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Six Things Your Gun Store Clerk Wants You To Know
1. Beginners should buy beginner’s guns.
We’re happy you’ve decided to take responsibility for your own protection and are looking for a concealed-carry pistol. However, most small pocket pistols are not for first-time gun owners: They’re hard to control because they pack a powerful punch in a small package and are not easy guns to shoot on a regular basis. Sure, they’re easy to carry around and have enough firepower to stop the threat, but that power and small size makes them very unpleasant guns for practice and training. All the firepower in the world does you little good if you can’t hit the target.
2. You’re not as good a shot as you think you are, especially under stress.
Yes, you may go the range each week and punch a nice, ragged hole in the target with careful, aimed shots. This sort of thing definitely helps, but unless you mix some kind of real or artificial stress into your firearms practice, the adrenaline dump you’ll feel when the proverbial stuff hits the proverbial fan will come a complete surprise to you and have a profound effect on your accuracy.
3. Which gun is best for your wife/girlfriend/daughter? Let her decide for herself.
Most indoor ranges have a wide selection of guns available to rent and professional instructors who can help find a gun that suits them best. A snub-nosed .38 with pink grips might be the best gun for your wife, but let your wife come to that decision, not you.
4. Guns are not talismans of self-protection.
Access to a firearm does not make someone safe: What makes someone safe is access to a firearm and the will and skill to use it effectively. If you’re going to buy a gun, make the commitment to learn how to use it, and then make sure it’s stored in some way that’s safe and easily accessible when you need it. If you carry concealed, get a good quality holster that covers the trigger and a rigid gun belt to keep gun and holster in the same place all the time. If you keep a gun in your home, store it in a way that keeps it safe from unauthorized access. Underneath your bed, unloaded, in its original box is neither safe nor easily accessible.
5. Safety first, second, and last.
We thank you for bringing in your gun for cleaning or gunsmithing work, but if you haven’t visually and physically checked to see if your gun is unloaded before you entered our store, please allow us to take care of clearing it and unloading it for you. Also, while I’m sure that the pistol on your hip is God’s gift to self-protection, I don’t need to see it right now. Please keep it in your holster while you’re in my store. Thank you.
6. Stop believing the myths.
No, snakeshot in a .38 is not the last word in defensive firepower. Racking a pump-action shotgun will not make a determined attacker run away in fear. A .22 Long Rifle may or may not be the preferred caliber for assassins around the world, but you’re not a professional hit man, so carry something with a little more punch behind it. By the same token, carry something you can shoot rapidly and accurately. If you’re hoping for a one-stop shot, you’re certain to be disappointed. And if you carry, please carry with one in the chamber and the appropriate safeties engaged.
Published in General, Guns
To answer this question,
1. Well, we like guns, and any excuse we have get one out of the case and into our hands is a GOOD thing.
2. 90% of the time, the customer is going to want to hold the gun, so we’re just prepping that part in advance.
3. There’s a lot of features about a gun (like, say, the insanely tight slide-to-frame fit of a Les Baer 1911) that need to be shown, not talked about.
4. Did I mention we like playing with the guns? :D
There is much good advice here, and a variety of opinions from which wisdom can be gained. If you are considering obtaining a handgun for personal defense, and especially if you intend to carry one, take your time, but get started. Try different platforms, firing systems, models, sizes and calibers. And talk to people. Several people have cited not-too-helpful sales people in gun stores, and I agree, but only to the extent that they run the gamut, and just like everybody else, opinions vary behind the counter just as much as in front. By all means, try holding a variety in the store. Get an idea of how they feel to you – how they fit and fill your hand. Then try them in a range. Rent them, go shooting with friends and try their firearms (but don’t assume your friend necessarily is your best source of information for what is right for you).
I’ve heard people, mostly inexperienced, say something like, “I’m sure you feel more safe, having a firearm.” Far from it. The presence of my concealed firearm is a constant reminder of how unsafe the world truly is.
