Purchased my first handgun today!

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skeptiq

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I went to a gun show today and made my first handgun purchase. I was looking for a 380 or 9mm luger. The past week, I have been looking at numerous handguns online. I also hit up my local shooting range and they had several that I was able to hold. I liked the way the Bersa and Walther felt, and the Taurus and Ruger felt good, but not as comfortable as the first two. I narrowed my list to:

Bersa Thunder 380
S&W Sigma 9mm SW9VE
Taurus 24/7 Pro 9mm
Kel Tec PF-9
Ruger P95
Walther PPK/S

I didn't see any Kel Tec's (besides the 32 and P3AT)... I saw a used Bersa that looked to be in good condition, but I am somewhat leary of a used gun due to unknown history. The guy wanted $330 for it. At a table no less than 10 yds away, they had a new one for $299. The Taurus were going for $315 - $375. Then I got to "the table" They had tons of handguns and they were the busiest table in the place. I caught the eye of a young guy working the booth and he asked if he could help me. Up to this point, I hadn't seen or held the Sigma, so I asked if he had the Sigma, he motioned for me to come to the end of the table and I followed. He had a .40 and 9mm out. As soon as I picked up the 9mm I think it was love at first touch. It felt perfect in my hand, looked good, it just plain felt right. I turned over the price tag and smiled. $320 before the $50 MIR (or two free mags). I bought it right there.

I have had this HUGE smile all day. On the way home I bought some ammo, a cleaning kit, case to keep everything in, a lock to keep everything safe. I read the manual, field stripped it, wiped it down per the manual, so I should be good to go at the range on Monday (if not tomorrow)!

Is there anything else I should make sure to do? What else is recommended to "break in" a handgun?

I am looking forward to many years of safe shooting.
 
Kudos....I can remember my 1st purchase and could hardly wait to get in some firing. Back in those days, I just went out in the woods and fired away.
Give us a pic and range report when you can. Hope the firing session goes well. :)
 
This pic was taken with my cell phone... not the best quality, but should do for now.

I grew up around guns in Texas. We had 5 acres and our neighbor had 100+ and would let us go shoot out there. If I was there now, I would be shooting right now instead of typing LOL!

I will definitely post a first range report afterward.

sw9ve.jpg
 
Excellent suggestion! The range I go to provides ear protection, and I have been wearing glasses since I was in 5th grade. I have a Rx pair of safety glasses, so I have that covered. I will prolly pick some ears of my own though...

Thanks,
Ben
 
Let us know how your range trip turns out.

I'm curious how the trigger is on yours, considering how it's been on the couple early-run ones I've held.
 
Will do. I too am curious about the trigger pull. I don't know how much you can judge from my take on it though. The only other auto I have fired is a Ruger P89, so that's the only comparison I have. I'll post after going though!
 
A Sigma 9mm was very nearly my first purchase as well. If I had been able to shoot one, I'm certain I would have wound up with it instead of my G17 as my first gun. I still like the ergonomics, but I've been very satisfied with my tactical Tupperware.
 
My first gun was an AR15 and my second was a Beretta 9mm. I have since bought many more and will need a second safe soon.
 
Welcome to the club!

the problem is now you start thinking of what gun you "need" next. it is addictive.
Click to expand...

I said that in a gun store ten days ago and boy did they lecture me! "This is a store of want not need!" It's amazing how, even when someone is joking around, those words will stick with you. But ...

... Once you get hooked, it's hard not to "need" another, and another, and another. Then when you start buying custom 1911's and Sig Swiss, etc., it's time to seek help. Call us and we'll buy them! :D
 
Ironically, I already and thinking about what gun I will use after I get my CC. I think the Sigma is a tad on the blocky side for me, but I have some time to think about it. Need to save up some cash too.

A good friend of mine that went shooting with me the other day said he's going to sell his. It's a Ruger P89 9mm. He's getting away from guns so he said the Ruger, case, 2 mags, 7 boxes of round ammo, 2 boxes JHP, 1 pack of Glaser's, and cleaning kit for $300. The gun is pristine. What do you guys think?

I am also working on getting pics of the targets for a mini range report. To post soon. What info should be included?

Thanks,
Ben
 
Congrats...What's next?

Just like everyone else here I am wondering where that the "fever" will take you next. You'll likely want a different caliber (and SA/DA compared to DAO), and maybe even think about getting a revolver within a couple months.

You read your manual and you know how that your DAO functions. Just be safe, shoot straight and make sure that nobody at the range accidentally makes off with your piece while your not looking.;)
 
I have been around guns most of my life growing up in rural Texas, however, most of the time I was around shotguns / rifles, not handguns. So this is semi-new to me. I was just reading about the different carry conditions. Fascinating the pros / cons of each. It's really an eye opener and changes the way you think about being ready. The reason I bring that up is since I am new, and although I will be getting my CC, I am not sure I am comfortable being so "new" and carrying a auto in condition one. I think I would feel more comfortable with a carry piece as a revolver until I get more aquainted and confident with an auto. After reading several articles, I think my next investment will be a revolver. Although I think the Ruger is a very good deal, and will prolly pick that up. At least if I buy my friends Ruger and he wants it back, he'll know where he can get it fast if he (read: his wife) changes his mind.

You guys rock by the way! Thanks for all the helpful articles and posts.

Ben
 
Handguns can be very addictive! Something about them...

Not bad for a first gun, especially for the price you paid. I recommend getting some trigger work done if you plan on hitting anything though. Those Sigmas have stiff, hard trigger pulls that make accurate shooting very difficult. You might be able to do it yourself for next to nothing if you search for a tutorial online.

Anyhow, good luck and enjoy your new pistol!
 
You know, doing some research, the most common issue that came up with the Sigma 9VE, is the trigger pull. So when I went to the range, it was kind of expected that I was "going to hate the trigger." I don't actually mind the trigger pull. In fact after the first 50 rounds, it has already started to find it's groove. The action is considerably smoother now than the first magazine. I have only put 80 round through it, as I was on my lunch break. I will get more through it early next week.

The first target I shot 15 rounds at about 5 yards and the grouping was pretty tight for a novice ;)

After that, I was pretty much was just running ammo through the gun at various distances.

The last ten rounds went on a new target about 10 yards out. There was one round out of the grouping and the rest were a pretty close, but not quite as tight as the 5 yards.

If I remember, I'll try to post some pics of the first and last targets tonight or tomorrow (might just have to wait until the weekend, tonight's poker night)!

My plan is to get some more ammo this weekend and try to have 250 rounds through my S&W by the end of next week.

What is the proper way to shoot at a target, I know that sounds dumb. I guess what I mean is, should i fire five rounds at the center, five rounds upper right, five round upper left, etc??? Or should I be doing groups of ten?

I was thinking:

10 center (bigger)
5 Up Right
5 Up Left
5 Bottom Right
5 Bottom Left
30 rounds total (so that's 2 mags loaded with 15 rounds)

Anyway, that would be my "break in" routine until I get about 1000 rounds through there, then I would like to start a training regiment as listed in another area of the forum.

Do you guys think that's a good plan or what would you guys suggest?

Thanks,
Ben
 
Sigma was my first handgun. It was reliable and reasonably accurate. But I couldn't get over the trigger. I thought it was 12lbs, but some of my friends with more experience said it's definitely more than that. Finally, I traded it in after 10 months and about 1,000 rounds.
 
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