Top 7 Pick Handguns Under $300

One hobby that can potentially break your bank is shooting. From the initial cost of acquiring the firearm to buying the necessary gear and equipment, the money stacks up very quickly. Thankfully, there are ways that you can enjoy shooting without spending too much. In this guide, we will take a look at some of the handguns available on the market that cost less than $300.

Before we take a look at the top pick handguns under $300, you should understand that these handguns will not come with many fancy features because they are meant to be budget-friendly. That said, let’s jump right into our list of the top pick handguns under $300.

 

1. Taurus G2C 9mm

Specifications

• 2-inch barrel
• Polymer grip
• 12-round capacity

Features

The first handgun in our list that costs less than $300 is the Taurus G2C 9mm pistol. The condition of this pistol is impeccable right out of the box and it can be used without any jams or malfunctions. You can also expect to load the pistol with ease and same goes to disassembling it to clean and maintain.

Taurus is a brand that produces handguns with great concealability and the G2C 9mm pistol is no exception. This pistol is small enough to fit into almost any holster and no one would notice that you are carrying the Taurus G2C 9mm pistol on you. Using it as a concealed carry pistol is ideal, but you can also use it for target shooting to tune up the pistol and keep its performance sharp.

Pros

• High-quality build, ensuring high durability
• Comes with a steel ramp front sight and an adjustable 2-dot rear sight
• Polymer grip makes it easy to hold, even under wet conditions
• Great concealability with minimal bulging for an easy carry

Cons

• Not ideal as a target shooting pistol
• Trigger pull will need some time to get used to

2. Ruger Security-9 9mm

Specifications

• 4-inch barrel
• Polymer frame
• 15-round capacity

Features

Beginners who plan to get started and are looking for a concealed carry to begin with will find the Ruger Security-9 9mm suitable. Many users have reported that the quality of this handgun is sturdy and almost indestructible. The trigger pull is also light and crisp, ensuring a smooth shooting for the shooter.

In addition to its high-quality build and reliability in performance, the Ruger Security-9 9mm pistol also has an impressive magazine capacity of 15 rounds. This handgun is a great pick for beginner users mainly because it is easy to shoot and also easy to take apart for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Other than self-defense, you can also use Ruger Security-9 for training.

Pros

• High build quality and excellent reliability
• Ease of concealment in various positions
• Can be drawn quickly without snagging
• Easy to fire

Cons

• Under $300, but still on the more expensive side

3. Walther P22 QD

Specifications

• 4-inch nickel barrel
• Ambidextrous design
• 10-round capacity

Features

Some of the Walther pistols are featured in the James Bond movie and as such, you can expect nothing but top-notch quality and reliability from Walther. The Walther P22 QD is a great handgun that costs less than $300 and is proof of a history of unprecedented achievement in both ingenuity and effectiveness.

This handgun was able to surprise many modern shooters in terms of its performance at various distances. Not only will you find the Walther P22 QD a great firearm for self-defense, but using it for target shooting is ideal as well. So if you want something with multiple applications, then this would be the perfect choice.

Pros

• Comes with an ambidextrous magazine release and slide safety for both right and left-handed shooters
• Excels as a target shooting and self-defense firearm
• High-quality construction for maximum durability
• Easy to load and shoot

Cons

• Lower stopping power with the .22 caliber

4. Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W

Specifications

• 25-inch barrel
• Polymer frame
• 15-round capacity

Features

Next up is a handgun by a famous brand, Smith & Wesson. The Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W is the ideal pistol to take to the range or keep it at home and store it in a gun safe for self-defense purposes. Most shooters are impressed by how well this handgun fires and also its accuracy across distances up to 30 yards out. With the .40 S&W, this pistol will pack quite a punch.

This pistol is longer and bigger than the typically concealed carry handgun because it is a full-sized pistol. Frankly, it is almost impossible to find another full-sized pistol that costs less than $300. So if you are looking for a proper pistol, but are on a tight budget, then you should really consider the Smith & Wesson M&P .40 S&W pistol.

Pros

• Impressive trigger quality makes it easy to shoot
• Can be fitted into many full-sized holsters
• Great firing power
• Ideal for both target shooting and home defence purposes

Cons

• Might be difficult to load at first
• Not ideal for shooters with small hands

5. Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380

Specifications

• 75-inch barrel
• Lifetime warranty
• 6-round capacity

Features

The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 is your ultimate concealed carry handgun with a short overall length and a lightweight design. Aside from being comfortable to carry around, this handgun can also be drawn easily which is extremely helpful in stressful situations. In addition, you can also expect this handgun to have good accuracy at close distances from 10 to 20 yards out.

Not only is the Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 a great choice for right-handed shooters, but it can also be utilized by left-handed shooters thanks to its ambidextrous features. For less than $300, you are getting a pistol with guaranteed reliability and high concealability which is the definition of a perfect concealed carry handgun.

Pros

• Incredible concealability
• Great accuracy and precision at close ranges
• Lightweight even when fully loaded
• Durable construction with corrosion and rust-resistant properties

Cons

• Trigger pull is on the heavier side
• Small-sized grip might not be suitable for everyone

6. Canik TP9SF

Specifications

• 46-inch barrel
• Warren tactical white dot front sight
• 18-round capacity

Features

The Canik TP9SF is a one of a kind pistol designed with the idea of being the world’s superior handgun. This handgun fired 60,000 rounds without any issues and rightly deserves the title. You can also expect to control this pistol with ease with or without using gloves. The Canik TP9SF is pretty much a direct competition of the famous pistols like Glocks, Smith and Wessons, and even SIG Sauers. Some shooters also find its design aesthetically pleasing.

The reason that you are able to acquire this excellent pistol at such a cheap price is that it doesn’t have a big name. So if you are fine with that, then this would be the pistol that you cherish for a great deal of time. This might not be the best-concealed carry handgun, but it sure is a great pistol for self-defence because it can be drawn and re-holstered without snagging.

Pros

• Superb build quality
• Maintains a lightweight even when fully loaded
• Battle-tested to give the best reliability
• Easy to shoot

Cons

• Shooters with smaller hands might find it difficult to shoot
• Some shooters find the trigger pull a little too light

7. Rock Island Armory M206

Specifications

• 2-inch barrel
• Black parkerized finish
• 6-round capacity

Features

Other than pistols, you can also get a revolver like the Rock Island Armory M206 for less than $300. This is one of the best revolvers with extremely high concealability and the trigger pull is also light enough, making this handgun extremely easy to shoot. The Rock Island Armory M206 revolver is small enough that you can easily fit it in a purse, glove box or even a small holster.

This is also a great handgun under $300 for anyone that prefers shooting 6 rounds only, as opposed to the standard pistols with more than 10 rounds. Plus, the 6-round capacity also ensures that the revolver maintains a lightweight for easy carrying. The Rock Island Armory M206 also features a checkered wood grip, giving it a classical look that some shooters prefer.

Pros

• Light trigger pull makes it easy to shoot
• Can be loaded easily
• Excellent concealability
• A classical design that some shooters like

Cons

• Some might find its 6-round capacity too little

Conclusion

Many people don’t think it’s possible to find good 9mm handguns under 300, but that is not true at all because the list above shows that there are excellent handguns on the market that don’t cost more than $300. If you do your research properly, finding a handgun with superb performance and high quality is certainly viable.

We hope this guide helped you in finding the best handgun under $300. You should also keep in mind that even cheap pistols will require regular maintenance, so be sure to not neglect it. Remember, if you provide proper care for your pistol, it will also take good care of you.