First purchase

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gsol

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Hello all,
I am new to this sport and looking for some advise about my first purchase.
I am looking to purchase a hand gun (probably a Glock) and not sure if I should be buying a new or a used one. I am considering a used gun because of the cost but I would like advise as to what to look for when shopping for one.
Any advise from your experiences would be appreciated.
 
Best advice I can give you is go to a rental range, or perhaps someone at your local gun range would let you try out a few handguns to see what fits you. Every hand is different and every handgun fits differently, you really need to hold, or preferably, shoot them to see what works for you. Glocks work for me, but many others hate the way they feel, personal preference lol.
As far as new, if you need to be the first, buy new,,, if not, there are some great deals to be had on lightly used guns on the Equipment Exchange, apply for access, you may need to wait a week or so for approval, then shop to your hearts content. In the meantime, there are many informative threads in the handgun forum, have fun choosing your first!
 
First what made you pick a Glock? I ask because when I was where you are, I too wanted a glock until I actually had one in my hands. Personally (and it's a personal preference) I hate the damn things my hand fits awkward on it and I just hate the feel. If you already fired one and you like it good for you, but my advice is try different brands. I fell in love with Sig (P226) and later on revolvers. You have to try everything before you drop some serious cash on a handgun cause they're not cheap these days and nothing feels worse than looking at a gun that you just bought and think I shouldn't have bought it.

In a few words take all the time you need.

Edit: If you cant rent them to fire at least go to the gun store and handle them, usually the store personnel is helpful and they don't mind showing you what they have
^^ but like Paul said below, don't take what they tell you for gold, they're primarely trying to push sales. make up your own mind on what they show you
 
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^^^ what he said

I have a Glock and while it is incredibly reliable, there are others that I enjoy shooting more. Actually go to a store where you can get your hands on different firearms and see how they feel... if you can shoot one somewhere even better. Gun store employees dont always know what they are talking about too so beware that.
 
My advice is to try some steel guns and some polymer, they are very different to shoot. Once you decide which one you prefer atleast you have narrowed down the guns you need to decide between. A lot of clubs have "club guns", they will let you try them on a new shooter or orientation night. You likely became interested in guns through a friend ? Hopefully ! Perhaps you can go to the range with others and try different guns ?
 
I would have a look the 1911's out there.
It's an old design, but they really are special pistols.

But if tupperware is your preference, make sure you hold a Smith and Wesson M&P
I have owned both & for me the M&P feels far superior to the Glock.
The gentlemen above have it right. Try out as many as you can.
Also you might want to look at the cost of ammunition be it 9mm, 40s&w, 45acp or what ever caliber you choose.
Do you know anyone who reloads.
This is not a cheap hobby. In fact it's downright addictive, and a bit pricey.
Firearms are like Potato Chips, it's very hard to stop at one.
 
Thanks for the advise gentlemen.
I was actually just looking at the M&P as well.
I will try it at the range next week and I will check the EE when I get the access.
 
As a newbie myself, this was all super helpful. Definitely going to go down to a range and try out a couple 9mm's.

Sort of got it stuck in my head that a glock would be the ideal but it would make more sense to play the field and get a good feel for all shapes and sizes.
 
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Not a fan of polymer platforms i prefer Metal. Me and my friend when we went to pick them he picked up a M&P range kit i got Cdn Edition CZ. Next one for me was Sig P226 Elite Stainless.

Sometimes you get stuck with a particular platform in your mind best is to try the feel of them the most if you can wait try them out at local range if they can rent sometimes the want of a platform can quickly diminish to having it in safe because you have it than using it and enjoying it.

If you try one you like then you can always pick it up deals regularly happen but i rather have what i want than having what i bought. ;-)
 
Definitely invest time to get to a range and try several guns (shooting at target, seeing how/what you hit, not just feeling it in the hands). Even same class of guns, within a similar price range, can behave extremely differently. Personal experience: my S&W M&P 9, looks great, feels great every time I shoot, but me and the gun do a horrible job at matching POI with POA (others who shot the gun did). On the other hand, my H&K SFP9, while I don't love its design so much, fits my bill much better, most shots get where I want and all that. Mind you, I reckon most people would get frustrated easily with a gun that doesn't shoot where they expect to. Yeah, I know it's the shooter (me) in this case, not getting along with the M&P, but the point is you've to try stuff. You might be surprised how different they behave...
 
Can't stress how important it is to shoot as many different types of guns before you buy one. Shoot everything, not just the ones you think you will like. I hated 1911's and everything about them until I shot one. Also shoot with an open mind. Do not listen to the people working at the counter, do your research on the guns when you go home. Don't set your mind on one gun (or style of gun) before you shoot lots of different styles. I would buy used because handguns usually don't have problems unless they have been damaged in some way. And if they do it is usuall just a pin, spring, or small piece that needs to be replaced.
 
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