There seems to be a lot of first time buyers

[buck460XVR]

We can also reasonably that some of those 1st time buyers were simply neutral on the gun issue. We (the gun community) has been under attack for my entire adult life, and we need to reach as many of those folks as we can.

Those folks neutral to guns is the segment of our population many pro-gun folks forget about. We are so dang sure that everyone not adamantly pro gun has to be anti-gun. One thing I have been preaching for years is that because gun owners are a minority in this country, those neutral to guns are the ones that help us retain our RKBA. Same with hunting. Hunters are a minority in the lower 48 and so are adamant anti-hunters. It's those neutral to hunting, that accept it as needing to be done, that keeps the antis at bay. Many of those neutral to guns come from households where there were guns. Until now, they just could not or would not, admit to themselves they needed one in theirs. Then there are those that were never around guns. Just were never properly introduced or felt comfortable around them. Wasn't til now when they feel threatened, that they are willing to overcome being uncomfortable. Nuttin' anti about it. These are folks that need to be accepted, not alienated.

Don't want to loan someone a gun? Fine, but don't be a jackass about it.

Being in construction/woodworking most of my life, I have a fair amount of nice tools. Always have folks asking to borrow something. I tell them nicely, for a variety of reasons, I just don't lend tools. This is what I tell folks that ask to borrow a gun. I don't feel the need to chastise them or talk down to them, just a pleasant "no, I don't do that, sorry". Folks that go away ticked off at me for saying no nicely are the problem, not me. Many times the discussion will turn to why they want to borrow the tool/firearm and I have no problem giving them some advice on what they might want to look at and where they can go look.

 

[Walkalong]

I have a fair amount of nice tools. Always have folks asking to borrow something. I tell them nicely, for a variety of reasons, I just don't lend tools. This is what I tell folks that ask to borrow a gun.

Yep, unless they are good friends, mostly lifetime buddies you trust, occasionally one a buddy vouches for. Tools & guns. Last time I lent my trailer out though, my buddy jackknifed it and bent the tongue. *Sigh*. Three or four hours work to fix. He felt bad, I would lend it again. Stuff happens.

And guns is a way touchier subject when it comes to lending than tools/trailers/etc. Way more. Just because it "might" happen? Doubtful. Looters are coming down the street shooting? Much more likely.

 

[Walkalong]

And as far as being ambassadors, heck yes we need to be patient with first time buyers, why would any pro gun person not be?

 

[bdickens]

I really don’t see why some gun owners are getting worked up about all these first time gun buyers. It’s not like this is the first time it has ever happened, and most likely not the last.
Yes. A bunch of these first time buyers may never shoot their new gun. Some may go out and shoot it without ever getting any training. But does it really change your life? No

Yeah. How many millions of guns are owned in the US? Owned and even carried by people with little, if any training? And how widespread are the problems it causes? Uh, huh.

Why should this new crop be any different?

 

[FlSwampRat]

First post here. I'm a newbie. Haven't even bought a gun yet, but I'm interested. That's why I joined this forum. Smarten up before I make a move. My father had pistols and ammo loose in his drawers when I was growing up. Pretty dumb for a smart guy. He used to cc when he took the train to NYC. I've shot pistols, shotguns and rifles in the past and am looking to get a pistol for home protection. Thinking Glock 30. Wanna ask a newbie a question? Here's your chance.

Sadly in this day and age it's a rarity to see people doing research ahead of time. Welcome ye person with a brain!
Pull up a chair and help yourself to the cracker barrel, unfortunately, you have to supply your own beverage.

 

[FFGColorado]

Those folks neutral to guns is the segment of our population many pro-gun folks forget about. We are so dang sure that everyone not adamantly pro gun has to be anti-gun. One thing I have been preaching for years is that because gun owners are a minority in this country, those neutral to guns are the ones that help us retain our RKBA

The largest voting block, BY FAR, is the unaffiliated, middle. Many are on the fence about guns. My wife is an example. She is NOT a gun person, but tolerates my ownership, understands the needs and wants of gun ownership..Votes on a variety of issues..

