I'm going to buy my first gun, what should I do?

Status
Not open for further replies.
My first was a Keltec P-32. Absolutely no regrets! I wanted a simple little pistol that I could carry that I would not have to worry so much about blowing concealment with. I love my little P-32!!
 
I was an NRA instructor.

The operative word is "WAS". Their courses, except Home Firearm Safety, suck. If you want it in a nice way, the NRA courses are politically correct and lack enough shooting to get proficient. They avoid the notion of "killing"...which is the purpose of weapons. Classwork is all fine and dandy, but people go there to shoot.

The Home Firearm Safety course does not involve shooting and is an excellent *safety* class.

After attending Home Firearm Safety, go to a real gun school. It doesn't really matter which one, so long as the course includes:

1) MINDSET MINDSET MINDSET
2) 500+ rounds fired in two or three day format
3) Shooting for self-defense
4) Basics of movement and tactics

Here is an example (I'm not affiliated with the company in any way other than as a customer).

Learn to train yourself. It is exceptionally important that you find a teacher who can show you several *proper* techniques. Find flexible instructors--more than one means you'll encounter different ideas and viewpoints. If you can diagnose yourself, you'll find yourself advancing more quickly because you'll be able to short circuit bad habits before they become ingrained. Furthermore, you'll also be able to teach others. It's better to practice *slowly* and *perfectly* 2,000 times than to fire 5,000 rounds badly. Think of each shot as a small piece of muscle memory...and how well that shot went off counts toward proficiency...or not.

"The One True Way" doesn't cut it if you get a gun for fighting. You'll need to learn how to apply different techniques to fit the situation. Sometimes, you'll need to point shoot; other times you'll need aimed fire. You may not get a chance to setup a full Weaver stance; you may have to shoot the guy with your ass in the air, upside down, with the gun at your crotch ;)
 
Another point: Since you mentioned getting a carry permit, forget revolvers unless you are physically unable to use anything else.

Revolvers are great in certain areas. They offer more power and can be used for specialized applications. This is good. However, they do not lend themselves well to modern combat in that their capacity is low and are slower to reload. They are also slower to shoot without extra training. Furthermore, carry gear for reloads is more bulky and less advanced. Yes, Jerry M. is very fast with a revolver, but you are NOT. Jerry M. has shot 1,000,000+ rounds out of his guns; you have shot ZERO. Jerry also did his 12 hits in 3 seconds WITHOUT MOVEMENT AND WITHOUT INCOMING ROUNDS. Though I suspect he'd prevail in a real fight, I do believe he wouldn't just stand there because a non-moving target is a bullet magnet.

In a fight, you have four defenses: 1) movement, 2) body armor, 3) cover, and 4) skill. Luck doesn't count, but plays a role. Body armor and cover help stop bullets. Skill is about your awareness (avoid the fight and so forth), your ability to maneuver for advantage, and attack/defense, and so forth. However, your single greatest defense is movement. If you do not believe me, try some force on force drills with Airsoft guns. One guy stays staionary, the other moves. Who got hit? Who had the higher probability of getting hit? Now try it with both moving. Try knife versus gun, empty hand versus gun, stick versus gun. What happens?

How many rounds did you average? Experiments with several trainers show between six and ten rounds are fired on average. Yes, it's not real, but it's as good as we can get (for now) so long as people be honest about the hits that occur. THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO WIN THE FIGHT (however that looks) AND NOT GET HIT!!!!

I think of capacity in terms of "number of guys I can shoot" based upon a 6-10 round average. So, a Glock 17 actually gets you three whole goblins with a full load. You may get more...heck, if you get 18, that's great! But what is the probability of doing so while moving at full speed in a chaotic situation? If you have only six rounds, are you at a disadvantage? That's for you to decide and your decision will balance cost, convenience, and probability.

Just something to think about. Mindset...it'll keep you alive or cause you to fall.
 
