10 Best Budget Handguns for Concealed Carry

Deciding you want to buy a gun is the easy part – choosing which gun is right for you and your needs, on the other hand, can be challenging.

You’ve likely noticed that firearm prices can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars, and not everyone has a large budget to put toward a concealed carry gun.

Finding a cheap handgun doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality. We have compiled a list to help you find the best budget handguns that suit your needs without breaking the bank.

Keep scrolling to see our picks for the top 10 cheapest pistols on the market.

Springfield Hellcat

Starting off our list strong is the Springfield Armory Hellcat. While it may not be the cheapest pistol on our list, it’s still an affordable carry firearm. Priced at $587 MSRP, the Hellcat is one of the highest-capacity micro-compact weapons available on the market.

Chambered in 9mm, this striker-fired gun comes standard with an 11-round magazine, or you can swap it for the optional extended 13-round magazine. Weighing only 18.3 ounces, this tiny but mighty pistol is known for its ergonomic grip, which is comfortable for many shooters. Don’t let the factory sights on this gun fool you; they are well-liked compared to the standard sights on other pistols. If you are looking for a budget-friendly, high-capacity, and highly reliable gun, the Hellcat won’t disappoint.

For more information on the Springfield Armory Hellcat™, visit Springfield’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Springfield Armory Hellcat™ here.

M&P Shield

Priced at $449 MSRP, this compact pistol makes a great budget-friendly option without compromising quality. With its surprising reliability and ergonomic grip, you can’t go wrong with the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield.

This striker-fired gun is chambered in 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, or .45 Auto. Weighing only 20.6 ounces, the Shield comes standard with a 7-round magazine. If you are looking for higher capacity, extended magazines are also available. While the original model is great as-is, the M2.0 version features a more aggressive grip texture and a slightly better trigger.

For more information on the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 3.1”, visit Smith & Wesson’s website here. If you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 3.1”.

CZ P-10 C

Originally designed to withstand military use, the CZ P-10 C was designed to comfortably fit in a variety of hands. As a result, it has become a popular option for concealed carry.

Priced at $499 MSRP, this striker-fired pistol is chambered in 9mm Luger and features a clean, crisp trigger pull. Built with a fiber-reinforced polymer, the P-10 C comes standard with a 15-round magazine but is available with a state-compliant lower-capacity 10-round magazine.

Featuring surprising ergonomics, a generous trigger guard, metal 3-dot sights, and a swappable magazine release. You won’t be disappointed with the CZ P-10 C.

For more information on the CZ P-10 C, visit CZ’s website here. If you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the CZ P-10 C.

Canik TP9 SF Elite

Priced at $429 MSRP, the Canik TP9 SF Elite is a great medium-sized option for a budget carry pistol.

From the ambidextrous slide stop and Warren-type fiber optic sights, it’s clear why this striker-fired pistol is popular. Chambered in 9mm luger, the TP9 SF features an ergonomic grip and comes standard with a 15-round magazine. Though if you are looking for a lower-capacity option, there is a 10-round model available.

Weighing 28.33 ounces, this is one of the larger handguns on our list, but if you want to add accessories, this pistol features a Picatinny rail unlike many firearms on our list of cheap guns.

For more information on the Canik TP9 SF Elite, visit Canik’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Canik TP9 SF Elite.

Ruger Security 9 Compact

If you love the Ruger LCP 2, you will love the Security 9 just as much. Priced at $459, this is a budget-friendly, compact gun you’ll want to look at.

Featuring a textured grip and Ruger’s Safe Action™ fire-control system, this single-action pistol is a great option for concealed carry. Unlike a traditional single-action pistol, the Security 9 is better classified as a precocked double-action. This makes the trigger feel short and clean with a positive reset.

The Ruger Security 9 is chambered in 9mm Luger and comes standard with two 10-round magazines. If you are looking for a higher-capacity, extended 15-round magazines are available. Weighing only 21.9 ounces, this compact pistol is a reliable gun with adjustable sights and features at a great price.

For more information on the Ruger Security 9 Compact, visit Ruger’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Ruger Security 9 Compact.

Beretta Pico

If you are looking for the most lightweight and concealable 380 auto on the market, look no further than the Beretta Pico. Priced at $300 MSRP, this is also one of the cheapest pistols on our list.

