U.S.A. – We all like to shoot, but sometimes the budget will not allow people to get that new HK or that Daniel Defense. After almost every day of getting the same question about what is the best budget firearm on the market, I decided to go on a quest to find the best budget pistol, revolver, bolt action rifle, modern sporting rifle, and shotgun.

Let me stress, these are just my opinions. There plenty of excellent budget firearms on the market. These are the ones that work for me. What feels good for one person, might not feel good for the next. I encourage everyone to go to their local gun store to try a gun out before buying one.

Best Budget Pistol: SCCY CPX-1/2

SCCY (pronounced sky) produces the 9mm CPX pistols in Daytona Beach, Florida. SCCY designed their hammered fired guns to be concealed carried by the user. The size will be similar to people who have carried a Glock 26.

The only difference between the CPX-1 and the CPX-2 is that SCCY designed the CPX-1 with a safety and the CPX-2 without one. Other than that difference both guns are identical. Neither is better than the other. It comes down to the shooters personal opinion on having a safety. I am of the mindset that I don't want a safety on my carry pistol because it would just be one more thing to think about.

The SCCY pistols hold ten rounds and come with two magazines. The magazines come with both flat base plates and base plates with pinky extensions. I can conceal the SCCY pistol easily with both types of base plates.

The big drawback an SCCY pistol is the trigger. The trigger weight comes in at nine pounds. The gun has a very long trigger pull, and the trigger reset is just as long. There is a lot of over travel.

The SCCY CPX line does go bang every time which is the most critical thing in a concealed carry pistol. I have put a few 1000 rounds of ammo of all types through my gun and haven't had any issues. The gun is also accurate for a subcompact.

SCCY makes the CPX series in multiple colors and always seems to be adding more. These colors range from black to Tiffany blue. They also offer a CPX-3 chambered in .380ACP.

Pros: Wide variety of colors, Reliable, Very concealable, Holds ten rounds, Accurate.
Cons: Long trigger pull, Heavy trigger, Long reset

CPX-1 MSRP: $284.99 – Store Price: $240
CPX-2 MSRP: $269.99 – Store Price: $225

Honorable Mention: Smith and Wesson SD9

Best Budget Revolver: EAA Windicator

EAA Windicator

The EAA Windicator (pronounced Vindicator) is a six-shot German-built revolver. There are several different models of the revolver, but they all are double action/single action wheel guns chambered in either .357 Mag or .38 Spl.