How to Choose

[thughes]

Go tactical with some 5.11's, Bruh.

[camper4lyfe]

Personally I'd suggest something that you can pocket carry since you might be most likely to carry it assuming you can give up a pocket.

Keltec PF9 is NOT fun to shoot and I wouldn't recommend considering that for your first one.

I don't have any revolvers but considering one in future. If you look at those I'm assuming you want something hammerless so it doesn't get caught on clothes.

I’m pretty sure pocket carry will be out for me. Typically I have my wallet in one front pocket and my phone in the other.

[usmcveteran]

Personally I'd suggest something that you can pocket carry since you might be most likely to carry it assuming you can give up a pocket.

Keltec PF9 is NOT fun to shoot and I wouldn't recommend considering that for your first one.

I don't have any revolvers but considering one in future. If you look at those I'm assuming you want something hammerless so it doesn't get caught on clothes.

[gtnorry]

Glock 43x or Sig 365xl
both have very different grip angles

[thughes]

Yeah, you pretty much have to purchase a bunch of different guns and dozens of different holsters to finally settle on something. Once you do settle on a combination that works for you, you'll constantly be trying new guns/holsters to see if there's anything better....it's a vicious cycle. (ask me how I know)

[WARFAB]

You're looking for the goldilocks pistol that has a grip angle that is natural for you, is small enough to carry comfortably, and big enough to shoot comfortably.

So much is subjective, but the grip angle is a big factor in my opinion. Sadly, you can't really judge grip angle without handling a variety of pistols.

[camper4lyfe]

With the Bruen win, it got me itching to get my permit (then not so much after the NYS Dems jumped in), which got me thinking about a first carry gun. While that purchase is once again delayed, I still want to at least want to do the mental gymnastics of what carry gun I'd start with.

Seeing as how I'm not yet one of the privileged few, I don't know what I don't know, and I have nowhere to start with researching a carry gun.

I suppose I'm looking for recommendations for a first, but I'm also wondering what to look for once I CAN touch a handgun. What am I looking at/for when shopping?