Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello everyone,
I am very new to the shooting world and in fact just went for my first range shooting today! It was fantastic. Getting ready to purchase my first gun and have a few options of things that I like to shoot. Right now just trying to decide whether I should start with a 22 to get better at target shooting with, or just jump to a 9? Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. I have been reading posts here for the last 2 months and have already learned so much from all of you that I cannot wait to be a part of the process.
Thank you for your time.

I say go for the 9mm. My wife really enjoys shooting her Springfield XD-9. She has suggested that she wants an XD-45. I may have to get one for myself first though.

Welcome aboard!

to vgof, Jessy.
i say get both the .22 and 9mm.
imo, 9mm is a minimum self defense caliber, and .22 is just plain fun to shoot at the range. cheap, too.

Some guns have .22 conversion kits available for them. The .22 conversion kit allows you to use the same holster, same grip, safety, trigger, etc. and the same "manual of arms" - physical movements of using the gun.

I keep telling myself I'm going to get one for my 1911's or for my Glock but I haven't done it yet. I have bought .22 conversion kits for my AR and I use them all the time. 500 rounds of .22 ammo from WalMart for less than $20 vs. a couple of hundred dollars (or more) for 500 rounds of .223 ammo. For indoor practice or pistol practice a .22 is fine.

I can't give you any advice on which brand/model to buy as everyone has different preferences for the feel in your hand, the recoil, their confidence in the round the pistol shoots, etc.

Welcome to VGOF, Jessy

Ok.. What I recommend is two things:

(FIRST)
Take a simple safety course first.. Shooting is a GREAT hobby and I try to learn as much as I can about it..
- They are CHEAP, I suggest not doing the internet course because hands on is a must really
- This will tell you all the NEED TO KNOW stuff.. ( Also keep the range officer happy )
- Follow it like religion and read the material over and over ( Safe handling and understanding is a must )
- This way you can be safe and be aware of what others are doing. Responsibility is not only for yourself but also the idiot next to you. You would be surprised how many people point a loaded gun at their head, wondering why it's not shooting. Class covers all of this..
- Oh yeah, they will teach you how to clean the guns too ( also a must )

Second:
Then go to a range that has rentals. Gunnie's in shops are sometimes moody cause of some idiots that come in, but not all of them.( Just a little warning ) Suggest bringing a friend who is experienced. That way if you do run into mister grumpy.. Your friend can answer some questions too. Plus you won't feel overwhelmed with choices and have someone with you that is not trying to empty his shelf. It all works for the better.
- Hold many many guns, because guns kinda choose their owners. Hand size, weight, etc..
- Look at different calibers. If your set on 22lr and 9mm, hold many of each caliber..
- Take em for a test run I would guess about 20 rounds through each will give you an idea of whether it's too heavy, too much recoil, uncomfortable, etc.. Take your time there is no rush..
- If you are deciding to use this as a personal carry pistol, ask them about classes.. It's worth it

Finally when you have visited a few places, I wouldn't buy the final choice in a shop. I would go used or if you REALLY like it and must have new.. Go online, you can save 100's of dollars with used and new on places like gunbroker, cheaperthandirt, etc.. Shop around.. Plus if you held it in the shop, you know what it's gonna look like anyway.. Hope this helps and really happy to see you join the VGOF crowd

Oh yeah, my suggestion.. Go with the 9mm since it can also be a defense caliber also.. 22 has no stopping power plus there is no fun in no recoil

Happy Shooting

Thanks so much for all the advice. I have already scheduled my first shooting class it's 5 hours one on one should be really nice. He's gonna have me shoot everything from a 22 up to a 45 I believe. I am
Looking Forward to it. I don't want to be that person pointing at my own head . From what everyone is saying I am really considering just going to the 9. I shot a 22 yesterday and as someone said no recoil was yeah no fun. Thanks again for the advice and I will definitely follow as much of it as I can.

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You will do fine.. Just remember the basics

-Point the muzzle in a safe direction
-A firearm is ALWAYS loaded ( they will explain that )
-Keep your finger OFF the trigger till your ready to shoot
-My rule ( clean after every shooting )

The rest is cake once you play a few times

Welcome! Please let me know if I can assist you with any training needs.

Welcome!!

After the SSG Tactical course, my wife picked a Walther PPS 9mm (she LOVES it!).

Be forewarned though: Curt (your trainer) is a die-hard revolver fan - and is very convincing because he knows his stuff; lots of experience there. But still, there are pros and cons to be assessed when choosing between revolvers or a semi-autos. Both have strengths and weaknesses.

You will definitely want to research this - depending on how you plan to utilize the gun - before your date with the gun store! My advice? Get both! Argument solved!

I am loving the idea of having both darn the whole only one gun a month rule can't wait till July. Yeah I've been researching guns every night after work cannot wait to just buy one.
Yeah Curt said we would be shooting some 38 so that should be fun. Although I do not think that I am a big revolver fan, however, I have only shot one. We will see I suppose!

He talked my wife into a revolver, then when she went in to purchase, another guy talked her out of it.

When you purchase, I highly recommend either SSG or DeGoffs in Richmond. My wife and I have bought a few firearms in the last few months from Bass Pro, Gander, SSG Tactical and DeGoffs.

The result: all four were more expensive than you would find on the web, but I didn't mind that much. SSG Tactical walked me through the purchase, devoting close to an hour with me two separate times for purchases.

DeGoffs devoted 90 minutes with my wife for her purchase (where she ultimately got her PPS). The gun was about $100 more than it should have been, and I consider it money well spent. They did a great job walking her through what her needs and wants were, as well as things to consider.

BassPro/gander, you will pay a lot and you will be lucky to get the information you need. They are trying to get through customers fast and the time we got was poor. I chalk those two up to feeling like buying a car. You'll be told what you want to hear.

On the cal recomendations Lots of things to consider I would make a counter-recomendation for the 22 simply because you can shoot more at each trip and more trips can be taken economicly.

That being said my round count each trip goes 44 mag>40 s&w>9 mm>380>22 lr>12 ga

"The Range" in Stafford on Route 1 near the Stafford airport has a few gun rentals available. I've been there a couple of times, and it's a decent place to shoot indoors.

Here are the rentals they have available: http://indoorrange.com/forrent.html

Yeah that's where I went for my first shooting trip. Had a lot
Of fun.

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Finally made my choice and bought my first gun yesterday at the gun show. I bought a Springfield xd 9 compact!! I can't wait to go
Shoot it tomorrow.

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Legallyme88 wrote:Finally made my choice and bought my first gun yesterday at the gun show. I bought a Springfield xd 9 compact!! I can't wait to go
Shoot it tomorrow.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

My wife has the XD9 Subcompact. She really enjoys shooting it.

*Edit: I just looked back through this thread and I already said this once lol

Legallyme88 wrote:Finally made my choice and bought my first gun yesterday at the gun show. I bought a Springfield xd 9 compact!! I can't wait to go
Shoot it tomorrow.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

coooooooooool!
You gotta take pro shooters advance course now then! My wife had a blast yesterday!

O yeah that was this weekend huh? How amazing was it?