A massage gun is a handheld device with a head that pushes in and out very fast against your muscle. Ads make it sound like it flushes toxins or repairs muscle faster. It doesn't. What the research does suggest is smaller and still useful: it can make sore muscles feel better for a while, and it can leave a stiff joint moving a little more freely for a short time.
Most of that evidence comes from small studies on young, fit people, often over a day or two. One recent trial of 30 young men found less soreness two days after hard squats in the group that got a long session of percussive massage, compared with a group that only stretched. Thirty people and one device is a hint, not proof. Foam rollers and simple massage show a similar picture: short-term comfort and movement, no magic.
So the honest question is not "will it make me recover faster?" but "will I enjoy it enough to use it?" The things that already drive recovery for a beginner are sleep, enough food and spacing your hard sessions out. A gun sits on top of those. If you skip them, no device fixes it.
The most common mistake is going too long or too hard on one spot. Pick the areas that feel tight and set how long you'll spend on each. The total shows how it adds up.
It makes sense if you already train regularly, your muscles often feel tight afterwards and you like the feeling of massage. It is a comfort tool. If you would rather spend the money on shoes, dumbbells or a gym membership, do that first. A foam roller or a tennis ball against a wall costs much less and gives you a similar kind of pressure.
It is not for everyone. Do not use one over an injury, swelling, a bruise, varicose veins, or if you are pregnant, take blood thinners or have any heart or circulation condition, without checking with a doctor or physio first. If pain stays or gets worse, that is a question for a professional, not a stronger setting. Use it on muscle, never on bones, the front of the neck, or joints.
Three numbers on the box tell you most of what you need.
At a lower budget, around €50 to €70, expect a light, quieter gun with a short stroke. In the middle, around €100, you get a longer stroke and a bigger motor. Above that you pay for a deeper stroke and heft more than for anything you need as a beginner. Check the battery and charging time, whether a case is included, and that the heads feel comfortable. Keep the usage time modest whichever you choose.