Maryland Gun Owners Inside

[JasonMD85]

Hello All. I recently turned 21, and having a farm in WV, am obviously interested in purchasing a handgun for range use. I noticed a few active Maryland members posting, so I thought this would be a good place to start.

#1 Where are your favorite Gun stores, and range's / Why? (I live in Columbia, but distance isnt all THAT important)

#2 Any suggestions on a pistol for my first purchase? We have Guns in WV so traveling with mine isnt really nessesary. My first pistol purchase is going to be range only, with a self defence pistol following later after some practice (Assuming the range pistol wont act as a defensive pistol ie. 22LR etc.). My shooting experience is pretty limited. Basically, .22 Rifles a few times, and a 12 GA when I was younger, never a pistol.

#3 Where to take the saftey course? I need somewhere thats not goign to charge $3000, and has a pretty good amount of them, as I dont want to wait 2 years on a waiting list, and Sat./Sun are my only real days I can take them

On a sidenote, Anyone willing to meet up to teach a youngin' the saftey stuff, basic range rules, how to shoot etc., would be very appreciated, maybe even enough to buy some beer

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Jason,
The Isaac Walton League has very nice range facilties over near Damascus. About $150 a year, pretty good deal.

I like Accurate Pawn near Elkridge (Rt 1), good prices and the guy will work with you on anything you want to order.

On Target (Rt 175) I think will do the safety class for you on a walk in basis. You just have to watch a video (I think, I didn't have to mess with that). I'm sure they charge something but it shouldn't be wild. I'm sure some folks who shoot there will chime in with better info.
I don't care for the place so I rarely stop by.

The Armory in Annapolis is worth stopping into. Nice selection.

I have to run so I won't go into firearms choices now. Read up, there is a lot of great info on this site.

 

[nico]

My 9mm CZ-75B SA was my first handgun purchase last summer (I was 22). It was a little over $500 from The Gun Rack in Burtonsville (on route 198 just west of route 29). The "safety course" is just a ridiculously stupid 20 minute video that superficially covers a lot of info you'll already know if you read over this site for a while. It was included in the purchase price, and should be included anywhere you buy a gun.

I had been shooting my dad's S&W 910 since I was 14, so I had some experience with pistols. The CZ is very easy to shoot, MUCH more accurate than my dad's S&W, and since it has a steel frame, has pretty low recoil. It's also been dead reliable through the 440 rounds I've had time to put through it. For an economical range/bedside gun, you can't beat it IMO.

As for ranges, I shoot at On Target, when I get time. I bought my SKS from them, and like the people that work there, but their handgun prices are usually a little high. It's a good public range, but if you have a lot of time to shoot, I might look into one of the local clubs, like Ohen mentioned. The Hap Baker Range at the Carroll County Landfill is also a good pistol/rifle range if you don't mind the drive.

 

[Norton]

Jason,

First off, welcome to the board. There's more than a few MD folks here so we hope that you'll stick around and join us for some get togethers.

I'll echo what Ohen Cepel and nico said. I've bought several things from On Target and have found their prices to be a tad high, but not outrageously so for MD. They've been increasing their inventory as of late so it's worth a stop by to check things out.

Gun rack has some things, like CZs that are too common in many other stores in the area so definitely worth a look-see.

Accurate Pawn seems like nice folks. I would have bought an FAL from them, but ended up getting a better price at another place.

The Armory is high on prices, but his overhead must be crazy high with being in Annapolis. Hal has the most HKs of anywhere I've been recently if that's your bag. Also had a very nice selection of 1911s the last time I was there. It's worth going there just to look at his Class III collection

There's also A+D Pawn in Glen Burnie. Pretty good selection and great folks working the counter. Gil carries Para Ordnance stuff in stock, which is sort of uncommon.

Only place that I refuse to set foot in is Select Fire in Glen Burnie.

If you want to have an unbiased voice to accompany you to look at some stuff, PM me. No big deal for me to get to any of the aforementioned shops with the exception of Accurate or Gun Rack.

