Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Who doesn’t love saving some money? Guns aren’t exactly cheap, and Lord knows ammo isn’t either. With that in mind, that doesn’t mean you should go broke buying guns. There are some great budget options on the market, and budget guns are only getting better. I draw a line between cheap and budget.
A cheap gun might not cost a lot of money, but it’s barely worth the money you’ll spend. A cheap gun is something like a Raven MP-25 or the ancient ROHM revolvers. Those are cheap guns that tend to be unreliable, easily broken, and just better as paperweights than firearms. Budget guns aren’t expensive and are reliable, capable firearms.
They are typically far from fancy, but they score high in the fundamentals. They exude brilliance in the basics mentality. Budget guns can satisfy defensive roles in the world of home defense and concealed carry but might not be the best option for, say, a military or police force.
I’ve gathered some of my favorite budget-priced blasters in one spot for your enjoyment. Hopefully, we can help you find the right gun for your purpose without breaking the bank.
Table of contents
The Budget Blasting Maverick 88
The Maverick 88 Security and Field Model would probably be my first choice on this list for a home defense firearm, but I tend to love shotguns. The Security and Field Model includes both a 28-inch barrel for hunting and an 18.5-inch barrel for home defense. It’s the best bargain, but purchasing the Security or Field models makes it slightly cheaper.
This is a pump action shotgun with some similarities to the Mossberg 500. It’s a budget pump shotgun made in America out of Eagle Pass, Texas. It’s very simple but robust and durable. It can take lots of abuse, as evidenced by numerous online torture tests. The 12 gauge shotgun can be very versatile and works well for a variety of roles.
Taurus G3
The Taurus G3 series has quickly exceeded the G2 series. The Taurus G3 series has grown into a family of handguns, including XL models, standard size, and compact options. The G3C forms a very competent little carry gun in 9mm with a 12-round magazine. It’s budget-friendly but also reliable with a few smart design features.
Namely, it uses the Glock sight pattern, so replacing the sights is easy. The guns are compatible with SIG P226 series magazines, so finding spares is plenty easy. The G3 series has proven to be both robust and reliable. They are surprisingly better than their price point and form an affordable option as a home defense or carry gun.
Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider
The Heritage Manufacturing Rough Rider is one of the world’s most affordable repeating firearms on the market. It’s super affordable and budget-friendly. The Rough Rider is a rimfire revolver that comes in either .22LR or .22 Magnum. It’s a single-action design that’s ultra-affordable and tons of fun to shoot and enjoy. They come in various sizes and with various features.
These ultra-affordable guns rarely crest the two-hundred-dollar mark. They are useful for pest control and small game hunting, but in reality, they are mostly just fun guns. Heritage makes a solid revolver, and it’s quite accurate, reliable, and seemingly last forever. A new shooter armed with a Rough Rider comes to the range well-equipped to learn the basics of shooting.
Extar EP9
I think large format pistol is the correct term for these big guns. They aren’t PCCs because they aren’t rifles, but they aren’t normal handguns, either. The Extar EP9 is a large format pistol, and it’s one of the most affordable semi-auto large format pistols out there. For less than 500 dollars, the EP9 offers you a sub-five-pound platform that uses Glock magazines to throw 9mm downrange.
These guns feature optics rails and M-LOK handguards for accessories and what have you. The Extar EP9 guns are reliable, and while they look like ARs, they are built from the ground up and significantly different. That leads to a lower price, as does the direct-to-consumer sales Extar engages in. Extar makes great guns for home defense and for fun at the range.
Budget Friendly Anderson Kiger
Anderson produces what’s essentially a Glock Gen 3 clone in the form of the Kiger. It’s no one-for-one copy, but it retains the simplicity and reliability of the Gen 3 Glock at a very affordable price point. Anderson refined the ergonomics and changed the grip to be a little more vertical and 1911-like.
Anderson also offers a few different models with different features and accessories. We get everything from fancy slides to optic cuts. The guns are compatible with Glock Gen 3 parts, so it’s easy to accessorize and make changes as you see fit. Plus, these guns are quite affordable. They often have all manner of fun finishes and designs to make your gun a little more unique.
IWI Zion 15
Budget is in the mind of the beholder, admittedly. If you want to dance the AR-15 jig, the budget AR market is huge, and there are plenty of options out there. However, I wanted to find a real bargain, which doesn’t mean it’s the cheapest but offers the most value for your money, and that’s the IWI Zion 15. This AR carbine comes with a 16-inch barrel, a mid-length gas system, and a standard 5.56 caliber chambering.
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The Zion also features excellent quality control, and IWI is known for making durable and reliable rifles and handguns. The Zion features an M-LOK handguard for accessories that are thin and lightweight. The gun also comes with a B5 stock and grip, as well as a Magpul PMAG. There are little touches here and there that make it a great value for the money.
KelTec P17
A semi-auto, teeny tiny .22LR is a fun gun to have., They can be used for defensive applications, but they are typically more for training, competitions like Steel Challenge, as well as small game hunting. The KelTec P17 offers a semi-auto .22LR for less than 250 dollars. It finds some way to hold 17 rounds in a rather small platform.
More than anything else, the P17 is a fun gun. It’s cheap to shoot, easy to find, and promises a lot of fun for only a little money. Their popularity has led to some interesting modifications and a rather large aftermarket that embraces the P17 wholeheartedly.
Blasting Away On A Budget
Who doesn’t want to save a little dinero at the end of the day? For some folks, there isn’t any other option. An affordable firearm is what stands between them and their ability to protect themselves and their families. Affordable firearms might not have the gadgets, gizmos, and extra features of more expensive firearms, but they can still check the box.
The Second Amendment is for everyone, and affordable firearms help ensure it stays that way.
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