A handgun that your friend or neighbor can’t stop gushing about may seem like a tempting purchase, but just because it works for them it doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for you. By all means, give their suggestion a try, but keep in mind the following factors to help figure out what’s best for you.

Your Needs

When deciding on a firearm the most important thing to ask yourself is why you want it. If your answer is for home or self-defense, you should be looking into calibers 9mm or higher. If you anticipate having to use your firearm in low light, such as during a nighttime home invasion, you may want to get sights made specifically for that situation. You also have to assess if you have the nerves to responsibly wield a firearm during a conflict. A less-lethal option like pepper spray or a taser may be a more comfortable avenue to pursue if you’re unsure. 

If you just want to build a skill and target shoot, guns in the .22 to .380 caliber range may be a more appropriate fit for your needs.

Your History

If this is your first gun, or it’s been decades since you last fired one, you might want to start with a smaller caliber until you increase your firearm familiarity and comfort level. Handguns like Gen5 Glock pistols tend to be easier to maintain and use compared to revolvers, making them the better option if you’re a beginner.

Your Discretion

Do you plan on carrying your gun with you or keeping it in a safe until it’s needed? Smaller firearms are easier to conceal, but despite their size, they’re actually harder to wield than larger ones. If concealment doesn’t matter to you, bigger is better in this situation. 

Your Ability

The weight of a gun’s body can affect your accuracy. Both too light and too heavy can throw off aim, meaning you need to find one in your Goldilocks zone of “just right.”

Even if a heavier bodied gun doesn’t bother you, you might still want to avoid higher calibers such as .357 if you don’t have a lot of upper body strength, as the recoil can be pretty intense. At best you’ll just accidentally smack yourself in the face, but not being able to sufficiently compensate for recoil can result in accidental firing.

When buying a handgun, you should test fire your options before committing to a purchase. That way you know you’re bringing home the perfect fit.