Purchasing a handgun / I HAVE A QUESTION IN OP

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JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
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Ok, here is the question. I see a therapist *psychiatrist* for depression. The doctor I see on a regular basis prescribes me something called Celexa. And he tells me it is due to anger issues. Am I allowed to purchase a handgun for range shooting and hunting ? I have heard conflicting stories on this.

Thanks
_____________________________

I decided on getting this one Ruger Super Redhawk
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JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
89
91
Thanks for the link JasonSix78. :thumbsup:

Yes for the other poster, I was looking at 9mm's as well. :p
 
CptCrunch

CptCrunch

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2005
1,877
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I have a s&w m&p 9mm compact, very nice gun. Go to your local shooting range, and rent a few and decide what feels right. Just remember, those guys aren't the most maintained so they wont be exactly the same as your new one
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Concealed Carry permit or license to carry firearms, as it is in PA, requirements vary by state and apparently even by county (from what I've heard from other PA license owers). In PA, all you have to do is get a form from the county sheriff, fill it out (requires 2 or 3 non-family, same county references and a head and shoulders photo of yourself), and then hand it back in to the sheriff. They then do a background check which takes a few weeks. If you pass, they let you know and you go pick up your license. I believe it was $19 for a laminated license in my county.

As for which gun, that is a very personal choice. A gun that fits my hands well, feels comfortable, and is of a caliber I can handle may be the complete opposite for you. As others have said, if you can go to a range that rents them, that is the best way to test them out.

Another thing you'll want to think of is ammo cost. .22 is the cheapest at about $13 for 550 rounds (used to be less than $10) but also the least powerful. 9mm would be the 2nd cheapest. I can get a case (500 rounds) of 9mm for $80 plus tax right now at Dick's Sporting Goods (when they have it in stock). The same amount of ammo in .45 or .380 is $150 + tax - almost double the cost of 9mm. Not sure about .40 but I'd bet its close to the same as .45 costs.

If you buy a single box of the same ammo at dick's, it about $10 or $11 a box for 9mm and about $17 or $18 a box for the .380 and .45, so buying in bulk or cases at a time is the best bet.

I have 5 pistols - CZ P-01 9mm, Taurus PT99 9mm, Springfield Mil-Spec 1911 .45, Bersa Thunder .380, Ruger Single Six .22 revolver.




 
Chunkee

Chunkee

Lifer
Jul 28, 2002
10,391
1
81
Originally posted by: JasonSix78
.380 to a .45 is a broad range. Get a 9mm if it's your first one. I'd suggest a Springfield XD as I have one and it has been a great, reliable pistol.

http://www.wvcdl.org/WVCCW.html
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I just ordered the .40 XDm...very nice indeed...great guns. OR get a SigSauer if you are a high roller...
 
Scarpozzi

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
26,389
1,779
126
Originally posted by: Chunkee
Originally posted by: JasonSix78
.380 to a .45 is a broad range. Get a 9mm if it's your first one. I'd suggest a Springfield XD as I have one and it has been a great, reliable pistol.

http://www.wvcdl.org/WVCCW.html
Click to expand...

I just ordered the .40 XDm...very nice indeed...great guns. OR get a SigSauer if you are a high roller...
Click to expand...
I've got an XD9 subcompact. I picked it up for $489, but some places sell it around $550. It's been great....easy to field strip and clean. It's compact and comes with a lot of XD accesories in the case.

In contrast, there are quite a few guns out there with more bang for their buck. They're just not as cool. :p

I recommend checking out the Taurus 24/7 .40. It's double-action with a thumb-safety. The only downside is that it has a long trigger pull. The Stoeger Cougar 8000 9mm is VERY comfortable...probably the best feeling handgun I've ever had the pleasure of shooting. It has a long trigger pull initially to pull the hammer, but then it fires very smoothly. Both are under $400.
 
J

JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
1
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If you have never fired a pistol, I would not recommend starting off with a .45 - this coming from someone who owns a pair of them. I would especially say this if you intend for your wife to enjoy shooting. Likewise, I wouldn't go with a compact right off the bat either. If you want her to enjoy shooting and thus be more supportive of you in the future as you buy more handguns (and lets face it, no one stops at one :D) pick up a full-sized handgun in a milder caliber and start there. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to a used gun as long as it is from a reputable outlet - local gun shop, etc. - where hopefully a gunsmith or similar knowledgeable person has given it a thorough once-over (and maybe even has a decent return policy once you test fire it).
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
You may want to buy a .22 target pistol- learn the basics..and ammo is cheap!
 
