Your First Handgun: A No-BS Buying Guide

1. Why 9mm Is the Move

If you are buying your first handgun, buy a 9mm. Every reputable instructor, publication, and experienced shooter will tell you the same thing, and here is why.

• Cheaper ammo means more practice: 9mm runs about $0.20 to $0.28 per round at retail. Compare that to .45 ACP at $0.30 to $0.50. Over a few range sessions, the savings add up fast, and you will learn more by shooting 500 rounds of 9mm than 200 rounds of .45.
• Milder recoil: 9mm produces less felt recoil than .40 S&W or .45 ACP. That means you can focus on fundamentals like grip, sight alignment, and trigger control instead of fighting the gun.
• Higher capacity: A compact 9mm typically holds 15 rounds in standard configuration (10 rounds in Massachusetts-compliant models). The same size gun in .45 ACP holds 7 to 10. More rounds in the magazine, fewer reloads at the range.
• Modern defensive ammo has closed the gap: The old argument for .45 was "bigger bullet, more stopping power." Modern 9mm hollow point ammunition performs nearly identically in ballistic gel tests. The FBI switched from .40 S&W back to 9mm in 2015 for exactly this reason.

2. Size Matters: Full, Compact, or Subcompact

Handguns come in three general sizes, and each one involves a tradeoff between shootability and concealability. For a first handgun, we recommend a compact.

• Full-size (barrel 4.5" and up): Easiest to shoot well. Longer sight radius, more weight to absorb recoil, full grip for all your fingers. Great for home defense and the range. Harder to carry concealed.
• Compact (barrel 3.5" to 4.5"): The best all-arounder. Still comfortable to shoot, but small enough to carry if you decide to get your LTC for concealed carry. This is the sweet spot for a first gun.
• Subcompact / Micro (barrel under 3.5"): Built for deep concealment. Snappier recoil, shorter grip (your pinky might hang off), smaller sights. Harder to shoot well. Not where you want to start.

3. The Top 3 for Beginners

These three compact 9mm handguns are consistently recommended by instructors, publications, and experienced shooters. All three are proven, reliable platforms backed by major manufacturers. One is available as a complete handgun from Massachusetts dealers. The other two are not on the MA roster, but many shops (including ours) sell them as pistol parts kits that you assemble at home.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact

The M&P9 M2.0 Compact is one of the best values in the compact 9mm market. It comes with four interchangeable palm swell inserts so you can customize the grip to your hand, and the aggressive texturing provides a secure hold without being abrasive. Smith & Wesson produces Massachusetts-compliant SKUs that ship with 10-round magazines, so you can buy this directly from a licensed dealer as a complete handgun.

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel length: 4.0 inches
• Weight (unloaded): 26.4 oz
• MA-compliant capacity: 10 rounds
• Street price: $500 to $570
• MA dealer purchase: Yes (complete handgun, MA-compliant SKUs)

Walther PDP Compact

The Walther PDP Compact has one of the best stock triggers on any striker-fired pistol. Walther calls it the Performance Duty Trigger, and reviewers consistently rank it above the competition out of the box. The grip texture and contouring are excellent, the slide serrations are aggressive and easy to manipulate, and it comes optics-ready from the factory. The PDP is not currently on the Massachusetts Approved Handgun Roster, but it is available from shops like ours as a pistol parts kit (see below).

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel length: 4.0 inches
• Weight (unloaded): 21.4 oz
• MA-compliant capacity: 10 rounds
• Street price: $550 to $650
• MA dealer purchase: As parts kit (not on roster)

Glock 19 Gen5

The Glock 19 is the most popular compact handgun in the world, and for good reason. It is simple, reliable, and has the largest aftermarket support of any handgun platform. Like the Walther PDP, it is not available as a complete handgun from MA dealers, but shops sell it as a parts kit.

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel length: 4.02 inches
• Weight (with empty mag): 23.63 oz
• MA-compliant capacity: 10 rounds
• Street price: $500 to $600
• MA dealer purchase: As parts kit (not on roster)

4. What to Look For

Specs and reviews only get you so far. At some point you need to hold the gun and see how it feels. Here is what to pay attention to when you are shopping.

