cheap handguns

What Are Some Cheap Handguns?

Gun ownership is enshrined into the constitution, and as a nation, we love our firearms. According to recent statistics, nearly a third of Americans own a gun, and just under half live in a household that does.

Yet while some may love shotguns for home defense, or rifles for hunting, the handgun is the most versatile type of gun. A good pistol will serve you well and have multiple uses.

Yet if you’re buying your first handgun or you’re on a budget, which cheap handguns are worth buying? Some people would say that there’s no such thing as a good cheap product. We strongly disagree.

In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the best cheap handguns for sale right now. No matter whether you want something for home defense, a CCW, or anything else, we’ve got you covered.

Read on and find the best cheap handguns for sale online right now!

Springfield Armory XD3 Sub-Compact

If you’re looking for a fantastic sub-compact pistol, the XD3 is hard to beat, and it costs just a fraction as much as some of its competitors. Chambered in 9 mm, this pistol features a good amount of stopping power while still being easy to control.

This ease of use is augmented by the fantastic molding that features on the grip, making it very easy to keep under control.

The pistol comes equipped with a 13-round magazine as standard, but you can also step it up to a 16-round extended magazine if you’d prefer. In terms of other features, the XD3 is very well-rounded. It comes with three-dot sights, a hammer-forged barrel, and an accessory rail for customization.

This handgun might be small and cheap, but it’s got premium features, packs a punch, and is a great handgun in its own right.

S&W Bodyguard .38

Just as there are different types of shotguns, there are also different kinds of pistols, and while the semi-automatic is the predominant kind of pistol on the market today, a good revolver will still serve you well. If you’re in the market for a good self-defense weapon, this snub-nosed revolver is compact, relatively powerful, and low-cost.

This pistol weighs less than a pound thanks to its mix of lightweight materials, which means that it won’t feel like an inconvenience to carry. If you want to get a little tactical extra, you can upgrade to a version of the Bodyguard that also comes with a built-in laser, which is a nice touch.

While some may balk at carrying a revolver in the 21st century, the Bodyguard will do its job very effectively, thanks to S&W’s great pedigree with revolvers.

FB P-64

If you don’t mind using something a little different, the FB P-64, also known as the Century P-64, is a very solid choice. This is a Polish firearm that’s chambered in 9 mm Makarov, an older Soviet cartridge.

You can find P-64s for under $200 in some stores, and at this price, it’s hard to say no to this quirky pistol. It’s got a solid semi-automatic action and it’s lightweight, coming in at just 22 ounces.

At close range, this pistol is a good stopper thanks to its relatively powerful cartridge.

If you want a pistol that’s lightweight, easy to conceal, and uses cheap ammunition, then consider this Polish pistol.

EAA Witness Polymer

If you’d like a Glock-style semi-automatic without the price tag, then another pistol originally from the Eastern Bloc, the EAA Witness Polymer, may be exactly what you’re looking for. This pistol is based on the Czech CZ-75, which is a truly fantastic pistol chambered in 9 mm Parabellum.

It’s an incredibly accurate firearm, and, as you might expect, it’s very reliable too. You can shoot a lot of rounds through one of these guns before it’ll ever have any issues.

It’s lightweight and will fit in most people’s hands without any issues. Do note that it’s a full-sized pistol, however, so some people might find it a struggle to work with.

As an easily accessible version of the CZ-75, this is one of the best-value guns that you could ask for. It’s accurate, reliable, and pretty powerful. 

Hi-Point .45 ACP 9+1

Despite its name and caliber, this gun has absolutely nothing to do with the M1911 or the Browning Hi-Power. The Hi-Point .45 ACP packs a serious punch thanks to its large caliber, combined with a decent-sized magazine.

The polymer frame features well-made grips so that you can easily control this powerful handgun, and it also comes with a thumb safety and a magazine disconnect safety.

The Hi-Point comes with adjustable three-dot sights and a peep sight. 

The gun is made in the USA and is, for its size and caliber, fairly lightweight. This means that you can expect it to serve you well in life-or-death situations or down the range. If you want a high-caliber, affordable handgun, look no further.

Taurus Heritage Rough Rider .22LR

Few would dispute that a single-action revolver is probably not a great option for self-defense. However, it’s still a fantastic choice for target shooting or western shooting.

This gun is clearly inspired by the legendary Colt Single Action Army, just scaled down to .22LR. It’s an accurate revolver that features well-made, comfortable wooden grips, which are a joy to hold.

The Rough Rider would be a bad choice for self-defense, but that’s fine. It wasn’t designed for that. It was designed to be great fun at the range, and it fits that bill wonderfully.

Cheap Handguns Are Everywhere

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this guide to the best cheap handguns. We hope that it’s shown you that cheap doesn’t necessarily mean bad, and that you can get some fantastic firearms for a low price.

