The Essential Guns: 9mm Pistol

If you only own one gun…

The first of the essential guns—the .22LR rifle—had a caveat: it’s really only suitable for rural dwellers. However, no gun collection is complete without a pistol. And for many people, it’s the only firearm they need.

Pistols are portable, which makes them versatile. You can use one for home defense or carry it on yourself for personal defense. However, that portability also makes them especially dangerous. They’re easy to mishandle and it’s easier for little hands to pull the trigger, so safety is of the utmost importance.

If you only own one pistol, here’s what you want to look for:

• Large enough for home defense but small enough for concealed carry.

• Semi-automatic with a high-capacity magazine.

• Reliable. Not prone to jamming or firing unexpectedly.

• Simple to operate and maintain.

• Cheap to practice with.