It seems there is a lot of advice here... both good and bad. If you are a novice about guns, then the best thing to do is take some instruction... at a local range, from a friend or neighbor... wherever. Then, start looking at your local stores that carry pistols. Check them all out. Stores that deal in pistols are everywhere. Actually less than buying on the internet unless you are a real searcher. New or used is irrelevant. Try to buy right, but if you pay too much, what the hell. Buy what feels good to you, in your hand. Everyone will try to push their favorite brand, but they will all do the job. Try to shoot them, if possible. The best thing to remember is, relax... no hurry. I hope you get some good info from your questions...


If we all had to go to war, we'd all be in shape. Wynton Marsalis
 
Do you have any friends who shoot? Maybe you should see if they can go to the range with you and let you shoot a few different types of gun. Offer to pay for ammo and i'm sure they won't mind a bit. Or as many have suggested try to find a place that rents guns. You also might want to try out a 9mm instead of a .40 since i'm pretty sure that you'll have an easier time adjusting to the recoil of it than you would a .40. Not only that but 9mm is cheaper which would allow you to practice more. If your worried about power, you can find 9mm loads that are more than adequate man stoppers. Also i know you mentioned something about not wanting your mom to know, but really you should definitely talk to her and your dad about it. Imagine how bad they would react if they came home and just found it and flipped out on you. I'm sure if you sit down and have a reasonable conversation with them they might not react as severely as you'd think. Look up information about gun safety and the right to carry and how it has saved many peoples lives and stopped them from being victims. I'm sure you could even find good information about that on here. Anyways after all that rambling welcome to the world of guns.
 
allways stat with a 22, no matter; pistol, rifle, semi, full auto, whatever. do that one first, to learn proper technique, then move u[.
 
decide how much you can afford, then be real tightfisted and keep shopping around online and in stores until you find a real good deal.

in the meantime, follow your ccw packing friends to the range and shoot their guns. (offer to clean them, that'll get you lots of good practice and brownie points too)

my first handgun was a Sig Sauer P228 Used for $500. I had for 10 YEARS had my heart set on a Glock 19. Once I actually held the gun in one hand and then the glock, several times, I forgot all about the Glock.

That said, Glocks are fine guns. But given the opportunity, one should try to find a gun to match himself, not the other way around.
 
Back up and slow down a bit. First, handgun possession is much more restrictive and complicated than long gun possession. Then concealed carry of a handgun is way more complicated than possession of a handgun.

You're dealing with federal and state firearms laws. A handgun is something half the legal types in the USA wish you didn't have the right to own. There are all sorts of state senate, DA, and law enforcement types out there looking to put you in jail for "unlawful possession." And it sounds to me like you're marginally clueless about firearms generally. If you weren't, you wouldn't be going to buy your "first gun" and old enough (21) to purchase a handgun.

Just as an example -- You buy a handgun from some dealer. Do you know what the law says about putting that gun in your motor vehicle and taking it home? Is it legal in your state to have it sitting on your front seat "in full view"? Or does your state require you to "keep the gun out of ready access" ? Probably not legal to have the gun, loaded or not, in the glove box. But what about in the back seat ? Is it legal in the trunk -- fullly assembled but unloaded?

What's the law say about having a loaded gun in your house? With minor children? Does your landlord have any restrictions on firearms? Restrictions on handguns as compared to long guns?

Does your state consider a handgun in a pistol case "concealed"? What about if the same gun is in a gym bag?

What about if the gun is locked in the trunk of your car, and the trunk can be unlocked by a lever in the passenger compartment, and there's a minor in your vehicle?

It's more compicated than trying to decide if you want a Glock or Smith & Wesson, 9mm, 40, or 45 ACP.
 
Last edited:
New Shooter

One thing you might want to do is go to a gun shop and try the feel of several guns . If it feels good in your hand that will be a start. When your there be careful of the GUN SHOP GURU. He'll be the one to have an opinion on everything you pick up. Make up your mind don't let the GURU make it for you. GOOD LUcK AND HAPPY SHOOTING
 
45/70 makes some very good points. You may want to check out the criminal code of your state. It should be posted online and searchable. Also, there are books about gun laws; search around for one that focuses on your state.
 
