If you are in the market for a new pistol or handgun but are unsure of what to look for in terms of what would provide you with the best pistol or even the best one for self and home defense, there are a few things you should know before purchasing.
A few important decisions you will have to make prior to purchasing a pistol include caliber, ammo, size, ergonomics, price, and the safety of the gun. After those considerable points, you can then begin narrowing it down even further to allow for your own personal preferences.
If this is your first pistol and you are just a beginner, then it is recommended that you choose one that utilizes 9mm. This type of caliber is more affordable and easier to find than other calibers, and due to the size, you will experience less recoil and higher capacity magazines. For example, a magazine that may be able to hold up to fifteen or more shots.
If you need ammo for the intended purpose of home defense, then it is suggested that you purchase hollow point bullets. They have enough stopping power to help if you were placed in a dangerous situation and needed to be able to defend yourself or your family.
Finally, you will want to take the size of the pistol into serious consideration and also make sure that it is something you can handle easily and effectively. The best fit is critical when it comes to choosing the absolute best pistol.
A full-sized handgun may be easier to shoot, and it provides you with a bigger and more comfortable grip, lower recoil, and a longer sight radius, for example, when compared to a handgun that is smaller and more compact.
To help you narrow down your choices, we have included reviews of some of the best pistols that are currently available for you to purchase:
Glock G17 9mm Pistol
The Glock G17 is a 9mm pistol with a 17+1 round capacity and has a gas nitride finish. The magazine is removable, and this pistol is best known to be used by law enforcement. It is a reliable pistol that is relatively lightweight with a safe action trigger system that is easy to use and easy to handle. It is ideal for self or home defense or any other type of high-pressure situation.
Price: Retails for under $$
Features
- Striker fired action type
- Overall length of this gun is 7.32-inches
- The barrel length is 4.49-inches
- The overall weight of this gun is 1.5 pounds
- Plain muzzle
- Fixed rear sight
- Polymer stock material
- 17+1 round capacity
- Safe action trigger system
Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0
The Smith & Wesson pistol is a newer military and police (M&P) version and is one of the best known and most popular 9mm that are available. It is well suited for beginners and home defense and provides you with a more natural eighteen-degree grip angle and aggressive texturing to help improve your grip which then helps with control. The pistol also features a corrosion resistant finish to provide superior durability.
Price: Retails for under $$
Features
- .40 S & W caliber
- 5-inch barrel length
- 15+1 shot capacity
- Flat dark earth Armornite finish
- Polymer grip
- Overall length of the gun is 8.3-inches
- Overall weight of the gun is 27.4 ounces
- Light trigger pull
- Positive control with textured finger grips
- Steel front and rear sights
- 1:10 twist rate
- High grip to reduce muzzle jump
Springfield XD Mod 2, Service Model
The Springfield XD Mod 2 is an exceptional choice if you are looking for the best trigger on a pistol. It is a striker fired pistol that has been updated to include aggressively texturing, and the pistol provides a full-size grip even with a compact barrel. However, there are no adjustable backstraps, so you will want to ensure a proper fit while you are in the store and before you purchase. The service model has a slimmer and more ergonomic design over other models and is great for concealed carry, duty, or just shooting at the range for practice.
Price: Retails for under $$
Features
- 4-inch barrel length
- 16+1 shot capacity
- 9mm Luger cartridge
- Fiber optic front sight
- Black finish
- Removable magazine
- Overall length of this gun is 7.3-inches
- Overall weight of this gun is 1.75 pounds
- Fixed rear sight
- Slim and compact design
Sig Sauer P320 .45 ACP
The Sig Sauer P320 pistol boasts of a polymer frame and modular component concept and has been updated from previous versions that had been originally met with skepticism. This is a striker fired pistol rather than a hammer-fired. You can also transition from a 9 mm to a full sized .40 or .357 Sig in just seconds. It comes with two magazines for convenience, and the full-sized magazine offers a full-sized grip and is capable of 10+1 shot capacity. It is a pistol that is best suited for everyday range use or even competition shooting.
Price: Retails for under $$
Features
- Semi-automatic
- Full-size frame
- Polymer frame material
- Nitron slide finish
- Striker trigger
- Barrel length is 5-inches
- Overall length of this gun is 8.5-inches
- Overall weight of this gun is 35.6 ounces
- Fully adjustable rear sights
Final Thoughts
Again, always keep in mind that finding the best pistol really comes down to your own preferences and individual needs. Are you looking for a smaller pistol that can be used for concealed carry or a more full-sized pistol for practice at the range or even competitive shooting? You may even be looking for one that can offer you a degree of home defense.
No matter which pistol you choose, always remember to follow all the gun laws in your state and take precautions when it comes to using and storing the pistol. Owning a gun is a big responsibility and should always be treated as such.
Finally, familiarize yourself with the gun before you begin to use it and make sure you understand exactly how it works and then determine if you have the absolute best grip to maintain the utmost control.
