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Top 10 Best First Handguns in 2024
What makes a great beginner pistol, and who does it well enough to be worthy of a place in your safe? You asked, and we’re going to answer!
A good beginner pistol should be easy to use, affordable, reliable, and have solid aftermarket support (it’ll come in handy later). It should also come from a reputable company with a reliable track record.
Anything else is not worth the money. These pistols are tried and tested, accurate, and will not empty your pockets.
So don’t worry about having the flashiest or most upgraded pistol on the market; just make sure it’s a good beginner pistol.
Let’s dive in, and I’ll show you what that is.
Glock 19
Many folks will tell you that the 1911 is America’s pistol. I beg to differ. There are more Glock 19s in America than 1911s. Everyone seems to have one. And it’s for an excellent reason: it’s the perfect beginner pistol. It’s also one of the best combat firearms on the market. It can essentially suit any shooter for almost any need.
There’s a reason why certain Special Forces, SEALs, and many other small units kept the Glock 19 when the rest of Big Army switched to Sig. It just works.
Is it the most attractive pistol on the market? Not at all. But it’s lightweight, and it’s easy to conceal. It also offers an attractive 15+1 capacity, with the ability to accept many larger magazines, like those from the next pistol on our list.
So, if you want the perfect starter pistol, get yourself a Glock 19.
This pistol has seen more combat than Patton himself. Source
Glock 17
Say you want something more significant than the Glock 19. Something that fits the hand better, with more capacity. That’s where the Glock 17 comes in. Tested by door kickers for decades, the Glock 17 still stands as one of the best pistols on the market.
It has a longer barrel, slide, grip, and larger magazine capacity than the Glock 19. This caters to larger shooters, but it can work for anyone depending on what they want in their firearm.
Say you’re getting into competitive shooting. The Glock 17 can work well there. Home defense? Check. However, smaller shooters may need to try one out to ensure it’s the right fit before buying.
As far as combat pistols go, it’s hard to come close to the Glock 17. Source
Glock 19X
At this very moment, a Glock 19X is sitting right next to me.
Mash everything great about the Glock 17 and the Glock 19 into one, and you have a 19X. The barrel and slide of the 19 with the frame and magazine capacity of the 17. It is large enough for big hands and small enough to carry comfortably in the appendix position.
What more can you want?
Thanks to your hands’ extra real estate, which maximizes your ability to get a good grip and mitigate recoil, the 19X is one of the flatter shooting Glocks on the market.
One of the finest pistols on the market. Source
Glock 45
Now, take the 19X, give it some front slide serrations, paint it black, and make it optics-ready from the factory. You have the Glock 45.
Some say it’s an even finer version of the Glock 19X. It’s familiar with the military, law enforcement personnel, and everyday citizens. It’s a fine piece for concealed carry and shoots like a dream on the range.
If you don’t like the tan Glock and want some front slide serrations, consider the 45.
The G45, dressed in black. Source
Glock 43X MOS
The Glock 43X is a masterpiece of concealed carry. Take your regular Glock 43, throw a larger frame on it, and have a 43X.
I recommend the 43X MOS over the regular 43X for many reasons, but the main one is the ability to utilize optics from the factory. Beginner shooters need all the assistance they can get, and optics are the best assistance there is.
Also, the 43X MOS has a rail for lights. Many may say a light isn’t necessary, but they are wrong. This isn’t subjective. If you can’t see what you’re aiming at, you may end up on the wrong side of the law.
If you want to easily increase the capacity from 10 to 15 rounds, check out the Shield Arms S15 magazine!
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Shield Arms S15 Gen 3 9mm 15 Round Magazine for Glock 43X, 48 Pistols
234 reviews
Original price was: $42.99.$29.99Current price is: $29.99.
The best carry pistol in existence. Source
Sig Sauer P320
The first non-Glock on the list. The Sig Sauer P320 M18 was my first pistol, and I’ve gotten my hands on almost every model Sig has brought out ever since. Despite some minor hiccups with early models, the P320 is good to go.
Depending on which one you get (there are about 30 of them), you’ll have an optic cut, an accessory rail, and multiple sizes for different needs.
The best part of the P320 is the modularity. If you have one, you can have every other P320 in the lineup. Being the most modular pistol on the market, you can turn your M18 into a P320 Spectre Comp by buying the respective parts from Sig.
No need to wait.
A classic P320. Source
Sig Sauer P365
The P320 can be large for some and sometimes uncomfortable to carry. If that’s the case for you, why not get something smaller? The P365 lineup is the answer.
As modular as the P320, the P365 is smaller, easier to conceal, optics-ready, and highly reliable. For a few years, the P365 was the best-selling handgun on the market, which is surprising until you shoot it.
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SIG P365 X-Macro 9mm 17 Round Magazine
Original price was: $59.99.$49.99Current price is: $49.99.
The base P365 can be small for some, but there are almost as many P365s as P320s, so you have plenty of options.
It’s all up to you, but the whole lineup has proven to be up to par.
Another one of the most popular CCWs on the market. Source
Walther PDP
Not many people talk about the PDP, but many more people should. Regarding complete pistols, not many offer as much “wow” as the PDP.
From the crisp trigger to how flat it shoots, the PDP is in a world of its own. It offers everything that the industry-leading pistols do and then some. Many law enforcement officers carry the PDP as well.
SALE 
Walther PDP 9mm 18 Round Magazine
195 reviews
Original price was: $49.00.$36.99Current price is: $36.99.
SALE 
Walther PDP Compact, PPQ M2 9mm 15 Round Magazine
215 reviews
Original price was: $49.00.$34.99Current price is: $34.99.
The PDP is a bit more expensive than the other pistols on this list, but it’s well worth it.
What a fantastic firearm. It looks great, too. Source
CZ-75 PZ-01
CZ is another brand that doesn’t get the love it should.
There are many pistols in the CZ-75 lineup, and while they can get pricey with the more features you get, all of them have one thing in common: they’re all ultra-reliable.
For example, the PZ-01 has luminescent sights, a super smooth trigger from the factory, and front and back slide serrations. The accuracy is consistent and easy to follow. It really is a great shooter.
There’s only so much more you can ask for in a pistol. Currently, there is no optics-ready version, so that’s about it.
A classic look on a modern pistol. Source
Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0
Last but certainly not least, we have the Smith and Wesson M&P M2.0, the new and improved version of S&W’s flagship pistol. Admittedly, I wasn’t a massive fan of the first model. But man, oh man, the M&P M2.0 is one of the finer pistols I’ve shot over the past few years.
That trigger, the slide serrations, and the overall aesthetic of the M&P M2.0 beg to be a mantle piece. But it’s nothing like a safe queen.
This pistol goes hard. The new models are optic-ready from the factory, and some have suppressor-height sights. Others even have a threaded barrel. As far as features go, the M&P M2.0 has them all.
One of the finest shooting pistols on the market.
Conclusion
I know this article is heavy on Glocks, but they are very beginner-friendly due to their simplicity and affordability. The rest of these pistols have many features, which can also be great for beginners who want more assistance than a stock Glock can offer.
You can pick any of these pistols out of a hat, and they will shoot all day long. So, if you’re looking for a great beginner pistol, pick from any of these ten and get to shooting.
Be good and take care.
