You don’t necessarily have to spend top-dollar to find some very decent concealed carry guns for EDC purposes.

Besides, spending less on a carry gun means more funds left over for a holster, ammunition, and training.

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that the good old days of firearms is now.

Never before has the handgun buyer been more spoiled for choice when it comes to CCW pistols or really any type of gun…at all.

Unlike eras past, when a budget gun meant a battered old surplus pistol or a Saturday Night Special, you can get a legitimately good handgun for defense purposes for not too much.

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How Much Should I Spend On A Concealed Carry Gun?

There isn’t an amount you should or shouldn’t spend on a concealed carry gun. It shouldn’t be as much as you can afford to part with.

That really shouldn’t be a factor.

Instead, it’s really more that you want to get a concealed carry gun that has certain attributes that you need from any gun you’re going to have to potentially defend your life against a deadly threat.

The gun has to be a good fit for you, making it easier for you to handle, aim and shoot it well. You have to be able to conceal it easily, though that has more to do with your choice of concealed carry holster, belt, and clothing than the gun.

However, there is a practical consideration when it comes to the purchasing price. If you ever have to use a gun in defense of yourself, there’s a good chance it will be taken into evidence by the police.

Wilson Combat CQB with Rail and TLR-1 HL

There is also a chance that IF you get it back (and that’s a big if) it will be in very poor condition, and may need to be replaced.

So make sure whatever you DO decide to spend on a carry pistol is an amount that you’re comfortable with losing.

Best Concealed Carry Guns Under $400

So let’s say you had a tight budget and couldn’t spend more than $400 on a handgun. Even 10 years ago, that would have severely limited you for choice among new guns.

Today… it really doesn’t. There are plenty of very capable concealed carry guns at or even under this price point.

What would be some of the best of them? Best is a little subjective; what may be best for you may not be best for someone else.

However, here are 6 stellar picks for a CCW gun for less than 4 Benjamins.

1. Taurus G2C

The Taurus G2C is the PT111 Millennium G2 with a facelift.

It’s a subcompact double-stack striker-fired pistol, which can carry 12+1 of 9mm or 10+1 of .40 S&W… if you dare… with a second-strike “double-action” trigger just in case.

Taurus’s internal gun lock has been omitted (and appears to have been dropped almost altogether) from their new guns, so no having to worry about it anymore.

The frame has an accessory rail, so compact lights or lasers can be added if so desired.

The G2C is better ergonomically than you’d think a budget pistol would be.

Taurus G2C

The trigger isn’t fantastic by any stretch, but the pistol is reasonably accurate and current owners – not people who had a Taurus over a decade ago and thus aren’t worth listening to – report that they are a lot more reliable than the haters claim.

Support from the holster industry is excellent, and while the gun lacks some refinement compared to others of similar size, it goes bang and puts bullets where you need them to go.

Taurus G2C 220 at Brownells Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 220 at Brownells Prices accurate at time of writing

MSRP starts at $272, but you can typically find them for around $200 through most retailers. If it works… what else really matters?

2. Canik TP9SF Elite

The Canik TP9SF Elite might just be the best budget gun there is. Canik’s TP9 series has been tipped as a “Glock Killer” in print many times and for reasonably good reason.

They have excellent ergonomics, an outstanding factory trigger on the SF models, and far more features than pistols from bigger names have for a heck of a lot less in asking price.

Put the Cash Cannon away, this blaster won’t need it!

The TP9SF Elite is a “compact” model, though its dimensions (7.28″L x 1.45″ W x 5.27″ H) are really more those of a full-size gun. (In fact, it’s almost the same size as an S&W M&P9).

However, it’s a little more streamlined and therefore, easier to carry than the full-size TP9SF.

Standard capacity is 15+1 of 9mm. Standard models come with Warren Tactical sights – black steel rear ramp and red fiber optic upfront instead of white dots – swappable grip panels to dial in the fit, a striker indicator (a la the Walther PPQ) and a very, very good factory trigger.

It’s a bit big, a bit heavy, but it can be dealt with. MSRP starts around $400, so it’s right around the limit, but you can find the ONE Series version (includes only 1 magazine, but they’re reasonably priced and easy to find) for as little as $300 in some instances.

