I know we have several members that are gun enthusiast, so I thought I would post about my accomplishment yesterday.

I have been interested in purchasing a gun for sometime but I have never held nor discharged one. So, there was a lot of apprehension about following through on the purchase. Therefore, I signed up for a Concealed Handgun License Class to get an introduction on gun safety, the law and for the first time: to discharge a firearm in a controlled setting.

Well, I passed the 50 question test and shooting parts, so now I just have to send the State my paperwork and $140.00 bucks to receive my license. The information I took away from that class was extremely instrumental, equally helpful was discharging my first handgun. After learning how to load a clip, clear the chamber/ clip, range/gun safety. My buddy allowed me to shot his Springfield xd9 sub-compact handgun. It felt good when shooting, so I think that will be my first handgun purchase, for more practice on the range.

The class was from 8-6 and on the range I fired off 57 rounds at various distances, in different burst on the move and stationary. So, now I have a working knowledge of how to conduct myself with a handgun, $75.00 well spent. I can already see range practice is going to be an expensive recreation for me!

 

Those Springfield XD's are awesome I think... Hadn't shot the subcompact but my friend let me shoot his 9mm XD service model last year and I liked how it point/shot. I ended up buying an XD 40 cal service a couple of months ago and I like it a lot. Thinking about the XDm in .45.

If you do go and get the XD, Springer Precision will be your friend. Welcome to Springer Precision LLC - The XD/XDM Specialists

With you having such little experience with firearms, the one thing I can tell you is it's all about comfort. Doesn't matter if you get a Springfield, Glock, Sig, whatever... It has to be like a natural extension of yourself. If you're not comfortable with the pistol, you won't use it effectively when/if you need to. Go to a range and rent a whole bunch of pistols or use your friends if you have some with a varied assortment of pistols. See what you like and then buy a USED one. No sense in paying a lot of cash on an experiment. Put about 300 rounds through it to get the "feel" for it. Once you found a pistol you're comfortable with, then buy the new one. And buy a lot of different types of ammo. Different guns "like" different ammo, we're talking about accuracy here.

Hope this helps some.


Justin

 

You can build upon your CHL training by taking additional self defense classes. The NRA has several such as "Self Defense Inside the Home" that are well worth the cost.

The polymer guns are nice but don't overlook the traditional steel framed ones or those out of production. For example, the Smith & Wesson series of auto pistols, in particular the 3913/908 models, are highly regarded as concealed carry weapons. Don't overlook revolvers. They may be considered passe and hold fewer rounds, but they are an exceptional blend of reliability and lethality.

Along with trying out different guns, try out different calibers. 380, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP are the big four in autos. Most practical revolvers will be chambered in 38 Special/357 Magnum. There are, of course, many other different calibers but these are the most available and affordable ones. I've deliberately left off the lowly 22. Don't underestimate this round though - it will kill. Just takes more skill and discipline then most people have or are willing to commit to.

Plan on shooting at least monthly to maintain proficiency. Shooting a hundred to a hundred fifty rounds per session seems to work for many. Do you shoot right handed? Then knock off a few rounds with the other hand. A time can come when you need to shoot left handed and it would be good to know what to expect. Same with stance - shoot a few using one hand instead of the two handed grip shooting courses teach or shoot when prone or on your knees. Shoot sometime in the dark to experience how blindly this can be. Again, it's good to know what to expect vs experiencing it the first time in a life or death situation.

Once you get a gun, then you will need something to carry it in. Plan on spending as much time researching holsters as guns. Want to cart all your stuff to the range? Then a range bag is in order. More researching, though some shooters use a tool bag. No doubt eye and ear protection was emphasized in your CHL class, and rightly so. More items to buy! I get a lot of my shooting accessories from MidwayUSA. Decent prices and great customer service.

Of course buying a gun and assorted accessories is really just the beginning. Because sooner or later you will get another gun.......and another one....... It's sort of like modding the Crossfire - it doesn't ever really end.

Disclaimer: I bought a S&W 3913 for concealed carry (assuming we in CA ever get practical concealed carry) after reading numerous positive reviews. I also have a Springfield XD9 and like Jeep2Xfire, really think highly of it and keep it as my bedside gun.

 

Just to add a couple of points, If you go with a semi-auto handgun, in my opinion I would rather have a used quality handgun than a new piece of crap, and yes cheap guns are out there. Something mentioned in one of the previous post find something confortable to you. Example,,,are you left of right handed..Beretta took that into consideration....Glock thinks everyone is right handed...If your are not going to practice or truely become familiar with a semi=auto. consider a good revolver most importantly "BUY QUALITY" new or used.

 

Very good point...never even thought about it...gotta start using lefty at the range..thanks Brent.

 

Brent put out a good point..... Holsters.

