Handguns Under $500 to Make the Budget-Friendly Shopper Happy

Are you looking for a budget handgun to gift for the holidays? It can be hard to find cheap guns that are still good quality. That being said, there are plenty of options that are reliable, fun to shoot, and won’t break the bank. Here are six affordable handguns under $500 to consider when shopping for the holiday season.  

Glock 35

It’s hard to go wrong with a Glock, and there are plenty of them available for less than $500. For example, the Glock 35 is a competition-ready pistol chambered in 40 S&W. It has a longer barrel and slide than the typical Glock, which helps with accuracy. It’s one of the highest-quality handguns you can get for under $500, and thanks to the extensive aftermarket support, it’s easy to modify and customize the Glock 35. From the trigger to the grip, sights, and more, your recipient can mod this pistol to fit their needs perfectly. 

Kel Tec CP33

If going to the range and plinking is more your gift receiver’s speed, try the Kel Tec CP33. It’s a fantastic plinking handgun, chambered in 22 and holding a staggering 33 rounds. It’s also competition-ready, as the “CP” stands for competition pistol. It’s ambidextrous and easy to add a suppressor. While a fiber optic sight comes standard, a Picatinny rail makes it easy to add a red dot. The CP33 is one of the most impressive 22 handguns you can gift. 

S&W M&P Shield Plus: A Great choice when shopping for handguns under $500

Another popular option is the M&P Shield series. The Shield Plus is the next generation for everyday carry and an excellent gift for the gun enthusiast in your life. While thin and lightweight, it still has recoil management. If you are looking for a compact handgun for a gift, the M&P Shield Plus is an excellent option for less than $500.

Walther P22

The Walther P22 was the first tactical rimfire 22 pistol. It’s reliable, comfortable, ambi, and ready for just about anything. Best-in-class ergonomics are supported with interchangeable backstraps. Whether it’s for varmint control on the farm or plinking at the range, the Walther P22 will serve your giftee well. Explore more Walther handguns here.

Ruger Security 9

Another compact, the Ruger Security 9 is a good option for concealed carry. It is very close in size and capacity to the Glock 19 but much more budget-friendly. While the gift receiver might want to replace the sights, the rest of the Ruger Security 9 is a great gift that can rival handguns at higher price points.

Springfield Armory XD Service

The Springfield Armory XD Service model comes from the touted XD series. Springfield is known for its quality guns, and for the price, the XD Service is hard to beat. It’s fairly plain and minimalistic, but it can shoot tight groups and, unlike some handguns at its price point, is made of solid metal.

Related Articles: Holiday Gift Guide: 6 Best AR 15 Models For Gift Giving

Related Articles: Upgrade Your AR with These 3 Add-Ons and Accessories

Did we miss any models in our list of great handguns under $500?

You can also find more budget-friendly handguns through user listings at www.gunbroker.com