Weighing only 11.5 ounces, the Pico is a double-action-only firearm that makes a great concealed carry or backup weapon. Chambered in 380 auto, this gun has a snag-free and low-profile design. The Beretta Pico comes standard with a 6-round magazine with the option to extend its grip.

Don’t let this gun’s small size fool you; the Pico features adjustable sights and a soft recoil with minimal barrel tilt. This small-framed pistol is an excellent choice for pocket carry, especially when paired with our high-quality Pocket Locker Kydex holster.

For more information on the Beretta Pico, visit Beretta’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Beretta Pico.

Ruger LCP 2

If you, like many others, love the LCP, then you will love the new and improved LCP 2. Priced at $419 MSRP, this is a reliable option on our cheap handguns list.

The main thing that makes the Ruger LCP 2 stand out against its predecessor is the trigger. The LCP 2 features a shorter, crisper, and safer trigger than the LCP. Chambered in 380 Auto, this compact pistol comes standard with a 6-round magazine. Extended magazines are also available.

Weighing only 10.6 ounces, this is one of the lightest budget guns on our list. The LCP 2 features a larger grip frame, an easy-to-rack slide, and improved sights. Ultimately, the Ruger LCP 2 is a great budget-friendly option with features that have made it quite popular as a concealed carry weapon.

For more information on the Ruger LCP 2, visit Ruger’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Ruger LCP 2.

Taurus G2C

Designed with everyday carry in mind, the Taurus G2C is one of the cheapest handguns on our list. Priced at $300 MSRP, this compact pistol features an ergonomic design and integrated accessory rail.

Chambered in 9mm Luger, the Taurus G2C comes standard with two 12-round magazines but is available in a lower-capacity 10-round model. Weighing only 22 ounces, this compact pistol includes an adjustable rear sight and steel ramp front sight.

This striker-fired pistol is a great option if you are looking for quality at a cheap price. For more information on the Taurus G2C, visit Taurus’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Taurus G2C.

Mossberg MC1SC

Priced at $350 MSRP, this subcompact gun was specifically designed with concealed carry in mind.

Chambered in 9mm Luger, the Mossberg MC1sc features a striker-fired short, light, and crisp trigger for more accurate shooting. The optimized grip angle, reversible magazine release, and flat-profile trigger make it obvious this gun makes a great choice for concealed carry.

This striker-fired pistol comes standard with a 6-round flush magazine and a 7-round extended magazine. The Mossberg MC1sc features rounded edges and dovetail sights, giving the whole gun a snag-free design. From the exceptional ergonomics to the Mossberg Safe Takedown System, this pistol is a great budget-friendly concealed carry option.

For more information on the Mossberg MC1sc, visit Mossberg’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Mossberg MC1sc.

Walther CCP

If you are looking for the most unique firearm on our list of cheap guns, you’ve found it. Priced at $429 MSRP, the Walther CCP is the first polymer pistol with softcoil technology. But what does that mean for you? The CCP’s softcoil technology reduces recoil and allows the slide to be racked effortlessly.

Chambered in .380 ACP, the Walther CCP features an external safety, ergonomic grip, toolless takedown, and more. What makes this gun unique is the gas-delayed blowback (GDB) action, which, according to Walther, helps compensate for the usual snappy recoil. This pistol comes standard with an 8-round magazine. Extended magazines for this gun are, unfortunately, few and far between.

For more information on the Walther CCP, visit Walther’s website here. Or, if you are looking for holsters because you already own this popular pistol, check out our holster options for the Walther CCP.

Specs Comparison Chart

Which is Right for Me?

Whether you are looking for a $300 or $500 pistol, there is a budget-friendly gun on this list for everyone.

From the tiny but mighty Springfield Hellcat to the unique Walther CCP, finding the right firearm in your budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing quality. Many of these pistols feature things like manual safeties, Picatinny rails, and more, all of which could make them one of the best budget handguns to suit your needs.

Now that you better understand these firearms' differences, strengths, and weaknesses, you can make the right choice for yourself. If you want to try some of these popular gun models, we suggest heading to the range and renting your top choices to better understand how each one feels and shoots.

If you’re looking for belts or holsters to pair with one of these cheap pistols, we recommend visiting our Holsters by Gun Model page. Looking for items beyond holsters and belts? Check out our Resources Page for popular product links like lights, lasers, first aid, maintenance, and more.