Best Handguns For Beginners

Sometimes, all the options you have before you could confuse you when you start with something. With such a wide variety of options, deciding the suitable handguns to suit your budget and needs is challenging. But there is nothing to worry about; we’ve researched everything for you and chosen what we think are the best handguns for beginners. Be it a shelter weapon, a sports shooter, or a competitive gun, you can find them all on our list. Keep reading to see our favorite picks and begin the journey of becoming the owner of a good handgun.

How We Chose the Best Handguns for Beginners

To tackle your specific needs, our team went through different angles in selecting the firearms that perfectly fit beginners, thus keeping shooting safe and fun. Safety was the main reason for us to go for guns with bulletproof shield protection, like trigger locks and plain design, to keep them from accidentally firing off. Simplicity was also an essential aspect, and therefore, straightforward guidelines for loading, unloading, and firing were a must-have if the newcomers were to be self-released.

Moreover, our attention was turned entirely to gun ergonomics. Out of the different models, we chose those with adjustable sights and grip options to help newcomers get the proper position for shooting and improve their marksmanship and confidence skills. Trigger pull weight was also considered, leading to firearms with lighter and smoother triggers that were more accessible to maneuver and decreased the possibility of imprecise shots.

We looked for handguns that perfectly balance quality and cost-effectiveness, as well as practical and affordable. We decided to include reliable and indestructible firearms on our list, which even novices can handle and continuously improve without a big initial payment.

Top 7 Handguns for Beginners of 2024

1. Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm stands apart from the competition with a good performance built to last. The M&P (Military & Police) series has a good name among law enforcers and civilians for its toughness and consistency, which makes it popular among users.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm has proven to perform effectively. It has received exceptionally positive feedback for its fine action, ergonomic grip, and low recoil. The gun is multi-faceted. It achieves high precision and CQB (Close Quarter Battle), a feature that makes it perfect.

The M&P 9mm is built with a polymer frame and stainless steel slide, resulting in a light yet rigid firearm. The gun is also tailored to be configured into different grip sizes and appended with other accessories to suit individual preferences. After prolonged handling, our experience was excellent.

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm product evaluations were mostly positive. We noticed that the gun’s accuracy was easy to maintain. The weapon boasts high-capacity magazines, which can handle more rounds before reloading. Thus, the M&P 9mm is the most viable option for everyday life, whether shooting or duty.

2. Ruger Mark IV

The Ruger Mark IV is not indistinguishable from the world of .22 LR pistols. It is the right gun primarily for its trustworthiness, ease of operation, and eye-catching design, which is also its trademark. It champions the simplicity principle that Ruger puts into practice in the case of the fourth generation and ensures that the items are functional.

The Mark IV still impresses with its brick barrel and stylish grip, maintaining the familiar Ruger appearance. This is due to the easy disassembly process, which consists of just one button. Cleaning and maintenance of the gun has become quite simple—a feature that has been facilitated in contrast to its previous successors.

The Mark IV’s primary asset is its exceptional single-action trigger, which can be set to exact sights. Thus, it allows dead-on shooting at particularly many given distances. The gun’s weight distribution is very delicate, and with such a grip, the pistol offers such a stable hold and little recoil that it is very exacting.

Ruger Mark IV safety comes through a manual safety and a magazine disconnect that are both ambidextrous. Formerly, it was renowned for its structurally solid and dependable operation. The Mark IV has a long-life design resistant to heavy use and does not drift from its intended marks.

3. Taurus Model 66

The Taurus Model 66 is a robustly built gun forged from a solid block of carbon steel in the frame and cylinder. A thicker weight factor assures the product’s solidity and sturdiness. Barrel lengths are available to follow standard sizes, usually 4 inches or 6 inches, which provides different sizes and handling options for the customer.

The Model 66 surpasses all the other 357 Magnums in smooth double- and single-action trigger pull. The revolver, which can be operated in single- and double-action modes, gives an exact and short trigger break, allowing for accurate shooting. A fixed front and adjustable rear sight are used to zero in on the target.

The Model 66 execution is designed to be compatible with rubber pads with a lobed surface. These pads make direct contact with the skin, reducing the felt recoil and controlling the revolver during shooting. The revolver’s tortuous reflective design guarantees the pistol sticks nicely in hand and becomes less fatigued to hold for an extended shooting period.

The Taurus Model 66 includes the transfer bar safety mechanism to guarantee safety by not allowing the hammer to fire to the firing pin when the trigger is not fully pulled. It is also equipped with a Taurus Security System, i.e., a built-in key lock that allows the user to protect the firearm when unused.

4. Glock G19

The Glock G19 is the most extensively used pistol in the world. Referred here as a weapon of military and police possession, the Glock G19 stands out all over the globe for reliability and versatility. It is funny how emphasizing such a “right sizable, firepower and ease of use” can be a great option in both military and civilian markets. He was one of the most influential people in the history of gun manufacturing. It is chambered in 9×19mm (9mm Luger).

The G19 is made of a polymer frame and a steel slide by Glock, making it a solid and relatively light one. The Glock pistols are sturdy, but at the same time, they are light due to the polymer frame and the steel slide.

The Safe Action® system simply and quickly ensures that the trigger performs equally each time, making pulling easy and predicting shot placement. The pistol is built with an ergonomic grip compatible with various hand sizes, enabling handling and decreasing recoil.

