New to gun ownership! (suggestions welcome)

[Dave MP]

Welcome from PA!

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[[Kev308]]

My first gun was a 45ACP Sig P220. It is smooth. I don't shoot it much because of ammo cost. So that's definitely something to take into consideration. If you want to get into firearms, you will need to practice.

 

[boothdoc]

Whatever firearm you choose. Learn it week and practice often.

Owning a firearm without knowing it doesn’t work well.

 

[Pinnacle]

Welcome aboard! I 2nd the advice to rent some different pistols. The Machine Gun Nest in Frederick and Continental Arms in Timonium have rentals. Must be other places but those come to mind.

Guntry in Owings Mills has firearms to rent. Cindy's in Glen Burnie does as well, along with some suppressors and some cool things like a Desert Eagle.

 

[R45]

What is the purpose of the gun?

If you want to shoot, and a lot, get a 9mm.
If you want a a defense gun get a 45 acp
If you want a carry gun, get a light and small one
If you want a gun that just around the house, get a heavy one that is comfortable to you.

My family shoots 9mm and I struggle to shoot well with one, myself. The girls like light guns and I prefer heavy guns. Light guns are easy to swing, but recoil a lot more. I shoot 200 and 255 grain slugs on an converted 1858 in 45 colt and it is heavy, but it is steady and I can hit a pie plate at 40 yards with it. It is the same with hunting. You get light guns to carry all over and shoot once in a while. But waterfowl hunting I like my tank like Baikal because it always works and the weight reduces the felt recoil.

Archeryrob,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I enjoyed the formatting as it was quite captivating ~ha. Your converted firearm sounds like a beauty! You've given me a lot to think about. In the past with my casual and recreational shooting, I definitely preferred using heavier firearms for similar reasons that you mentioned. I'm heading to the range this weekend and will be sure to try out everything I can with your comments in mind. Thank you again!

 

[R45]

Greetings!
Not a 1911, but the SA XdM .45 is solid, accurate and carries 13 +1.
As noted, for home only heavy doesn't hurt. For carry, small and light.

LGoodwin,

Pleasure to meet you! Thank you for your reply. I haven't experienced the SA XdM .45 before and will keep an eye out when I go to feel out my options. Nice to hear that you enjoy your .45 and that it carries 13+1; that's some serious heat!

 

[tjaw]

Jon,

Thank you for your reply! Yeah I hear you on that, especially because I am a novice ~h

 

[tjaw]

Roarke, welcome aboard! I am just offering an alternate opinion to Ammo Jon's post: I would rather have 6 rounds of .357 Magnum than 10 rounds of 9mm.

 

[R45]

1911, 45 is definitely expensive to shoot but has more substantial stopping power than a 9. Like others have said if you plan on shooting a lot get a 9 which you can still get in 1911, there is a lot of 9 mm ammo ( hollow point) that is very capable for defense . But no question when the bad guy gets hit with a 45 I feel there is way much more kinetic energy transferred to the target . Jmo

Virgil Co.C,

Thank you for your reply! Of course I'll compare both in person before making a decision, but I'll keep your valid points in mind. When it comes down to it, I might just end up getting the .45 and then purchase a 9 later down the line. I agree with you on the stopping power. As they say, "the cheap comes expensive!" Thanks again

 

[R45]

Carry both

HA! That's the dream ain't it?

 

[R45]

Welcome!

If your only concern with the 1911 for home defense is the 8 round capacity, they can be found in double stack models from several manufacturers.

Make sure you handle one before purchase, the grip is understandably larger than a single stack .45 or double stack 9mm. Hand size matters in this case.

Bullfrog,

Thank you so much for your reply! In full honesty, I hadn't heard of a double stack model prior. I'll certainly look into it! I'll also make sure to get some experience with one to feel it out as you said. Super glad I made an introduction post; comments like yours have given me a lot to consider.

 

[R45]

Whatever firearm you choose. Learn it week and practice often.

Owning a firearm without knowing it doesn’t work well.

boothdoc,

Thank you for the reply! I hear you on that; I'll definitely take you advice to the heart.

 

[R45]

Guntry in Owings Mills has firearms to rent. Cindy's in Glen Burnie does as well, along with some suppressors and some cool things like a Desert Eagle.

mistabgeez,

Thank you for the recommendations! I'll look into them

 

[R45]

Roarke, welcome aboard! I am just offering an alternate opinion to Ammo Jon's post: I would rather have 6 rounds of .357 Magnum than 10 rounds of 9mm.

tjaw,

Thank you for the warm welcome! Yes, I think that is sound advice. I'll certainly go and try out a .357 before making any expensive purchases

Do you have a .357 that you would recommend I check out? Weight doesn't bother me too much. Thanks in advance!

 

[R45]

Welcome from PA!

Take a look at these helpful links – LOTS of amazing info!

FORUM RULES
Rules are written in the stone, Break the rules and you get no bones, all you get is ridicule, laughter, a shine box, and a trip to the house of pain.

