First Handgun purchase

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Looking to buy my first handgun, something to conceal carry.

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I wouldn't suggest a concealed carry-sized handgun as your first. Your first should be full sized. I'll quote a thread I bookmarked about handgun sizes:

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So with handguns (in this case 9mm) I see about 5 different sizes. I'll list them in descending order:

1. Extended slide/competition length (barrel over 4.5"; full sized frame)
2. Full sized (barrel 4.25"-4.5"; full sized frame)
3. Mid sized (Barrel 4"; full sized frame)
4. Compact (Barrel 3.5"; shortened grip)
5. Subcompact single stack (Barrel 3"-3.5"; shortened grip; single stack magazine)

Where this differs slightly is with 1911s. You have:

1. Government (5" barrel; full sized frame)
2. Commander (4.25" barrel; full sized frame)
3. Hybrid (4.25" barrel; shortened frame)
4. Officer (3.5" barrel; shortened frame)

There will obviously be some variation in your polymer pistol sizes, but for the most part I would say those 5 categories are the main ones. Some companies will blur the lines of sizes (like the Beretta PX4 "compact" and the Springfield XD "subcompact") that will generally fit in a different category. The PX4 compact is more of a midsized than a compact and the Springfield XD subcompact is really more of a compact. You have to look at the specs or hold them to notice this so it's good to feel the guns before purchasing.

Now if you think you MAY carry the gun that would mean you should stick with something mid sized or smaller. Remember, if you don't plan on carrying the gun, it's always smarter to get a full sized because of its numerous advantages over a compact or subcompact gun:

1. Longer grip (which also gives...)
2. Higher magazine capacity
3. Longer sight radius
4. Less felt recoil (because of the weight)
5. Higher muzzle velocity (from the longer barrel)
6. Full length rail (covers a wider range of accessories)

The only place that a full sized gun loses out on in terms of carry is weight and size. That's pretty much it. A full sized gun will almost always be more shootable than its compact counterpart.

Full sized guns can be concealed and there are some people that do it with relative ease. But generally, a full sized gun will start to be left at home. While it gives you the highest capacity and the highest potential to put accurate shots on target, it isn't as easy to tote around as a compact. Some popular full sized polymer striker-fired guns are:

S&W M&P
Springfield XD
Glock 17
Ruger SR9
FN FNS9

The very popular Glock 19 fits in the mid sized category. It has a slightly shortened frame compared to a full sized but still is long enough to get all your fingers on the grip. Some other mid sized guns are:

Walther PPQ
HK VP9

Compact pistols have a shortened grip for your ring and middle finger with the pinky finger dangling because it is less likely to print when carried concealed. But with the shortened frame comes less control-ability. There is always a tradeoff. Most full sized guns have a compact counterpart so I won't list any here.

The upside of compact pistols are that they can accept a full sized magazine of their full sized counterparts. So if you think you might carry the gun but it may spend most of the time stored away, I usually suggest this size as a compromise since you can load the full sized mag or the shortened mag. Some guns like the Ruger SR9c come with both a full sized magazine and a shortened magazine. It is great for this role.

Subcompact single stack guns I usually only suggest if you are guaranteed to carry it. They have a very thin profile but a lower magazine capacity since the magazine is thinner. The upside of these guns is that they virtually disappear when carried and carry very comfortably.

So to sum up, if you don't plan on carrying it, I would suggest a full sized gun regardless if it's for your house or your car. If you think you may carry it sometimes or already have a dedicated single stack carry gun, I'd suggest the compact. You can always have more than one gun in a carry rotation. And finally if you know you'll carry it, I would get a single stack subcompact.


Sorry for the length. Bookmarking for future use.

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Bookmarking for future use.

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- you've been reusing a lot of that text a while, now, bap.

True story - I generally type mine all out fresh.

As one of the prominent members of #TeamSig - I would be remiss if I didn't suggest a classic Sig - although they are pricey, in the P226. Or, the excellent polymer framed SP2022 (I actually own 1 of each at this point, as well as a P245 and a P229), which is about half the price of it's aluminum framed big brother.

ETA: I have so many Sigs, now, I have at least 1 of each of the extractor types: internal, long and short.

Sig makes excellent, easy to shoot, easy to maintain pistols with a more traditional SA/DA fire control system.

Sig also has a line of striker fired, polymer pistols, but I cannot endorse them until I shoot one.

Glock 19 would be my recommendation. As a former TeamSig member I can't really endorse them any longer, but the 229 was the first handgun I purchased myself and I thought it was an ideal choice.

I personally wouldn't buy a truly full sized handgun for a first timer, but I would agree that a true CCW piece isn't ideal either.

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I personally wouldn't buy a truly full sized handgun for a first timer, but I would agree that a true CCW piece isn't ideal either.

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Then what else is there? If not a big gun or a small gun what does that leave?

Full sized handguns are very forgiving, easier to shoot, easier to manipulate (longer recoil spring), have less felt recoil, more real estate to grab onto, and have larger controls.

Is there something I'm missing?

Nope. You have it covered.

Great info fellas! Thanks, I appreciate it.

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You just gave a great summary of options, but are now seemingly discounting at least one category from your post (mid-sized)?

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I did mention mid sized and gave a few examples (G19, PPQ, VP9) in that post but maybe I didn't make something clear.

When I say "full sized" the main thing I'm saying is "full sized frame" or enough frame for all your fingers. I try to push new buyers away from getting something super tiny. To me, mid size and full size are pretty much analogous.

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For many folks, I think the old mid-size/compact is becoming the new full size

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Here's where the lines get blurry because "compact" implies "more compact than a full size" and usually means it doesn't have enough frame for your pinky finger. Mid sized and compact definitely aren't the same thing.

But as I also said in my post, the lines get blurred over sizes between manufacturers. The XD "subcompact" isn't necessarily subcompact because it's still a double stack and is dimensionally similar to the M&P "compact." Compact generally implies that it's small, and subcompact generally implies it's even smaller than a compact, or a single stack. But lines get heavily blurred between manufacturers.

So yes, I agree with your point that mid sized guns are a good option as well.

Try to narrow your list to 3 guns and shoot each one. I love the glock 19 but for some reason don't shoot it as well as an M&P.