Seven Great Semiauto Pistols Under $700 Dollars

“Which semiauto pistol should I buy?”

The question seems simple enough on the surface, and while this is the first question that most shooters ask it’s also one of the most important. It also happens to be one of the most difficult to answer. When you consider different models, grip and barrel lengths, colors, and other options on guns today there are literally thousands of options.

Choosing a handgun for recreational shooting or personal defense can be a challenge, but we’ve pared down the long list of available pistols under $700 to seven of our favorite models. No matter what you’re looking for in a new semiauto handgun, you’re likely to find it on this list.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0: The award-winning .380 semiauto from Smith & Wesson that’s just-right sized

The original Bodyguard from Smith & Wesson was a conventional .380 carry gun: small enough to carry but not big enough to be comfortable or particularly accurate and with a modest magazine capacity. That was sort of the ethos of all .380 autoloaders until the Bodyguard 2.0 appeared. Smith & Wesson managed to make a .380 that was large enough to shoot comfortably with a double-digit capacity yet small enough and slim enough to carry concealed under most any cover garment. The gun was designed after listening to customer suggestions for many years, and it offers a 10+1/12+1 capacity and aggressive slide serrations that allow for complete control over the pistol. The Bodyguard 2.0 measures a scant .88-inches wide and weighs under 10-ounces unloaded, but when the gun debuted a large gathering of writers busied themselves shooting steel targets at 50 yards–a feat unthinkable with most .380 pocket guns. The slide is too narrow for an optic, but the gun is available with or without a thumb safety. Smith & Wesson broke all the rules on this one and designed a superb carry gun that’s modestly priced. $450 | smith-wesson.com

Walther PDP: A German 9mm that’s well-built and loaded with premium features

Let’s be clear: there are cheaper 9mm pistols than the Walther. It just slides under our $700 spending limit, but it would be difficult to find a more well-rounded semiauto. The slide is made from quality steel and comes with Walther’s SuperTerrain slide serrations front and rear for maximum control when operating the pistol. The company has always been known for their superior ergonomics, and the polymer grip frame comes with interchangeable backstraps and Walther’s clever Performance Duty Texture that keeps the gun firmly planted in your hand yet isn’t abrasive. The white dot sights are functional, but the slide is cut for red dots and the steel optic plates offered by Walther are extremely rugged and robust. Easy-to-operate controls and a superb Performance Duty Trigger round out the feature list, and everything from slide-to-frame fit to internal polishing are superb on this rugged pistol. Two 15-round metal magazines are included with the gun, and even though its wider (1.34-inches) than some of the slim 9mms on this list it’s very easy to operate and shoot. Reliability scores while range testing this gun were perfect, making this one of the top semiauto pistols on the market. Both compact and full-size models (with 4 and 4.5-inch barrels, respectively) are available. $700 | waltherarms.com

Ruger RXM: The exciting new double-stack collab between two trusted American brands

Ruger has been in the striker-fired 9mm pistol business for some time, but the RXM is their best effort. It’s a striker-fired 9mm that functions with Gen 3 aftermarket parts and accessories so sights, holsters, lights, and magazines are widely available. The Enhanced Handgun Grip polymer frame was designed by Magpul and features their ¾-scale TSP grip texturing to keep the gun firmly planted under recoil. It comes with a slide that’s cut for optics and utilizes an ingenious removable pin system that allows you to mount a range of popular red dots on the gun without plates. The RXM also comes with a removable stainless steel Fire Control Insert that is serialized, and that allows you to swap out the frame for new Magpul offerings that are sure to follow. Front cocking serrations, a tritium front night sight and 15-round magazines are all features that make this pistol ideal for personal defense. The barrel measures 4-inches and the slide is an inch wide, making this gun suitable for concealed carry, too. I tested the RXM and found it to be accurate and reliable, and with an MSRP under $500 it’s a great value. $500 | ruger.com

