First Handgun Buyer’s Guide
Tl;dr: Get a Glock 19.
The Glock 19 has the longest history for reliability, parts and holster support, and training information. Even if the Glock 19 isn’t for you, you can always sell the Glock because someone, somewhere is in the market for one.
Choosing a first handgun is sometimes the most daunting decision because it can feel like a lot of commitment, especially since there are many good handgun options available. Sometimes it’s easier when you know you’re on a tight budget, or you want the most expensive option. But sometimes the cheapest guns costs more in the long run, and often the most expensive is long past the point of diminishing returns.
While there are dozens of other options, for the sake of simplicity, I’ve selected my personal 3 recommendations for the following use cases:
Glock 19 - A general purpose, Do-all Handgun
You’re focused and determined in taking your personal protection training to the limit. The Glock 19 (sometimes referred to as the G19) has many categories that have superlatives: It has the most holster support, the most aftermarket parts + accessories support, and is one of, if not the most, sought after handguns. It can be used in conceal carry situations, and flex into overt ‘duty’ settings. The Glock 19 is the benchmark that almost all other ‘compact’ sized handguns are compared against. With a standard magazine capacity of 15 rounds of 9mm, it has enough ammo to not leave you wanting. If you want to tinker, upgrade, or push a gun to it’s limits, a Glock 19 is an excellent choice.
Sig Sauer P365 - Concealment Priority
You’re primarily concerned with concealment over ‘duty’ use settings. If you have smaller hands, this can also be a great option. Carrying at least 10 rounds of 9mm in the magazine, it has a good amount of ammo for the size. The secret is in the magazine design that helps keep the heel of the pistol grip, aiding in concealment, while maintaining enough surface area in the front strap to let you maintain a more complete grip compared to similarly sized options. Additionally, the internal design means you can customize the gun with different grip and barrel options freely, making this a good option for tinkering as well.
Smith & Wesson Shield EZ 380 - Beginner Friendly
You might not consider guns as a hobby, but simply as tools for a specific job. You want to train minimally because you don’t live to carry, you carry to live. With 8 rounds of .380 ACP, this is getting close to the lower end of capacity and ballistic capability. However, all facets of the gun make for an easier and more pleasant experience: the mags are easier to load, the recoil is easier to manage, and the maintenance procedure is easy. If you’re set on just getting a gun and training once a year, this is not a bad option.
FAQ
My <insert family / friend / local gun store employee> told me to buy a revolver! Why isn’t one listed?
Revolvers tend to be recommended because they can be easier to load, can be more reliable, and can be easier to maintain. However, most of the people that recommend revolvers tend to recommend small, pocket pistol sized revolvers that are much harder to handle due to the ratio of the size of the gun to the size of the caliber. Small gun x big caliber = big recoil: not a good time. This is especially true for the pink and robin’s blue guns that have been traditionally marketed to women. I’ll link a page on the pros and cons of revolvers, but if you are dead set on a revolver, I’d recommend the 357 Magnum LCR and load it exclusively with .38 special. The heavier frame of the 357 magnum model will help keep the gun from recoiling as much. The double action trigger also helps prevent accidental discharges. With 5 rounds of .38 special, there are a number of sacrifices made to gain some specific advantages. For those with hand dexterity disabilities, the Shield EZ is a better choice, but in some settings, a revolver is still a good option.
What makes a gun made for a ‘duty’ role?
Primarily, the ability to equip a large, 20,000+ Candela weapon light, equip an enclosed optic, and support a duty holster. Duty holsters tend to have a locking mechanism to prevent the gun from being dislodge due to movement, as well as delay a potential physical confrontation for the gun. The first and last criteria are the primary factors since too thin of a gun with the contemporary 1000 lumen lights cannot be safely holstered due to the amount of movement that can occur with an imbalanced weapon light width relative to the gun width.
Aside from that, account for your training needs, which will include ammo, maintenance tools, and the class fees. Luckily, you can avoid getting any carry insurance as that is generally a scam.