Best Concealed Carry Pistols Under $300

When it comes to personal safety, your budget shouldn't dictate your level of protection. For those on a budget, there are several concealed carry options that cost less than $300 without sacrificing the essentials: Comfort, reliability, and stopping power. Here are the essentials to have in your concealed carry pistol, and 5 models that fit both your need for self-defense and your need to keep finances under control.

Key Features of the Right Concealed Carry Pistol Under $300

The key to finding an EDC pistol for under $300 is to know which features are absolutely non-negotiable. While some of that will be personal preference, we believe that there are some factors that you simply cannot overlook. These features contribute primarily to the usability and safety of your weapon, ensuring that you can use it successfully anytime you need it.

As long as your pistol has these features, you can confidently spend $300 or less and rest assured that your weapon will serve you well when you need it. Every other feature is just a (usually expensive) bonus. So here are our top five must-have features in your affordable concealed carry pistol.

High-Quality Ergonomics

The way a pistol feels in your hand contributes to how well you use it. Do not sacrifice grip and comfort just to obtain an inexpensive weapon. The best concealed carry pistols under $300 are both budget-friendly and designed for maximum ergonomic fit.

Expect and demand a weapon that fits comfortably in your hand, possesses a comfortable, rugged grip that does not slip, and that is well-balanced and not top heavy. More personal aspects of ergonomics, such as ease of use and trigger feel, should also match your preferences, which means you may want to see and feel the pistol before you purchase it.

Proven Reliability

The one feature every pistol should possess, no matter its price, is the ability to deliver rounds to the target every single time. Make sure your budget-friendly pistol has a track record of reliability, with virtually no malfunctions on its record.

Easy Concealability

If you are going to purchase a pistol for everyday concealed carry, it should be easy to secure under your clothing without significantly altering your style. Look for a pistol under $300 that is small, lightweight, and comfortable to carry without needing to add baggy clothing to your wardrobe.

Stopping Power

A smaller caliber weapon may cost less, but it is also going to have less stopping power than a 9mm or larger pistol. The best concealed carry pistols under $300 have 9mm or larger calibers to help you get reliable stopping power in a crisis.

Safety Features

Never compromise safety just to save on price. The best budget-friendly concealed carry pistols come with safety features as standard, including trigger safeties, manual safeties, and other features to prevent accidental discharge.

The Leaders - 5 Concealed Carry Pistols Under $300

The reality is that most quality pistols are going to cost you more than $300. However, it is still very possible to find a comfortable, reliable and high-quality self-defense weapon for less than $300. You just have to know where to look, which is why we have 5 pistols listed here that we love for their ability to deliver reliable stopping power at a budget-friendly price.

Taurus G2C 9mm

Taurus G2C 9mm

The Taurus G2C 9mm is a compact, semi-automatic pistol with a remarkable balance of size and firepower. Ideal for concealed carry, it still manages to offer a 12+1 capacity and a loaded barrel indicator for added safety. As far as ergonomics, this little gem offers intelligently placed stipling on the grip and deep slide cutouts for maximum comfort, grip, and ease of use. The main concern with this weapon is an excessively long trigger pull. Otherwise, for under $300, there is hardly a gun on the market that is more reliable, comfortable, and concealable than this one.

SCCY CPX-2 9mm

SCCY CPX-2 9mm

Known for its reliability and affordability, the SCCY CPX-2 9mm is a practical, no-frills weapon compact enough to easily carry under your clothing. Weighing in at just 15 ounces unloaded, it is light as a feather if you need to carry it all day, but with 10 + 1 capacity, it has enough ammo power to give you confidence in a crisis. With intuitive controls, rear serrations, and moderate stippling, it is also easy to grip and comfortably ergonomic even for extended training sessions at the range. Just beware that it does not have the same safety features as some other inexpensive pistols. You will have to depend upon the long trigger pull to prevent accidental discharge.

Hi-Point C9 9mm

Hi-Point C9 9mm

The Hi-Point C9 9mm typically costs $200 or less, making it one of the most affordable concealed carry pistols on the market. While you will not get any fancy features in this model, you will find a reliable workhorse weapon that can stop a bad guy at 25 yards every single time. Though average, the sights allow you to improve your accuracy, and reloads quickly. Just beware that at less than $200, this gun will not deliver anything more than acceptable grip or ergonomics.

Kel-Tec P-11 9mm

Kel-Tec P-11 9mm

The Kel-Tec P-11 9mm is one of the most compact 9mm pistols available, and at a sub-$300 price tag, it is also one of the most affordable. Add in the 10 + 1 capacity of this weapon, and you have a high-capacity, concealable way to carry self-defense with you everywhere. This gun will not take out targets at long distances, but you can use it confidently to take down targets as far as a dozen yards, which is all you need for most self-defense situations. Beware that this model has been retired, so it may not be the most available gun to find on the market.

Diamondback DB9

Diamondback DB9

The Diamondback DB9 is a subcompact, budget-friendly, 9mm pistol. Designed with extra stippling for a sure grip, this handgun also boasts good sights, sturdy steel magazine and trigger, and reliable performance. Just beware that this weapon only has a capacity of 6, making it the lowest capacity weapon on our list.

Do you have a favorite concealed carry pistol that comes in under $300? We would love to hear about it, because self-defense should be affordable on every budget! Additionally, don't forget to shop for a high-quality holster to ensure the safe and comfortable carry of your firearm.