Best Handgun for Beginners & Home Defense 2024 [Tested]

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Not sure what pistol to get for your first gun or for home defense?

We’ll cover all the important decision points, such as caliber, ammo, size, ergonomics, price, and safety.

And then end it with some in-depth info on our personal suggestions.

We also cover this topic ands more in our video course, Gun Noob to Gun Slinger. Only the most important handgun knowledge to get you competent in 2 hours.

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best Overall Beginner Handgun

   Glock 19 Gen 5

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2. Best Trigger

   Walther PDP

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3. Runner-Up Beginner Handgun

   Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0

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4. Easiest to Rack & Load

   Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 9mm

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5. Best Higher-End Beginner Handgun

   Heckler & Koch VP9

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6. Best Beginner Revolver

   Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus

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How We Tested the Best Beginner & Home Defense Handguns

This article is a meta-analysis based on our experience with hundreds of handguns and tens of thousands of rounds over the years at Pew Pew Tactical.

We first chose our criteria for a “beginner” handgun that we expand upon in the How To Choose section.

• 9mm
• Full or Compact Size
• Striker-Fired
• Around $500

We then polled the editors and writers to see their top beginner handguns that met the criteria and that we have at least 2,500 rounds tested. However, you’ll see several have round counts even higher than that.

We also include a link to a full hands-on review of each handgun so you get all the details.

Best Beginner Home Defense Handguns

Best Overall 9mm Pistol – Glock 19, Gen 5

Everyone and their mom has heard of Glock.

It is a polymer gun, kind of boring but ultra-reliable. If I had the choice of only taking a random pistol into a situation…this would be it.

Lots of other people think the same way…that’s why the compact Glock 19 is their best-selling 9mm since it’s a Jack-of-All-Trades.

The newest Gen 5 Glocks are out.

For those of you in handgun-restricted states like California…Gen 3 is fine, too.

If you don’t plan on concealed carrying…I would opt for the Glock 17 full-size (which we’ve run over 10,000 rounds by this point).

But, if you are going to go the concealed carry weapon (CCW) route or want something slightly smaller…try out the Glock 19.

We now have a 3,500 round-count full review of the Glock 19 Gen 5…complete with shooting videos!

Again…if I had to recommend one beginner handgun…it’d be the Glock 19. Great for the range, your nightstand, and on your body for concealed carry.

What’s your take on the Glock 19?

Best Trigger – Walther PDP

The Walther PDP might be our newest favorite striker-fired 9mm handgun with its exceptional trigger, ergonomics, and reliability.

You’ll have to take our word on the trigger…but it’s the nicest out-of-the-box striker-fired trigger we’ve ever felt.

For the ergonomics…Walther made it extra grippy with nice molding that fit the gamut of hand sizes on our team.

And since it’s red dot ready…there’s also a nice pinky extension that helps you grip a little downwards which makes it perfect for red dots.

And check out the chunky (but super effective) slide serrations. If you can’t get a grip on it for racking…it ain’t the slide’s problem!

There are also a couple of different grip sizes and barrel lengths…but we went with the popular combos of full size with a 4.5-inch barrel and a compact with a 4-inch barrel.

Reliability is awesome, with Sean having shot over 5,000+ rounds and carried it as his duty pistol as a peace officer before he joined Pew Pew Tactical.

However, if you have giant mitts like Sean, you might not get 100% slide lock-back on empty mags because your fingers hit the slide lock.

Threaded barrels are coming out now, and so far, we’ve had great success with a suppressed compact version.

Check out the full review.

As well as our YouTube video review:

Runner-Up Beginner Handgun – Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0

The latest version of the venerable M&P (military and police) is the M&P 2.0. If there’s a list of best 9mm handguns, this usually makes the top three.

I got the FDE color version…

It’s full-size, and here is the comparison of my 1.0 vs a full-size Glock 17.

The original version was rock solid but had a not-so-great trigger.

The M2.0 takes care of that and also adds a more aggressive texturing while still maintaining the ability to swap out palm swells to match your grip.

It fits very well in my hand, and although I currently have the model with the safety…it’s easy to take off and get some inserts for the holes (and makes it exactly like the non-safety version).

A good choice to see if you agree with my thoughts on safeties since you can choose either option.

I choose it as my runner-up best beginner 9mm handgun since it’s been super reliable and a joy to shoot. However, is edged out by the Glock for reputation.

Be sure to check out our full review of the M&P M2.0 as well.

Easiest to Rack & Load – Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ

Have a little trouble racking the slide on most handguns?

Check out the M&P Shield EZ line — “EZ” stands for easy racking and easy loading.

The 9mm version is very concealable and packs a decent punch with our favorite caliber.

But if you want the absolute easiest racking and easiest shooting…opt for the smaller caliber version in .380 ACP.

However, one big negative of the EZ series is the reduction in shooting capacity down to 8+1. Compare this to the 15+1 of the Glock 19.

Check out our full review, as well as our YouTube video, to really see the differences in racking and shooting vs. other pistols:

Best Higher-End Beginner Handgun – HK VP9

HK’s VP9 is a great alternative if you want a polymer pistol but don’t want the Glock look/feel. Or if you’re feeling a little fancy.

It used to be much more expensive but has recently gone down to only be slightly above Glock prices.

Chambered in 9mm, the VP9 is a striker-fired design measuring 7.34 inches in total length with a 4.09-inch barrel. It tips scales at around 25 ounces.

The VP9 ships with various backstraps and interchangeable side panels that should allow those with even the most atypical paws to find a combination that works for them.

It’s also endlessly reliable and proven.

This one is around the 3,000 round mark and now lives in a quick-access safe in the house.