Accompanied by a 4.02-inch barrel, a fixed front sight, and an adjustable rear sight, this gun is reliable at mid- and close-range levels. Additionally, the low-bore axis aids in a minimum increase in muzzle lifting, which leads to quicker follow-up shots and, thereby, rapid improvement in shooting proficiency.

Featuring various safety devices like the trigger safety system and Glock 9mm’s discrete passive safeties, the G19 guarantees complete security on the jam up of this thing and protects you from any misfires.

The G19’s compact size and the stipulated 15-round magazine allow more options if a bigger one is needed. The gun is a multi-purpose weapon for concealed carry, home defense, and range praxis. Underneath the rail, it also uses Picatinny attachments that include lights and lasers, enhancing flexibility in different settings.

5. Smith & Wesson 686 Plus

The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus is a sturdy gun and is one of the best pistols. It is famous for its very long life and versatility. Made of stainless steel, it is sturdy and elastic. It works with .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition; it gives off formidable firepower that is apt for shooting practices, such as target practice or personal protection.

One of the masterpieces is the adjustable rear sight, and the red ramp front sight combined with it enables exact aiming and target acquisition. This feature improves accuracy over a range so users can easily hit different targets, making it relevant for beginners and experienced shooters.

The Smith & Wesson 686 Plus has a snug double-action trigger pull while offering a crisp single-action mode alternative. By making it flexible, shooting techniques would be comfortable and controlled. The revolver’s ergonomic design, with a choice of synthetic or wood grips depending on the model, would be accessible to the user’s hands and guarantee a solid hold without the user getting tired when performing shoot sessions for a longer time.

With a cylinder capacity of 7 rounds (6 rounds in standard versions), the 686 Plus has enough firepower to make you feel secure while distributing the weight evenly to manage recoil. This balance is one of the reasons why it is thought to have better accuracy and reliability in escaping from various shooting conditions.

6. Sig Sauer P365

Even though Sig Sauer P365 is incredibly small and can be easily concealed, it does not compromise on capacity. Despite being sturdy, the weapon has a metal frame with a very light polymer grip module that feels good on the skin.

Employing 9mm bullets, Sig P365 is proud to have a 10-round standard magazine capacity, possibly increasing it to a 12-round extended magazine for preferred models. With a striker-fired design, the gun’s action remains internal to enable the trigger system’s operation, helping get clean shots regardless of the weather.

Provided with X-RAY3 Day/Night sights, the P365 offers perceptible light and precision aiming, which is much needed in low-light and daytime shooting. The textured grip helps master control by reducing recoil and enabling quick follow-up shots–a significant advantage in defensive situations, which makes the Sig Sauer P365 the best 9mm pistol.

Amid the fashions of the apparatus for the engagement, the thumb safety for the P365. The P365 also comes with optional integrated safety features, which aim to fix the problem of unstable handling and fear. Operating the tool-less disassembly leads to effective cleaning and maintenance; the Sig Rail enables you to attach accessories conveniently.

Springfield Armory Hellcat

The Hellcat draws you to its strikingly compact design and slender weight, making it the most suitable gun for concealed carry. Its adaptive grip texture makes it easier to sense that it offers a grip so firm that it seems substantial.

9×19mm cartridge Hellcat goes further with a typical 11-round magazine size that can be easily upgraded to 13 rounds using extended magazines. The very magazine capacity is the good news that the extended capacity comes with a lighter trigger that improves the excellent result and gives the shooter the ability to keep control of the situation.

The advanced and practical features of Tritium and luminescent front sights paired with a Tritium rear sight allow Hellcat to demonstrate outstanding visibility in different lighting conditions. The flat-faced trigger is mounted on a blade that prevents accidents so the user can develop a habit of correct and predictable firing, which is crucial for accurate shooting.

The Hellcat slide is made of billet-machined steel and has a melonite finish that gives it long-lasting protection. It is impregnable to adverse weather conditions in diverse environments. Thanks to the tool-less disassembly feature, it is easy to disassemble and clean. Meanwhile, the optional manual safety and loaded chamber indicator cater to personal preference for added safety measures.

Final Verdict

One of the best-rated guns for beginners is the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm, which sells fast. Its feature set offers reliability, ergonomic comfort, and versatility.

You should not ignore that the adjustable grip provides a custom fit for different hand sizes, whereas the manual and recoil are both moderate so that even a beginner will find the lesson and shot easy to do. The gun is perfect for practice at the range and self-defense—the M&P 9mm’s longevity with high magazine capacity presents a sense of security.

For novices, the Ruger Mark IV model stands out as it is convenient for the .22 LR pistol, which is admired for its ease and accuracy. Thanks to its simple disassembly and caring, the Mark IV has not only become an optimal choice for beginners.

It is also quite popular among practicing shooters who regularly hold the hardware on the target board. The unparalleled sensitivity of the trigger and availability of the adjustable sights add to the sport’s fun and become vital to the teachers trying to do it ideally using the technologies.

FAQs

Q. Is 9mm good for self-defense?

Yes, 9mm is an excellent choice for self-defense due to its effective balance of power and manageable recoil.

Q. What is the best handgun for self-defense?

Glock 19, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, and Sig Sauer P320 are popular choices.

Q. What is the best handgun for beginners?

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm, Ruger Mark IV, and Glock G19 are highly recommended for beginners.