Best Beginner Handguns 2024: Make Sure Your First Handgun Is From This List

Summary

This video guide aims to assist first-time gun buyers in selecting a suitable handgun by evaluating key factors like caliber, ergonomics, price, and safety features. It reviews eight top choices for beginners, including the Springfield Armory Hellcat, Heckler & Koch VP9, FN 509, CZ-75B, Taurus G3, Glock 19, Sig Sauer P320, and the Smith & Wesson MP 2.0, highlighting their unique attributes and suitability for various uses such as home defense and concealed carry.

Takeaways

• ⚠️ Choosing a first firearm can be overwhelming due to the variety of styles, brands, calibers, and types like pistols, revolvers, and semi-automatics.
• 🔍 Key criteria for beginners include caliber, ergonomics, price, and safety features.
• 🔫 The Springfield Armory Hellcat is recommended for its adaptive grip texture and trigger safety blade, enhancing control and precision.
• 🇩🇪 The Heckler and Koch VP9 is a user-friendly striker-fired handgun with ambidextrous controls and a history dating back to the 1970s.
• 🔑 FN 509 is a modular handgun suitable for self-defense, competition shooting, and law enforcement, with variants for different applications.
• 🔒 CZ-75B offers a metal frame alternative to polymer-framed guns, with a unique safety feature allowing carry in condition 1 for quick draw.
• 💰 Taurus G3 is a budget-friendly option for home defense, though not recommended for concealed carry without additional training.
• 🔐 Glock 19 is a versatile and reliable choice for beginners, with a balance of size, capacity, and concealability.
• 🏅 Sig Sauer P320 is praised for its construction, ergonomics, and capacity, making it a top choice for both beginners and experienced shooters.
• 🔝 The Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 is a top pick for its ease of use, comfort, and reliability, suitable for a range of users from concealed carry to law enforcement.

Q & A

What factors should a beginner consider when selecting their first handgun?

A beginner should consider factors such as caliber, ammo size, ergonomics, price, and safety features.

Why is the Springfield Armory Hellcat recommended for beginners?

The Springfield Armory Hellcat is recommended for beginners because of its adaptive grip texture, higher grip position, and trigger safety blade which aids in speed and accuracy.

What is unique about the Heckler and Koch VP9's design?

The Heckler and Koch VP9 features ambidextrous controls, aggressive charging serrations, and charging supports for better grip.

How does the FN 509 differ from the handguns submitted to the Modular Handgun System competition?

The FN 509 is a further development of the design submitted to the Modular Handgun System competition, resulting in an effective tactical handgun suitable for various applications.

What is the significance of the CZ-75B's manual safety feature?

The CZ-75B's manual safety allows it to be carried in condition 1, with a round in the chamber and the safety on, providing single action consistency shot to shot.

Why is the Taurus G3 a good budget option for a beginner?

The Taurus G3 is a reliable 9mm handgun with great capacity at a budget-friendly price, making it a good value for those on a tight budget.

What makes the Glock 19 a versatile choice for beginners?

The Glock 19 is a versatile choice because it is compact, has a reduced weight and length, and offers 15 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition in a concealable package.

How does the Sig Sauer P320 compare to the Glock 19?

The Sig Sauer P320 is often compared to the Glock 19 for its usability, construction, ergonomics, and capacity, making it a great choice for both experienced shooters and beginners.

What are the key features of the Smith and Wesson MP M2.0 pistol?

The Smith and Wesson MP M2.0 pistol is designed for various users, has a smooth trigger pull, offers a solid magazine capacity of 17+1, and is known for its ease of handling and comfort.

What is the significance of a handgun being striker-fired?

A striker-fired handgun, like the Glock 19, uses the spring to drive the firing pin forward instead of a hammer blow, which can contribute to a simpler and more rugged design.

Why is caliber an important consideration for a beginner's first handgun?

Caliber is important because it determines the size and power of the ammunition, affecting factors like recoil, accuracy, and stopping power, which can influence the beginner's shooting experience.