JasonSix78

JasonSix78

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2005
2,020
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Originally posted by: JDMnAR1
If you have never fired a pistol, I would not recommend starting off with a .45 - this coming from someone who owns a pair of them. I would especially say this if you intend for your wife to enjoy shooting. Likewise, I wouldn't go with a compact right off the bat either. If you want her to enjoy shooting and thus be more supportive of you in the future as you buy more handguns (and lets face it, no one stops at one :D) pick up a full-sized handgun in a milder caliber and start there. Personally, I wouldn't be opposed to a used gun as long as it is from a reputable outlet - local gun shop, etc. - where hopefully a gunsmith or similar knowledgeable person has given it a thorough once-over (and maybe even has a decent return policy once you test fire it).
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Great advice. I talked my g/f into firing my 9mm several years ago; she squeezed off one round and handed it back to me like it was covered in poo. Getting the wife/gf's support is the utmost importance when it comes to firearms. It's a real bonus if you can get them interested and active with you.
 
D

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
I bought a handgun over the summer for home defense and taking to the range. It was my first gun.

I went with a Glock 19 (9mm compact) which was a good size to an under-bed safe, but still fit well in my hand (unlike the sub-compact). I went with the Glock over something like the XD because IMO the XD is a lesser knock-off of the Glock design. But they are a little cheaper.

I have put about 500 rounds thru my Glock and never had a single issue.

As for wife acceptance, this is a little harder. When we bought the Glock we took it to the range. The wife put one round thru it, limp wristed it (causing it to jam) the brass hit her in the face and she was very turned off. We decided to rent her a 22cal revolver and she enjoyed that.

Revolvers are a lot simpler and can make people more comfortable because if the cylinder is out, it won't go off. Where with a semi-auto there could be a round in the chamber even with the ag out (although you should always follow the 4 rules of gun safety and you'll be fine), but some people are less comfortable with a semi.

I'd suggest avoiding a 40cal because the recoil is very sharp. Also, if this weapon is for home defense you want to weigh knockdown power against the risk of over-penetration. There are very effective hollow point (I like Corbon) 9mm rounds that will provide more than sufficient knockdown power but also be less likely to over-penetrate when compared to something like a 45cal.

As for restrictions, you can own a handgun pretty much anywhere (not sure the status of the DC and Chicago bans following the supreme court ruling), but most states have a 7-day waiting period. As for concealed carry, that also varies from state to state. Some states have a "shall issue" which means if you complete the courses and pass the background check you are issued a permit. Other states have a "may issue" which means you do all the courses and they can choose to issue it or not based on why you want it. Typically you either need to be rich/famous or transport valuables for a living.

Best of luck. Feel free to PM if you have any questions.
 
R

ryan256

Platinum Member
Jul 22, 2005
2,514
0
71
If it is your first handgun I'd go with a Glock 9mm. The ammo is common as dirt, but still has enough power to stop an attacker. It also doesn't have so much kick that a woman can't handle the caliber.
Glocks are very well built and easy to maintain. Its designed to be able to take all kinds of abuse and still fire and its fairly easy to take apart and clean.
 
DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2005
5,340
3
81
Anyone know handgun prices in Canada? I've been thinking about getting a license but I have a feeling there is no way I will find a 500 dollar handgun here. Something tells me they cost around 2 k here.
 
D

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
Originally posted by: ryan256
If it is your first handgun I'd go with a Glock 9mm. The ammo is common as dirt, but still has enough power to stop an attacker. It also doesn't have so much kick that a woman can't handle the caliber.
Glocks are very well built and easy to maintain. Its designed to be able to take all kinds of abuse and still fire and its fairly easy to take apart and clean.
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Law Enforcement and Armed Forces around the world rely on the Glock because it is rock solid and dependable. If it's good enough for men and women putting themselves in harms way it's good enough for me :thumbsup:
 
sourceninja

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
8,805
65
91
I love Springfield armory XD series pistols. 9mm, 40, 45, compact, subcompact, service, tactical...they are all awesome.
 
Specop 007

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
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Guns are like shoes. You need to find what fits you.

I would start with looking at Springfield, Glock, Sig, Ruger, S&W, HK and I know I've missed a few others there......

I use a Sig P229 9mm. The wife is most likely getting a Kel Tec 380 (P3 ot P3AT or some shit) for X-mas.

Also keep in mind how you would carry it. Its far easier to conceal a small frame pistol then a giant 1911 frame, especially if your in a warm weather climate and a thin guy. Doable, but something to keep in mind.

EDIT

beretta. Forgot them. Probably more I cant think of right off too
 
JPB

JPB

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2005
4,064
89
91
Thanks for all the info guys, nice info you all have given. :thumbsup:
 
Pegun

Pegun

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2004
1,334
0
71
Originally posted by: Mr Pickles
Please do not get a gun.
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Please Stop being ignorant. This is the wrong crowd to preach your ignorance to.

As for what kind of pistol, do your research to find a semi-auto which has a 22 conversion kit available for it. The Sig Sauers mostly have them and I think the Springfield Armory XD's do as well. It's a great way to get a feel for the gun your shooting but do it with the _much_ cheaper .22 caliber ammo.
 
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