Updated 9.22.23: New models added.
One of the most important things when learning about guns is getting your hands on one to practice.
Collecting guns is just like any other hobby; folks can get way too into it.
Sometimes when those people give recommendations, they end up giving you all kinds of specs and models — and it can be a lot to take in.
Getting bogged down by a billion recommendations and technical jargon can make it hard for newer gun owners or people looking to get their first gun to get into collecting and shooting.
Everyone has to start somewhere.
So let’s take a look at some guns out there for anyone looking to get started or just dip their toes into the wide world of firearms without spending a bunch of money in the process.
Whether it’s your first gun or your 50th, all of these are excellent choices and will serve you well. So, keep reading!
Summary of Our Top Picks
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Best Budget ShotgunThe Maverick 88 is a time-proven platform at a steal of a price.
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Best Budget PlinkerThe Ruger 10/22 is pretty cheap, and the ammo is too. If you are trying to have fun on a budget, this gun is hard to beat.
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Best Budget AR-15Palmetto State Armory Blem PA-15 16” M-LOK Carbine
PSA is one of the best bang for the buck AR-15 rifles on the market today. They produce a ton of guns in a ton of configurations, so there is likely one out there that is just right for you.
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Best Overall Beginner GunThe combination of reliability, availability, aftermarket, and ease of use make the Glock 19 one of the most commonplace and popular pistols worldwide.
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Why You Should Trust Us
Before becoming an NRA-certified instructor and concealed carry trainer out of Florida, I was a Marine infantryman. So, I know my way around guns.
Today, I use my knowledge to test and review guns for several publications, including Pew Pew Tactical.
At my home range, I spend countless hours analyzing, researching, and putting guns and gear to the test to bring you the best recommendations and most accurate reviews.
I, alongside the rest of PPT, also appreciate a good value and I’m here to give you some quality goods and reasonable prices.
Best Budget Shotguns for New Shooters
A good place to start your collection is with a shotgun. When it comes to versatility, shotguns arguably cover the most uses.
You can use it for everything from home defense, to competition, to hunting. A solid 12-gauge shotgun can take out anything from a clay pigeon up to a grizzly bear with the right ammo.
Some common shotguns allow you to swap the barrel with minimal effort, allowing you to use different ammo types more effectively and ensure the gun is suited to your needs.
Many shotguns also have interchangeable choke tubes, which screw into the end of the barrel and change the effective spread of the shotgun at distance.
1. Mossberg Maverick Model 88
The Mossberg Maverick 88 sets a high bar for budget shotguns. It is a stripped-down version of the legendary Mossberg 500 with some slight ergonomic changes to make the platform a little more affordable.
The Maverick is a simple, pump-action shotgun with a stock standard magazine tube design.
There are a few variations, including Security and Field models, designs with longer tubes and barrels, and pistol grip-only models.
When it comes to budget guns, reliability can sometimes be hit or miss. With the Maverick 88, this is not an issue at all, as it utilizes one of the most time-proven designs coupled with the reliability of a manual pump action.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Just about any big box store in the United States likely carries the Maverick 88 at a price of around $200-250.
Not a bad deal for a crazy reliable platform that packs a major punch. In fact, the Mossberg Maverick 88 is easily the best low-priced home defense weapon out there.
2. Benelli Nova
For those of you who have heard of Benelli, it might be shocking to see one of their guns on a best-of-budget gun list. Don’t be fooled, though; Benelli managed to uphold their reputation for quality and reliability in a shotgun that comes in at $400 or less.
The Benelli Nova is everything you’d expect from a top-notch Italian manufacturer.
Its rotating bolt, coupled with a pump action grip that is set farther back than most of its competitors, makes this pump action slick, fast, and easy to operate.
Like the Maverick, it is available in various barrel lengths and configurations depending on what you want to do with it.
