The Best Handguns of 2024: Top Picks for Concealed Carry, Home Defense, and Recreational Shooting

Regarding the best handguns, 2024 brings exciting options with new technological advancements, design, and performance. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or a first-time buyer, there’s a handgun that fits your needs, be it for self-defense, concealed carry, or recreational shooting.

Handguns are the most common guns. Their portability, easy handling, and effectiveness in personal protection and sport have made them the most popular and desirable firearms. As we enter 2024, innovations such as improved ergonomics, increased magazine capacity, and more reliable internal systems will appear on the market.

Whether you want a full-sized pistol to defend your home or a compact handgun for daily carry, you’ll find them all in this year’s models. We will discuss the best handguns across categories and their essential features, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the best choices for 2024.

1. Sig Sauer P320 (Full-Size and Compact)

Best For: All-around performance, law enforcement, and military use

Key Features:

• Modular design (interchangeable frames and calibers)
• 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
• Full-size and compact variants
• Optics-ready slide
• 17-21+1 round capacity

Why It’s Great:

The Sig Sauer P320 is one of the most versatile handguns on the market. It has a proven track record with military and law enforcement agencies worldwide, making it a reliable choice for personal defense.

Its modular design allows you to swap out frames, grips, and slides to customize the pistol for your preference. The P320 features a smooth trigger pull, good accuracy, and a durable polymer frame that’s lightweight yet robust.

Whether you’re looking for a concealed carry option or something for home defense, the Sig Sauer P320 offers configurations to meet both needs. Its optics-ready slide is also perfect for those who prefer red dot sights for improved target acquisition.

Pros:

• Modular system for customization
• Excellent ergonomics
• Available in multiple calibers and sizes
• Highly reliable

Cons:

• Larger sizes may not be ideal for everyone (compact versions are available)
• Can be expensive

2. Glock 19 Gen 5

Best For: Concealed carry and home defense

Key Features:

• 9mm caliber
• 15+1 round capacity
• Glock Marksman Barrel (improved accuracy)
• Ambidextrous slide-stop lever
• Enhanced trigger system

Why It’s Great:

The Glock 19 Gen 5 continues to be one of the most popular handguns in the world, and for good reason. It strikes the perfect balance between size, capacity, and reliability. The Glock 19 is versatile enough for everyday carry yet large enough to be a solid choice for home defense. Its polymer frame and simple operation make it easy to maintain, and the Glock’s consistent performance in various conditions is unmatched.

The Gen 5 features Glock’s Marksman Barrel, which provides greater accuracy and a smoother shooting experience. It also has a flared mag well for faster reloads and a more ergonomic grip design.

Pros:

• Highly reliable in all conditions
• Extensive aftermarket support for accessories and upgrades
• Compact yet with good capacity for self-defense

Cons:

• Some users find the grip texture a bit aggressive
• The trigger, while improved, might not appeal to everyone

3. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm (Performance Center)

Best For: Concealed carry, beginners

Key Features:

• 9mm caliber
• Slim design with a 3.1-inch barrel
• 7+1 or 8+1 round capacity
• Enhanced trigger for a smooth pull
• Performance Center model with upgraded features

Why It’s Great:

For those looking for a handgun that is easily concealable and reliable, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm is a top contender. The M&P Shield has been a favorite among concealed carry holders for years due to its slim profile, accuracy, and affordability. In 2024, the Performance Center model adds premium features such as an improved trigger, better sights, and a more refined finish.

This Smith & Wesson handgun is great for new shooters because of its manageable recoil, ease of use, and simple, intuitive controls.

Pros:

• Excellent for concealed carry with a slim profile
• Affordable with good build quality
• Easy to shoot and handle for beginners
• Great ergonomics

Cons:

• Lower magazine capacity compared to larger models
• Somewhat limited aftermarket accessories compared to Glock or Sig

4. Walther PDP Compact

Best For: Target shooting and personal defense

Key Features:

• 9mm caliber
• 15+1 round capacity
• Advanced ergonomics with customizable backstraps
• Optics-ready with a slide cut
• Excellent trigger system

Why It’s Great:

The Walther PDP (Performance Duty Pistol) is a fantastic option for shooters who want a handgun that performs well on the range and is also a solid defensive gun. The PDP offers outstanding ergonomics, with a customizable grip system that ensures a comfortable fit for various hand sizes.

