When it comes to reliability, concealment, and ease of use, this list provides the must-have pistols you can get in the market today!
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Must-Have Pistols for Gun Aficionados and Beginners
Best Pistols for Accuracy and Overall Function
If you're planning to buy a firearm, there's quite a lot to choose from among the best handguns on the market. What matters is how you're going to use the weapon, whether it's for protection at home, a concealed carry gun, or just something to use at the shooting range.
It's not easy to find the perfect gun, but you can look into the right features that incorporate reliability, safety, and the caliber that suits your preference. I'd go for a powerful weapon but I also want to be comfortable with the grip and should easily put the gun to safety when not in use.
Choosing the best 9mm pistol or the right handgun is not as easy as deciding what clothes to wear for the day.
Must-Have Pistols that are Less Than 10 Ounces
1. Baby Browning
No mouse gun collection is complete without the Baby Browning, an iconic piece that's been around since the 1930s.
It comes with a six-round little steel magazine which is only 4 inches in overall length and weighs only 8.7 oz.
Must Have Pistols that are 11 Ounces – 20 Ounces
2. Beretta Nano
This thing fits right in the palm of your hand and shoots really well for a pocket gun.
It has an overall length of 5.63 inches and weighs 18 oz. The Beretta Nano has quite an attitude for a small handgun.
3. Kimber Micro Carry
Kimber Micro Carry is one of the best handguns for concealed carry.
This handgun from Kimber weighs only 14 oz and has a magazine capacity of six to seven shots.
4. Kahr CM9
This concealable firearm is very reliable and accurate. The grip has texture in the rear and the front that gives you that nice firm feel of the gun.
The Kahr CM9 is so light it only weighs 19 oz. fully loaded.
5. Colt Agent
The Colt Agent is a lightweight aluminum-framed handgun.
It doesn't have a shrouded ejector rod and simply hangs out underneath the barrel. This firearm is also suitable for concealed carry.
6. Smith & Wesson Model 642
The Smith & Wesson Model 642 is the ultimate concealed handgun.
It's a five-shot J-frame revolver with a uniquely concealed hammer. A very interesting pistol for gun enthusiasts.
7. Ruger SR9C
The Ruger SR9C is a concealable handgun that comes with the option to use a full-size 17-round magazine with an extended grip.
This is suitable if you have large hands and want more firepower.
8. Walther PPQ
The Walther PPQ has one of the best striker-fired triggers in a 9mm pistol.
Its design comes with a polymer grip with a texture that makes it nice to hold and weighs about 20.8 oz.
Must Have Pistols that are 21 Ounces – 30 Ounces
9. FN FNX
The FNX series are hammer-operated guns that have stainless steel slides and barrels.
Out of the box, the FN FNX comes with three 17-round magazines and weighs only 21.9 oz. unloaded.
10. Smith & Wesson Model 940
Smith & Wesson Model 940 is the ultimate concealed gun.
It's very lightweight weighing only 15 oz unloaded with an aluminum alloy frame. This revolver works double action only.
11. FNS Compact
The FNS compact has a completely ambidextrous slide stop and magazine release. It comes with two sets of backstraps – the flat and the curved.
The barrel of this gun is 3.6 inches in length and is available in 9mm and .40 caliber.
12. Rossi R462
This gun has a five-round cylinder and a full-size grip that feels really good in your hand.
The Rossi R462 is included in Taurus unlimited lifetime repair so you can send it in if you need one.
13. Smith & Wesson Pro
This gun has a high visibility front sight post. It's got a nice Apex trigger and interchangeable backstraps which come in different sizes.
The whole system of this gun is very rigid which is good for accuracy.
14. Heckler & Koch P30
The HK P30 incorporates a removable backstrap and side panel and fully ambidextrous control.
Test samples of this gun have gone over 90,000 rounds without major part damage and replacement. HK is also a popular choice for law enforcers worldwide.
15. Ruger SP101
The Ruger SP101 has a very smooth and easy-to-use trigger. It's made of stainless steel and has a unique rubberized grip for great shooting control.
This handgun is one of the best revolvers on the market today.
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16. Glock 17 Gen 4 9mm
The Glock 17 Gen 4 comes with 17 rounds of standard capacity mags. This pistol measures 8 inches in overall length, 5 1/2 inches in height, and weighs 25 oz. unloaded.
Glock is one of the best-selling handguns in America.
17. FNS
This pistol is also available in a smaller version specifically for concealed carry. FNS has pretty good traction on its grip with a magazine also available in 17 rounds.
One of its cool features is the manual safety lever, slide stop lever, and magazine release buttons are all ambidextrous.
18. Colt Diamondback
The Colt Diamond is part of the snake gun series and inspired by the Colt Python.
This cool handgun is a collector's item and a pistol that John Wayne carries in one of his movies.
19. Springfield XDM
The Springfield XD is a neat handgun with a polymer frame and steel slide.
It has a grip safety so the gun will not fire unless you get a proper grip on it. This handgun has a length of 8 inches and weighs 32 oz.
20. Kimber Pro Carry II
The Kimber Pro Carry II weighs only 28 oz and has a barrel length of 4 inches. It features a synthetic rubber that feels really good in your hands.
A lot of gun enthusiasts say that this gun is very accurate.
21. CZ-P01
This is a full-size forge alloy frame pistol from CZ with a 15-round magazine capacity. The P01 features an ambidextrous safety which also uncocks the pistol.
The grips of this handgun have a very nice texture and panels.
22. Taurus Tracker 627
The Taurus Tracker 627 has a manageable recoil for a full-power 357 magnum. It's a double-action revolver and utilizes a hammer transfer bar safety.
Talk about power, ruggedness, and reliability — this is the handgun for you.
