Budget CCW guns.

[Iveexcaped3]

I’d also want to give my opinion that “budget” and “ccw” shouldn’t be in the same sentence. If it’s for personal safety, price point should be the last check box

I agree....

Everybody has a budget.

He asked for a $500 price point, and there are plenty of pistols that are very reliable in that price range.....  a bunch of them listed here.

I don’t disagree with you, there are many in his range but budget shouldn’t be a factor when looking for a ccw. The feel in the hand, controllable recoil, sights, accessories. You shouldn’t settle because of a budget, that’s what you do with plinking firearms not one that your life might depend on in a matter of a split second.

I had a similar budget when I went looking, best thing I did was go to a range and try them out. The sig ticked all my boxes except the $. I waited another month and put away the money I needed for the firearm that felt most natural in my hand.

[thinkingman]

Something to consider is whether you'll end up carrying it. I won an XD .45 at a RMEF dinner one year. It was my only handgun. I got my CPL and started carrying it. Concealed, it was like carrying a baby around stuffed inside the side of my pants. You could easily see the bulge and it was heavy. I got a shoulder holster. But then the weather got nicer. So that was out. I specifically got the Ruger because I could have concealed protection every time I went out the door with something I could shoot accurately at close range. If it's hard to carry it, you won't. Get something that's Light, comfortable, and easy to shoot well.

Very true words. Been the same route.  Love my Sig 365.  Easy to conceal and carry. But the wife's LC9S is even easier

Ditto.
See my comments re Kahr vs Sig.

[ASHQUACK]

I know you didn't ask but I have a Glock 43x unfired that'd I'd be interested in selling and it comes in under your price point. It also comes with a cc holster. I bought it and carry my xds in .40 so it just sits in it's plastic case in the safe.

[jackelope]

Surprised nobody’s mentioned the  Hellcat. I love mine.

[Dan-o]

Surprised nobody’s mentioned the  Hellcat. I love mine.

Wake up, Josh!

I mentioned the Hellcat.
I've heard nothing but good about them.   Great capacity in a small frame.   
It was on my very short list of finalists.   I just didn't shoot it well.

[syoungs]

I know you didn't ask but I have a Glock 43x unfired that'd I'd be interested in selling and it comes in under your price point. It also comes with a cc holster. I bought it and carry my xds in .40 so it just sits in it's plastic case in the safe.

Ill send you a pm.

[syoungs]

Something to consider is whether you'll end up carrying it. I won an XD .45 at a RMEF dinner one year. It was my only handgun. I got my CPL and started carrying it. Concealed, it was like carrying a baby around stuffed inside the side of my pants. You could easily see the bulge and it was heavy. I got a shoulder holster. But then the weather got nicer. So that was out. I specifically got the Ruger because I could have concealed protection every time I went out the door with something I could shoot accurately at close range. If it's hard to carry it, you won't. Get something that's Light, comfortable, and easy to shoot well.

Very true words. Been the same route.  Love my Sig 365.  Easy to conceal and carry. But the wife's LC9S is even easier

This is why I'm on the hunt. 90% of the time I leave the gun at home when I'm running around town, cause its just a pain to conceal a full size pistol. I've been procrastinating on the purchase for a bit now, but with the fred meyer shooting in my back yard, along with a couple others the past few years its time to just do it.

[ghosthunter]

I went through all this years ago. Carried a 9 mm for a long time 
. But hiding it was a pain.

I got a LCP with a cross breed pocket pistol holster. Very comfortable and carry every day. If I am going deeper for longer I slip in a double shoulder holster with a Bond Hand Cannon in each arm pit. Plus the LCP.

Whatever you get if it’s too big or to hard to hide you will start leaving it home and that defeats the purpose. Go small, than smaller.

[bigdub257]

I recently decided to CC more often and picked up an Aliengear ankle holster.  I was very surprised how comfortable it is.  I can have it on under regular fitting jeans and it's not noticeable.  I've had a Ruger LCP for several years and that's what I'm using for now, but will probably move up to a 9mm.
Some great info on this thread!

[jdb]

I alternate between an lcp and s&w 442. I’ve been in the boat where I had A very limited budget for cc and I opted for a Taurus 85. I wouldn’t hesitate to go that route again.

[Cougartail]

I know it isnt very manly but a 38 revolver with a speedloader is my daily carry. The little Tauras ultralite's are reliable and easy to carry.

[Iveexcaped3]

I know it isnt very manly but a 38 revolver with a speedloader is my daily carry. The little Tauras ultralite's are reliable and easy to carry.

It’s always manly to not leave casings behind 

[Cougartail]

 

I know it isnt very manly but a 38 revolver with a speedloader is my daily carry. The little Tauras ultralite's are reliable and easy to carry.

It’s always manly to not leave casings behind 

[jrebel]

Revolvers always go boom when you pull the trigger.  Only down side is the 5-6 round capacity.  My daily carry is a 5 round revolver....and I am deadly accurate with it at self defense ranges.   

[NRA4LIFE]

Revolvers always go boom when you pull the trigger.  Only down side is the 5-6 round capacity.  My daily carry is a 5 round revolver....and I am deadly accurate with it at self defense ranges.   

That!