Question for the Gun Owners

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Question for the Gun Owners
Topic Started: Nov 23 2008, 06:54 PM (119 Views)
Rafzakael	Nov 23 2008, 06:54 PM Post #1
Beelzebub Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #412 Joined: February 8, 2008	I've been meaning to learn to (properly) shoot a handgun for a while now, and I wanted to see if anyone here had any input for me before I go out and spend a whole lot of cash. First off, my impression of the (somewhat unclear) Michigan gun laws is that I can be licensed to purchase a gun at the age of 18, so long as the dealer is licensed to sell to me, but not carry concealed until I'm 21. Is this correct? Looking at NH specifically on this one, as he's a resident. Secondly, any recommendations as to a good beginner gun? I'm thinking a semi-auto pistol. Price is not a major object, because I have a pretty decent job for a college student, and I've been saving for a while. I was looking at the Springfield Armory XD and the Beretta PX4 Storm in particular.



Menhad	Nov 23 2008, 08:40 PM Post #2
ET2(IDW) Posts: 2,681 Group: Veterans Member #143 Joined: May 22, 2005	Well a good way to start is a .22 pistol, pop a few squirrels. Then move up to something bigger, like a 9mm. For brand I would go with Glock or H&K.



Tristan da Cunha	Nov 23 2008, 09:19 PM Post #3
Science and Industry Posts: 6,792 Group: Veterans Member #86 Joined: November 1, 2004	As the Protestant's/gun nut's saying goes "every man works out his own salvation" meaning each person will have his own unique personal preference as to which gun is most ergonomic, accurate, and overall comfortable for him. You may want to rent a variety of guns and calibers from the shooting range and try them out before deciding which model to buy. I'm a fan of the 9mm Glock 19 because of its intrinsic accuracy, near perfect reliability, and indestructibility. But imo Glocks are ugly as shit. (Since I'm someone who not only likes shooting but also likes guns, to me form and function are both important) You may also want to try the .45 ACP caliber. Taurus makes a good .45 model that is reliable and cheap too. Personally I don't think a .22 should be a college student's first purchase because you would already know it would never be your "main" gun, that you're going to buy a larger caliber eventually, and the .22 gun would just be extra cost. And, you don't need to think of your gun as a "beginner's gun." If you buy a reliable, affordable firearm it can serve you well for your entire life and even outlive you. So, in conclusion: Glock 19! My first (and only) firearm purchase was a 9 mm Browning Hi-Power which is a fine gun but I regret not researching more carefully beforehand. If I had, I would've bought a Glock instead. Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Nov 24 2008, 12:36 PM.



Rafzakael	Nov 24 2008, 02:33 AM Post #4
Beelzebub Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #412 Joined: February 8, 2008	I've shot a .22LR before, it was, well, boring. Not much feel to it. I think I'd like to get a 9mm, because ammo is cheap, and this is going to be mostly a range-only gun, at least for the next 2 years. Once I can carry, I'll likely consider moving up to a .45 ACP.



Sedulius	Nov 24 2008, 02:45 AM Post #5
Field Marshal Posts: 4,727 Group: Members Member #427 Joined: March 29, 2008	Glock is expensive. Ruger less ss. Hi-Point even less. And all make pretty reliable and accurate handguns. Depends on how much your willing to put down, and what exactly they have at your local gun stores (if that's where you're making the purchase). Myself, I still only have my two Mosin-Nagant rifles (their my babies :lol: ), but if I was going for a semi-auto handgun, I'd probably go for a TT-33 (but that's because I'm a collector).



New Harumf	Nov 24 2008, 09:59 AM Post #6
Bloodthirsty Unicorn Posts: 9,638 Group: Forum Mods Member #177 Joined: October 8, 2005	Handguns require a purchase permit in Michigan, as you suspected, which you can file for and get at your local police department the same day (provided there is nothing with the feds to slow you down, like fucking urinating in public :dry: ). A concealed permit usually requires a reason, and I do not have one. As for weapon - my first pistol was a Ruger .22 semi-auto. It cost less than most and never jams. Ammo is very cheap as are additional mags, and it holds 15 shots per mag. It is perfect for the range, but will get old, but it looks cool! While at Gander Mountain (in Novi) Don picked out a very nice S&W 9mm Semi-auto which actually looks like a gun (unlike the Glocks) and it is on sale for $399.00. 9mm is fairly inexpensive ammo. Gander also has a great selection of .357's, .45's and one honker .45-70 revolver, for $999.00, but at $2.50 a bullet, that can get costly! I also hear Dick's has some pretty good prices (one in Brighton I know of), and everybody will have sales after Thanksgiving! Happy shopping!!



