I went shooting on Sunday and now I kind of want to buy a gun...

[KB]

I have no interest in concealed carrying and am not even sure what the laws about it in MD are, which I'm sure a quick google search would tell me.

Maryland is "may" issue, which means unless you are a judge, banker or lawyer you can't get a permit.


When you went shooting, did you buy the ammo? Its expensive for .45 or 9mm, which is why most people start with 22s. It means you get to shoot more. So even if you buy a Sig 9mm, I think everyone should have a Ruger Mark IV or Ruger 10/22 in their collection.

https://ruger.com/products/markIV2245Lite/models.html
https://ruger.com/products/1022/overview.html

 

[bigboxes]

As I've been just doing some casual research, I noticed on some websites selling guns that it had a "hand" as in, right handed or left handed, detail about the guns. Is that a thing, that guns are "left handed" or "right handed?" I'm left handed myself so that stuck out because on the website I saw, it showed right handed guns only, but that didn't make much sense to me.

The VP9 is amidextrous. I'm right handed, but watched some reviews on YouTube where the reviewer was left handed and spoke of that fact.

 

[gorcorps]

Maryland is "may" issue, which means unless you are a judge, banker or lawyer you can't get a permit.


When you went shooting, did you buy the ammo? Its expensive for .45 or 9mm, which is why most people start with 22s. It means you get to shoot more. So even if you buy a Sig 9mm, I think everyone should have a Ruger Mark IV or Ruger 10/22 in their collection.

https://ruger.com/products/markIV2245Lite/models.html
https://ruger.com/products/1022/overview.html

This is a good point too. The new Mark IV looks awesome, and I may get one at some point. I've had a buckmark for a while which was a fine gun when compared to the Mark III, but this is a pretty decent upgrade.

 

[highland145]

Picked up a Ruger Mark 3 for $200 with 4 mags....

And gunvault.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

The Mk3's are fun to plink with.

 

[purbeast0]

Maryland is "may" issue, which means unless you are a judge, banker or lawyer you can't get a permit.


When you went shooting, did you buy the ammo? Its expensive for .45 or 9mm, which is why most people start with 22s. It means you get to shoot more. So even if you buy a Sig 9mm, I think everyone should have a Ruger Mark IV or Ruger 10/22 in their collection.

https://ruger.com/products/markIV2245Lite/models.html
https://ruger.com/products/1022/overview.html

Yeah we bought the bullets at the place. It was basically $.50 per bullet.

 

[mdram]

if your getting a handgun in md, dont forget to start the hql process, it can take a while

edit: and as to what to get. rugers are built like tanks, dont overlook them
and dont overlook a 1911, there is a reason they have been around for over 100 years

 

[kn51]

Try a S&W Shield.

I was blown away (no pun intended) by how it felt in my hand.

 

[Riverhound777]

I know you say you want a hand gun, but have you tried others, like .22 or shotgun? I personally don't care for shooting pistols, it has always been kind of boring to me. I grew up Trap shooting. I would suggest trying it out. Shotguns can hit moving targets, and the ammo is WAY cheaper. See if there is a local Trap or Skeet range near you.

 

[clamum]

I think others have said it, but I also recommend going to a range and renting a few pistols after handling some and seeing if you like them. Honestly, to me, a 9mm pistol is a 9mm pistol unless the models are quite different. But I'm probably less sensitive to grip angle and controls and that sort of thing.

Since you're left handed I'd recommend a pistol that has ambidextrous controls but you could get by without them, I'd think. It's all a matter of practice/training with the pistol.

Here's some I'd recommend:
- SIG P226 (you could get a used one for ~$700, that's what I did, though mine's a .40 S&W)
- H&K VP9
- Walther PPQ
- Springfield XDm (I have the older XD model and these pistols have their detractors, but I think they're decent, and especially high value)
- Glock 17/19 (not everyone likes these but I'd recommend renting one if handling one doesn't completely turn you off; they're just so popular, have never-ending accessories/support, and are incredibly reliable)

That's probably a decent starter list but feel free to pick out whatever floats your boat. I'd stay away from any 9mm 1911s for now (anyway to me these are .45 ACP or bust anyway) too.