When it comes to choice of handgun, experience is less important than interest. If you're interested in guns and how they work, an automatic pistol is OK. If you just want the gun to work and don't want to bother with how, then a revolver is better for you.
 
Take an NRA basic pistol course, then go to a firing range(a lot of them rent guns). Rent several guns of different types and calibers, and decide which is best for you.
 
first gun

I am new to The High Road and am enjoying it a lot. I am not new to guns. I would advise a quality 9mm semi-auto or a 4 inch. .38/357. You do not have to go out and buy a 1911 .45 or a .44 S&W Mountain Gun. Practice, Practice, Practice. The first handgun should be a .22 for target use.
 
I agree with everyone who advocates practice/train/experience/class first, then purchase gun afterwards. A decent concealed pistol licensing class may provide some additional valuable insight into what will work for you. If the instructor cannot provide a gun or guns for you to use during the class, find another class/instructor.

Disregard the previous statement if you or loved ones are in danger or you are filthy stinking rich.
 
Utilize a range that rents handguns

Go once or twice a week and rent different guns. Find something that appeals to you and/or take an introductory firearms course. Too many people buy a handgun thinking it's what they want and then never use it because it doesn't point like it should, recoils too much is too......
Your first handgun should probably be a .22LR
Cheap to feed, accurate and will pound home all the rules of gun handling just as well as something bigger and more expensive.
Obtaining that CCW permit should not be an "I want it right now!" proposition. It will take lots of dedication on your part to become proficient.
 
whatever handgun you get burn 1,000 rounds asap to get familiar with it. my first handgun was a ruger 9mm p89dc. i shot over 100,000 rounds through it since 1992. i had one malfunction at first then another malfunction a few days ago but that was with some questionable ammo. i find the gun is still as accurate today as it was when i bought it.
 
Welcome to The High Road, Weston, and Welcome, 'edgy!
Any suggestions on buying my first gun?
Click to expand...
Sure: not on the gun, but on the choosing. Spend quite a bit of time reading old threads here at THR which deal with the same question you've asked. I'm not telling you not to ask questions or throwing you any sort of rebuke at all. I'm asserting that the wealth of information to be found here is staggering, and that a lot of the stuff that the "Search" function will bring up is fascinating. Lots of nuggets in there.

I like .22s, myself. :) Again, welcome.
 
Welcome to the board!

I'd echo what everyone else said...go rent, take a safety class, don't obsess caliber or make or model just yet. The truth is, all of the big brands (Glock, Sig, HK, Springfield, S&W, etc) are very well made guns and any of them are a fine choice.

The one thing I would amplify: Join the NRA. Learn about the right to keep and bear arms, and then help protect it.
 
Glocks are fine guns as a first gun. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. My first was a Glock 19. I had no problems what so ever. But as with any firearm you must obey the 4 basic rules of safety when handling firearms.
 
WestonSmith

Still waiting for a better framework.

Do you live with your parents?
I don't want to let my parents know, because they're quite against it, especially my mother, she's had quite a few good friends who were murdered by guns when she was a kid.
Click to expand...

From your original post it would seem you're over 21, but even assuming that, there is little other material for orientation.

Hard to derive much from a single post.
 
------quote--------
Their courses, except Home Firearm Safety, suck
-------------------

I have to disagree with this.

Many of the NRA's courses are basic/intro level, true. If you are saying that they stop short of an ideal full education, and should be followed up with more advanced courses, then I agree. But NRA intro courses don't "suck" any more than grade school "sucks" because they don't teach thermodynamics.
 
You've gotten a lot of good advice above.

I'm going to head down another path.

Do NOT try to get a CCW because "all your friends are getting one".

I can tell you are young by your post (not a bad thing, just an observation) but I think you need to evaluate some things.

You live in a "small town". I assume you are not in fear of getting mugged so you are thinking about a CCW to exercise your rights. Thats okay, but you need to think this through very, very carefully.

If you are as young and full of hormones as I was once upon a time, a CCW could very well be a bad idea.

