Many new gun buyers buy a handgun without choosing the right model. Believing one is ill-suited to your purpose or sized poorly for your hands can be a frustrating experience.
The six basic things to consider before purchasing are caliber, frame, grip, trigger and safety.
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Choosing a Handgun
A gun used for self-defense must be easy to carry on your person and comfortable to hold and shoot. Some believe this requires a small pistol, lightweight, with enough firepower to stop an attacker.
New shooters should consider choosing a revolver rather than a semi-auto. Firearms are simpler and have fewer parts, making them less likely to malfunction.
When you’re shopping for a handgun, it’s important to try it out in person. You want to determine how comfortably you can point the gun at a makeshift target at the range. It may tell high or low at first, but with practice, you can compensate. It’s also important to factor in the cost of ammunition. Shooters often swap to a different cartridge if the reloading prices are too high.
Caliber
A handgun is a powerful tool that can keep you and your family safe. But before you choose a model, ensure that you have the right prior knowledge and training to ensure safety.
Whether using your gun for home defense, competition, or any other purpose, you must pick a handgun that suits your needs. It should be reliable, comfortable to hold, and easy to use.
To find out if a handgun feels comfortable, try it in person and see how it fits your grip. A comfortable hold allows you to aim naturally without forcing your fingers into a position that could throw off your shooting accuracy. It’s also important to test the heaviness of your gun before you buy it.
Frame
Choosing custom handguns that a gunsmith can fine-tune according to your preferences is important. This will allow you to adjust the finish’s trigger, sights and color.
Many gun manufacturers have realized that we are all different sizes, making their flagship models adaptable to the shooter. For example, the 1911 offers arched mainspring housing and a short trigger to accommodate faster shooters. Likewise, there are aftermarket finger rests to help those with longer fingers.
The frame should also be able to accept common ammunition, which is easy to find and fairly inexpensive. Some of the more exotic cartridges may require special ordering or have long wait times for delivery. This can add to the overall cost of ownership.
Grip
The grip is an extremely important part of the gun because it influences accuracy and speed. A proper grip allows you to control the recoil of your weapon, which will help you hit the target faster and more accurately.
The heaviness of the handgun and how it feels in your hands will also directly impact your shooting performance. The heaviness can cause your hands to shake and throw off your aim.
Grip sizing is a process that requires a little time and patience. You can purchase grips already sized for different grip sizes, but it’s better to get them custom-made by a skilled artisan. After the stippling is complete, they’re clear coated and allowed to dry before reassembling your firearm.
Safety
If you’re a new gun owner, you’ll want to ensure the handgun you purchase has no known design or manufacturing defects. It must also have a positive rating in quality control testing and fire at least 5,000 rounds without malfunctions.
Choosing a pistol that uses common, easily available ammunition is best. This will help reduce the ammo cost and keep it on hand for self-defense.
Some handguns have safety mechanisms that prevent the accidental firing of the weapon, while others rely solely on the user’s training and discipline for safety. As a new gun owner, you may prefer the added peace of mind that a safety mechanism provides. However, only some feel the same, and some leave the safety off for greater efficiency in a defensive situation.
