Which handgun to buy?

Miscellaneous
10

Mike,
Congrats on your decision. I will echo the advice above to go rent and try a variety of guns before you buy your first. Find a large gun store with range and a variety of options to try.
Allow me to add some details to this advice:

  1. Take a new shooter class like NRA Basic Pistol or USCCA CCHD Basic Pistol before starting your search. Alternately many good schools have their own first shooter class. Tell them you need to use their guns.
  2. Test shoot at least ten rounds in both single stack and double stack pistols. The difference in stock width may make a big difference in how comfortable to grip for you.
  3. At a minimum, test at least one Glock, one Springfield, and one Smith & Wesson. If you have the time and cash, try a couple of each.
    3.a. To be sure of a reliable gun, try to stick with those three brands, even if you see an apparent “really good price” on another brand.
  4. Find a qualified, certified instructor (NRA, USCCA, or RangeMaster) and pay for a personal lesson for them to go with you and guide you on grip, presentation, sight use, and trigger press on each pistol you test.
  5. Listen politely to the gun counter clerk advice, but understand the motivation there is to sell something, not necessarily to help you get the best for you.
  6. Evaluate the guns based on what is comfortable enough to shoot regularly, not how small or light they are for easy carry. Stick with full size or compact models, and leave sub-compacts for later when you have more training and experience. Subs are super to carry, but much more difficult and less comfortable to shoot well, so you are less likely to practice regularly with a sub.
  7. Understand that in general you will not go wrong with a Glock, but they are not for everyone. Glocks are the most widely sold, best supported handguns in the world. There is a great aftermarket of accessories, parts ,upgrades, holsters, etc. for Glocks. However, some Glock-Happy shooters assume they the only right gun for everyone. Not true. The angle of grip to slide on a Glock is slightly different from that on S&W and Springfield Armory pistols. It is enough different that for me the S&W is preferable. Try both for your own comfort.

Enjoy the journey, and good luck!