The only real drawbacks to the Nova are the lack of interchangeable stocks and furniture and extra barrels costing more than those of the Maverick 88.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Best Budget Rifles for New Shooters
Rifles are a bit different than shotguns and less versatile. You’re more limited by the ammunition the gun is chambered in and what you can do with it.
If you have a 22 rifle, you’re not going to be hunting deer — If you have a .308 rifle, you’re not going to be hunting squirrels.
Because of this, many people opt to get multiple rifles in different calibers to cover all their bases. However, if you are just starting, it is best to pick the one you will get the most use out of.
If you aren’t sure what you need, check out our rifle caliber guide.
You can also check out our best beginner hunting rifle recommendations if that’s what you’re looking to get into. And if you’re looking for something specifically to take to the range, give our best precision rifles guide a look.
3. Ruger 10/22
The Ruger 10/22 is one of the best all-around .22 LR rifles on the market, so you’ll see it everywhere. It is reliable, easy to shoot, and semi-automatic, all of which make shooting this gun a fun time.
There are numerous versions, so you can find one to fit your specific needs.
For example, they have a competition version with a sweet-looking barrel, a takedown version (this separates into two pieces and fits in a bag for easy carrying), a standard carbine, and more.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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One of the nicest things about the 10/22 is the number of accessories and awesome mods available for it.
These guns enjoy some of the widest aftermarkets of any firearms ever made, so if you want something for it, they probably make it.
Most of the Ruger 10/22 rifles are in the $250-$400 range; it really just depends on how tacti-cool you want to be.
4. Savage Axis II
Low price and high performance should be the tagline of the Axis rifles from Savage. The Axis II boasts stellar accuracy while being easy on the wallet.
It offers standard rifles, compact sizes, left-handed versions, and slightly more feature-filled variants at slightly higher prices. Savage also chambers the rifle in tons of different calibers.
You can get a little bit of everything with the Axis. With the basic models, you get a simple but reliable and very accurate platform. There isn’t much modularity inherently, but companies like Magpul produce stocks and accessories to get you going.
Key features include Savage’s excellent Accu-Trigger, button-rifled barrels, and a newer redesigned stock. The trigger alone is worth the price of admission and is sure to help reinforce good shooting fundamentals.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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The Axis series rifles are perfect for the new hunter or new rifle owner seeking something affordable, reliable, and easy to shoot.
Sure, they aren’t long-range precision rifles, but for 99% of shooters, they are more than enough gun.
Best Budget AR-15s for New Shooters
An AR-15-style rifle is another good choice. As you might already know, they are extremely easy to accessorize to your liking. You can build one by buying the parts separately and assembling it yourself, but many choose to buy one that’s premade.
With the AR platform, it’s really easy to get into the $1,000 to $3,000 range when you’re building a gun, but luckily, there are some cost-effective choices for those still looking for a quality rifle.
When you are buying a pre-assembled AR, the rifles around the $700 range will have roughly the same features, components, and specs.
Because they are all pretty similar, I’m going to list off a few common, reliable, respectable first choices for an AR platform rifle.
If you want more info, be sure to check out our popular AR-15 Buyers Guide.
5. Sig Sauer M400 Tread
Sig isn’t exactly known for its budget-friendly firearms, but the company took aim at new AR owners with the Sig M400 Tread series.
Budget is relative, and the M400 Tread wears a price tag approaching $850, but I consider it budget-friendly cause you get more than $850 worth of rifle.
The M400 Tread series is your basic AR-15 carbine outfitted with numerous features you won’t find on bare-bones ARs. This includes the free-floating, M-LOK handguard for all the goodies you could ever want to attach.
The barrel is 416R stainless steel, and the rifle uses a mid-length gas system. At the end sits a 3-prong flash hider to keep things comfy.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Shooters get ambidextrous magazine releases, an oversized bolt release, and an ambi safety. On top of that, a built-in quick-detach mount allows for an easy attachment of a sling. Sig tossed on a Magpul SL-K stock, and it is just wonderful.
