Determine the primary use.
The first thing you want to determine when selecting a caliber is what it's primary use will be. Will it be a defensive handgun? Will it be carried openly or concealed? Will it be a target or competition handgun? Maybe a "Safe Queen"? Once you have determined the primary use, you will be ready to move on to the next step. We'll use "defensive handgun" as our selection for this article.
Determining and selecting a caliber.
Be honest with yourself about your skill level. Other people's experience and capability are a distant second place when you determine and select your caliber.
For a defensive handgun, there are a staple of calibers that can be selected. If you are a new or novice/ inexperienced shooter (we all were at some point no matter what the person behind the counter scoffs at), the caliber selection may be limited to 9mm Parabellum, .380 ACP or .38 Special. These tend to be lighter recoiling and have a smaller "BANG" when fired. Think "not too scary".
An experienced shooter may opt for .45ACP, .357 Rem Mag or 10mm. A louder "BANG" and significantly more recoil that can be intimidating to the new shooter(s).
You will need to include ALL the people who may have to use the handgun defensively when selecting the caliber. Or you can purchase multiple handguns, one for each person... but that gets expensive. The research data does not point to one "perfect" defensive caliber, so it boils down to what can be shot effectively and accurately.
Where will it be used most.
Most of the time, you will be using your pistol at the range. This will be 99% of the time and hopefully it will be 100% of the time. Defensive handgun calibers perform equally well according to national statistics provided from the FBI annually. All defensive calibers is a quality handgun will perform equally well.
How do I finally select
The best way is to head out to the range and try the different calibers in a similarly sized firearm. Try to keep the barrel lengths the same or similar. The caliber that you can shoot with the best most consistent results (even if you're a first time shooter and terrible) with the least amount of "intimidation" would be a good direction to take. If it feels good when you shoot it, you will want to shoot it more. You will likely enjoy practicing with it more than one that you don't like. The more you practice with it the better you will be.
If you can't get out to the range to try, then the best way is to ask questions. A great store will have employees that have that knowledge base and will take the time to answer all your questions. Ask us!
Get Trained
Once you have selected your new handgun in the caliber of your choice, get trained! Just having your new handgun sitting there is not security. Learn how to use it, have a plan, and store it securely. Now... Go Practice!
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