So, I'll ask you. Why do YOU want a CCW?
 
Many of the NRA's courses are basic/intro level, true. If you are saying that they stop short of an ideal full education, and should be followed up with more advanced courses, then I agree. But NRA intro courses don't "suck" any more than grade school "sucks" because they don't teach thermodynamics.
Click to expand...

Agreed...as a first safety course, Home Firearms Safety is an overwhelming success.

***

I wasted two days in Basic Pistol AND WAS NOT A BETTER SHOOTER FOR THE EXPERIENCE. Many other students expressed dissatisfaction. I also taught the course until I took a two day defensive course.

Except for their safety course, they really are bad. I have seen all sorts of inefficient techniques (the cup grip comes to mind) taught there. Myths passed on, and so forth. During the instructor course, other instructor candidates even started getting upset at what was being taught. They wanted the certificate though, so they gritted their teeth and finished the training course.

THE NOTION THAT ACHIEVING PROFICIENCY IN GUNFIGHTING TAKES YEARS IS A FALLACY. This is not a martial art such as karate; those skills require years of dedicated practice to perfect. I am purposefully excluding combatives and knifing (though it can be argued you only need as few as five combatives moves). The reason proficiency takes so long is that most of us don't focus on it. We take a course here and there; in the mean time our skills degrade in a two steps forward, one and a half back sort of way. I'm guilty of this as I have failed to retain proficiency in carbine CQB techniques. We have to choose the skills and for people who carry, that means pistol shooting with some light combatives and knifing thrown in. It certainly doesn't take a black belt in Gun-Fu to index the slide on a goblin's torso and pull the trigger a
few times while moving off the line of attack.

Education and learning to shoot/learning fighting skills do NOT correlate. It takes years of foundation to get to the point where someone can contemplate taking a thermodynamics class. Shooting, and fighting, take the body's inherent ability and instinct and direct them toward a particular set of activities.

For example, at FPF Training's DHS 1 course (16 hours), I watched a woman with three hours experience (from the week before) go from UNABLE to draw, move, shoot, and hit to competency in under two days. That is, she had learned how to draw a handgun from concealment with moderate speed, was able to move off the line of force, and could place shots on target in a three to six inch groups on demand. Imagine what she could have done in another four days.

The NRA courses are insufficient because they are hampered by their desire to avoid offending any potential new members. The courses are (or were) primarily focused on safety, but fail in their execution of the actual skill of shooting. Forget learning anything about fighting. Somehow, states accept this as "proficient" for the purposes of licensing. Many people never go farther.

However, that does not mean the NRA courses don't have their place. They do--at the very bottom. I have advocated, for years, their safety course because it is comprehensive and focused. The students really do learn that there is a tube where a cartridge goes in one end and how to get it out. This is a very important skill and serves to "immunize" them of fear. However, their other courses are lacking in the area that is needed most: shooting and fighting. Their Personal Protection in the Home is...well, I won't go there.

So, yeah, take one of these courses with the intention of getting good training elsewhere. There are hundreds of schools across the country that provide decent training at an affordable price. Seek them out; you may find a great school in your area.
 
Last edited:
I went to a gun store Friday. They said to go shooting with a friend using as many different types of guns before buying one. One of the guys there said that his favorite that they sell is the Springfield Armory XD (they had the .45 and 9 mm, but recommended the 9mm since I\'m a beginner). They also had some glocks and a Walther P99. The Springfield Armory XD looked like a good gun. Does anyone know much about that type of pistol?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
I'm thinking this would be a straw purchase, yes?
Replies
15
Views
2K
Black Knight
B
M
  • Locked
Going to my first gun show, hoping to buy my first gun
2
Replies
45
Views
2K
Meesh
M
SkinnyGrey
  • Locked
Buying a gun in NYC
Replies
2
Views
474
ByAnyMeans
B
D
  • Locked
first purchase
Replies
4
Views
380
dvdguy
D
7
  • Locked
I'm speechless...
2 3
Replies
70
Views
3K
mgmorden
mgmorden
Back
Top