Picking your first pistol — Long Island Tactical Training

Over the years, I’ve helped many people acquire their first firearm. Overwhelmingly, my first recommendation is a Glock model 17 or 19. The simplicity of a striker-fired firearm combined with the legendary reliability of a Glock makes it an easy choice. Glock 19 is one of the most popular handguns in the world.

These days there are many more choices available to consumers and which makes picking one a difficult decision. There are many skills that a new firearm owner needs to master and having a firearm with simpler controls and consistent trigger pull would greatly aid in that process. For a new shooter, I would recommend a striker fired polymer pistol in a 9mm caliber. There are several newcomers to the field such as H&K VP9 and the new M&P 9 M2.0. The best way to make a decision is to go to the store and see which one fits your hand better. Other things to consider are the availability of aftermarket accessories, such as sights and holsters, and the cost of magazines.

One question I often get is about a 1911 style pistols. I absolutely love 1911s and own several of them, but it is definitely not a firearm I would recommend for a new shooter. Quality 1911s often cost north of $2500 and require more rigorous cleaning and maintenance procedures. It is truly an enthusiast’s gun. When you master shooting, 1911s provide an extremely pleasurable shooting experience, but it is a complex firearm with multiple safeties that require a more advanced shooter to run it correctly.

Hope this helps you make your choice but ultimately, no matter what you pick, you will be a step closer to exercising your rights under the 2nd Amendment and providing safety and security to yourself and your family.

See you on the range,

Igor