First handgun experience yesterday...

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OtG

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...and dammit, now I want one (or two, or three...).


I finally managed to get myself to a range (http://www.gunsnh.com/index.html) that rents handguns (as well as shotguns, rifles, machine guns). Not cheap, but I don't have many other options.

First I shot a Ruger Mk II with a 4-inch tapered barrel. I like. I like a lot.
The magazine is a pain to load (and the mag release sucks), but I managed to burn through 150 rounds before I decided to try something else.

Next gun: Sig P226.
Impressions: ammo's a good bit more expensive ($12/50 fmj), it kicks a lot more (duh), and I can't shoot it as well. But it fits my hand really well, and I think I want one. After the Mk II.

I've never shot anything but .22 rifles, and I just ordered a Yugo SKS last week, so it'll likely be a while before I can afford these new toys. Too bad, because I'm hooked.

Ended up spending $60 for guns, ammo and range time. Worth every penny, since it got me interested in a real money pit.

-Owen
 
Nice job.

I'm gonna guess that you wont own one gun. Its VERY VERY VERY hard to own only one gun.


The Sig Sauer line of firearms are my favorite line next to the 1911 platforms. To me, they have the crispest trigger for DA/SA guns, and their controls are pretty ergonomical.



I'm curious though, what kind of ammo did you shoot out of the P226? 9mm, .357 sig, or .40 S&W


$12 for 50 rds of 9mm is expensive! That's 100 rds of WWB value pack at $11.xx and some change!

Anyways, nice story. Keep it up!
 
If you decide to pick up a Ruger of your own, I'd recommend you also get a magazine loader (or thumb saver, or whatever) along with it. $3 piece of plastic with a big shelf for your thumb. You slip it down over the magazine and use it to push down the follower button, instead of doing it directly. Makes loading -easy-. :D

Glad you had fun... though your checkbook'll never be the same... :)
 
Excellent.

Both in taking the initiative in trying out someting new and the way you went about learning the discipline (i.e., starting small). After a short time you'll get to know the ins and outs of what and where to look for things concerning handguns. Shooting handungs need not be as expensive s you've experienced the first time out, particularly the cost of ammo.
 
I remember when I was like that 2 years ago (23 now). I shot my friends Kimber Pro Carry .45ACP and I had to have one. Go to the gun shop and it's $800 dollars. No sir was I gonna pay that much on my budget. Ha 2years later I own in order:
1. Ruger P89 9mm
2. Ruger 22/45 .22lr
3. Ruger SP101 .357mag
4. Kimber Eclipse Pro .45acp ------> I then recieved my CCW
5. Remmy 870 Marine Magnum
6. Fixing to get something light weight to carry when I'm in scrubs after work.

So much for being on a budget. :eek:
 
"...I'm hooked..." Owen, did you do this all by yourself with nobody giving you any encouragement or advice or anything? Good for you. It's really refreshing to hear of a guy who wanted to try something and just did. Cool!
However, before you rush out and spend the rent money, join shooting club. You'll meet some great people and you'll likely get to shoot some different handguns without having to rent them. Most shooters will let you try a mag or two just because you're new. Shooter's are just like that.
I personally don't like the Ruger .22, Had a heavy barreled one and itjust didn't feel right. The grip doesn't fit me right, the trigger sucks and fixing it is a nightmare.
Try a Smith Model 41, if you can. Fussy on the ammo it likes but much better than a Ruger. Try a Colt Government Model .45 too. Nice shooting pistol.
The most important thing is to join a club. Ask the place you rented from if they have a club. It sounds like they treated you right and that's important. Or you can go to the NRA's site. www.nra.org.
 
I've always been meaning to go up to that range, it sounds like a great place. Plus, you can rent full-autos too! :cool:

-JAmes
 
Sunray-
Yeah, I did do this myself. I've been reading this and other forums for a while now, so I wasn't completely clueless about the whole thing.
I agree with you about the Rugers trigger; compared to the Sig, it was long and rough. However, I still need to try more guns to get a good feel for things.

I've sent in the application to a shooting club, but I haven't yet gotten a response. Hopefully, it'll go through soon.


Black Majik-
Yeah, it was a 9 mm. The ammo was expensive, but I figure I'm not going to shoot there all that often. I'll have to find out if I can bring my own, though. The .22 also was relatively expensive at $2.25, though still nothing to worry about.

The trigger was great in single action, but long and heavy for double, but I guess that's how it is supposed to be. It fit my hand really well, too. Plus, the SIG headquarters is 10 miles from my house, so that's just another reason to get one, as far as I can tell.


jamz
Definitely go if you have some spare time, and cash. If you bring a friend, you could split the cost of ammo. There were some guys in the lane next to me shooting a full auto submachine gun, and they were having way too much fun. I'd ask if you could bring your own ammunition, though. It would save some money.


Thanks for the responses. Hopefully I'll be doing this again soon.


-Owen
 
Owen,
I was there yesterday as well, when I first started reading your post and seeing that you were from NH, I thought you were my buddy (who I took to the range for his first time). He loved it. He just kept telling me how much fun it was after we left. And we had a nice chat about CCW on the way home to top it off. He didn't realize that I carry all the time until I unholstered at the line.
Anywho, about Manch. Firing Line, you CAN bring your own guns and ammo. If you rent, you can only use the ammo they sell due to insurance or whatever. I just signed up to be a member the other day and I went yesterday and the guy gave me a "weird" look for bringing 2 boxes of ammo with me that I had bought at Stateline Guns and Ammo earlier in the day. But I can understand that, they do rack up quite the $$$ in operating costs/insurance in a months time. Of course I had just spent 2 bills in there a couple nights before, so anyway. Glad you got to go out and try something new. I just recently acquired my first handgun (Glock 19) and have made I don't know how many trips to the range...just because one day I wanted to try something new. I'm so glad that I did!!!

Eric
 
I am glad you had a good time on your first range visit. Watch you wallet buying guns can get expensive.
 
Ruger Mark II

Good for you trying out a new sport. I know I really enjoy target and trap shooting.
I now own many handguns, both auto and revolver. My favorite is my Ruger Mark II Stainless 5 1/2 inch bull barrell. I still cannot believe how accurate this firearm is at 50 yards. I can feed it shells all day and not have to take out a loan to pay for it.
Great choice for a beginner or a seasoned shooter.
I Like my Colt 45 Combat Elite too. But then thats another story.
 
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