Have you seen Nemo Arms’ new Mongoose? It’s a super slick and sweet 9mm subgun that costs a brutal $2600. Who has the change for that? If you’re searching for more budget-friendly firearms at SHOT Show 2025, you’ve come to the right place. Here are nine of the best new budget firearms of 2025.
GForce Arms Jawbone
The only thing I’ve ever known about GForce Arms is that they import budget-priced Turkish shotguns. That’s all, but then I wandered by their booth and saw the Jawbone. The Jawbone is a simple blowback AR9 large-format pistol that retails for less than $500.
That’s nothing new or exciting, but the Jawbone’s ergonomics make it stand out. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an AR with ambidextrous control retail for less than $500. The Jawbone features an ambi mag release, bolt release, and safety. The charging handle sits above the barrel and can be reversed for left-handed use.
At less than 500 bucks, I’m willing to give it a try. (It does take Glock mags.)
RIA TM22-LA
I’m a sucker for rimfire rifles, especially for lever action rimfire guns. Rock Island Armory has imported various budget weapons over the years, and their latest is a lever action .22LR, but not a normal one. Instead of using a tubular magazine, it uses a removable magazine that ranges in capacity from 10 to 25 rounds.
I’m a sucker for weird stuff, but the gun handled really well and was tons of fun to shoot at Range Day. It’s also featured-filled. The gun is optics-ready and features an adjustable cheekrest. For less than $300, the RIA TM22-LA is an awesome, fun gun.
Retay RXP 22
The RXP 22 is a Turkish-made .22LR pistol that doesn’t conform to the standards set by most .22LR pistols. It’s compact and has a DA/SA action. The RXP 22 is available in several configurations, including a threaded barrel and an optics-ready design.
The grip is quite nice, and I’m impressed. Admittedly, the trigger feels stiff, but most .22LR triggers are stiff. What makes the RXP 22 attractive is its potential for Steel Challenge and the $199 MSRP.
Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly
Bear Creek Arsenal dived into the world of Glock clones with the all-metal Genesis. However, the price of the Genesis made it a bit of a reach for a lot of shooters. BCA jumped back into the Glock world with the polymer frame Grizzly.
The Grizzly is compatible with Gen 3 Glock parts and pieces. Bear Creek Arsenal is making an absolute ton of different Grizzly pistols with different feature sets. There is something for everyone, including optics cuts, threaded barrels, custom slides, and varied frame colors. Price points will vary depending on options, but they are all super budget-friendly.
TriStar Protege X
Let’s take a break from Glock clones because there was a ton at SHOT this year. TriStar, famed for their shotguns, is introducing a line of micro 1911s known as the Protege X. These single stack, single action 9mm pistols are carry-sized to the extreme.
One move I liked was ditching the grip safety. Other than that, the gun remains basically identical to the 1911, just much smaller and much cheaper than any other tiny 1911. With an MSRP of around $500, the Protege X is an awesome budget option.
Girsan MC14T Gen 2
I purchased a MC14T for 200 bucks a few months back and was shocked at how well the gun handled. This year EAA and Girsan released an updated Gen 2 version of the MC14T. This new model keeps the double stack magazines, the tip-up barrel, and the .380 ACP chambering.
What they’ve done differently is flute the barrel, which is likely more a looks thing than a performance change. Girsan added a threaded barrel to make suppressors an option. The grips also appear to be more aggressive and grippy. The changes aren’t drastic, but I’m a fan, and as long as it performs like the original, the price point of around $450 keeps it budget-worthy.
Hi-Point 995P
Hi-Point is the king of budget firearms. For years they’ve produced the Hi-Point 995 as a Carbine, but this year they’ve expanded the line to a large format pistol. The Hi-Point 995P features a 13.25 inch barrel and both a 1913 rail adapter and a slot for a AR style receiver extension.
This makes adding braces easy, or if you go the SBR route and spend the price of the gun on the tax stamp, then rock and roll. The Hi-Point 995P is considerably smaller than the carbine and could be a capable home defense tool if you’re on a super tight budget.
Live Inventory Price Checker
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Hi-Point JXP10 10mm Pistol, 4.5" Barrel, 3 Dot Sights, Black - JXP10 NTB | Palmetto State Armory | $ 208.99 $ 189.99 |
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Hi-Point JXP10 10mm Pistol, 4.5" Barrel, 3 Dot Sights, Black - JXP10 NTB | Palmetto State Armory | $ 203.99 $ 193.99 |
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Hi-Point 4095TS Carbine RD 40 S&W 10 Round Semi Auto Rifle with Red Dot Scope, Skeletonized - 4095TSRD | Palmetto State Armory | $ 424.99 $ 385.99 |
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Hi-Point 4095TS Carbine RD 40 S&W 10 Round Semi Auto Rifle with Red Dot Scope, Skeletonized - 4095TSRD | Palmetto State Armory | $ 460.99 $ 394.99 |
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Taurus GX2
Taurus defined the budget brand, and while they branched out in recent years, they returned to their roots with the GX2. Taurus took the striker-fired polymer frame pistol and stripped it to the bare bones essentials. It’s a 9mm pistol that’s roughly the same size as a Glock 19.
It features a rail and uses Glock sight cuts to make upgrading the sights super easy. There isn’t much more than that. Taurus has had a drastic improvement in its quality in the last few years, and if the GX2 meets the current standards, it promises to be a bare-bones but capable budget-grade defensive pistol.
Rossi Survival Rifle
Rossi has reinvigorated their single shot rifle line with a variety of new additions. One of the most affordable new firearms is the Rossi Survival Rifle. The Rossi Survival Rifle is a .45 Colt/.410 rifle with a 16-inch barrel. To keep it compact the survival rifle also features a minimalist folding stock.
The Rossi Survival Rifle comes ready for optics and a nice minimalist red dot would work well. While the gun falls into a budget category it comes with an automatic ejector to make reloading quick and easy. The rifle is super light and would a great gun to kill everything from squirrels to medium game. With an MSRP of just over $350 it won’t empty your wallet.
Budget Guns and SHOT Show
Who says you have to go broke on new guns? SHOT Show introduced a ton of new budget friendly firearms this year and they are available in a wide variety of styles and configurations. There is a little something for everyone and every budget this year.
About Travis Pike
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.
Is there any word when the new Remington (Remarms) will be producing again? Their website offers no information.