If you’re just getting into firearms, choosing your first pistol can be overwhelming.
Walking into a gun store without doing research is like walking into a jungle of possibilities.
“When you're just getting ready to buy your first firearm, it can feel very overwhelming because you walk up to any gun counter, and you've got a plethora of pistols in front of you,” explained John McClain from the Armscor Team.
And sometimes the salesperson may not have your best interest in mind and instead push for the best sale.
“People behind the counters can be the best or worst first interactions you’ll have with someone in the gun community,” said John. “Don’t feel afraid to approach someone with questions, but also be prepared to take it with a grain of salt.”
Learn to be specific with your questions to get the best possible answers based on your research. So instead of asking what the best gun for self-defense is, explain exactly what you want to use it for and how you’ll carry it.
“Understanding how to ask the right question can sometimes really help determine whether or not you buy the correct firearm the first time,” said John.
Before you walk through that door, start your research on your first pistol with the five essential factors to consider before you buy your first pistol: purpose, reliability, cost, caliber and comfort.
1. Purpose
Consider exactly what you want to use your pistol for.
“If it’s going to be for everyday carry, that’s going to open up a different set of questions to find the correct firearm,” explained John. “But if it’s just going to be used for home defense or just something you take out to the range to train with, that’s going to determine what kind of firearm you’re going to look for.”
If you’re looking to carry concealed, a compact pistol may be the best option, while a full-size, pistol with a longer barrel may be a better choice for a home defense situation.
Ask yourself the following questions to help guide you in finding the right pistol:
- Do you want a weapon you can comfortably concealed carry for self-defense in public?
- How heavy are you comfortable carrying concealed? Where would you conceal it?
- Are you looking for a gun that will work well for open carry in public?
- Would you want your pistol to fit comfortably in a small safe by your bed in the case of an intruder?
- Do you want something to defend just yourself or your family?
- Are you looking for something fun to take to the range and practice your aim with?
- Will you be looking into competition shooting?
2. Reliability
Do your research and find a firearm that has consistently proven its reliability.
“Buy a firearm that you have personally tested and fits the standards of what you expect of it,” said John.
Consider how much maintenance your pistol will require. What parts will you have to replace and how many rounds can it endure before you need to do so?
It’s important to put the reliability of your firearm above the comfortability.
“A reliable firearm that feels a little uncomfortable is going to get you a lot further than a comfortable firearm that isn't that reliable,” John explained.
All firearms are machines and will need repairs and will malfunction at times. Choose one that is made by a reliable company and has a proven track record of being reliable in action.
3. Cost
Look at your financial situation and consider what you are comfortable spending on a weapon, its ammunition and any accessories you’re interested in.
“You don’t want to put yourself in a financial situation that hurts you or your family by overbuying what is necessary for your purposes,” said John. “Not everyone needs a $4,000, custom-built firearm. Buy what you can afford without putting yourself in a tough financial situation.”
Many Rock Island Armory pistols are affordable options since the company doesn’t manufacture many expensive handguns. Not all guns are created equally, so consider what fits your budget.
“If all you can afford is something inexpensive, then something is better than nothing,” said John.
Don’t forget that though a price tag may look high, it will last for a long time, providing you safety and security for most of your life.
“Buying a firearm seems like a lot of money upfront, but in reality, you’re buying protection essentially for the rest of your life,” John added. “You're investing in your safety and the safety of your family.”
If you are able to, avoid cutting corners and purchase the best, most reliable firearm that you can comfortably afford.
4. Caliber
Choosing the caliber is an important aspect of ensuring your pistol is the right fit for you.
When you’re looking into pistols, consider what kind of caliber you’ll be able to handle. If you’re a smaller person, you may want smaller bullets, but if you’re a stronger person, a larger caliber may work just fine.
No matter what caliber you end up going with, consider how frequently you’ll be using the weapon and if you can afford to keep up with purchasing the ammunition for your gun if you’ll be using it often. A more common and cost-effective caliber may be a good option if you plan to shoot through a lot of ammo at the range or in practice.
One of the best calibers for a handgun is 9mm if you are using it for self-defense or shooting at the range.
“It's a big enough round that it can be used in any sort of self-defense situation,” explained John. “It’s a readily available caliber, and it’s one of the more affordable calibers that are out there.”
Some may pose 380 as a better option due to its small size and lesser recoil; however, if cost is a concern, it’s much more expensive than 9mm.
It is also worth noting that if you intend to use it on animals, such as bears, moving up in caliber to a 10mm bullet would be ideal.
5. Comfort
The last thing to consider is the comfort of the firearm in your hand. This should come after ensuring you’ve chosen something that is reliable and fits your purpose.
After you’ve confirmed it’s a reliable choice, then look into the comfortability.
Ask yourself questions like:
- How does it fit in your hand?
- Can you comfortably grip it?
- Are the materials comfortable for you to hold?
- Can you fire it without losing your grip?
- How heavy are you willing to carry?
- Is it comfortable to conceal?
- Can you manipulate the trigger easily?
Take it to the range and get familiar with your purchase, so that you can learn to manage any malfunctions when they happen rather than dealing with them in an emergency situation.
What to REmember
Doing your research and evaluating what you can handle can set you up for success and ensure you choose the right weapon for you.
Find a few models you are interested in and then find a gun range that has those models to rent. Shoot a few hundred rounds and learn how reliable and comfortable it is to shoot. Taking the time to evaluate the purpose, reliability, caliber, cost and comfort of a pistol can help lead you to a more informed final purchase decision and a better gun ownership experience.
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