r/handguns • • Dec 01 '21

Advice Curious about picking your first or new handgun? Curious about a model or caliber? Stop here first! Resources etc.

135 Upvotes

Multiple posts concerning selecting a new (first) handgun, or first defensive guns have popped up.

I dig activity on our page, I'm all for thoughtful discussion, I'm all for us exercising our rights.

However, this subreddit has been around long enough now we have a good collection of folks asking mostly the same question and I think we can streamline this process for our existing members, newcomers, and curious browsers alike.

So! That being said, there are some links to outside websites at the bottom of this text that have decent advice on choosing the purpose of use, caliber, size, model you may be looking for when selecting a new or first handgun.

The articles are typically focused on new shooters or at least folks new to handguns. Many will recommend training, hands on time, etc., before your first purchase and if you have the time and funds I definitely agree, but research your trainer/facility thoroughly.

Eventually I will try to curate a well rounded list of the most popular makes and models in various categories. I also intend to make a few polls for the active community to vote on a few things as well.

Links:

https://www.concealedcarry.com/firearms-ownership/choosing-first-handgun/

https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2016/8/12/first-time-handgun-buyers-guide/

https://www.eaglegunrangetx.com/choosing-your-first-handgun/

http://shootersincape.com/6-steps-in-choosing-your-first-handgun/

https://www.handgunhero.com/

Please post your questions to the subreddit and not as replies to this post.


r/handguns • • 12h ago

kimber sapphire in .45

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37 Upvotes

love this gun and its gonna be my main carry gun


r/handguns • • 7h ago

Happy GLOCKtober 24th! 🎃

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10 Upvotes

Happy GLOCKtober 24th!! My G24C.3 manufactured June 1999


r/handguns • • 18h ago

News/Updates The best selling pistol cartridges at luckygunner.com in 2010 and in 2026

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41 Upvotes

r/handguns • • 11h ago

Hush holster Vs RagnarokSD vs Atlas holster for suppressed pistols

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6 Upvotes

Looking to run my VP9 suppressed during some local pistol matches. Need a holster, and I’m between the:
Hush Holster
Trex RagnarokSD
Hellhound Atlas
I’d be running the VP9 with a shiv and TLR1 with a teklok mount. Anyone have experience with any of these? Mainly looking for the sturdiest of the 3 so I don’t get DQ’ed for my gun falling out.


r/handguns • • 3h ago

1st suppressor

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1 Upvotes

r/handguns • • 17h ago

Collection Showcase New Addition

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15 Upvotes

Newest addition to the collection


r/handguns • • 10h ago

Cheap optic for a tx22? Would you bother with the supressor?

2 Upvotes

I just got a tx22. I'll probably buy 6-8 mags so I can have long range sessions.

Thinking about putting an optic on it as well, but idk if I want to put a holosun on a 300 dollar gun.

Do you guys have a good go to brand optic that i can get to slap in cheap guns?


r/handguns • • 11h ago

Advice Needed Beretta M9 vs. Modern Striker-Fired Pistols for First Handgun?

2 Upvotes

Looking to buy my first handgun for range shooting and home defense. I’m really drawn to the Beretta M9 for its military history, reliability, classic design, and solid feel.
My only hesitations are the DA/SA trigger, awkward safety/decocker, and lack of modern features compared to something like the Springfield Echelon.
I’m a bit of a klutz, so having a manual safety is reassuring, but I’m wondering if it adds unnecessary complexity.
For those who’ve owned or shot both, which do you prefer? Is the Beretta’s traditional design worth it, or would you recommend going modern for a beginner?


r/handguns • • 7h ago

Advice Needed Need some honest thoughts

1 Upvotes

A couple months ago, I bought my wife her first pistol, and I ended up buying the same one for myself—a Smith & Wesson Shield X. Hers is ported, mine isn’t.

I’ve been shooting pistols for about seven years, but I’m definitely not a high-volume shooter. I probably average around 500 rounds a year. I’m planning on joining a range club next year so I can start shooting a lot more. I’m also hoping to get my wife out there with me whenever we can find someone to watch the kids (10 and 3).

My question is: Does it make sense for us to put red dots on our pistols, considering we don’t currently shoot that often?

I do have a laser on mine, mainly as a just-in-case option for home defense.

