Ever wondered if you can find a reliable handgun without breaking the bank? Many people dream of owning a firearm for sport, self-defense, or collecting, but the price tags on some models can feel out of reach. It’s tough to know where to start when you’re looking for a great gun that also respects your budget. You worry about getting something that works well and is safe, but also want to make sure you’re not overpaying.
The good news is, you don’t need a fortune to get a quality handgun. There are fantastic options available for under $500 that offer excellent performance and reliability. This post is here to cut through the confusion and show you exactly what to look for. We’ll explore some of the best choices out there, helping you understand what makes them great without costing a lot.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which handguns fit your needs and your wallet. We’ll dive into specific models and what makes them stand out, so you can feel confident in your choice. Let’s start exploring the world of affordable, dependable handguns!
Top Handguns Under $500 Recommendations
- Fits Most Gun Sizes: Our pistol holster was designed to accommodate most size firearm from a sub-compact handgun all the way up to a full-size. Fits perfectly on Glock 17, 19, 23, 38, 25, 32, 26, 27, 29, 30, 39, 28, 33,36 42, 43, 43x. It is also compatible with 1911, Sig Sauer P226&P238&P365, S&W, M&P, Ruger, Springfield, Kimber, Walther, and more 9mm, 380, 45ACP pistols,NOTICE: Gun attachments like laser sight and flashlight are not recommended to use with our holster
- Durable and Safety Material: Made of waterproof and sturdy 1000D nylon. Universal gun holster for men/women features a resistant Zn-Fe plated button TPU elastic cord, combined with special tailoring design, effectively prevents from sliding or moving
- 9mm Gun Holster for Right&Left: Our durable holster can be used on both right and left. Change the place of the clip according to your habit, The Clip uses compact but rugged steel, which can be fastened to a 2 inch wide belt
- Safe to Carry: Elastic thumb break retention belts of the holster prevent your weapon from bouncing out and draw it quickly and effectively
- Most asked: The gun holster doesn't fit my gun, how to solve it? Please don't worry, Our product is suitable for most gun sizes,By cutting the suture of the product, the product can be adapted to a larger size,For specific operation, please refer to the operation picture in the listing, Please contact us if you have any questions
- 1. Biometric Gun Safe for Handguns with Quick Access This biometric gun safe for handguns supports fingerprint, PIN, and key unlock. It provides quick access. The compact design suits nightstand gun safe use
- 2. Portable Pistol Safe for Car, Travel, and Office This gun lock box holds 2-3 handguns. The compact pistol case fits a car, backpack, or drawer. Interior padding protects handguns and accessories
- 3. Built-In LED Light and Stealth Mode The interior LED light gives visibility in low light. The keypad can be muted for quiet operation
- 4. Carbon Steel Body and Security Cable The carbon steel body helps resist impact and pry attempts. The steel security cable helps anchor the gun safe to a fixed object
- 5. EVA-Lined Interior Protection The EVA lining helps protect handguns and accessories from scratches. It also helps reduce movement inside the lock box
- PORTABLE SIZE AND SPACE:The space of this gun safe can store 2 standard size pistols.It also can store valuables such as jewelry. The light and small size can also let you put it in the car, or the bedside table, drawer and other places, which is convenient to carry
- BIOMETRIC ACCESS: The pistol safe is a biometric access/PIN access portable metal . gun safes for pistols is ideal for Pistols, cash and other valuable items. Top of the line biometric chips brings high security and access control system together and makes it safe and user friendly
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS AND PRACTICAL INNER: The shell of the biometric gun safe for handgun is made of hard carbon steel, built-in strong spring steel, the coating is made of metal paint, thick and does not fall off. When on the night the biometric safe is opened, there will be light inside the gun safe , and you can clearly see the contents of the gun safe
- PREMIUM CARBON STEEL MATERIALS & BUILT-IN LED LIGHT : The high-quality carbon steel used makes the safe exceptionally sturdy and secure, and highly resistant to impact and forced entry,Features a soft LED light for clear visibility in low light, fitting seamlessly as a nightstand safe in bedrooms or drawers
