So you’re thinking about buying your first pistol
You’ve taken your first class, or perhaps you’re thinking about signing up for one. After attempting to Google the subject of pistols and what would best fit you, you were punched square in the eyeballs with the overwhelming amount of information and, at times, contradicting opinions on the subject. Terms like “semi-automatic”, “single-action/double-action”, and the suspiciously named “guide-rod” component to a pistol has confused, perhaps even confounded you. As you scroll, you hover over a stainless steel Desert Eagle and think to yourself, “should I go big or go home?”
Don’t do it. It’s not worth it. You’ve come to the right place. You’re safe here. Close that tab.
Let’s begin with the basics.
Semi-Automatic Pistol vs Revolver?
A semi-automatic pistol, put simply, is a firearm that is usually fed with a magazine, which is loaded with the ammunition appropriate for that gun. A magazine is essentially a box with a spring that pushes and “feeds” the ammunition into the chamber of the gun. Magazines range in their capacity from ten rounds to seventeen, and even sometimes more depending on the type of pistol you have purchased. As you pull the trigger and break each shot, the pistol’s slide cycles back, stripping the empty cartridge from the chamber before charging a new round into the chamber. This is a cycle that continues each time you pull the trigger until the firearm is empty, hence the term “semi-automatic”. These are the go-to types of firearms for most security, law enforcement, and military because of their capacity, accuracy, and reliability.
And then there are revolvers, and the people that say they prefer them. Revolvers are relatively simple in their engineering compared to semi-automatics. The argument that less moving parts equals less likelihood of the pistol malfunctioning is true, but has to be weighed against their lack of ammunition capacity, with most revolvers averaging around six shots (with some being a few less and others a few more). The options for holsters for revolvers is small compared to that of most popular-brand semi-automatic pistols. However, revolvers are also time-tested and proven to be reliable, and in the hands of a competent shooter, are a force to be reckoned with.
What would I choose? Honestly, I prefer semi-automatic pistols for their larger ammunition capacity.
Okay. What brand should I buy?
Every forum you have looked into has been a warzone. Everyone you have asked has tried to convince you that their favored brand is what you and any sane, God-fearing person should buy, and that the other brands are probably trash—or, at best, almost as good.
To someone who doesn’t drink soda often, Coca-Cola and Pepsi taste remarkably similar, if not indistinguishable (I prefer RC, and I will get into a knock-down-drag-out over this). To someone who does not know much about firearms, a Glock and a Smith and Wesson M&P look terribly alike.
I seldom recommend a single brand. Instead, I recommend staying with brands that are tried and true, whose reputations have survived the tests of time. I tend to shy away from brands that I haven’t heard about, as those may have unforeseen complications of being a newer, unknown product with little data to rely upon for how reliable (or unreliable) they might be. Instead, I give a top five of brands I trust completely and five that I have heard about and would NOT recommend immediately, and why. Different guns fit different people. Some people like Wranglers, others like Levi. And then there’s the Dickies crowd (we leave them alone and let them do what they want).
Here's that list.
Top five brands I would recommend, in no particular order (and if your favorite brand ISN’T on this list, it’s in my top secret “Super Favorite Gun-Brand” list I show only to my BFFs):
Glock – This is a company whose firearms have been tried and tested. Reliable, accurate, and customizable, there is no end for accessories and upgrades for these guns. Some people feel like their grips are rather bulky, but the newest models seemed to have corrected this.
Springfield – A company that has been around since the founding of the United States of America. After closing in 1968, it reopened in 1974 and has been manufacturing quality firearms since. Although I don’t own one, I have found their pistols very comfortable to shoot and their design innovative.
CZ - A Czech company, CZ had once been a favorite amongst competition shooters who wanted a reliable, unique, and accurate pistol in the CZ-75. For a few years in the mid-2010s, “hipster” gun owners were the crowd that pursued this brand. Now it has gained even more popularity for good reason – CZ firearms are reliable, comfortable, ergonomic, and accurate.
Smith and Wesson - The M&P series of pistol took some cues from Glock (and lets face it, most semi-automatic striker-fired pistols did). Smith and Wesson has been providing quality firearms for almost two-hundred years, and their workmanship shows in their products.
Sig Sauer – Often considered a high-end brand, Sig boasts excellence in their firearms. If you can afford one of their guns, you won’t go wrong.
Here are some brands that I would look at with a mild sense of uncertainty and, sometimes, a touch of suspicion (again in no particular order):
Taurus - I know this one might upset some folks. Taurus has a checkered reputation, and the quality of their firearms is inconsistent. A lot of their pistols will shoot fine with a very ergonomic, comfortable feel. However, the problem lies with an inconsistent quality control. They may be affordable, but I would look at these warily.
