Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

With the turn of recent events, and the likelihood of future events to come, I am looking to purchase a handgun. Im not looking for something that is crazy expensive. I would like a semi-automatic, or double action i believe it is called. maybe a 9mm or .45. Any recommendations for the first time gun buyer?

First, Welcome to VGOF!

Are you looking for a daily carry gun, open carry or concealed carry? Or will this be primarily for home defense?

Welcome aboard! As OakRidgeStars said, whay may work best for you will be dictated by what needs you see it fufilling. More info please!

Recommend consider first going to a reputable gunshop with a range and take a Saturday safety class. If you make sure it satisfies requirements for concealed carry, you've killed two birds with one stone. You should have an opportunity to shoot a couple of different kinds of guns. The following week, rent one or two different kinds of guns to see what you like, fits well, and matches your budget. IMHO, It's really a personal choice

Also keep in mind guns are tools and have definite purposes. +1 "Are you looking for a daily carry gun, open carry or concealed carry? Or will this be primarily for home defense?" from OakRidgeStars

Recommend you first take a basic pistol class. Then based on what you learned and experienced at this course, you will be in a much better position to make a decision on what type of pistol to buy. Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly has an excellent beginner's class that includes shooting several different type handguns of varying calibers so that you get a good idea of the differences first hand. Try to find a class like this that provides the opportunity to shoot several different handguns.

If Chantilly is a viable location:

http://www.blueridgearsenal.com/range-r ... nformation

I agree with Chas. I took my first handgun class @ Blue Ridge and really appreciated the ability to shoot various calibers and different manufactures. I took lots of notes and came back to rent before making a final decision.

I also took the intro to guns course at BRA about two years ago, the ability to shoot a lot of hand guns will help you pick out what fits/works best for you.
I'm not BRA's biggest fan, but that class is worth it

and don't forget to ask friends if you can try out theirs. Like food... you don't know if you like it till you try it.

rwrig022 wrote:... I would like a semi-automatic, or double action i believe it is called. maybe a 9mm or .45. Any recommendations for the first time gun buyer?

Semi-automatic refers to a slide and magazine type, vice a revolver. Double action is an independent descriptor related to the trigger and firing mechanism.

Let me echo the previous suggestions concerning a class and trying out different kinds.

That said, don't discount a revolver. They're still around because they are practical and effective.

Warm welcome!
+1 on trying out a few different things before making a decision.
Where are you? Maybe someone on the forum can help.
Getting some formal training is a great idea, too.

rwrig022 wrote:With the turn of recent events, and the likelihood of future events to come, I am looking to purchase a handgun. Im not looking for something that is crazy expensive. I would like a semi-automatic, or double action i believe it is called. maybe a 9mm or .45. Any recommendations for the first time gun buyer?

Let us know how you made out with your first purchase.

I was reading this article 30 min ago: http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/12/25/ ... e-inmates/ when my wife came in my home office and saw the title.
"Wow... is it true?"
"Well.. if they have no money for food and guards... yes!"
"I want a pistol! Or at least a taser!"
"Ok, we'll go Saturday to gun show to choose something you like"

One more converted

If this is a defensive handgun anything from the big names like Glock, S&W, FNH, Springfield, Ruger, etc. will work just fine. Find what fits you (recommend renting several of them after a safety class) and go with that. My preference if for Glocks, but there nothing wrong with the other quality manufacturers. I would suggest a the "mid-sized" handguns, typically called compacts to distinguish them from the large/full sized and small/sub-compacts, because they are large enough to shoot comfortably, but small enough to conceal if you desire. It's a good compromise. Also recommend you go with 9mm as it has the cheapest practice ammo and practice is by far the most important thing besides safety. Solid 9mm hits beat .44mag misses every day of the week.

Well I have nothing to add as others are spot on, just wanted to say, .

rwrig022 wrote: Im not looking for something that is crazy expensive.

If you actually plan on practicing with it, the gun its free, its the ammo that will cost you... seriously.

Say you go to the range once a month, and shoot 2 boxes (100 rounds). .45acp is running about $30/box, and range time will cost you $20 an hour, so $80 a month. 960/year. Even if you only went once every other month, you will still be at almost $500 a year.

So as I tell people, get what ever gun you want, its the small part of the cost.

