How to Choose the Right Handgun (And Why Most Gun Owners Get It Wrong)

These all get the job done. The question is: which one fits your hand, your mission, and your life? Stop buying hype — start buying smart.

How To Choose The Right Handgun:

What Most Gun Owners Get Completely Wrong

(And Why Fit Matters More Than Brand)

By: Family of Patriots

Let’s cut through the noise: Most people walk into a gun shop thinking they already know what they want.

They’ve watched a few YouTube reviews, read some Reddit threads, or heard their buddy swear by a certain brand. Usually it’s a Glock, or maybe something they saw trending on TikTok.

Here’s the thing…That’s not how you buy the right gun. Not if you care about safety, performance, or shooting well.

Fit Over Fame

You can buy the most expensive, “tactical” pistol on the wall — but if it doesn’t fit your hand, it’s the wrong tool for the job.

Most first-time buyers are surprised to learn this. They think:

“If it’s small, it’ll be easier to shoot. Right?”

------Wrong.

A small, lightweight 9mm (like the popular micro-compacts) feels great in the waistband — but miserable on the range. Why? Because when you shrink a firearm, you also shrink its ability to absorb energy.

The smaller the gun, the snappier the recoil. The result? Less control. Less comfort. Less confidence.

It’s like physics: Imagine a Volkswagen Beetle and a full-size pickup both slam into a wall at 50mph. Which one takes more damage? The VW — because it’s smaller and lighter.

Same idea with pistols. A full-size gun handles recoil better — making it a much better experience for newer shooters and those training regularly.

Are you still wondering how to choose the right handgun?

Purpose > Popularity

Another mistake? Buying a gun before deciding what you’ll use it for.

Here’s what we ask every customer at Family of Patriots:

What’s the mission of this firearm?

• Is it for concealed carry? Let’s talk about grip size, clothing layers, holster compatibility, and draw speed.

• Is it for home defense? Then you may want capacity, night sights, a rail for a weapon light, and something that shoots softer under stress.

• Is it for your truck? We’ll think about environment, storage, and speed of access.

• Is it a church gun? Now we’re talking comfort, discretion, and confidence under pressure.

• Just want to get good at shooting? Then we’ll look at ergonomics, trigger feel, sight picture, and ease of maintenance.

You Need to Grip It First

We’re big believers in handling the firearm before making a choice.

What looks cool online might not fit your hand at all. Your natural grip angle, trigger reach, and even thumb length all affect how well you shoot.

A gun that’s too small or too large will cause poor form. And poor form = bad shooting habits.

Your goal is to pick something that encourages the right grip — not something you have to fight against.

Trigger Talk: Feel Matters

When people say “try the trigger,” we don’t mean just pull it once.

We mean:

• Check the wall (how much pressure before the break)

• Feel the reset

• Notice the stacking (if any)

• Ask yourself: Is this predictable, or is it fighting me?

And remember: a good trigger is only as good as your finger discipline. That’s where training comes in — and we’ll talk more about that in a future post.

We’re Not Order Takers — And That’s On Purpose

Some shops just sell what you ask for. At Family of Patriots, we won’t do that.

Even if you come in asking for a specific model, we’ll still show you 5, 6, even 10 other options you might not know about.

Why? Because we want you to leave here with the perfect gun for your purpose, not the first one that caught your eye.

And you know what? Sometimes customers circle back. They buy that “first choice” later — but for a totally different job.

Stop Thinking “Brand = Better”

This isn’t 2005 anymore — the playing field has seriously leveled out.

You’ve got a ton of quality brands producing reliable firearms. But too many people still walk in chasing a name, not a purpose.

Yes, there are standouts — but they’re not always what you think:

• Walther is criminally underrated. Their ergonomics and triggers are top-tier, especially for the price.

• Sig has done well, no doubt. But do we really need 5,000 versions of the same gun? It’s starting to feel more like Pokémon than pistols.

• FN has definitely stepped up. Their triggers used to be rough — now they’ve improved a lot. Still not perfect, but no longer a dealbreaker.

• HK? Great quality. Legendary reputation. But… are we really getting what we’re paying for? That’s a deeper conversation we’ll save for another post.

• Smith & Wesson — they’ve always had solid revolvers, but most of their autos? Just riding the name now. Safe, sure. Exciting? Not really.

• Springfield Armory — We’ll just say it: do better.

The reality is this:

When you’re shopping quality brands, they’re often more similar than different. 

You’re not choosing between “junk” and “perfection” — you’re choosing between fits, features, and feel.

What matters more than the logo is:

• How it fits in your hand

• How cleanly the trigger breaks

• How it performs under pressure

• How it lines up with your mission

You’re not buying a brand. You’re buying a tool. And the best tool is the one that makes you confident, consistent, and capable.

Bottom Line:

🔘 Don’t buy a gun because of hype.

🔘 Don’t assume smaller = better.

🔘 Don’t settle for one option when there are ten better fits for you.

Come in. Ask questions. Grip everything.

You're not buying a name — you’re choosing a tool that could save your life.

Visit Family of Patriots in Naples, FL

We’ll never rush you.

We’ll never sell you something just to make a buck.

We’ll show you every option — until you find your gun.