Whether it’s your first gun or your first foray into semi-automatic pistols, choosing the best Glock for beginners gives you a reliable firearm to hone your skills. Glock pistols are some of the most popular firearms on the market, with strong followings among military, law enforcement, and civilian users. Their precision engineering, high quality standards, and reliability make them perfect for newer shooters while also offering plenty of upgrade opportunities to tailor a gun to fit your shooting needs as they evolve.
What Makes a Pistol Beginner-Friendly?
Shooting is a learned skill. Like any learned skill, proper tools–in this case, one of the best Glocks for beginners–make it easier to learn the fundamentals and progress from there. Despite the consistency across their product line, however, not every Glock pistol model is right for building this foundation. Here are some major considerations:
- Purpose – The firearm you buy should fit the purpose you’re buying it for. A concealed carry pistol can have very different ideal characteristics than a gun for competitive shooting, even though you can use either gun for both jobs.
- Caliber – Glock pistols are available in a wide range of common and not-so-common pistol calibers. The best Glock for beginners is one that’s chambered for a common caliber with easy-to-find ammunition that’s cost-effective enough for frequent range trips to let you practice. It’s also best for new shooters to avoid the “sledgehammer” recoil of larger rounds. Both 9mm and .40 S&W models are a great starting point for your first pistol.
- Size – Most models fall into either the full-size, compact, or subcompact categories. As the size of the pistol decreases, so does its weight, accurate range, and ability to mitigate recoil. Picking the best Glock size for beginners means balancing the performance characteristics of the weapon to meet as many of your shooting needs as possible.
- Width – Guns with a wider frame can be difficult for people with small hands to shoot because they can’t get a secure grip on the frame. Slimline Glock pistols use single-stack magazines for a thinner cross-section that’s more friendly for some women and smaller men who
- Customization Potential – You should also consider what kinds of aftermarket parts and accessories are available to upgrade your gun as your needs change and your skills develop. Luckily, the popularity of Glock pistols has led to a rich selection of custom components to help you transform your gun from the best Glock for beginners to the best Glock for your ongoing shooting lifestyle.
Our Picks for the Best Glocks for Beginners
Best All-Around Glock
The G19 may be the best across-the-board Glock for beginners. While technically a compact version of the original G17, it offers the range, accuracy, recoil mitigation, and ammunition capacity of most full-sized pistols. The 9mm chambering offers reliable ballistics and has plenty of stopping power. A deep third-party parts and accessories market caters to this gun with both model-specific upgrades and universal Glock accessories. The G19 is a great choice for everyday carry, target shooting, competitive events, and self-defense. Because it is one of the longest-tenured models, there are plenty on the secondary market where a good used pistol could save you hundreds of dollars over a new-in-the-box product.
Best Glock for Concealed Carry
The best Glock for beginners who need a more discreet pistol is the G26. This subcompact version may not be one of the original two Glocks, but it’s been around long enough to share many of the same benefits, including secondary-market availability and third-party manufacturer support. Built with a smaller barrel and frame, this 9mm will kick harder than its larger cousins but is still manageable for self- or home defense.
Best Glock for Smaller Hands
If double-stack mags make the frame a bit too big for comfort, the G43 might be for you. This slimline model still packs six rounds into its single-stack magazine. Like the G26, it’s also a subcompact pistol, making it perfect for concealed carry and close-range self-defense. Don’t let the size fool you. The 9mm rounds it shoots are still just as potent, but if you do want a little more sting from your diminished ammo capacity, the G36 steps up to powerful .45 ACP cartridges, but be prepared for the mule-kick recoil.
Top Glock Upgrade Suggestions
- Match-Grade Barrels – Forged steel barrels engineered to match-grade quality can help you put up tight groups. This beginner-friendly drop-in upgrade can replace a worn barrel on a previously owned Glock or help you take a custom build to the next level.
- Custom Slides – Slides do more than just look pretty, although there’s nothing wrong with choosing a custom slide for aesthetics. Top-of-the-line custom slides can get your gun optics-ready, lower your gun’s weight, and change its appearance. Look for steel slides with a finish that protects your gun and keeps it looking good.
- Reflex Optics – If you have an OEM or custom pre-milled slide, you’re missing out if you aren’t using its optics mount. Reflex optics use LED emitters to project a bright aiming reticle on a coated lens, making accurate and precise aiming as easy as point-and-shoot.
Order Your Aftermarket Slides and Barrels
Whether you’re rehabbing a second-hand Glock or building the best Glock for you, our beginner-friendly custom packages make upgrading your gun easy. Make sure you have the Glock pistol you need. Order your custom slides and barrels from Patmos Arms today.