[TheIglu]

So I'm taking the course for my LTC application in two weeks. I have my references in order, no felony's/misdermeanors, etc and am trying to decide on what direction I'd like to head with my first handgun.

99% recreational shooting
1% protection (in home only)

I already have a small .22LR for plinkin and my father and I will be inheriting a rather large assortment of firearms in the future. I'd like to be ready legally.

I was thinking 9mm due to availibility of inexpensive but quality rounds. I don't need a 45mag or anything rediculous. I've shot one, it's not my thing.

I've heard S&K makes a nice gun to shoot. This would be a long term investment for me.

Opinions? Recommendations?

I grew up shooting since I was 8. I'm no stranger to it, just not familiar with owning pistols. I was very lucky to be raised in a family that was not afraid of firearms.

[cbrburns]

The 9mm is a great gun for rec shooting due to the fact that ammo is pretty cheap. Personally, I like the .40 cal. It's got a little more punch than the 9 but less than a .45. S&W, Sig, and Glock are all good places to start. The only downfall I see of the Glock, is the trigger only safety.

[Fatman]

I'd start off with something small like a Desert Eagle .50 cal. Action Express with the optional 10-inch barrel...

[rebelpacket]

9mm is a great round. .40 and .45 are nice, but much more expensive to shoot. When it comes to protective duty, buy a compact .45. The old saying "there's no replacement for displacement" works with guns too. When it matters, a .45 will stop an elephant driving a jeep.

As far as pistols themselves, everyone has their different tastes. My personal favorite is glocks. For protective, a glock 30 is nice and small, and holds enough ammunition. The lack of a "safety" on the glocks worries some. But unless your retarded, the gun won't go off in your pants.

22 is nice, but I completely dislike the rimfire cartridge. I'd rather shoot corrosive ammunition than shoot 22.

[cbrburns]

Originally Posted by rebelpacket

The lack of "safety" on the glocks worries some. But unless your retarded, the gun won't go off in your pants.

I agree with that 100%, the only reason I brought it up is because a Glock is mainly marketed for carry/protection/LEO's. Most people at a range will feel more comfortable with a manual safety rather than just the keep your finger off the trigger rule.

[TheIglu]

9mm it is then.

S&W, S&K, close enough

Does anyone personally own a 9mm that they would recommend? I'd like to hear some actual ownership opinions if I can before going into a gun shop completely uneducated.

Also, anyone recommend a gun shop in MA that carries S&W and Glock?

[TheIglu]

Originally Posted by Fatman

I'd start off with something small like a Desert Eagle .50 cal. Action Express with the optional 10-inch barrel...

You ain't gunna start out with shit unless you return my email and attend the class with me

I've shot a Deagle. I'd rather beat off with sandpaper than shoot one regularly.

[ZX-12R]

Do you have your mind set on automatics or would you consider a wheel gun? You can get very good deals on used .357's if you look in the right places.

Due to your size, I think it would be awesome to see you wield an X-Frame from Smith & Wesson. I want the 460 XVR so if you get it, let me squeeze off a few!

[cbrburns]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

9mm it is then.

S&W, S&K, close enough

Does anyone personally own a 9mm that they would recommend? I'd like to hear some actual ownership opinions if I can before going into a gun shop completely uneducated.

Also, anyone recommend a gun shop in MA that carries S&W and Glock?

Blue Northern Trading in Ayer has a decent selection of new/used guns. I think all the Mom and Pop shops in Fitchburg area are gone now. I know Hembrow's in Leominster is definitely closed. John's Sport shop in Gardner used to carry firearms, but I haven't been in there in years.


Like ZX mentioned, a nice .357 makes a good shooter. If you squeeze the trigger with an auto in a bad situation and it goes click, your dead. With a wheel gun, if it goes click, just squeeze it again and it goes BOOM.

[TheIglu]

I have shot quite a few sessions with a .38 special growing up. I tend to prefer the automatics. While I do enjoy the simplicity for cleaning, maintenance and durability, I'd like my first purchase to be an automatic.

Revolvers are a large portion of the collection that I'll have access to in the near future, I'd rather get a nice semi-auto.

[TheIglu]

I won't be using it for personal protection for the vast majority of it's use. Yes, it will be in my house and I wouldn't shy away from it giving absolute necessity but as I said before, I'll soon have many other firearms in my collection including two .357's and a .45.

I don't want or need a ZX10R, just looking for a nice SV650 to enjoy riding around with.

