• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

New to forum & guns looking for advice

votoc

New member
Joined
Dec 7, 2011
Messages
1
Location
Fredericksburg
Hello all,

I came here to look for some advice and help on getting into the world of guns. I have fired a few handguns and shotguns in the past but now I am looking to buy a handgun of my own. The gun will be used primarily by me but I would also like to have my wife use it in case of emergency. She already has agreed that it would be a good idea for us both to take a class so we are comfortable and familiar with the gun. From talking to my friends who own guns I believe I am looking for a 9mm. My questions are; where in the Fredericksburg area could I find a good gun training class and do you have an suggestions for which gun to get.

Thank you
 

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
Welcome to the forum!
Proshooter would be good for training.

Gun choice is difficult depending on your physical ability (and complicated by your wife), and the amount of training and practice you're willing to undergo. Shooting is not an inexpensive sport unless you handload.

I hate 9mm's but that may be the best fit for you. Don't get gun advice from the internet or for that matter, friends.

Go to a range that has rentals and try a few.

I would recommend a revolver. I would recommend against Glocks but there again, Proshooter will disagree. So will others. Pay attention to safety.

Last, remember that you do not need a permit to open carry in Va.
 

coondog22554

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2008
Messages
62
Location
Stafford, VA, ,
It's great your wife wants to attend a training class with you! You want to do all you can to make it a positive experience. That's why I think Proactive Shooters use of the classroom at Bass Pro Shops works in your favor. From your wifes perspective it combines the training with shopping and dining.

"The Range" in Stafford rents both revolvers and pistols to help you with your decision. Know what you want before you go to a gun store because you don't always want to take advice from the guy behind the counter. Your first handgun purchase should be whatever your wife is comfortable with.

And since you asked...Glock 19, although a revolver would make a good choice as well.
 

TFred

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
7,750
Location
Most historic town in, Virginia, USA
Welcome to OCDO. Since nobody else has mentioned it yet, you will also want to check out VCDL, at vcdl.org. They are the premiere grassroots pro-gun organization in the state, and maybe in the country. They have a free newsletter you can subscribe to by e-mail.

There are two actual stores in Fredericksburg where you can go look and feel a wide selection of handguns. Gander Mountain on Route 3 west, and SSG Tactical in the Westwood Office Park. Gander Mountain has terrible prices, at least the last I checked, and... well, I'm not overly fond of SSG for a handful of reasons that go back to the CHP training class I took at one of the prior business adventures of one of the owners, as well as their apparent indifference toward supporting newspapers that publish CHP lists.

There is also Old Town Firearms, located downtown in a tiny second floor office on William Street. I know nothing about the owner, or how much stock he keeps on hand. His business is run entirely out of an office that is literally about 80 square feet. I think he can order most anything you want, however. Not sure on his prices, but his overhead appears to be fairly low.

As noted by ProShooter, Bass Pro Shop is only about 35 minutes down the road, they always have an excellent selection and seem to beat Gander Mountain in pricing. And of course, if you go that far, you might also go about 3 miles further down Route 1 to Greentop. They have a good selection as well.

Here are websites for the two locals:

http://www.oldtownfirearms.com/
https://www.ssgtactical.com/

TFred
 

Badger Johnson

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
1,213
Location
USA
To the OP. Have you taken the class to get your CHL? There's one offered out of Gander Mountain which focuses on the four laws and the components of a handgun.

I'd suggest you look into getting your permit for the additional coverage it provides.
 

Baked on Grease

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2011
Messages
629
Location
Sterling, Va.
To the OP. Have you taken the class to get your CHL? There's one offered out of Gander Mountain which focuses on the four laws and the components of a handgun.

I'd suggest you look into getting your permit for the additional coverage it provides.

Lol coverage...CHP... Get it? :p

OP: As said ad nasuem in these forums, go rent and shoot a wide variety of handguns at a local rangw to get a good feel for what works for you.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is some tips for what to look for, but ProShooter will cover that in better detail in his classes. In short, the main two things to look for after price(if price matters to you) is how it fits in your hand and caliber. Fitting in your hand is probably of most importance, because if it doesn't fit you (and your wife consequently) well then uou can't fire it well, or worse could get hurt.

One thing I did, is buy my wife a Walther PK380 for her first pistol. Small molded grip fits her hand nicely, but not too small for my beefy booger picker. It's a .380 caliber and a larger than the average 380 sized pistol so it nearly has no "kick" when firing, great for her to learn proper use but not killing her wrist. Eventually she wanted something with more oomph so we are shopping for a 9mm for her now.

We did end up buying seperate pistols, she the PK380 and I got the Springfield XDm 9, and for us even though I spent more than intended originally, it worked better for us in the long run. Originally she fired my 9mm but found it too powerful for her because she was not used to it. Total cost for both pistols at the gun show was about $1000 and well worth it. I know some pistols out there get to $1000 with just the one gun >.<

Another thing to think about to support getting her her own gun, is if you leave for the day carrying the pistol you buy... is she left defenseleas at home? That's the main reason I got her one of her own to start out... But these are my reason, you may have your own.

