Pistol Accessories Worth Buying: What You Need vs. What You Want

The short version: Most modern handguns work fine out of the box, so start any upgrade with a purpose, not a shopping cart. Athlon Outdoors' accessory guide puts a good holster, safe storage and training first, then night sights, triggers, lights and optics where they actually help.

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Buying a new pistol is fun, and so is shopping for everything that goes with it. The Combat Handguns guide on Athlon Outdoors warns that upgrades can quickly cost as much as the gun, and that just because you can change a part doesn't mean you should. Some accessories improve visibility, handling, carry or storage; others are mostly about looks. Either is fine, as long as you know what you are paying for and how you will use the gun, since a carry pistol needs different things than a range or competition gun.

The holster comes first, from simple Kydex to high-end leather, and what matters most is fit and build quality. Low-light or tritium night sights are one of the upgrades the author suggests most often, especially for a defensive pistol. Aftermarket triggers typically offer a lighter pull and shorter reset, with designs from flat-faced to light competition triggers. Weapon-mounted lights keep getting brighter and smaller, lasers come in rail, grip and guide-rod styles, and slide-mounted red dots are now common enough that many makers ship optics-ready slides.

Then there is the personal side: aftermarket Glock slides, threaded barrels for suppressor owners, custom coatings and magazine base plates that typically add two or three rounds. On the practical side, a sturdy single-handgun safe is one of the most important purchases a new owner can make. The closing advice is the useful part: a new trigger won't replace good fundamentals, an expensive optic won't make up for a lack of training, and sometimes the smartest upgrade is leaving a working factory part alone.

Key takeaways

• Start with how you use the gun: carry, home defense, range or competition
• First buys: a well-fitting holster and secure storage such as a quick-access handgun safe
• A top suggested upgrade for a defensive pistol: tritium night sights
• Aftermarket triggers: usually lighter pull and shorter reset
• Lights and lasers: rail-mounted, grip-activated or guide-rod lasers
• Red dots: many new pistols now come with optics-ready slides
• Extended magazine base plates typically add two to three rounds
• Gear complements skills; it doesn't replace training

Summary by GunJoy based on reporting by Athlon Outdoors. Deal links are affiliate links; GunJoy may earn a commission. Prices change quickly, so confirm at checkout.