New Handgun owner

[DDrake]

First, I like to say hi. I decided to register on this forum because it seems really active and I would like to improve my knowledge about guns. Recently, I got a PX4 Beretta 9mm as a present from my mom (I am 20 years old) and trying to understand everything about it. I always enjoyed shooting guns but I have several questions which I never seemed to figure out by myself.

So prepare for a bunch of stupid questions

1) How to hold a gun properly: Right now, I keep my left side towards the target and my grip has my right-hand thumb going towards the target and my left-hand thumb towards me. I've watched other people shoot, and they mostly seemed to be squared with the target with both thumbs facing forward. I was wondering if this is the proper way to handle a pistol. If I place both my thumbs forward, I can not seem to work the safety well (a lot of pressure needed and does not feel good).


2) Reloading: When I finish a mag, the PX4 has the slide cocked. The first thing I do is drop the mag, then I decock it by the small lever, and turn the saftey on (which decocks it). I was just wondering if this method creates un-necessary wear-and-tear to the gun. Someone told me that its best to push the slide back, and let it slam forward instead of using the lever.

3) Decocking the gun with Safety: This is just something I wondered about .... I thought whenever the hammer goes shut, the firing pin hits the bullet .... but it obviously doesn't do that when you put the safety on. Is the hammer for the px4 simply cosmetic, allowing you to avoid the double-action trigger pull, or does it actually force the pin down.

4) Another habit I got into is I always cock the gun before shooting it. I simply don't care for the double-action trigger pull (bit tough to push down) so I manually push the hammer down, then shoot it. Is this a bad habit?


Thanks if you can answer these questions.

 

[tbtrout]

I would suggest taking a handgun instruction course as well as post where you live. there might be some members in your area that can help guide you. Good luck

 

[RNB65]

There's a lot of room for personal preference in holding a handgun. But take a look at this vid, it offers some excellent pointers on how to hold a pistol.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4584332856867071363

 

[pax]

Absolutely, enthusiastically endorse the idea of taking a class. You should seriously consider it. There are a lot of good materials available, online, in print, and on videos, which provide good information about shooting. Absolutely none of it is as valuable or as worthwhile a use of your time as spending a few hours with a qualified instructor in person.

Fact is, shooting is a physical skill. That means it's just plain easier to learn in person, by doing it under the watchful eye of an experienced shooter, than it is from any other method.

That said ...

1) Grip: http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/grip.aspx

How to stand: http://www.corneredcat.com/Basics/stance.aspx

2) Reloading. Several different ways to do it. You can use the slide release lever to send the slide forward again, or you can grab the slide (overhand or slingshot hold), pull it back just slightly, and then let the slide slam forward again under its own spring tension. If you choose to close the slide by hand, do not allow your hand to follow the slide forward. Let go of the slide and let it go forward on its own -- if you follow it forward, you may create a jam. (Oh, on an empty chamber, always ease it gently forward by hand; I'm talking only of loading or reloading here.)

Which is better? *shrug* That's one of those religious wars that often erupt on firearms sites. Personally, I prefer overhand because it is a large-muscle movement, but hitting the slide release has its fans.

...

4) Don't get in the habit of firing only in SA mode, unless you are just practicing for playing on the range. If you are practicing for self-defense, practice in DA mode for the first shot, since that is how you would carry the gun.

Hope that helps.

Oh, and welcome to THR.

pax

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

First suggestion. Read your manual. Cover to cover with a piece of paper to take notes. Jot down anything you don't understand. Go back and read it a second time trying to fill in your notes.

 

[DDrake]

Thanks for the feedback.


Yes, I have read the manual and it saids nothing against how I was releasing the slide. The only reason I brought those two things up is because someone told me it can cause unnecessary wear-and-tear. I don't think the gun going to fail because of it .... I just want it to last a lifetime =)


Secondly, I plan to take lessons in July when I turn 21. That way I can get my CWP. Right now I am focus on target shooting and getting used to the sound and noise of firearms. I still flinch when shooting them ... and its bad for accuracy.

 

[GoBrush]

DDrake:

I have another idea for you. Go to the range. Leave all your gear except for Eyes, and Ears in your range bag. Just stand and observe. If it is an indoor range many of them have glass where you can watch. Watch different shooters techniques and how well they punch holes in the paper. When you determine someone that obviously knows what they are doing approach them and tell them that you are new to the sport and ask them if they would take a few minutes to give you some pointers. I bet there is a 99% chance that they will take a few minutes to help you. Start out by giving them a complement. I would be REAL surprised if the guy or gal did not take you up on your request. This little bit of training might bridge the gap between now and July.

Another way you could do this is simply by having a friend go with you and give you some tips.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

My original suggestion of reading the manual was more directed towards your desire to "understand everything about it" than towards your specific questions. It is invaluable to understand the actual mechanics of the gun.

Yes, I have read the manual and it saids nothing against how I was releasing the slide

If you're manual is the same as the one offered online by Beretta....

Loading is on page 69. In option 1 the second bullet point says to pull back the slide and release it. Option 2, on page 70, indicates to lock it back and use the slide catch to close.

How to unload started halfway down page 71 of your manual. Third bullet point tells you how to pull back the slide. Then there are three warning, followed by a second bullet point telling you to release the slide. Since it doesn't say to enage the slide stop, you just let it go.

Reloading, where your specific question comes from, is covered on page 75, third bullet from the top. "Press the slide catch to close the slide and to load the chamber".

As far as question three, which I didn't see answered above. When you decock, there is a firing pin block that prevents the hammer from hitting the firing pin or the firing pin from moving forward.

 

[Vonderek]

Take a class before you create any bad shooting habits that might be difficult to break later. Also, now that you are a responsible gun owner, I would highly recommend you join an organization that fights for you to keep your 2nd Amendment rights...such as the NRA or Gun Owners of America.

 

[CountGlockula]

+1 on taking some courses.

 

[armoredman]

Welcome, new shooter! I agree wholeheartedly about classes, including even the NRA hunter safety course, which should be offered in your area. Also, GoBrush had a good idea - if someone came up to me asking for help, I would be more than happy to help. Do be careful - some curmudeons do exist in this world, too.
Once again, welcome to a new world, full of good people, and wholesome fun, as well as the serious side of the right to self defense.