Best Poverty Budget 9mm Pistol (Page 1 of 3)
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Posted: 3/2/2026 12:26:21 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Team_Independent][Edited]
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I have a really hard time saving up enough money to buy anything that's actually really good. Once I get to like $300, I get super antsy and my money starts burning a white hot hole in my pocket. I get to a couple hundred, sometimes only to like $50, and immediately start looking to spend it on stuff. Usually parts, accessories/upgrades, even knives and dumb edc collectibles. I'm currently up to about $250 and I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I've managed to make it to $600 a few times and $750 once, but I don't think I can do that again. So with that in mind; what is the absolute best 9mm budget banger for under $500? Now I would like to go as cheap as possible, because that's just how I am. And if my momma and my wife couldn't change me, you won't either. I know I can get a Sar9x for $250 and I'm ready to bite, but I don't want to. Right now, as I see it, my legit 9mm EDC options are: CZ: P10 Glock: 43 FN: Reflex , 309 Beretta: APX Sar9 Canik: TP9 , Mete S&W: SD , Shield , Bodyguard Springfield: XD Taurus: G , TH , TX Ruger: RXM , Security PSA: Dagger What's the best option available, or did I miss the correct one? |
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Out of your list I'd go P10C if you can get one that cheap. It's a great quality pistol, just adopted by the German military. SD9 is a decent quality pistol as well, quite mature in design now. I own both, but don't find the SD9 as accurate and easy to shoot as the P10C (both before and after aftermarket trigger upgrades in both). Both will be very durable and reliable though. Of course the G43 and Shield are also good choices if a micro compact CCW is what you want. It will not be as easy to shoot or as controllable as the other two of course but a lot easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry. That's apples to strawberries comparison. Both are good but what do you want full size or micro compact? I never liked the G43 myself (pure personal preference) but I carried a gen 1 S&W Shield 9mm for more than a decade. They (I own multiple copies) have always been old reliable and very accurate. I don't remember even experiencing any malfunctions at all. I was always impressed with how easy it is to shoot quickly and accurately compared to other micro compact guns I've tried (including the G43 which I tested back to back with the Gen 1 Shield). I have no experience with the newer gen Shields, but I'd imagine they are just as good or better. The Turkish guns and the PSA guns are fun to shoot and great range toys, but I would not bet my life on one. But that's up to you of course. I have no experience with any of the others in the list. |
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Taurus G3C. Takes Glock sights, SIG P226 mags so you can get a 20 round mag and use that in a SUB 2000. Trigger better than the 2C. An ARFCOMer used a 2C or 3C in a defensive shooting, worked fine. HiPoint, but you'll have to buy suspenders or a shoulder holster. 3-D printer and then you can print Glocks and Glock mags to your heart's content. ETA: If you're spending Dagger money than a Glurk 19 will suit, Muslim child labor is cheaper than Carolina child labor. |
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Originally Posted By dmk0210: Out of your list I'd go P10C if you can get one that cheap. It's a great quality pistol, just adopted by the German military. SD9 is a decent quality pistol as well, quite mature in design now. I own both, but don't find the SD9 as accurate and easy to shoot as the P10C (both before and after aftermarket trigger upgrades in both). Both will be very durable and reliable though. Of course the G43 and Shield are also good choices if a micro compact CCW is what you want. It will not be as easy to shoot or as controllable as the other two of course but a lot easier to conceal and more comfortable to carry. That's apples to strawberries comparison. Both are good but what do you want full size or micro compact? I never liked the G43 myself (pure personal preference) but I carried a gen 1 S&W Shield 9mm for more than a decade. They (I own multiple copies) have always been old reliable and very accurate. I don't remember even experiencing any malfunctions at all. I was always impressed with how easy it is to shoot quickly and accurately compared to other micro compact guns I've tried (including the G43 which I tested back to back with the G3en 1 Shield). I have no experience with the newer gen Shields, but I'd imagine they are just as good or better. The Turkish guns and the PSA guns are fun to shoot and great range toys, but I would not bet my life on one. But that's up to you of course. I have no experience with any of the others in the list. 
