--- title: "The Best Handguns for Beginners of 2025" description: "The best handguns for beginners are simple to operate, reliable, and affordable. We've picked nine of the best options for new shooters." date: "2024-06-28" modified: "2025-02-11" authors: - name: "Tyler Freel" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/tyler-freel/" url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/guns/best-handguns-for-beginners/" categories: - "Guns" - "Handguns" tags: - "Evergreen" - "Gear Reviews" - "MPR" --- # The Best Handguns for Beginners of 2025 ![Freel fires a handgun]() *There are lots of good handguns for beginners. These are our favorites. Photo by Scott Einsmann* Beginners might feel intimidated when it comes to selecting an appropriate handgun, but with a calculated approach, you can find one that fits your budget and fulfills your needs. There are two challenges a beginner faces when selecting their first pistol or revolver. First, you need to think about your intended purpose. Do you want a handgun for self protection, recreational shooting, or competition? Second, which style of handgun can you shoot most accurately? That last one isn’t as easy to answer. There are handguns of all types, styles, and sizes, and there’s certainly one out there to fit your needs — but it can be tough to decide which one. To help you out, I picked what I think are some of the best handguns for beginners that satisfy a variety of purposes and tastes. - **Best Overall:** [Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite]() - **Best .22 Trainer:** [Sig Sauer P322]() - **Best Budget Revolver:** [Ruger Wrangler]() - **Best J-Frame**: [Smith & Wesson 351 PD]() - **Best All-Around 9mm:** [Glock G19 Gen 5 MOS]() - **Best Budget 9mm:** [Palmetto State Armory Dagger]() - **Best Revolver:** [Taurus Tracker 627 4-inch]() - **Best For Concealed Carry:** [Sig Sauer P365]() - **Best Sub-Compact:** [Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp]() - **Best 2011-style:** [Military Armament Corporation MAC 9 DS 1911]() ## How I Chose the Best Handguns for Beginners When trying to pick out the best handguns for beginners, we want to consider qualities like reliability, quality, and features. We also need to weigh everything from the perspective of someone who’s just getting started. For a beginner, the top-end performer isn’t always going to be the best choice. When selecting some of the best handguns for beginners, I chose from handguns that I’ve already tested or have experience with and based my choices primarily on the following criteria: - Simplicity/ease of use - Recoil and shooting experience - Versatility and future usefulness - Cost A beginning handgun shooter needs a reliable gun that will fulfill their needs, but the platform needs to be easy to shoot so they can learn the fundamentals of safety and marksmanship. No one should start with a handgun that recoils excessively or is hard to manage, so larger calibers and less-ideal designs are out. Though it might be your first handgun, you want to buy something that will continue to be useful as your skills improve. Finally, most beginners don’t need to shell out for the most expensive guns. Look for a handgun that strikes a reasonable balance between quality and affordability. ![Ruger Mark IV 22/45]() *Simple, reliable, and easy-shooting handguns like the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 are best for beginners.* ## Best Handguns for Beginners: Reviews and Recommendations ### Best Overall: [Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite]() The [Ruger Mark IV]() is one of the [best .22 pistols]() ever made, and the [22/45]() and 22/45 Lite versions, which mimic the grip of heavier 1911 pistols, is one of the best handguns for beginners to start with. The Ruger Mark series of pistols was originally inspired by the World War II Japanese Nambu pistol, and has become one of the most popular .22 semi-auto designs ever. The Mark IV 22/45 Lite is simple to learn and operate, but reliable, and fires the affordable .22 LR cartridge. A new shooter can learn and practice fundamentals with this handgun and not worry at all about recoil. It’s fed from a 10-round single-stack magazine and the round bolt operates inside an aluminum receiver tube. The steel barrel on this Lite version is thin and housed inside the vented aluminum receiver tube/sleeve. The 22/45 is available in a variety of configurations, and beginners should pick one with the