I recommend that you choose a particular design and stick with it until you have considerable experience. Sticking with one design, even across different sizes and calibers of pistols, minimizes the chance for mistakes under pressure.
And don’t base a decision on the number of magazines come with the firearm. That’s irrelevant.
Revolvers do have their place in personal defense and concealed carry. They are the most reliable, mechanically, and simplest to operate. But they have drawbacks, too, and very few experienced shooters carry them. One big caution: Unless you really, really know what you’re doing, stay away from “snub-nose .38’s.” I’ve encountered people who thought they would be good beginner guns. On the contrary, they require extraordinary skill and practice.
The venerable “1911” came by that name when the “M 1911” was accepted by the U.S. Army in 1911, due to the Army’s experience in the Philippines, and noted before. The idea of stopping power, though, as presented by Hollywood, is silly, as anybody who has studied physics can attest. But they penetrate much better than the .38 that they replaced, and the fact that they just plain make a bigger hole makes them more effective. The term “1911” has come to be applied to a host of pistols that utilize John Browning’s ingenious design. The .45 ACP is widely, and justifiably, considered the most effective self-defense caliber. But it, too, has drawbacks as a concealed-carry firearm – weight and bulkiness, even in the smaller, personal defense packages. And many people are uncomfortable with some features of the Browning design. To each his/her own.
And finally, get training, and practice. Never stop. Consider trying some type of competition. I’m particularly fond of the IDPA format.
When I heard this it noted that the 38s of the time were unable to stop the Moros. The 45 was adopted given its sizable increase in stopping power.
A few years ago I had a conversation with a Marine captain. He noted that the 9mm carried as a Marine sidearm could compete with the 45 based on packing the shell with sufficient gunpowder. No personal experience here so I don’t know if that is correct.
The military is limited to bullets that do not expand when they impact the target, so a heavier 230gr .45ACP round is going to have more of an impact (pun intended) than a lighter 115gr 9mm round. We’re not the military, though, and modern bonded hollow-point ammunition has leveled the playing field when it comes to 9mm vs. .45.
There’s new ammo out there that really interests me, though, with a unique bullet and case design that may work for military AND civilians alike. More testing is needed, and some real-world examples as well, but it’s nice to see someone upsetting the applecart of ballistics design and bring something new to the table.
Really enjoyed this post! Thanks.
My decision was to pick a caliber, not a type. All my ammo fits all my guns. Love simplicity.
For defense, I have a large frame Beretta 40 S&W for in-home use and a pocket 40 S&W Kahr for the grocery store.
Great essay with a lot of good information. When I first hit the streets as a police officer I carried a S&W 686 revolver. The issue ammunition was 38+P. I changed the grips because the factory grips were too large. The disadvantage to the 38+P round was after an afternoon on the range your hand begins to hurt.
The Bureau changed to the Glock 17. The issue ammunition was 147 grain jacketed hollow points.
Adrenaline rush has an effect on a shooter and we tried to simulate that on the range by running wind sprints while wearing our duty belts. The overall training on the range combined marksmanship while imprinting muscle memory so if you were involved in a shooting incident muscle memory would allow you to draw and fire regardless of the fact that your mind is telling you that this can’t be happening to you. We qualified quarterly and becoming proficient requires both mental and physical practice.
All you need is a knife and 21 feet.
Your first point neglects to cover those of who don’t have money. I could get one gun. ONE. Since I wanted self defense and concealed carry I had to pick something that would work for that over “beginner” guns. I did a lot of research on these but I also lack the resources (time, money, babysitters) to go try out even half the viable guns in the shop. All of the “beginner” advice I’ve seen starts with that point and effectively alienates us poor people, especially those of us married to guys who don’t want to “waste money we don’t have” on guns.
I believe you’re thinking of the Islamist Moro insurgents, circa 1900. The Moro lived on the Philippine island of Mindanao. (Pronounced Min-da-now.)
Some of the Moro became Juramentados. Essentially the Juramentados were the Moro version of suicide bombers. Juramentados swore a holy oath to attack infidels (in this case U.S. Marines) and kill as many as possible until they were themselves killed.
