Beginner’s Guide: Picking Your First Handgun
Massachusetts Law – What You Need to Know
First things first, you need a Massachusetts License To Carry “LTC” in order to purchase/posses firearms in Massachusetts. If you don’t have one of these you can sign up for our LTC Class, which is required to obtain your MA LTC. Click here to learn more – LTC Course
MA has some tricky laws on what we can and can’t sell as a dealer. Here’s the short version:
- Most handguns are legal to own in MA, but not all are legal for dealers to sell.
- Rest assured—everything you see on our website is fully MA compliant and available for purchase.
Purpose
- Concealed Carry: Easily hidden handgun designed for personal protection. It’s lightweight, reliable, and quick to access in case of emergencies.
- Home Defense: Reliable, easy-to-use firearm designed for protecting your home and family. It typically features a larger form-factor for ease of operation, manageable recoil, and the ability to add necessary attachments.
- Competition/Range: Designed for accuracy, speed, and control during target shooting or competitive events. It often features a longer barrel, improved sights, a smooth trigger, and an ergonomic grip for enhanced precision and performance.
Handgun Sizes
- Full-Size: Best for home defense and range use. Larger, heavier, and easier to shoot accurately.
- Compact: Great balance of size and capacity. Ideal for both carry and home defense.
Our #1 choice for a first handgun—it works for 99% of people. - Sub-Compact: Smaller and easier to conceal, with a slight trade-off in shoot-ability.
- Micro: Ultra-concealable for deep carry, but lower capacity and more felt recoil.
Common Calibers
- 9mm: The most common caliber we stock and recommend. It’s the standard for self-defense thanks to its balance of stopping power, manageable recoil, and wide ammo availability.
- .380: Ideal for smaller guns with concealment at the upmost priority. Less effective than 9mm but still suitable for self-defense.
Accessories and Why They Matter
- Red Dot: Faster target acquisition, better accuracy under stress, and easier shooting at distance.
- Light: You can’t shoot what you can’t identify. Critical for home defense and low-light situations.
- Holster: A quality holster safely retains your firearm and works with your complete setup.
- FMJ vs. HP Ammo:
- FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) – Ideal for training and range use.
- HP (Hollow Point) – Designed for self-defense with controlled expansion to stop threats effectively.
- Cleaning Kit & PPE: Keep your firearm reliable and yourself protected. Regular maintenance is key.
Still Unsure?
No worries—that’s why we’re here. Stop by the shop, send us an email, DM us on IG, or give us a call. We’ll work with you to find the right firearm for YOU, not just what your neighbor’s uncle’s buddy Joe said was “the best.”
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