Which pistol should I pick for concealed carry?

For concealed carry, consider compact or subcompact pistols that weigh under 28oz. Popular choices include striker-fired 9mm pistols with polymer frames for lightweight daily carry. Use our selector to find options matching your hand size and experience level.

What's the best handgun for beginners?

Beginners should look for pistols with manageable recoil, simple operation, and proven reliability. 9mm striker-fired pistols with polymer frames offer the best balance of ease-of-use, affordability, and training cost. Avoid high-recoil calibers and complex manual-of-arms.

Should I choose a polymer or metal frame pistol?

Polymer frames are lighter and better for carry, while metal frames (steel/aluminum) absorb recoil better and provide more stability for shooting. Choose based on your primary use case: carry weight vs shooting comfort.

What caliber should I choose: 9mm, .45 ACP, or 10mm?

9mm offers the best balance of manageable recoil, capacity, and affordable training ammo. .45 ACP and 10mm provide more stopping power but with increased recoil and cost. For most users, especially beginners, 9mm is the optimal choice.

What new guns were released at SHOT Show 2026?

The 2026 SHOT Show featured new pistol releases from major manufacturers. Browse our collection to see the latest 2026 handgun models, including new concealed carry pistols, competition guns, and innovative firearm designs debuted at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.

Where can I see the 2026 SHOT Show new pistols?

Gun Selector features all the new 2026 SHOT Show pistol releases. Filter by the 2026 SHOT Show badge to see the latest handgun models announced at the show, with detailed specs, pricing, and comparison tools.

smith-wesson

S&W Model 396 Night Guard

$1269 MSRP

Night GuardLightweight

Featured in: Home Defense Revolvers

S&W Model 396 Night Guard - 44 Magnum revolver handgun by smith-wesson

Specifications

Caliber 44 Magnum

Capacity 5

Weight 23.4 oz

Barrel Length 3"

Overall Length 8.1"

Height 5.6"

Width 1.56"

Frame scandium

Action revolver

Size Class medium

Trigger Reach 3.13"

Optic Ready No

Release Year 2025

Country of Origin USA

Carry Analysis

Comfort Index

Excellent

0.33

Weight-to-size ratio measures how heavy the gun feels for its dimensions. Lower values indicate a lighter carry experience.

Pocket Index

Full-Size

9.85"

Diagonal footprint measures concealability. Lower values mean easier pocket or IWB carry.

Overview

L-Frame .44 Special featuring a lightweight scandium alloy frame and stainless cylinder for comfortable carry.

Similar Handguns

Compare the S&W Model 396 Night Guard to these similar 44 Magnum pistols:

S&W Model 386 Night Guard

357 Magnum | 7 | 24.4oz

$1269

Colt Anaconda 6

44 Magnum | 6 | 53oz

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Colt Anaconda 6in

44 Magnum | 6 | 53oz

$1499

Ruger Redhawk .44

44 Magnum | 6 | 49oz

$1449

S&W PC 586 L-Comp

357 Magnum | 7 | 36.2oz

$1499

S&W PC Model 986 2.5"

9mm | 7 | 31.7oz

$1329

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