There are many thoughts that should go into a gun purchase. Here are a few thoughts to get you started.
Style - Revolver vs. Semi-automatic. Many conceal carry individuals opt for a revolver. The biggest advantage with a revolver is that it won't jam, which occasionally may happen with a semi-auto. Thus in a situation where you need your pistol, you can rest assured that it will function and fire. The drawback to a revolver is with the number of rounds of ammunition. If you need more than five or six, you have to reload, which can be tricky if you are in a tense situation. Semi-automatics typically have magazines that hold anywhere from 8 to 19 bullets, depending on caliber. As long as you keep the gun clean, it should not jam, although this is always a possibility.
Size - By size we are talking about the size of the pistol, and not the size of the bullet. If you are a small frame person, you may wish to consider a smaller frame gun. Gun sizes are typically broken down into three categories:
As a general rule, carry the largest frame pistol that you can comfortably carry. After all, the more bullets you have, the better.
Caliber - The next thing to consider is the size of the bullet. There are a lot of choices here. The larger the bullet, the more energy the bullet will hit the target with, hence more stopping power. Also, the larger the bullet, the less the magazine will hold. Of course, we always recommend that you carry an extra magazine with you just in case.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you will need to practice a lot with your new gun. Practice rounds will cost less if you have a smaller caliber bullet. For example, 100 rounds of 9mm will run you about $20, whereas 100 rounds of 40 S&W cost about $30, so you can practice a lot more with 9mm. Ballistics tests show that 9mm bullets still have excellent penetration, so if you opt for 9mm, and practice as much as you can, you will probably hit the target more often with the extra practice. Hitting your target is more important than the size of the bullet, so buy the biggest caliber that you can afford to practice with.
Although tough-guy gun toting people will generally scoff at smaller calibers, I generally recommend 9mm. It is what our military carries, and it works effectively. Also, larger caliber guns have more kick (recoil), and thus are harder to control and bring back on target after each shot.
Safety Features - Many modern pistols, such as Glock and Sig Sauer pistols, do not have external safeties. Just pull the trigger and it will fire. While many people carry these types of pistols, you have to understand this and be extra careful when handling the pistol. There are still some good pistols out there that have an external safety, or even a grip safety.
Cost - Prices for a new pistol (semi-auto) can range from $150 all the way to $1,500 and beyond. The best rule of thumb is to get the best one you can afford. Keep in mind that when it comes to price, you usually get what you pay for. The higher priced the gun, the better the quality. Used pistols can also be purchased at gun shows or at gun dealers.