[TheIglu]

Originally Posted by cbrburns

Blue Northern Trading in Ayer has a decent selection of new/used guns. I think all the Mom and Pop shops in Fitchburg area are gone now. I know Hembrow's in Leominster is definitely closed. John's Sport shop in Gardner used to carry firearms, but I haven't been in there in years.


Like ZX mentioned, a nice .357 makes a good shooter. If you squeeze the trigger with an auto in a bad situation and it goes click, your dead. With a wheel gun, if it goes click, just squeeze it again and it goes BOOM.

Would you recommend the shop in South Gardner? Match Shot Firearms I think it's called. He has weird hours, that's for sure. I drive by it regularly and it never seems to be open. Doesn't look like a thriving business.

I'd rather find a nice shop that I can setup a decent working relationship to do the majority of my business with in the future.

[TheIglu]

I have heard Heckler and Koch make a decent pistol. Anyone ever fired a USP or P2000?

[Doc]

Both of those are kinda expensive.

I have aTaurus copy of the Beretta 9mm. Easy for me since it is my service pistol in the Army. 9mm are easy to shoot.

[Ducrappy]

I will put in my vote for a Sig Sauer P229. I own a P229R .40 and I love shooting this at the range. The new ones all come with a tactical rail too so you could mount a flashlight or laser for home protection. I'm not really into polymer guns, and as a result, I'm not a big fan of H&K USPs or Glocks.

[Fatman]

I've heard good things about the H&K .45ACP USP, however, that came out a long time ago. Standard issue weapon for military and law enforcement would be the 9mm Beretta. The other thing about the glocks that makes me uneasy is the fact that they don't have the lip under the hammer, so that if one is an amateur, the slide would move back and give the person slide bite between the index finger and thumb.

[Billy]

Four Seasons Firearms is where I go for all my gun needs:
Four Seasons in Woburn, MA

I own a 9mm Beretta 92FS Inox:
92 FS Inox

I also own a .45 Smith & Wesson SW1911:
SW1911

9mm is cheaper to shoot like everyone else has said but when I want to feel like a bad ass I wip out the .45 and pop off a couple rounds (not too many because it's more expensive)

[cbrburns]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Would you recommend the shop in South Gardner? Match Shot Firearms I think it's called. He has weird hours, that's for sure. I drive by it regularly and it never seems to be open. Doesn't look like a thriving business.

I'd rather find a nice shop that I can setup a decent working relationship to do the majority of my business with in the future.

I've never done any business with Match Shot, where are they located? I have dealt with Blue Northern a few times since it's right down the street from where I work. The guys seem pretty honest and up front, and will help with any newbie type questions.

[cbrburns]

Just found this doing a Google search, I'll have to go check em out.

Match Shot Firearms in Gardner, MA - Northeastshooters.com

[richw]

My favorite is my

Paraordinanace p-14 45acp

Note Other then the featherweight all my pistols are
stainless usually not much more money and a lot less BS.

Also used to shoot bowling pins etc. If you are going to find a club look at their events and get a good gun for that.

target, idpa, ipsic etc. even cowboy action

or a mac9 for the drive by's

[ssg]

Where you takin the course? are there still openings

[TheIglu]

Taking the course in Fitchburg June 5th @ 6pm. A single night course. $75. Put on by a Lunenburg officer. Want me to sign you up? I'll be emailing him back today.

[TheIglu]

Originally Posted by cbrburns

Just found this doing a Google search, I'll have to go check em out.

Match Shot Firearms in Gardner, MA - Northeastshooters.com

Looks like they speak fairly highly of that place. Nice, it's less than 2 miles from my house.

[Doc]

Mine

Taurus Tactical | Law Enforcement and Military Pistols and Revolvers, home of the PT 1911, 24/7 Pro and Millennium Pro

[cbrburns]

Originally Posted by TheIglu

Taking the course in Fitchburg June 5th @ 6pm. A single night course. $75. Put on by a Lunenburg officer. Want me to sign you up? I'll be emailing him back today.

I took that course about 3 months ago. It's put on in his basement, and if you have any firearms experience, you'll breeze through it. Rodney's a great guy and will answer any questions no matter how stupid you may think they are. The final test is a 50 question multiple choice test, followed by a lock and load of an auto loader and a wheel gun by each student.(With dummy ammo obviously) When I took it there were only 2 of us in the class, but he'll take up to 6.

Here in Winchentucky, they will not issue "All Lawful Purposes" licenses any more. The only thing you can get is a "Target and Hunting restriction" which means no concealed carry for personal protection. I know you're looking for more target use than anything else, but I just threw that in for anyone else who may be trying to obtain a LTC. Check with your towns PD on restrictions.