What are the best first handguns for beginners? Let's face it, for many women, guns are mysterious and complicated. Many women didn't grow up with proper instruction on how to use a gun, and they didn't receive advice on which types of guns to purchase.
Now, women are taking self protection into their own hands and exercising their right to bear arms. As a result, large numbers of women are now on the hunt for their first handgun, and they should feel proud to be doing so.
However, finding the best first handgun can be a challenge. While many women are well practiced in where to buy the best jewelry, purses, and clothes, when it comes to guns, we can feel completely lost.
Best First Handgun: Advice For First Time Buyers
Buying the best first handgun for you doesn't have to be complicated, or overwhelming. Go ahead, take a deep breath, because we're going to break this down for you.
When it comes to choosing the best handgun for first time buyers, it's all about choosing a weapon that's simple to use, fits your hand well, and is concealable. After all, you're using a firearm for self defense--so you need it to be with you as often as possible.
In this article we'll introduce guns for beginners that will help you learn to shoot the easy way. I mean, you could learn to drive on a stick shift, but wouldn't it be so much easier to learn on an automatic?
So you can start dressing to protect, let's cover the 7 best handguns for first time owners.
Glock 19
The Glock 19 is one of the best first handguns for several reasons. As a beginner, learning the mechanisms of a gun can quickly be overwhelming. The Glock 19 is a simple gun to learn how to use. As a semi-automatic striker-fired pistol, the trigger is easy to pull, and you don't have to worry about cocking the hammer or removing any safeties.
Women can struggle with heavier trigger pulls, which can undermine their confidence in a self defense situation. A light trigger pull is a great way to get started and build shooting competence.
This pistol is also extremely accessible; any gun store in the nation will have this gun behind the counter. As opposed to some other guns, this firearm also requires less maintenance. You don't have to clean it as often, and it doesn't need as much lubrication. At 7.28" long, 1.26" wide, and 5" high, this gun is known for being concealable, accurate, and reliable. Able to hold 15+1 of 9mm bullets, you'll feel well protected with this gun by your side.
S&W M&P Compact
The S&W M&P Compact is also a striker-fired pistol, offering an easier trigger pull. Like the Glock 19, this pistol is a contender for one of the best first handguns. The grip is slightly more aggressive on this firearm than the Glock 19, which means the texture on the frame may not feel as comfortable, but it ensures the gun doesn't slip out of your fingers.
Models with a thumb safety are available, if you would prefer to have manual safety on your firearm. A manual safety is essentially a feature on a gun that blocks the firing mechanism and prevents a shot from being fired. All guns have safety mechanisms in place, but a manual safety needs to be actively activated and deactivated. Some women like the idea of a manual safety for concealed carry, however, if your trigger guard is adequately protected with a good holster, you should not experience an accidental shot.
This firearm is able to hold 15+1 9mm rounds. With an overall length of 7.3" this firearm is fairly easy to conceal, but also offers less felt recoil than a more compact gun. This gun is also equipped with interchangeable palmswell inserts so you can adjust the grip.
Essentially, this means that when you hold the gun, if your finger is too far away from the trigger, you can replace the palmswell with one that has a shorter length so you can reach the trigger with ease.
As a tip for first time buyers: your grip on the gun should feel very comfortable and natural. Your hand should fit so perfectly into the gun it feels like an extension of your hand. The tighter your grip, the less felt recoil you'll experience when you shoot.
S&W M&P Shield
This M&P Shield pistol is more compact than the S&W M&P Compact at an overall length of 6.1." Therefore, this pistol lends itself very well to concealed carry, especially for tighter outfits.
The trigger pull is crisp, and easy to handle. It can hold 7+1 and 8+1 rounds with an extension. Like most striker-fired pistols, this firearm is fairly simple to use, well designed, and reliable for first time shooters. All of this make the Shield on of the best first handguns for beginners.
Walther PPQ
The Walther PPQ is a striker-fired firearm that can hold 15 rounds and is designed for a 9mm or 40 caliber. At 7.1," this pistol is fairly easy to conceal. The grip surface is aggressive enough to hold your hand in place, but doesn't snag on your clothing, which is a huge plus for women's concealed carry!
The ambidextrous magazine release, and an easy to operate button makes it easy to reload. This gun has all the great features of a Glock 19, but is more comfortable to hold with a sculpted grip, and has a lighter, crisper, more tactile trigger.
Springfield XDS 3.3
Designed for concealed carry, the Springfield XDs is an especially good first pistol for women. At 6.3" you can comfortably fit this gun into tight spaces. Also, unlike most pistols, this firearm offers a grip safety for extra protection.
So if your hand isn't firmly gripping the back of the gun, it won't fire! Able to hold 7+1 rounds of 9mm rounds, this firearm is great for self defense and one of the best first handguns to own.
Kahr CW9
The Kahr CW9 is a double action only, which means that the trigger pull is slightly longer and stiffer. However, the trigger pull is specifically designed not to stack, which means that even though it's a heavier trigger pull it's smoother. At 5.9" and able to hold 7+1 9mm rounds, the firearm is extremely compact, and also offers good value for the price.