adjustable sights. It also has a Picatinny rail installed so you can use a red dot, but most red dot sights sit quite high on this pistol and can be difficult to master. The Mark IV pistols aren’t cheap, but this is truly a gun that is great to learn on and will serve you well for a lifetime. This is a handgun that you’ll never want to part with. ### Best .22 Trainer: [Sig Sauer P322]() For the beginner who is looking to get comfortable with a semi-auto pistol, the Sig P322 is an excellent option. The design mimics that of the larger P365 and P365 XL pistols, so both the feel, and controls are nearly identical. One thing I really like about the P322 is that it uses a double-stack magazine that holds 20 rounds of ammunition — when most .22 LR semi-autos only hold 10. The P322 comes with good iron sights, but can also easily be fitted with a Romeo Zero red dot sight. Considering the prevalence of red dot sights on pistols, it’s a great training tool for the new shooter. ![Sig P322 magazine]() *The Sig P322 magazine (left) holds twice as many rounds as standard .22 pistol magazines (right).* I’ve found the P322 to be quite reliable, but it doesn’t have the same heft that some of the classic .22 pistols have. It might not be an heirloom pistol, but for the beginner, it makes a great plinker and trainer. The only reliability-related issue I’ve encountered is that some types of ammunition can cause excessive lead buildup in the barrel after 50 to 100 rounds, causing bullets to tumble and veer wildly off course. This can be remedied by a little scrubbing with a cleaning brush, but it’s something to be aware of. ### Best Budget Revolver: [Ruger Wrangler]() One of the best handguns for beginners on a budget is the Ruger Wrangler. This .22-caliber six-shooter is a Peacemaker-style, single-action revolver that costs less than half the price of many other .22s. Where do those cost cuts come from? Much of it is in manufacturing and the use of aluminum rather than steel where it makes sense. Steel isn’t necessary for many parts in a .22 revolver, and these aluminum-framed revolvers feature a variety of Cerakote finish options. The Wrangler features the classic blade-style front sight and non-adjustable notch rear sight that’s integrated into the gun’s frame and utilizes Ruger’s transfer bar firing system that prevents unintentional discharge when the hammer is down. Why is this a great handgun for beginners? Besides being affordable, a single-action revolver (the hammer must be cocked manually before each shot) is great to learn basic handgun safety and fundamentals because it is simple, and these are very fun to shoot and plink with. It’s a great option to practice the basics of gun handling and marksmanship without any excess complexity. Even if you plan on switching to shooting semi-autos eventually, you’ll find this little revolver to be well worth the small investment. ### Best J-Frame: [Smith & Wesson 351 PD]() Everyone recognizes the J-Frame snub-nosed revolver, but if you're a beginner, it might be better to start with a lighter-kicking model like the 351 PD. This is an aluminum-framed revolver, the same size as larger-caliber J-frames, but it holds seven rounds of .22 Magnum. This is a simple, basic, but high-quality revolver, and perfect to learn with. Where .38 Special and .357 Magnum models recoil sharply, there's hardly any kick or muzzle flip from the 351 PD. **Read More:** [Smith & Wesson 351 PD Full Review]() Not only is this a great training revolver, it's a good option for concealed carry — especially if managing heavier recoil is a problem. Quality defensive loads from Federal and Speer provide much better performance than run-of-the-mill rimfire ammo, and they give you a realistic option for self-defense that's ultra light and ultra concealable. This also makes a fantastic all-purpose gun to have in your hunting pack or coat pocket any time you go to the woods, or as a dispatch tool for trappers. I believe that this is the most useful J-Frame Smith & Wesson has ever made. ### Best All-Around 9mm: [Glock G19 Gen 5 MOS]() The Glock G19 is one of the most prominent semi-automatic pistols in the world, and if you’re looking to get started with a 9mm, it’s a solid pick. [Glocks]() aren’t flashy or fancy, but they are simple, durable, and ultra-reliable. The G19 is a compact pistol, slightly smaller than the full-sized G17, but it’s an excellent do-all handgun. The standard magazine holds 15 rounds of 9mm