If you’re keen to get your hands on one of these pistols, use our site to find a gun shop near you, whether you’re in Virginia, Texas, California, or any other state in the union! 

AR Pistol

What You Need to Know About Building an AR Pistol

Building your own AR-15 Pistol can a very hard, yet rewarding experience for those who want to get the most out of their personal defense weapons. However, it isn’t always as easy as it sounds.

Apart from actually building the pistol, there are some legal issues and regulations that usually come to part with it.

As owning an AR can be a trial in itself, there are ways to building an AR Pistol while still staying within the regulations of the federal government’s laws.

So let’s take a look at what you need to do when building your own AR pistol.

Disclaimer

Do not attempt to tamper or modify firearms without the proper training. Exercise caution when using firearms.

 

What Is an AR Pistol?

Just in case some are unaware of it, an AR Pistol is a handgun that’s built on an AR-15 receiver. This means you have a pistol buffer instead of a carbine buffer, which limits the addition of attachments and power for compact design.

Now while this may sound strange and just a fancy word for a sub-machine gun, the fact is that AR pistols are not built like sub-machine guns.

While they can be of any caliber, they’re not limited to just pistol ammunition. However, it really all depends on what you’re looking for in terms of an AR pistol.

Are AR Pistols Legal?

Since it’s a modified weapon, the question comes is are they legal to carry

The short answer to that is yes. A more detailed answer would be that it has to fall under certain categories to be considered a legal firearm.

While every state varies and their laws of firearms are different, ATF’s regulations state that an AR Pistol must have the following to be considered legal to own.

  1. The barrel has to be no more than 16 inches in length
  2. Cannot be classified as a “rifle” thus can’t have a rifle stock
  3. The overall length of the AR Pistol has to be no more than 26 inches in length
  4. Cannot have a vertical foregrip, must be angled

A lot of this may sound a bit simple to consider, on paper. When trying to actually make one, however, it can get very technical when you start making it.

So before you purchase an AR pistol kit, do your research to see how you can keep your AR pistol in the green.

Best AR Pistol to Have

Really to say which AR Pistol is the best model is really subjective. All shooters are different and their preferences and needs are different. However, some are more practical than others.

A 9mm AR would be the most practical and useful caliber to have in an AR Pistol. While having one in 5.56 NATO is an option, they’re also expensive.

Glock has made a variation of 9mm AR pistols that are built with quality in mind and compact maneuverability. All the components are built and legally made.

However, if you’re looking to build your own AR pistol, you’ll need an AR Pistol Kit, a workbench, and an AR-15 to work on. Keep in mind, you have to register the AR as a handgun and not a rifle if you want to keep this legal.

It will also help if you have some experience building, stripping, and cleaning firearms when tackling this project. There are plenty of helpful books and videos that explain it, however, it is best to take classes.

What Are the Pros and Cons of an AR Pistol?

The idea of a compact AR is that they’re very easy to handle and lightweight in comparison to a rifle. However, with every modification to a weapon, there is a trade-off and some disadvantages to take into consideration.

To get the bad news out of the way first, since you can’t have a rifle stock on this, otherwise, it be considered an SBR (short-barreled rifle), you need to use a handgun brace.

This strange replacement might be awkward at first, as while you can shoulder it like a rifle, it might not be the most comfortable way to shoot.

Another obvious issue is the lack of range one would get from this as opposed to a regular AR-15 rifle. Even more so if using pistol rounds instead of rifle rounds. Though this is assuming you are aware of the trade-off.

Lastly, the weapon can’t have any attachments like a vertical foregrip. It has to be angled, otherwise, it can’t be considered a pistol. Unless you want ATF to give you that tax stamp and pay a fee, keep that in mind.

However, despite all of this, you can expect to have an easier time using an AR Pistol in compact areas. This makes close-quarters combat easier and can get through doors without having to angle your weapon as much.

Being small also means it’s lightweight, so fatigue is less common carrying an AR Pistol over an AR rifle. 

Probably the biggest advantage is that it’s not limited to what caliber of rounds you can make your AR pistol in. Between the options of using 9mm to going as big as a .308, the versatility in these weapons is truly remarkable.

Should You Start Building an AR Pistol?

This all boils down to what you’re really after and what you plan to have an AR Pistol for. The option of having a compact rifle-like firearm for personal defense sounds good, though ask yourself if it’s neccesary.

There’s a lot of red tape that you have to remember when you start making one, as even the smallest changes can decide whether you get to keep it without a hitch have to pay a fine.

Be sure to talk with your local gun store and firearms experts on what you can do if you really wish to start this kind of project.

If you’d like to know more or want to see what else there is for firearms, be sure to check us out and contact us for further information.