You have two Lanes, Glock guys and Sig Guys. And one will tell you the Glock 19 walked to the corner store to buy him a loaf a bread when his baby was born and his hands were full and helped warm up the milk. The Glock guys will tell you that their best man was a Glock 19 at their wedding. And how the Glock 19 gave such a beautiful speech about the fruits of life and finding your soul mate. How the Glock 19 is the godfather of his sons. And how the Glock 19 helped him study for Algebra 2 and College level calculus. But than the Glock 19 had an affair with his wife so he bought a Glock 17 which is even more loyal than the 19 was.
Then as you're hearing all that lovely info, a Sig guy will kick the door in. Because a Sig guy can't simply hear a Glock guy enjoy his gun without trying to tell everyone that the Glock is inferior to the Sig. Every damn time. He'll tell you about the Alluminum frame construction. How it's got a better trigger. And it's more accurate And nobody should ever carry anything else.
For you though. It's hard to recommend a gun online.
Firstly imo. You gotta decide what type of gun you want. Caliber/Action and Finish.
First of the questions should be. Revolver or Standard Pistol?
Now personally, I think your first gun almost has to be a revolver. But that's bias talking. I'm a revolver guy. They are just so damn sexy. Have you ever seen an ugly gun? Of course... was it a revolver? I highly doubt it. Even when trash companies try to deliberately make an ugly one like the RHINO it ends up turning out fairly cool. It's just iconic and sexy. And most of all. Dependable. Simple. Less moving parts. Pretty much a guarantee if you buy a good make with good ammo. You want that type to save your life.
I will try my best to break down the best gun I think for each category you mentioned.
Conceal - If we are talking conceal, J frame .38 is a beauty. Good stopping power for a gun you can fit in your sock. .380 Body Guard, Glock 43. A 19 is NOT a conceal carry gun. Not by my definition anyway. People conceal it. But it's not the walking the dog and you throw it in your pocket like a bill fold type of gun the others I mentioned are. It's a compact. It's great for holster carry. If you wear layers and go through bullshit it will be concealable. But let's not call it the easiest to conceal. It's at the upper spectrum of what can be concealed.
Target - Their are so many brilliant guns for target. I won't even try suggesting many. Just Colt 1911. Colt 1911 is all that needs to be said about anything in life lol.
Home defense - Mossberg 500
Conversation starter at the club? - If you mean something that will attract attention from a gun guy? Accuracy. Muzzle Discipline. Something that goes boom. Just about anything that goes boom. But trust. Once you get your license and go the range. You'll get about 5 shots in before you realize. You really want to be left alone. Most people do. Conversations are had. But idk. Mossberg 500....
So you can basically knock off home defense and conversation started with a handgun. They aren't for home defense unless it's your only gun. Mossberg 500 or Mossberg shockwave. Any 12 guage shotgun. Those are the bad boys you're gonna wanna get. And trust they are the funnest
.
Here are 5 pistols i'd reccomend as the all around pistol. Imo anyway. For what it's worth.
Glock 19
Glocks are the standard pretty much. Glock 19 is big enough to be good at the range, and small enough to kinda conceal. It's a great gun. Gen 5 or Gen 4 only though. Gen 1 and Gen 2 were pretty shit. Glocks are striker fired, and have great triggers. They are durable. And you can definitely trust you life to one.
Colt 1911
It's a colt 1911. It's just the most iconic and sexiest handgun to ever exist lol. Just look at it. Not many guns can you just look at for 5 minutes and find something new each time. Some new curve. And it performs every bit as good as she looks. People will tell you that the 1911 is unreliable. Those people are sleeper cells made by the Soviets circa 1945. Deactivation phrase is "f*** off".
The 1911 of today is a pinpoint accurate, undeniably sexy, and powerful handgun. Can be used for home defense. Can be carried if you get a good apendix Holster although it is much harder to conceal than most guns. And it is a single action, military grade pedigree.
Snub Nose .38 Special with +P
I own one. It's one of the greatest gun I own. And that's because it's so damn convenient. You have it just in your pant pocket like a wallet. It's just no frills and no stress to go out the door with it. It's the best gun for a first gun. Any of the snub nose revolvers will do. But a small pocket revolver. 5 in the chamber. Ready to go. Can't beat it.
Their will be guys who say "5 isn't enough ammo". Ask them if they'd like to be shot 5 times with it. Don't be one of those guys out the gate. The tactifool "I don't leave the house without 3 clips holding 30 rounds of hollow tip ammo".
Depending on how rich your blood is. FN Five Seven is just beautiful and it's amazing. One of the most beloved and trusted side arms in the community. Feels fantastic. Shoots fantastic. But is of course priced accordingly.
Mossberg 500
Because it's a mossberg 500.
And it's the god of guns.
Hope all this helps.