[LouAvul]

I wouldn't recommend a semi auto for a first time handgun buyer who is in a panicked rush to get a handgun. But, that's just me.

They buy the gun. Maybe fire a box of shells. Put it in a drawer. A year later they take it out and maybe have forgotten how it operates.

My 1911s have external safetys. Up is safe; down to fire.

My Beretta 92FS Inox also has an external safety. Down is safe. Up to fire. Two of my Sigs (226 and 220) have external levers, but none are safeties. A hammer drop. A slide lock. And a slide release.

My P239 SAS DAK Sig has neither a hammer drop or safety. It's DA only.

All the above can be confusing to someone who doesn't plan to spend consistent and frequent range time.

I'd recommend a Ruger SP101 over any in the article. Pick it up. Look at the side. You can see if it's loaded or no. Point. Shoot. I have one I use for CCW if I really need concealment.

[Polynikes]

“I’d recommend a Ruger SP101 over any in the article. Pick it up. Look at the side. You can see if it’s loaded or no. Point. Shoot.”

SP101 is a fine gun. Chambered in 357/38spl but using .38spl +P/HP to reduce muzzle flip and you have an excellent piece of kit.

[AlaskaErik]

That’s why I have a Glock. No active safeties to worry about. Just pull the trigger and it’s going to go bang, as long as you keep one in the pipe, which is the only way to carry.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

They buy the gun. Maybe fire a box of shells. Put it in a drawer. A year later they take it out and maybe have forgotten how it operates.

I haven't forgotten how it operates and I've put way more than one box of shells through mine, but this struck a little too close to home. I need to get to the range, been quite a while.