 3, 5, and 7 yards, and have seen a minimum of 500 rounds through them (but most likely thousands).
We had to make some tough calls. If you don’t see your favorite budget blaster on here, it doesn’t mean we hate it; it just means we couldn’t include it this time. So let us know in the comments and stay tuned!
Pros
Specs:
Glock clones are nothing new, but the Ruger RXM adds a few twists that bump it to the top of our list.
Like the Glock 19 it's based on, this pistol is small enough to conceal comfortably but large enough to shoot accurately and quickly. It's been nothing but reliable in our testing.
Unlike the Glock 19 (and its clone army), the RXM comes from the factory with a tritium front sight, a flared magazine well, a modular trigger group, and a slide that's milled so you can mount an RMSc-footprint optic without an adapter plate.
The trigger feels like any Glock trigger (not terrible, not great). It's nothing fancy but plenty of people shoot these guns very well.
Get the full scoop in our Ruger RXM review!
Pros
Specs:
So you want Glock aftermarket support without having to shell out the money for an actual Glock? The Palmetto State Armory Dagger Compact is here to save the day.
The Dagger operates just like a Glock 19 but with an improved grip angle and texture.
Reliability is solid with quality magazines. Since it's a near-direct clone, most Glock Gen 3 aftermarket parts will fit the Dagger. Save money now and upgrade later if you want to!
You can get into models that are optic-ready or have threaded barrels for less than $400, and the base model costs less than $300.
Take a peek at our complete PSA Dagger review!
Pros
Specs:
Micro-compact pistols are all the rage right now, and the Taurus GX4 is one of the best for shooters on a budget.
The GX4 falls right in line with competitors like the Sig Sauer P365 and Springfield Armory Hellcat -- except the Taurus costs less than $250.
This pistol features a three-inch barrel, one-inch width, and a weight of just under 19 ounces. And it still holds 11 rounds in the magazine!
The 5.5-pound trigger is a tad heavier than some of the competition. We can live with that because it hits a well-defined wall and breaks cleanly and predictably.
These guns are reliable, accurate, comfortable, concealable, and affordable. That's a tough combination to beat. If you are looking to get into the micro-compact game on a budget, the GX4 is a clear winner.
Check out our Taurus GX4 review for more!
Pros
Specs:
The CZ P-10 C is arguably the best value in compact handguns right now.
This striker-fired pistol is right around the size of a Glock 19, meaning it can cover everything from duty to home defense to concealed carry roles well.
You'll get superb ergonomics with extremely aggressive grip texturing, chunky slide serrations, and a trigger that's better than most striker-fire pistols by a notable margin. Other perks include metal sights and metal 15-round magazines .
The accuracy and reliability of the P-10 C are outstanding. This pistol shoots flat and fast.
While CZ's aftermarket support isn’t as big as you'll get with some manufacturers, I strongly feel that the CZ P-10 C is a better-than-average gun out of the box.
Want to know more? We got you covered with a full CZ P-10 C review!
Pros
Specs:
The Canik TP9 Elite SC is a true subcompact gun, not a micro-compact. This means it is a bit wider, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The extra chunkiness makes the TP9 Elite SC easier to hold onto and increases recoil control. If you find micro-compacts difficult to shoot accurately (which is very normal), this might be the ticket.
Another benefit is the ability to accept the full-sized magazines of the larger Canik models.
Even with a hefty width of 1.45 inches, the TP9 Elite SC is still concealable thanks to a 3.6-inch barrel. The standard capacity is 12 rounds, and a 15-round extended magazine is included.
The slide is cut for the Shield RMSc optic footprint and the frame has an accessory rail where you can mount a light.
What really sets this gun apart from its peers is its trigger, which breaks crisply around 3.5 pounds and has a short, tactile reset.
Check out our Canik TP9 Elite SC review to see why we love this gun so much!
Pros
Specs:
If you want something light and slim that doesn't skimp on capacity, take a look at the Ruger LCP Max.
