Who makes the best pistols for value?
Posted by GunnyGal@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 106 comments
Working on creating a comprehensive ranking and want to gauge community sentiment of who’s the “top dawgs” in the pistol market right now. Can be for CCW, Comp, & Duty. Let me know in the comments below.
Negative_Mushroom545@reddit
Ruger p89 only
MoreZookeepergame999@reddit
Love those tanks
TriggerHappyGP@reddit
Bul Armory
d-unit24@reddit
Canik has really been bringing their A game here lately.
party_egg@reddit
CZ P-10s are significantly cheaper than Glocks, have better triggers and are extremely reliable, including rigorous NSN NATO certification and several military contracts.
CZ also sets the standard for competition guns with the Shadow 2, which has become so ubiquitous due to its incredible value relative to cost, competing directly with 2011s that cost twice as much.
Just2LetYouKnow@reddit
Where?
J41m3@reddit
Anywhere. I bought a brand new FDE P10C for $370. A Glock 19 will run you $600.
Bananapielord69@reddit
I don’t know about that… bass pro has the p10c for 450 before taxes. They have a g 19 for 539. Is 100$ significant? Not to me it isn’t. I enjoy both though :)
J41m3@reddit
I don't buy guns at Bass Pro. I search the web or use Gun Deals and buy on sale. I bought my P10C from PSA for $370 a year ago. Today, Dahlonega Armory is selling it for $387. And yes, $100 is significant. That's 500 rounds of 9mm.
My first gun was a Glock, which I still own, and I thought it was amazing. Until I started shooting other guns. Lower cost notwithstanding, the CZ is a better gun than the Glock IMO.
Professional-Front54@reddit
$100 on a $500 gun is 1/5 of the price dawg
firearmresearch00@reddit
A handful of months ago I saw police trade in p10's for low 300s. Shit was kinda wack for how nice they are
PrometheusSmith@reddit
Competing for customers and popularity, but they basically never end up competing at the actual competition. IPSC and USPSA put the Shadow 2 in Production with the other DA/SA and striker guns while the 2011 guys shoot Limited due to their single action triggers. I'm not sure how it shakes out in other organizations like IDPA, but I believe those are different divisions as well.
dabellygoat@reddit
S2 can shoot CO/LO(CO has to not have magwell) and still hold their own very well. Regardless it’s the shooter not the gun but, USPSA National in Utah last year was won by a shooter with his CO S2 in LO division hammer down, and no magwell lol, I’m sure he versed some 2011’s there in LO.
DU_DU_DU_DU_DU@reddit
While SAO guns can't compete in CO/PO, there are plenty of people shooting DA/SA and even striker fired guns in LO/Optics. If you're looking at shooting factory 9mm loadings, it's hard to beat the shadow 2 for performance to cost ratio.
Blue-cheese-dressing@reddit
They also make excellent DA/SA variants (which have become a dwindling option with the mass popularity of simpler and less experience required striker fired pistols). Namely the P-09 and P-07 series.
firearmresearch00@reddit
It kinda bothers me that they renamed the p07 to the p09c. Yea they're basically the same gun but it kinda complicates things to give them almost the same name. Especially for parts
sbd104@reddit
The P10 doesn’t have a better trigger. They both have good triggers.
WarriorPoetVivec1516@reddit
Confirmed. My p10c has been going strong for years. Minimal maintenance and it's still more accurate than I am.
captaindomer@reddit
Arex Canik CZ
Outdoorsman102@reddit
CZ without question
SceretAznMan@reddit
Value for dollars spent, hands down Canik.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
It's not 2019 anymore, Walther is a better value than Canik.
jbourne0129@reddit
the equivalent Walthers are literally 2x the price and you get a fraction of what the Rival-S gives you.
you can argue the Walther is a better gun all day long. but better value ? absolutely not.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
The steel frame is the only example where the Walther costs appreciably more. For the most part equivalent guns are the same price.
SceretAznMan@reddit
Not at all. From Cabela's, the OR Walther PDP with 4.5in. barrel, 18rd capacity goes for $600. The Canik Mete SFT, also OR, 4.45 in. barrel and 18rd cap goes for $480. Virtually the same gun. At Academy the PDP Pro 4.5 inch is listed as $999 and the Canik SFT Pro is $620. And that's without taking into account other promo's the Canik has. I actually copped the SFT Pro for under $500. I've yet to find a deal for the PDP pro that comes even close, and believe me I've looked.