3. S&W M&P9 Shield

Though the S&W M&P9 Shield is now onto its second generation, the original is still in production and at a bargain.

9mm (115gr vs 124gr vs 147 HP)

The base model starts at a very reasonable MSRP of $374, but in-store prices can be as low as $275 and sometimes even less.

For a brand new gun. That’s made by Smith and Wesson.

The Shield isn’t a perfect pistol by any stretch, as some people find the grip a little too thin and not everyone cares for the trigger.

But they’re reliable and more accurate than most tiny pistols have any business being, as well as being one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market.

What’s your take on the M&P Shield?

Readers' Ratings 4.73/5 (222) Your Rating?

4. SCCY DVG-1

SCCY pistols have gotten some stick over the years due to having a double-action only trigger system that’s less than perfect. Credit where due, it really wasn’t.

The DVG-1 series – allegedly for “David Vs Goliath” – uses a striker-fired system that makes the trigger operation more familiar to most shooters, and tames the pull to an easy 5.5 lbs.

SCCY DVG-1

SCCY specializes in working-class handguns and as such there’s not much frippery.

A compact double-stack pistol (10+1 of 9mm) with few other features to really speak of. There are, however, some very smart design touches.

The slide has the same slide cuts as the Glock 43, so you can upgrade the sights easily if so desired. A version with manual safeties may be available at some point as well, as they are an available option for their previous models.

However, the DVG-1 has a party piece. Besides the very reasonable MSRP of $289, there is also the DVG-1 RD model, which ships with a Crimson Trace red dot…for $389.

SCCY DVG-1 290 at SCCY Prices accurate at time of writing View Details 290 at SCCY Prices accurate at time of writing

Yes. You can get a pistol with a red dot for less than $400. Sure, SCCY pistols don’t win IPSC world championships or beauty contests, but it’s an honest working-class pistol for not too much in asking price.

5. Walther CCP M2 380

While the MSRP on the Walther CCP M2 380 is $469, you won’t have any issues finding it for less than $400 in-store or online.

The CCP M2 380 is new for 2020, with its public debut at SHOT Show 2020 along with the Walther Q4 Match, which is not in any way shape or form a budget handgun.

.380 ACP Round, small but effective

It’s also one of the softest-shooting pistols you’ll ever pick up. There’s barely any recoil.

You might also be used to a .380 pistol being hard to shoot with the utmost of accuracy, due to the shortened sight radius. You won’t believe how easy this pistol is to shoot incredibly well.

That’s mostly due to the CCP being more of a subcompact, rather than a micro; the dimensions are actually the same as the standard CCP, which makes it roughly the size of a Glock 43X.

The longer barrel length (and therefore sight radius) makes good marksmanship that much easier, as well as ensuring better terminal performance of .380 hollow points.

6. Surplus Police Pistols

This is a category of pistols rather than a single make and model, and yes this means used guns rather than new guns. That’s hardly the compromise one might be tempted to think it is.

Your local Surplus store and used gun counter and often great places to look!

On most semi-auto pistols, the only part that’s actually expensive to replace is the barrel. Everything else, especially springs, are usually pretty cheap.

Most police trade-ins will be functionally fine but will have plenty of holster wear. It’ll be beaten up, but it’ll run and that’s what matters.

Police trade-in guns are commonly priced around $400 or less. Typical models include Glock 22, 23, 17 and 19 pistols, Smith and Wesson M&P9 and M&P40 pistols, and now the first wave of trade-in Sig P320 pistols are hitting the market.

Sig Sauer P226 and P229 pistols are also common police surplus but can command a bit more in sticker price.

You will typically find more of them in .40 S&W than 9mm. Typically, you will find more full-size rather than compact guns, but Glock 17s and M&P9s are actually used as CCW guns a lot more often than you’d think.

Yes, they’re beater heaters, but they’re common (and proven) makes and models that typically only need a little TLC and maybe a new magazine or two.

Parting Shots

Getting a budget pistol, that works, is always better than having no pistol. There are a lot of great carry options on the market and these are just a few of them!

Any of the ones on the list will serve you well, but be sure to get some training, put in some range time, and choose your ammo with care.

9mm Tested in our Home Defense Overpenetration Study

What is your favorite budget CCW? Let us know in the comments! If you’re new to concealed carry, you’ll find these articles helpful!