Beretta Pico: The Pico offers all the best-in-class features and reliability that Beretta is known for in a small, lightweight, subcompact pistol that is ultra-reliable with little felt recoil. It is a tiny gun at a tiny price and uses a double-action-only (DAO) trigger. This is a good choice for deep-cover carry or backup.
Bersa Thunder Combat: The Thunder is a traditional double-action/single-action (DA/SA) semi-automatic pistol that has proven its reliability over the years. The Thunder Combat is enhanced for concealed carry with a lower-profile slide, a rounded triggerguard and a small beavertail. The large slide serrations make racking the slide simple and the ergonomic rubber grips with finger grooves make controlling this .380 ACP easy.
Canik TP9SA: The TP9SA is a polymer-framed, striker-fired 9mm pistol with features normally found on high-end, German-made firearms. This Turkish-made, full-sized pistol offers a magazine capacity of 18 rounds, a hammer-forged barrel, three-dot steel sights, an ambidextrous, slide-mounted decocker, an accessory rail and more for far less than any comparable pistol.
Charter Arms Undercover: Charter Arms makes economical, compact revolvers that offer supreme reliability, light weights and ample firepower for less than $400. The Undercover is a five-shot revolver constructed of stainless steel with rugged fixed sights. The full rubber grip helps absorb recoil from potent .38 Special +P loads. A hammer-block safety makes it safe for everyday carry.
Diamondback FS Nine: The DB FS Nine is a full-sized 9mm pistol that incorporate a slew of safety features, like a trigger safety and a firing pin block safety, in a striker-fired, double-stack, polymer-framed pistol. The stainless steel slide is almost fully serrated so you can rack the slide with ease. Three-dot sights aid in rapid target engagement and an accessory rail allows for the attachment of a laser or light.
Kahr CM9: All the top-quality details Kahr is known for in subcompact pistols are built into the 9mm CM9. To make the pistol more affordable, Kahr tweaked its manufacturing process on the high-end PM9 pistol to create the CM9. It has Kahr’s smooth trigger pull and striker-fired system, a polymer frame and a stainless slide with more simplified machining process to keep the cost down.
Ruger SR9E: Ruger is known for its rugged and dependable guns, and the SR9E offers a stripped-down, no-nonsense version of the SR9 pistol. The 9E offers all the thrills of a full-sized, striker-fired pistol while remaining affordable. The pistol is thin and ergonomic, and it offers a short trigger reach from the backstrap to the trigger so it works with shooters’ hands of all sizes.
SCCY CPX-2 TT: Small, compact and safe, the CPX-2 TT offers a double-stack magazine of 9mm firepower for slightly more than $300. The polymer frame has built-in finger grooves and the non-reflective stainless slide is equipped with a three-dot sighting system. The trigger offers a 9-pound DAO pull.
Sig Sauer P250 Full Size: The most affordable of all the Sig pistols is the polymer-framed P250. Affordable and adaptable, the P250 is modular, allowing users to change the pistol’s caliber and grip size. The full-sized model is lightweight, offers a 17-round magazine in 9mm and contrast sights. The frame sports an integral accessory rail for mounting a tactical light.
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield: The compact Shield incorporates the design features of the M&P series of pistols in a thin and lightweight handgun intended for concealed carry. The grip angle is 18 degrees so the Shield is a natural pointer. The compact design also uses a striker firing system. An extended magazine adds an additional round and gives the Shield a long grip for a more full-sized feel.
Taurus 85CH: Taurus took its legendary Model 85 and enhanced it with a convertible hammer. This means the revolver’s hammer can be removed for a snag-free draw from concealment. These revolvers offer a transfer-bar safety system, rugged fixed sights, comfortable rubber grips and a matte stainless finish. They are chambered to handle potent .38 Special +P loads, too.
Walther PPX: The PPX offers all the benefits of German engineering without the high cost. This polymer-framed pistol has excellent ergonomics, features three built-in safeties, a striker-fired system and a magazine that holds 16 rounds of 9mm. The low-profile, three-dot sights offer good target acquisition and the accessory rail allows a user to mount a light or aiming laser.
Finding the right firearm for concealed carry can be a daunting experience. With so many pistols and revolvers on the market, the sheer number of options available can overwhelm the first-time buyer or veteran shooter alike.
In addition to a gun’s stopping power and overall dimensions, price is often a major determining factor in finding a gun that works for you. Because of this, we’ve compiled 12 budget-friendly firearms that will back you up without breaking the bank!
Ranging in size from the subcompact, pocket-friendly Beretta Pico and Taurus 85 to larger designs like the Walther PPX that delivers 16+1 rounds of 9mm, these everyday-carry guns deliver real-world protection for under $500.
Whether you’re looking for something in the milder .380 ACP or the hard-hitting .40 S&W, these 12 self-defense guns will help get you started on your path to more effectively defending your home and family against a deadly attack.
This article is from THE COMPLETE BOOK OF GUNS 2016. To order your copy, please visit PersonalDefenseWorld.com.