Logan_Frost@reddit
Canik definitely realized they were getting pricy, the One series is a return to budget form for them. I definitely miss being able to buy my first with a whole ass box, two mags and a holster for 330 but at the same time the Walthers were every bit of six.
TaterOfTots@reddit
Don’t get me wrong. I like walther a lot. But even the polymer frames just come with less stuff for a similar to higher price compared to something like a canik. Value it’s still a tough sell but again I must stress outstanding guns
TaterOfTots@reddit
I don’t know man. I wanted a steel frame comp gun and the rival-s is literally $1k less and comes with like 5 optics plates made of aluminum. I can’t believe I have to send away and wait for the optics plates and it’s not even as good of a plate.
bbawdhellyeah@reddit
I’ve seen that for $700
TaterOfTots@reddit
The rival-s? Yea usually they’re around $800-$900 but I’ve seen them as low as $700
jbourne0129@reddit
Walther is such a premium name. no idea how anyone considers that "good value". Anyone who doesnt have decades of shooting experience isnt going to tell the difference between a Rival-S or steel frame PDP in terms of which one is "better".
DumbNTough@reddit
The P365 series is pretty damn impressive for a Glock-like price range.
RealMuthafknGerald@reddit
Yer camera’s got astigmatism mate
Elephant_Federal@reddit
What about the new smith steel frame? 1000 bucks for a gun with a solid trigger and very negligible recoil
firearmresearch00@reddit
Imo cz has the best bang for buck whether its striker or da/sa which they are basically king of in the modern day. I got a cz p09 full size for $360 and it's a real champ. Canik makes good pistols, iirc based on walther designs. Another fantastic budget gun that's slept on way too much is the beretta apx a1. Very nice duty pistol for like Taurus prices just because nobody has heard of them for some reason
sanmanc@reddit
For what you get, my vote is Canik
JustSomeGuyMedia@reddit
At the moment, Beretta is definitely up there for the 92 and its variants.
I am tempted to say the M&P 2.0 series but a lot of people find themselves fixing theirs.
Successful_Link4541@reddit
Google is your friend.
metheuseka@reddit
google is irrelevant in 2026. nice sarcastic redditor quip tho.
petula_75@reddit
CZ
Agent-Steel@reddit
YES. Their reliability to cost ratio is insane.
JustSomeGuyMedia@reddit
Once you get the chambers reamed maybe.
TacTurtle@reddit
I have something like 7 CZs and literally the only issue I have had with them is one broke a slide stop after like 15k rounds of some spicy handloads.
JustSomeGuyMedia@reddit
Meanwhile, my SP-01 would nose-up and jam with a variety of ammo brands and grain weights until I followed an old guide on how to troubleshoot CZs, and there’s plenty of threads about how reaming the tight chamber out on 75-derived models can be necessary for comp shooters.
Not denying your experience just saying mine’s been different.
TacTurtle@reddit
I assume you tried a new mag?
My SP-01 and both Phantoms run 100%, with 90-147gr FMJs and JHPs
JustSomeGuyMedia@reddit
New springs and new mags. The only thing that fixed it was following an old Brian Enos forum post about a couple specific places that often need filing.
Agreeable_Dust4363@reddit
My SP-01 ran flawlessly for thousands of rounds, no issue unless I got dirt in the rails
JustSomeGuyMedia@reddit
Always nice. Wish I could say the same.
animefan1520@reddit
Sar usa (sarsilmaz) cs clones are an honorable mention
Cumminpwr11@reddit
While not exactly cheap, I’ll keep saying HK punches above its weight class.
Mikef96g@reddit
Cz-KMR(almost the same pistols ) Tanfoglio (Cz style guns) Bul armory (incredible 2011) I would say these are the most value for money You pay and you get beasts with aftermarket upgrades able to get you the top
Neon_Yellow_Bro@reddit
Not wilson combat lol
ratmanmedia@reddit
In my opinion, the “best value” encompasses all parts of ownership from getting the gun, holsters, mags, parts, etc. And also, being able to transition into different roles based on holster support. Many of the best “value” options out there fail hard in one of the categories mentioned.
