Editorial: Budget Guns and Price Changes

Affordable. For many, guns have become less so. Built into the price is the cost of manufacturing, overhead, materials, labor and, of course, profit. Other influences include consumer demand and the effects of increased inflation, just as they always have.

Fifty years ago, the average U.S. household income was $13,720. In 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that it was $75,580 for a two-income household, an increase of 81.85 percent. According to the 1975 Guns & Ammo Annual, the average price of a double-action revolver was $109.77, and $207.52 for a semiautomatic pistol. In 2025, the retail price of a new revolver averages $918.54, and semiautomatic pistols average $839 including tactical firearms, competition pistols, carry pieces and rimfires. Since 1975, the price of revolvers has increased 88.05 percent, and 75.26 percent for pistols. These numbers are in line with the rate of inflation. A point of consideration, though, is that there were 138 new double-action revolvers and 80 semiautomatic pistols introduced in 1975. If a person had $31,750.23, he could have purchased a sample of each new handgun that year. In contrast, there are hundreds of new models and line extensions for ’25.

The term “budget gun” is often used to describe a low-cost firearm, usually minimalistic in its features or from a particular brand with a storied legacy of producing the most affordable options underneath the counter. However, with so many choices and opinions available, prospective buyers are more willing to spend more to avoid disappointment. Hence the cliché, “Buy once, cry once.” The next question is, “How low are you willing to go?”

Following a survey of new handguns offered in 2025, I noticed that the lowest-priced handguns from many popular brands were not among the list of sub-$ 400 budget guns. The most attainable pistols from Springfield Armory, for example, are 3-and 4-inch XD models, and an XD-S with a 3.3-inch barrel for $440. The most affordable Mossberg is the MC1sc at $435. The basic Rossi RP63 revolver starts at $469.99, and the Kahr CW380 and CT380 retail for $457.

I managed to identify 59 primary models from the hundreds of new handguns that cost between $400 and $500, not including taxes or fees. There are less than 30 handguns between $300 and $400. Pistols retailing for less than $300 are few. The list does not factor used guns, of course, or those that have been discounted or sold with a rebate. What led me to go down this multi-day research rabbit hole? In 2024, Guns & Ammo published 664 editorial pages of reviews featuring new firearms, optics, ammunition and accessories. A subscriber bemoaned, “Where are the articles on sub-$ 300 guns?” To address his question, I needed to revisit the articles that were published and survey the market. G&A reviewed most of what was offered, but everything is more expensive. The days of plentiful sub-$ 300 guns, simply put, are gone.

To err is human — and I am human. Let us know if I’ve overlooked a make or model of budget gun! G&A will continue to include affordable firearms as part of the editorial lineup in 2025, but don’t hesitate to recommend a review. Email gaeditor@outdoorsg.com. 

Some Guns Under $300

• Altor Arms 9mm/.380 ($129) 
• Bond Arms Roughneck .38 to .45 ($277)
• Bond Arms Rowdy .45 Colt/.410 ($299)
• Cobra Firearms Freedom FS .380 ($145)
• Heritage Barkeep .22 ($165.99)
• Heritage Rough Rider .22 ($207.99)
• Hi-Point C9 9mm ($209)
• Hi-Point CF 380 .380 ($196)
• Hi-Point JXP10 10mm ($225)
• Hi-Point YC9 9mm ($229)
• KelTec P17 Compact ($220)
• North American Arms .22 ($250)
• Rock Island Armory LI380 .380 ($299)
• RIA M200 .38 ($249)/M206 .38 ($259)
• Ruger Wrangler .22 ($269)
• SCCY CPX-1 Gen3 9mm ($249.99)
• Trailblazer LifeCard .22 ($299)
• Walther P22Q .22 ($299)

See additional budget gun listings here.

We’ve had a few letters on this editorial, so I realize in hindsight that I should have been clearer. The math we used (*I had help*) took the prices and income based in 1975 and adjusted the figures for December 2024 inflation rates using an inflation calculator online for convenience. We then calculated the increase in prices for the entire 1975 catalog of revolvers and semiautomatics (separately) and converted the results to the published percentages. -E.Poole

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