By Marcie Young | Contributing Writer
For most beginning shooters, choosing the first handgun can be intimidating because the selection of options is huge.
The sheer number of handguns often overwhelms first-time gun owners, but a couple of important factors should be considered before purchasing a specific model.
Types of Handguns
The first challenge is selecting the type of handguns you may want to purchase, semi-automatic or revolver. Compared to revolvers, modern semi-auto pistols typically offer higher capacity and milder felt recoil; two elements highly esteemed by any first-time gun owner.
Ammunition
Aside from choosing a handgun model, another incredibly significant decision is selecting the right caliber. Most gun experts agree that the 9x19mm Luger is a gold standard for beginners, and with good reason. The 9mm is perfect for first-time gun owners due to the stopping power, mild recoil, higher capacity magazine, and availability.
The second choice relates to the ammunition type. If you purchase firearms for personal and home protection, the best option is specialized defensive ammunition with hollow point bullets for their sheer stopping power.
Handgun Size
The following detail to consider is the best beginner handgun size. As a first-time gun buyer, look for the smaller, subcompact pistols or snub-nosed revolvers. However, skilled marksmen recommend purchasing full-size pistols or revolvers (4-5-inch barrels) because they have a larger grip area and a wider sight radius with less recoil due to the gun’s weight. Some also recommend using micro-reflex opticsand lightsmounted on your handgun.
If you’re shopping for that first handgun, here are five top choices which, in my opinion, are worthy of consideration.
1. Glock 19 G5
Undoubtedly, the Glock 19 is one of the best-selling 9mm caliber pistols on the market. The G19 is in the arsenal of many law enforcement agencies, militaries and civilian shooters worldwide. With a tough polymer frame, the striker-fired Glock 19 is a lightweight and simple-to-use gun that enables new shooters to concentrate on the fundamentals: grip, aim and trigger pull.
The last rendition of Glock 19 is Generation 5, which came with multiple replacement back straps, a flared mag-well and the Glock Marksman Barrel, allowing the first-time gun owner to learn the basics correctly and quickly become a proficient shooter.
Like all Glocks, the G19 is a benchmark for reliability. That feature, paired with its compact frame, makes them ideal for various situations, from home defense to everyday concealed carry and casual weekend shooting sessions.
2. Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0
The M&P M2.0 is the newest version of Smith & Wesson’s popular M&P family tree. The striker-fired 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 is a versatile polymer pistol full of features that allow new shooters to learn proper handling of the semi-automatics easily.
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 has a four-inch barrel, and with an overall length of 7.3 inches, it’s slightly shorter than a Glock 19. Along with a Zytel polymer frame with aggressive fish scale texturing, the M2.0 sports an extended stainless steel chassis, a revised grip texturing and interchangeable grip inserts.
New shooters will appreciate an 18-degree grip angle, and a lighter, smoother trigger (5.5 pounds) that, paired with a low barrel bore axis, minimizes muzzle rise and permits faster recovery.
Finally, the Smith & Wesson’s M&P9 M2.0 is an excellent option for first-time gun buyers, featuring a rotating takedown lever for fast and simple field stripping and cleaning.
3. Kahr CW9
Without a century-long tradition, Kahr Firearms has already made quite a name for itself in the arena of concealable carry weapons (CCWs). Kahr is famous for their affordable “pocket nines” Series of pistols. Still, though somewhat longer and heavier, the newest CW9 is comparable to the Ruger LC9, S&W Shield or any other small single-stack nine.
At less than 1-pound, 6 inches in length and 1 inch in width, the CW9 has a very slim build, making it extremely easy to carry inside the waistband (IWB).
As one of the best striker-fired pistols for beginners, the Kahr CW9 hasn’t a typical striker-fired trigger. However, it has a smooth double-action pull that dramatically reduces the likelihood of a negligent discharge.
With the 7-round magazine, a Kahr offers a three-finger grip length enhancing the accuracy and control of the gun.
4. Taurus G3
Another budget option comes from the Taurus, the Brazilian gun manufacturer. The Taurus G3 is the next generation in the Taurus striker-fired G-series and represents a full-size version of the company’s affordable G2 Series.
Besides its trigger safety, typical to others of this style, the G3 also has a manual non-ambidextrous thumb safety and unusual repeat-strike capability. Unlike other striker-fired pistols, the G3’s slide is easy to rack.
The Taurus G3 sports a four-inch barrel, while the full-size polymer frame provides enough space for a 15-round double-stack magazines.
At first glance, physically, the G3 is very close to the Glock 19 with an overall length of 7.3 inches versus. 7.36 and weighing 25 ounces unloaded, which is only 1.4 ounces more than the G19.
5. Ruger LCRx 38 Special +P
Our final suggestion is highly positioned in the densely populated American revolver market. While the revolutionary polymer frame Ruger LCR (Lightweight Compact Revolver) has an encased hammer and is double-action-only, the newly developed LCRx variant features an external hammer for both single- and double-action use.
The LCRx features a polymer lower frame and upper portion of aerospace-grade 7000 series aluminum. The LCRx is completed with a barrel insert and a fluted cylinder machined from high-strength steel. Model number 5431 sports a 3-inch barrel chambered in .38 Special and can handle +P ammunition.
Most new gun owners will benefit from Ruger’s patented friction-reducing cam and Hogue rubber grips, allowing more secure handling and reduced recoil.
Conclusion
As you saw, we listed mostly handguns of standard or compact size that are much easier to shoot and handle since concealment wasn’t our primary goal but a friendly-user platform for most new handgun owners.
Whether you choose one from our list or find another model, the right choice has to fit your current needs and skill.
There are several other resources available for first-time gun owners, and you should do as much research as possible prior to making a purchase.
About the Author
Marcie Young is a 32-year-old American mom from Arizona who lives with her husband and 2-year-old son.
I am passionate about growing my blog where I write about various topics related to gun safety, firearms ownership, and self-defense. My insights have been published in JPFO, DRGO, and other 2A right publications.