ammo, and the short 4-inch barrel still allows it to be a good concealed-carry option. The current Gen 5 MOS model is the best yet, and features Glock’s MOS optic mounting system so you can use one of the [best pistol red dots](). The G19 is a great handgun for a beginner because recoil is mild and everything about operating and maintaining a Glock is pretty simple. It’s an excellent basic pistol, but it can also operate at a high level. It’s used by many law enforcement agencies, and the aftermarket options for parts, upgrades, and holsters is nearly endless. The only significant drawbacks of the Glock G19 are that some shooters really don’t like the grip angle and how the gun feels in the hand, and the factory sights could be much better. Any gun range that offers rentals will have one, so take one for a spin before you buy. ### Best Budget 9mm: [Palmetto State Armory Dagger]() If a good value, the Dagger from Palmetto State Armory is a great option. It's one of the best handguns for beginners looking for a budget-priced semi-auto. This is one of many Glock G19 clones on the market, and they piggyback off the simplicity and reliability of that platform. PSA offers their Dagger in a variety of configurations, but most are surprisingly affordable with great feature sets for their price. The PSA Daggers have polymer frames that are nicely contoured and textured, and durable Cerakote finishes on the slides. Another plus is that the slides are cut for an optic, but are only compatible with Trijicon RMR-pattern red dot sights. I’ve put more than a thousand rounds through a Dagger and really didn’t have any complaints besides the stiff trigger — which I was able to remedy with a couple of aftermarket springs. This isn’t a best-in-class gun, but it’s one of the best handguns for beginners. And like the Glock G19, it’s easy to learn and can be used for many years to come. ### Best Revolver for Beginners: [Taurus Tracker 627 4-inch ]() If you’re a beginner who’s in the market for a centerfire revolver, take a close look at the Taurus Tracker 627. It’s chambered for .357 Magnum and you can shoot lighter .38 Special loads through it for training and practice. The tracker is a pretty reliable model from Taurus, and I had one for years. It’s not nearly as smooth and refined as .357s like the [Colt Python](), but it has what a beginner needs to learn and is practical for backcountry or off-body-carry. In addition to holding eight rounds in the cylinder, the Tracker 627 has a ported barrel with a gas expansion chamber to counteract muzzle flip from recoil. It makes this gun quite easy to shoot accurately, even with full-power .357 Magnum loads. That’s an important thing to consider when starting out. Smaller-framed revolvers are more concealable, but not as easy or fun to shoot. The tracker is equipped with decent sights, is made from durable stainless steel, and offers the newbie revolver shooter a lot of flexibility and usefulness for the money. Someday you might want to upgrade to a high-end revolver, but then again, you might just want to keep using this one. ### Best for Concealed Carry: [Sig Sauer P365 ]() The [Sig P365]() is one of the first pistols that started the [micro-compact 9mm]() craze by cramming 10 rounds of 9mm into a tiny pistol with great ergonomics when similar-sized guns only held six or seven rounds. The P365 is one of the [best concealed-carry guns]() on the market, and it’s also one of the best handguns for beginners who want a dependable carry gun. The standard-sized P365 comes with 10-round magazines, but 12- and even 17-round magazines are available. There are also a number of different P365 models, including the P365 XL and [P365 X-Macro]() that have larger grips and higher capacity — those are good options too. ![P365 and P365 XMacro Tacops]() *The standard P365 (bottom) compared to the larger P365 XMacro Tacops (top). Photo by Tyler Freel* Though there are some differences, the P365 models all have simple controls, feature the same fire control unit, and most of them are optic-compatible. They’re reliable and, for the size, have great ergonomics and grip texture that helps the shooter manage recoil. The standard P365 isn’t the easiest 9mm pistol to shoot or learn on, but it’s not bad at all. Like the Glock G19, the Sig P365 is supported by a massive array of aftermarket parts and upgrades. It’s a gun that you won’t outgrow as your skills improve. ### Best Sub-Compact: [Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp]() Another dominant handgun in the micro-compact market is the Springfield Hellcat. I’ve reviewed [other models of it like the RDP](), but the Hellcat Pro is a slightly up-sized version that fits more in the sub-compact category. Don’t let that fool you though, the Hellcat Pro and this model, the [Hellcat Pro Comp OSP]() pack a lot of punch. The pistols are smaller than a standard compact like the Glock G19, but come with 15- and 17-round magazines, making them a potent option for concealed carry. The grip on the Hellcat Pro is good-sized for a beginner, especially those with smaller hands, but it’s not too small for those with gorilla mitts. The grip is covered in an ultra-grippy texture that isn’t too abrasive when carried against the body in a holster. This Pro Comp model has a built-in muzzle compensator that reduces muzzle flip and recoil greatly. Generally the Hellcat pistols have sharp, snappy recoil and this does a lot to mitigate that. The gun comes with great iron sights, but also has an optic cut that caters to micro-sized red dot sights. LIke the P365, this is one of the best handguns for beginners and experts alike. ### Best 2011-Style Pistol for Beginners: [Military Armament Corporation MAC 9 DS 1911]() One of the [best handguns]() we have tested this year is the Military Armament Corporation [MAC 9 1911 DS](). It’s a Turkish imported 2011-style pistol that is similar to the [Springfield Armory Prodigy]() and [Staccato P](). That basically means that it’s a double-stack 1911 that has a removable grip module rather than a full-length frame and grip scales. It’s not as refined as the higher-end pistols, but at $950, it’s less than half the price of many of them. I put well over 2,000 rounds through two of these pistols and both proved reliable, accurate, and easy to shoot well. This isn’t going to be the [best handgun]() for every beginner, but if you’re interested in 2011-style pistols or want a pistol that’s affordable but good for competition, the MAC 9 DS 1911 is a great value. It comes with extra magazines and a nice carrying case, as well as extra fiber optics for the front sight. This is a pistol that a beginner competitor could upgrade over time, but as-is, it’s already a step above many striker-fired pistols. ## Things to Consider Before Buying a Handgun for Beginners If you’re a beginner, it can be overwhelming trying to select a handgun that will work best for you. Deciding what type of handgun you want for your intended application will narrow the field greatly, but there will still be lots of options. Pick a gun that will fulfill your needs at a reasonable price. If you want one that will be useful long term, it’s OK to spend more. If you just want to learn the basics, an affordable .22 pistol is a good way to go. Unless you have the extra money to spend, you won’t benefit much from selecting a top-end pistol until your skills have developed. ## FAQ ## Final Thoughts on The Best Handguns for Beginners There’s never been a better time to be a beginner handgun shooter. There are guns of every shape, size, and style, and nearly everyone can find one that will suit them best. The handguns I’ve listed certainly aren’t the only great options, but they are some of the best handguns for beginners that I’ve used or tested. Ultimately, you need to decide what you like best, and this list should be a great place to start. - **Best Overall:** [Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite]() - **Best .22 Trainer:** [Sig Sauer P322]() - **Best Budget Revolver:** [Ruger Wrangler]() - **Best All-Around 9mm:** [Glock G19 Gen 5 MOS]() - **Best Budget 9mm:** [Palmetto State Armory Dagger]() - **Best Revolver:** [Taurus Tracker 627 4-inch]() - **Best For Concealed Carry:** [Sig Sauer P365]() - **Best Sub-Compact:** [Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Comp]() - **Best 2011-style:** [Military Armament Corporation MAC 9 DS 1911]() ## Author Tyler Freel is a Staff Writer for *Outdoor Life.* He lives in Fairbanks, Alaska and has been covering a variety of topics for OL since 2010. From backpack sheep hunting adventure stories to DIY tips to gear and gun reviews, he covers it all with a perspective that’s based in experience. Freel is never one to shy away from controversial topics. He’s responsive to readers on OL’s social channels and happy to answer questions, debate opinions, and squash trolls. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()