There is no single best handgun option for a first time gun owner. The biggest factors for most first time owners is being comfortable using the firearm and how the firearm is going to be used. A bigger/heavier firearm tends to make the most pleasant shooting experience with respect to every caliber. The amount of training needed to operate different types of handguns varies as well. A larger/heavier double/single action revolver may be the simplest in terms of operation, provide a more pleasant shooting experience and depending on caliber, can be used from everything to target shooting, self defense or hunting.