For buying the pistol, I'd handle them at whatever gun store(s) and if you don't care, you could buy it online and of course you have it shipped to a local FFL and pay a transfer fee (usually between $25-$50) and fill out paperwork when they call you and you go and pick it up. For some sites to buy from:

- AIM Surplus
- Bud's Gun Shop
- Impact Guns

Hope that helps. Feel free to ask any other questions or PM me. Guns are fun and your first one will almost certainly not be your last, haha.

 

[rchunter]

Any of the sigs are nice pieces. I've got a p229 & p239 that I like a lot. I added crimson trace laser grips to the p229.
Mostly a revolver guy though, I keep a S&W 696-1 in my nightstand.

 

[GRIFFIN1]

If I could only have one handgun, then it would be a Glock 19.

Whatever you get, I would recommend you get a 9mm gun first. It's a lot cheaper to shoot 9mm than any of the other common handgun calibers. .22 ammo is the cheapest ammo, but I don't consider it to be a good self defense round. If all you want is cheap shooting at the gun range, then .22 is the best choice. After shooting a 9mm Sig 226, a .22 caliber handgun is going to feel like you are shooting a nerf gun. I get bored shooting .22 pretty fast.

Here is a road map of guns for you to consider.
1. Glock 19
2. .22 pistol
3. High power pistol like 10mm or 44 magnum (Glock 20)
4. AR-15 + thousands of dollars in accessories
5. Ruger 10/22 (.22 cal rifle)
6. Tactical Shotgun
7. Remington 700 (.308 cal bolt action) setup like a sniper rifle
8. .50 BMG sniper rifle (I never made it to this step)

 

[purbeast0]

There is a lot of good information in here thanks for it.

As for a shotgun or rifle, I don't have interest in that really. I did skeet shooting like 6 years ago and it was fun but I dunno, something about shooting pistols I enjoy more.

The gun my buddy has came with a .22 barrel that he was showing me he can just put on and replace the existing one with. He showed me some .22 bullets and yes, those things looked pretty small.

It's weird though because he said he paid like $600 or a little more for his 226 but from searching, I don't see anything close to that cheap. I didn't realize he purchased it like 8 years ago though until he told me.

 

[mdram]

go here

https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Organizat...ion/Firearms/HandgunQualificationLicense.aspx

you have alot of work if you are going to buy in md

 

[gorcorps]

If I could only have one handgun, then it would be a Glock 19.

Whatever you get, I would recommend you get a 9mm gun first. It's a lot cheaper to shoot 9mm than any of the other common handgun calibers. .22 ammo is the cheapest ammo, but I don't consider it to be a good self defense round. If all you want is cheap shooting at the gun range, then .22 is the best choice. After shooting a 9mm Sig 226, a .22 caliber handgun is going to feel like you are shooting a nerf gun. I get bored shooting .22 pretty fast.

Here is a road map of guns for you to consider.
1. Glock 19
2. .22 pistol
3. High power pistol like 10mm or 44 magnum (Glock 20)
4. AR-15 + thousands of dollars in accessories
5. Ruger 10/22 (.22 cal rifle)
6. Tactical Shotgun
7. Remington 700 (.308 cal bolt action) setup like a sniper rifle
8. .50 BMG sniper rifle (I never made it to this step)

I would give up every single one of these for a good over/under or semi-automatic shotgun for sporting clays. I have a lot of guns, but the only ones I enjoy using anymore are the shotguns for sporting clays and hunting.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I did skeet shooting like 6 years ago and it was fun but I dunno, something about shooting pistols I enjoy more.

Maybe try sporting clays. It's like golf with guns.

 

[gill77]

You seem to have narrowed it down to most likely an ambidextrous semi-auto. Never carrying and keeping it unloaded and locked up means it will likely be of no use for self defense. You also seem to be somewhat adverse to recoil.

