First Time Handgun Buyers Advice:

[SeniorXJ]

Just moved to the V Beach area from NY & now I can finally purchase my 1st handgun without the hassle that NY has & can use some help & advice in this area! My choice is a 9mm & this is why: with 2 ranges & a few pawn shops 5min from my house it'll be used at the range 99.9% of the time, 9mm ammo is cheap, it has less recoil, has room for extended clips, there generally cheaper, & with my budget somewhere between $200 to $400, a good used one should be obtainable, plus some accessories like an LED light & laser sighting. The only thing for me is that the guns accuracy is high on my list!!

I appreciate all help & advice in advance,
Thanks & let me know!!

[dorminWS]

Welcome to the peace, dignity and freedom of the Commonwealth. I feel obliged to admonish you in the most kindly manner to not call a magazine a "clip". Somebody might mistake you for one of them New York Yankees.

[SeniorXJ]

Welcome to the peace, dignity and freedom of the Commonwealth. I feel obliged to admonish you in the most kindly manner to not call a magazine a "clip". Somebody might mistake you for one of them New York Yankees.

Will do. Now lets get back on track to the question at hand.

[skeeterss0]

most ranges allow you to rent handguns. My best advice is to go try several out and see what feels right, and one that you shoot the best. Then practice lots.

[SeniorXJ]

most ranges allow you to rent handguns. My best advice is to go try several out and see what feels right, and one that you shoot the best. Then practice lots.

That's interesting, what does it cost to rent a gun & can u do that for several makes & models?

[Tompow]

Check out your local Colonial Shoot academy... they rent everything. And once you're done messing around, pony up a few extra bucks and buy a new CZ P-07 for $425 or so. you'll thank me down the road. all of them come with a shot report in the box so you can see just how accurate they are right out of the box...

http://www.damascusgunshop.com/shop/pis ... y-9mm.html

[smltooner]

to the club.

[trailrunner]

If you are a new shooter, then you will be the limiting factor when it comes to accuracy, not the gun.

Your question is pretty open-ended, and just about impossible to answer without more information. Do you want a full-sized gun, or compact gun? Double stack or single stack? Striker fired or DA/SA? Is a safety important? Polymer frame or metal frame?

As far as cost goes, if you get too much lower than $300, you probably won't get a quality gun, and I personally wouldn't spend $200 unless it was something special and I knew the story. You might be able to get a quality used for under $400, but you need to know what you're looking at. OTOH, just about any gun over $400 will probably be good quality. Again, it's hard to make generalizations. You might also want to consider a police trade-in. These guns have been carried a lot, but sometimes haven't been shot much. You can find these on-line. (Having said that, I've never bought one, so I can't vouch for this.)

As far as rentals go - instead of asking us, you should call your local range and ask about prices. Each range will have different policies about renting guns. When I first started shooting over 20 years ago, my friend and I went to the range and rented guns. It was a slow night and they let us use any gun for a flat hourly rate. We tried a bunch of different guns and had a great time.

[SHMIV]

Myself, having fired a variety of handguns belonging to friends, I've found that most of them feel right in my hands. So, if I find something in my price range, I consider buying it.

I also take ammo cost and availability into consideration.

I may look up the particular model online, and check reviews. I look for a common theme of complaints; for example, Clerke First revolvers tended to have complaints of the cylinder not lining up properly. On other guns, you may find several complaints of the magazine falling out every time the gun is fired.

Lastly, one nice thing about Virginia, you can do private sales, here, and there exists no registration. So, you find a guy willing to sell you a gun, you give him cash, he gives you gun, end of transaction. No government entity to tell, no permits to apply for.

Though, many private sellers want to see a conceal carry permit or a voter registration card, as proof that you are not a felon. And, they may also ask you to sign a bill of sale.

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[SeniorXJ]

If you are a new shooter, then you will be the limiting factor when it comes to accuracy, not the gun.

Your question is pretty open-ended, and just about impossible to answer without more information. Do you want a full-sized gun, or compact gun? Double stack or single stack? Striker fired or DA/SA? Is a safety important? Polymer frame or metal frame?

As far as cost goes, if you get too much lower than $300, you probably won't get a quality gun, and I personally wouldn't spend $200 unless it was something special and I knew the story. You might be able to get a quality used for under $400, but you need to know what you're looking at. OTOH, just about any gun over $400 will probably be good quality. Again, it's hard to make generalizations. You might also want to consider a police trade-in. These guns have been carried a lot, but sometimes haven't been shot much. You can find these on-line. (Having said that, I've never bought one, so I can't vouch for this.)

As far as rentals go - instead of asking us, you should call your local range and ask about prices. Each range will have different policies about renting guns. When I first started shooting over 20 years ago, my friend and I went to the range and rented guns. It was a slow night and they let us use any gun for a flat hourly rate. We tried a bunch of different guns and had a great time.