Palmetto State Armory (Dagger series) - Palmetto State Armory (PSA) has been known for making reliable and affordable AR-15s, as well as some excellent American made Kalashnikovs. Recently they have dipped their toes in manufacturing their version of the Glock platform with the PSA Dagger. It is comfortable, smooth, and boasts a surprisingly robust trigger out of the box. It also allows for the same customizations as the Glock, accepting all Glock 19 parts (and even the entire slide assembly). This is a relatively new product and lacks the data and tests of time for me to confidently recommend it for everyday carry.
SAR - I’m going to be honest here. I don’t know much about this firearms brand, and I’ve only shot it once when a student brought it to one of my classes. It looked like a CZ-P07 clone and shot cleanly. After some research, I found that they have some polymer pistols resembling the Glock, and have read reviews about how well they shoot and other reviews about their unreliability. This has made the list purely from my lack of experience with them and how often I have been asked about them.
Canik – Canik is a relatively young brand, having been founded in 1997. It seems that their pistols lately have been stylish and fun to shoot. Their price point usually falls well below that of the more popular brands, and customer reviews have shown that their customer service is good.
Hi-Point – This gun boasts that it is the most affordable of any gun on this list, and that’s the only positive thing I can personally say about it. Some people swear by this gun and this brand, but after shooting it, I found the platform to be heavy and clunky, the trigger tacky, the sights odd, and overall was unimpressed. There are many reports of the Hi-Point failing catastrophically, with slides breaking during the course of fire, and consistent malfunctions. Though some people will swear by it and it has garnered the oddest cult following I’ve ever seen, this is the one brand I tell my students to avoid, and I won’t apologize for saying that.
There are other brands out there that I did not include for the sake of keeping this as concise as possible.
Well, that kind of helps. What else do I need after I buy a gun?
What an awesome question. This is important to consider because finding accessories for your gun is essential if you’re looking to seriously carry it concealed. Specifically, it is much easier to find holsters, parts, and aftermarket accessories for the more popular brands (especially Glock). You won’t have to look far to find quality gear that fits your gun, whereas with the more-affordable guns you’ll have to work a little harder to find that perfect holster.
Speaking of holsters, here is a list of things I recommend all my students to budget for when they buy their first gun:
Holster – This is important if you plan on carrying your pistol concealed or if you want to take more classes, as many intermediate and above classes require a holster to attend.
Gun Safe – I CANNOT emphasize enough how important a safe is for your firearms. I will argue about this stubbornly until I die. I’ve heard people say, “Well I always have my gun around and my kids/spouse/dog/cat know ALL about gun safety and would NEVER mishandle my firearm.” Maybe. MAYBE. That’s the answer. You MAYBE correct. And maybe you’re not. Why make that a risk? Get a safe and store your gun in it when you’re not using it to mitigate against even the possibility of a catastrophe like that happening. Cats are shifty, man.
Range gear - You bought a gun, now you have to practice with it. It’s a good idea to have good eye protection and ear protection. Eye protection should be ballistics rated, and don’t have to be expensive. I prefer the ear protection that covers my ears like headphones, though some prefer the type that you stick in your ear. Either way, these can be ordered online OR bought at your local Home Depot or Lowes. Oh! And don’t forget a bag to carry this all in. I won’t judge if it’s purple, but I will judge if it’s not.
More classes - You cannot have enough training behind your gun. Shooting is a perishable skill and consistent practice will help maintain your abilities.
More classes?
Yes. More classes. There are many different levels to choose from, with various skillsets that you can learn and polish. Want to learn how to better conceal your firearm and to effectively deploy your gun from your concealed-carry holster? There are classes specifically for that. Interested in doing competitive shooting? You can take lessons to show you how to equip yourself for just that. Just want to learn good fundamentals so you can practice on your own to stay polished? Absolutely. You can never take enough classes.
Is there anything else?
Well, there is always more stuff to talk about, but I think we should finish on talking about firearms safety. Remember, whenever you go to the range, SAFETY is the most important thing. Be mindful that you are practicing proper safety and range etiquette, and be aware of the other shooters around you, making sure that they are doing the same. One person being unsafe and not practicing range safety puts EVERYONE in danger. Let’s review the NRA’s three fundamental rules for firearms safety.
ALWAYS point the gun in a safe direction.
ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
ALWAYS keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use.
Bonus rule: ALWAYS assume that your gun is loaded.
If you ever are at the range and feel that someone isn’t properly practicing firearms safety, please do not hesitate to tell the Range Safety Officer or other staff. And remember, it’s okay to leave if you feel unsafe. This is the most difficult when the person being particularly unsafe is someone you know. Be brave. Real friends aren’t afraid to call their friends out on being stupid—just makes your friendship stronger.
JJ Johnson
Instructor, Oni Tactical
“Tomorrow’s victories are determined by today’s practice.”
