How to Choose the Right Handgun for Self Defense

This task is listed as one of the internet's most sought-after pieces of information, so as a guy who's reviewed over 500 handguns using the same protocol, and spent more than 60 days at various national and international training courses I feel I should toss in my perspective. As an instructor I often had students who had been given a handgun and were trying to adapt their way to it rather than select what was really right for them. If that sounds a lot like your situation fear not, there are plenty of solutions.

A quick collage of about half (267) of the handguns reviewed by GBGuns

Why So Many? The number of options can be bewildering, but the good news is the variety makes it possible to choose the right handgun for self defense. Factors such as price, size, caliber, and intended primary application are just part of why there are so many options on the market before even considering personal preferences that a newer or more casual shooter may not have developed yet.

Price is where many people start. You may be taunted by a salesman with the question, "Well, how much is your life worth to you?". The reality is that in 2026 you can easily find a decent handgun beginning around $350. I've reviewed good handguns below that price (See the Derya Arms DY9), but starting around $350 most guns start to be decent with solid quality beginning around the $500 price range.

Hand size is a factor in choosing the right handgun

Size is where I've most-often seen new gun buyers led astray. Yes, a smaller pistol is easier to conceal and likely also lighter, however physics means that a smaller and lighter pistol of the same caliber is also likely going to have more recoil and a stiffer recoil spring. Smaller and lighter pistols can also be more difficult to shoot as it takes less human error to shift the pistol in hand during firing. Size also impacts ergonomics and while I believe most people can train to operate most handguns, the amount of effort required for that training will be dictated in part by how good or poor of a match the pistol is to the hand. See this article for a deeper dive into how the hand influences choosing the right handgun for self defense. If your intent is for a "house gun" there's no need to sacrifice comfort and control with a smaller pistol.

9mm (also known as 9mm Luger, and 9x19mm) is popular; providing a wide range of ammunition choices widely available and at relatively low price.

Caliber? There is a lot of lore out there regarding which caliber is the best for self defense. The reality is that FBI statistics show it takes an average of three hits to incapacitate an attacker regardless of caliber, so logic follows the best caliber for you is the one you can most quickly land three good hits with. Developing that ability requires range time and training and that means burning ammunition. These factors combine into why 9mm has become the world's most popular handgun cartridge. 9mm offers managabe recoil with enough power, good capacity in the same size gun, and relatively-affordable, commonly available ammunition. There may be a better caliber, but if you can't find or afford the ammunition to practice what good is it really?

So many options, all with different intent in the design, and different potential applications.

Intended Application may be a tough thing to think about for some. Is this handgun for your nightstand and protection of the house? Is it for daily carry? Are you wanting something that can be good at all of those? The last question is why the "compact" size class has dominated the market for years. For a 9mm handgun this typically means 15 rounds of capacity and a 4" barrel. The good news is a 4" barrel is the standard for 9mm performance, the bad news is some people may find this gun a bit large to carry concealed depending on body size and clothing style. This conundrum is part of what has made modular guns like the Sig P365 popular as it can flex between a smaller build for carry or larger build for home and range use. The drawback of the P365 modularity is owning all those parts requires more money and a bit more dedication to firearms ownership. See the GBGunsDepot post on "Best Handguns For ____" to get in idea of which attributes serve which goals.

Quality training helps reduce the stress of a self defense situation to managing the situation. It also greatly increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Training is of vital importance. Training with your firearm doesn't always have to include live fire, but live for should not be forgotten. First training should include familiarizing you with your gun, local laws regarding the use of lethal force, and the mindeset and situational awareness that can help prevent you from needing a gun in the first place. I'm a bit of a training junkie and so have attended ITTS, Front Sight, Center-T, Thunder Ranch, the Guardian Conference, and many more. Don't be lured in by the "geardos" who want to role play some sort of compensation for them "almost serving" in the military. Be realistic. Are you going to have body armor and night vision with you at all times? If not your money and time is probably better spent training for the situation in which you live. The USCCA offers a search by zip code for classes and courses of all types and does not require membership to attend. Search for firearms training in your zip code here.

So how does one decide? The best way is to find help from a knowledgable person and try out a few different handguns. This could be someone you know who you meet at the range, a hired instructor at a range that has rental guns, or by attending a class that offers loaner guns. The staff of your local gun shop may have suggestions, just be aware that some shops, particularly larger ones are likely to have corporate or individual motivations to sell more of one brand or model over another. If you have a good general idea of what you want, but are stuck trying to decide between two options consider the simple test I've described for Deciding Between Two Pistols.