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.

Handgun Selector Tool: Find the Best Pistol for You (2026)

ⓘ How is this list organized?

This page lists all firearms released in 2026 or tagged as SHOT Show 2026 announcements, organized alphabetically by manufacturer. This is a catalog of new releases, not a ranked list — browse by brand to find what interests you.

cz

CZ 75 Legend

diamondback

Diamondback SDR-A

fn

FN 309 MRD

girsan

Girsan Witness 2311

glock

Glock 17 Gen 6

kimber

Kimber 1911 DS Warrior 10mm

Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LW

Kimber 2K11 Comp

Kimber 1911 DS Warrior .38 Super

Kimber 1911 DS Warrior LS

Kimber 1911 DS Warrior .45

nighthawk

Alpha Hawk

rost-martin

Rost Martin RM1F Tactical

sig-sauer

Sig Sauer P211

smith-wesson

S&W Model 386 Night Guard

S&W Model 36 Classic (No Lock)

S&W M&P 22X

S&W M&P 340 (No Lock)

springfield

Springfield Prodigy Comp

staccato

Staccato HD C4X

taurus

Taurus TX9 Full Size

Taurus TX9 Subcompact

Taurus TX9 Compact

Compare All 2026 Releases