A lot of hunters and shooters talk themselves out of great firearms before they ever handle them. You see a price tag, you assume it’s out of reach, and you keep shopping the same bargain shelf. The funny part is that some of the best-performing guns on the market are only “expensive” if you insist on buying them brand new, in the latest trim, at the worst time of year.
If you’re willing to look at police trade-ins, lightly used guns, last-year models, and proven workhorses that aren’t trendy on social media, your options open up fast. These are the firearms that feel like a stretch until you run the numbers and realize they’re attainable—and worth it—because they shoot well, last a long time, and hold value better than most impulse buys.
Glock 17 (police trade-in)
A police trade-in Glock 17 is one of the easiest ways to get into a proven duty pistol without paying full retail. These guns usually show holster wear more than mechanical wear, and that cosmetic scuffing is where the savings live. For a shooter, that’s a gift. You get a pistol designed to run for high round counts with minimal drama.
What you’re really buying is consistency. The Glock 17 is easy to feed, easy to maintain, and easy to find parts for. You can shoot it hard, carry it, or stash it as a dependable backup without feeling like you need to baby it. When you find a clean trade-in at the right price, it’s often a smarter purchase than a cheaper pistol you’ll outgrow in a season.
SIG Sauer P226 (police trade-in)
The P226 feels like a “serious money” pistol until you start shopping trade-ins. Many of these guns lived calm lives riding in duty holsters, and the mechanical quality is usually still there. You get a full-size handgun that shoots flat, tracks well, and has a long reputation for reliability when it’s maintained.
The value is in how it performs when you actually shoot it. The weight helps control recoil, the accuracy is there, and the gun tends to feel steady when you pick up the pace. You also end up with a pistol that still has real support in the aftermarket and parts world. If you’ve always wanted a classic service pistol that feels substantial and shoots like it, a trade-in P226 can be the affordable path.
Beretta 92FS (used)
A used 92FS often costs far less than people expect, especially if you’re not chasing the newest rail or optics-ready version. It’s a big pistol with a reputation built on longevity, and it’s one of the smoother-shooting 9mms you can buy in its category. The savings usually come from cosmetic wear, not from a gun that’s worn out.
Where it earns its keep is in controllability. The slide cycles with a steady feel, the recoil impulse is calm, and the gun stays predictable through long strings of fire. That makes practice more productive, which matters more than features. You also get a platform with widely available magazines and parts. If you want a full-size pistol that makes range time feel easier, a used 92FS is often money well spent.
CZ 75B (used)
The CZ 75B has a way of converting people the first time they shoot one. It tends to fit hands well, it tracks smoothly, and it has that solid, all-steel feel that many shooters assume is too pricey these days. On the used market, it’s often more attainable than you’d guess, especially if you’re fine with honest wear.
The real payoff is how it shoots. The weight and balance help you stay on target, and the gun rewards good grip and trigger control without feeling twitchy. It’s also a platform with decades of refinement behind it, which shows in the way it runs and holds up. If you’ve been stuck in the mindset that a quality steel pistol is a luxury, the CZ 75B is one of the best reminders that it’s still within reach.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 (used)
The M&P 2.0 is a practical work pistol that often shows up at excellent prices in the used case. A lot of folks buy one, shoot it a little, then trade it toward something else. That creates a steady supply of barely-used guns that still have tons of life left. For your wallet, that’s a win.
What you get is a modern striker-fired pistol that’s comfortable to run and easy to live with. The grip texture and ergonomics help you build a consistent hold, and the platform has proven dependable in hard use. It’s also easy to find holsters, magazines, and sights. If you’ve been trying to make a bargain pistol behave like a duty pistol, buying a used M&P 2.0 often makes more sense than upgrading a cheaper gun piece by piece.
Ruger GP100 (used)
A used GP100 is one of the best values in revolvers because it’s built to last and it doesn’t mind being shot. These guns can handle steady use with full-power loads, and they tend to stay tight with normal care. On the used market, you’ll often find them priced like a “maybe someday” purchase, when they’re really within reach.
The appeal is confidence. You can run .38 Special for practice and step up to .357 Magnum when you want serious performance. The weight helps control recoil, and the gun feels solid in the hand. Revolvers also reward practice in a different way, because every trigger press is on you. If you’ve wanted a revolver that can live in a range bag, a nightstand, or a field holster for decades, the GP100 is a smart buy.
Ruger Mark IV (new or lightly used)
Many shooters assume a quality .22 pistol is a luxury, then they handle a Mark IV and realize it’s one of the best training tools you can own. The best part is that new ones are often priced reasonably, and lightly used ones can be a steal. The money you spend comes back in more trigger time, better fundamentals, and less ammo cost stress.
The Mark IV also holds up well. It’s accurate, dependable with good ammunition, and easy to maintain compared to older rimfire designs. That means you’ll actually shoot it a lot, which is the whole point. If you’ve been skipping practice because centerfire ammo adds up, a Mark IV changes the math fast. It’s the kind of gun you buy once and keep forever.
