Use brand new gun for CC class?

[gregj]

Here's my delima. I will be picking up my brand new Sig P239 (9mm) today, and my CCW class is scheduled for this Sat am. Between now and then, I dont think I will have the time to put some rounds through her before Sat am.

So I either take the new gun and break her in during the class, or take my trusty Hi-Point C9 (which I have no problems cutting the X out a 7 yrds).

I have shot a few other Sigs before (220, 226, 232, GSR), and am somewhat comfortable with their DA/SA trigger action. So I feel comfortable with taking this brand new gun to the class. And being a Sig, I expect it to perform flawlessly (but of course, there is that chance it won't).

If I take the Sig (and of course take my C9 as b/u), should I clean/lube it first? I found it at a pawn shop, and it's been sitting in their safe since '98, still in the wrapping and box, and got a really, really good deal on it. So I expect a good cleaning/lubing is in order anyway.

Appreciate the recommendations.

Greg

 

[minh]

congrats on purchase, i've handled one of those before and they seems comfortable

regarding your question, i would bring both, use the sig first, if that doesnt work out, use your back up c9

 

[CountGlockula]

Yup, clean it.

 

[1911 guy]

Clean it, lube it and run it. I'd take the Hi-Point as a backup, but since you're going to a *shooting class* you should have a backup anyway. Kinda like having an extra pencil in school when you were a kid.

I put the emphasis on the class because it's not so obvious to many that you are spending money to learn a specific skill and that money will not be returned to you if you happen to have a bad day. Assume Mr. Murphy will be along for the road trip.

 

[Ske1etor]

these guys have the idea...

Field strip, clean it out... lube it up and bring out the new toy and give it a run at the class. If you have problems, take out the trusty backup and finish the class.

Its a Sig 239 though... so I doubt you will ever have a problem with it.

 

[gregj]

Thanks for the feedback, that's kinda what I thought I should do. I'll get some pics tonight and post them on the Sig Club thread. I feel like a kid with a new toy.

 

[pogo2]

Worth a try

Since it is a Sig, the chances of it working the first time are very high. So I would take it to the class, after a good cleaning and lubricating beforehand. But I'd also take the old gun and leave it locked in your trunk, just in case. A 9mm P239 is very easy to shoot, so I don't think you'll have much trouble. I bought one about 6 months ago, and it worked fine the first time at the range.

 

[kcshooter]

Is this a training class, or just the required class for a CCW license? If it's anything like my state, I shot less than 100rds thru 2 different guns to qualify. It wasn't like I was giving them a real workout or anything, so I would have taken an unproven gun with no worries.

 

[gregj]

KCshooter, it's the required class for the CCW, so I doubt I'll be shooting more than 50 rounds for the class. From what I understand, the range portion is basically to make sure you know what end of the gun the bullets come out from. I was planning on shooting more afterwards to break it in more.

I just got through cleaning and lubing it, and slapping on a set of Hogue grips. Man, does this thing feel nice. My 14yr old son was helping me, and really liked the new grips. if I'm not careful, he might just take it away from me.

 

[kcshooter]

From what I understand, the range portion is basically to make sure you know what end of the gun the bullets come out from.

Yep, sounds like the same style class. (Funny thing was, I think there were a couple people in there that needed told which end was which.)
I'd bring the c-9 for a back up but I doubt the Sig will give you any trouble.

 

[lee n. field]

Take both. Clean and lube the Sig first. If the Sig malfs significantly, you'll have the Hi-point to fall back on.

 

[Majic]

Since your Hi-Point is trusty and you shoot it well just take it to the class. Use your proven performer rather than relying on an unknown variable. Sigs in general have a great reputation but you don't know about that particular Sig.

 

[Tribal]

Greg, I'm in Virginia and used a brand-new gun for my CC class. Fortunately for me I adapted well, as I only barely passed the shooting test (I'm better now). Stick with what works for you. You can shoot the heck out of the Sig later, but for now keep your eyes on the prize and pass the test.

 

[Trebor]

Take the Sig. Clean it and lube it first.

I'd trust a Sig, even one that is new to you, to run more then I'd trust that High Point.

 

[SubSolar]

You should be fine unless you were very unlucky and got a lemon. It's a small chance.

 

[Muddflap]

Definately clean it, and make sure you do the magazines too. They put some nasty sticky stuff in the mags.

