Generally, the first thing following someone’s handgun purchase is the immediate search for accessories. While most handguns will serve quite well as they come right out of the box, many people feel the urge to tinker. Other items are also nice to have as accessories for your handgun. Though the list is extensive, we will take a few moments to explore some of the more common items that end up in a gun owner’s shopping cart. Here’s a guide to choosing pistol accessories.

You Have a New Gun? Here is a Guide to Choosing Pistol Accessories

The first item that new gun owners generally purchase is a holster. These can range from simple Kydex models to high-end leather holsters made from exotic hides. Gun owners have vast options. When choosing a holster, it’s important to consider fit and how well it is made. Be patient and find the holster that fits you best. This is an essential part of selecting pistol accessories.

Our next series of items will focus on the gun itself. As mentioned, most guns will serve us well as they are out of the box, but a few upgrades can improve their performance. One of the most common improvements I suggest is low light or night sights. These sights are fitted with a material called tritium. This material fluoresces at night, making them easier to see in low-light situations. This is an essential add-on for anyone using their pistol as a defense weapon. As with many accessories, the options shooters have are numerous. I encourage shooters to research available products and, as with all things, ensure you take the time to choose the product that fits you best when searching for pistol accessories.

Trigger Time

The trigger is another item that has become a central focus in the last few years. Advances in technology and design have allowed the development of aftermarket triggers for most modern pistols. These triggers are designed to improve gun performance through several design features. First is that most aftermarket triggers require less pressure to fire the gun. An additional feature in these triggers is a shorter trigger reset. Some designs are focused on improving the actual pivot of the trigger and the angle of the trigger face. Your choices are many, from flat-face straight triggers to super light competition triggers. A guide to choosing pistol accessories would be incomplete without a consideration of triggers.

A newer addition for Glock shooters is the growing number of aftermarket slides. While the Glock is a reliable and durable handgun, it is undeniably a little bland. Over the last several years, more companies have begun to develop different, more aesthetically pleasing slides for Glock pistols. From ported and highly engraved units to slides made from titanium, this market has exploded. This can significantly impact your experience when it comes to choosing and customizing your pistol accessories.

A popular addition to the gun’s interior is a threaded barrel. With the growing suppressor market, many handgun shooters are now focused on pre-threaded barrels that allow them to use their suppressors. In addition to being threaded, many of these new barrels have aesthetic features such as fluting and dimpling. This is an important factor in a comprehensive guide to choosing pistol accessories.

Light it Up

One accessory that has remained popular with handgun owners is a tactical light. These lights are affixed to the front end of the gun, generally on an included accessory rail. As time has gone by, the power of these lights has improved, while they have shrunk in size, making them much easier to have on your handgun. Lighting options are a vital component of choosing your pistol accessories.

In a similar category to light, we find handgun lasers. These are aiming devices that attach to the handgun. One of the most common are those designed to attach to the accessory rail. In many cases, these lasers are incorporated into a tactical light. Shooters get to enjoy a two-for-one. Another laser design is the kind that fits on the actual grip of the gun. These, in most cases, are grip-activated. One last popular model is a handgun laser incorporated into the weapon’s actual guide rod. These create a minimal footprint and allow the gun to be carried in standard holsters. This will help you significantly when navigating a guide to choosing pistol accessories.

Handgun Red Dots

Another area that has become very popular amongst handgun owners is the inclusion of a red dot optic. These small electronic optics are designed to be set in place of the rear sight or specifically milled-out channels in the slide. Several major manufacturers produce pistol optics, and their use in personal defense guns has grown. These accessories will help you make a more informed decision when it comes to choosing pistol accessories. These optics have become so popular that many handgun manufacturers are including modified slides with several of their handgun models.

One way that many shooters personalize their handguns is by changing the color. While this was accomplished at one time with the simple use of spray paint, advanced coatings have changed how people cover their guns. Treatments such as Depakote and Dura coats have become popular, allowing people to go from mild to wild. From simple color changes to exotic patterns, many shooters take the opportunity to use coatings to truly personalize their guns. A guide to choosing pistol accessories would not be complete without discussing aesthetics.

One challenge that many shooters face is a lack of sufficient capacity in their magazines. Manufacturers have heard their cries and provided gun owners with modified floor plates for their magazines. These are often designed to increase magazine capacity by two to three rounds. They also provide additional surface area for the shooter to grip. While we can focus on applying for these extensions, in many cases, these are purchased to achieve a particular look. They come in various colors and, in many cases, will match the color of an aftermarket trigger.

A Guide to Choosing Pistol Accessories

Of all the accessories that a new shooter should consider, one of the most important is a sturdy gun safe. Many companies make safes dedicated to single handgun storage. These can be placed anywhere in the home or office. They allow the shooter to secure their handgun while also allowing quick access.

The accessory market for handguns is huge. I encourage shooters to truly define what they want and what they need. While some accessory additions are affordable, others can be very expensive. Regardless of your choice, know that there is an accessory for almost any need and desire in the handgun world. Use this guide to choosing pistol accessories to help make informed decisions.