• Ergonomics: How does the grip feel in your hand? Can you reach the trigger comfortably without adjusting your grip? Do the controls (magazine release, slide stop) fall naturally under your fingers? Every hand is different. The "best" gun is the one that fits YOUR hand.
• Sights: Can you see the front sight clearly? Are the rear sights crisp? Night sights are a nice bonus for low-light situations, but any clear, visible sight picture works. Some models like the Walther PDP come optics-ready from the factory if you want to add a red dot later.
• Trigger: Pull the trigger (safely, on an empty gun). Is the pull smooth? Is there a clean break? A heavy, gritty trigger makes accurate shooting harder. All three guns listed above have solid stock triggers, but they feel different.
• Reliability: Stick with established manufacturers. Glock, SIG Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Walther, CZ, Springfield Armory, and Beretta all make proven, reliable handguns. Your first gun is not the place to experiment with boutique brands.

5. Massachusetts: What You Need to Know

Massachusetts has some of the most specific handgun purchase regulations in the country. Here is a quick summary of what applies when you are buying your first handgun. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always verify current requirements.

• License to Carry (LTC) required: You must have a valid LTC to purchase a handgun. An FID card does not cover handguns. You must be 21 or older to apply.
• Approved Firearms Roster: Licensed dealers can only sell handguns that appear on the state's Approved Firearms Roster. The roster is updated multiple times per year by the Secretary of Public Safety and Security.
• AG Consumer Protection (940 CMR 16.00): On top of the roster, the Attorney General imposes additional consumer protection requirements for handgun sales, including childproofing and safety features. A handgun must pass both the roster and the AG requirements to be sold by a dealer. This is why some roster-listed handguns (like Glock) still cannot be sold by MA dealers.
• 10-round magazine limit: Magazines holding more than 10 rounds are prohibited. There is a limited exception for pre-ban magazines lawfully possessed before September 13, 1994, but recent law changes have restricted how these can be transferred. As a first-time buyer, plan on 10-round magazines. MA-compliant handguns ship with them.
• eFA-10 registration: After purchasing a firearm, it must be registered. Dealers typically handle this for you. For private sales, you file the eFA-10 yourself through the Massachusetts Gun Transaction Portal within 7 days.
• Safe storage: Massachusetts law requires all firearms to be stored in a locked container or equipped with a tamper-resistant safety device when not under your direct control. Penalties are significant.

6. Budget Beyond the Gun

The sticker price of the gun is just the start. Budget for these essentials so you are not caught off guard.

• Training course: $100 to $200. This is the best investment you can make. Most ranges and gun shops offer beginner handgun courses. A few hours with an instructor will teach you more than months of figuring it out on your own.
• Range ammo: $10 to $14 per box of 50 rounds (9mm FMJ). Plan to shoot at least 200 rounds on your first range visit to get comfortable with the gun.
• Safe or lockbox: $30 to $200 depending on size. Massachusetts law requires locked storage. A basic handgun lockbox with a push-button combo runs about $30 to $50. A small biometric safe runs $100 to $200.
• Cleaning kit: $20 to $40. A basic 9mm cleaning kit is all you need. Clean your gun after every range session.
• Extra magazines: $25 to $40 each. Having at least two or three magazines makes range time more efficient since you spend less time loading.
• Holster (if carrying): $40 to $100 for a quality Kydex holster. Do not cheap out here. A good holster keeps the trigger covered and the gun secure.

7. Common Mistakes New Buyers Make

We see the same mistakes at the counter every week. Save yourself some time and money by avoiding these.

• Buying too small: A micro compact or pocket gun is harder to shoot, harder to learn on, and less enjoyable at the range. Start with a compact. You will actually practice with it, and practice is what makes you competent.
• Skipping training: YouTube is not a substitute for hands-on instruction. A beginner course teaches grip, stance, sight picture, and trigger control in a structured way that sticks. Most bad habits form in the first few range sessions without instruction.
• Buying on looks or brand loyalty: The gun that looks coolest on Instagram might not fit your hand. The brand your buddy swears by might not work for you. Try before you buy, and pick the gun that feels right in YOUR hand.
• Not budgeting for ammo: A gun you cannot afford to shoot is a gun you will not practice with. Budget for at least 500 rounds in the first few months. At current 9mm prices, that is about $100 to $140.
• Ignoring the Massachusetts rules: Falling in love with a gun that cannot be sold by MA dealers means you are looking at private sales, which adds complexity. Nothing wrong with that, but know the landscape before you set your heart on something.

8. Your Next Step

The best way to pick your first handgun is to come in and handle a few. Reading specs online only gets you so far. Feel the grip, work the slide, check the sights, and ask questions. That is what we are here for.

Already have your gun? Read our FFL Transfer Process guide if you are buying online, or check out our other guides for ammunition basics and more.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Massachusetts firearms laws change. Verify current requirements with your local police department, a licensed attorney, or massgunlaws.com.