The pistol’s advanced trigger design makes it one of its class’s smoothest, most responsive handguns. Additionally, the PDP comes with a high-capacity magazine and a slide ready for optics, making it ideal for sport shooting and home defense.

Pros:

• Excellent ergonomics and customization options
• Smooth and responsive trigger
• Ready for optics and accessories
• Great accuracy and recoil management

Cons:

• Slightly bulkier than some other compact handguns
• Higher price point than some competitors

5. Springfield XD-M Elite 9mm

Best For: Competitive shooting and home defense

Key Features:

• 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP
• 20+1 round capacity (depending on the model)
• Match-grade barrel
• Enhanced trigger and grip texture
• Optics-ready slide

Why It’s Great:

The Springfield XD-M Elite series is known for its excellent accuracy, high magazine capacity, and customizable features. It is also a reputation for delivering a smooth shooting experience with low recoil and impressive accuracy, making it an ideal handgun for beginners and seasoned shooters.

With its aggressive grip texture, the XD-M Elite ensures a solid hold even in challenging conditions. The match-grade barrel improves accuracy for competitive shooting, while the optics-ready slide is perfect for those looking to add a red dot sight.

Pros:

• High magazine capacity
• Customizable for a personalized shooting experience
• Excellent accuracy with low recoil
• Optics-ready slide for upgrades

Cons:

• Larger frame may not be ideal for those seeking a more compact handgun
• Slightly heavier than other handguns in its class

6. Ruger Security-9

Best For: Budget-conscious buyers looking for a reliable handgun

Key Features:

• 9mm caliber
• 15+1 round capacity
• Rugged polymer frame with steel slide
• Ambidextrous controls

Why It’s Great:

The Ruger Security-9 is an excellent choice for those who want a reliable handgun at a more affordable price point. While it may not have the same premium features as some higher-end models, it provides excellent performance for the price.

The Security-9 has a solid feel, comfortable grip, and easy operation. With its 15+1 round capacity and ambidextrous controls, it’s well-suited for left- and right-handed shooters.

Pros:

• Excellent value for money
• Solid build quality and reliability
• Easy to use for both beginners and experienced shooters

Cons:

• Less refined ergonomics compared to premium models
• Trigger could be smoother

Final Thoughts

Whether a seasoned shooter or a first-time buyer, many great handgun options are available 2024. From the ultra-reliable Glock 19 to the super-versatile Sig Sauer P320 or even the very accurate Walther PDP, a pistol can be found that fits one’s shooting style, personal preferences, and budget.

When choosing a handgun, consider your intended use—concealed carry, home defense, or recreational shooting—and the size, comfort, capacity, and overall reliability you want in a pistol. A good fit for your needs will ensure you get the most out of your firearm for years.

FAQs

Q. What are the best handguns?

The best handguns often depend on purpose and personal preference, but some of the top-rated ones include:

• Glock 19: Known for reliability, ease of use, and versatility.
• Sig Sauer P320: Popular for its modular design and accuracy.
• Smith & Wesson M&P Shield: Highly praised for its concealability and comfort.
• Beretta 92FS: Famous for its accuracy and military history.

Q. What is the best pistol?

The Glock 19 is often considered one of the best pistols due to its reliability, performance, and wide availability of accessories. It’s also used by military and law enforcement worldwide.

Q. What is the most accurate handgun brand?

Sig Sauer and Walther are known for making some of the most accurate handguns, with the Sig Sauer P226 and Walther P99 frequently cited for their precision.

Q. Who makes the best handguns?

Brands like Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, and Heckler & Koch are frequently regarded as top manufacturers due to their build quality, reliability, and innovation.