5 Best Handguns for Beginners & Self Defense [Updated 2023]

Even though it’s a constitutional right to bear arms and defend yourself, the truth is most people have little to no experience with firearms. If that sounds like you, then you’re probably wondering, “What are the best handguns for beginners?” And we’re here to answer that question.

What is the Best Handgun for Beginners?

There are many things to consider when making your first gun purchase. Ultimately, you want something reliable, popular, and easy to maintain. And after going through every available option on the market, here’s our recommendations.

Overall Best Handgun for Beginners: Glock 19 Gen5

Glock 19 Review:

It’s not surprising that the Glock 19 Gen5 tops everyone’s list of beginner handguns. It’s reliable, durable, and extremely easy to use. So it’s no wonder that it has become one of the most popular handguns on the planet.

The Glock 19 is known worldwide for being able to hold up in the most adverse situations imaginable. It can take a beating and then some, and still perform and function properly when you need it most. And that’s why many military and law enforcement units have adopted this semi-automatic pistol as their weapon of choice. 

The core design of the weapon allows you to have a good balance between power and control. 

It has enough stopping power with 9mm bullets for taking targets down without too much recoil like you might find in higher caliber rounds, such as .44 Magnum or .45 ACP.

9mm ammunition is readily available at your local gun store, so you won’t have any trouble tracking down some ammo when you need to stock up and head to the firing range.

It has a standard 15 round capacity magazine, which is more than enough for what you need it to do when the moment arises. But extended magazine capacities are also available.

And the control comes from the dual recoil spring system that reduces the amount of recoil experienced when firing the weapon.

These two features will help you feel more comfortable learning to operate the weapon, while also feeling confident that you’ve made a great choice to protect yourself and your family for home defense.

Another thing that beginners love about the Glock 19 is its polymer frame and lightweight design. This makes the gun much easier to carry, hold and operate without too much effort. 

And when you add this on top of the fact that the gun has an extremely simple design with very few moving parts, it’s obvious why beginners love it. It’s super easy to clean and maintain, meaning you’ll enjoy this sidearm for years to come.

An overlooked reason why the gun has become so popular is that you can customize the gun’s grip size to fit your hands perfectly. Are you a woman with smaller hands? No problem. Are you a man with giant banana fingers? No problem for you either. The Glock has got you covered.

Lastly, we should also mention the safety features. A great thing for beginners is the safety action system that prevents the gun from accidentally firing when you drop it on the ground. So you can relax a little bit knowing that if you goof up and mistakenly drop your Glock, you’re not going to send a bullet through your neighbor’s window!

So if you’re looking for a great first handgun that’s beginner friendly and will work for self defense, concealed carry, or defending your home, then the Glock 19 is the perfect pistol for you.

Gun Specifications: Glock 19

• Action Type: Striker fired pistols
• Cartridge: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 4.02 inch
• Overall Length: 6.85 inch
• Magazine Type: Removable
• Magazine: 15+1 Round Capacity

Glock 19 Pros:

• Super Reliable & High Durability
• Minimal Recoil
• Compact, Lightweight, and Powerful
• Custom Grip Sizes
• Great Safety Features
• Easy-to-find Accessories

Glock 19 CONS:

• Does not have a trigger safety
• Some find it too big and heavy for concealed carry

Alternative Best Handgun for Beginners: Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Review:

The Smith & Wesson M&P (Military and Police) 2.0 is a reliable handgun that was specifically designed to be used by law enforcement and military.

And it’s good enough for the military, then it’s good enough for me (and you too!)

Even though you might not be patrolling the streets every day or kicking doors in on international terrorists, you won’t be the first civilian to adopt this gun for personal protection.

Like many others, you’ll appreciate the M&P 2.0’s reputation for reliability, accuracy, and durability. This is a great firearm for beginners that you can always count on to get the job done.

First off, the M&P 2.0 has a polymer frame that is extremely lightweight (which makes it easier to hold and carry). That’s backed up and reinforced by a stainless steel chassis to help improve accuracy and stability when operating the gun.

