Small Pistol are a TERRIBLE idea for begginers

just hear me out ..........

Small and lightweight handguns seem like a good idea for beginners because they’re compact, easy to carry, and often marketed as “simple” or “user-friendly.” But in reality, they are usually a poor choice for new shooters. Here’s why:

 1. More Recoil (Kick)

Light guns weigh less, which means they absorb less recoil. A small 9mm can feel snappier and harder to control than a larger gun of the same caliber. This makes it intimidating and uncomfortable for beginners.

Imagine driving a small car on the highway and a 18-Wheeler tractor trailer passes by, the wind of that 18-wheeler will likely push your small car and make you move. 

 A heavier gun absorbs more of the recoil, meaning less felt recoil for the shooter.

If you were driving a larger vehicle like a pickup truck or a large SUV the same 18-wheeler at the same speed would have little to now effect on you. 

 2. Harder to Shoot Accurately

Smaller guns have:

• Shorter sight radius - distance between sights

• Less grip surface - the more contact your hands make with the grip the more you will be able to control the handgun as it fires.

• More muzzle flip - because the hangun is lighter

All of this makes it much harder to aim and stay on target, especially for a new shooter.

 3. Poor Ergonomics

With small guns:

• You may not get a full grip

• Even average-sized hands can feel cramped

• Harder to manage controls - such as slide stop, magazine release, etc. because they will be smaller

This affects confidence, control, and safety for a beginner.

 4. Training Is Harder

New shooters benefit from repetition and confidence. If the gun is painful or difficult to control, they become flinchy, frustrated, or discouraged — which leads to bad habits like anticipating recoil.

 5. Often Louder and Sharper in Report

Short-barreled guns have more muzzle blast and louder reports. That extra concussion can scare new shooters and make the experience unpleasant.

 6. Reduced Reliability and Capacity

Ultra-compact guns:

• Often have less reliable feeding due to tighter tolerances

• Typically hold fewer rounds per magazine

• Are more sensitive to limp-wristing - Not holding the handgun firmly which is a common beginner issue

 Summary

Small/light handguns:

 More recoil

 Less control

 Harder to aim

 Less comfortable

 More frustrating and discouraging

Better Choice for Beginners:

 A mid-size, full-size, or duty-size handgun (See the list of recommended handguns)

 Heavier, with larger grips, softer recoil, and better handling

Once fundamentals are solid, THEN a shooter can transition to micro-compacts if they need deep concealment.

Often we hear that is is best to learn to ride a motorcycle with a smaller, lighter and lower CC displacement motorcycle as opposed to a larger, heavier, and more CC displacement motorcycle. 

With a handgun the opposite is true; a larger and heavier handgun is easier for begginers to learn.