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| Nothing wrong with most of those choices. Go to a gun store and put them in your hands. I'm sure one or two will stand out as fitting your hand like a glove. PSA runs stupid sales on a lot of those. |
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I'd vote for the XD if you want a 4.0" slide on a full size grip. If you want a true full size or true compact, I guess the P10f or P10c. Immediately remove the Taurus's. Just because they seem to be improving doesn't mean I personally would trust them as much as handguns in use by European militaries like the XD or P10. |
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Of those options... CZ P10C, G43, S&W Shield, RXM, and Canik are the ones I have experience with. Caniks are absolutely slept-on and deserve a close look. Police trade in Glocks and M&Ps turn up for around $300 from time to time on places like AIM Surplus... Check pawn shops, too. I've found a couple gems (Glock 30S, M&P45 2.0, S&W Model 49) for under $400 before. |
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Originally Posted By emmetf: Used or police trade-in Glock 19. Generation doesn't matter. If you're determined to buy something new, anything you listed previously will work. The Sarsilmaz SAR 9 in particular is a great shooting handgun, might consider one of those. I'm still beating the crap out of one of these, and so far I'm impressed. Great shooting gun, just need to confirm it is reliable enough. Outside of that, CZ P10C |
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Another vote for the Taurus G2C. I'm 5000 rounds into mine with zero malfunctions, except for some Remington exposed lead RN ammo. Replaced the trigger with a keeptinkering non trigger safety. (Frame safety suffices). Fiber optic sights, stainless striker sleeve, and stainless recoil assembly from LakelineLLC. All in, I'm at $310. Very accurate and 100% reliable. Plus it has a tactile loaded chamber indicator. and a restrike function. Helluva lot of gun for the money. My Sigs, CZs, 1911s, Rutgers, 3rd Gen S&Ws are languishing in the safe. Had a customer come in to the range and offer me another one for $100. Bought it and tossed it in the bottom of the safe with a duplicate of the above pistol just because you NEVER pass up a $100 pistol unless it's a hipoint, sccy, etc. |
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If you need more than 8 rounds in a 1911 to solve your problem, you need friends with rifles.
I don't need your PERMISSION in order to voice my OPINION
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Originally Posted By d4xycrq: Keep an eye out for a Police Trade In Glock. This. Mine was $350. Like new on the inside.  DSC_5533_G19-Osprey3 by FredMan, on Flickr |
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If you are looking for new PSA currently has a Glock 43x for $449 plus shipping and taxes. Better for overall use than a G43 imho. Deep conceal the G43. LEO trade in Glocks are usually a good value, the 9mms are harder to find than the 40S&W version and get snapped up. Aim Surplus currently has all kinds of LEO trade-in 9mm Glocks under your $600 budget, from G43 to G17. |
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OP, it helps if you quote the post you're replying to, instead of randomly replying in the thread. Out of that list, I've had about everything at least once; I think it would be the RXM for me because 1) I haven't owned one yet 2) I don't care for Glock ergos very much 3) decent optic cut 4) replaceable frame. |
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Originally Posted By Team_Independent: I have a really hard time saving up enough money to buy anything that's actually really good. Once I get to like $300, I get super antsy and my money starts burning a white hot hole in my pocket. I get to a couple hundred, sometimes only to like $50, and immediately start looking to spend it on stuff. Usually parts, accessories/upgrades, even knives and dumb edc collectibles. I'm currently up to about $250 and I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I've managed to make it to $600 a few times and $750 once, but I don't think I can do that again. So with that in mind; what is the absolute best 9mm budget banger for under $500? Now I would like to go as cheap as possible, because that's just how I am. And if my momma and my wife couldn't change me, you won't either. I know I can get a Sar9x for $250 and I'm ready to bite, but I don't want to. Right now, as I see it, my legit 9mm EDC options are: CZ: P10 Glock: 43 FN: Reflex , 309 Beretta: APX Sar9 Canik: TP9 , Mete S&W: SD , Shield , Bodyguard Springfield: XD Taurus: G , TH , TX Ruger: RXM , Security PSA: Dagger What's the best option available, or did I miss the correct one? I would absolutely pass on anything used unless you know what you're doing. Used guns can get expensive fast. My suggestion would be to go to a range that rents guns and try a few out. It could give you a better idea of what you want. |
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Originally Posted By Team_Independent: What is it about the RXM that stands out to you? To me, it just kinda feels like a Glock clone, but without the reputation. It is a Glock clone with a subtly better grip. The module allows for all kinds of lego like stuff if you're so inclined. I have one and honestly like it better than my Glocks. |
| Like others have said, for a gun that can grow with you and your needs, the Ruger RXM or a Sig P365XL would be my choice. Both have options I wish more manufacturers would get in on. With either of these two guns, you can design the best gun for you. The RXM has an advantage due to it's ability to use some Glock parts and mags. |
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Originally Posted By EncoreGolf: Rost Martin is a licensed clone of the Arex Delta M Originally Posted By EncoreGolf: Originally Posted By SquatchAv8: Rost Martin RM1C or RM1S (ported models also) SAR9 Taurus GX4 or GX4 Carry (G2/G3 as well) Tisas PX-9 Duty or PX-9 Carry PSA Micro Dagger C-1 XDM Elite 3.8 at PSA XD Mod 3 Rost Martin is a licensed clone of the Arex Delta M I own both the RM and Arex Delta M. |
 Gun Tests Magazine Top 5 Budget 9mm Pistols for 2026 They mention the Taurus G3X and the Ruger RXM - but not PSA's Dagger, which I found odd. |
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For an all steel service pistol size 9mm, look at the Sarsilmaz SAR 2000. Forged and CNC machined slide and frame, and hammer forged barrel. In Black you can find them for Under $400 if you shop, around $480 in stainless steel. This is arguably the best CZ-75 clone. This is a lifetime gun that will last. 
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