Purchasing Your First Pistol

October 5, 2023

As a firearms trainer, I’m often asked, “What pistol should I purchase?” This is both a simple and complex question to answer. In this article, we’ll discuss what I have found to be the most important items to consider when purchasing your first pistol; fit for purpose and fit to your hands.

Fit for Purpose

Purpose in our context means the reason you are purchasing the pistol. Thinking this through and knowing the purpose will help guide you to your final purchase decision.

Purpose Guides the Caliber

Because there are so many to choose from, I’m often asked, “Which pistol caliber should I buy?” If personal protection is your purpose, the most available, effective, and cost friendly caliber is 9mm. You can often find this on sale and readily stocked at your local firearm store. Numerous varieties are commonly available to suit your needs in personal protection, training, and target shooting.

Larger or more powerful pistol calibers may have greater knockdown power, but they may not be as readily available, affordable, or they may impact the fit of the pistol to your hands.

Purpose Guides the Functions and Features

If you are determined to carry your pistol concealed on or off your body, this will have a direct impact on the functions and features you choose. Understanding the purpose of your pistol is key in pulling the trigger on your purchase.

A full size pistol can be concealed and carried in an off body bag, purse, or backpack

A more compact pistol is needed if you are going to carry your pistol concealed on your body.

The need to quickly draw your firearm may also outweigh the need for external lever safeties or an external hammer, opting for a simplified platform such as a striker fired pistol with a trigger safety.

Fit to Your Hands

One big factor to consider is whether the pistol is well suited to your hands. This holds true whether your hands are small or large. The pistol you choose must fit your hands well.

You want to make sure your strong hand is able to grip high up on the backstrap/tang

The trigger should feel comfortable on your index finger; when you pull straight back it should not feel strained. Test out both the trigger break and the reset

Be sure the grip feels comfortable and nothing is digging into your palm or fingers. If the pistol you are considering has an adjustable backstrap, be sure to choose the right backstrap that fits your hand, one that also allows sufficient support from your support hand.

The purchase of your first pistol is very important. If you follow the simple principles of fit for purpose, and fit to your hands, you will achieve the success you need to pursue your firearm training while avoiding unnecessary stress and frustration.