With that frame laid out: 1. Ruger RXM 2. Glock 3. CZ 75 series (not the P07/09/10) 4. Smith & Wesson M&P line
CZ 75 line beats out the M&P in terms of parts & magazine availability. M&P beats the 75 series with duty holsters specifically.
SIG: I don’t care what Reddit or the internet says, they can’t be trusted. I’ve read the court documents from the lawsuits, know who’s running the company, and how they conduct business. Therefore I refuse to rank them.
jwperry63@reddit
As a hammer loving Sigger, I don't think I could ever use the word "value" to describe their metal framed offerings, even prior to P320 debacle and generally poor public relations. Since they discontinued their base offerings outside of California and really only support Legion-gucci hammer guns there really isn't a lot of "value" in their classic lineup. It is a mid-range product advertised as ultra-premium and the price points reflect that associated marketing budget. I'll never sell my P226s or P229s though.
My commentary is around their P22x series guns, which is where I have my experience.
wildjabali@reddit
P226/P220 made 10 or more years ago? Easy home run. I wouldn’t be anything from Sig even if their hammer fired guns don’t exhibit the same problems as their striker fired guns.
jwperry63@reddit
Great guns, yes. I'm not sure I'd have considered them great value because they did cost significantly more than comparable DA/SA guns of that era. Granted the CZ pistols of that era sucked and needed Cajun parts to be as usable as a P226 was out of the box.
jbourne0129@reddit
i was looking into the sig P365x Macro and couldnt believe how expensive magazines were.
jwperry63@reddit
Every time I think I want a P365 variant, the price point turns me off. I'll keep my G43 for when I need something that small.
LilMaGoo@reddit
Can I ask why you mention CZ 75 series and explicitly not the others?
ratmanmedia@reddit
Parts support for the P07/09/10 isn’t consistent, magazines can be difficult to find, and there aren’t a lot of model-specific holsters available for them, especially duty wise. The P10 is a bit better than the 07/09, but not enough to make it into my top 4/5
abuttfartsinthewoods@reddit
Beretta
Prizzilla@reddit
Talking purely value, I would echo both CZ and Canik
RedOnlineOfficial@reddit
I've been wanting a canik prime, but now that the radian version is out, I want that more
ant_topps@reddit
Good looking gun.
StackingAg@reddit
Get a used glock 19 or 17. $3-350
SpikeBikerFur0044@reddit
CZ. I'll have to say CZ.
Brian-88@reddit
sigh
Glock, unfortunately.
TaterOfTots@reddit
Nah. You can get Glock clones for less that feel better to shoot at this point. I think Glock is overpriced at this point.
Brian-88@reddit
Damn, you're probably right. That's actually really funny to me.
TaterOfTots@reddit
Yeah. No hate to Glock in general but I think they may have gotten a little too comfy with their spot in the market and just really can’t say they are a good value. Especially since the first thing people usually do is Gucci the shit out of them.
gecon@reddit
Glock for Duty. Not the cheapest but cheap enough for LE agencies (blue label pricing, trade-in credits). They require little maintenance, last practically forever and parts/holsters are cheap and widely available. If I were in charge of procuring a duty handgun for a LE agency, I'd go with Glock.
CCW/Comp depends on personal preference. Look less at brands and more at specific models. Ruger LCP Max is a great value CCW option you can get under $300 after taxes and fees. Even the more expensive ($400-$500) Bodyguard 2.0 can be considered a good value if you love the ergos and trigger. Keltec P32 is also a good value. Extremely small/lightweight but also shootable for under $300.
Justownit41ce@reddit
This post went from good references to just comment what you carry lol.
jbourne0129@reddit
Canik is going to be the best bang for your buck. Are there better brands? sure. but none that i know if give you as much in the box as Canik does. just look at a Canik Rival or Rival-S and compare it to the equivalent Walther that they are clones of. the PDP Match and PDP Match Steel. both are like 2x the price of the equivalent Canik and come with a fraction of the accessories.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
Hi point.
moebiusgrip@reddit
He’s not wrong. They ugly, but they do yeet, and are very tough. And honestly, shoots as. Straight as nearly anything else.
byond6@reddit
That warranty. 👌
winston_smith1977@reddit
$99.97
LouSassoul11@reddit
🤣🤣🤣
13NeverEnough@reddit
M&p 2.0
atman8r@reddit
CZ or Springfield? Maybe Ruger?
sbd104@reddit
CZ and Arex or alternatively don’t buy new get a Surp Glock/M&P
bowtie_k@reddit
Talking MSRP, probably CZ with the p10 series. As good as a Glock functionally, but more comfortable grip. The suppressor ready model used to be like $350 which is just unbeatable.
