When it comes to the best cheap handguns, there are many options on the market ranging from pistols to revolvers and everything in between. You have the obvious popular picks like Glocks and the Sig Sauer P365, but they don’t exactly narrow down which is the best cheap handgun for you. Aside from price, there are other factors to consider such as overall bang for the buck and functionality.
Plus, there’s also the matter of what counts as cheap. While some people are more than happy to cough up a large sum for the best handgun out there, some of us aren’t exactly millionaires. We got budgets to work with here. Maybe you have a bigger one than most, but hey, wouldn’t hurt to check out the best cheap handguns under $500 to give you a better idea of what your options are.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol
- Lighter and shorter trigger pull improves ease of use versus earlier models.
- Modular chassis allows for switching grip frame housing for a different color.
- Red-dot ready slide.
- Aggressive slide serrations.
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Best Value
Taurus G2C Semi-Auto Pistol
- Lightweight and compact frame designed for concealed carry.
- Single action with restrike capability.
- Adjustable rear white dots and fixed front white dot.
- Accommodates a Picatinny rail.
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Best for Concealed Carry
Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact Semi Auto Pistol
- 1-inch wide reinforced frame is durable yet ultra-concealable.
- Reinforced steel frame and alloy slide.
- Serrated trigger for easier handling and maneuverability.
- Full size 11-round capacity.
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1Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol
Best Overall
The Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol is a relatively recent addition to the APX family of guns made by Beretta. You’re likely already familiar with other APX favorites such as the 2016 Beretta APX.
The APX name stands for Advanced Pistol X which is why this line of guns continues to innovate on earlier models as exemplified by the Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol.
The Beretta APX-A1 Carry Optics Ready Pistol is a 9mm caliber gun with a compact overall length of just 5.63 inches. This lightweight gun is great for concealed carry as it’s designed to have a slender handle that doesn’t easily show through your waistband or shirt.
It has a much shorter and lighter trigger pull than earlier APX handguns and comes ready for customization. This modular gun can be fitted with a variety of optic plates, one of which comes free from Beretta.
PROS
- Lighter and shorter trigger pull improves ease of use versus earlier models.
- Modular chassis allows for switching grip frame housing for a different color.
- Red-dot ready slide compatible with multiple optics plates.
- Aggressive slide serrations for better a better handling experience.
CONS
- Optics plate doesn't come with the gun but will be received only after warranty registration.
- No interchangeable backstraps included.
2Taurus G2C Semi-Auto Pistol
Best Value
The Taurus G2C Semi-Auto Pistol is part of Taurus’ G2 series line of compact pistols designed for everyday carry. It also happens to be the cheapest budget handgun on this list.
The Taurus G2C Semi-Auto Pistol is best known for its compact frame that makes it great for concealed carry and everyday carry use. The gun is chambered in 9mm Luger or .40 Smith & Wesson calibers. The aggressive stippling on the parts of the grip where your hand will make the most contact gives this gun a great amount of maneuverability even if you happen to have large hands.
The double-action trigger system gives this gun restrike capabilities that keep you in ready in the heat of action. Outside of it, you can count on the manual external safety above the thumb grip that can easily be reached with a flick of your finger.
PROS
- Lightweight and compact frame designed for concealed carry.
- Single action with restrike capability.
- Adjustable rear white dots and fixed front white dot.
- Accommodates a Picatinny rail.
CONS
- Uses standard three-dot style plastic sights.
- Only the rear half features serrations.
3Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol is another popular handgun that you might be surprised to find is actually one of the best cheap handguns out there since it falls just under $500. Granted, you’re really using up nearly that entire $500 but in exchange, you’re getting one of the best handguns out there.
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol is a semi-automatic 9mm pistol with a round capacity of 8 rounds. It may not be ideal for left-handed users since it’s primarily designed for right-handed shooters and does not include ambidextrous accommodations.
This version of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ Semi-Auto Pistol ships with a thumb safety which is an important distinction to make since there’s one exactly like it that only differs because it doesn’t have a thumb safety.
Like other M&P SHield EZ guns, this one is easy to rack, load, and shoot, making it another great option for everyday carry.
PROS
- ArmaLite barrel and polymer grip make this gun comfortable to shoot with.
- Easy to rack slide and light trigger.
- Reversible magazine release.
- Comes with two easy to load magazines.
CONS
- Standard sights that you might want to replace for a better experience,.
- Only holds eight rounds.
4Ruger LC9s Semi-Auto Pistol
We’ll be honest with you: The Ruger LC9s Semi-Auto Pistol isn’t always this cheap. But even when this gun isn’t on clearance, it manages to stay just a bit under $500 like the previous Smith & Wesson gun. Technically, it’s still under $500 and once you see what this pistol has to offer, you might consider it worth it.
The Ruger LC9s Semi-Auto Pistol features a striker-fired mechanism and a shorter, lighter trigger pull compared to other Ruger guns in the same line so you’re getting an easy-to-handle weapon that’s great even for users with weak grip strength.
The gun comes with an integrated trigger safety and a manual thumb safety which makes it much safer to handle versus other options on the market. It’s also small and compact enough for concealed carry.
The Ruger LC9s Semi-Auto Pistol is designed for ambidextrous use and uses Hi-Viz fiber optic sights. With a barrel length of just 3 inches, the 8-round capacity of this gun is an understandable amount.
PROS
- Designed for ambidextrous use, making it comfortable for left handed shooters.
- Visual loaded chamber view port.
- Internal trigger safety and striker blocker.
- Glass-filled nylon frame and hardened alloy steel inside make it light yet durable.
CONS
- Limited round capacity of just 8.
- Small grip diameter may make it difficult to handle for some users.
5Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact Semi Auto Pistol
Best for Concealed Carry
The Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact Semi Auto Pistol packs a ton of punch in a tiny frame. Unlike earlier concealed carry guns, this cheap handgun boasts a full-size round capacity of 11 + 1 in a gun with an overall length of just 6.05 inches. This micro-compact gun only weighs about 18 ounces when unloaded.
Now you might think that the Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact Semi-Auto Pistol is too small to comfortably hold, but the grooves and serrated trigger of this gun make it comfortable to use.
The Taurus GX4 Micro-Compact Semi Auto Pistol makes use of an easy take-down pin and adjustable back sight. This gun also has a visual loaded chamber indicator.
PROS
- 1-inch wide reinforced frame is durable yet ultra-concealable.
- Reinforced steel frame and alloy slide.
- Serrated trigger for easier handling and maneuverability.
- Full size 11-round capacity.
CONS
- Not optics ready.
- Grip may feel too short for big handed users.