Add to that a 5 inch barrel length which allows for a longer sight radius and improved accuracy, and you’ve got a fan favorite on your hands. It even has a solid reputation for shooting tight groups of shots at distances up to 25 yards, which is what you’ll be using a handgun for most often (further than that, and you should be using a rifle).

Another thing that sets the M&P 2.0 apart from other handguns in the market is its customizable grips that come in different sizes. Since it was made for wide-use by military and law enforcement organizations, the manufacturer had to ensure it would work for every shooter in the unit.

They accomplished this by equipping the fun with four interchangeable palmswell inserts. These inserts allow you to adjust the grip and find a fit that is secure and comfortable for you.

Overall, the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 is a reliable, durable, and accurate handgun that was specifically designed to be that way since it’s made for law enforcement and military units.

And this makes it a great handgun for beginners and civilians, too.

Gun Specifications: Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0

• Action Type: Striker fired pistols
• Cartridge: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 5.0 inches
• Overall Length: 8.25 inches
• Magazine Type: Removable
• Magazine: 17+1 Round Capacity

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Pros:

• Super Reliable & High Durability
• Adjustable Grips for Every Hand Size
• Made for Military and Police Use
• Aggressive Grip Texture for Extra Control
• Corrosion Resistant Finish

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 CONS:

• Longer reset is too slow for some shooters to fire quickly
• Magazine release is small and hard to access

U.S. Army’s Best Handgun for Beginners: SIG Sauer P320

SIG Sauer P320 Review:

Speaking of guns approved by the military, the SIG Sauer P320 is the official sidearm of the United States Army. And you can’t get a much better stamp of approval than that.

“Be all that you can be, with a SIG Sauer P3!”

They started using it as their standard service pistol in 2017, and it’s easy to see why. 

After extensive testing and numerous rounds of evaluations competing against all the top sidearms on the market, the deciding factor that helped the P320 win over the competition was its modular design.

This army approved sidearm is easily able to change grip size, caliber, and attachments. Which means no matter the situation, the SIG Sauer P320 can provide what the mission calls for.

This feature (along with many others) has helped the P320 to be well received by soldiers of all shapes and sizes, who have consistently praised its comfortable grip, smooth trigger, and low recoil.

So when you add all those features up, it’s easy to see why it’s a favorite among soldiers and performs so well after thousands of rounds. 

For example, in terms of accuracy, the P320 is an exceptional performer. The barrel and slide are finely machined to military standards, which greatly improves the gun’s accuracy and reduces the recoil to the point it’s hardly noticeable.

For safety features, the P320 has several, including a striker safety, a disconnected safety, and a drop safety. In other words, this gun isn’t going off unless you intend it to!

These safety features, combined with the double-action-only trigger, make it an extremely safe and reliable firearm you can depend on.

However, one of the few criticisms of the P320 is that it’s a little too large for some shooters with smaller hands. For them, the grip is a little too wide which makes the gun difficult to hold onto, especially when firing multiple shots in rapid succession (like at the range during target practice).

You can mitigate this by using the smaller grips available, but if you have smaller hands in general it might be worth considering a smaller handgun to match so you can get the perfect fit you need.

Overall, the SIG Sauer P320 is a highly reliable and accurate semi-automatic pistol that is well suited to civilians and soldiers alike. The safety features, modular design, and consistent performance are why it’s expected to be the army sidearm of choice for many years to come.

Gun Specifications: SIG Sauer P320

• Action Type: Striker fired pistols
• Cartridge: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 4.7 inches
• Overall Length: 8.0 inches
• Magazine Type: Removable
• Magazine: 10+1 or 17+1 Round Capacity

SIG Sauer P320 Pros:

• Approved by US Army
• Modular Design for Any Situation
• Highly Reliable and Accurate
• Smooth, Consistent Trigger Pull
• Wide Variety of Hand Grips Available

SIG Sauer P320 CONS:

• Grips can be a bit too wide for shooters with smaller hands
• More expensive than other options on the market

Best Revolver for Beginners: Smith & Wesson 686+

Smith & Wesson 686+ Review:

To most of us, the revolver is the quintessential American firearm. It often brings back memories of playing cowboy or watching Clint Eastwood kick butt in some old school westerns.

