now I need to get a firearm. I know there are a lot of people who shoot handguns on here, so let me know what you guys like and don't like. I'd love to avoid some of the mistakes or missteps you might have had. I'm also trying to figure out what the best place to purchase is around here. Any hidden gems out there?
Element Arms in Becker is a pretty good shop. Decent prices on handguns, plus you get to check out their massive selection of ARs/AK's/ pretty much any assault rifle there is. Also have crazy stuff like uzi's etc. it's a cool store
Start hitting up the gun show's. Go paperless if you can, uncle sam doesn't need to know everything you have. Walther's are decent guns. I would go to bills in brookly park? Google bill's gun range. Nice range with decent amount of gun's for you to rent and then you can see what you like and don't.
The corner of Chicago & Lake in MPLS... cheap prices, no serial numbers, and maybe even a few dead hookers. On another note: Bill's is in Robinsdale not BP but close. I always like H&K for my hand guns. It really comes down to what you are looking for: compact, caliber, cost, and use... just to name a few things off the top of my head.
The best advice I can give is for you to find what fits you best and is most comfortable for you to shoot, then pick a caliber from there. Find a caliber that you're able to shoot consistently well and that you can afford to practice with. Larger caliber guns trade capacity for bigger bullets. Smaller caliber guns trade size for greater capacity. There are plenty of great duty loads in pretty much any caliber, you just have to decide what you are willing to compromise on. Also, how you're carrying it will make a big difference too as your clothing, etc can play a part. Get out to the shops and start handling guns and find what fits best, I highly recommend either a Glock or a Smith and Wesson M&P on the low end of the pricing scale, and H&K is up near the top of the price list. The newer Sig Sauers I've heard enough about that I have a hard time recommending them, but if you can find an older 226/228/229 they are a great gun as well.
I shot a half a dozen guns before i decided on my pps. it hasnt done me wrong yet, and I find it pretty comfortable to carry
I've been happy with my M&P 40c. I don't carry it, but never had a malfunction and its pretty accurate. +1 at shooting several and pick which is most comfortable for you.
Welcome to the club. I've only been shooting for about 2 months now with the help of our fellow Subaru/Big Brian S. members here. I've found there's a few different type's of gun enthusiast and you'll have to ask yourself a few questions and it'll help you figure out where to go from here. I'm the type where I want to get familiar with what ever I'm getting involved with the quickest, safest, cheapest and funnest way possible. So I've decided to purchase a few pieces that will help me achieve that and with easiest to operate (fewer external mechanical components). I bought a Mossberg 500 for home defense and added a pistol grip w/stock, Beretta Neos U22 and M&P 9mm Pro Series. The two pistols I've bought are known for their reliability and ease of use and their success in various (age) leagues and tournaments also helps to support that. Which to me also means it's built for a wide range of users and skill levels. Shooting a 22 and 9mm is very affordable. When I started I was able to maintain 2" groupings at 10ft, now I can hit a 6" target at 70ft without a scope. The other major factor why I went this route is I wanted to include my family into my new hobby. The easier I can make this sport for them the funnier we'll have doing it together. My CC options will be next but at the moment it's not a priority. That will happen once I get more confident w/my operations and get more exposure to other pieces. As far as personal defense and ammo size is concern for me it's not the size that matters its the shot placement. With today's bullet expansion technology there's a wide variety of options available to choose from. For home defense nothing beats a good old simple shotgun and a plan. I got a lot of help from Brian S. with his guidance and kindness he's really helped accelerate my development. Just a few of the best suggestions he's made was get some snap caps to help w/dry firing training at home. Get a hold of the MN Permit to Carry Fundamentals book, it's a great read and will give you a much better picture on top of the CC class you just took. Other then that get out with us and have some fun.
I really like my M&P 9mm Pro Series for the value; then I got a chance to shoot a CZ 9mm at 25 ft I hit the bullseye dead on on my first shot and 2" groupings. It's a much heavier gun then mine, it felt like it was 2.5 times heavier as all of it's components were made of metal and this one had all the aftermarket competition jobs done to it including the trigger. At $1500 it better shoot this good. So that's just an example of what you could expect from someone who's worked hard on developing their basic fundamentals and shooting a very expensive piece of hardware. Enjoy and good luck!
Not a bad idea to have a few on hand this way but really, with the chance you'll need to use your carry gun there's bigger things to worry about than paperwork or hiding what you have. I've bought from most the big box stores as well as a few smaller like Bill's and Capras and it really comes down to the person selling, some will sell you what you want and others will sell you what they want you to buy. Unless you are looking for a range toy don't get caught up in the latest and greatest tactical this and that crap, too many people these days are worried about clearing rooms and hunting badguys(most home invasions aren't carried out by S.W.A.T. teams or assassins). Caliber- basically most are using 38/.357, 9mm, 40S&W or 45. Give em all a try at least once before you buy into the hype of the wimpy round 38 or 9mm or the too snappy 40 or the only thing worth shooting is 45 ACP, they'll all do the job. As far as what gun to get, It's a personal thing. you've seen the way people argue about things like phones and car parts I'm sure you would understand that firearms bring the out the fanboism just as much. I hate to tell anyone to go unarmed but if you are not in a hurry, Bills in Robbinsdale does a spring shooters show first part of April where yo can try nearly every common gun (and some special ones) for no range or rental fees, only targets and ammo which must be purchased at Bills. How you carry is also a personal thing, only you know what is comfortable and works for you. IWB is gonna be the most common and I'm guessing the most recommended. I will carry OWB if I'm wearing a hooded sweatshirt that covers it but don't understand the idea of carrying open in public unless it's for attention(most who do seem to be looking for it) As for me personally mines a Springfield Armory XD subcompact 40 S&W in a Crossbreed supertuck IWB holster or a blackhawk serpa OWB. If you do plan to hit a range for any rentals, lemme know and if it works out you can try my subcompact or my wifes j-frame revolver(another perfectly good option) or a handful of others that may or may not be what you're looking for. BTW congrats! I feel better everytime I hear someone else has done the course.
Thanks guys, I knew I'd get a lot of opinions and a lot of good information. I also knew it'd be mixed with drama and otaku-ness. I really like the idea of the Spring Shooters event; I need the time anyway to save up the money. Plus I need to register my class and I don't really know when I'll have the time, and then it's 30 days from there to have my permit in hand.
I'm also a big fan of my Springfields (both xd and xdm). Crossbreed supertuck is a good IWB holster. Most important thing as has been said is to find something you can shoot consistently rather than the biggest caliber you can hold onto. Just my .02 -Steve
If you are willing to take a little drive, go down to Ahlmans near Faribault. Its worth the drive in my opinion. I have never seen so many guns... http://www.ahlmans.com/
