10 Underrated & Affordable Handguns

With so many handguns on the market today, it can be difficult to wade through all the choices. Top sellers like the Glock 19 and SIG P365 get a lot of well-deserved praise, but many of the lesser-known picks are worth another look. We’ve listed the top 10 underrated and affordable handguns to help you find a hidden gem.

Top 10 Underrated Handguns

Beretta PX4 Storm
Rost Martin RM1C
Taurus G3c
KelTec P15
Girsan Regard MC X
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus
Walther PPS
CZ P-10
Taurus 650
Canik TP9 Elite SC

Beretta PX4 Storm

The most unique looking on our list is the Beretta PX4 Storm. It comes in Full-Size, Compact, and Compact Carry models. This reliable, well-built 9mm polymer pistol features a DA/SA trigger, rotating barrel system, accessory rail, and extended magazine release. Given the number of desirable features, the PX4 Storm is a steal at an affordable price.

Rost Martin RM1C

This striker-fired 9mm features a polymer frame with a metal slide and barrel and is similar in size to a Glock 19. The Rost Martin RM1C sports an RMR-pattern optics cut and is fitted with a Viridian green dot sight. The handgun feeds from flush-fit 15-round or extended 17-round mags, is American-made, and won't ruin your budget.

Review: Rost Martin RM1C 9mm Compact Pistol After 18 Months & 1,500 Rounds

Taurus G3c

Taurus proves you don’t have to trade features for savings with the G3c. This compact version of the standard G3 uses a double-stack 9mm 12-round magazine and has a manual safety lever and memory pads on the frame for indexing. The G3c is functional and reliable, considering the affordable price, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

KelTec P15

KelTec says its P15 is “the lightest, thinnest double-stack 9mm handgun on the market,” and considering that it weighs less than a SIG P365, that might be right. Featuring a grip safety that can be turned on and off, night sights, and different-sized backstraps, KelTec delivers on value. The P15 is lightweight and easy to carry with a budget-friendly price.

Girsan Regard MC X

The Girsan Regard MC X is the most aesthetically pleasing handgun on our list. This DA/SA 9mm pistol comes with a threaded spiral-fluted barrel, steel sights, and an accessory rail. If it looks familiar, that’s because it’s a Beretta 92 clone. The major difference is the price, and the Regard MC X will run you about half as much as a similarly outfitted Beretta.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus

The Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield Plus has been one of our go-to EDC guns since its release a few years ago. With a 3.1-inch barrel, the Shield Plus tips the scales at a convenient 1.2 pounds. This micro-compact packs a 12+1 capacity and comes in optics-ready versions to fill all your carry needs.

500+ Rounds Later: The S&W Shield Plus Continues to Impress

Walther PPS M2

The Walther PPS M2 is a good-looking, slim sub-compact that’s an ideal EDC choice for summer carry or smaller folks. It features the usual fantastic ergonomics that Walther is known for, comes red-dot ready, and has easy-to-use controls. Even after adding an optic, the PPS M2 still comes in at an affordable price for such a reliable pistol.

CZ P-10

While CZ is most praised for its fantastic metal hammer-fired pistols like the CZ 75, the P-10 lineup deserves a lot of love, too. The P-10 F (full-size), P-10 C (compact), and P-10 S (sub-compact) are polymer-framed striker-fired 9mm pistols built with the quality and care that CZ fans expect. All told, the P-10 lineup is a shootable, reliable, accurate, and affordable option with a just-right size for any shooter.

Taurus 650

After sidelining the design for about eight years, Taurus brought back the classic Model 650 in 2025. This .357 Magnum snub-nosed five-shot double-action-only revolver is worth a second look. It’s back with all the previous features that wheel-gunners came to love, such as fixed sights, soft rubber boot grips, and a choice of stainless steel or matte black finish. This simple and reliable wheel gun comes with an reasonable price, too.

Canik TP9 Elite SC

More popular brands often overshadow Turkish-made Canik, but the TP9 Elite SC deserves some praise. It’s a well-made and budget-friendly 9mm pistol with good features for the price. Ambi extended slide releases, reversible magazine release, front and rear slide serrations, to name a few, and it’s direct-mount optics ready. The TP9 Elite SC is affordable and ready to use right out of the box.