 

[maaxflux]

Thanks for the welcome. We have a shooting range not to far from here so I'll go down there and take a course before I do anything else. They also have different models they rent out. These are crazy times and I wouldn't doubt if they got crazier. As the saying goes, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wanted something not too big, but with big stopping power, that's why I was thinking .45, and Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design. I'm not really interested in CCP, and they're nearly impossible to get in Los Angeles even if I did want one. How do you guys keep your guns safe but accessible at the same time? Obviously teaching the kids about firearm safety is first, but I think we're further down the road than keeping a shotgun under the bed like my friends parents did.

 

[Jammersix]

Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design.

No, it doesn't.

Every gun owner needs a safe. Period.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

No, it doesn't.

Every gun owner needs a safe. Period.

A safe?? Or do you mean safety?
And if you meet safety, you’re wrong.

 

[maaxflux]

No, it doesn't.

Every gun owner needs a safe. Period.

My understanding is Glocks are pretty simple and rarely have issues. Again, I defer to all of you with experience. And yes, a gun safe. I'd prefer one without batteries.

 

[DoubleMag]

Yeah I carried a revolver for many years professionally, never found it's exterior safety and in el cheapo leather holsters

Switched to fantastic plastic platform i.e. common ref tupperware, qualified on the Safariland 6360 SLS/ALS hooded holster etc and according to many, it's now not safe

''...have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wanted something not too big, but with big stopping power, that's why I was thinking .45, and...''

...and, welcome to the forums

Having talked / interviewed many career criminals, none want to look down a barrel. And Fed stats bear that out, the mere presence of a firearm ends most engagements (becomes the potential engagement category) as, no one wants to get shot. Perp just moves on to a softer target.

So, pick the caliber that best suits you, cost, accuracy, available ammo etc.

Again, welcome! You will find 6 opinions one way and 9 the other, you have to weigh all info as best suits you and your individuals needs.

 

[Browning]

My understanding is Glocks are pretty simple and rarely have issues. Again, I defer to all of you with experience. And yes, a gun safe. I'd prefer one without batteries.

Hey, welcome.

Not everyone likes Glocks here. It’s like the long-standing Ford vs Chevy, Coke vs Pepsi, Bud vs Coors argument.

I personally do. Yes they’re simple, yes they rarely have issues.

To keep them out of the wrong hands I have a safe. A large one. I’ll likely get a second one before too long.

For the most part though if I’m awake I have pistol on me.

 

[Spats McGee]

Thanks for the welcome. We have a shooting range not to far from here so I'll go down there and take a course before I do anything else. They also have different models they rent out....

Both a handgun course & renting models are good moves. We can type all day long about what guns we like, but we can't tell you: (1) how well a given gun will fit your hand; (2) how well you'll like a gun when you shoot it; or (3) how well you'll shoot the gun. There's really no substitute for actual trigger time with a given pistol.

....As the saying goes, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it....

If you spent any time at House McGee, you'd hear that saying a lot. I suspect that the same is true for many of our members.

....I wanted something not too big, but with big stopping power, that's why I was thinking .45, and Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design....

My understanding is Glocks are pretty simple and rarely have issues. Again, I defer to all of you with experience. And yes, a gun safe. I'd prefer one without batteries.

I would agree that Glocks do have a reputation for simplicity and reliability. Thirty-some-odd years ago, they seemed (to me) like kind of the only game in town for a dead-nuts reliable polymer pistol. IMHO, that's no longer the case. This is (again, IMO) a golden age for pistols. There are tons of very reliable, relatively inexpensive pistols on the market. If you're looking at Glocks, there are some competitors that you really should look at. They include, but are not limited to:

• Smith & Wesson M&P
• Ruger SR (the polymer ones, though there is the SR1911) -- the polymer SRs have been discontinued, but I believe that Ruger will continue to support them;
• Springfield Armory XD or XDM;
• Heckler & Koch (I'm not up on the models here)
• Kahr (same); and
• Walther (same).

I do not claim to have experience with all, or even most of these, so the research will be up to you. Browse our threads and you'll find information on all of them. You might even want to go browse Gunbroker just to get some ideas on what else is out there.

....How do you guys keep your guns safe but accessible at the same time? Obviously teaching the kids about firearm safety is first, but I think we're further down the road than keeping a shotgun under the bed like my friends parents did.

