r/handguns Dec 01 '21

Advice Curious about picking your first or new handgun? Curious about a model or caliber? Stop here first! Resources etc.

134 Upvotes

Multiple posts concerning selecting a new (first) handgun, or first defensive guns have popped up.

I dig activity on our page, I'm all for thoughtful discussion, I'm all for us exercising our rights.

However, this subreddit has been around long enough now we have a good collection of folks asking mostly the same question and I think we can streamline this process for our existing members, newcomers, and curious browsers alike.

So! That being said, there are some links to outside websites at the bottom of this text that have decent advice on choosing the purpose of use, caliber, size, model you may be looking for when selecting a new or first handgun.

The articles are typically focused on new shooters or at least folks new to handguns. Many will recommend training, hands on time, etc., before your first purchase and if you have the time and funds I definitely agree, but research your trainer/facility thoroughly.

Eventually I will try to curate a well rounded list of the most popular makes and models in various categories. I also intend to make a few polls for the active community to vote on a few things as well.

Links:

https://www.concealedcarry.com/firearms-ownership/choosing-first-handgun/

https://www.nrafamily.org/articles/2016/8/12/first-time-handgun-buyers-guide/

https://www.eaglegunrangetx.com/choosing-your-first-handgun/

http://shootersincape.com/6-steps-in-choosing-your-first-handgun/

https://www.handgunhero.com/

Please post your questions to the subreddit and not as replies to this post.


r/handguns 2h ago

My M&P carry comp was my coolest pistol until…

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25 Upvotes

My dad decided to completely unexpectedly gift my brother and I some FUGGIN CZ SHADOW 2 ORANGES. We all work together and this last weekend got some range time in and the old man starts pulling these out of the range bag and hands to us.. still 5 days later I’m in shock and love. He’d been working on getting everything for almost a year and now I’ll be focusing on getting to the range much more frequently..


r/handguns 7h ago

Build/Setup First post here, hello 👋

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19 Upvotes

Figured I'd share my most interesting handgun at the moment, Icarus frame RXM Build. I'm just being silly with this thing, I've got a comp on the way and a spring kit for tuning. The venom is probably temporary and getting replaced with a big window optic. I really love the RXM, the Icarus frame has a few quirks/issues but feels great. This will purely be a range/unrestricted competition pistol. 2011 cope machine/zev we have at home haha


r/handguns 8h ago

Question Autists required

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9 Upvotes

Hi, I inherited this old German handgun from my grandfather and it has had a malfunction after cleaning with the safety making it unable to fire and I cant figure out what it is please help my fellow autists.


r/handguns 4h ago

Alpha Foxtrot x Bones Defense

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4 Upvotes

r/handguns 15h ago

Second time

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31 Upvotes

Kimber 1911. Just got it back from them after having this part repaired.


r/handguns 1d ago

S&W 686 no dash (unfired)

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79 Upvotes

r/handguns 6h ago

Collection Showcase When Master Chief needs a weapon…

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0 Upvotes

r/handguns 10h ago

Question Thoughts

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0 Upvotes

r/handguns 22h ago

Found me some ruger treasure!

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5 Upvotes

r/handguns 14h ago

SHADOW SYSTEM-CR920X

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1 Upvotes

r/handguns 16h ago

Glock mag holster for CZ mags

1 Upvotes

would a magazine holster marketed for "9mm/0.40 double stack" mags that I've seen works with Glock mags also work for other 9mm magazines? (I'm specifically working with a CZ-75)


r/handguns 1d ago

Used Guns on Guns.com

3 Upvotes

I have been debating purchasing a full-size 9 for some time. After trying a bunch of them, I’ve landed on the M&P9 2.0. I found a few used on guns.com that appear to be pretty good deals. However, they are not “certified“ and that makes me a little nervous. Should I be worried or should I just bite the bullet if I think it’s a good deal?


r/handguns 1d ago

Question Magazine pricing?

2 Upvotes

I recently got my first handgun, a Stoeger STR 9. I'm wanting to find an extra mag for it but the prices are more than I expected. Are there any mags I can buy that are less than $40? How big it is doesn't matter to me. Just something reasonably priced imo


r/handguns 1d ago

Question What ammo to use with p10c ported?

2 Upvotes

Been looking around for a good answer to this question but I keep seeing conflicting answers online so I figured I'd make my own post to help narrow things down. I'm going to shoot it for the first time this weekend and want to make sure I have some decent ammo. A lot of people say 124 grain works best while others say 115 is just as good. Also need advice on brand. Preferably one that is generally available at stores like gradys or academy sports. What do you guys think?


r/handguns 2d ago

I can see why this is illegal

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79 Upvotes

There’s barely any room to even hold the grip on this 3.6” gun. But I hope this gave you a chuckle like it did me 😆


r/handguns 1d ago

Recommend my first pistol for USPSA

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2 Upvotes

r/handguns 1d ago

Discussion Dominant eye

3 Upvotes

I'm left eye dominant but right handed. How tf do I shoot? Tilting the pistol just a little bit to the side just not as far as gangster style seems to help. Will tilting it slightly cause any set backs? Will having a carry comp pistol push the barrel down and to the side?


r/handguns 1d ago

Too many Tuesday?

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20 Upvotes

The collection so far from underneath the sunny curtain.


r/handguns 2d ago

Discussion Silencer 1st shoot underwhelming

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31 Upvotes

So go ahead and roast away. This is the first time I've shot with a silencer. Glock 45 9mm. Yeah, no idea which silencer it was. That's my bad. It was a rental. Either way it shot consistently about 6" low and a couple inches to the right. Like about 430-5 o'clock.

The recoil lightened up a bit so that was nice. The iron sights were barely visible peeking over the can. That was the best part of the experience honestly.

fire the money it was worth it. G45 rental $15, silencer rental $10, 2 boxes freedom ammo $36. Range fee free this week.

15 yards distance I think.

I can say though, that this experience has me really interested in a silenced 22lr semi auto pistol though!!


r/handguns 1d ago

Questions about Tisas

5 Upvotes

I know very little about Tisas, other than it's a Turkish firearm. Any opinions or experiences on the px9 carry? I'm looking for a budget carry option that's reliable, the Derya DY9Z and Tisas Px9 carry seem to fit the bill. I realize they're not HK or something, but I know there are some quality options for a sub compact budget carry. What do y'all think?


r/handguns 2d ago

Collection Showcase Which one ya’ll picking?

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29 Upvotes

Staccato P FDE | Glock 45 Gen 6


r/handguns 2d ago

The Prodigy getting some sun

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30 Upvotes

r/handguns 2d ago

She’s Ready

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16 Upvotes

r/handguns 1d ago

If you guys could help me grow my channel. I wanna do gun reviews. All I have is shorts but hopefully my channel can grow and I can do more contents so please subscribe and like thankyou

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0 Upvotes