Buying your first handgun is one of the most critical decisions when entering the world of firearms. A wrong choice can lead to developing bad habits, getting discouraged from shooting, or even risking your safety.
As someone who has spent a lifetime with guns, worked as a shooting instructor, managed gun stores, and had one-on-one contact with real self-defense cases, I can say this clearly: The mistakes beginners make stem largely from their choice of their first gun.
In this article, we cover the 5 worst types of handguns explaining “why they should not be bought as a first gun” with clear reasons.
.410 Bore Revolvers
Revolvers capable of firing .45 Colt and .410 shotshells might look “versatile” on paper, but in practice, they don’t do any job well.
- .45 Colt performance is weak
- .410 buckshot pellets deform inside the barrel
- Accuracy and ballistic performance are low
- Recoil and ergonomics are difficult for beginners
Yes, they might make sense in very specific scenarios (like snake defense in rural areas). However, as a first handgun, it is definitely the wrong choice.
Cheap and Low-Quality Handguns
The thought “Let it be cheap, I’ll change it later” is one of the reasons beginners choose these. However, this approach usually costs more in the long run. So why?
- Difficult trigger → bad trigger habits
- Unreliable mechanism → loss of confidence
- Harsh recoil → discouragement from shooting
- Low quality → sold quickly at a loss
Today, reasonable, reliable 9mm pistols can be found between $300–400. Waiting a bit longer to buy a quality gun is a much better investment in the long run.
Calibers other than .22 LR, 9mm, and (in some cases) .380
The most logical calibers for beginners are:
- .22 LR → low recoil, cheap ammo, ideal for basic training
- 9mm → balanced recoil, widespread use, effective defense
- .380 ACP (large-frame models) → low recoil, portability
Calibers outside of these are generally:
- More expensive
- Harder to control
- Complicate the training process
Especially calibers like .40 and .45 are unnecessarily challenging for a first gun.
Micro Compact .380 Handguns (LCP, bodyguard, etc.)
Very small .380 pistols:
- Easy to carry
- Logical as a backup gun
- Sufficient for low-risk scenarios
However, they have serious disadvantages for a first handgun:
- Short barrel → low accuracy
- Small grip → hard control
- Harsh recoil sensation
- Difficult manipulation (magazine, slide, etc.)
For a beginner, a larger-framed .380 or a micro-compact 9mm is a much healthier choice.
Snub-nose revolvers (.38 Special / .357 Magnum)
This is the most common mistake made among beginners.
Small revolvers:
- Have a heavy and long trigger pull
- Recoil is very harsh
- Genellikle have poor sights
- Capacity is low (5 rounds)
- Reloading is slow
The biggest problem is developing a flinch (fear of recoil). Once this habit forms, it can take years to correct.
Yes, they might make sense in very specific situations. But as a first and only gun, it is a bad start for most users.
Conclusion: Your first handgun determines your future
Your first handgun directly affects whether you will enjoy shooting, whether you will continue training, your self-confidence, and even your chance of survival one day. Therefore, starting with a platform that is easy to control, reliable, balanced, and common will always be the most correct approach.