Semi-automatic pistols might be more popular nowadays, but there’s something to be said about a firearm design that has stood the test of time for almost 200 years.

And there’s no better gun to represent the best of what revolvers have to offer than the Smith & Wesson 686+.

First off, the “+” in the name indicates an extra bullet. That’s right… this isn’t your grandaddy’s six-shooter. The 686+ holds seven rounds instead of the standard six, because why not? You never know when you might need that extra shot to get the job done.

The 686 model has been in production since the 1980s, and has long been a popular choice for both recreational shooters and professionals alike.

One of the big advantages that revolvers have is that they are generally extremely reliable and can function well even if they are dirty and not cleaned very often. 

This makes them a great gun for beginners who may not have the time or resources to use and clean their gun on a regular basis. Instead, opt for the 686+ and make it your “Old Reliable.”

The 686+ also has a reputation for being able to stand up to heavy use. So if you’re the type of shooter who really likes to get your money’s worth down at the range, then a revolver like this one might be the perfect choice for you.

However, the Smith & Wesson 686+ doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Mainly, it’s the size and weight. The revolver is quite large and heavy compared to some of the other polymer framed pistols discussed in this article. So it might not be ideal for those seeking a compact or lightweight firearm. The 686+ is much more beefy.

Especially if you get one of the longer-barrel options. If you get the 6 inch barrel version and load it up with some .357 Magnum ammo, hold onto your hat! It’s going to pack quite the punch. So if you’re a beginner, you probably want to opt for the 4 inch barrel length and some .38 special ammunition until you get a hold of how to handle the weapon.

Overall, if you’re looking for something old school with some character that’s different from all the Glock fanboys and semi-autos out there, then the 686+ is a great choice. 

Gun Specifications: Smith & Wesson 686+

• Action Type: Single / Double Action
• Cartridge: 357 Magnum, 38 S&W SPECIAL +P
• Barrel Length: 4 or 6 inches
• Overall Length: 11.94 inches max
• Magazine Type: Cylinder
• Magazine: 7 Round Capacity

Smith & Wesson 686+ Pros:

• Simple to Use and Few Moving Parts
• Generally More Accurate Than Other Guns
• Durable and Can Withstand Heavy Use
• Suitable for Precision Shooting at Long Range
• Reliable and Can Function Undermaintained

Smith & Wesson 686+ CONS:

• Larger and heavier than most other handguns on the market
• Relatively expensive compared to other entry-level options

Easiest Handgun for Beginners: Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ

Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ Review

If you’re completely overwhelmed and intimidated about the idea of owning, let alone firing, a handgun, then the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ is here to save the day.

The manufacturers have designed this gun from the ground up to be extremely simple and easy to use. So much so, that they even put “EZ” right in the name!

So, what makes this handgun so “EZ” to operate?

First, they included some features to make drawing back the slide and cocking the gun a complete breeze. Almost no effort is required.

Second, they included some thumb studs on both sides of the magazines that allow you to hold them down and make loading a cinch.

These two features are great for gun owners who are new to firearms or have lower levels of hand strength due to conditions like arthritis.

In addition to that, the gun is extremely lightweight and compact. It weighs a mere 18.5 ounces, and has a slimmer profile and shorter barrel length than many of the other guns mentioned.

This makes it have far less recoil and be much easier to shoot. How’s that for “EZ?”

Plus, whenever you need to clean the gun, it’s super easy to disassemble and put back together. You simply open the slide, remove the magazine, turn the takedown lever and pull the slide right off. Piece of cake!

Overall, the Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ is a great choice for beginners who want a reliable and easy-to-use handgun for self defense and concealed carry.

