[hhdorcy]

Hello all,

I'm a long-time reader, first-time poster, and a law student. I'm also a recent graduate of SwampRat's CCW course (I'm looking forward to taking some of his advanced courses). It's very nice to see so many members sharing friendly, constructive, and reliable advice!

I'm interested in buying my first handgun and first rifle. It's in my character to shop around A LOT before making a big buying decision like this. I have an idea of what I'm looking for:

- 9mm or .40 S&W semi-automatic, tending towards compact but not sub-compact (considering G17 or G19, some XD's, some Sigs, etc.)

- Small-caliber (but larger than .22LR) bolt-action rifle for use at the range (considering several .223 rifle/scope packages from Remington, Savage, etc.)

I've read many reviews and recommendations online (here, on other forums, and on manufacturer and retailer websites), but what I'd really like to do is get out and fire 8-10 different brands and models and find what feels best to me. What is the best way to accomplish this?

- Do gun shops allow you to test-fire 10 different handguns before you make a purchase?
- Is there anywhere you can 'rent' several different models and take them to the range?
- Are there shooting clubs that own/share a variety of guns that all members may use?
- Does the forum ever have group outings where several of you meet up and shoot together? Would a beginner be welcome?
- Is it inappropriate to see someone at the range, tell them I'm considering buying what they're shooting, and ask to try it out (paying for my own ammo, of course)?
- Is there any service or individual that comes out to the range and allows beginners to try out a variety of guns?
- I'm currently in Missouri, and I recall hearing about a gun show last year where you could buy bags of bullets for $5 each and test-fire any gun at the show. Is there anything like that in Florida (or Missouri, if there are any fellow Missourians reading)?

Thank you all very much! I'm learning a lot here!

hhdorcy

--

PS - Forum etiquette maintained. I did a search for "choosing OR selecting" before posting. 107 hits, but none seemed on-point for my question.

 

[hhdorcy]

@ tphinney:
That's a good suggestion. Thanks! When I was in the gun shop today, I took a look at both cartridges. I had looked at images online comparing calibers, but something got lost in the translation. I hadn't realized how much smaller the .223 was... I'll definitely start looking at some .308's as well.

@ Franklin:
Thanks, but I'm currently in St. Louis. My family is in Edgewater (Frosty King Creamery, anyone?), and I shoot at Strickland when I'm home. The next time I'm home will be around Thanksgiving, and I'm planning on making a trip or two to the range.

 

[hhdorcy]

Thanks, Scott!

 

[hhdorcy]

I'll be down in Edgewater and able to shoot from Thursday (11/26) to Monday (11/30), and I would love to meet up with you (and anyone else) at Strickland!

I'd really like to try out the AR and/or the AK, as well as anything you'd recommend for an EDC (I'm still leaning toward a Glock 19, but very excited to consider alternatives).

Thanks!

 

[hhdorcy]

I'm looking forward to it! Thanks!

 

[hhdorcy]

That should work for me! I'll plan on seeing you there.

 

[hhdorcy]

I may be able to do that. I'll PM you and let you know. Thanks!

 

[hhdorcy]

Scott, thanks again for meeting up with me! I really enjoyed shooting your rifles, and was very surprised (though I probably shouldn't have been) at the accuracy a person can get with the iron sights.

Range Report

Today I shot:
- Several Taurus .38 Revolvers (all of my family use them for EDC)
- Sig P226 (9mm)
- Kel-Tec sub-compact (9mm)
- Glock 19C (9mm) (thanks, guy-in-the-stall-next-to-me!)
- Scott's AR (shot with .223)
- Scott's AK (7.62x39mm)

All handguns were at 7 yards. Rifles were at 100 yards.

I shot as well as I usually do with the revolvers, which I've used several times. I shot almost as accurately one-handed as I did two-handed, but only when I pre-cocked. Shooting with the full trigger-pull, I was very inaccurate; I need to practice this.

The Sig was very accurate and comfortable, and I was punching out 4" groups (plus 1 or 2 outliers) with every mag.

I borrowed a Glock 19C from the guy next to me. This was the first time I've been able to shoot a Glock, and it was as good as all the rave reviews have led me to expect. I shot 2 full mags and kept every shot within the 4" ring. Barring an unexpected love of the XD-9 (which I haven't shot yet), I'll be getting myself a Glock 19.

I shot the Kel-Tec poorly. I imagine it was due in equal parts to the smaller grip, the shorter barrel, and the condition of the gun (a flea-market acquisition of my uncle's, which looked to be in mediocre shape).

I shot Scott's AR and AK at 100 yards using iron sights. I was really impressed at the accuracy a first-timer like myself could attain with only iron sights. With my very first try on the AR, I put approx. 12 of 30 on an 8" target. I'm not sure about my accuracy with the AK (Scott and I shot at the same target), but it felt just as accurate.

I really enjoyed the AR; I don't think I'll be getting a .223 or .308 bolt-action, as I discussed in my original post. I'll probably get a .22 rifle and scope for plinking at the range, and hold off on a .308 until I have a desire to go hunting (which may never materialize). I would be utterly unsurprised to find myself assembling an AR in the future.

Thanks everyone for your help and input!

- Harry

 

[hhdorcy]

Thanks, CrazyFingers. That's basically what I decided to do.

I'm going to get a .22 rifle with a scope for fun and practice at the range. After that, I will likely build or buy an AR. And if/when the day comes that I want to shoot at something not made of paper, I'll look into the .308 or larger.

Thanks!