Note that the standard model has a different magazine release location under the trigger. Get the B model for a more standard location.

For more details on the VP9, check out our full review or peep the video below.

That rounds out our 9mm suggestions for beginners, but you can check out our larger Best 9mm Pistols article for more.

Best Beginner Revolver – Smith & Wesson Model 686+

Here’s the revolver you’ve been waiting for…the S&W Model 686+.

The + means it holds 7 rounds instead of the standard 6 rounds you’ve come to expect from revolvers.

I like the 4-inch barrel since it’s the Goldilocks length…not so short that it’s difficult to control in firing, but not so long that it’s unwieldy.

A short “why revolvers?” They are dead simply. They don’t need magazines and if there’s a misfire you can just pull the trigger again to cycle to the next round.

Plus, it will shoot both .38 Special and the more powerful .357 Magnum rounds.

Here it is in .38 Special…very manageable with the barrel. Perfect for recoil-sensitive people and training.

And here it is in the .357 Magnum…more powerful but still not too bad with a good grip.

And now…a full review!

How to Choose a Beginner Handgun

9mm Caliber

There’s a lot of popular calibers including the 9mm and larger .45 ACP that you’ll see recommended for a beginner pistol.

However, we drill down and recommend getting a 9mm for your beginner handgun.

Why?

The 9mm is easier to find and cheaper to shoot when compared to other calibers.

Its smaller size means it has milder recoil and higher capacity magazines (usually 15+).

Here’s me shooting one of my top suggested handguns…the Glock 19.

Not too bad…right?

Plus, the majority of police forces use 9mm, and the FBI returned to the 9mm after finding that the current .40 S&W rounds were causing excessive wear on pistols and were less easily controlled by some agents.

Hollow Point Ammo for Self-Defense

For home defense purposes, we recommend hollow point bullets for their stopping power (and ability to stop in drywall).

Two of the most popular are Speer Gold Dot and Federal Hydrashok. We cover everything in our Best 9mm Ammo article.

Fit

The most important thing about choosing the best handgun is fit.

We recommend getting a “full size” handgun, which means close to 5-inch barrels.

Having a full-sized handgun makes it easier to shoot since there’s more mass to absorb recoil, a larger area to grip, and a longer sight radius from the front sight to the rear sight.

But…if you think you might do concealed carry in the future and don’t want to get another gun…you can try out the compact sizes too.

You lose a little sight radius but free up some grip space which helps a lot in concealing. But you don’t want to go so small that your pinkie is left hanging.

Safety

Here, we recommend a lack of an external safety.

WHAT?

We believe that the mind is the best safety and that in the heat of the moment, during a self-defense situation, you might forget to disengage the safety.

This takes out a couple of possibilities, including the venerable 1911, which we think is a little too complicated and finicky for the beginner shooter.

Sights

Easy…get the tritium night sights since most self-defense encounters occur in dimly lit locations.

There are usually night sight models for each of our recommended pistols. And they’ll look like regular white dot sights during the day.

Or you can always purchase aftermarket sights and have your gunsmith install them.

Action

We recommend a striker-fired handgun for the beginner and home defense since the trigger pull is nearly identical every time (at least when compared to a double-action).

An easy way to tell if a handgun is a striker is that the back of the slide is flat and has no exposed hammer.

Double-action pistols such as the Beretta 92FS have a heavy first shot since you are cocking back the hammer.

What about revolvers?

We love them for their reliability and ease of dealing with malfunctions (just press again), but we don’t like their low ammo capacity (5 or 6 compared to 15+ for our recommendations).

But we’ll be including one of our favorites that packs in seven rounds of .38 Special or .357 Magnum goodness.

Price

The prices are all pretty similar for the striker-fired pistols at around the $500 range. You’ll also be able to find some sales going on at your local gun store…but these are good starting prices.

Night sights will probably cost $50 to $100 more.

Best Handgun Accessories

Again, most encounters happen in dimly lit areas/times, and you wouldn’t want to shoot with just night sights without verifying your target.

So we use and recommend a light that attaches to the rail.

The one we recommend is the Streamlight TLR–1 HL which comes with a bright light and great value.

It’s survived thousands of rounds, being dropped on the ground numerous times, and full days of shooting in heavy rain.

You might see some cheaper lights here or there, but lights are not the place to cheap out on.

And for the person who wants the best of the best light only…the Surefire X300.

We go over all these lights and more in our Best Pistol Lights article.

I’m also a fan of lots of grip on your gun. Talon Grips is the perfect non-permanent solution.

And of course…besides your gun and ammo you’ll need some eye and ear protection.

We at Pew Pew Tactical have spec-ed and sourced our own that we believe are the pinnacle of comfort and protection…enter ShellShock Protection.

If you’re looking for an upgraded kit with electronic ear protection that amplifies sounds you want to hear (like people talking) while cutting off gun shots…check out the Premium Combo. Also comes with switchable lens ballistic eye glasses.

Check out more of our favorites in Best Shooting Hearing Protection and Best Shooting Glasses.

Final Thoughts

• 9mm
• Hollowpoint defensive ammo
• Full-size frame
• Striker fired
• Night sights
• Rail mounted light
• Try out the feel of the Glock 17/19, M&P9, and PDP

Of course, there are a bazillion pistols that I left out…but the above specs are what we at Pew Pew Tactical recommend.

Already got a self-defense pistol? Learn how to become a crack shot. Or ready to check out our Beginner Handgun Course? Not sure if pistols are right for you? Check out our Best Home Defense Gun article where we go over the pros and cons of Handguns vs Shotguns vs Rifles.