I’ve shot plenty of budget pistols over the years, and let’s be honest—most don’t leave a great impression. But every once in a while, you run into a cheap handgun that just works. It’s not flashy, it’s not expensive, but it runs reliably and shoots straighter than expected. Some of these pistols punch way above their price point. If you’ve avoided budget guns completely, you might be missing out. Here are twelve affordable pistols that honestly surprised me in a good way.
Taurus G3C
I didn’t expect much from the Taurus G3C, but it turned out to be a dependable little carry gun. The trigger isn’t anything special, but it shoots straight and cycles reliably. It handled bulk range ammo without a hiccup and was surprisingly accurate at self-defense distances. The grip texture is solid, and the size makes it easy to carry. For the price, I figured I’d find a flaw quickly, but it kept impressing me every time I shot it.
Ruger Security-9
The Ruger Security-9 flies under the radar, but it’s honestly a solid shooter for the money. The trigger is better than expected, and the accuracy holds up well for a budget pistol. I didn’t experience any feeding issues, even after running cheap range ammo through it. It’s lightweight, easy to handle, and simple to maintain. For a basic range gun or even light defensive use, it punches well above its price tag and feels dependable.
Sccy CPX-2
I was ready to hate the Sccy CPX-2 because of its reputation, but it surprised me. The trigger is long, sure, but it breaks clean, and the pistol actually ran well. I didn’t have any malfunctions during testing, and it grouped tighter than I expected out to 15 yards. The frame is comfortable, and it’s easy to control despite its size. While it wouldn’t be my first pick, it’s a solid option for anyone on a tight budget.
Canik TP9SF
For the money, the Canik TP9SF is one of the smoothest-shooting pistols I’ve tried. The factory trigger is excellent, and accuracy is consistent out to 25 yards. I expected some cost-cutting, but it cycles well, feels solid, and doesn’t need much tweaking. I had zero malfunctions, even with steel-cased ammo. This gun changed my opinion about budget-friendly imports—Canik delivers way more value than you’d think from the price tag.
KelTec P32
The KelTec P32 surprised me with how easy it is to carry and shoot. I expected a snappy, uncomfortable little pistol, but recoil was soft, and reliability was better than I thought. It’s not a range toy, but for pocket carry, it did its job well. Accuracy at close range was perfectly acceptable, and it never failed to cycle during my sessions. For a pistol this small and affordable, it worked surprisingly well.
Rock Island 1911 GI Model
I was skeptical of a budget 1911, but the Rock Island GI Model changed my mind. Out of the box, it fed hardball ammo perfectly and shot better than expected. The trigger is decent, and the steel frame soaks up recoil nicely. Accuracy was impressive for such an affordable 1911, especially with no upgrades. It’s basic, sure, but it’s a reliable shooter for folks who want a 1911 without spending big money.
Bersa Thunder 380
The Bersa Thunder 380 isn’t flashy, but it impressed me with how smooth it shoots. The controls are simple, recoil is soft, and accuracy is solid for a pocket-sized pistol. I didn’t experience any jamming, and it cycled both ball and defensive ammo without issue. The price is low, but the performance isn’t sloppy like some other cheap .380s. For a small carry pistol, it’s reliable and surprisingly comfortable to shoot.
Girsan MC28SA
The Girsan MC28SA came out of nowhere and shot better than I thought it would. It’s a full-size pistol with a decent trigger and simple controls. I expected malfunctions, but it handled everything I fed it, from steel-case to hollow points. The grip feels good in hand, and the sights were well-regulated out of the box. For a very affordable pistol, it’s shockingly competent and feels like it could handle regular range use without issues.
EAA Windicator
The EAA Windicator is one of the cheapest .357 magnum revolvers around, but it didn’t disappoint. The trigger is heavy in double-action but smooth, and accuracy with .38 Special loads was excellent. Even with .357, it stayed controllable. The finish isn’t pretty, but the action locked up tight, and it shot better than expected. I figured I’d be disappointed, but it impressed me with solid performance for a budget wheel gun.
Hi-Point C9
The Hi-Point C9 has a rough reputation, but honestly, it functioned reliably for me. It’s bulky, heavy, and ugly, but it shot straight at close distances and didn’t jam during my tests. It cycled cheap ammo just fine and was easy to keep on target. While it wouldn’t be my first choice for carry, it surprised me with dependable function when used as a basic range gun. It’s not refined, but it worked.
ATI GSG Firefly
The GSG Firefly is a .22LR pistol that surprised me after a break-in period. Early hiccups cleared up, and it ran reliably with decent ammo. The controls feel good, and accuracy was consistent out to 25 yards. It handled bulk .22 better than expected after a few hundred rounds. For an inexpensive plinker, it’s fun and accurate enough for casual range days. I was ready to dismiss it but ended up enjoying it way more than expected.
Taurus TX22
The Taurus TX22 might be the most surprising .22 pistol I’ve shot. It’s affordable, light, and runs reliably with a wide range of ammo. The trigger is crisp, and accuracy is excellent out of the box. I didn’t have any malfunctions through several boxes of bulk ammo, and it’s comfortable enough to shoot all day. For a low-cost .22, it feels like something that should cost a lot more. It’s easily one of the best surprises in a budget pistol.
*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.
