Absolute handgun noob with some questions

[f4igrad]

Ok folks, I have some questions and thought that you all might be able to answer them. I have done some searches and have learned quite a bit, but there is SO much information on this site that it takes a long time to sort through all the threads. I bought a CZ75 from Grayrider and it arrives tomorrow. I have shot rifles, shotguns, and an old WWII pistol before, but never a semi-auto. I am going to take a handgun safety class in a month or so, but until then I want to go to the range and practice/learn more about the gun.

1) Is there a site that talks about how to load an operate a semi-auto? I guess I can ask someone at the range but I want to at least have an idea.

2) I am going to take the gun to the range, what should I bring? Can I just carry the gun in, or does it need to be in something?

3) I am going to head to Wally World in a bit for some ammo. Is there a brand that is cheap but good for practice?

4) Do you recommend anything else to this noob?

Thanks for all of your help, I have been reading up on this site a ton and have learned quite a bit about guns and safety.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Congratulations!

Here's what I'd recommend:

1. Join the NRA: http://www.nra.org because it doesn't do any good to buy a gun unless you can keep it.

2. Read the instruction manual from cover to cover.

3. Buddy up with someone who's already familiar with firearms.

4. Until you're familiar with the laws in your state—and they vary a great deal—it's a good idea to transport the firearm unloaded in a closed container in your trunk, and keep the ammunition separate from the firearm.

5. Enjoy!

 

[treeprof]

Nice choice on your pistol selection.

1. The CZ manual will explain the operation; read it an you'll be good to go.

2. Just take it in the plastic case if you want. You can buy pretty cheap, servicable range bags if you're willnig to use soft-side toll totes and such. Helps to be able to put guunammo, hearing protection, etc. in one case. Make sure you transportv legally to the rane/

3. My CZ 75 and CZ 85 Combat both eat the Win white box in the 100 rd value paks just fine.

4. Buy some GOOD eye and hearing protection if you don't already have it.

 

[lee n. field]

1) Is there a site that talks about how to load an operate a semi-auto? I guess I can ask someone at the range but I want to at least have an idea.

Congrats on the CZ. If you don't get the owner's manual with it, you can download one from CZ's web site (http://www.cz-usa.com).

2) I am going to take the gun to the range, what should I bring? Can I just carry the gun in, or does it need to be in something?

Should be in a carrying case. Your gun will come in one. If it doesn't, pick up a Doskocil cheap-o from Wallyworld.

3) I am going to head to Wally World in a bit for some ammo. Is there a brand that is cheap but good for practice?

CCI Blazer, if you don't reload. Winchester white box bulk pack or Remington UMC yellow box (or green box now).

4) Do you recommend anything else to this noob?

Training, training, training.

 

[lee n. field]

1) Is there a site that talks about how to load an operate a semi-auto? I guess I can ask someone at the range but I want to at least have an idea.

Congrats on the CZ. If you don't get the owner's manual with it, you can download one from CZ's web site (http://www.cz-usa.com).

2) I am going to take the gun to the range, what should I bring? Can I just carry the gun in, or does it need to be in something?

Should be in a carrying case. Most guns now-a-days come with a hard plastic case. If yours doesn't, pick up a Doskocil cheap-o from Wallyworld.

3) I am going to head to Wally World in a bit for some ammo. Is there a brand that is cheap but good for practice?

CCI Blazer, if you don't reload. Winchester white box bulk pack or Remington UMC yellow box (or green box now).

4) Do you recommend anything else to this noob?

Training, training, training.

 

[pauli]

the simplest thing to do, and most assured way of keeping yourself in compliance with local laws, is just wait till you take the basic pistols course. they should answer everything, and be able to show you hands on how to handle your gun.

 

[f4igrad]

thanks for the tips everyone. I just purchased 2 white box value packs (winchester) at Wally World. I will definitely be taking the handgun course, but the way my schedule is, I can't take it until later this summer when one of my classes is over. Until then, I will shoot at the range and soak up as much info as I can.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Hey, be sure to go to http://www.firearmsprimer.com/ . Lots of pictures and information.