Tristan da Cunha	Nov 24 2008, 10:43 AM Post #7
Science and Industry Posts: 6,792 Group: Veterans Member #86 Joined: November 1, 2004	Siadhail Nov 24 2008, 02:45 AM Glock is expensive. Ruger less ss. Hi-Point even less. And all make pretty reliable and accurate handguns. Depends on how much your willing to put down, and what exactly they have at your local gun stores (if that's where you're making the purchase). Myself, I still only have my two Mosin-Nagant rifles (their my babies :lol: ), but if I was going for a semi-auto handgun, I'd probably go for a TT-33 (but that's because I'm a collector). What? Glocks aren't expensive. New Glocks are cheap. Used Glocks are more expensive than other used guns - Glocks have high resale value because they're so rugged and indestructible. A Glock that's been shot regularly for 15 years will only be $50 off the price for a new one. New Harumf Handguns require a purchase permit in Michigan, as you suspected, which you can file for and get at your local police department the same day (provided there is nothing with the feds to slow you down, like fucking urinating in public :dry: ). A concealed permit usually requires a reason, and I do not have one. As for weapon - my first pistol was a Ruger .22 semi-auto. It cost less than most and never jams. Ammo is very cheap as are additional mags, and it holds 15 shots per mag. It is perfect for the range, but will get old, but it looks cool! While at Gander Mountain (in Novi) Don picked out a very nice S&W 9mm Semi-auto which actually looks like a gun (unlike the Glocks) and it is on sale for $399.00. 9mm is fairly inexpensive ammo. Gander also has a great selection of .357's, .45's and one honker .45-70 revolver, for $999.00, but at $2.50 a bullet, that can get costly! I also hear Dick's has some pretty good prices (one in Brighton I know of), and everybody will have sales after Thanksgiving! Happy shopping!! Out of the modern polymer guns S&W M&P definitely has an extremely comfortable grip, much better than Glock.



New Harumf	Nov 24 2008, 12:04 PM Post #8
Bloodthirsty Unicorn Posts: 9,638 Group: Forum Mods Member #177 Joined: October 8, 2005	Yeah, I really felt comfortable holding the S&W M&P, and it is a very compact weapon too. S&W is also a very reliable gun and has a reasonable resale value (tho you are right, the Glocks fetch slightly more, but that's probably due to the number of illegal ones out there and the publicity they get). I honestly would NOT buy a Taurus - cheaply made, and from what I've heard, they can jam, frequently. As I always say, buy American anyway!! Also, some Colts don't take the most common ammo, so ask if you like one. When you get to the gun store, just hold several and find what feels most comfortable, then remember you will be doubling the weight when the mag is full. Then talk to the salesman about the pros and cons of the ones that feel good to you - they are usually pretty knowledgable, mostly x-cops. Chrome or blued, that's all personal choice as far as I'm concerned. I like blued simply because they look cleaner after handling.



Rafzakael	Nov 24 2008, 12:47 PM Post #9
Beelzebub Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #412 Joined: February 8, 2008	Thanks so much, NH. Do you happen to know if GM is licensed to sell to 18+? From what I read, there are two different types of dealer license, one can sell to 18 and up, and others only 21 and up. I guess I'll check their website, hopefully find something there.



New Harumf	Nov 24 2008, 01:12 PM Post #10
Bloodthirsty Unicorn Posts: 9,638 Group: Forum Mods Member #177 Joined: October 8, 2005	Rafzakael Nov 24 2008, 12:47 PM Thanks so much, NH. Do you happen to know if GM is licensed to sell to 18+? From what I read, there are two different types of dealer license, one can sell to 18 and up, and others only 21 and up. I guess I'll check their website, hopefully find something there. Well, I saw some obvious under 21's when I was there, but they could have been looking at rifles, it being hunting season and all. Just call them up and ask!! That's usually the easiest solution.



Paradise	Nov 24 2008, 09:34 PM Post #11
Resident bureaucrat Posts: 2,268 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: December 23, 2003	Raf, you should go with a bazooka. What's the point of buying a handgun? It's not destructive enough. If you could, you should definitely get a nuclear missile, though...



Rafzakael	Nov 24 2008, 09:41 PM Post #12
Beelzebub Posts: 377 Group: Members Member #412 Joined: February 8, 2008	Paradise Nov 24 2008, 09:34 PM Raf, you should go with a bazooka. What's the point of buying a handgun? It's not destructive enough. If you could, you should definitely get a nuclear missile, though... MI Gun law is quite clear on this point, unfortunately, no nukes under 21.



New Harumf	Nov 25 2008, 09:21 AM Post #13
Bloodthirsty Unicorn Posts: 9,638 Group: Forum Mods Member #177 Joined: October 8, 2005	Rafzakael Nov 24 2008, 09:41 PM Paradise Nov 24 2008, 09:34 PM Raf, you should go with a bazooka. What's the point of buying a handgun? It's not destructive enough. If you could, you should definitely get a nuclear missile, though... MI Gun law is quite clear on this point, unfortunately, no nukes under 21. Paradise, you got one for sale?? I am having the damnedist time finding Plutonium now that Lybian terrorists have dried up since the "Back to the Future" publicity!

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