The Juramentados (and Moros) would worked themselves in to a crazed state called amok. The U.S. Marines valued the Colt .45 revolver because it could knock an amok jihadist down in his tracks whereas with a .38 multiple shots might be necessary. The Colt .45 was saving American lives.
The Moro insurgency led the U.S. Army to develop the Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol. As typical, the American troops in the Philippines weren’t equipped with the Model 1911 until after they ended the Moro insurgency.
One of the greatest fitting pieces of machinery on earth.
Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight
Does the following make sense: two pistols, same frame, one chambered .22 for affordable range time, one for 9mm for serious business. I’m trying to assure knowledge transfer between the range and real life, and a frame heavy enough (1911?) to counterbalance firing, in a home defense scenario.
Onion headline: Ricochet Man Reveals Ignorance.
Yes, that is an absolutely great idea, and an option I’d wish more people would chose. You get the benefits of a common manual of arms between the two guns, without the cost and recoil of centerfire ammunition.
There are two kinds of home invaders who won’t be bothered by the shotgun rack noise: the determined one and the one who doesn’t recognize the sound. Both are bloody dangerous. And the idea that the invader can’t locate me by the noise I’m deliberately making for his benefit is a risk I will not bet my wife’s life on. But shotguns are suboptimal home defense weapons in any case.
Regarding the jury, many states, including Texas, have Castle laws that operate from the default position that a thug in your home in the middle of the night is a lethal threat that supports a lethal response. In any event, I may go to jail for awhile; the intruder will never threaten my family or anyone else ever again.
On the matter of noise: it’s useful to get the firing range operator to let you fire a few rounds without ear muffs (only a few; the ear muffs are required for good reasons). You don’t need to be startled by the unmuffled sound of your pistol going off in your front room because you’ve never heard it before.
Eric Hines
I started out with a small budget as well, and in fact have always had a small budget. I don’t buy guns just to own them, I buy them them for a specific reason such as fixing a hole in my self-protection scheme or starting a new competition.
$50 in range fees and ammo is much cheaper than buying a $500 gun you hate and won’t shoot, but if $500 is above your price range, there are many guns under $400 that don’t suck. I own a CPX-2, and it’s quite good, and TV host Michael Bane carries a Ruger LC9 on a regular basis.
If that’s out of the price range, look into used guns from AIM Surplus or J&G Sales. I bought a surplus CZ-82 in 9×18 Makarov at J&G for under $300 a few years back, and there are plenty of police trade-in S&W revolvers or .40 Glocks to be had for very good prices.
Failing that, for home defense, there’s always the good ol’ twelve gauge pump shotgun. The Mossberg Maverick 88 can be just about anywhere for around $200, making it a great deal.
Another good source of guns on a budget are consignment at gun shops.
I rotate hand guns after 2 trips back to the manufacturer for recondition and 10,000 rounds, but I am an extreme example.
Most handguns are bought with much enthusiasm and after a couple of trips to the range are stored and forgotten. They are frequently sold after divorces and people passing. Most will have less than 1,000 rounds fired.
It is easy to find a gun on consignment for 2/3 of retail and sometimes the shop keeper has room to bargain.
Kevin, do you handle consignment or take trade ins? What is our opinion?
If all else fails wander around a gun show. In Dallas we have them every weekend. There are always used handguns for sale. If you buy a late model from a major manufacturer you can often send them back for re-condition. Check Springfield for their services. PM me if you need a contact there.
Thanks. You are one sick puppy.
My point was more that that advice comes off as very exclusionary and condescending, which is really the opposite of what you need to bring people in to the fold.
I understand you end up dealing with difficult and sometimes stupid buyers but I still feel there should be more willingness to work with what a person needs and wants without dismissing it as impossible right off the bat. I saw that in all the “beginner advice” columns I read through. And it was a lot.
I ended up buying a S&W M&P 9mm Shield.