The company built the M400 Tread series rifles to be out of the box ready for any task — and did so without breaking the bank.
6. Palmetto State Armory PA-15
When it comes to budget AR-15s, Palmetto State Armory is the king of them all. Rarely will you find any new AR-15 priced lower than a PSA, and if you do, they won’t always be as reliable.
While they may not be the finest velvet-lined guns out there, Palmetto State AR-15s have been reliable in our testing and represent one of the best bangs for your buck.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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Not to mention, they have a ton of options to boot.
PSA also makes an extensive line of complete uppers and complete rifles in a range of calibers, including 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Win, 6.8 SPC, 9mm, and several others.
We’ve hands-on reviewed 3 of their AR-15s, their AR-10 in .308, their AR-15 upper in .224 Valkyrie, and their 9mm PX9 PCC. All of them have been excellent!
Best Handguns for New Shooters
Picking your first handgun is a challenge, whether you’re a new shooter or you’ve just only owned long guns before. Some guns just feel better in your hand than others, some sights are easier to use, and some may have controls that you can reach better.
I’d recommend shooting several different brands and sizes before you buy if you can. Many gun ranges rent guns, so you can try a few out before you commit to one.
If you aren’t able to shoot them beforehand, going to a gun store and at least handling them and feeling them can still help you make the right decision.
7. Glock 19
The Glock 19 is ubiquitous — it is found everywhere around the globe in the hands of military, police, and civilians alike.
Many would argue that this gun is the gold standard by which all other handguns are judged, and at the end of the day, it is hard to disagree.
It is a compact design that fits in the average person’s hand nicely. It’s also small enough to use as a concealed carry weapon but large enough to use as a duty weapon.
It has a capacity of 15 rounds of 9mm and boasts the absolute largest aftermarket of any handgun known to man.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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While the Glock will hold more ammo than many CCW guns, they are thicker and heavier than other similarly sized single-stack competitors.
But what you get in return is one of the most reliable handguns ever made that can be used in multiple roles very well. Check out our review for even more deets.
What’s your take on the Glock 19 for new shooters? Rate it below.
8. Taurus GX4
After changing leadership a few years back, Taurus has focused on increasing the quality of its firearms to provide affordable and reliable guns to the average consumer — and the GX4 does just that.
Coming in at typically between $230-$300, the GX4 lowers the bar of entry into the world of micro-compact pistols.
These micro-compact pistols are typically small frame firearms, roughly an inch wide, that hold 10 rounds of 9mm or more. They give you much of the capacity of a larger gun but in a much smaller and easier-to-conceal package.
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Prices accurate at time of writing
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So what does this mean? It means if you are looking for something to carry, the GX4 is worth looking at. It has an excellent trigger, superb ergonomics, shoots well, and is easy on the wallet.
Looking for more? Check out our Best Beginner Handguns for Self Defense.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have a few choices to start your gun collection, it’s time to figure out which one to get first. Decide what you want to do with the gun, then decide your budget, and do any extra research you need.
If you’re on a budget, we totally understand; but always remember, training is key. Be sure to practice and budget for ammo and range time so that you can make the most out of the guns you buy.
What do you think your first purchase will be? Do you know a good first gun that we left out? Let us know in the comments below! If you are completely new to shooting, you can check out our beginner handgun course, Gun Noob to Gun Slinger.
59 Leave a Reply
I can't agree with the Glocks or any "trigger safety" style gun for a beginner. Not having an "on purpose" safety for a beginner is asking for trouble. And I own a G45 so it's not that I don't like Glocks. It's hard for a beginner to keep their finger off the trigger until they need to shoot, which means the safety will do nothing for them. Just watch how many beginners at a gun store hold a gun. Yikes! After someone becomes proficient (i.e. take a class) and shoots for a while, then I'd say a Glock is good.