Tisas 1911 Carry Stingray: The best bang-for-your-buck bobtail 1911

Who doesn’t love a stylish, modern 1911? The Tisas Stingray is chambered in 9mm and .45 ACP and comes with an aluminum frame and steel slide to cut down on overall weight to about two-pounds, considerably lighter than an all-steel 1911. The 4.25-inch barrel offers superb balance and the gun is protected by a cool two-tone Cerakote finish so it stands up well to the abuses of daily carry. The low-profile Novak-style sights are basic but functional and won’t hang-up on your clothing and my favorite feature is the Ed Brown Bobtail which improves concealability. The .45 bolds 8 rounds in the mag and the 9mm holds 10, and since it’s a 1911 there are scads of holster options available. No matter how many handguns I own a stylish, modern 1911 will always catch my eye, and the Stingray is priced extremely well considering the quality it offers. Single-action 1911s aren’t the right carry gun for everyone, but if you are a fan–and there are many of us–this gun deserves your immediate attention. $620 | tisasusa.com

Springfield Hellcat Pro Comp OSP: The upsized subcompact with all the bells and whistles

Upsized subcompacts are popular, and they make great carry pistols. However, very few offer all the features you’ll find on the Hellcat Pro Comp OSP. The billet-machined slide comes with a rugged Melonite finish and an integral compensator that helps tame muzzle rise and allows for faster follow-ups. The optics cut makes it easy to mount a red dot on this gun, but the tactical rack U-notch rear sight and tritium/luminescent front sight are superb. Magazine capacity is 15-rounds of 9mm with the flush-fit magazine and 17-rounds with the extended mag, and the wraparound Adaptive Grip texture is class-leading. The grip is large enough to accommodate big hands and the 3.7-inch barrel increases sight radius and helps improve accuracy potential. Despite its impressive capacity the grip measures just one-inch wide, making the gun easy to conceal. The Hellcat Pro Comp OSP is a superbly well-rounded carry gun. $700 | springfield-armory.com

Taurus GX4: A budget-friendly contender for the title of top carry gun

The GX4 is Taurus’ entry into the microcompact 9mm pistol market, and it was an immediate success when it was launched in 2022. The slim (barely an inch wide) pistol came with an 11-round magazine and short 3.06-inch barrel, combining portability with double-digit capacity. It also accomplished this at a starting price under $400. Since then, the GX4 family has grown to include TORO (Taurus Optic Ready Option) models as well as an XL version with 3.7-inch barrel and a capacity of up to 15 rounds. Taurus guns haven’t always had a stellar reputation for reliability, but changes in management and improved manufacturing and QC in recent years have made Taurus guns far more reliable. The GX4 is evidence of this, and testing has proven this to be a very reliable and surprisingly accurate gun. The subcompact 9mm market is highly competitive, but the GX4 is a standout when you consider its long list of features, solid performance and affordable price of ownership. $394-$469 | taurususa.com

SIG P365 TACPAC: An all-in-one package for the pistol buyer

The P365 reinvented 9mm carry pistol design by offering double-digit magazine capacities in a subcompact pistol that’s barely an inch wide and has a barrel length of 3.1-inches. It’s been well-received by firearms enthusiasts and it is currently the best-selling handgun in America. Not surprisingly, the family has grown to include an XL version (3.7-inch barrel), models with compensators, and even a .380 Auto version. With so many models available it’s tough to pick which one is right for you, but my vote goes to the TACPAC models that come with a holster and three magazines for around $600. This range-ready setup allows buyers to walk away from the gun store with everything they need for concealed carry or a day at the range except ammunition. The P365 is a superb carry gun with a good trigger, excellent sights, and a Nitron finish that holds up to daily use. Reliability has proven to be excellent and accuracy rivals the top microcompact pistols in this segment. The grip design is very comfortable, allowing for extended practice sessions at the range. Around $600 | sigsauer.com

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