Gun Specifications: Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ

• Action Type: Hammer fired pistol
• Cartridge: 9mm Luger
• Barrel Length: 3.675 inches
• Overall Length: 6.7 inches
• Weight: 11.8 ounces
• Magazine: 8+1 Round Capacity

Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ Pros:

• Compact, Thin, and Lightweight
• Light Trigger Pull for Easy Shooting
• Less Recoil Than Other Handguns
• Great for People With Lesser Hand-Strength
• Best Handgun for Women On a Budget

Smith & Wesson M&P .380 Shield EZ CONS:

• Magazines have stiffer springs and can be hard to load
• Lower magazine capacity at only 8+1

How to Choose a Beginner Handgun

If you’ve never owned a gun before and know next to nothing about them, it can be pretty intimidating and overwhelming to choose your first handgun.

Which guns are good? Which ones are bad? What caliber ammunition should I buy? All these questions and more can make the decision even more confusing.

So that’s why we’ve included the following information to help guide you through the process of evaluating the different options available to you and selecting the best handgun for your needs.

Self Defense / Home Defense, Concealed Carry, or Target Shooting?

First you need to consider what you will primarily use the gun for, as that can affect your choice in choosing the best handgun for your situation.

• Are you primarily going to be using the gun for self defense and home defense?
  Then you probably want to choose a gun that’s well known for its reliability and ease of use so you can count on it in an emergency situation.
• Is the ability for concealed carry important to you?
  
  Then you probably want to opt for a handgun that is smaller and more lightweight. That way you can carry it on you discreetly without it getting in the way or weighing you down. Just don’t forget your concealed carry permit if your state requires it!
• Are you planning on doing some target shooting or even competitive shooting?
  
  Then you probably want to choose a full sized handgun from a brand that’s known for its accuracy and ability to fire repetitive shots quickly without jamming.

As you can see, everyone’s situation is different. So what might be the best handgun for someone else may not be the best gun for you. 

But if you read the guide below and consider the different factors involved in the decision, we’ll sure it will help you find the right gun.

What is the Most Reliable Handgun Manufacturer?

There’s no point in owning a gun if it doesn’t shoot when you need it to. Especially if your primary use of the gun will be for home defense & self defense.

So when choosing the best handguns for beginners, we decided to only include reputable, well-known brands of the firearm industry.  

The best beginner handguns are ones that are reliable, accurate, and durable. And the brands below are ones you can count on for consistent performance (even if they didn’t make our list).

• Smith & Wesson
• SIG Sauer
• Ruger
• Glock
• Kimber
• SCCY Firearms
• Springfield Armory
• Taurus
• Beretta USA
• FN America
• Heritage Manufacturing
• North American Arms
• Colt

What Size Handgun Should I Carry? 

When considering the size of the pistol you ‘ll be choosing, there are two main factors to consider.

• The physical size and weight of the actual gun itself
• The fit of the grips and trigger in your hand

First, let’s talk about the physical size and weight. This is the most important factor, because it’s something you cannot change after you make your purchase. 

Some guns allow you to change the grips or shoot different types of ammunition. But none allow you to interchangeably swap the barrel out for one that’s two inches smaller to make it magically fit in your bag or holster.

So if you plan on using the gun for concealed carry, you probably want something smaller and lighter. If that’s not a need for you, then the size of the gun probably won’t matter too much.

Unless the gun doesn’t fit in your hand. And that brings us to the second consideration, fit and grip. 

A handgun that is the right size and shape for your unique hand will be much more comfortable to hold and shoot, especially if you’re a beginner shooter. 

If the handgun is too small or too large, it can cause a lot of discomfort and eventual fatigue from trying to get a good grip on the pistol. 

Not only will this be a huge detriment to your accuracy, but it might also make the gun harder to control while firing. And trust us, the last thing you want is a loaded handgun falling on your foot or flying in your face while you’re trying to shoot it!

Many of our recommendations come with customizable grips that allow you to widen or slim down the grip to find the perfect fit. But naturally, small guns are smaller, and larger guns are larger. And custom grips aren’t going to change that. 

So if you’ve got teeny-tiny hands or big fat fingers, you probably want to consider that when making your selection.

