Top 4 Guns under $500 | In Stock Now!

As the world continues to open up, manufacturers are continuing to ramp up production and sales across the world. This means that some of the prices that were inflated have deflated some and come back to Earth. Since I’ve been writing about guns, ammo, and tactical gear, my friends and family always ask me if I’ve seen ammo, guns, or gear at an affordable price. Most of the time the answer is no, but this blog is designed for those of us that are in the market for an affordable firearm today. I’ve included handguns, shotguns, and carbines on this list to cover as many weapon systems as I can. Enjoy and good luck!

Smith & Wesson SD9 VE Pistol

The Smith and Wesson SD9VE sold from Kentucky Gun Club is on sale for $339.00 at the time of this blog being published. There are many positives to the SD9, but my favorite feature is the ammo capacity. Anytime you can get a pistol for less than $400 and have a 16+1 capacity, it’s an important feature to consider. Many people online crap on this pistol because it’s cheaper than M&P Shield and not as popular, but it only weighs 1.3 lbs and features a better trigger than the M&P Shield that offers a consistent trigger pull that is perfectly balanced for accurate shooting every time. 

Personally, I bought the M&P Shield 2.0 for my wife over the SD9 because the price was the same before Covid and there are more accessories for the Shield than there is for SD9. If I saw the SD9 for this price, I would have bought it without a second thought and I believe she would have been just as happy. The fact that the SD9 has near double the magazine capacity of the Shield 2.0 makes a huge difference for shooting with less confidence. My wife thinks it’s too big to carry as a CCW, but most above-average size men could carry this pistol with ease and not worry too much about printing. As far as durability and reliability, we’ve noticed no difference between the 2 guns, and the SD9 has a better, more aggressive grip, especially for shooters with above-average hand size.

 
Specs
 
Weight1.3 lbs
Length7.2" 
Barrel Length4"
Capacity16+1
Safety

Internal firing pin safety

SightsDovetailed white dot 
MSRP$339.00
 

S&W SD9 VE 9mm Pistol

$339.00
at Kentucky Gun Club
Prices accurate at time of writing

Smith & Wesson MP15 22LR

 

The Smith & Wesson MP15 22LR is an AR-style pistol that requires an arm brace for support and a certification from the ATF (Blog at the bottom explains how to own this gun). With a 25+1 round capacity and an arm brace, the M&P 15 is the perfect plinking gun. People may snark at the caliber, but a 22 long rifle (LR) offers way more control than a 9mm or 5.56mm NATO chambered pistol. A 22LR maxes out at around 1,750 ft per second with a lighter bullet (31 grain), so it will for sure kill an animal, including rodents. The arm brace that comes with the pistol is an SB Tactical SBA3 adjustable brace. As anyone with SBR or AR-pistol knows, SB Tactical is an incredible company with a very high reputation that they’ve earned with great customer service and reliable products. 

S&W M&P 15 22LR

The M&P 15 chambered in 22LR is built with a full-length Picatinny Rail that will accommodate almost any type of optic you’d want to attach to it. The safety on this pistol feels like any AR-style rifle you’ve held or fired with the safety lever mounted to the receiver within reach of your thumb to switch on and off without releasing your grip of the pistol. The 1-point QD sling swivel is a great touch and keeps the pistol weight on your body without getting in the way of any other motion, such as walking, running, or lying prone. To top it all off the barrel is threaded for a suppressor, so you can shoot rodents out in your yard without setting off 911 calls from nervous neighbors. For less than $500, this pistol is an absolute steal of a gun, especially for those looking for a great plinking gun or rodent gun. 

 
Specs
 
Weight3.4 lbs
Length25.4" 
Barrel Length8"
Capacity25+1
Caliber22LR
Safety

Manual lever

SightsPicatinny Rail designed for optics
Height7"
Width2"
MSRP$439.00

Taurus G2C Pistol

The Taurus G2C pistol was meant to be the answer to an affordable Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) in a crowded market. The Taurus G2C is the first gun on this list that’s meant exclusively for an EDC CCW. It’s only 6.3" long with a 3.2" barrel and only weighs 1.38 pounds. The G2C is a single-action striker-fired pistol with a polymer frame and 2 safety mechanisms (1 manual, 1 passive) for added security while you carry in public. One feature you’ll appreciate more than you think is the loaded chamber indicator right below the rear sight. You should always clear and ensure whether your gun is loaded or not, but this indicator does give you peace of mind if you’re busy and forget if you clear the pistol or not. 

Specs
 
Weight1.38 lbs
Length6.3" 
Barrel Length3.2"
Capacity12+1
Safety

Internal firing pin safety

Height

5.1"

Width

1.2"

SightsFixed dot, adjustable rear sight
MSRP$299.99
 

Taurus G2C 9mm Pistol

$299.99
at Kentucky Gun Club
Prices accurate at time of writing

LSI Citadel Boss-25 AR-style Shotgun

The LSI Citadel Boss-25 12-ga. Semi-automatic AR-style Shotgun is a 12 gauge semi-auto home-defense or range weapon.  A popular concept in newer model self-defense shotguns is using the modularity and ergonomics of an AR-15 and put that into a semi-auto shotgun. The safety is a manual lever that mimics an AR-style carbine or pistol and the sights are adjustable and offer a Picatinny Rail for an optic or scope. With a 5+1 magazine capacity, it’s good enough for any self-defense situation you’ll ever find yourself in. The Boss 25 features 5 different chokes for added versatility and capability. I have 2 shotguns already, but for a 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun that has the same feel and ergonomics as an AR-15, this is a steal at $474.99. 

Specs
 
Weight8 lbs
Length37.75" 
Barrel Length18.75"
Capacity5+1
LOP14"
Safety

Manual Lever

SightsAdjustable rear sight, fixed front 
MSRP$474.00
 

LSI Citadel Boss-25 AR-style Shotgun

$474.99
at Sportsman’s Guide
Prices accurate at time of writing

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