Where's your place in WV? We have a place down in the Southeast corner.

 

[JasonMD85]

my family has a farm called Big Moses in Tyler County, near New Martinville or w/e its called I work in Elkridge so ill check out Accurate Pawn on my way home tonite. Thanks for the replies, they are greatly appreciated. I would have thought a Pawn shop would be the last place Id want a gun at, glade I asked . I also was expecting a sit down, few hour long class for the saftey thing. A video is also a nice suprise.

 

[Capital Punishment]

The only thing required for you to buy a pistol is that you watch a 15 minute safety video. Pretty much all gun shops will let you watch it for free if you're buying from them.

Another reccomendation to A & D Pawn in glen burnie. Excellent place.

 

[Norton]

Jason,

Where's Tyler county in relationship to a city like Charleston, Beckley, etc?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I forgot The Gun Rack. Also a pretty good shop as other's have mentioned.

Accurate has a lot of stuff, it's just not out for the public to see. Ask if you're looking for something special.

Are you thinking .22 for a first weapon or something else? Revolver or Auto?

 

[MikeK]

Another vote for the Gun Rack. Associated Gun Clubs has a range west of Baltimore. It should be less than 30 minutes from you. You need to join a member club. I belong to Monumental www.monumental.org Annual dues are $45 for the club and $150 for a range badge. The web page has links to the Associated page, which has links to the other clubs. You also have to be an NRA member.

I would vote for a .22 as a first handgun. The Rugers are hard to beat for value and sturdiness.

Welcome aboard.

 

[Mike128]

If you ever head down to Ocean City there are two good small gunshops. Wink's Sporting Goods in Princess Anne and Manchester Shooting Supplies in Bishopville. Good guys who will work with you and not talk down to you as some of the other stores do on the eastern shore.

I would suggest getting a more popular style 22. Ruger single six for a revolver or MK II for semi auto. I learned on a Smith and Wesson 22S and while it is a good gun it has a low resale value. I'm currently decided it was worth more to keep shooting and teach my friend on than to sell. (I was selling the pistol on here for less than what Gander Mtn was going to give me before I came to my senses.)

Lessoned learned, spend the money on a popular style gun and there will always be aftermarket parts and people wanting to buy. Also, if you do start doing some customization to the gun you WILL NOT get your money out of it. Good luck and glad your on board.

 

[pcf]

For used or new handguns try Scott's Gunsmithing in Glen Burnie. The used selection is slim and not the greatest prices, but Scott backups everything he sells. I bought a used Marlin 30A from him, and it had a couple issues that surfaced after a good cleaning: some pitting in the bore, scratched crown and didn't cycle smoothly. I took the rifle back and was ready to go off the deep end with him. Before I could say anything he offered me $100 back and to the fix the rifle as best he could or a full refund. I took the refund but his offer to fix the rifle was more than fair and he definitely would have lost money on it.

I have a friend who bought an AR15 from him, had some minor issues with it, canted front sight, gas key came loose. Both fixed for free the same day, not "send it back for warranty work."

Another place to consider, not the greatest prices, but on the flip side you a have a good gunsmith that backs up what he sells.

 

[MikeH]

If you don't mind driving, Glade Valley Sporting Goods at Frederick usually has a good collection of used handguns. Price range is also far more reasonable than some of the gunshops downtown.

 

[Spot77]

On Target also includes a free training session with every handgun purchase. It goes well above and beyond what you might learn in that cheesy state mandated video.

They also throw in a free hour of range time.

On Target would probably be the closest range to you since you live in Columbia. They're right in RTE 175 near Ft Meade. www.ontargetdot.com


Lately Bass Pro has been carrying about 30 handguns in their display cases including HK's, Rugers, Brownings, Taurus, Springfield and Smith and Wesson. Prices seemed fair.

