Best Bang For Your Buck| 5 Pistols under $500

There are so many handguns on the market that it can be a difficult and expensive search to find the right handgun for you, at the right price. I took 5 pistols that I believe will give you everything you need at an affordable price. I chose the Walther CCP, Glock 42, Glock 43, CZ P-10C, and the Mossberg MC1SC because they’re all under $500 and give you the most versatility. Each one of these pistols can be used as an open-carry or concealed carry weapon (CCW) and they all have the option of attaching a laser or light underneath the barrel.

Walther CCP SS

The Walther CCP SS is a very unique gun with a 3.54″ barrel, 6.41″ overall length, and a 1.18″ width at the grip. It’s built with the Walther gas block system, called the “soft coil”, which reduces the felt recoil by delaying the blowback operation. Personally, I think the recoil is a little heavy compared to the Glock 42 or 43, but the accuracy of this pistol is unmatched for a single-stack CCW. the pistol feels a little heavy, but the grip is great and it fits into my hand like a glove. You don’t even notice the 5.5 lbs trigger pull because the initial travel is so smooth and short. However, the trigger rest feels like it has to completely go all the way back in order for it to work. This may seem like a negative to many, but this is an enhanced safety feature that helps you reset your sightline and prevents accidental trigger pulls. the CCP SS is built with a fixed barrel to keep the cleaning and operation easy, but I can’t take the weapon apart without a screwdriver or tool.

Specs

• The  trigger reset is abnormally long
• The takedown of the CCP is clunky and annoying
• Putting the gun back together takes a lot more effort and time than any other pistol
• Thicker and heavier than the most other CCWs
• Sights are solid black and not great for target identification at the range

Where Can I Buy The Walther CCP SS?

1. Palmetto State Armory
2. RK Guns
3. Gun Broker
4. Armslist

The Mossberg MC1SC is one of the newer pistols on the market, specifically designed as a CCW. This is one of the most unique pistols on the market with its unprecedented safety features, specifically the Safe Takedown System. This feature ensures the gun owner that they don’t have to pull the trigger to take the gun apart and put it back together. I know of no other gun in the world that has this safety feature. It’s incredibly short at 6.25″ and is built with snag-free dovetail sights for an easy and quick draw. The trigger pull is a little heavier than what I traditionally like at 6 lbs, but the trigger reset is much cleaner and shorter than the Walther CCP. The flat trigger is great and makes the pull weight feel less than it is and has a blade safety lever integrated inside the trigger for an additional safety feature.

You can buy the Mossberg Mc1SC at Bass Pro Shops for under $350 brand new! I recommend changing the factory sights to the TruGlo Night Sights for better accuracy and target identification. The ergonomics of this pistol are really solid and comfortable with a nice grip swell to fit inside your hand better, especially in wet or humid environments. The flat trigger can’t be overstated enough because it increases the accuracy by ensuring a uniform pull every time. If this is your 1st gun, you can put your mind at ease with all the safety features added to keep you cognizant of the dangers of guns. The pistol is made from military-grade polymer, which reduces the weight without sacrificing the durability of the gun. Either way, for $350, you can’t go wrong with Mossberg.

1. Palmetto State Armory
2. Gun Broker
3. Gearfire
4. The Shooting Store
5. Gallery of Guns
6. Bass Pro Shops
7. RK Guns

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Glock 43

The Glock 43 is one of the most sought after CCWs because it’s concealable in any holster, purse, or pocket. It’s a single stack 9mm that only weighs 1 pound and 6″ long, making it one of the most compact pistols in the world. The Glock 43 is very thin and designed for shooters like me with smaller hands to be able to control much easier than every other CCW (besides the Glock 42 and the PM9). The Glock 43 has one of the softest trigger pulls of any concealed carry pistol, which increases the overall accuracy by preventing trigger pull inconsistencies. The Safe Action system is great for experienced shooters with a 3-step safety mechanism, but as everyone knows, I prefer a manual safety.

Specs

• Capacity is only 6 rounds
• Heavier felt-recoil than most other CCWs

The Glock 43 is great as a secondary carry pistol for police officers to carry on their ankle holster. It only comes with 6 rounds, but the reliability and accuracy ensure you will only need 6 rounds. You can get this gun for about $450 at any of the locations listed below and under $400 if you want to buy used at Gun Broker. The Glock 43 is considered a “pocket gun” because you can carry this gun in your pockets as a CCW. It can be carried in any style of holster you could imagine and is as reliable as any other Glock on the market.

Where Can I Buy The Glock 43?

1. Palmetto State Armory
2. Gun Broker
3. RK Guns
4. Bass Pro Shops

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Glock 42

The Glock 42 is one of the most affordable Glocks on the market and chambered in .380 Auto versus the 9mm. The .380 is a weaker cartridge than the 9mm and requires the shooter to be closer to their target. The Glock 42 is incredibly accurate and has virtually no recoil at all, which makes this gun really fun and easy to shoot. I love the fact that Glock was able to create a pistol that could still be effective and have no felt-recoil. I would stick to less than 30 yards if I were going to use this gun as a CCW because the .380 is just too soft.

Specs

Where Can I Buy The Glock 42?

1. Palmetto State Armory
2. Gun Broker
3. RK Guns
4. Bass Pro Shops

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CZ P-10C

The CZ-P10C is built to compete with the Glock 19 in design, simplicity, ergonomics, and trigger pull. The CZ P-10 comes with 3 interchangeable backstraps to fit different hand sizes for smaller or larger shooters. The 4.5 lb trigger is incredibly smooth and crisp with a very short positive reset, which ensures follow up shots are easier and the 1st shot is much more precise than any other gun on the list. For me, the CZ P-10C is more accurate than the Glock 19 and feels better in my hand than any other Glock I’ve shot with. The 1st thing you’ll notice with the P-10C is how similar it is the Glock, which really helps with adjusting to the new gun if you’re a Glock lover.

Specs

Where Can I Buy The CZ P-10C?

1. Palmetto State Armory
2. Gun Broker
3. RK Guns

Buy Here