 

[jackstinson]

Clean the Sig, take both of them, and don't worry.
Due to ammo restrictions/availability (frangible) at the range where the class I took was being held, I shot a loaner S&W 3913 which I had never even held before. It wasn't a problem. We shot at 15 yards, but many local courses shoot at 3, 5, and 7 yards. Not exactly long range target shooting.
It sounds like you will be just firing 50 shots to comply with regs. If you find that you need a certain point score to pass, you'll have the Hi-Point that you shoot well anyway.

 

[CWL]

Use the gun you plan to carry for self defense. Everything else is only a 'backup'.

 

[krs]

I'm with Trebor in thinking I'd much rather have a new Sig than any High point.

I haven't seen one in quite a while but the High Point i once handled seemed to be a pot metal cheapo that could disintegrate at any moment. I didn't feel like trusting the well being of my hand and declined the kind offer of the owner to shoot it.

I think that guy wanted to see if I could shoot it well because he was putting rounds everywhere BUT in the black and I was keeping all of my shots in the black with my 1911 - one of those kind of things.

Is Hi Point making a decent pistol now? They sure LOOK bad.

 

[Defensory]

I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Even though I own multiple handguns, when I took my CC course and the NRA Basic Pistol course, I borrowed a handgun from the instructors both times. I shot well, even though I had never handled either weapon before.

If you're well-grounded in the basics of handgun shooting, it won't make much difference whether your gun is new or not.

 

[gregj]

KRS, like many things in life, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To a lot of folks, the Hi-Point looks great. But it is what it is, a decent gun that allows a lot of folks to get into shooting that otherwise probably wouldnt due to the cost of entry. I got it because it was a lot easier to get $150 approved by the CFO than $850!! A lot of folks are comfortable with CC the Hi-Point, some are not. I really dont think they are marketed (or built) to be defensive quality weapons, which is why I bought the Sig. But my little C9 does shoot well, and it's a blast at the range, and my sons enjoy shooting it, which is the main reason I bought it.

 

[gregj]

Well, I took my CC class today, and it was indeed an eye opener. The instructor is a deputy from a surrounding county Sheriff's office, and he was very good. He covered the usual legal stuff, as well as basic pistol fundamentals. I thought it was very good as it helped me in a lot of areas, my grip, stance, aim, etc. He and his partner teach 9 additional levels of courses that are progressively more tactical. I think I will look into signing up for them, they will only make me more proficient.

And my little Sig performed flawlessly, of course. The only problem I had was occasionally the slide would not lock back on empty. I thought about this later, and loaded up some snap caps, and did some experimenting. Turns out, my new grip was causing my strong thumb to rest just enough on the slide relase that it was preventing it from coming up and engaging the slide on an empty mag. So the problem was me, and it indeed performed flawlessly. Now I just need to work on my grip so that it fits the gun and me better.

We shot the requisite 50 rounds at 7 yrds, and I have to say I am very pleased with the results for the first time at the range with my new Sig. All but 2 rounds were in the black. The first round was way low, not sure what happened there, probably nerves. The second round was on the edge of the 8 ring, all others were in the black or bulls eye. Sweet. I was shooting a little low, I need to get used to putting the front sight over the POA instead of just under it. (Yeah, I know it's upside down, this is the way the instructor stapled it up.)

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, much appreciated.

 

[kcshooter]

I haven't seen one in quite a while but the High Point i once handled seemed to be a pot metal cheapo that could disintegrate at any moment. I didn't feel like trusting the well being of my hand and declined the kind offer of the owner to shoot it.

It seems I say this at least once a week. I shot over 5k rounds thru my c9 before I traded it. For $150 there isn't anything that comes close to it, especially when you consider their warranty covers any damage at all, even damage caused by the shooter themselves, i.e. shooting on a squib load. And it is almost always the non-owners bashing them, those who actually own and shoot them find them to be accurate and reliable. It just amazes me that everyone jumps in to bash them simply because of their price point. Again, I will always take the voice of those experienced thru actual ownership over the opinions of those who's brother's cousin's best friend's uncle had a bad experience with one.

Bet you wouldn't have felt the same way about it if it had a $400-$500 price tag, would you?

 

[possum]

glad you liked the course, if you want to go to the next level check out some places like tdi ohio and Tactical resposne, you know how to shoot tactical response will teach you how to fight with a handgun!