How To Choose Your First Handgun

Choosing your first handgun can be an intimidating task. What type of gun do you need? What caliber? Should it be big or small? If it’s small, how small is too small where reliability is compromised? Where should you buy it? The questions can go on and on. Thankfully, you’ve come across this article, written by a certified firearms instructor who’s taught thousands of people. I don’t know your specific situation, but I can get you where you need to be by following this outline. Let’s get started.

 

By Alston Trainings

Private Lessons

The first thing you want to do when purchasing a new gun is to take a private lesson with a firearms instructor. Yes, you read that correctly. You don’t want to buy a gun yet. If your budget allows, go to a range and rent a gun for your private lesson. If you’re buying your first gun, it’s safe to assume you’re not yet proficient, so you need to get your head around gun safety and safe gun handling first.

I say a private lesson and not a class with a bunch of people because you don’t care about everyone else’s needs. You care about your needs. You don’t need time taken up by the bachelor or bachelorette party that jumped in last minute, or the family with kids who ask a million unrelated questions and burn time you paid for. A private lesson gets you 1-on-1 time with a certified instructor who gives you undivided attention and helps you find what fits your hands, what carries well, and what makes sense to keep at home.

Every range is different, so ask if you’ll be able to try a couple of guns during your lesson. If not, that’s okay. An hour or two at the range will open your mind and put you in a far better position to decide than not. In my experience, most people don’t buy on the first day. They take time to process, grab something to eat, sleep on it, then start fresh with another lesson that week or the following week, and then buy. It’s amazing how everything changes once you take a lesson and start shooting for real.

Selecting a Gun

Now it’s time to select a gun to buy. There’s no national registry for guns in the United States, and laws vary by state. You could technically purchase from a private seller depending on where you live. I don’t recommend this for your first gun, or your first three. You don’t yet know how to disassemble and inspect a firearm for issues. Buy from a gun store. Get something brand new from the factory with the factory warranty. You’re buying reliability and support.

It’s not realistic to dry fire and play with every gun in the store. Walk in with your top three picks and choose from there. Pick something with a track record of reliability and easy maintenance. Don’t chase the super-expensive, unique gun that just hit the market. You want a Toyota, not a Ferrari. That can come later.

Here are established and reputable brands I recommend to new gun owners. You can’t go wrong with these. The decision comes down to how it feels in your hands, how you shoot it, and how you plan to use it.

  • Glock
  • CZ
  • Walther
  • FN
  • Canik
  • Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 series
  • Sig Sauer (P365 series)

Size and Role

One gun doesn’t do everything. Prioritize the task. If it’s for home, a larger pistol is easier to shoot and manage. If you want to carry, you may need something more compact so it doesn’t print through clothing. I tell people: you’ll probably own at least three eventually, a carry pistol, a bigger handgun that mostly stays at home, and a shoulder-able option like a rifle or shotgun. Training will make that clear over time.

Caliber and Reliability Basics

For most first-time buyers, 9mm is the practical answer. It balances recoil, performance, and cost. Very small pistols can be less forgiving to run. Tiny can be tricky. Choose the largest pistol you’ll actually carry or stage. That choice supports handgun basics, gun range safety, and steady practice.

Don't overlook a .22lr caliber gun as well. Some people are terrified of the explosion from a handgun and the .22 serves as a great gateway to firearms without the added theatrics. You can always work your way up to 9mm in the future.

After Purchasing

After you decide on a gun, sign up for more classes right away. Shooting is a perishable skill. It takes time and feedback to perform on demand. Don’t bolt on a bunch of aftermarket parts yet. Burn at least one thousand rounds in training, private lessons or instructor-led classes, before you change anything. Learn the gun. Confirm reliability. Then tune if needed.

In Conclusion

That’s it. The process feels daunting when no one is guiding you. Follow the steps here and you’ll make a smart choice. Book a private lesson, lock in the fundamentals, then make your first purchase with confidence.


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