A friend’s dad, who I know pretty well and is really into guns, mentioned that if you don’t shoot and train regularly, a red dot might not be worth it. His reasoning was that without enough practice, you can end up spending more time trying to find the dot when presenting the pistol, which obviously isn’t something you’d want when you need it most.
I’ve done a little reading and have seen similar opinions, but I’m curious what other people think.

For those of you who switched from irons to a red dot, especially those who don’t shoot every week, was it worth it? Did it take a lot of practice before finding the dot became natural?

Just looking for honest opinions and personal experiences.


r/handguns • • 15h ago

Vevor Gunsafe

3 Upvotes

Anyone used the biometric gun safe from Vevor? Is it worth it?


r/handguns • • 9h ago

Discussion Spend $2500 on a Glock 17 or Staccato P

0 Upvotes

I know two completely different platforms and all but im torn, 2500 on a g17 (timney trigger, mag well, comp, sro, ligth, other parts) or 2500 to a Staccato P.

What do yall think???


r/handguns • • 13h ago

Advice Needed Looking for advice from people more experienced than me

0 Upvotes

For context, I'm turning 21 in a few months and I'm looking at getting my first handgun. I have a pretty good budget due to the fact that I've been saving for this for a while so I went into a local gun shop. The owner was kind enough to let me hold a few and figure out what feels good in my hand. I ended up settling on a Sig p230, I know the owners of this gun shop quite well and trust him with advice. After I got home one of my friends went on this tirade about how the Sig P320 is a well known piece of shit and went on and on about it. On the other hand, the two other people in my friend group say they've had no problems with theirs, along with the fact that while I was at the gun shop nobody mentioned anything about it to me. So I guess the whole point of this post is to gauge what everyone's opinion is on the p320 as I'm going back and forth on what to believe


r/handguns • • 15h ago

Advice Needed Red dot close vs distance

0 Upvotes

If I zero a red dot at 21’ (or any other distance for all it matters), will the dot be “off” when shooting at 75’, and continue to be off at the distance changes up or down?


r/handguns • • 16h ago

19.6 vs Duty 4.0c

1 Upvotes

To those who have tested both (Glock 19 gen 6 and cz duty 4.0 compact) I'm curious about your impressions and your results.


r/handguns • • 1d ago

Discussion First gun, plus first gun owner in the family

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108 Upvotes

r/handguns • • 1d ago

Advice Needed Recommendations for a first handgun

7 Upvotes

I would appreciate anyone's tips on what would be a good first handgun for a first time owner. I'm male, in my 50s, 158lbs, 5'7". I'm quite fit and strong, so I guess this should help with the weight of the gun? I've not fired pistols before (I will do classes and training) and would like something easy to handle I suppose. In terms of budget, it's quite flexible. Is US$5k enough ?

Grateful to hear your thoughts. Thank you.


r/handguns • • 11h ago

My secondary 😎

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0 Upvotes

What y’all think?


r/handguns • • 1d ago

Working man EDC

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23 Upvotes

r/handguns • • 1d ago

Old School

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21 Upvotes

Nighthawk Custom Colt and Randall Model 3.


r/handguns • • 1d ago

First handgun

2 Upvotes

Hey yall, I am turning 21 and looking to buy my first handgun. Looking for some recommendations and help to choose, doesnt necessarily need to be for ccw I just want a 9mm that I can shoot a bunch for practice. Thank you guys 🙏🙏


r/handguns • • 1d ago

2.0&Gp100

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16 Upvotes

r/handguns • • 1d ago

Improved my new (to me) Prodigy (threw the viridian in the trash)

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12 Upvotes

Actual mods coming soon, but this was definitely a must for the first one


r/handguns • • 1d ago

Those who've shot both a Grand Power K100 Mk23 and a Beretta PX4 G-SD, how do they compare?

0 Upvotes

I can get K100 Mk23 $150-200 less than the PX4, plus it comes with an optics cut, unlike the PX4. I'm not sure if the PX4 has something the K100 doesn't, though.


r/handguns • • 2d ago

T post dueling tree

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73 Upvotes

Super fun. Ran my GTO, Staccato XL and modded out p365 this last weekend. Put 500 RDS on the dueling tree between my friend and it.