How It All Started

[Lonestar49]

...

My story is easy to remember and tell.

It started 2 yrs ago, when I decided that it was getting time to invest in a pistol for SD and HD, as having German Shepherds, Shotguns, and a 22 Ruger rifle, all my young life, and into mid-life, that the day was coming that the wife and I were gonna retire and take some time to travel. And when have to lose our remaining German Shepherd (best friend), we're gonna take a break from the love of all 7 of them throughout my, and her life with me, German Shepherds. As it was always hard to take a long Vacation, and always wonder how they were doing, and couldn't get home fast enough to see them. Add to that the Heart-breaks when you lose each of them, it never goes away totally. So the search for self protection began.

My brother in law has been a LAPD LEO for 27yrs, and he told me to get a 45cal, Colt. But I thought, no, too big, too loud, to much to handle, and I told him that, so he said, ok, at least get a 40cal.

So, that was my critia, a 40cal. And in my seach for this gun, looked at Sigs, CZ's and, whether it was cost factor, for a first gun, or how heavy or hard it was for me to work the slide, cock the hammer manully, etc., I found and liked, both the weight and balance of point to aim, along with, the ease of working the slide action and the manuall cocking of the hammer. And at a mid low price, I choice, gladly, the Beretta Px4 40cal.

Love its looks, the way it felt in my hand natually, and called the range, set up an appointment with a range officer to teach me how to shoot it. And when I did, and for weeks and weeks after, I kept saying to myself, "holy-crap, I bought an Elephant gun". As the recoil IS there with that caliber.

Well, some 800 rounds later, lessons, etc., and I learned how to tame and not fight the gun and, it is a pure joy to shoot, with respect.

Then I bought my second pistol, a Sig P229R Carry 9mm. When I shot it for the first time, and everytime, anytime I shoot it, the same thought goes thru my head. "what a Pu**y cat".. I love how tame this gun is, so easy to shoot, and with rapid fire. Just a Gem of a caliber and gun.

Then when I shot my 40cal again, it seemed much more docile as well.

Then I bought a Sig P220R 45cal, and when I fired it for the first time, and anytime, I just get the biggest grin, and hear my Brother In Laws words, "LS, get a 45cal, it has the most punch/stopping power and, is the pure in, very little recoil." And, compared to the 40cal, he was, and IS, right. To me, it's just a Big German Shepherd.

I love and respect them all and would not change one thing in my journey, including, starting off with the 40cal.. But, knowing what I know now, I would start with a 9mm, then get a 45cal, then I'd get a 40cal.


And that is how it all started for me, including getting turned on by a friend about this forum and, this place has been a WEALTH of information on everything under the sun, from A to Z, and from Soup to Nuts.


LS


PS.. just a note: It started 2 yrs ago, but it took me a little over 1 yr, of a visit here, and there, at various gun shops, touching, looking, talking, to finally make my first choice, the Beretta I mentioned.. And the Sig P232 SL 380 was a gift to my wife as her first gun, and she is liking it, and looking forward "more" to the 9mm.

I relate a 9mm to a Doberman

I relate a 40cal to an AKita

And the 45 cal to a German Shepherd (packs a punch, great bite, and easy to control)

 

[10-Ring]

We all evolve to the 1911 -- many stay, many move on -- but it's still a point we all reach during our shooting lives...sounds like you've had a pleasant journey so far!

 

[coelacanth]

great story!

I like your writing style and I appreciate your metaphors as I too am a dog lover. I'm glad you have found handguns to your liking as they are inordinately handy things to own. I too started out with long guns only and did not fire a handgun of any type for many years after I was proficient with rifles and shotguns. I must warn you though, avoid single action revolvers at all costs. Once you pick up one of those and spend an afternoon at the range its all downhill from there.

 

[Lonestar49]

I know what you mean.. lol

...

Yes, most every-time I go to the range I'm a member of, there are some old guys, who I call, "The old Gang", and they shoot nothing but revolvers, and quite well. They have offered to let me shoot them, but, as you say, I fear the touch, of any of them, and especially firing them, as I know that my gun journey is far from over. And when ever someone wants to check out my semi's, they usually have some revolvers that I check out as well, but never shoot them, as I keep hearing the famous words of Val Kilmer, as Doc Holliday, in:

~ Tombstone ~ saying in my head, "I've got 2 guns, one for each of-ya.."

And that little friendly Devil on my shoulder keeps saying, "DO-IT, fire them, then go buy some.."

But the little Angel of Logic on my other shoulder keeps fending him off, saying, "LS, your guns are working guns, for SD/HD, and as nice as those revolvers are, they only hold 8 rounds max and, would only be for fun.."

And then I hear Doc say: "Say when.." will it be the right time to start a revolver collection..


LS

 

[tydephan]

Lonestar,

My journey is very similar to yours.

I grew up as the son of a law enforcement agent. My dad spent his last years in an executive protection unit and carried a Glock 22 (.40S&W). Not knowing much about guns, as I wasn't raised as a gun-addict, I thought this was the coolest gun on the planet.

When I turned 25, my dad gave me a Glock 22 for Christmas, and this was the beginning of my afliction.

I shot the .40 fairly well. Perhaps making up for lost time, my dad spent time teaching me the basics of firearm safety, correct stance, grip and breathing, and other tips to help control the gun.

Two years later, the ache began in my heart to experience other guns...and other calibers. My next gun was a 1911 GI45. Imagine my surprise when I discovered I was much more accurate with it than the .40cal Glock. Needless to say, I fell in love with the 1911.

But as months passed and I became bored with this caliber, I decided I needed something else. 1911s chambered for 9mm were relatively expensive, so I opted back to polymer, and bought a Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm. It was so smooth and easy to shoot, it was an instant hit among all the voices in my head!

I liked the 9mm round so well (and it was so inexpensive to shoot), I bought a Springfield EMP (a 1911 officer's style pistol chambered in 9mm). It was/is pure heaven.

There have been others. But my original .40cal is still in the collection, and will never leave (even though now...it is just a Glock.)

 

[BruceGibson]

Great story! Well done!

 

[slow944]

Yep one day I was looking at a Taurus PT140 and there in the case next to it was this Colt Python 6" Blued revolver. I'd had a Dan Wesson 357 years ago and while I liked the Idea of interchangeable barrels I got bored with it and swapped it for a Ruger M77 in 270. But the more I held the Python it just curled it's way into my wallet and made me buy it. This has got to be the cats pajama's as far as revolvers go. The action is like nothing I fired before. As Mike Myers's used to say on Saturday Night Live. "It's Like Butta" Now I have 4 SA's and 4 DA revolvers.