There are some good deals to be had in trade-ins and consignments, but it’s like buying used stereo equipment was back in the 90’s. Yes, if you know what you’re looking for, there are some fantastic deals out there. However, the guy buying the gun has to know what he/she is looking at as much as you do. With used guns, knowledge is power.
I bought both my CZ75’s used, and immediately sent both to Angus over at CZ Custom for a complete overhaul, trigger job, new hammer and new sights. I ended up paying about $70o including gun and labor, but each is now the equivalent of a $1200+ gun.
Good choice. Own one myself.
Here is a Glock I would love to own, unfortunately the Swiss Guard does not offer any of their weapons for resale, no matter how old.
Glad you brought that up – – I was unpleasantly surprised on a trip home this summer when my dad let me try his concealed-carry. Despite his warning, I was indeed surprised by the kick from something that compact (“but . . . it’s so cute“), and the shorter grip weirded me out and had me constantly readjusting. I would not recommend “surprise-gifting” a friend or family member with one of those unless you knew for sure they’d already tried and liked a certain model.
So I’m curious, in light of the questions raised on expense — just what kind of ballpark investment are we talking about for a newbie, aside from the actual purchase of the firearm? I’m utterly ignorant of the fees associated with range time, materials and training, since I’ve always been taken as a guest (and my “instructor” was my dad). If you’re testing different models for eventual purchase, do you just pay for materials? Range time? Would it make sense to become a member someplace from the get-go, even as you’re still deciding what to get?
You can use prices in your region as an estimate. I wouldn’t be bothering with such things until/unless I was out of New York City, where I just assume the whole procedure is more time, trouble, and expense than it’s worth.
Gun, 9mm service pistol: $500-600
1 hour of range time (indoors): $15-25 per hour, depending on the range
1 day of range time (outdoors): $5-25, depending on the range
Ammo, 9mm, practice: @$15 for 50 rounds, figure on 1-2 boxes per hour
Ammo, 9mm, defensive: @$20 for 20 rounds, buy 2x the amount to need to fill up your gun and spare mags, you’ll want to test it first.
Holster: $50 and up
Belt: Ditto (and yes, you need one).
CCW Class & License: Varies by state
There are advantages and disadvantages to outdoor and indoor ranges. I like the convenience of motorized targets and air-conditioning at an indoor range, but outdoor ranges tend to be easier on the pocketbook.
How often you should practice varies, but I’d consider 50 rounds a month to be a a decent amount, and get some training beyond your CCW class, especially training with a stress-fire component to it. Imagine if you took your driver’s test and then drove only one hour a month for the rest of your life: You’d be a danger to yourself and others on the road. This is where most gun owners are, and that needs to change.
Just prepared
Exactly. Which is why your “not as good a shot as you think you are” advice hit home, too. I only get to practice now and then on visits home so I do fear that I’d be a craptastic shot under stress. (There’s always a “miscellaneous skills” section on any acting resume. After I’d been too many years out of Oklahoma and away from semi-regular outings with dad, I changed the notation on mine from “some experience with firearms” to “comfortable with firearms.”)
Thanks for the specifics on the outlay. Much appreciated.
A bit of the laboratory creeping into the results here — only placement of the first two or three matter most of the time.
This is a magnificent video about women and guns, by one of the wisest gun-folks I’ve seen. This lady is the Clint Smith of teaching women to shoot, and in general, sorting out the social knot about women and guns — the much larger barriers typically present (not always) for women to get comfortable with guns. I just can;t say enough nice things about this video.
I was at my range the other day and was loading my magazines for another go around. I was shooting a semi-auto and the slide was locked back, no magazine inserted and was clearly unloaded. The muzzle was pointed at just over 11:00. The Range Officer approached, smiled at me and turned the gun about an inch until it was pointing straight down range. I’ve been an avid shooter for over twenty years and was chagrined over my lack of precision when it came to safety. I relate this embarrassing anecdote to remind everybody, no matter how experienced, when it comes to gun safety you always have to be on your toes.