The LCP Max checks in at a featherweight 10.6 ounces and measures just 0.8 inches wide, but it still manages to pack 10 rounds of .380 ACP in a flush-fit magazine.
A tritium front sight and blacked-out rear sight offer a surprisingly good sight picture, especially for the price.
So what's the rub? It can be a bit rough to shoot. The thin profile and lack of weight make the LCP Max pretty snappy.
The trigger is mediocre at best, but the gun is surprisingly accurate for how small it is.
Our test gun also needed a 200-round break-in period before it ran flawlessly.
If you are willing to deal with snappy recoil and a short break-in, you end up with one of the most concealable guns on the market.
Read the boss's full Ruger LCP Max review for more hands-on info!
Pros
Specs:
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus is the heir to the the M&P Shield that revolutionized the CCW market back in the day.
Smith & Wesson improved on the original design with improved magazines that increase the capacity of the Shield to 10+1 with flush magazines or 13+1 with extended magazines.
A better trigger and aggressive grip texture are other improvements over the original Shield.
Another bonus is that the M&P9 Shield Plus uses the same holsters as the original Shield, so options are plentiful.
Interested in the Shield Plus? Check out our S&W M&P9 Shield Plus review!
You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a quality concealed carry gun. Better yet, there are lots of options to suit your needs!
Deciding which one of these is best for you depends on personal preferences. Do you want your carry gun to be as small as possible? What kind of capacity are you looking for? Will you be mounting an optic or shopping for upgrades?
Regardless of how you answer those questions, there's something here for you. Don't be shy about digging into our full reviews for all the nitty-gritty details.
Next, think about adding a concealed carry holster, belt, and clothing to keep you carry as comfortably and effectively as possible.
This article comes to you from Pew Pew Tactical founder and CEO Eric Hung. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA, 3-Gun, and NRL22 competitor. He has also researched and written more than 250 articles on firearms and gear. He brings this expertise to this article, offering his perspective on CCW guns that everyone can afford.
Editing and adding to this article is editor Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has used his extensive experience with firearms at large to test guns for Pew Pew Tactical, evaluating them based on our standards and metrics.
Editor Scott Murdock also chipped with some updates. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.
Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers and fact-checked this article. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as 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.
Getting a budget pistol that works is always better than having no pistol. There are a lot of great carry options on the market, and these are just a few of them!
Any of the budget-friendly CCW guns on the list will serve you well, but be sure to get some training, put in quality range time, and choose your ammo with care.
What is your favorite budget CCW? Let us know in the comments! If you're new to CCW life, you'll also need a way to carry your pistol. Check out our favorite holsters and off-body carry bags!
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Since 2016, the Pew Pew Tactical team has been dedicated to providing expert reviews and in-depth testing of guns and gear. All while keeping in mind that guns are fun and that readers come first.
Written by American gun enthusiasts, competitive shooters, former military/law enforcement personnel, and trained journalists, we use our extensive skill sets and knowledge to bring a well-rounded, researched approach to our content.
We pride ourselves on hands-on testing and real-world experience with all products we recommend. Further, we believe in objectivity and approaching all articles without bias – our few advertisers never influence our reviews or recommendations. We believe in giving our readers a comprehensive understanding of how and why a product is great – or isn’t. And if it’s good enough for us to use ourselves and recommend to loved ones.
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| Taurus GX4 |
| 9mm |
| Semi-automatic, single action |
| 11+1 |
| 3" |
| 6.1" |
| 19 oz |
| $239 |
| CZ P-10C | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 15+1 | 4" | 7.3" | 26 oz | $369 |
| Canik TP9 Elite SC | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 12+1, 15+1 | 3.6" | 6.7" | 25 oz | $380 |
| Ruger LCP Max | .380 ACP | Semi-automatic, single action | 10+1, 12+1 | 2.8" | 5.2" | 11 oz | $333 |
| S&W M&P9 Shield Plus | 9mm | Semi-automatic, striker fire | 10+1, 13+1 | 3.1" | 6.1" | 18 oz | $399 |
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