Personally, nothing beats a 1911, but it is certainly not for everyone. A somewhat unusual choice might be this:

https://www.g4gguns.com/products/handguns-gsg-german-sports-guns-2210m1911-813393011504-322

Minimal recoil, low cost of entry and cost to shoot. Sig makes a near identical gun for substantially more. Run several thousand rounds through it and you will have gained some valuable experience without breaking the bank. Guaranteed fun.

 

[madoka]

If you want the Sig, get the Sig. Used, it is around $600:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/783495117

It was the first handgun I bought and now I have over 300, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

Other mainstream choices to consider:

- Beretta 92/M9
- CZ SP01 (best value)
- Glock 17 (have 32 of these; one of my favorites)
- HK VP9
- S&W M&P9
- Sig P320
- Springfield XDM9
- Walther PPQ

If you're willing to go more exotic:

- Beretta APX
- Canik TP9
- Lionheart LH9
- FN 509
- Steyr L9a1

 

[GRIFFIN1]

If you want the Sig, get the Sig. Used, it is around $600:

- Glock 17 (have 32 of these; one of my favorites)

32?! Why do you have 32? Deals that were too good to pass up? Buying in bulk?

 

[madoka]

32?! Why do you have 32? Deals that were too good to pass up? Buying in bulk?

I have over 100 Glocks. I like Glocks.

Also, 29 Berettas, 32 HKs, 30 S&W, 32 Sigs, 26 1911s, and 65,000+ Lego heads.

 

[purbeast0]

If you want the Sig, get the Sig. Used, it is around $600:

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/783495117

It was the first handgun I bought and now I have over 300, but it still holds a special place in my heart.

Other mainstream choices to consider:
- Sig P320

The Sig P320 that I saw on the Sig website looked badass because it's what the Army uses in the field.

 

[bigboxes]

I have over 100 Glocks. I like Glocks.

Also, 29 Berettas, 32 HKs, 30 S&W, 32 Sigs, 26 1911s, and 65,000+ Lego heads.

Yeah, but why do you want 32 Glock 17s? What makes you get more than 1?

 

[Thebobo]

I have over 100 Glocks. I like Glocks.

Also, 29 Berettas, 32 HKs, 30 S&W, 32 Sigs, 26 1911s, and 65,000+ Lego heads.

Just 100? pftt.

 

[MrSquished]

Yeah, but why do you want 32 Glock 17s? What makes you get more than 1?

an illness perhaps

 

[killster1]

I had to feel super American over the holiday weekend so I went shooting for the first time in like 25 years. My buddy owns a pistol so we went and it was awesome, and now I kind of want a gun. We each shot 5 full magazines, which probably isn't that much, but it was enough that I liked it and kind of want to start researching purchasing one.

We were shooting a SIG Sauer 226 9mm. It was the one that had a 15 round capacity.

As someone who knows dick about guns, I was looking for some suggestions on starter pistols to possibly purchase. That gun apparently is a pretty high rated one and maybe it is a good beginner one, but damn just googling the cost is like $1k so I don't think I'd spend that much.

Anyone have suggestions on what other ones may be good to start with? Definitely looking for a semi automatic pistol that would be "similar" to that, just not as expensive.

Oh and I also have to convince my wife to be okay with keeping a gun in the house. She is pretty against it but she is interested in going to shoot with us one time so that will either change her mind or make her firm probably lol. I tried to explain to her that if I had one it wouldn't be out loaded in a drawer and that it would be locked up away unloaded, but she was still very iffy about it.

And please, I'm not trying to make this a "gun debate" thread to keep that crap out of here. Just looking for some advice.

HKUSP 9mm or .40

I own lots of glocks and HK they are all very easy reliable guns HK USP compact or v2000 v4 is ideal

buy online ship to local broker unless local deals are better. really easy to call the nearest gun shops and ask.