Overlooked, but holstering and drawing your weapons is a skill worth practicing. Check that, NEEDs practicing. The ability to draw your weapon without looking down at the holster can save your life.

 

All good points listed above. You'd do well to heed all the above advice.

I think the best advice is to still go out and rent a few at the local range. Be sure to try different calibers. You really have no point of reference to tell if one is better than the other, that only comes with experience.

Personally, I've always preferred shooting .40's and .45's, but I still find it much easier to carry and conceal a .380.

You also might want to look into reloading your own brass. It is a good skill to know, and can save you a ton of money in the long run.

Enjoy the world of gun ownership. Glad to have you aboard!

 

Congratulations! Your friends XD9 is a great gun. I shoot an XD40 which is pretty much same thing with a smidgen more power than the 9 and I have nothing but praise for it. Great gun and only had it jam on me once when shooting a lanes in house reloads which I will never do again. As for the holster, the ones that come with the XD's are great if you just want to be brandishing your gun around your friends but I wouldn't use one for conceal and carry. I have one with a clip like an ink pen that holds it up inside the top of my pants and a padded one that does the same thing but actually is affixed to my belt. I don't carry as often as I once did but the padded one worked better for dress slacks while it was too bulky when wearing blue jeans. Wait, maybe I am just too bulky in blue jeans. LOL

 

Rudy,
The bulkier you are the easier it is to hide one.....

I havent figured out how to conceal carry my rifle yet......

 

Simple.......

Walk like you were born without knees!

 

A license for conceal carry?
Why bother. Just move to Arizona!

I too just bought my first pistol. Intended use is for home protection and dealing with guys that throw nails in front of my Crossfire after I cut them off or guys that call me out on the forum!

 

As some people here carry a hand gun at times, it made me wonder if anyone had ever found it useful in deterring a crime.

 

If everyone was equally armed, it would be a great deterrent. Most crime is opportunistic. Whether that opportunity is breaking into a house that is perceived to be empty or mugging someone because they are believed to be unarmed, it's all the same. If you gave everyone a gun, those that currently had them would have to think twice about doing something unlawful as they may be equally armed, or in the case of some members here on the forum, out-gunned altogether. This really doesn't have to do with politics, it's a statement of fact. The guy carrying the bigger stick wins and I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.

 

Yes.................................duh!.......lol .....ok, jk, I quess I don't count...

 

No Doc, I don't think you count. If I had a baseball bat and all you had was a chapstick, I'd still think twice about messing with you so your gun may not have had anything to do with it. Little guys that get a mean streak in them...Yeah us big boys can usually hold our own but **** off the little devils and all hell breaks loose. LOL BTW, so no one finds this offensive, Doc is shorter than I am. He's also smaller than I am. He's probably tougher than I am too but as of right now, we both have an 0-0 record so the jury's still out on that one and I'd like to keep it that way.

 

this is a gun thread Rudy....but we are finally back in the gym, and defensive tactics again, since the ole' groin injury....lol Men just weren't designed to do the splits, no matter how old you are...so, I am getting ready for you....turning fat back to muscle one last time before I die....lol
Getting in shape may kill me, who knows....now for the gun thread...pistols are fun to shoot, but, it is a mind set on how, and when to use, not use, when to display, when not to display...and on and on.....just be sure to tell that officer if it is in a place where it might be seen if you are ever stopped. Wouldn't want you to open the console, or glove box and surprise a young officer....lol....you might just get to see what his looks like....

 

I don't know Doc, are you getting ready for me? Memorial weekend is just around the corner. LOL I don't plan on fighting you unless it's over the last pork chop. I WILL win that one. Hehe.

But as far as guns are concerned, yes, make sure that you never surprise an officer that you have a gun. Never done it myself but always make sure my hands are firmly planted on the steering wheel when I tell them I have one in the car and where it is. BTW, make sure to use your noggin and don't keep your ID and insurance in the same place you keep your CCW. It's just a bad idea any way you look at it.

 

Here in Michigan you have to tell the officer that you have a CCW even if you are not carrying!

 

In your case, they just bring it up on their in car computer.......
I use to carry a wheel gun for off duty, but, since I am just working part time now, I just carry my old glock 23 all the time...I do have a small derringer .22 magnum for situations where I can't carry the glock...
A good hammerless .38 special 2" barrel is a great off duty...and is what I recommend to all women to carry. A wheel gun will shoot no matter what. Women can shoot right from their purse without even having to display it. Men can shoot from their coat pocket, again without ever displaying it...A semi auto, in the same situation, you will get one shot, then it will eat whatever is in the purse or the coat pocket...so choose your weapon wisely...

 

Like this? Small and light. Fits in the pocket easy. Shooting it this past weekend I got a nice blister after just 25 or so rounds.