Luke,
I get asked this question more times than any other question from students who attend my classes and who have no or little experience with firearms. It’s a fairly simple question but one that requires careful consideration of several key factors before rendering a decision.
Before we delve into the meat and potatoes there’s one basic question that must be asked. Do you want a handgun for home protection only?
If so, then my advice would be to consider a long gun, such as a shotgun or an AR15. To explain, cops and those of us who carry concealed handguns for protection do so because handguns are both securable and concealable. The drawback is handgun ammunition does not have the same level of energy displacement as rifle or slug ammunition. Every soldier and cop will tell you that as a corollary tactical principle, no law enforcement officer or armed civilian should ever plan to meet an expected attack armed only with a handgun.
If you want a handgun so you can carry it concealed or to open carry I ask that you consider buying a long gun for home protection.
Now, let’s assume you’ve decided to buy a handgun so you can carry it concealed or if you prefer, open carry to protect yourself and those you love for harm and you enter your first gun store. The first time visit to most gun stores by first time gun buyers can be somewhat overwhelming. Some gun stores display several hundred guns of various sizes, styles, calibers and colors which can be somewhat intimidating for the novice buyer.
Having the knowledge of what may be best for you can be acquired by answering a few basic questions.
1) How will you carry it? (concealed in a waistband carry, belly band carry, shoulder hostler, pressure shirt with built in holster, etc or open carry)
Answering this question will greatly reduce the number of firearms you will see on the wall or from any gun magazine you may gave perused. If you’re purchasing a handgun to conceal it on your body you must ensure that when it’s concealed the outline of the handgun is not printed on your clothing, If it’s printed then it’s not concealed.
If you elect to open carry then handgun size is not that much of a factor other than comfort ability. The open carry of a handgun should require thought of what type of holster will you utilize?
IMO, if you elect to open carry you should at least consider selecting at a level II security holster or a level IIl security holster to thwart unexpected gun grabs. This could greatly reduce the chance of allowing a bad guy to walk up behind you and removing your handgun before you can react. Plus, you should also consider incorporating gun take away drills into your firearms training program.
2) How much have you budgeted for this firearm?
3) How much have you budgeted for concealed carry clothing or holsters etc?
Answering these two questions could further reduce the number of firearms you see displayed.
Note: If you prefer a semiautomatic to a revolver then you should consider the following. Semiautomatics are known to suffer from malfunctions or stoppages. The overwhelming majority of this malfunctions or stoppages are shooter induced, more so by breaking the wrist via an improper grip.
In other words, the person firing the semi-automatic has done something that interrupted the handguns Cycle of Function and has reduced the amount of energy the handgun requires in order to remove and eject the spent casing then seating a new round from the magazine. Hence, you’ just suffered a malfunction / stoppage. The Tap and Rack is a proven method to clear 99% of malfunctions or stoppages and must be incorporated into any firearms training program.
Regardless of whether you choose a semiautomatic or revolver you should be able to function check or manipulate the action (opening the revolver cylinder or pulling back and locking the slide of a semi automatic) of both handguns with your strong hand and weak hand. You should consider the possibility that in a fight for your life one of your hands, arms or both becomes injured. Can you fire your weapon from your strong side only and then from your weak side only?
Now, can you reload the handgun using only your strong hand or weak hand only?
Now that you’ve considered these questions all you need to do now is find a gun store that carries a large variety of handguns. Pick several handguns of varying calibers that meet your criteria and hold them, grip them and ask the salesperson to show you how to work the action (to lock the slide open or to open the cylinder). Some gun stores will even allow you to fire the handgun before you buy it. If that’s the case then pick your top four or five and fire them to see which one fits your hands and needs the best. Don’t get caught up in the caliber trap. Chose the largest caliber you can effectively shoot and hit the target with time after time. A hit with a .22 is infinitely better than a miss with a .45. However, IMO you should not carry anything under a .380 for personal protection.
Now that you’ve narrowed down your selection there’s one more thing I’d like to mention. Consider spending a little more for a stainless steel version of your chosen handgun. If you carry the handgun concealed upon your person more than likely you’re like most of us and sweat in the summer months. If you elect to buy a blue steel handgun for conceal and carry you will need to maintain it weekly with oil to prevent it from rusting. A stainless steel gun will never rust.
I’ve had countless students come to my classes with handguns they either recently purchased or with handguns passed down to them from relatives. Many of these students have found that they have bought or acquired handguns that were not the best choice because they lacked the knowledge of what is contained in this article.
Once you have the knowledge of what may be best for you buying a handgun is no longer a daunting task.
Good luck and stay safe out there.
Sherman C. Graves Sr.
About the author:
I retired from law enforcement after 21 years as a Sergeant. During my career I acquired an extensive background in firearms training, serving as a firearms instructor, range master, rifle instructor, armorer, less than lethal instructor and on a SWAT team for 5 years. I’m currently employed as a Corporate Security Advisor for a worldwide corporation where I serve as a member this corporation’s Emergency Response Unit and as their department armorer.
I’m the owner of Concealed Advantage St. Louis LLC and I teach the 8-hour Missouri Firearms Safety Course throughout the eastern portion of Missouri.
I’m also the Eastern Missouri Training Director for Concealed Advantage Firearms Training Company and a member of the Missouri Association of Law Enforcement CCW Instructors.
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