Congratulations! You’re 21 years old. You made it past all the hurdles to the big one. Now, aside from the typical plans of a fresh 21-year-old to use their new abilities to drink legally, there are a few other rights you’ve been given to use. One of those is your right to buy and carry a handgun. And, odds are high you’re going to spend a little more time seriously considering the more affordable handguns, over the pricier ones.
Many 21-year-olds are fresh to the job market or are still in college, so many can’t afford a brand-new handgun–and some may not even know where to start anyways. Don’t fret, because in this article we will look over some high-quality yet affordable handguns that you should consider as you begin your journey with handguns.
First Steps
Just like getting a pet, there’s way more that you need to prepare for before buying one. Excitement is high and some may just rush to the gun store, but first, you need to take a step back. You need to do research, buy equipment, and invest in programs for your safety. If you plan to buy a gun, plan for the rest too.
Before purchasing, I would highly recommend talking to a few trusted and responsible gun owners around you for advice on the best place to purchase your first handgun, as well as basic gear and safety. Even if you were raised with guns, it may still be a good idea to pursue a handgun training course (especially for concealed carry, though that is already a requirement in some states). There is no such thing as too much training or being too safe, so take the proper steps.
You should also become familiar with your state laws, such as whether they have:
- Stand your ground
- Castle Doctrine
- Conceal carry license requirements (or constitutional carry)
- And any other specific laws to your state, it’s your job to know them
Resources can be available after a quick internet search, so if you plan on buying a handgun you can’t claim ignorance if a law is broken. Because guess what, claiming ignorance is never a valid legal defense. This is important, especially if you’re in a highly restricted state, so that you can assure you are abiding by the law.
A lesser-known practice is getting self-defense insurance/carry insurance. This can be great even before you’re 21, but once you’ve decided to carry a handgun for self-defense it’s more than worth it. It may seem like a lot short term, but it assures you have access to a qualified lawyer and tens of thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees covered in the instance you need it. Seriously, don’t put it off.
Basic safety gear is also an absolute requirement when purchasing a firearm. Make sure you have ear and eye protection, a good baseball cap for the range, and some targets to practice. A gun cleaning kit is also smart since gun upkeep is more important than you may realize. And don’t forget lube, because dry guns are unhappy guns.
The Five Best Affordable Handguns
Now, let’s get into what guns are worth considering for your first handgun.
Glock 17
This is definitely a durable option as Glock 17s are universally known among many trades to be basically their ol’ reliable. They have their signature safe action trigger, as well as being fairly lightweight (you’ll have to go the single stack Glock route if you want it to be truly lighter). It even has great aftermarket parts to customize as you please, which is a great plus. Glocks are endlessly changeable from sights to Cerakote to triggers.
Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Standard Mag capacity: 17 +1
- Weight: 24.7 ounces
- Barrel length: 4.49 inches
- Trigger pull: 5 pounds, set at the factory
Palmetto State Armory Dagger
On top of that, if you find any part of the gun that doesn’t suit your fancy, just about any Glock or aftermarket Glock part can be put on it. So, getting a cheaper gun and adding a few nice parts may be a great plan. Just make sure you do your research to buy the right parts.
The only major concern among several PSA Dagger owners is the trigger and the sights. The trigger can be a bit less comfortable than others to pull. The sights are fairly basic but can be easily upgraded.
Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Standard Mag capacity: 15 +1
- Weight: 22.4 ounces
- Barrel length: 3.9 inches
- Trigger pull: 5.5 lbs
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Shield Plus
Smith & Wesson delivers a compact 9mm pistol perfect to use to learn, especially if you need something a bit smaller and lighter. The Shield Plus can be purchased for around $500 from most gun stores or online. (Sidenote: Getting a gun online still means going through the paperwork and background check required by federal law. Online sales aren’t a loophole.)
Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Standard Mag capacity: 10 +1 or 13 +1
- Weight: 17.9 ounces
- Barrel length: 3.1 inches
- Trigger pull: 5.8 lbs
Ruger SR1911 in 9mm
Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Standard Mag capacity: 9 +1
- Weight: 29.3 ounces
- Barrel length: 4.25 inches
- Trigger pull: 4.75 lbs
Sig P365 Nitron
Specs
- Caliber: 9x19mm Parabellum
- Standard Mag capacity: 10 +1
- Weight: 17.6 ounces
- Barrel length: 3.1 inches
- Trigger pull: 6 lbs
Affordable Handguns
Let’s hear from our readers. Do you have other suggestions for affordable handguns for new gun owners? Let us know if the comments section.