If you don't plan to practice with it, again, I tell people buy what you want, because without practice if you need to use it in a high stress crisis situation, you'll have problems making it work, or hitting anything.

I recommend trying as many as you can. For a newbie I would recommend picking up a walther p-22 to practice gun safety/marksmanship in an affordable manner while you look for another. I have a number of pistols now and my 5" barrel p-22 is still the one I shoot the most.
Another consideration is future expansion to a carbine. Having a pistol and a rifle/carbine that use the same ammo is cost effective... more so if you reload. Common pistol ammo carbine/rifle calibers include 22lr, 9mm, and 45. If you say happened to buy a 45 cal 1911 pistol you would have the perfect excuse to buy a 45cal tommy gun... or so I tell my wife

kanata67 wrote:I recommend trying as many as you can. For a newbie I would recommend picking up a walther p-22 to practice gun safety/marksmanship in an affordable manner while you look for another. I have a number of pistols now and my 5" barrel p-22 is still the one I shoot the most.

A .22lr is a good option. If you want to learn to shoot accurately one of the best is the Ruger Mk series (IIIs are current gen, but most people mod theirs to basically be gen IIs). The 5.5" bull barrel is ideal. However, a .22lr conversion kit will permit you to use the same frame/trigger as your full sized pistol. I've been shooting these for my Glocks: http://www.advantagearms.com/

You can find Gen3 conversions, but Gen4 is practically not available.

I'm also looking to be a first time gun owner in the near future, so this thread is relevant to my interests.

I saw in another thread that you needed to present a CCP in order to purchase a handgun? Is that correct? What kind of process (paperwork, etc.) do I have to go through in order to buy a firearm in Virginia?

lukertin wrote:I'm also looking to be a first time gun owner in the near future, so this thread is relevant to my interests.

I saw in another thread that you needed to present a CCP in order to purchase a handgun? Is that correct? What kind of process (paperwork, etc.) do I have to go through in order to buy a firearm in Virginia?

You do not need a VA CHP to purchase a handgun (CHP is the proper term in VA). If you purchase from a dealer (aka, an FFL), you must go through the same process as any other state (i.e. BATFE form 4473) and an additional VA form, but the VA form is practically the same information as a 4473. The VA form/background check really is redundant.

You can find the BATFE form here: http://www.atf.gov/forms/download/atf-f-4473-1.pdf

and information about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_4473

VA does not have any special pre/post-sale registration or restrictions that you must comply with. Thus, you make a commitment to purchase the firearm, fill out the forms, the dealer either calls in the information you filled out or enters it in an online version, the government (both state and federal) does an "instant" background check to verify that you are not lying about your legal ability to own/possess a firearm, and then you're good to go. However, since there are possibly other people with similar name or birthday or whatever, the "instant" check may not be so quick. If the computers can not verify that you are exactly who you say you are on those forms, they will flag it and then additional review is required. Once it's "delayed," there really is no telling how long it can take, so don't harass the dealer. It could be minutes to hours to days. You will need various forms of ID depending on what you're buying. Also, you can purchase the firearm anywhere, but only a VA (assuming you live in VA) FFL can actually transfer it to you since your interested in a handgun.

Using more unique qualifier data such as SSN, CHP, etc. can make it less likely for the computers to flag you, but there are no guarantees. I've had checks go through in minutes during high volume times and delayed for hours during really slow times.


If you purchase from a private citizen, the rules regarding possession are the same (read 4473), but the verification requirement are a bit different. At a minimum, you can only perform a transaction between two residents of the same state (assuming VA) and you must be legally able to possess a firearm under all federal/state law. How private citizens go about doing that varies. Some require an actual FFL transfer, others a BoS, etc. That's probably where you heard about requiring a CHP for the sale; some citizens won't sell a handgun or even a firearm to someone without one. It's their way of verifying you are legally able to possess the firearm. You work those details out with the seller and should take whatever precautions you feel comfortable with, just like any other private property sale. However, if anything doesn't feel right, I suggest you walk away.

Thanks for the very (detailed) information gunderwood. What kind of handgun does everyone recommend for a first-time purchaser? (my only experience with firearms has been in Boy Scouts, when I got my riflery merit badge but that was a decade ago). I was thinking like a Beretta 92F or a p226, if anyone has any other suggestions it would be appreciated.

thanks!