🔫 Top 5 Handguns for Beginners in 2025: Reliable, Easy & Ready to Carry

🔫 Top 5 Handguns for First-Time Gun Owners in 2025

So, you're ready to buy your first handgun. That’s awesome—and slightly overwhelming. With hundreds of pistols on the market and advice flying at you like brass at the range, it’s easy to get confused.

That’s where we come in. We've rounded up five of the most reliable, user-friendly handguns for new gun owners in 2025. These aren’t just good—they're battle-tested, carry-ready, and beginner-approved.

#1. Glock 19 Gen 5 – The Gold Standard

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 15+1
• Weight: Light enough to carry, heavy enough to shoot comfortably
• Why It Rocks: Easy to shoot, simple to clean, and built like a tank

Perfect for: Concealed carry, home defense, and looking cool on Instagram
🛒 Shop Glock 19s

#2. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus – Slim, Sleek, Serious

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 10+1 or 13+1
• Features: Flat trigger, optics-ready version available

Why New Shooters Love It: It's the ideal EDC gun—reliable and low profile.

Perfect for: Daily carry, range use
🛒 Get Yours Here

#3. SIG Sauer P365 – Pocket-Sized Powerhouse

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 10–17 depending on mag
• Bonus: Available in multiple variants like P365 XL, XMacro

Why It’s Hot: It's compact, accurate, and you’ll feel like John Wick’s low-key cousin.

Perfect for: Concealed carry, beginners who want premium performance
🛒 View SIG P365 Options

#4. Taurus G3c – Budget-Friendly, Battle-Ready

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 12+1
• Best Feature: Affordable without being cheap

Why It’s Underrated: Great trigger, high capacity, and under $350. A no-brainer starter pistol.

Perfect for: New shooters on a budget who still want reliability
🛒 See Taurus Handguns

#5. Ruger Security-9 – Old School Rugged

• Caliber: 9mm
• Capacity: 15+1
• Design: Hammer-fired, lightweight polymer frame

Why It’s Solid: It’s a throwback design with modern features. Feels great in hand.

Perfect for: Range days and home defense
🛒 Browse Ruger Pistols

🎯 What to Look for in Your First Handgun

Let’s keep it simple:

• Reliability: It goes bang when you need it to.
• Ease of Use: No PhD required.
• Size & Fit: It should fit your hand like your favorite pair of gloves.
• Concealability: If you plan to carry, slimmer is better.
• Recoil Control: Don’t pick something that kicks like a mule on Red Bull.

📦 Pro Tip: Don’t Just Buy a Gun — Train With It

A great handgun means nothing without practice. That’s why we offer:

➡️ Beginner Firearms Training Classes
➡️ Private Sessions with Certified Instructors

🔫Classes that we offer

✅ TL;DR Recap:

Handgun	Why It’s Great	Ideal For
Glock 19	Durable, easy to shoot	All-purpose
M&P Shield Plus	Slim, modern	Concealed carry
SIG P365	Compact powerhouse	Premium EDC
Taurus G3c	Affordable & capable	Budget-minded
Ruger Security-9	Rugged & simple	Home defense

🔗 Useful Links:

• 🛒 Shop All Handguns
• 🎯 Ammo for These Pistols
• 🎓 Training for New Shooters

👋 Final Thoughts

Buying your first handgun is like dating: Don’t settle, try a few (at the range), and make sure you’re comfortable before committing.

And if you're still unsure, swing by The Riot Firearms or give us a call. We’ll walk you through it without the jargon or judgment — just good vibes and better advice.