23. Springfield Armory XD9
The standard magazine capacity of the Springfield Armory XD9 is 16+1. This gun has a loaded chamber indicator which I think is very cool.
Other features include a Glock-style trigger safety and 1911-style grip safety.
24. Colt Lightweight Commander
The Colt Lightweight Commander has front and rear Novak sights.
This gun is engineered to have a dual recoil spring for much less felt recoil. It's a great entry-level gun for new shooters.
25. Springfield Range Officer
Out of the box, the Springfield Range Officer comes with two six-round stainless steel magazines.
The 3 1/2 bull barrel is also made of stainless steel and is one of the best quality handguns for concealed carry.
Must-Have Pistols that are More Than 30 Ounces
26. Browning High Power
The Browning High Power is very well designed from a field maintenance point of view.
The Browning High Power is very well designed from a field maintenance point of view.
This handgun has a superb reputation before and after the war.
27. SIG Sauer P229 Elite
The SIG P229 Elite is made of all solid stainless steel.
What makes it different from other SIG handguns is the frame and the slide are also made of stainless steel.
28. Beretta M9
Beretta M9 is the standard issue of the military sidearm and perhaps the most tested. It's a semi-automatic handgun with a 4.9-inch barrel length.
Also, you can use this firearm in both double or single-action mode with a 15-round magazine.
29. EAA Witness Elite Match
The EAA Witness Elite Match has a barrel length of 4.75 inches.
This gun has adjustable rear sights, and synthetic grips, weighs 33 oz, and has a magazine capacity of 10+1 rounds.
30. Baby Desert Eagle II
The Baby Desert Eagle II is made by Israel Weapon Industries and is available in three calibers – 9mm, .40, and .45ACP.
IWI is known for manufacturing top-quality guns. This Baby Eagle, which has excellent firepower, is one such example.
31. Taurus PT 92
The Taurus PT 92 is manufactured almost exactly like the Beretta 92.
This pistol is very accurate so you can use it as a range gun or for home defense. It's too big though for concealed carry.
32. Rock Island 1911 Compact
The Rock Island 1911 Compact has a 3 1/2-inch barrel and a seven-round magazine capacity.
This small handgun is made by ARMSCOR, a Filipino company.
33. Ruger GP-100
The Ruger GP100 has a reputation for being tough as nails, which is well-deserved.
It can handle any factory-loaded .357 magnum ammunition on the market.
34. CZ 75 SP-01
The CZ 75 was not widely available in the United States until 1993. The quality steel frame of this gun makes it a bit heavy at 37.5 oz unloaded.
This gun is available in both 17 and 19 rounds of 9mm magazines.
35. Smith & Wesson 625 JM
The 625 JM from Smith & Wesson's Champion series is a large N-framed revolver.
This gun has an overall length of 9.38 inches and a weight of 40.3 oz. It's a full stainless steel revolver with a six-round capacity of .45 ACP.
36. Smith & Wesson M28
This Smith & Wesson M28 has beautiful wood grips in a Rosewood-type finish. It's kind of a baby brother to the Dirty Harry .44 magnum version.
Gun enthusiasts just love classic-style revolvers like this one.
Obviously, the world of handguns has so much to offer from 9mm pistols to revolvers, all with loads of firepower. There's no running out of weapon choices these days with all these must-have pistols.
But always remember to be a responsible gun owner. Bear in mind that a single thoughtless action can change your life forever.
Loading ...Do any of these sidearms fit your idea of a perfect or the must-have pistol? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 11, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I was really interested in your article but can’t read it because of all the crap u put on the screen.
I’ve been carrying a Springfield EMP 9mm for9 years. I just got a Colt lightweight commander 9mm that I’m going to break in Wed.
Now I know you only have so much space for your list but to not include the Taurus PT111 G2 is almost criminal. I have two of these babies and let me tell you they are outstanding. Granted they are only a 12 + 1 gun but for a pocket gun that is 4 shots more than a lot of the guns on your list. They are extremely accurate out of the box and after 2000 rounds without any FTF/FTE’s I am in love. You get the pistol, 2 twelve round mags, cleaning brush and rod, manual, two backstraps, and a holster/paddle for under $250. That is why I have two of them. Also another overlooked gem is the Canik TP9 series. OK, ok, they are Turkish made but WELL MADE. After 1500 rounds without any FTF/FTE’s I love this gun too. I bought my first one for just a shade over $300 and got the standard fare of the pistol, 2 mags @18 rounds per, cleaning brush and rod and manual (no holster/paddle). I use the Canik in a shoulder holster rig with 2 mags and conceal it under a shirt and carry the PT111 in a pocket (yes I have a CCW). A friend once asked me what I was afraid of when I told him what I carried and I said not much any more. That is not to say I go looking for trouble, rather I look for trouble and avoid if I can, blend in if I must, or if need be I have the option to defend. I believe the best weapon to possess is “Situational Awareness”. JMO
I completely agree Jonny, had mine for almost a year, shoot 100 rounds thru it every Friday and then some. However a few things I’ve had issues with a few FTE, most likely due to cheap metal cased ammo, the rear sight doesn’t seem to move the point of impact much if at all, lastly the Loaded Chamber Indicator came out during firing and hit me in the glasses, never to be seen again. After a quick phone call Taurus made it right by shipping me the 3 parts required, arrived a week and a half later and after 5 minutes it was repaired. Oh sorry one more thing, I HATE the LONG trigger pull, i get used to it then change weapons and come back to that all over again. I know with all this I seem to be down on the gun BUT I really like it despite some minor weaknesses, after all it was less that $250.00
My wife and I each have a G2c that we carry daily as our EDC. Excellent guns!
You missed one…S&W TSW 3913…!!!