Apr 11, 2026 6 min read

One of the more frequent questions I am asked as a firearms instructor is: “What is the best handgun I should buy?” While it could take volumes to answer that question, my response is usually something along the lines of “Buy whatever fits you the best and that you shoot the best.”

These are folks usually looking to purchase their first pistol for self-defense reasons or they already own one but haven’t received any safety instruction or training. They don’t have much experience with firearms of any kind and are certain to be overwhelmed from the start. Myriad factors become involved with selection, including hand size, frame size, complicatedness of the weapon (how hard it is to operate) as well as caliber, sighting system, the inclusion of a safety and about 10 other factors that I don’t have time or space to address in this column.

As a police officer, I carry what the guys on our force carry, for the most part. I am a Glock fan simply out of, well … simplicity. They are ugly, chunky, modern and most of all dependable. If I were a gun, I’d be a Glock. They just work. Parts are easy to procure and Glocks are easy to fix being an armorer. Admittedly, I don’t shoot Glocks as well as some other weapons and I have had the pleasure of handling many weapons systems. There is an 80% chance or better that if I should find myself looking for spare magazines in a gunfight, the available ones, usually in the possession of a downed officer, are going to fit my duty pistol. I know that sounds a bit morbid but I believe strongly in self-preservation as well as winning all fights.

This brings us back around to the question of the ages, “What should I buy?” The simplest answer I can put out there is two parts. If I could only have one weapon it would either be: 1. – A Glock 17/19X. 2. – Some form of a 1911. Why? 1. – Because they fit me pretty well and, 2. – I shoot them pretty well.

I would more than likely purchase the caliber 9mm. Again, a matter of practicale. The 9mm is readily available anywhere in the world. Its low to moderate recoil is both manageable, if not pleasant to shoot for the bulk of shooters out there. Personally I shoot the 9mm more accurately and with more confidence than any other carry round. There are about a gazillion different weapons that are made for the 9mm round. Many are small enough to function well as concealed carry pieces. That means they conceal or hide well and others are likely not to notice you are carrying.

The 9mm cartridge has come a long way since its anemic, early development. Today’s 9mm round can do most anything as well as the .45 acp, .40 cal., .357 magnum, .38 special, and a host of lesser-known counterparts. Without getting into a discussion/arguement on ballistics, the 9mm will do nearly anything in the self-defense world that it is called upon to do and do it reasonably well.

So, in getting down to brass tacks, and I have no earthly reason why tacks made of brass would be superior to those made of other ferrous metals, except for reasons of oxide, the answer is 1911. I am in love with the 1911. John Moses Browning, its inventor, should be honored with his own holiday. I am smitten with its glorious history. Considering that it has been used from the early 20th century throughout the modern age and has gained a second life in its 2011 double-stacked variants, the 1911 is nothing short of amazing. The 1911 has seen action in the Mexican Revolution, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and well into the 1980s in U.S. military accord. I am still not sure that the venerable 1911, with some modern upgrades would not have better served our troops than an Italian made Beretta 92? As for the current Sig Sauer 17 issued to our soldiers, sailors and marines I’ll just self-gag and move on. Great pistol, not American made, why are we carrying it?

One facet that seems more important to a lot of folks is that of an external safety. I prefer the simplicity of the Glock internal safety. As law enforcement, we train to keep our finger off the trigger until sights are on target and we are ready to shoot. I much prefer the simplicity of the Glock. That being said, a 1911 with its external hammer, carried in the “cocked and locked” position needs an external, manual safety. Carrying in this position frightens some practitioners. It should not. The platform is made to be carried in this manner. However, for the citizen purchasing a first pistol, I would not be concerned with an external safety as a must have on a polymer pistol. You may be surprised that you come to like it better in the long run?

When it comes to the trigger, there is the 1911 and there is everything else. The 1911 is, in my humble opinion, the finest trigger available on a combat pistol. Properly done, it is smooth, crisp, possesses less creep (on models of better quality) and has an all around better feel than any trigger with which I am familiar. Out of the box, from the factory, stock, the 1911 is the pinnacle. And the best part is that they only get better with time. Shooting a 1911 over the years smooths out the working parts and a few thousand rounds makes for a most beautiful relationship.

1911s do come with a tradeoff. All steel versions are heavy, albeit durable. Other than that, I can think of no real downside to the 1911. They come in a multitude of sizes, barrel lengths, grip configurations, widths, magazine configurations, after market sights, and a plethora of add ons. If you are considering a 1911, it might be time to “pull the trigger,” so to speak.

Whatever you do, by all means, get some training with your purchase. If you currently have a gun that you have meant to seek instruction with and training for, contact me. This is what I do at my shooting school. I teach folks how to use, handle and operate their pistols safely and correctly. If you are looking for a new pistol, contact me before you make that purchase. Shooting a weapon, especially the model that you’re thinking of buying, in advance, might help you to make a more informed purchase and that’s what we do at my school. A little advanced preparation goes a long way in bypassing the aggravation and frustration that accompanies the initial purchase. Let me help you navigate the process.

Oh, and the 1911 is the answer to the initial question, at least for me. Who knows, maybe a 1911 is in your sights as well.

Dave Bates writes a weekly outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter. He can be reached at alphaomegashootingsolutions@gmail.com