GunCritic

147 Best Handguns 2022

Today, the handgun is widely considered to be the best secondary weapon for self-defense. Whether you’re a civilian or a police officer, having a pistol at your disposal improves your chances of survival in almost any scenario. However, just like with every other weapon type, there are several sub-categories of pistols that you need to be aware of when making your purchasing decision. If you’re looking to buy a new pistol in the year 2022, there are some things that you should keep in mind. For example, smaller and more compact models might not have as much stopping power as their larger counterparts – but they’re easier to conceal. Semi-automatic pistols tend to cost less than their revolver counterparts – but they might not be ideal for self defense due to their slower rate of fire and smaller magazine capacity. Read on to learn more about these categories and which models from each stand out above the rest.

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Small, Lightweight Pistols

If you’re looking for a pistol that you can comfortably conceal inside your waistband or even inside your jacket pocket, then you’re going to want to go with a smaller and more lightweight model. Depending on the model, these types of pistols can come with a shorter barrel and a smaller grip that’s perfect for people with smaller hands. Furthermore, they boast a lighter frame and fewer moving parts that make them easier to maintain, handle, and fire – even in adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow. The smaller size of these models might make them a bit less powerful than their larger counterparts, but the reduced recoil will make them a lot easier to handle for most shooters. These smaller, lightweight pistols can come with a shorter magazine capacity (often less than 10 rounds) and might not be ideal for self-defense due to their smaller caliber, but they’re great for everyday carry!


Semi-Automatic Pistols

Semi-automatic pistols are some of the most commonly used handguns today. Most people use them as their secondary weapon in self-defense situations – and they’re often the standard-issue firearm for law enforcement agencies across the world. The majority of semi-automatic pistols come with a magazine capacity of 15 or more rounds – making them ideal for self-defense. Due to their higher magazine capacity and the fact that they fire more quickly than revolvers, these pistols are great for home defense. If you’re looking to buy a semi-automatic pistol that’s going to be your primary weapon, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for models with larger calibers – like 9mm, 10mm, or even .45 ACP. You’ll want to make sure that the magazine capacity is high enough for self-defense purposes (15 or more rounds) and that the calibers are powerful enough to deliver a quick and effective shot at longer ranges.


Revolver Pistols

If you’re looking for something a bit more classic, then a revolver pistol might be the best option for you. However, be aware that most modern revolvers come with a lower capacity than their semi-automatic counterparts. Many have a magazine capacity of five or six rounds – making them less than ideal for self-defense purposes. Nevertheless, revolvers have a few distinct advantages over semi-automatic pistols. For example, they’re easier to use for people who are new to firearms and they’re generally much more inexpensive. Moreover, these pistols can be easier to use for people with smaller hands and they’re a great choice for shooters with limited mobility due to their simpler design and fewer moving parts. If you’re looking to buy a revolver, you’ll want to keep in mind that the design places the bullets in a “reverse” order compared to other pistols. This means that the first bullet in the chamber will be the last one to exit the barrel during firing.


Conclusion

Pistols come in all shapes and sizes, with each type boasting its own set of benefits. Choosing the best pistol for you will depend on several factors, including your preferred firing mechanism, the size of your hands, and your self-defense needs. If you’re shopping for a new handgun in 2022, you’ll find plenty of great options to choose from.


1
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0

From $518.50

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Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0

9

GunCritic Score

100%

User Rating

99%

2
HK VP9

From $569.49

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HK VP9

8

GunCritic Score

99%

User Rating

99%

3
SIG Sauer P365

From $461.95

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SIG Sauer P365

5

GunCritic Score

96%

User Rating

99%

4
Glock 19 Gen 5

From $429.99

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Glock 19 Gen 5

5

GunCritic Score

95%

User Rating

99%

5
Glock 19X

From $591.18

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Glock 19X

4

GunCritic Score

98%

User Rating

99%

6
Glock 19

From $556.09

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Glock 19

4

GunCritic Score

97%

User Rating

99%

7
Canik TP9SFX

From $399.49

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Canik TP9SFX

4

GunCritic Score

96%

User Rating

99%

8
SIG Sauer P320 X-Five Legion

From $943.91

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SIG Sauer P320 X-Five Legion

3

GunCritic Score

50%

User Rating

99%

9
Smith & Wesson M&P 9

From $459.84

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Smith & Wesson M&P 9

3

GunCritic Score

95%

User Rating

99%

10
Walther PPK/S

From $381.04

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Walther PPK/S

2

GunCritic Score

94%

User Rating

99%