What makes a handgun affordable? The obvious answer would be a low price, but there’s more to being an “affordable” handgun than just the price. Sometimes it’s the value within the handgun. You can find a lot of lower-priced 9mm handguns that vary widely in features.
We’re not talking cheap guns. We’re talking solid quality and reliability that you’d bet your life on. We’ve outlined some top contenders. They’re not your typical choices either. Each of these made the list because of price, features, and value for the money.
1. SAR 9
The SAR 9 is Sarsilmaz’s contribution to modern polymer duty guns. With a barrel length of 4.4 inches, the SAR 9 weighs in at just 27.8 ounces, making it extremely lightweight for its size thanks to its polymer frame.
An integrated trigger safety is standard, and it comes with three changeable backstrap sizes to customize the fit and feel for your hand. It also features a Picatinny rail to make adding accessories a breeze.
SAR has several variations available, including slides available in black or stainless matte. If you want to take the platform and add some serious performance, then the SAR 9X might be worth reviewing. You can add two more rounds to your capacity and a better trigger for an extra couple hundred dollars
2. SCCY INDUSTRIES CPX-1
Carry guns don’t get much smaller than the SCCY CPX-1.
With a barrel length of a mere 3.1 inches, this small gun weighs in at just 15 ounces. That makes it lightweight and compact, perfect for concealed carry. It’s built on a polymer frame and features a steel slide. The grip has finger grooves and stippling for a firm hold. The three-dot sights are adjustable for windage.
The CPX-1 holds 10+1 rounds in a double-stack magazine and is available in a plethora of colors and patterns. Choices on slides include black nitride and natural stainless. This is a solid little gun at an incredible price point.
3. CANIK TP9
I’m sure you’re wondering how the Canik TP9 came in at #3. Two words, options and features.
The TP9 is more of a “family” of handguns, with price points from sub $500, like the TP9SA, to over $900, like the TP9 Elite Combat Executive with Vortex Viper red dot. Whether you’re looking for a concealed carry gun, such as the TP9 SC, or something full size for use as a duty or competition gun, the TP9 series has a model for you.
Barrel lengths and weights vary from 3.5 inches and 25 ounces for the Elite SC model to 5.2 inches and 29.81 ounces for the TP9 SFT model.
All models feature an ambidextrous magazine release and changeable backstraps to fit the gun to your hand.