Buying a Handgun..Need Info

OK,

So I’ve thought about this a lot. I’m going to apply for my concealed carry permit. I read about getting a permit, here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2064604_get-permit-carry-concealed-weapon.html , and I’m sure this is what I want to do. I’m thinking HK, I don’t want to go with a glock because i know too many people that they jammed up on. Is there any way to hurry up the process?

I don’t want to wait 6 months. I’ve been receiving threatening phone calls and I’d rather have one and not need it rather than need one and not have it.

it all really depends on your budget. im getting my LTCH soon also. i want an XD45 or glock 20

I want to hear more about the threatening phone calls. Do tell.

[quote]StevenF wrote:
I want to hear more about the threatening phone calls. Do tell. [/quote]

Ditto.

Springfield XD’s are very good pistols…and they’re reasonably priced.

glock 22 .40 cal
standard issue for alot of police officers around
cost is around 500 dollars or so

glock 26 is good concealed carry peice
along with the glock 19 the g19 is a bit larger and holds 5 more rounds compaired to the g26 I can also get all 4 fingers on the g19 and my pinky hangs off the g26 but they are both good.

g26 is eaiser to conceal slightly
here is a video of a guy showing off his g26

here is a second one where he shows the holster

HK makes fine weapons also you wont go wrong with one of them
but yes please tell bout these calls

Take a lot of classes before you buy anything. Most will rent you something to practice with.

Do tell about the threatening phone calls.

I would try several, see how they feel in my hand - good solid grip is best.

See how it balances for you - is it nice & level for you? Not front heavy?

You sound like you’re in a hurry to have one. Might want to start with long-range pepper spray if you’re in that big of a hurry. Non-lethal, but deterrent (unless your foe is on PCP).

Shooting ranges are a good suggestion (above). They’ll let you try different models. My local range charges $17 to shoot all day. They charge you for the ammo you use. (Can get expensive, depending on what ammo you pick.)

I hear pawn shops are a good place to pick one up - was told that by a couple of local police officers.

Just remember, the weapon you have can be used against you. So don’t get it unless you’re prepared to:

a) hang on to it
b) have it in a readily available, easy-access spot
c) have it secured from little ones & friends & anyone who could hurt themselves
d) decide if you’re going to keep it loaded
e) go back to c) and make sure you’ve got a good plan
f) get trained in how to use it safely

If you read this list, thinking “Pshaw, she doesn’t know a damn thing…” then ok. I’ll leave your thread alone & good luck to you. But, I’d seriously consider the above.

[quote]reneeweimer wrote:

If you read this list, thinking “Pshaw, she doesn’t know a damn thing…” then ok. I’ll leave your thread alone & good luck to you. But, I’d seriously consider the above. [/quote]

I wouldnt worry about anyone thinking you don’t know what you are talking about.

[quote]Mister T. wrote:
This, coupled with your posts of late, frighten me just ever so slightly.[/quote]

x2

You OK there AccQ?

Before you even fill out the application, you need to take an approved course. Your time is better spent investigating those at this point.

Smith & Wesson Academy in Springfield ($100) is designed to satisfy the Mass LTC requirements.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=12601&storeId=10001&productId=41408&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=21808&training=Y

And if you are living in Boston, good luck. Expect the whole process to take about 90 days. Forty of those days will be spent waiting for the paperwork to be processed.

http://northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=1069

[quote]Mister T. wrote:
That said, I don’t know why Glocks have the “jam” reputation they do. Perhaps people mod them and don’t know what they’re doing?[/quote]

Yep, that or they don’t know how to load a magazine. I’ve fired at least a couple thousand rounds through 3 different Glocks and not one has had a problem.

Back on topic-

It always worries me when someone is reactively instead of proactively purchasing a firearm.

Accipiter, you’re not going to be able to speed up the process. Get a restraining order and some pepper spray while also going through the training of concealed carry.

[quote]AccipiterQ wrote:
OK,

So I’ve thought about this a lot. I’m going to apply for my concealed carry permit. I read about getting a permit, here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2064604_get-permit-carry-concealed-weapon.html , and I’m sure this is what I want to do. I’m thinking HK, I don’t want to go with a glock because i know too many people that they jammed up on. Is there any way to hurry up the process?