MarketEconomist@reddit
Competition, CZ. Guns like the shadow 2 series punch way up.
For budget EDC guns, Ruger. Probably the best value today is the Max 9. Feels like a p365, optics ready, MSRP only 299, can be found for less.
Can't think of a stand out for duty guns when it comes to value, they're all fairly average.
Underwater_Karma@reddit
Is the photo related to this question?
mjm1374@reddit
Canik, SFX, Mete or TP serious, all sister with different hair color. As good or better than a Glock for less moneey, only strike not as many aftermarket parts
nosreme27@reddit
Duty: Glock CCW: Glock Comp: not Glock
UG-Jake@reddit
Glocks are goated in competition shooting what are you talking about
nosreme27@reddit
Admittedly im not very knowledgeable about comp shooting, but I was always under the impression metal framed hammer guns (cz shadow) were the top dogs in that category
UG-Jake@reddit
The only thing the CZ does consistently better than a glock is the trigger. I'm finishing top 10th percentile in carry optics right now at local matches, and most of the top guys in my area that shoot CO are running Glocks. Once people get to a certain skill level the gun doesn't seem to matter as much. It's Majority glock, some CZ, and a few walther/canik/m&p.
The CZs also don't really see much use in the 2011 divisions either since their competition there is Atlases and shit.
I own a cz and a walther but prefer the glock because I like the grip over the others. The ease of maintenance is also way better, and reloads/transitions are way faster and more consistent than the metal frames. I've found the weight of the gun to be less relevant than how good you can connect your hands to the frame.
TerrificVixen5693@reddit
SAR.
BiggusDickus17@reddit
My instructor that has done personal protection and private security around the globe for 30+ years:
"Fear the man that carries a CZ. They are almost always crack shots and they don't like wasting money"
MetapodCreates@reddit
I'm a huge fan of the M&P line from Smith & Wesson. They are not luxury guns, but they can sling lead with the best of them and have proven themselves to be one of the most reliable platforms out there.
Threather19@reddit
The Ruxer RXM is better than the CZ P10C.
Low-Landscape-4609@reddit
SAR, Canik and the Ruger RXM.
DashMcGee@reddit
Taurus.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH j/k
eggcheeseburger@reddit
Bul Armory Tac series, CZ Shadow 2 series, Springfield Echelon series, Walther PDP Pro Series. Those cover comp and duty., and some ccw
On the micro-compact is a little of a crap shoot. P365X/XL/Macro are good (trigger is BAD), Shield Plus, and some others. But they are not that different, honestly.
MissionDirect8529@reddit
I just finished putting 3000 rounds through my SARUSA SAR9 SOCOM with zero issues. I think for the price and quality it's a great bargain.
PyroPanda2604@reddit
Canik 100%, used by the Turkish military for a reason
spank_the_tank@reddit
That SFX looks awesome. Is that a factory slide? I’ve never seen one with the comp before.
LilJonny2cookies@reddit
You need criteria. My opinion on this is irrelevant. Develop criteria and then test. Opinions are not great data points
LouSassoul11@reddit
Canik offers great value. Just doesn’t have the history as the big players like Glock, CZ, Walther, etc.
Cryptic1911@reddit
Canik
AGCAce@reddit
Canik.
Mightknowitall@reddit
Way too open ended question to properly answer. But, the CZ P10 series is IMO one of the best price to performance guns in the market right now.
ZeroPointSpecter@reddit
When it comes to 'best pistols for value', right now it's hard to beat Canik.
Of course, it will depend on what kind of pistol you're talking about. The answer is very different for everyday striker-fired pistols than it will be for 1911s and 2011s.
BlackSquirrel05@reddit
I don't use Glocks... But probably Glock.
I replaced by P320 as a daily driver with a Walther PDP pro... But many would contest "Value" and Walther given the price.
Next up probably S&W or Sig 365.
But "value" to me means "cheapest" first. I find value in function, reliability, and then "warranty/longevity." And if that means paying more so be it. I don't like collecting firearms I want to buy once and use forever if possible.