What Handgun Calibers Are Right for Me?

Somewhat related to size and comfort is the gun’s caliber of ammunition that it can fire. 

This is an extremely important choice, because the cartridge of ammunition you’ll be shooting naturally determines the handgun’s inherent accuracy, practical applications, and cost of practice shooting.

There are generally five types of common ammunition handguns can shoot:

• .22 Long Rifle
• .380 ACP
• .38 Special
• 9mm Luger
• .45 ACP

Here is a brief overview of each kind and its uses:

.22 Long Rifle

As the smallest caliber ammunition, .22 Long Rifle pistols are great for people who are new shooters and sensitive to recoil or noise.

This caliber helps you to learn the fundamentals of shooting without the cost, recoil, or noise associated with some of the larger caliber rounds.

However, when it comes to self defense and home defense, you probably want something that packs a little more punch.

.380 ACP

The .380 ACP (sometimes referred to as a “9mm Short”) is similar to the 9mm Luger round, but it’s primarily designed to be used in more lightweight and compact firearms. 

So if you opt for a gun designed for concealed carry, then there’s probably a good chance this is the caliber you’ll be shooting. If you pick something full size, you’ll probably be shooting 9mm.

.38 Special

The .38 special cartridge is a caliber of ammunition that is popular for revolvers used in target shooting and home defense.

Fun Fact: 38 Special is the name of an 80’s classic rock band that’s famous for their songs “Caught Up In You” and “Hold on Loosely.”

Just don’t hold on too loosely when firing your handgun! 

9mm Luger

The 9mm Luger (often just called “9mm”) is the most popular and readily available round of ammunition. It’s used in a wide variety of handguns, and this caliber is consistently accurate, affordably priced (relatively speaking!), and also powerful enough for self defense.

All these reasons are why we recommend a handgun capable of firing 9mm ammo should probably be your first choice for a beginner gun.

.45 ACP

The .45 ACP (commonly known as the “45 Auto”) is the most common big-bore ammunition used in semi-automatic pistols today. 

While it does have a bigger kick and more recoil than 9mm rounds, it’s not as strong and wild and some people claim.

However, the larger recoil and much larger price is why we recommend sticking to 9mm. Currently, to get a thousand rounds of it will cost you $200 more than 9mm rounds (almost double the price!)

What Should You Buy: Revolver vs Pistol

There are two main types of handguns:

• Revolvers
• Pistols (“Semi Autos”)

Both have their own unique features and benefits, and it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each one before making your final decision.

One of the main advantages of more modern handguns like semi-automatic pistols is their versatility. 

They come in a wide range of sizes and different calibers, which makes them suitable to almost any application or situation you’ll find yourself in.

Self Defense, Concealed Carry, Target Shooting, you name it. Plus, they can also carry more rounds than revolvers can which reduces how often you’ll need to reload.

But the big downside to pistols is that they are much more complex than revolvers. They require more maintenance, more cleaning, and because they have more moving parts, more things can go wrong.

Revolvers, on the other hand, are renowned for their simplicity and reliability. They have fewer moving parts (which results in far fewer malfunctions) and can usually operate perfectly even if they haven’t been cleaned in a very long time.

So why not just go with a revolver? Well, the big sacrifice you’re making is lower ammo capacity. Generally you’ll only be loaded with six rounds instead of the 15 or more some pistols can hold.

Six rounds might be all you need if they’re guaranteed, so don’t sleep on a revolver. Ultimately, it’s a choice that comes to personal taste.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Beginner Handgun

All in all, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best handgun for a beginner. But ultimately, you want a gun that fits perfectly in your hand, fires when you need it to, and is suitable for your intended use.

All of the guns we shared in this article will suit most people’s needs for a reliable firearm. So you really can’t go wrong. Past a certain point, it comes down to personal taste and preference. 

If you’re still unsure, head down to your local gun store and see if you can try holding some of the guns we mentioned (and even others too!). 

That way you’ll get a feel for what they’re like, and it might influence your final decision. 

Happy shooting and welcome to the world of gun ownership!