How to pick your first handgun

Shoot before you buy

Rule one: don’t buy until you’ve fired at least four different models. Your club has a loaner rack. Use it. You’ll discover that grip on a Glock 17 and a CZ Shadow 2 are nothing alike — and that the “best gun” on forums isn’t necessarily what fits you.

A handgun is a three-year minimum commitment. You’ll spend 200 hours with it. Reselling at a €200 loss because of a bad initial choice is common. Avoidable.

Caliber, no dogma

For sport:

.22 LR: real beginner. Low recoil, cheap, ideal for technique. See our .22 LR for beginners post.
9mm Luger: the standard. Ammo everywhere, manageable recoil, versatile (sport + IPSC Production).
.38 Special / .357 Magnum: revolver. If you know you want a revolver from day one, S&W 686 or Ruger GP100. Otherwise wait.
.45 ACP: honest but expensive. €0.30 per round vs €0.18 in 9mm. Budget fatigue under one year.

Skip exotic calibers (.38 Super, 10mm, 5.7×28) while you’re starting. Unstable supply, volatile prices, scarce training material.

Ergonomics > brand

Three checks in hand, gun cleared, at the club:

Does the trigger reach the pad between fingertip and first knuckle comfortably? If you’re stretching or hitting with the tip, the grip is too big or small. You’ll torque shots.
Can your thumb reach the mag release without breaking grip? Otherwise you’ll trigger accidental drops or lose a second per reload.
Are the sights crisp without effort? Eye + front + rear. If you squint, bad sign — you’ll tense up.

Modular grip pistols (Walther PDP, SIG P320, Beretta APX) are a smart bet: three backstrap sizes included. Fit the gun to you, not the other way.

New or used

Used is a great pick if:

The pistol has under 5,000 rounds (ask for the log, or estimate).
The bore is clean, no deep scratch, no heavy throat erosion.
Lockup in battery is crisp.
It’s sold by a gunsmith and not handed over privately (traceability protects you).

Typical savings: 30-40% on lightly-but-properly-used sport gear. A used Glock 17 in good shape runs €480 vs €720 new.

New still makes sense for warranty, recent models (P320 X-Five, Shadow 2 OR), or a rare caliber with no used market.

Four to try first

Glock 17 / 19: reference. Indestructible, parts everywhere, stable price. Trigger is OK, no more — many call it “synthetic”. Not the top sport choice, but always a safe bet.
CZ Shadow 2 / SP-01: best ergonomics for sport, remarkable single-action trigger. Pricier (€1,100-1,400) but quality shows. Probably the royal road in IPSC Production.
Walther Q5 Match / PDP Pro: dedicated sport gun, balance, factory micro-dot ready. Strong value.
SIG P320 / X-Five: reputed safe, modular, high-capacity mags. Very versatile.

Three classic traps

Buying on one club shooter’s advice. Every hand is different. Try.
Going up in caliber “just in case”. You end up shooting less because cost. Less shooting = less progress.
Underestimating peripherals. Approved holster (€60-100), three magazines (€50-90), mag pouches (€40), cleaning supplies (€40/year), insurance + license (€60). Add €350 of ecosystem on top.

After you buy

The shot log. Track each session: round count, caliber, distance, weather, feeling. That’s what turns a purchase into an investment. PewPewLife will automate this — meanwhile, a notebook is plenty.

FAQ

Q: Do you need a permit to buy a handgun in France? R: Yes. Most handguns are category B: FFTir license validated three seasons, medical certificate within one year, prefectural authorization on file. Count 2-4 months from decision to pickup.

Q: First-year total budget? R: Gun + accessories + 5,000 rounds + dues + personal gear: about €2,800-3,500 to start seriously in 9mm. Less than half in .22 LR.

Q: Versatile or specialized pistol? R: Versatile. Until you’ve validated your discipline (see IPSC vs precision), stay on a model that does both honestly.

G-TAC Customs

Sport shooter for 10 years. Writes at night, after the range.