- THE BILLCONCH ADVANTAGE: Worry-free One Year Warranty, Reliable 24-hour response service. If you have any concerns or advice, please feel free to contact us directly. We’ll offer a friendly customer service
- Dual Wield 2 Pistols 1:1 Scale Replica
- High Impact Plastic Construction
- Muzzle velocity: 260 FPS w 6mm 0.12g BB's
- Ready to Play Package, come with two pistol, extra value
- Perfect Double Pistols to complete your Superhero, Cosplay and other Costume play set
- Targeted designs: This 9mm gun case is designed for 9mm hand gun and gun accessories. The gun cases for handguns is suitable for a variety of handgun brands, for Glock, Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Colt, and more
- Double protection: The handgun case lockable features a sliding latch and a TSA-approved combination lock, which prevents the locking gun case from being opened due to bumping and provides double security for the pistol case
- Drop resistant: The pistol case hard shell is made of highly abrasion-resistant material for durability, drop resistance and crush resistance. Whether the hard pistol case is accidentally dropped or stepped on, the inside of the gun cases remains intact
- Cushioning sponge: The hand gun case for pistols is padded with soft foam to provide excellent cushioning against external shock and impact, ensuring that pistols stored in the pistol cases are protected from damage
- Applicable scenarios: The gun carrying case measures 10.3 x 8.8 x 3 inches. The hand gun case for pistols has a compact design and can be carried by hand or in a bag, making it suitable for taking to the training ground
- HOLOSUN RED DOT SIGHT - The HS407C X2 is an open reflex sight designed for full-sized pistol applications; It provides a large field of view that will help you increase accuracy and quickly acquire targets; This handgun sight features Lock Mode that locks the buttons preventing inadvertent setting changes
- HIGH PERFORMANCE - The HS407C X2 pistol sight features Holosun's Red Super LED with up to 50k hour battery life, Solar Failsafe, and precision 2MOA dot; The durable housing is made from 7075 Aluminum, uses an industry standard footprint, and houses the 1632 battery in a side-mounted tray for easy replacement when needed
- SHAKE AWAKE TECHNOLOGY - Extends battery life by deactivating the optic's LED while not in use; Shake Awake offers settings from 10 minutes to 12 hours depending on the model and can be deactivated altogether if preferred; The slightest touch of the optic instantly reactivates the LED so your Holosun reflex sight for pistol is ready when needed
- SOLAR FAILSAFE - If your battery fails, this red dot sight for pistol has a backup power source when natural or artificial light is available; Solar Failsafe is activated while in Auto Mode where reticle intensity is automatically adjusted: in brighter conditions, you have a brighter reticle and in lower-light conditions, the reticle will step down in intensity to match any lighting conditions
- SPECIFICATION - Reticle: Red 2MOA Dot Light Wavelength: 650nm; Magnification: 1x; Parallax Free & Unlimited Eye Relief; Power Source: Solar & Battery; Battery Type: CR1632; Battery Life (Hours): 50000; Brightness Setting: 10 DL & 2 NV; Window Size: 0.63x0.91; Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum; Surface Finish: Anodize; Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA; W&E Travel Range: ±50 MOA
- Durable construction; Reliable snapping latches; Large, comfortable handle
- Made of rugged polypropylene with a handsome textured finish
- Thick foam padding and double padlock tabs provide the utmost in protective security-thick enough for a trigger lock when traveling
- Approved for law enforcement travel; For semi-autos and revolvers with barrels 4 inches or less
- Outside Dimensions: 10.1" x 8" x 3.2"; Inside Dimensions: 9.75" x 5.75" x 3.0"; Made in USA
- 【Compact Structure】Made of polyester fabric which is quality, waterproof and lightweight. Protects your pistol from hard impact and general wear-and tear. Insulates the guns against shock due to falls.
- 【Thick Foam Padding】Comes with a thick liner which is soft, easy to clean and non-absorbent. The soft padding provides additional protection--keeps pistol safe from scratches and scrapes.
- 【Lockable Pistol Case】Full-length external zipper for quick and easy access, D-ring and zipper with locking feature for reliable security.
- 【Two Handles Carry Easily】Fits easily into a tactical bag or places in small spaces. Great for hunting, shooting, camping and so on.
- 【Functional】With external dimensions of 12.2*7.8*1.1 inches, it fits most subcompact and compact handguns. Perfect for Storing and Transporting Handguns.
