If you are going to concealed carry then you will likely make some trade-offs in accuracy and capacity for smaller size.
If you want a firearm for home defense then there are other considerations.
There are a ton of reasonable write ups and reviews answering this question online.
If you have the opportunity, go to the range with a friend with an assortment of firearms and see what you like.
If that isn’t an option, research the common recommended handguns online and then hold them in your hand at the local gun store or alternatively big box store and see what feels natural and fits your hand well. Even in the store with a “known unloaded” weapon please exercise etiquette to not point the firearm at other people or “sweep” the firearm across the clerk. Partially just to get in the habit of always pointing any firearm in a safe direction.
For your first handgun I would suggest avoiding pawn shops. Buy new or from a trusted friend.
Enjoy! Selecting a firearm is part of the fun. You will find a lot of opinions about wat is the best, realize that they are kind of like opinions about cars. Everybody had a favorite and as long as you avoid the few lemons you will be able to drive!
This will be my first handgun. I have previously owned shotguns and rifles, but never a handgun. I never felt the need until now. So, for now, it will primarily be home defense. Later I may go for a CC weapon. Thanks for the advice.
Purpose?
If you are going to concealed carry then you will likely make some trade-offs in accuracy and capacity for smaller size.
If you want a firearm for home defense then there are other considerations.
There are a ton of reasonable write ups and reviews answering this question online.
If you have the opportunity, go to the range with a friend with an assortment of firearms and see what you like.
If that isn’t an option, research the common recommended handguns online and then hold them in your hand at the local gun store or alternatively big box store and see what feels natural and fits your hand well. Even in the store with a “known unloaded” weapon please exercise etiquette to not point the firearm at other people or “sweep” the firearm across the clerk. Partially just to get in the habit of always pointing any firearm in a safe direction.
For your first handgun I would suggest avoiding pawn shops. Buy new or from a trusted friend.
Enjoy! Selecting a firearm is part of the fun. You will find a lot of opinions about wat is the best, realize that they are kind of like opinions about cars. Everybody had a favorite and as long as you avoid the few lemons you will be able to drive!
This will be my first handgun. I have previously owned shotguns and rifles, but never a handgun. I never felt the need until now. So, for now, it will primarily be home defense. Later I may go for a CC weapon. Thanks for the advice.