Many people have an interest in guns, going to the range, the uses, and possibly carrying, but haven’t yet made the jump. Part of the reason is because there are so many options and so many opinions on the topic of guns. Everyone has their preferences and ideas. Here, I’ll share my ideas, but I’ll try not to impose my preferences. This is meant to be a guide to figure out your own preferences.
Choosing your first gun is an important decision, but at the same time you should remember that you won’t be married to it. There are a lot of options to consider, but I think some important questions should be answered first.
Why are you buying the gun?
This is probably one of the most important questions, not just because it can help narrow down your choices by a large margin, but also help you decide if you even should buy the gun. Owning a gun requires a huge amount of maturity. It can never be perceived as a toy, or as something that can be played with. A mishandled gun can result in an untimely death. So, what is the reason?
Once you get past the part where you are sure this is something you want to follow through with, the answer to this question doesn’t tell you what gun to buy, but gives an idea of where you should start looking.
What caliber should I shoot?
This depends on your goal and your comfort with the amount of power in various rounds.
In self defense, bigger is always better. However, it is possible to go too big. If you are looking for something for self defense, find the largest caliber you are comfortable shooting repeatedly. While a .357magnum sounds very appealing and dangerous to your aggressor, it can be unwieldy. I can shoot .44magnum pretty well, but it’s not a good choice, for me, as a defense round.
In target practice I like to stay small and cheap. I find .22lr helps train handgun handling and I can shoot it all day. I still practice with my carry weapon, but primarily to maintain training with it, not so much for recreation.
Revolver or auto?
This is actually a valid consideration. Revolvers are relatively simple firearms, especially compared to auto handguns. In fact, Texas makes the distinction in concealed handgun licensing certification (if you certify on a revolver, you are not permitted to carry an auto, but if you certify on an auto, you can carry a revolver as well). Revolvers also have a different range of calibers available to them than autos, and have different carry capacity. They each have a different feel and a different balance. Finally, revolvers can be heavier, mostly by the nature of firing larger calibers and the fact that autos have polymer frames available.
Steel or polymer?
This is a question for the autos. If you want an auto handgun (one that has an auto-loading action from a removable magazine), you have the choice of an all metal frame or a polymer frame.
If you don’t know what “polymer” means, it’s basically a blend of materials. In this case, it is primarily hard nylon polymers. Many people refer to polymer frame guns as plastic because that is the way they feel. Some don’t like this simply because it feels cheap or toy-ish. This tends to bring into question its durability. In reality, there are polymers that are harder than metal, friction points are always metal on metal, and in cases where a polymer frame might fail due to a malfunction, a metal frame gun is likely to do the same.
So when making this consideration, you should decide based on the way they feel. Because polymer frame guns are very light, though the friction points are all metal, polymer frame guns tend to be top heavy, especially when the gun is unloaded. The slide, barrel, action, etc are all metal and the lower part of the gun is plastic. Overall, however, the gun would be lighter than an all metal gun. Each have their advantages and disadvantages.
Big or small?
Believe it or not, guns come in different sized frames, and the answer to this should involve the purpose of the firearm.
Large frame, especially all metal handguns tend to be heavier. With the increased weight, you will experienced less recoil because more energy is required to move the handgun and you are more likely to have a more firm grip. However, large frame guns tend to be harder to carry, particularly concealed. Small frame and polymer guns tend to be lighter. Lighter guns will have increased muzzle flip (the act of the handgun’s muzzle flipping upwards) which can be stressful on your hands and wrists and increase recovery time to next shot. Small guns are easier to conceal, with some being small enough for pocket carry.
What brand?
This is pretty much where I stop. The major brands make reliable and accurate guns for most people, and I recommend sticking to the major brands. I’m not going to tell you which brand to buy but you should do your research.
This is where I’m going to tell you about gun rentals. Many gun ranges allow you to rent a handgun to fire using ammunition they sell. They will show you how to operate the handgun, but not all ranges will provide training for free or at all. I would recommend finding a range that offers gun rentals and try them out. If at all possible, I recommend finding a range that does offer training or getting to know someone that can help you out. You don’t have to just fire a gun in a single session if you want to get to know a gun before buying it.
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