Mossberg 590A1 (used)
A 590A1 feels like a premium pump until you start seeing used ones pop up at fair prices. These shotguns were built for hard duty use, and that ruggedness translates well to real-world ownership. You get a pump gun that can handle rough handling, weather, and years of use without turning fragile.
What you’re buying is reliability and versatility. It can be a home-defense shotgun, a truck gun, or a camp tool depending on how you set it up. The controls are straightforward, parts are common, and maintenance is easy. A used 590A1 often costs less than many “tactical” shotguns that won’t last as long. If you want one pump shotgun you can trust and keep, the 590A1 is a strong pick.
Remington 870 Wingmaster (used)
The Wingmaster is a great example of a gun that looks expensive until you realize how many are sitting in closets. A clean used Wingmaster often costs less than many modern pumps, and you’re getting a shotgun with a reputation built on smooth cycling and long-term durability. The older ones, in particular, can feel like a different class of fit and finish.
In the field, it pays off in handling. The gun swings naturally, cycles with confidence, and holds up to seasons of use. It also gives you a platform that can be adapted with different barrels and setups over time. If you’ve been chasing a budget pump and never feeling satisfied, buying a used Wingmaster is a move many experienced hunters make once—and then they stop shopping.
Benelli Montefeltro (used)
The Montefeltro gets overlooked because people jump straight to higher-end waterfowl models, but it’s a shotgun that earns loyalty for good reason. On the used market, it can be surprisingly attainable. You get a lightweight semi-auto that carries well in the uplands and stays comfortable through long days.
The value is in how it runs and how it feels. It mounts quickly, swings clean, and tends to be dependable with quality loads. The lighter weight also matters when you’re walking miles for birds instead of sitting in a blind. If you’ve been settling for a heavier semi-auto that wears you down, moving into a used Montefeltro can feel like a major upgrade without the sticker shock. It’s a serious hunting shotgun that often hides in plain sight.
Browning A-Bolt (used)
The A-Bolt is one of those rifles that gets traded in because hunters chase whatever is new, not because the rifle stopped performing. That creates opportunities. A used A-Bolt can be a bargain for a hunter who wants a smooth bolt gun with a strong reputation for accuracy and dependable field function.
What you get is a rifle that carries well and feels refined without being delicate. The action tends to run smoothly, the rifle balances nicely, and it’s easy to set up with a scope and trust it. If you’re hunting deer, elk, or general big game with normal distances in mind, the A-Bolt has everything you need. Buying one used often beats buying a cheaper rifle new and hoping it grows on you later.
Winchester Model 70 (used)
A Model 70 can feel like an heirloom purchase until you start shopping used racks and estate-sale guns. Plenty of these rifles were owned by hunters who took care of them, shot them enough to know them, then stored them properly. That means you can often find a solid Model 70 for less than a new “premium” rifle that won’t feel as proven.
The value is trust. The Model 70 has a long reputation for being a dependable hunting rifle that handles real field conditions well. It carries with balance, and it’s the kind of rifle you can keep for a lifetime without feeling the need to replace it. If you’ve always wanted a classic bolt gun with real credibility, buying a used Model 70 can be the smartest way to do it.
Marlin 1894 (used)
The Marlin 1894 has become harder to find at bargain prices in some areas, which is exactly why it belongs here. Many shooters assume a quality lever gun is out of reach now, then they stumble onto a fair deal and realize it was possible all along. A clean used 1894 is one of those buys you rarely regret.
What makes it worth prioritizing is how useful it is. In the woods, on a ranch, or around a truck, a handy lever gun carries well and comes on target fast. Paired with the right chambering, it can cover hunting, pests, and general field carry in one package. If you’ve been watching lever guns climb in price and thinking you missed your chance, a used 1894 is still a smart target when you find one in good condition.
Ruger Hawkeye (used)
The Hawkeye doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, and that helps buyers. On the used market, you can often find one priced like an ordinary hunting rifle even though it’s built like a serious tool. It’s a rifle that feels sturdy in the hand, and it tends to hold up to hard seasons without feeling finicky.
The value shows up over time. A Hawkeye is the kind of rifle you can carry in bad weather, bump around in a truck, and still trust to perform when the moment matters. It’s also a platform that many hunters keep for years because it doesn’t give them reasons to replace it. If you’re tired of buying “starter rifles” repeatedly, stepping into a used Hawkeye can be the move that ends that cycle.
Springfield Armory M1A (used)
An M1A often looks like a big-ticket item until you shop used listings and realize many owners baby them. That creates openings for buyers who want a classic rifle with real capability and presence. It’s not the lightest hunting option, but it’s a rifle that some serious hunters keep around for specific roles where they want reach, power, and confidence.
The appeal is that it’s a proven design with a strong following, and it tends to hold value better than many impulse buys. A well-kept used M1A can give you a lot of rifle for the money if you’re honest about how you’ll use it. If you’ve always wanted one and assumed it was off the table, the used market is often where that “can’t afford it” story changes fast.
Like The Avid Outdoorsman’s content? Be sure to follow us.
Here’s more from us:
