First purchase

[ramseyer24]

With my wife and I now both getting are Foid cards in the mail, im debating about first purchase. We're both looking for handguns at this time. Any idea's as to the best place to get one who offers the best deal. Not looking to spend a lot right now. Any advice is appreciated. thanks

[THE KING]

My first question is have you had any type of formal firearm training??

 

The reason I ask is because there is so much information you should know prior to making your first purchase. If you have not taken any training, I would personally suggest finding an instructor in your area and take a basic pistol course which will give you the basic information you need.

 

Then you need to go to a range and rent a couple of guns and try shooting them to see what works best for you. A lot of factors to consider. And please take with a grain of salt what an employee at a gun counter will tell you as they don't know as much as they think.

 

KING

[Bubbacs]

Try posting in the "Gear" forums!

Lots of threads already in there.

You're in the license processing area......

[THE KING]

Try posting in the "Gear" forums!

Lots of threads already in there here.

You're in the license processing area......

What he said ^^

[Jeffrey]

+a million on training. If you shared a location you are near, would make it much easier for folks to suggest a place.

[mic6010]

Well as you wait for FOID cards you might as well save up till you can afford decent pistols. Any decent pistol is gonna cost you are least $300, probably more. Don't be afraid to buy used firearms if you trust the shop selling them too you. You can get more gun for your money that way.

 

Then as others mentioned you should definitely spend another couple hundred on a training class for the both of you. Don't bother with the generic beginner classes like the NRA Basic Pistol course for example. Ask the instructor what specifically the class encompasses. A lot of those beginner classes waste your time teaching you how to disassemble and clean a gun and teaching you what the parts do. You can learn that junk online by watching videos or by reading the owners manual that comes with the firearm. Take a class where they actually have you out on a line shooting and teach you how to safely handle firearms.

 

Good Luck.

[THE KING]

Well as you wait for FOID cards you might as well save up till you can afford decent pistols. Any decent pistol is gonna cost you are least $300, probably more. Don't be afraid to buy used firearms if you trust the shop selling them too you. You can get more gun for your money that way.

 

Then as others mentioned you should definitely spend another couple hundred on a training class for the both of you. Don't bother with the generic beginner classes like the NRA Basic Pistol course for example. Ask the instructor what specifically the class encompasses. A lot of those beginner classes waste your time teaching you how to disassemble and clean a gun and teaching you what the parts do. You can learn that junk online by watching videos or by reading the owners manual that comes with the firearm. Take a class where they actually have you out on a line shooting and teach you how to safely handle firearms.

 

Good Luck.

SERIOUSLY, your going to tell someone buying their first firearm to not take a basic pistol course. I whole heartedly disagree with you on this. The basis for a good foundation is a basic class. I have had students in my classes, which is the NRA Basic Pistol course, that have been shooting for years and they have walked away glad they took the class and stated they learned a lot from the class.

 

To the OP, take a basic pistol course, whether it is NRA or from another training organization I don't care. Start with the basics.

 

KING

[lee n. field]

With my wife and I now both getting are Foid cards in the mail, im debating about first purchase. We're both looking for handguns at this time. Any idea's as to the best place to get one who offers the best deal. Not looking to spend a lot right now. Any advice is appreciated. thanks

 

Umm, where are you located?

 

What is your anticipated use? (What's it for?)

[mic6010]

 

Well as you wait for FOID cards you might as well save up till you can afford decent pistols. Any decent pistol is gonna cost you are least $300, probably more. Don't be afraid to buy used firearms if you trust the shop selling them too you. You can get more gun for your money that way.

 

Then as others mentioned you should definitely spend another couple hundred on a training class for the both of you. Don't bother with the generic beginner classes like the NRA Basic Pistol course for example. Ask the instructor what specifically the class encompasses. A lot of those beginner classes waste your time teaching you how to disassemble and clean a gun and teaching you what the parts do. You can learn that junk online by watching videos or by reading the owners manual that comes with the firearm. Take a class where they actually have you out on a line shooting and teach you how to safely handle firearms.

 

Good Luck.

SERIOUSLY, your going to tell someone buying their first firearm to not take a basic pistol course. I whole heartedly disagree with you on this. The basis for a good foundation is a basic class. I have had students in my classes, which is the NRA Basic Pistol course, that have been shooting for years and they have walked away glad they took the class and stated they learned a lot from the class.

 

To the OP, take a basic pistol course, whether it is NRA or from another training organization I don't care. Start with the basics.

 

KING

 

I took it for the first time as part of my IL CCL training. I found it be pretty much a complete waste of my time. Our Instructor spent 15 mins talking to us about the slide catch on his 1911 at one point. How much he always checked it for wear, what his replacement schedule was. Meanwhile I'm thinking to myself " I have a Glock, how does this apply to me ? "

 

Maybe that was just my unique experience though. I'm certainly not telling them to pass on get training.

 

I'm just saying maybe find an instructor that offers a course that doesn't stick so close to basic pistol and is more geared towards basic shooting fundamentals with range time.

Seems to me at least that would be more useful to a first time gun owner. Especially with the plethora of information that can be found online these days.

But what do I know, that's just my opinion. Its worth as much as you paid for it as they say.

[THE KING]

mic6010, everyone takes away something different from every training class. It sounds like your instructor should have done a better job of presenting the class material. It's a shame that you feel like you wasted your time.

 

Every instructor has different teaching methodologies and abilities. I also have had instructors that basically "sucked" at teaching. I have taken classes where I also felt that my time was wasted. On the other hand, I have had very good instructors present classes that kept your interest and kept you on the edge of your seat.

 

KING

[Jeffrey]

Well as you wait for FOID cards you might as well save up till you can afford decent pistols. Any decent pistol is gonna cost you are least $300, probably more. Don't be afraid to buy used firearms if you trust the shop selling them too you. You can get more gun for your money that way.

 

Then as others mentioned you should definitely spend another couple hundred on a training class for the both of you. Don't bother with the generic beginner classes like the NRA Basic Pistol course for example. Ask the instructor what specifically the class encompasses. A lot of those beginner classes waste your time teaching you how to disassemble and clean a gun and teaching you what the parts do. You can learn that junk online by watching videos or by reading the owners manual that comes with the firearm. Take a class where they actually have you out on a line shooting and teach you how to safely handle firearms.

 

Good Luck.

You're supposed to clean these things?

[InterestedBystander]

I agree with starting at a basic pistol/intro. In the one I took before first purchase, we covered the various types, proper grip, etc and instructor brought samples so I was able to shoot everything from a 22 to a 45 in semi and revolver. Made me better informed on what I wanted to start with. It wasnt the NRA course which I took later, but an instructor through a LGS which is no longer in business.

 

Also remember that many ranges have gun rentals so you can get a better idea how one feels and shoots for a few dollars instead of a few hundred.

[Jeckler]

There are a few questions you will want to answer in order to get the “best” option.

 

If you think of this like a tool, you need to find the right tool for the job. For instance, not all hammers are the same. They can all be used to pound a nail, but may have dramatically differing results. Sledge hammer, jack hammer, roofing hammer, claw hammer, jewelers hammer, rock hammer, finish hammer, etc.

 

 

 

 

Guns are similar in that each may have a special use or be a better tool depending on the intended use.

 

 

You need to determine what job this tool will fulfill.

· Home Defense

· Personal Defense (carry)

· Target Practice

· Hunting

· Emergency Preparedness (zombie apocalypse)

· Competition – Competitive shooting

· Recreational Leagues

· Historical significance / collector piece

· Investment – go up in value

· Budget – how much do you want to spend?

· Frequency of use (ammo expense, range fees, training cost)

You will want to select a tool that best fits your needs. Just like hammers, all are not created equal. Just like hammers, you may need multiple versions depending on the job. Some are specialized for specific tasks and perform better than others.

 

 

Next, you will need to decide on a budget. Similar to an automobile. They all go from point A to point B.

However, some do it in style with fancy decorations, chrome accents, or custom engines. Some are more roomy and comfortable than others.

Some have greater carrying capacity or larger trunks. Some are compact, some are large. Etc.

Guns are similar, they all go bang. Some are more reliable, some do it faster, some are smaller, some look pretty, some are ugly, some shiney, some black. Etc....

 

 

Firearms can range from $150 to $4,000 and up. There are both cosmetic and quality upgrades as you spend more. Pretty guns are more expensive than ugly ones.

Quality guns are more expensive than cheap “Saturday Night Specials.” You get what you pay for in terms of quality parts, fit, and finish.

 

 

Cost and availability of ammunition also should be a factor. Price per round can range from $0.06 to well over $1.50 each. At $1+, each trigger pull becomes very expensive.

9mm is easy to find and reasonable in price. $0.20 to $0.40 per round. While .22 is harder to locate, it’s only $0.06 per round.

Bigger bullets make bigger holes.

In my opinion, 9mm is a good middle of the road choice. That is my personal choice for carry.

 

Once you determine your intended use and budget, we can talk about options and suggestions to try. We can discuss the trade-offs of each as they will all have pros and cons.

Big vs. Small. Cheap vs. Expensive. 9mm vs .45acp. Semi Auto vs Revolver. Etc. (all of which have been internet debated for years)

[Draal]

First: WELCOME!

 

Second: Your thoughts/choices will evolve as you digest all the various opinions here. It's okay to take baby steps. I started out just wanting a gun for the home. A 4 inch barreled revolver was simple to figure out and then I made the decision to get my CCL. I realized I would be better off with a smaller, easier to conceal gun and opted for the S&W Shield. Ow I do still carry the revolver from time to time but it's more seasonal.

 

Basic Pistol was taught obviously in my 16 hour CCL class and it helped me get comfortable with both revolvers and semi's. coco was my trainer and it was a very hands on experience and you left with confidence at the end of the day. Then I made the effort to go to the range every month as well as dry drills at home to know the tool inside and out. Before you know it, it becomes an integral part of your life.

 

Shield's are cheap as chips and I have no regrets in carrying mine everyday.

[tkroenlein]

Hmmm...lots of gun people rightfully don't make any kind of recommendations because they know how hard the right personal fit is to come by. I am not one of those people.

 

The most important thing about picking a first is to get a gun that WORKS. Since you're a newb you don't have the experience to evaluate "why" a gun does or doesn't do what it should. You need a "mainstream" handgun that runs on commonly available ammo that is cheap (so you can practice more) and reliable.

 

Stay away from guns that are very small. They are MUCH harder to shoot well, and they are more difficult to manipulate, and they are generally harder to disassemble for cleaning. More recoil and muzzle blast also contribute to bad shooting for newbs because it induces a physical reaction that you haven't grown accustomed to or learned to control.

 

Handguns with 4"-5" barrels, on the other hand, tend to be quite controllable, and have noticeably less blast than 3.5" and under guns.

 

Go look at the poly wonder 9's, and see what fits your hand. S&W, Glock, SA, FN, Sig, CZ, HK, Walther all make serviceable firearms.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Elderberry]

Got my first firearm in 1959 (still have it). After 58 years of trying, and failing, to purchase the perfect firearm, my advice is just buy one. Doesn't matter which one -- won't be long and you will decide you need a different one. There are only two groups of firearms owners -- those who just bought their next one and those who are trying to decide which one is their next one...

 

It's just who we are....

[mauserme]

I'll second the idea of a revolver for your first handgun. It's a simpler system than a pistol so it's easier get comfortable with. If funds are limited and you have friends that shoot they could probably take you the to range, get you safe, and let you try some of theirs. Then get some formal training down the road if you want.

 

Stay away from odd calibers. In a revolver .22 would be OK, or .38 Special.

 

And if you decide to ignore the advice about a revolver first don't feel bad. Most everyone does ignore it and then realizes how much they like shooting a revolver years later.

[Keith44]

Another thing to keep in mind (in addition to training and looking at various firearms), is the cost of feeding your firearms.

