So you’re thinking about a handgun for self-defense…

I’m asked regularly what pistol I carry everyday. As a bit of a smart ass, my answer is typically, “The one that’s right for me.” However, I do follow up with the make and model–Sig 229 SAS. And that choice was made after years of buying and carrying the wrong guns.

Here are 3 simple things you should know before buying a pistol.

The Fit

First, figure out if the handgun properly fits your hand. This sounds like it would be a no brainer. But most people never take this into account more than simply picking up the gun in a store and saying, “Feels good.” That’s not enough.

Trigger control is paramount to accuracy with a handgun. If your index finger can’t reach the trigger you will not be able to squeeze the trigger with the necessary smooth controlled motion. The pad of your index finger should rest comfortably and easily on the trigger at it’s resting position.

With your finger on the trigger (pointed in a safe direction of course), the pistol should line up with the rest of your arm. Imagine a line going straight from the front sight to your shoulder just as if you pointed at something with your index finger.

The Caliber

Second, pick the caliber that you shoot well and enjoy shooting. All the reports and statistics in the world are meaningless to you if you don’t play well with the round.

I’m a decent shot, have a good amount of training, and own a number of handguns in several calibers. However, I do my best with and enjoy (yes this is important) using a .357sig. On the other hand, I have a friend of the same body mass that prefers a .45. Another friend with 75lbs on me does best with a 9mm. Each person has a round that’s right for him or her.

The best way to find the right round for you is to try them all. Most cities have a gun store that rents guns. You can also ask friends what they have and if you can try it out.

The Accuracy Fallacy

Third, unless you are a competition shooter, stop obsessing over how accurate the handgun is. If you stand at a counter in a gun store for more than a few minutes you’re sure to hear a new shooter ask the clerk, “how accurate is this gun.” The clerk will happily launch into a dissertation on the topic. However, they fail to follow up with a simple fact: The gun can–and probably always will–out shoot you.

Modern name brand handguns will all out shout the vast majority of people. If you find a pistol to be inaccurate, it is most like because it does not fit you. There are instances of defects that can cause problems with accuracy, but those are fairly rare amongst the common brands.

So, my advice is to pick what fits, what is comfortable to shoot, and don’t buy hype… Following those three simple principles will ensure you choose the right handgun for you.