First off, bravo to you. You have decided to take your safety into your own hands or you simply want to take advantage of your right to bear arms as granted by the United States Constitution. Where to from here?
Should you go marching on down to your local gun store and take advice from the person behind the counter? How about from your friend who has been shooting all their life? Surely, these people know best. WRONG. Purchasing a gun is like purchasing a pair of shoes, or for the ladies, a bra. There are many makes and models out there but each one is a little different. What's right for one person, may not be right for another.
Consider this brief guide when shopping for your first firearm.
How will you use this firearm? If you are planning to carry your firearm concealed, you will need to consider it's size relative to your body. Ideally, you should choose the biggest gun you can conceal well (based on your normal manner of dress and body size) that still allows you a proficient level of marksmanship and handling. Too large and it's hard to conceal, too small and you may have difficulty shooting it.
How big are your hands? You should be able to get a good grip on the gun and reach the trigger. If you can't, there are modifications that can be made. Make sure your gun not only conceals well, but fits your hands well. This is the part that's especially like bra or shoe shopping. You have to hold it in your hands to get a feel for it and then you actually have to shoot it to really get a feel for it. I always recommend renting or shooting your friends' guns before making a purchase.
Are you planning to install a red dot optic? If you want to use a red dot optic, make sure your handgun has cutouts designed to accept an optic or optic adapter plate, or be ready to have your slide milled. If you don't plan on installing a red dot on your carry or home defense gun, you're just wrong. There are few things I will say are flat out wrong and this is one of them.
Are accessories readily available? Some guns have many accessories (holsters, magazine pouches, lights, etc) readily available for purchase and some have few if any. If you have the time, money, and patience, custom accessories are an option.
Can you legally purchase one? This is the not fun part and I'm going to leave my personal opinions aside. In your state, is the gun you want legal to purchase and/or possess. Are YOU legally eligible to purchase a firearm? If you're unsure, you can check here for federal laws. https://www.atf.gov/firearms/identify-prohibited-persons. Be sure to understand your state's laws as well.
If you have any questions about purchasing your first firearm and you don't know where to start, send me an email at Stephanie@MarishiTenTraining.com. Handgun rentals are available at all my classes so you can try out a handgun before spending your hard earned money.
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