Best First Gun to Buy in 2025: Glock 19 + Setup Guide
If you're buying your first handgun, the answer is almost always the same: Glock 19 Gen 5. It's the Honda Civic of handguns — reliable, holds its value, fits most hands, and has the largest aftermarket ecosystem in the industry.
Here's exactly what to buy, what to pay, and how to save money doing it.
The Gun: Glock 19 Gen 5
The Glock 19 is a compact 9mm that's big enough to shoot well at the range and small enough to carry concealed. It holds 15+1 rounds, runs any 9mm ammo you feed it, and will last longer than you will.
What to Pay
- Great deal: Under $399
- Good deal: $399–$399
- Average: $399–$595
- Overpaying: Above $595
Based on our Glock 19 Gen 5 price tracker — updated with every r/gundeals post.
Why not the Glock 17? The G17 is a full-size — great at the range but harder to carry. The G19 is the Goldilocks size. If you know you'll never carry, the G17 is fine too. Same price range.
Why not a Sig P365 / S&W Shield? Great guns, but they're micro-compacts designed for concealment first. Harder to shoot well as a beginner. Start with the G19, learn fundamentals, then buy a smaller carry gun later if you want.
Top Alternatives to the Glock 19
The Glock 19 is our #1 pick, but these are all excellent first guns. Pick whichever fits your hand best.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 — The #2 Most Popular Handgun on r/gundeals
The S&W M&P 2.0 is the main Glock alternative, with 43 deals tracked on r/gundeals — second only to Glock. The trigger is better than Glock out of the box, the aggressive grip texture locks in your hand, and optics-ready versions are available. Many shooters prefer it to the Glock 19 for the ergonomics alone.
Track M&P prices: S&W M&P 2.0 price history & deals
CZ P-10 C — Best Trigger Out of the Box
The CZ P-10 C has the best trigger of any striker-fired pistol straight from the factory. It’s the #9 most consistently popular deal on all of r/gundeals. If trigger feel matters to you, handle one before you buy a Glock.
Track CZ P-10 C prices: CZ P-10 C price history & deals
Ruger RXM — The Hot New Option
The Ruger RXM is brand new and already one of the most upvoted handgun deals on r/gundeals (avg 186 upvotes across 15 deals). Optics-ready, great trigger, and priced below the Glock 19. Worth a serious look if you’re buying in 2025.
Learn more: Ruger RXM price tracker | Ruger RXM full review
Essential Accessories
1. Weapon Light: Streamlight TLR-7A
A weapon-mounted light is not optional if this is a home defense gun. The TLR-7A fits the Glock 19 perfectly (flush with the muzzle) and is the best value in the category.
What to Pay for Streamlight TLR-7A
- Great deal: Under $95
- Good deal: $95–$110
- Average: $110–$125
Track price history: Streamlight TLR-7A deals
Why not the TLR-1 HL? The TLR-1 HL is bigger and brighter (1000 lumens vs 500) but sticks past the muzzle on a G19. Perfect for a full-size gun. The TLR-7A is built for compacts.
2. Red Dot: Holosun 507C X2
A red dot makes you faster and more accurate than iron sights. The Holosun 507C is the community consensus best value — it has a circle-dot reticle, shake-awake, and runs for years on a single battery.
What to Pay for Holosun 507C X2
- Great deal: Under $220
- Good deal: $220–$260
- Average: $260–$290
Track price history: Holosun 507C deals
Note: You'll need your Glock slide milled for an optic cut, or buy an MOS version (optics-ready from the factory). The MOS version costs about $30-50 more — worth it.
Total Setup Cost
| Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS | $480–$530 |
| Streamlight TLR-7A | $95–$110 |
| Holosun 507C X2 | $220–$260 |
| 3x boxes of range ammo (150rds) | $40–$60 |
| Total (at good deal prices) | $835–$960 |
How to Save Money: FFL Shopping
When you buy a gun online, it ships to a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) — a local gun shop that handles the background check and transfer. FFL transfer fees vary wildly, from $15 to $75+.
Here's what to do:
- Google "FFL transfer near me" or check GunBroker's FFL finder
- Call 3-5 shops and ask: "What's your transfer fee for an online purchase?"
- Pick the cheapest one. A $15 FFL vs a $50 FFL saves you $35 on every online gun purchase, forever.
Some pawn shops and home-based FFLs charge as little as $15-20. The big box stores (Cabela's, Bass Pro) typically charge $25-30. Local gun shops often charge $40-75.
Where to Find Deals
The best deals on all of this gear get posted to r/gundeals. We track every deal posted there and show you price history so you know if you're getting a good price.
- Glock 19 Gen 5 — Price History & Deals
- Streamlight TLR-7A — Price History & Deals
- Holosun 507C — Price History & Deals
- Ammo Price Index — find cheap 9mm
Set price alerts on any of those pages and we'll email you when a deal drops below your target price. It's free.
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