 

[shep854]

Be sure, if you use a two-handed grip, to keep both thumbs together. DO NOT cross the weak-hand thumb behind the slide. You WILL get cut when the slide recoils.

 

[MrAcheson]

(1) Not sure but hopefully you will be getting a users manual with the gun that will take care of this. Its pretty straightforward.

(2) Bring a carrying case and/or cheap range bag. Something you can keep hearing protection, safety glasses, and ammo in. Generally it is a good idea to keep the gun and ammo separate for transportation.

(3) A lot of ranges hate Blazer with a white hot passion and will not allow you to shoot it. This is because you can't reload blazer and it gets mixed in with the other "brass" for resale to reloaders. Some places don't like Winny White Box, but only because it cuts into the range's own ammo sales. Find out what your range allows.

(4) Go with a friend who shoots and knows more about autoloaders. Its not hard but he/she might be able to do a lot of simple instruction to help you out.

 

[Calhoun]

Since nobody has said it, make sure you learn the basic rules of gun safety RIGHT NOW. If you don't know them already spend some time getting familiar with them. They will come in handy.

Enjoy your CZ. It was my first gun too and still my favorite.

Calhoun

 

[Brian Williams]

remember the four rules found in the Library at the top of every page and here is the link to them directly
http://www.thehighroad.org/library/rules.html


Suggestions for a Noob Get a 22 very similar to your gun or a Kadet conversion kit and shoot it for more and cheaper practice.

Before you even open your ammo box,
Make sure you have all of your ammo in another room and in a box or case.
Read the manual




Turn off the TV and
Read the manual

Make sure you have all of your ammo in another room and in a box or case.
Then
take out your gun and field strip it so you can see and clean out any extra gunk and grease from the manufacturing processes and lube it to manufacture specs. Then put it back together and practice manipulating the gun.

Put in an empty magazine and draw back the slide, what happens???
take out the Mag and draw back the slide and What happens???
Put the gun on safe and pull the trigger and what happened????

Practice dryfiring, pulling the trigger a while aiming at a safe spot, we all know the gun was unloaded right


Some folks recomend to dry fire about 100 to 1000 times, this will help smooth your trigger and develop muscle memory.
Every 5 dry fires flip on and off the safety and every 25 put in and take out the empty mag. every 50 pull back the slide and guide it back front, I do not let it slingshot back front if I do not have a cartridge to strip from a loaded mag.

First time at the range with a new gun I load 1 cartridge in a mag and put that in the gun and draw the slide back and let it go to chamber the round, raise the gun to the target and fire. (this prevents machinegunning if it is bad from the factory or an old gun needing fixed),this is to check if the gun will slide lock on the last round, I do this 2 or 3 times. Then I take 3 rounds and shoot all three.

Take a full mag and insert it in the gun and go for how well does it shoot for the full mag into one target. Does Point of impact POI meet Point Of Aim POA????

Next Load a full mag in the gun and put the gun on Safe, decocked, whatever Condition your would use it from. Then place it on a table or bench in front of you. WE ARE NOT GOING FOR SPEED NOW.. But just to function check the safety and trigger, especially if it is a DA,SA trigger.

Pick up the gun, get a good grip, release the safety, draw back on the trigger and fire the gun, put it on safe, take it off safe, draw the trigger and fire the gun, put it on safe, repeat till the mag is empty. While the gun is on safe and pointing down range try pulling the trigger and see if it will fire. If it does first check if your safety is a decocker then if not a decocker then your gun is broken, get it fixed either by the manufacturer or a good and competent Gunsmith,

If your gun has a decocking lever, Load a full mag, DA pull the first shot, SA pull the second shot, Decock, DA pull the third shot, SA pull the forth shot, decock, repeat till Mag empty.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Dry fire alot
BA UU R

 

[GigaBuist]

I just purchased 2 white box value packs (winchester) at Wally World.

Just curious, but did you get the 9mm Luger version or .40 Smith & Wesson version?

 

[f4igrad]

thanks again folks. i got the 9mm luger version. I will definitely practice dry firing, and I downloaded the manual from the CZ site and read it several times