What is the Best Handgun for Beginners? Top 5 Options

There are around 393 million privately owned firearms in the US.

This is significantly more than in any other country, but while so many people own guns, it’s vital that each gun owner knows what they’re doing.

Gun shops – especially online gun shops – offer a lot of choices. There are some options that are definitely worth considering for a first handgun

In this guide, we’ll go over 5 of the best handgun choices for beginners. Keep reading for more.

1. Springfield XDM (9mm)

The Springfield XDM is easily one of the best 9mm handguns for beginners. It has major grasp slide serrations, and the back straps can be swapped out so you can implement something tailor-made for your hands. This may not seem significant, but after spending some time shooting, you’ll notice how much difference a comfortable grip makes.

The factory striker-fired trigger feels smoother than many would expect, which will help with your accuracy. Similar guns don’t always fit together very well, but when stripping this down, you’ll notice how precise all the components are.

It includes some additional features such as a loaded chamber indicator and striker status indicator. There are certain weapons handling and maintenance rules, and these make them easier to follow.

It also has triple safety guards. If you’re new to shooting, you’ll want to prioritize safety, so this is an ideal feature.

2. Smith & Wesson M&P 9

This may be the best handgun for beginners who are left-handed as it has ambidextrous controls. If you’re shooting with someone else and you have different dominant hands, you’ll both be able to use this with no issues.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 features a 17-round magazine plus one in the chamber. This gives you a lot of capacity for lengthy shooting sessions – although may not be the best if you want to practice reloading. The accessories rail allows you to attach various add-ons to you can try out new things such as a pistol light or advanced sight.

It’s durable but still lightweight. It has a smooth, ergonomic design so it feels comfortable in the hand. This handgun was designed based on the needs of law enforcement and military personnel, so it has great control, accuracy, and safety.

The M&P line itself is known for reliability. Malfunctions are rare, which is ideal for a beginner who wants to avoid issues while shooting.

3. Ruger LCR9

The Ruger LCR9 is a double-action revolver that’s compact and widely considered a classic. It has a snub nose but still offers good control. There are moon clips that clip onto the base of 9mm rounds – some beginners don’t like it as it involves a bit more fussing around than using a magazine.

On the plus side, however, this can help you practice reloading, which is an essential part of firearm usage. It only holds 5 rounds, so you’ll be an expert in reloading in no time.

9mm revolvers aren’t common, but this one works very well. The polymer body and short barrel make it lightweight so it’s easy to handle. It doesn’t have a huge range, however, so if you’re not a practiced marksman yet you can train at shorter distances.

4. Kahr CW9 (9mm)

One of the key benefits of the Kahr CW9 is that it’s easy to conceal – a well-known train among Kahr firearms. While compact, it’s still large enough that most people can get a full grip on it. It’s a striker-fired pistol, which is great for training.

The triggers of Kahr handguns are also well known for being long and smooth with a nice break, and things are no different here. It’s worth noting that some people don’t like this, while others do – it’s essentially a matter of personal preference. It does make things a bit safer, which is good for beginners.

This particular model is known for its reliability as it seemingly never jams even during extended use. The grip is firm, it’s easy to handle, and the mechanics are simple, so this is a great all-around choice for a beginner.

5. Glock 43 (9mm Luger)

Glocks are widely known for being great beginner pistols, with the 43 being one of the best. It features a beaver tail textured grip that feels great in the hand and a reversible release button for the magazine. If you want something compact, this is a great choice.

There’s plenty of aftermarket support, so you can easily find upgrades for almost every component of this handgun. There aren’t many options available that offer as much versatility.

It only holds 6 rounds, which is a downside for some people. It is, however, a good choice for anyone that wants to practice reloading.

Compared to most handguns, the Glock 43 is easy to take apart and put back together. This makes keeping it clean simple, and you can practice disassembling it without any issues. With that in mind, it also performs very well even when it is dirty.

Finding the Best Handgun for You

While some options are more suitable than others, the best handgun for anyone will come down to personal preference. We recommend thinking about the certain factors such as comfort, handling, reloading, maintenance, etc.

At Gun Shop Near You, we specialize in helping people find an online gun shop to purchase from. We can connect people with over 11,000 shops nationwide, making it easy to find the perfect handgun. Simply enter your zip code to find a gun shop near you today.