Taurus G2C
The Taurus G2C is probably the most budget friendly handgun for first time shooters. This firearm is compact, light, reasonably accurate, and not too difficult to shoot. Like the Glock 19, this gun is very accessible, and available at every gun store.
Able to hold 12 rounds at 6.24," this gun offers generous magazine room while allowing you to conceal easily. While this gun is known for not having the best trigger, as a striker-fired pistol it's still lightweight to pull. If you don't want to spend $500+ on your first gun, this is the best budget concealed carry pistol at the $250 range.
You're now well on your way to making your first purchase. The next step is to go to a gun store, and actually hold some of these guns for yourself. How is the grip? Does the gun feel like a natural extension of your hand? If you pay attention to these details, you'll be able to find the perfect gun for you.
How to Choose the Best First Handgun for Your Needs
Whether you're looking for the best first gun to get or just want a good beginner handgun that fits your lifestyle, it’s crucial to narrow your decision based on how you’ll carry, shoot, and maintain the firearm. A good starter pistol should be easy to control, have manageable recoil, and fit your hand like a glove. It’s also wise to consider slide racking ease, safety features, and how the gun feels when drawing from a holster.
For first-time handgun owners, simplicity is key. Look for pistols with intuitive controls, reliable performance, and a consistent trigger feel—qualities you’ll find in many of the options we’ll cover next.
If you’re still unsure, visit a range that offers rentals so you can test a few beginner-friendly guns before making your purchase. There's no substitute for hands-on experience.
Best First Handguns for Home Defense vs. Concealed Carry
The best first handgun for home defense isn’t always the same as the best option for concealed carry. For home defense, you may want a slightly larger pistol with increased magazine capacity and lower felt recoil—something like the Glock 19 or Walther PPQ, both of which offer a solid balance of power and control in high-stress situations.
If your focus is everyday carry, compact pistols like the Springfield XDS 3.3 or S&W M&P Shield are easier to conceal under daily attire. For many women, these smaller handguns are also more comfortable to grip, especially when paired with a well-designed holster.
When choosing between these two goals, consider your lifestyle, clothing, and training preferences. Some users opt to own one pistol for each use case—one for home, one for carry—and that’s perfectly okay as your confidence and comfort grow.
FAQs
1. What features make a handgun easier to rack for women or seniors?
Handguns with a lighter recoil spring, larger slide serrations, and an ergonomic grip make racking easier for individuals with lower hand strength. Models like the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ are specifically engineered for reduced resistance when operating the slide.
2. Which handgun caliber is best for beginners learning self defense?
The 9mm caliber is the most recommended for beginners due to its manageable recoil, wide availability, and effectiveness for personal protection. It offers a good balance between stopping power and ease of use, making it ideal for training and concealed carry.
3. What is the difference between striker-fired and hammer-fired pistols for beginners?
Striker-fired pistols use an internal striker mechanism and generally offer a consistent, lighter trigger pull. Hammer-fired pistols may have longer or heavier trigger pulls, especially in double-action mode. Striker-fired options are often preferred for simplicity and ease of training.
4. How should small-handed shooters choose a first handgun?
Shooters with small hands should prioritize compact models with adjustable backstraps, shorter trigger reach, and slim grips. Firearms like the Glock 43X or the Sig Sauer P365 cater well to smaller hand sizes without compromising control or capacity.
5. What’s the best way to safely store a first handgun at home?
The safest method to store a handgun at home is in a quick-access biometric safe that is secured to a fixed surface. This setup allows fast access in emergencies while preventing unauthorized use by children or intruders.
6. Do budget-friendly handguns compromise on safety or reliability?
Many budget-friendly handguns, such as the Taurus G2C or Kahr CW9, maintain solid safety features and acceptable reliability. While materials and finishes may differ from premium brands, they often include integrated safeties and meet industry safety standards.
7. How important is grip texture and ergonomics for new shooters?
Grip texture and ergonomics directly impact shooting confidence and recoil control. A well-fitted grip enhances comfort, accuracy, and retention under stress, which is especially important for new shooters developing proper technique.
8. Which handguns offer the best concealment for women’s clothing?
Slim, compact pistols with smooth edges—such as the Springfield XDS 3.3 or S&W Shield—are ideal for concealment under form-fitting or lightweight clothing. Their minimal profile reduces printing while still providing defensive capability.
9. What should women look for when choosing a concealed carry holster?
A quality holster should fully protect the trigger guard, hold the firearm securely, and offer comfortable concealment based on body shape and carry position. Adjustable retention, sweat guards, and flexible materials improve safety and wearability for daily use.
10. What type of firearm training is best for first-time handgun owners?
Beginner-friendly firearm training should include a basic pistol safety course that covers firearm handling, loading and unloading, safe storage, and live-fire practice. Many ranges offer women-specific classes designed to build skills and confidence in a supportive environment.
About the Author
Born in Arizona, Paisley Saris graduated in 2019 from North Idaho College, and will continue her education at Gonzaga University in the fall. She lives in North Idaho with her Husband and two step kids. She's a passionate advocate for the 2nd amendment, and on her off days she enjoys the outdoors and spending time at the range.