Side note, XDm is an awesome line of handguns, and the Walther PK380 hasn't given me a single failure to date. Only two downsides for me was you need a special "key" to field strip to clean, and the mag release is sorta cumbersome till you get used to it.

Sent using tapatalk
 

MilProGuy

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2011
Messages
1,210
Location
Mississippi
Welcome to the forum!

You'll find that some very knowledgeable people hang out here, who are willing to help you with your questions about handguns, ammunition, and methods of carry.

Since you mentioned that you are leaning towards the 9mm, I'd recommend that you take a close look at the Taurus PT111 MilPro (Millennium Pro) 9mm. I've had one for a couple of years and it has performed flawlessly and is very accurate at self-defense distances.

Taurus also offers a lifetime service warranty on their handguns.

There are many other very fine options out there for you, too, so take a good look around before you decide which brand is best for you.

074millenniumpropt111b.jpg
 

wylde007

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
3,035
Location
Va Beach, Occupied VA
I hate 9mm's but that may be the best fit for you. Don't get gun advice from the internet or for that matter, friends.
... and then says...
I would recommend a revolver. I would recommend against Glocks but there again, Proshooter will disagree. So will others.
I hope you know I'm not doing anything but ribbing on you. I just found the contradiction humorous.
 

The Wolfhound

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
728
Location
Henrico, Virginia, USA
Welcome to the OCDO forum

A few small things to remember:
First, as has been said, get training.
Second, Join VCDL
Third, shoot before you buy. Be sure that your choice works for you and your wife. If it is unpleasant to shoot, you won't shoot it and you won't stay in practice.
Friends will usually share their handguns giving you a chance to try someting out. Forum members often will do the same. Many ranges have loaner guns you can try out. The right firearm can tame a potent cartridge or the wrong one can make a wimpy one punative.

Just remember most of all that this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. We may or may not know what we are talking about but we are definitely opinionated.
 
Last edited:

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
....snip....

Just remember most of all that this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it. We may or may not know what we are talking about but we are definitely opinionated.

IMHO I am not opinionated in the least. :rolleyes:

Regarding brand, model and caliber - one size does not fit all.
 

paramedic

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
118
Location
Waycross, GA
First of all welcom to OCDO.

I am by no means an expert, but I have learned so much from the great people on this site.

My two cents worth is just to say that my wife is a shooter and open carries as well. We did have to do alot of research on what would be the best option for her. She has very small hands and do to very serious injury to her arm several years ago, has lost quite a bit of strength. What we found the works best for her was the Taurus PT709 slim, it is a 9mm. It has been a great gun, especially for her. And do to its size(I am gonna be in so much trouble for this next part), it makes a great conceal carry gun.

And one more thing that has not been mentioned by any of the great advisors on here, is keep an eye out for OCDO meet and greets, it is a regular thing for groups to meet for meals through out the day, and there is usually a really enjoyable family pic nic in the summer time.
 

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
... and then says... I hope you know I'm not doing anything but ribbing on you. I just found the contradiction humorous.

Like I told Ed once, you'll never find a post where I claim to be fair.:lol:

As a matter of fact, even my own wife doesn't listen to me. I gave her the choice of a couple dozen revolvers I own.....and she bought the Taurus Milpro showed, except in 45ACP. (Thank heaven for small favors)

Oh, if you get a CHP as Badger sugguested

I'd suggest you look into getting your permit for the additional coverage it provides.

Please don't discuss it here. This is OCDO not get a permit so you can hang around the OC'ers.org.
Got too many of them already.
 
Last edited:

grylnsmn

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
620
Location
Pacific Northwest
As a matter of fact, even my own wife doesn't listen to me. I gave her the choice of a couple dozen revolvers I own.....and she bought the Taurus Milpro showed, except in 45ACP. (Thank heaven for small favors)

I'm so sorry. One of my coworkers had one of those in 45ACP, and no one could hit the broad side of a barn with it (even as we all got great groupings with 1911s and Glocks). We still joke that the safest place to be with that gun would be right in front of it, because you can't hit what you point it at.
 
Last edited:

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
I'm so sorry. One of my coworkers had one of those in 45ACP, and no one could hit the broad side of a barn with it (even as we all got great groupings with 1911s and Glocks). We still joke that the safest place to be with that gun would be right in front of it, because you can't hit what you point it at.

He/she just got a bad one. I posted a video of Jane on her first outing with it and she was shooting fist sized groups at 25 yards after she got the feel of it.

She's put around 7000 handloads through it with only 3 stovepipes that I know of.
Taurus is like that. They are either very good or very bad.
The Titanium 44 ultralite I have, is a great gun, if I remember to put a little extra crimp on the cartridges.
I hear horror story's from others.
 
Last edited:

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
I hope you don't think you're unique in this case... :lol:

What's really scary Wylde, is that she looked at every handgun in a hundred miles and came within a hair of buying a Desert Eagle at Greentops.:uhoh:
 
Top