 

[JasonMD85]

Norton: Just curious as to why you said no to Select-Fire. I stoped by a pawn shop in elkridge on my way home from work to get some guidance, not sure if it was Accurate or not since the only two I know of there are simply labeled "Pawn Shop," but this was the one BEFORE the dunkin' donuts if your coming from laurel. Not the little tiny one by Commercial Tire. One of the employees at the store actually recommended Select-Fire and On Target, giving Select-Fire a better recommendation.

They also told me I would be good starting off with a 9mm, such a S&W (not sure what model, one was all black, one was stainless, both were 4" with THICK grips and in 9mm flavor) instead of anything smaller. After the told me I needed to FIND a copy of the video (like somewhere else) and told me I would grow into a 9mm, I held a few of their autoloaders and told them to have a nice day.

I think im going to end up taking a trip to On-Target and try out a few different styles, see what I like best. I know I like the feel of an autoloader MUCH better than a revolver, but other than that I have no idea. Never shot a hangun before, so I dunno if I like thinner grips, thicker grips, how much recoil I can deal with etc. How much should I expect to bring with me, $ wise, when I do go to On-Target and try a few out? Will I be able to rent ear muffs and glasses there, or do I have to buy some first? Also, where can I "FIND" this NRA video?

Finally, Nortorn: Tyler County is like right at the bottom of the North West panhandle of WV. From what I remember, Beckley is at the South West panhandle of WV, and WV is a pretty big state..

 

[Stainless Chili]

I visited several shops several times.
Eventually a Browning Buckmark was bought, for $270.

I eventually sold it for $200, so resale was fine.

I'm looking at a higher-end semi-auto .22LR now that I've gone through the caliber grail. Probably spend $350-$450 for a Ruger target model.

I learned by asking a lot of questions, but when it came time to really learn, it was just me in the woods.

Wear hearing protection.
Keep the pistol pointed in a same direction at all times.
Keep your finger away from the trigger until you are ready to engage a target.
Read the Rules.

Shooting cans with a .22 is loads of fun. You can do it on the farm.

 

[Live Free Or Die]

Jason,

If you go to shoot at On Target, $30 should be enough to rent guns, eyes 'n' ears, buy ammo, and shoot for an hour. The reason it's so high is you have to buy their overpriced ammo if you want to rent their guns. Alternatively, take Norton up on his offer to join you at the range. I'm sure he'll let you shoot with him on the same range, using his membership. That'll save you at least $10 bucks/hour. If you're happy trying out his guns instead of renting (I don't know what he has), then the whole trip would be free, 'cept for the couple dollars for muffs & glasses.

 

[JasonMD85]

Thanks for the advice guys. I would love to go to the range with someone, seeing as I have never shot a pistol before, and would really feel a lot more comfortable with a coach. At the same time, I dont want to "push" anyone into taking a know-nothing "kid" to the range, especially one where they have friends and may be put into an uncomfortable situation. I can also whole heartidly understand why someone wouldnt want some random "kid" putting wear and tear on their personal $400+ hardware. Thats why I was trying to get some advice here, and rent out a stores gun that I wont feel bad using. The money for the range is not an issue. Im not a millionare by any means, infact as many of you know, Columbia is not a cheap place to live, but at the same time I dont have a problem spending my hard earned money for hobbies and the like. Theres no point in working hard, if you cant have a little fun with your paycheck

Just to clarify about the Farm thats been mentioned. The farm in WV is about 6 1/2 hours away, and I only make the trip 2 times a year or so. I wish every day that i LIVED on the farm, and could come home after work and shoot cans etc. but that is not the case. I LIVE in Columbia, and I suppose you could say have a "Vacation" spot in WV. This first pistol will be purley a Maryland target range pistol, untill I feel comfortable enough to purchase a higher caliber side-arm pistol for "Farm" use.

 

[readyfire]

Theres an awesome gunshop in Annapolis Md called the armory,they stock all kinds of milsurp rifles and ammo.They also have a huge selection of fals,aks,ar15s.They have class 3 weapons and one hell of a smith whos there on tuesdays.Check em out i dont go anywhere else anymore this guys got everything i could possibly want which winds up being hard on the wallet.