 

22LR - between $0.04 and $0.05 / round

9mm - around $0.20 / round

380ACP - between $0.30 and $0.35 / round

45ACP - between $0.35 and $0.45 / round

38Spc - between $0.35 and $0.40 / round

357Mag - around $0.40 and 0.45 / round

 

I use a combination 22LR and 9mm, my wife uses a combination of 22LR and 380ACP.

 

We both shoot pistols and revolvers.

 

-Keith.

[lee n. field]

With my wife and I now both getting are Foid cards in the mail, im debating about first purchase. We're both looking for handguns at this time. Any idea's as to the best place to get one who offers the best deal. Not looking to spend a lot right now. Any advice is appreciated. thanks

 

And I have a little more time to make a better response.

 

I can't possibly tell you where to buy, not knowing your location. There are dealers, big and small, all over the place. And, private party sales are perfectly legal. If you buy from one of the online vendors, you will end up paying a transfer fee, to get the gun delivered to you via an in-state Federal Firearms License holder (aka dealer).

 

"Not looking to spend a lot right now."

 

The more you have to spend, the more (and better) options you have. Below $300, not much, many caveats about particular choices. Above $300, choices much better.

 

For a first handgun, for general purpose shooting, get a medium (might be called "compact") to full size (aka "service" size") 9mm autoloading handgun from a major manufacturer. Look to spend somewhere in the range of $400 to $600 on it.

 

Get a Glock 19, and (quite possibly) be done with it. Later on, when you know more, you can revisit that decision. If you decide your first gun isn't what you want or need, it's easy enough to sell it off and move on.

 

Don't forget you'll be needing to spend money on ammo, extra magazines. If you carry, a decent belt (belts from the local StuffMart are crap) and decent holster. And instruction. Yes, it adds up. No, you don't need to spend it all at once.

[BobPistol]

You're supposed to clean these things?

 

.

 

 

You must be a Glock owner.

[C0untZer0]

Once upon a time I had 1 gun, and it did most things OK, but it didn't excel at any particular thing.

 

When I got my CCL I wanted a small light weight firearm, so I purchased a small lightweight and by extension - low capacity (6+1)

 

Since I wanted a backup to my primary, I purchased another small light weight firearm.

 

I wanted a gun to keep in my car. Since I didn't have to lug it around on my person or conceal it on my person, I purchased a full-sized firearm that was fairly high-capacity (19 rounds).

 

I also have a get-home-bag that if something happened and I needed to get home, but the roads were blocked or impassable, I could put my get-home backpack on and walk home. There's enough food and water and other stuff in there for me to walk from Chicago to the suburbs, and I purchased a gun for my GHB.

 

I also have a Bug-Out-Bag, its a little bigger than my GHB, and I would use it to leave my home and evacuate an area. It's too big for me to haul it everywhere in my car and use it as a GHB. It has more stuff in it than my GHB and I have a full-sized firearm for my BOB also.

 

I know you're on a budget but its never too early to start thinking about your next 6 guns.

 

 

[tkroenlein]

Once upon a time I had 1 gun, and it did most things OK, but it didn't excel at any particular thing.

 

When I got my CCL I wanted a small light weight firearm, so I purchased a small lightweight and by extension - low capacity (6+1)

 

Since I wanted a backup to my primary, I purchased another small light weight firearm.

 

I wanted a gun to keep in my car. Since I didn't have to lug it around on my person or conceal it on my person, I purchased a full-sized firearm that was fairly high-capacity (19 rounds).

 

I also have a get-home-bag that if something happened and I needed to get home, but the roads were blocked or impassable, I could put my get-home backpack on and walk home. There's enough food and water and other stuff in there for me to walk from Chicago to the suburbs, and I purchased a gun for my GHB.

 

I also have a Bug-Out-Bag, its a little bigger than my GHB, and I would use it to leave my home and evacuate an area. It's too big for me to haul it everywhere in my car and use it as a GHB. It has more stuff in it than my GHB and I have a full-sized firearm for my BOB also.

 

I know you're on a budget but its never too early to start thinking about your next 6 guns.

 

 

^People whose primary purpose for gun ownership is self defense really need to consider not what is the right firearm, but what is the right battery of firearms.

