What gun should you buy?

Choosing the right firearm for self defense can be overwhelming with so many options and opinions available. This first article in this series introduces the primary armed defense use cases and presents an argument that for most people, starting with a handgun offers clear advantages.

So, you’ve read our article "Should you buy a gun?" and decided to buy a firearm for self defense. You’ve completed whatever permit process may be required in your state, and now you’re overwhelmed with options. The internet is full of strong opinions, many of which seem logical yet offer conflicting advice. So, which gun do you buy?

This post is the first in a series designed to help new gun owners navigate the decision-making process. Each post will focus on a specific aspect of firearm selection to ensure you make an informed choice:

In this post, we’ll focus on the broader question of firearm selection, helping you determine the right type of gun for your situation before narrowing down to specific considerations in later articles.

A few important caveats:

  1. Our focus here is specifically on self defense. Criteria related to other use cases such as hunting, collecting, or shooting sports are outside the scope of this series.
  2. Firearms ownership comes with significant responsibilities and is never a simple answer to any problem, nor should it be approached impulsively. If you're still considering if firearms ownership is right for you, please read "Should you buy a gun?" before reading these articles.
  3. Use of a firearm for self defense should be a last resort. In these articles we assume that any use of a firearm is an appropriate, moral, legal, and ethical response to an eminent, lethal threat.

    4. Primary Use Case

    The first clarification is to understand what your primary use case would be. In other words, what type of scenario are you preparing for where you might use this firearm for protection? Typically, there are three scenarios to consider:

    On the Go - Concealed Carry

    If you intend to have a gun with you, under your direct control, usually concealed by a garment you are wearing, and meant to be used if surprised by a lethal threat in public, your primary concern is Concealed Carry.

    If this is your primary or only concern, a handgun will be your choice. In a future article, we will cover “Which Handgun Should I Buy?” in detail.

    In Your Home - Home Defense

    If you plan to stage a gun in your home so that it is accessible in the event of an intruder presenting a lethal threat, your primary concern is Home Defense.

    Handguns, rifles, and shotguns can all be used for home defense. See “Which Gun Should I Buy for Home and Community Defense?” for an in-depth discussion.

    In Your Community - Community Defense

    If you plan to openly carry a gun outside of your home for the purpose of deterring threats to a community or, in worst-case scenarios, defending innocent life in shared spaces, your primary concern is Community Defense.

    This might include neighborhood patrols, security services during a protest, religious or community event, or the defense of a larger perimeter than a typical home, such as rural properties or shared living spaces in large-scale civil unrest or disaster scenarios.

    While handguns, rifles, and shotguns can play a role in community defense, semi-automatic rifles offer several clear advantages. See “Which Gun Should I Buy for Home and Community Defense?” for an in-depth discussion.

    Best of Breed vs. All-in-One Approach

    After prioritizing the scenarios relevant to your purchase, consider your strategy: should you buy a single gun that fits multiple needs, or should you buy multiple guns optimized for different scenarios?

    Best of Breed Advantages

    In a best of breed approach, multiple firearms are leveraged, each with a focus on the ideal solution for a specific scenario. For example, if your primary concern is Concealed Carry, then a handgun is the only practical option. If home defense in a large rural environment is your primary concern, a rifle may be the most practical option. You might choose a Best of Breed approach if:

    • You are comfortable owning multiple firearms.
    • You can afford and train with different guns for different use cases
    • Your use cases have wildly varying requirements such as the need to conceal a firearm on the go, and also the need to maintain accuracy at longer distances
    • You have interests beyond self-defense, such as hunting or competitive shooting where different activities have specialized requirements. (A deer hunting gun will look very different from a pistol bullseye competition gun....)

    All-in-One Advantages

    For new gun owners, starting with an All-in-One approach often makes sense, keeping options open for future specialization. In an All-in-One approach, a single firearm plays multiple roles. You might choose an All-in-One approach if:

    • You are not yet comfortable owning and being responsible for multiple firearms.
    • You have budget constraints preventing multiple purchases.
    • You have limited resources (time, money, available classes, etc..) to commit to training and want a single platform to focus on for skill development that can apply to more than one use case.

    In this context, starting with a handgun makes a lot of sense, especially if:

    • You live in an urban or suburban setting where home defense distances are short (within 25 yards).
    • You need an affordable and practical firearm that can also be used for concealed carry.
    • You want a gun that is easy to store securely and access quickly in an emergency.
    • You understand the importance of defensive training and find handgun training more accessible than training for shotguns or rifles.
    • You live in a state where access to semi-automatic rifles is restricted or banned.
    • You have limited training time and money and want to maximize your investment since training for concealed carry also applies to home defense when using the same handgun.

      • Summary

      Choosing a firearm for personal defense starts with understanding your needs and scenarios. Are you carrying daily, securing your home, or defending your community? Based on your answer, you can then decide whether a specialized firearm or a general-purpose firearm is the best fit.

      For most people just starting out, a handgun is the most practical choice. It is versatile, can be used for both home defense and concealed carry, and is the easiest firearm to store and secure. Additionally, training for handguns is widely available, making it easier to develop the skills necessary for safe and effective use.

      In future articles, we will help you navigate which handgun to buy, and for those choosing the best home and community defense firearms or expanding beyond the handgun they started with.

      To gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of these considerations, we highly recommend taking PDT’s Concealed Carry Fundamentals and Home and Community Defense Fundamentals classes. These courses provide practical guidance on selecting and using firearms for self-defense in real-world scenarios.

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