I would have started with the Beretta APX (at least with the 299 sale going on) or the canik elite at 389 on a regular basis, that has built in upgrades that the Glock doesn't have, as basic carry/practice ballistic tools. These are reliable and military proven in their respective areas. The reliability of the glock is unquestioned, however, the grip angle is easier on pistols that have gotten away from Glocks awkward angle you have to train out of (and yes, every tool requires training).
How about a review of budget guns an average woman can handle that would take male attackers on drugs down?
Go to the search box at the top right of this window, and type the word "women" (without the quotes), and hit ENTER. You will find lots of excellent articles written by women for women on many different topics of interest to you, including the topic you asked about.
In fact, the editor-in-chief of this web site is a woman (Jacki Billings).
In my time as an RSO, I have seen many beginner shooters struggle with 9mm as their first firearm. It's easy to get bad habits and be unfamiliar with the fundamentals. A 22lr handgun gives someone time to develop properly before they move on.
Yeah, when your scope is as big as your AR, you might want to rethink your priorities.
Why isn't the Tisas line of budget 1911s (by your own 400.00 standard ) in the running? I have the Tisas carry model. Great gun for the 359.00 I paid for it.
Just how much money do you get from Glock? Or are you just a fanboy?
Ruger Max 9 will cost you around $350 plus tax. It has great sights, it shoots great, and it has a 12+1 capacity.
If that is too expensive, then try the Ruger EC9S - around $250 plus tax. Very reliable, very thin (great for pocket carry). You can put some white paint on the front sight to improve the very rudimentary sights.
Being that I live in New York state I'm looking more and more at the hi point c9. I know...it's not the best handgun but I work full time and like everyone these days fund's are tight. Being an army vet I know first hand how important training is and from what I have gathered from various videos on YouTube...the hi point is a training forward handgun. The more you train with it the easier you become e using it. I understand the glock 19 is somewhat of a king but all of seem to forget one critical piece of data....not everyone can have 15rds. While I would love it I'm not dropping 400-500 dollars on a gun then have to search for 10rd mags. To me 8 is enough to protect me and my family. Not to sound like a broken record but the warranty is a big selling point to me. That gives piece of mind. So to each their own but one thing I have heard which I fully believe is: the second amendment is not limited to one's budget.
Just a couple thoughts for beginner guns. 1. EXTAR EP9. Budget PDW $450.00 shoots like a dream, at least mine does and I have not heard of a bad review. Small, light weight fun gun but has value for home defense. 2. IWI Zion 15, $800.00 AR 15 but shoots like ARs twice the price. Well built and reliable. Best of all both are US made (though IWI is foreign owned)
Glock 19 a Budget First Pistol? Hardly. I'm not a Gl9ck fan of because the triggers are the suckiest pieces of crap on the market. 5 Generations and they still suck.
A Walther PDP is in the same price bracket as the Glock, and the trigger is the best stock out of the box trigger you'll find at that price point.
A Compact or Sub Compact is better off being avoided by a Newbie. So a Taurus G3 series is preferable to the G4's and at least $200 less than a Glock. Any Budget pistol over $400 is no longer a Budget Gun,
I'm surprised you guys didn't list the new PSA Dagger for a good budget beginner handgun.
But at least you didn't list Hi Point.
"If you have a .308 rifle, you’re not going to be hunting squirrels."
I've hunted squirrels with a .308. "What' squirrels", you might ask. That was what I said...after I shot a few.
Two suggestions: Both as budget guns for newbies. Both are made by Bersa and both less than $400. The Bersa Thunder and Thunder Plus in .380 are fine pistols. The Bersa TPT9-C in 9mm is perhaps the workhorse of compact non-striker fired 9s and under $400. The TRP9-C and the Thunder Plus are double stacked magazine guns. And both just work. The TPR9-C is a compact Service pistol. Neither have a lot of after market accessories, but FFS, you really don't need the accessories when things drop in the pot, do you?