[RandyP]

In a GREAT .22LR you'd be mighty hard pressed to beat the new Ruger Mark IV. Amazingly accurate, priced right, super simple takedown for cleaning and it WILL last a couple lifetimes. Perfect for newcomers to learn the basics and have fun doing so.

 

In 9mm polymer guns the terrific choices are plentiful in all price ranges and sizes. For this I'd say rent a few before you buy something you don't like. That said no one ever went 'wrong' suggesting a Glock 19, S&W M&P or a Springfield XD series.

 

I'd stick with just those two calibers honestly. They both represent the lowest cost per shot out there and can more than do most any job.

[Elderberry]

Don't rule out used guns either -- very few guns ever get much use. Generally speaking, unless it's been used in competition it has probably not seen much use....

[soundguy]

If you intend to learn about shooting for now, you might pick up something in .22 caliber. Maybe target models in a revolver and semi auto. You will use them forever.

 

For my first carry gun I wanted something safe and chose a Kel Tec P-11. Long stiff trigger pull such that you will never shoot the heck out of it. I did 300 rounds at the range one outing and my hands were sore for days.

 

I later figured I wanted something easier to shoot... Heavier, better lighter trigger. I waffle between DA/SA and SAO semi autos. I carry a small all metal SAO semi with a pretty nice short trigger.

 

You and your wife can "rent" guns at some ranges. This is a great way to try out different guns while you discover what your preferences are. As others have said... Some basic training is a really good idea. In a class (private if possible) you should be able to shoot a few different guns.

 

Once you become a supporting member here, you can check out the Gear Forum. Other members looking to upgrade will sometimes sell a gently used item here. I have always had good experiences... ALL laws, FOID check and waiting periods have been observed in every transaction I have ever done.

 

It's fun to shoot and a really good skill to have!

[skinnyb82]

Don't rule out used guns either -- very few guns ever get much use. Generally speaking, unless it's been used in competition it has probably not seen much use....

+1

 

A used H&K or Sig in decent condition is just as good as a brand new one, but for half the price. Even a used Springfield, S&W, Block errr Glock, etc. I found some used P226Rs in 9mm (E2 grips, DA/SA and DAK, take your pick) for sub-$500. Got my CPO P229R for $500 back during the panic. Thing still shoots like a dream.

 

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Bubbacs]

@ramseyer24

 

Where are you located?

There are so many helpful peeps here that some meet new shooters and shoot together sometimes!

Another reason for the ask is many ranges have firearm rentals as stated, based upon what you want to try out, the models can be listed and get you into the right range to try.

 

Do the due diligence up front, I had 23 handguns and whittled it down to 2, one for me one for the wife!

Get the right one first and go from there and you'll never look back.

[C0untZer0]

Oh I forgot about having an unloaded gun in a fanny pack / backpack container for when I want to "transport"

 

I have a gun for that too, it saves me from having to unload and clear a loaded handgun, transfer it from a holster to a pack, then re-load the hand gun and re-holster a loaded handgun.

 

I just put the loaded holstered gun in my car safe (holster and all), strap on the fanny pack that contains loaded magazines and the unloaded firearm, and off I go...

 

When return to the car I just stow my fanny pack. When I'm handling the loaded firearm, it is in a holster which covers the trigger and I don't even touch the firearm itself at all - I'm just handling the holster.

[bmyers]

Glock 19 is my recommendation for a first gun.

[C0untZer0]

See post #13 http://illinoiscarry.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=66289&do=findComment&comment=1098438

 

If you think of this like a tool, you need to find the right tool for the job.

 

 

And post #13:

 

What is your anticipated use? (What's it for?)

 

 

I don't think anyone can make a recommendation for you based on what little information you've provided. Anyone who says to buy this gun or that gun without knowing what role it will fulfill is like telling someone saying "Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars, size 10 are my recommendation for you for shoes"

 

Really?

 

For going to a job interview?

 

For working on a construction site?

 

For going ice fishing?

 

And size 10 is going to fit the person you're making the recommendation to?