I don’t want to wait 6 months. I’ve been receiving threatening phone calls and I’d rather have one and not need it rather than need one and not have it.
[/quote]

i bought a second hand Springfield Armory XD compact 45 and i love it. It looked brand new, got two extra mags with it and it cost only 400$. It shoots very well so to me it’s a no brainer.

I don’t think I’ll ever buy a govt model again, they cost more, need gunsmithing to function well and you can get 3-4 polymer pistols for the price, or one and a fuckton of ammo and range time to practice with.

Glocks are also great in my book.

[quote]Doug Adams wrote:
Mister T. wrote:
That said, I don’t know why Glocks have the “jam” reputation they do. Perhaps people mod them and don’t know what they’re doing?

Yep, that or they don’t know how to load a magazine. I’ve fired at least a couple thousand rounds through 3 different Glocks and not one has had a problem.

Back on topic-

It always worries me when someone is reactively instead of proactively purchasing a firearm.

Accipiter, you’re not going to be able to speed up the process. Get a restraining order and some pepper spray while also going through the training of concealed carry. [/quote]

Glcoks don’t jam, but they will if they are not held properly with a to loose grip. but any pistol will jam then. i don’t think I ever had a jam with a glock.

govt models will jam with certain loads unless the feed ramp is polished or the ejection post is enlarged, ie,scalloped.

This is why I’m trading in a P12. It was jamming every 3-4 shots with 230 gr. hornady xtp hollow points.

Ditto to what everyone else said here. If you have a range that has rentals, I would go there and shoot different brands to see what feels best for YOU. I love my Glock 19 but to carry concealed can be a real pain in the ass some times. Check out http://www.naaminis.com/ I find the neck lanyard or belt buckle on the regular .22 to be very convenient to carry and remarkably accurate at 5-10 ft.

I know many here will say .22 and .22 mag is a weak crap load to carry but I think it is better to ALWAYS have it on you than to only sometimes carry a larger caliber.

Two of the most respected handgun manufacturers are Glock and SigSauer. LE’s preference has been torn between the two for a while, but Glock has taken over by a great majority. Why? Because Glock = Perfection.

Even without knowing first hand the problems your friends reported to you, I’d be willing to bet whatever issues they had were user error, as said. Easy to shoot, ie, point and shoot, easy to assemble/disassemble, easy to clean and maintain.

Some of the other manufacturers mentioned leave with a single action only choice (like Springfield), which means you’re carrying the pistol with hammer cocked, and safety engaged. The Glock has an internal striking system, with a trigger safety, so no hammer to get snagged on clothing. Comparatively speaking, the Glock also holds many more rounds as compared to any of the government style .45s.

As said, take a safety course. That is probably a requirement of the concealed permit process, anyway.

Granted I don’t know you, but from what I see in this environment, you’re the last fuckin’ guy needing a weapon of any kind.

[quote]Makavali wrote:
Mister T. wrote:
This, coupled with your posts of late, frighten me just ever so slightly.

x2

You OK there AccQ?[/quote]

x3

Please promise that you won’t go on a campus shooting spree before using it on yourself.

DB

AccQ,

You do realize that if you are receiving threatening phone calls, you can notify the police about it, and they can trace the origin of the call. No one needs to deal with shit like that, and if you are looking into buying a gun because of these calls, maybe you should look into getting the police involved. Something to consider.

Glocks are not known to jam. They are one of the most reliable handguns made. The G19 in my opinion is the perfect concealed carry weapon. I’m both a competitive shooter and an NRA Range Safety Officer and I’m speaking from experience. If you limp wrist a Glock it may fail to feed… maybe. The big advantage to a Glcok type pistol is the ease of controls. You have no safety to take off and the trigger pull is consistent for each shot.

A Glock, Sig or HK are all very reliable. If you want an auto and are on a budget look at Ruger. Doesn’t sound like you have a lot of trigger time so a single action auto like a 1911 might not be prudent for you to carry.

My advice, if you are not an experienced shooter or willing to become one, would be to carry a revolver for awhile. A good Smith and Wesson or Ruger revolver in .38/.357 cal. will be be reliable, easy to learn how to use and most likely more then enough for what you need. I carry a .38 airweight in the summer time and never worry about it. I normally carry the G19 day to day but the .38 will handle most situations a civilian will find himself in.

fyi- Renee gave you good advice about hanging on to your weapon. Invest in a retention/disarmerment class. It’s a real eye opener regarding taking a weapon from someone and retaining your own.