Believe it or not, many of your readers would like coverage on the best high end guns available. I have a terrific Sig Sauer P226 Navy and I would like to read about guns that are as good or better.
Steve: I agree, I have a stainless Sig 226 that shoots like a dream, is a tack driver, is as reliable as any firearm that I own, but I would not recommend the 226 for a new shooter. The 226 is heavy and is really best suited as a duty weapon. If you carry concealed, you know that weight is an important factor for a comfortable carry. If it's not comfortable, you just won't carry. I would never carry my 226 concealed - it's just too big. And at over $1,000.00 you can't say the Sig is inexpensive.
At about $550, I would recommend the Glock 45 for a new shooter. The Glock 19 is about the same price and would fit smaller hands. The Glock 48 is a little cheaper, but not much, but the Model 48 is a great carry gun due to its single stack design. I have all these Glocks and shoot them, but for a new shooter, I recommend the Model 45 for a person with larger hands, or the Model 48 for someone with smaller hands. And these guns will shoot just fine. Owning a Glock also avails the new shooter to the Glock Sports Shooting Foundation for friendly shooting competition and Glock training around the US.
PS: Only for clarification, (I know many folks have more and finer firearms than me) I also have a custom CZ Shadow2, a custom Dan Wesson 357, a few Walthers, several HK's, a Rock Island Pro Ultra Match Big Rock 10mm, several Sigs, some Rugers, etc. Still, for a new shooter I stand by my recommendation - go with a Glock 9mm either the 19, 45, or the 48.
I highly recommend the Taurus G3C over the GX4. The trigger in the G3C is very, very good and everything about the G3C feels better in the hand (and in action) than the GX4.
For lefties, Canik Tp9 is a whole ecosystem of firearms that are cheaper and more feature rich than a G19 and just as readily available these days. Arex Delta One, IWI Masada, CZ-P10C, so many better options out there and definitely more affordable.
I am very intrigued by the Canik TP9. It is definitely a budget gun - the full-size version is currently $350 at Bass Pro. But the main thing that catches my interest is that it is a true DA/SA striker-fired gun with a decocker, and a tactile indicator that it is cocked and ready.
There is no thumb safety on this gun. Not a problem, in my opinion, because after you rack the slide, you can push the decock button on top of the gun, to bring the striker forward. Then, when you are ready to shoot the gun, you have the longer and harder DA first trigger pull, which is safer than the shorter and easier SA trigger pull. But it is still ready to shoot at any time without having to first disengage the thumb safety.
Very few striker fired hand guns are DA/SA with a decocker AND a tactile indicator that the trigger is being pulled, which means that holstering the gun is perfectly safe if you hold your thumb against the back of the gun while holstering it - you will know immediately if anything is caught on the trigger and about to fire the gun.
For a beginner, a thumb safety is smarter over a trigger-safety gun. At least until they practice and get used to keeping their finger off the trigger until needing to shoot. Once they are proficient, then they are not a beginner and can get a safety on the trigger type of gun.
For those with smaller hands, I can recommend the Shield EZ. Not only are the controls easy to reach and manipulate one-handed, but you can also get one with a manual safety if you don’t trust trigger safeties.
I am 35, left a domestic violence situation, have 3 kids to protect, and though after 7 years I have a boyfriend the world has gone bat shit crazy.. I have slowly revved towards guns give had one in the house as a kid but my mom never ever would let me learn to use it. Now I feel I have to learn but when I ask someone to help they start spewing facts about guns all over and it becomes overwhelming. I'm so glad I stumbled on this. Thank you!
Hey Andrea! I have been in your shoes and I know how difficult the gun world can be to navigate. I am so happy you found our article useful! If you ever need any help with gun-related questions, don't hesitate to drop us a comment or email! Thanks!