I understand what ur saying which is why I gave as much info as I could. 9mm to keep the ammo cheap, less recoil to keep it on target, room for extended "magazines", & 9mm are generally cheaper, etc. As for ur questions, i'm a newbee with handguns, but love skeet shooting. My step dad (who passed away years ago) had his own FFL license, taught safety classes, was an advid hunter & collector, & even did his own work & made his own ammo. I shot many of his guns so I have limited experience & now that i'm out of NY, its time to do things i've always wanted to do!!

As far as ur questions, full-sized or compact gun, (in the middle.) Double stack or single stack, (umm?) Striker fired or DA/SA, (umm?) Is a safety important, (of course but not overkill.) Polymer frame or metal frame, (maybe a mix for durability but id stay on the lighter side, I think.)

How are the pawn shops here in the V.Beach area? I see tons of em, one with a pistol range 5 min away. I just gotta hit DMV to get my VA license before I go visiting everywhere so i'm getting as much info & research in as I can before that!!

[MarcSpaz]

If you are looking for a range queen to have fun with and want a 9mm, I would recommend a Ruger SR9. New they are about $500(+), but I see them used for about $400 once in awhile.

It has adjustable 3-dot sights and a pic rail for a flashlight or laser. It very accurate. Its light and has both double and single stack options.

Its got a manual safety, so its not going to be a quick draw weapon if you decide to carry for defense, but with some practice shooting from holstered, it can be a good defense weapon too.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9/models.html

Or... wheel guns are pretty damn fun too.

[SHMIV]

Ah, yes, wheel guns. I'm right partial to wheel guns.

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[ProShooter]

Please also get good training.

[SeniorXJ]

If you are looking for a range queen to have fun with and want a 9mm, I would recommend a Ruger SR9. New they are about $500(+), but I see them used for about $400 once in awhile.

It has adjustable 3-dot sights and a pic rail for a flashlight or laser. It very accurate. Its light and has both double and single stack options.

Its got a manual safety, so its not going to be a quick draw weapon if you decide to carry for defense, but with some practice shooting from holstered, it can be a good defense weapon too.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sr9/models.html

Or... wheel guns are pretty damn fun too.

Firearms ive been eyeballing & researching are the following:
- Ruger P95
- Ruger SR9C
- CZ 75
- CZ P07 Duty
- S&W SD9
- S&W SD9VE
- Bersa Compact
- EAA Witness
& most Glock models ring my bell from the popular 19, to the 17, & the compact 26

((Yeah I know, i'm all over the map)) Once I get a feel for them in person, ill decide full vs compact, listen to what others have to say when comparing them, & of course price point. My price point is set at $400 so I can spend some on accessories & ammo. Then I have another $500 aside for a good 308 which I feel is something that will do 300 meters easily as that's the longest gun range I can find in the surrounding V. Beach area. A 500 meter shot would be my ultimate goal unless someone thinks a 308 can do a 1000...? Lets save the rifle talk for another thread tho please!!

[MarcSpaz]

You have a pretty good list together. You really can't go wrong with any of those. Like others have said, rentals will help you figure out which one you are most comfortable with.

And yes, depending on the round/barrel combo, a 308 will do 1,100 meters and still have the same force of impact as a 9mm at point blank range. If you get another thread going, we can discuss that more.

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[SeniorXJ]

You have a pretty good list together. You really can't go wrong with any of those. Like others have said, rentals will help you figure out which one you are most comfortable with.

And yes, depending on the round/barrel combo, a 308 will do 1,100 meters and still have the same force of impact as a 9mm at point blank range. If you get another thread going, we can discuss that more.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

Thank u for that! It makes me feel like i'm in the right direction & that my research is doing well!

I'm used to doing ton's of research on buying things like this as i've built a stout Jeep XJ that's a street legal rock crawler & EVERYTHING gets researched before anything is done or bought!!

[SeniorXJ]

Hey can u guys recommend any shops, ranges, & pawn stores that have good pricing, some deals, & great customer service to help out a new guy?? I live in the V.Beach area by Lake Edwards, but I don't mind traveling a bit if its worth it...

[MarcSpaz]

I'm 2 hours away... the deals won't be worth the gas. Its a tight market in retail stores.

You might be best off finding an FFL that will take a transfer and start looking at gunbroker and web sites like it if you want a tremendous deal. I have seen the CZ 75 for $450 new in the box and the SR9 for $400 new in the box. Even better deals if you find a used one.

[skeeterss0]

IMHO Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk is the most reputable shop in your neighborhood. The prices are high but the service and selection are excellent. They have an onsite gunsmith, range and classes available, even a glock shop up on the third floor if you're into glocks.
If you're just looking for decent prices and a decent range or just an FFL, Superior Pawn on the Blvd is a good place.

[SeniorXJ]

IMHO Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk is the most reputable shop in your neighborhood. The prices are high but the service and selection are excellent. They have an onsite gunsmith, range and classes available, even a glock shop up on the third floor if you're into glocks.
If you're just looking for decent prices and a decent range or just an FFL, Superior Pawn on the Blvd is a good place.

I pass by 2 superior pawn stores every day when I go to wally world. Just gotta get my license changed over to VA & im good to go.

Are there any gun clubs around here? Maybe a few forums with local chapters in them?