If you're thinking about buying your first handgun to try your hand at competition, self-defense, or just spend a day at the range, then you may be faced with a huge variety of options that may overwhelm you. In order to make it easier for you to make a choice, we decided to write this article, because without experience with firearms, it is difficult to answer the question of which pistol would be best for you - a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol, what brand and what caliber. Without being able to figure it out, many make their choice based on things like appearance or cinematography that effectively presents different types of firearms.
Well, let's try to figure out which gun will be the best solution for a beginner! we will try to find an option in which the combination of performance and availability will be optimal.
What is the first thing to decide is the caliber. A large caliber usually has a lot of recoil, and a small one may not provide enough stopping power, which is why we, like many other experts, advise beginners to turn their attention to 9mm caliber. It's perfect for beginners thanks to its soft recoil, plus it has a larger magazine capacity that makes it stand out when training - you won't need to keep changing magazines and reloading. This caliber is used in police work and is a success among FBI agents, it is more controllable without having a hard recoil. Of course it won't be as powerful as a .40 S&W, much less a .45 ACP which has more power and cartridge efficiency, but with no practice, you run the risk of being an ineffective shooter in a home defense situation. That is why we still recommend starting your acquaintance with 9mm, because this is the lightest, albeit less intense caliber size.
The next thing you need to pay attention to is the size of the gun. A full size pistol is good for beginners, it has a larger grip area and a wider sight radius from front to back. A pistol with a 4" or 5" barrel will be the most suitable, easier to handle and less recoil absorbed by the mass of the pistol. When buying a pistol, it is very important to pay attention to its ergonomics, the pistol should lie comfortably in your hand. It is believed that the force of pulling the trigger should be compatible with the weight of the gun, and this is also worth considering. Your gun should be an extension of your hand, only then you will be comfortable using it.
Let's start with the Springfield XD-M2, this model is perfect for beginner shooters. The slip-resistant, full-length grip will keep you in control of your pistol and will keep sweaty hands from losing control of your firearm. The pistol can also be equipped with a dual action system that allows you to choose the style of shooting depending on what you like best - a lighter trigger or a safer one with a double action function that greatly reduces the risk of accidental firing. The XD-M2 with a 1" wide bezel makes it easy to use even for small hand sizes, prevents slipping and eases recoil, it's a good option for the beginner shooter, plus it has many features to make it easier for people not used to handling it with a gun and its maintenance.
The next example we will talk about is the Glock pistol. It would hardly be possible to bypass the pistol of this brand in the list of the best pistols for beginners. We're talking about the G19X, which is a version of the Glok 17. The G19X is a full-frame crossover with a compact slide, making it a flexible option for a variety of situations with quality components and precise build. The holster for this pistol is convenient due to the compact slide. A lanyard loop helps you stay confident if you're worried about losing your grip on your gun. Rising grip grooves and a full-length grip frame give you the confidence you need to aim at any target. The sight radius is larger than the compact pistols and this helps a lot with accuracy. Definitely this pistol will be a good option for both beginners and experienced shooters.
Swith & Wesson M&P2 Another well proven pistol. By the name, you can guess that it was designed for the military and the police, and is perfect for various purposes, both for personal use for self-defense and for sports or professional use of firearms. This is a great pistol that will suit not only experienced users, but also beginners due to its ease of use, it fits perfectly in the hand, has a solid grip and smooth trigger pull, in addition, the company offers different magazine capacity ranges depending on models are either 7 or 8 +1 or 17 +1. This pistol has been in law enforcement service for many years and has proven itself well, besides it has not changed much in terms of its size, so it will not be difficult for you to find accessories for this pistol.
So let's move on to the next model and it will be the Sig Sauer P320. An excellent semi-automatic pistol with a percussive shot that will remain a good friend to you as you gain experience. The Sig Sauer P320 pistol is also intuitive to use, has an easy-to-handle recoil and is loaded with useful features. 9mm customizable polymer framed pistol at a very competitive price, for pistols with similar equipment, this is an excellent option from a company that has long gained confidence.
Well, let's still dilute our review with a revolver and it will be Ruger LCR9. A classic double action revolver. Most revolvers are bulky and not suitable for everyday use as a firearm for self-defense, but the same cannot be said for the LCR9 - the compact size and light frame deprive the owner of these inconveniences. Its barrel is only 1.87 inches long and 4.5 inches high, making it very comfortable to carry discreetly in a holster. The double action trigger prevents the situation of an accidental shot, this makes it a little slower, but still for beginners this can be an important point to consider, if we talk about the minuses, this model still has quite a strong recoil, but this can be good practice before switching to a larger caliber, the fact that the drum contains only five rounds will also help you in practice, so you will definitely learn how to reload a pistol.
To summarize the above, we note that when choosing your first pistol, you should not give in to emotions, go to local firearms stores, try to shoot at the range, try to feel the gun and choose the one that suits you the most. And don't forget to review your state's firearm ownership, carrying, and transport regulations. And don't forget the safety rules.