A safe is very important. With that said, I started teaching her about guns safety fairly early, but it wasn't until she was about 8 or 9 that she actually handled a loaded gun. We were also living in an apartment with no place to put a safe back then, so my guns spent a lot of time separated from their ammo, usually by a locked door.

Just do some internet searches on gun safes and you'll find all kinds available.

 

[FFGColorado]

Thanks for the welcome. We have a shooting range not to far from here so I'll go down there and take a course before I do anything else. They also have different models they rent out. These are crazy times and I wouldn't doubt if they got crazier. As the saying goes, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wanted something not too big, but with big stopping power, that's why I was thinking .45, and Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design. I'm not really interested in CCP, and they're nearly impossible to get in Los Angeles even if I did want one. How do you guys keep your guns safe but accessible at the same time? Obviously teaching the kids about firearm safety is first, but I think we're further down the road than keeping a shotgun under the bed like my friends parents did.

During the day, carry it. If you don't take it with you if you leave your house, a safe. At night, with kids around..a close safe that's easy to open..but safe so kids can't figure it out..

Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design.

No, it doesn't.

Yes it does..there are as many(more) who dislike Glock as like Glock but for a new gun buyer..don't get analysis paralysis. Get a Glock, it works, it isn't expensive, it's simple, it's available.

 

[danez71]

Thanks for the welcome. We have a shooting range not to far from here so I'll go down there and take a course before I do anything else. They also have different models they rent out. These are crazy times and I wouldn't doubt if they got crazier. As the saying goes, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I wanted something not too big, but with big stopping power, that's why I was thinking .45, and Glock has a good reputation for simple, yet effective design. I'm not really interested in CCP, and they're nearly impossible to get in Los Angeles even if I did want one. How do you guys keep your guns safe but accessible at the same time? Obviously teaching the kids about firearm safety is first, but I think we're further down the road than keeping a shotgun under the bed like my friends parents did.

Welcome back.

It sounds like you've done some research and not blindly jumping in head 1st.

I'm not a Glock guy... I might buy one though. I do agree that glock has a good reputation for reliability.

I prefer 9mm for a variety of reasons but the bigger hole and more uumph of a 45 is nothing to criticize.

I'd say you're probably better off with a with a longer barrel version... at least in theory.

But I do use a compact with 3.5" barrel as my night stand gun... because I shoot it the more than my fullsize.

Get a safe. Teach your kids about guns and plan to reinforce that by taking them shooting.

I believe every kid needs to learn to swim and learn the basics of guns.

 

[Craig_AR]

We have a shooting range not to far from here so I'll go down there and take a course before I do anything else. They also have different models they rent out.

Welcome, thank you for asking great questions; that latest post shows you have a solid plan to move forward.

As to which gun to get, the best advice is to try all that are in the category that you can rent. Get the one that feels right. I am neither for, nor against, Glocks, but the first one I rented just did not feel right for me. My short list was a S&W M&P, Glock, and one other. Then an M&P showed up at a phenomenal price, so I grabbed it. I really like it, but have take a while to get the handling right.
Be sure to test fire both single and double stack guns. My double stack M&P9 is right for me, but my slightly smaller brother found it a bit large for his hands, so is waiting for a good price on the single stack Shield EZ. Grip width does make a difference.

Finally, be sure to browse the Handgun Accessories forum here for advice and opinions on holsters, and how to carry (pocket, shoulder, appendix, inside waist band (IWB) at 3, 5, 6, 9, or small of back. Pros and cons on all of those abound. Note also that your first holster, likely bought off the rack at a big box, sporting goods, or local gun store (LGS) is very likely to end up in a box in the closet in less than a year.

 

[danez71]

All of that is good stuff.

Regarding thus part...

Note also that your first holster, likely bought off the rack at a big box, sporting goods, or local gun store (LGS) is very likely to end up in a box in the closet in less than a year.

.... For me....I just figure that's part of the cost of ownership. I actually plan on buying an inexpensive holster .... 20-25 bucks or so... to use until I figure out what I need or want based on my actual use of it.

I dont rotate CC guns,,,,, and I dont OC much,,,, IMO, for me, I don't see the need to spend much on a holster unless maybe you're carrying for long periods of time.