Your First Handgun: Finding a Great Deal Under $500
Buying your first handgun can feel like a big step. You want something reliable and safe without breaking the bank. Luckily, there are some fantastic handguns available for under $500 that are perfect for new gun owners, target practice, or even self-defense. This guide will help you find the right one.
Key Features to Look For
1. Reliability
This is the most important thing. Your handgun needs to work every single time you pull the trigger. Look for brands known for making dependable firearms. Good brands often have fewer jams or misfires.
2. Ease of Use
As a beginner, you want a handgun that’s easy to handle. This means it should feel comfortable in your hand. The controls, like the safety switch and magazine release, should be simple to understand and operate.
3. Caliber
Caliber tells you the size of the bullet. For beginners, 9mm is a very popular choice. It’s powerful enough for defense but has less recoil (kick) than larger calibers. Other common options include .380 ACP and .22 LR. .22 LR has very little recoil, making it great for learning.
4. Sights
Sights help you aim. Simple iron sights are common and work well. Some handguns have adjustable sights, which let you fine-tune your aim. For self-defense, night sights that glow in the dark can be helpful.
Important Materials
Most handguns in this price range use good materials. You’ll often see:
- Steel: Strong and durable, steel is used for slides and barrels.
- Polymer: This is a strong plastic. Many modern handguns have polymer frames. They make the gun lighter and can absorb some recoil.
- Alloy: These are metal mixes that can offer a good balance of strength and weight.
Factors That Affect Quality
What Makes a Handgun Better?
- Reputation: Brands with a long history of making good guns usually offer better quality.
- Fit and Finish: How well the parts of the gun are put together matters. Smooth edges and tight tolerances (small gaps) mean better quality.
- Customer Reviews: Reading what other people say about a gun can tell you a lot.
What Can Reduce Quality?
- Cheap Materials: Some very low-cost guns might use lower-quality metals or plastics.
- Poor Manufacturing: Machines that aren’t maintained well can lead to rough parts or less reliable guns.
- Lack of Testing: Companies that don’t test their firearms thoroughly might miss problems before they reach customers.
User Experience and Use Cases
Handguns under $500 are great for many things.
- Target Shooting: Many people buy these for fun at the shooting range. They help you learn how to shoot accurately.
- Home Defense: A reliable handgun can offer peace of mind for protecting your home.
- Learning: For new shooters, a less expensive but still reliable gun is a smart way to start. You can practice without worrying too much about wear and tear.
When you hold a handgun, it should feel right in your hand. If it feels too big, too small, or the grip is slippery, it might not be the best choice for you. The recoil should be manageable, especially if you plan to shoot often.
Frequently Asked Questions: Handguns Under $500
Q: What is the best caliber for a beginner under $500?
A: 9mm is a very popular and good choice for beginners. It has manageable recoil and ammunition is widely available and not too expensive.
Q: Are handguns under $500 reliable?
A: Yes, many handguns under $500 are very reliable. Brands like Glock, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger offer excellent options in this price range.
Q: What are some popular handgun models under $500?
A: Some popular models include the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, Glock G19 (sometimes found on sale), and the Ruger Security-9.
Q: Can I use a handgun under $500 for self-defense?
A: Absolutely. Many handguns in this price range are perfectly suitable for self-defense if they are reliable and you are well-trained.
Q: What does “recoil” mean?
A: Recoil is the backward push you feel when you fire a gun. Lower recoil makes it easier to shoot and control the handgun.
Q: Should I buy a new or used handgun?
A: Both can be good. A new handgun comes with a warranty. A used handgun might save you money, but it’s important to have it checked by a gunsmith to ensure it’s in good working order.
Q: How important is the material of the handgun?
A: Material is important for durability and weight. Polymer frames are light and strong. Steel offers great durability.
Q: Where can I legally buy a handgun?
A: You can buy handguns from licensed gun dealers. You will need to pass a background check and meet all local and federal laws.
Q: What should I do after buying a handgun?
A: Take a firearm safety course and practice regularly at a shooting range. Proper training is essential.
Q: What is “ammo”?
A: Ammo is short for ammunition. It includes the bullet, the casing, and the gunpowder that makes the bullet fire.