Hi Andrea,
Sorry to hear that. You are not alone. On the positive side, it's good to hear that you are actively taking your family's protection into your own hands. Perhaps more important than the type of self defense that you choose, is learning how to use it correctly. I highly recommend going to your local gun range and asking if they have beginners training classes. Also, some sort of safe that you can quickly access is good to have when kids are in the house, or when you are away. Pew Pew Tactical has some really good gun safe and training articles to learn more from, just type it in the search bar. Keep up the good work, and keep learning how to protect those loved ones.
Many things have changed over the years for me. Hunting is out of the picture. But club and range shooting, sounds like a great way to start shooting again. I will still go with the feel of any firearm before buying. A new rifle or hand gun, cheap or expensive, won't see much use if the fit and feel aren't right. Good guide for a start. Thanks for this review, helpful.
Runner runner ring a bell? We got one over priced with 9mm and 40. Now what? Looking at reviews that don't sound good. Leary to test must go to range. Been practicing looking through scope. Any pointers?
If you don't know whether or not to test your gun, than you might want to consider giving it to a more experienced friend, or maybe sending it back to the company for inspection. If you don't want to do that, than you probably should just test fire it. Because a gun, (especially an expensive one) doesn't do anyone any good sitting on a shelf collecting dust.
I want a shotgun, mainly for home defense, but some skeet shooting too. I'm debating between the Mossberg 500 and the Maverick 88. This would be my first gun ever.
Mossberg is a nicer finish gun for sure, but mechanically they are almost the same. If you want to do some skeet shooting though -- I would opt for the Mossberg since the pump slide will be smoother and help make those shots easier.
You guys think $500 to spend on my first gun is to much or a good amount?
$500 is a great range for your first gun, not too budget but not too crazy either! I believe my first rifle was right around $580.
Got my first weapon - Glock 19 Gen 5 for Christmas. Really have enjoyed shooting it and already considering what I want for my first long gun. Your reviews gave some nice insight. Also considering getting a smaller form handgun for EDC. I am looking forward to going through your Noob to Slinger course in preparation for my CC course/license!
I just watched the goodreview on the Glock .43. I want one! A good point he made is that the small sub-compacts we carry around are not really fun to practice with at the range. They’re snappy, they kick, and make you sore really quick. I have to agree with him. I have the long-barrel Glock 24 .40, a Ruger SP-100 .357 4.2-inch, and the Heritage .22 long barrel 6-inch. Those 3 are lots of fun to practice with all day. But especially the Heritage. It’s good quality for it’s price and the ammo is cheap. I have both the LR and the mag cylinders.
Can you carry a S&W Shield comfortable inside the waist holster? I have shot long guns all my life. This is the first hand gun I would like to purchase
Been carrying a Smith M&P 45 for a month now. Yes it’s an easy carry.
You probably can get a soft concealed holster for it. They're is probably a manufacturer somewhere that makes a soft holster for it.
To be honest...the MP shield does fit better in my hand than the Glock when I shot them. Better grip resulted in better accuracy....hands down ... shield is the winner.
Happy pappy, here come slappy.....
For my first gun, I chose the XD9 from Springfield. I love the feel of the gun in my hand.
I chose the Glock G45 for my first handgun! I liked the size of the Glock 19 but was not a fan of the generation 5 cut out at the bottom of the grip frame. The G45 has a better feel in my hand. Check it out !
Another great starting ccw pistol is the Springfield XDs-9. I own both the M&P Shield40 and the XDs-9. Both are comfortable to carry and I find the customizable grips and the fiber optic sites on the XDs very nice. It is also extremely accurate.
What about the Tokarev I shot one and for the price and low recoil would be a excellent starting gun.
Seems to me that you are false my friend you are not going anyone except your own agenda which is to deter new shooters away by being an ass to everyone
the picture of the M&P shield isn't a shield. It's a Full sized M&P. Wouldn't point this out, except that it's for "new shooters" and a new shooter is going to look for this pistol at that price, and be very disappointed.