What Is The Best Handgun For Beginners?

Out of the thousands of questions that I’ve seen on Concealed Nation, this is up there in the top 5 without a doubt. So many new faces are coming over to gun ownership and concealed carry and are looking for direction in many different ways. It truly is a great time for concealed carry and firearms in general.

One of those directions they seek: What is the best handgun for beginners?

While the answer is not a specific firearm, there are some questions that anyone can ask themselves, and then apply the answers to a future purchase. This is definitely not a catch-all, but it’s a start.

Here are four questions to ask yourself:

Question 1: What Is My Experience With Firearms

Your lifetime experience with firearms will play a large role in a beginner handgun. If your experience is very limited, such as never even firing a gun, it’s best to start out with a smaller caliber. Never be afraid or ashamed to pick up a nice .22 caliber handgun. In fact, I recommend it as a first purchase for anyone who is new to firearms. It’s a great way to get a feel for firearms, they’re cheap to shoot, and so much fun.

If you have a little experience and are familiar and have shot numerous calibers, it’s recommended to start off with one of the following: .22, .380, 9mm.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to get proficient with a smaller caliber until moving up to a larger one. For example, if you pick up a nice new 9mm Glock and can’t hit the paper, it’s best to set that one aside for the time being and get yourself a .22 or .380 until you become proficient with that (preferably a .22).

Question 2: What Am I Going To Do With The Handgun I Purchase

I’m going to break this down into two categories: Range Gun or Carry Gun.

Range Gun
If it’s a range gun that you’re looking for, it’s really up to you with what you choose. Remember, we’re still keeping the answer to question #1 in mind. If however, you’re looking for a carry gun, read on.

Carry Gun
A beginner that’s looking for a carry gun has to take a few other things into consideration before making a purchase. Is the firearm that you’re looking at easily concealable? Is it suitable for concealed carry? What are the reviews like? Also, you don’t want to be carrying a firearm around that you haven’t demonstrated proficiency with. Range time and practice are extremely important, and don’t ever forget that.