Range Etiquette and Staying Safe

Admin News and Announcements

Gun Rights and Legislation

Industry Partners

MD Shooters Firearms Map

Acronym list

Dave,

Thanks for the warm welcome! Super cool website that you are a part of running, so thank you for that as well. I'll make sure to check all these out as there seems to be a lot for a novice like me to learn. Looking forward to seeing you around!

 

[R45]

My first gun was a 45ACP Sig P220. It is smooth. I don't shoot it much because of ammo cost. So that's definitely something to take into consideration. If you want to get into firearms, you will need to practice.

Kev308,

Thank you for your insight! That is kind of what I am concerned about as well. Not that it is a bad thing to have a gun that you shoot on a special occasion obviously, but I'm just starting off so whatever I buy will be my main for a while. Lots to ponder over. Good to hear your 45 shoots smoothly; I will definitely be testing out as much as I can before pulling the trigger (ha). Of all the handguns, 1911s ask at a premium rate! It's a damn shame I find them so attractive

 

[Moonlighter]

I would throw out there....if you have an affinity for .45's, ammo is around 46 cents/round right now for brass 230 grain and 9mm looks like it's about 30 cents/round for brass 115 grain. The SA 1911's start around $850 for the Ronin and I think $1160 for the Operator series. That's MSRP, gunbroker should be a bit less, still new in box. Going used, you can save a bunch. If you try out a bunch of firearms and REALLY like the 1911 it would be a little disappointing to settle, IMO. You gotta do you, though. The ammo price wouldn't be that big a deal for weekend plinking. If you're going to the range a lot and shooting hundreds of rounds each time, it'll certainly add up.

 

[tjaw]

tjaw,

Thank you for the warm welcome! Yes, I think that is sound advice. I'll certainly go and try out a .357 before making any expensive purchases

Do you have a .357 that you would recommend I check out? Weight doesn't bother me too much. Thanks in advance!

Roarke, my smallest .357 at the moment is a 4" Python. For potential carry, 3" might be a better choice. But be aware, the shorter that barrel gets, the more the power drops. The Colts are pricy. Ruger makes some excellent .357s at a very good price points. And the Rugers are built like tanks. S&W also has some very good .357s. I also recommend getting Stainless Steel. IF money is tight, Taurus has a nice line of wheel guns. Even though the Maryland permit is for Wear and Carry, most permit holders who are not Law Enforcement carry concealed. Open Carry is asking for trouble.
A great thing about all of the guns that I've mentioned is that they also shoot .38 Special. .38 Special ammo is much less expensive that .357 Magnum, though it is excellent for training. And we train, train, train...and then train some more. 8)

 

[R45]

I would throw out there....if you have an affinity for .45's, ammo is around 46 cents/round right now for brass 230 grain and 9mm looks like it's about 30 cents/round for brass 115 grain. The SA 1911's start around $850 for the Ronin and I think $1160 for the Operator series. That's MSRP, gunbroker should be a bit less, still new in box. Going used, you can save a bunch. If you try out a bunch of firearms and REALLY like the 1911 it would be a little disappointing to settle, IMO. You gotta do you, though. The ammo price wouldn't be that big a deal for weekend plinking. If you're going to the range a lot and shooting hundreds of rounds each time, it'll certainly add up.

Hey Moonlighter!

Thanks for collecting all that info! If I may, how has your experience been on gunbroker, if you have used it? I know that you can't attest with certainty how it would go down if I was to purchase something on it, but if I was to buy from a seemingly trusted seller what would you say? TBH I'm not against ordering for a little more directly from the manufacturer just cause... warranty I guess? Although I have no idea what I'm talking about so there is always that.

I've been going on and off about the idea of buying used but then again the firearm would be worn in which could be a benefit I guess? Do you have any recommendations from your own experiences on good places to look for a used firearm? To your point about REALLY liking the 1911... pretty sure I fall into that category. That said, could always be the next purchase.

Thanks for all your help once again!

 

[R45]

Roarke, my smallest .357 at the moment is a 4" Python. For potential carry, 3" might be a better choice. But be aware, the shorter that barrel gets, the more the power drops. The Colts are pricy. Ruger makes some excellent .357s at a very good price points. And the Rugers are built like tanks. S&W also has some very good .357s. I also recommend getting Stainless Steel. IF money is tight, Taurus has a nice line of wheel guns. Even though the Maryland permit is for Wear and Carry, most permit holders who are not Law Enforcement carry concealed. Open Carry is asking for trouble.
A great thing about all of the guns that I've mentioned is that they also shoot .38 Special. .38 Special ammo is much less expensive that .357 Magnum, though it is excellent for training. And we train, train, train...and then train some more. 8)

tjaw,

Thank you for your response! I'm going to look into your suggestions and definitely look out for them when I go to some ranges. I don't take your point on training lightly; I've really appreciated how everyone on here so far seems to be really responsible gun owners. Certainly I'll be more of a threat to myself if I don't put in the time to know the weapon.

I did a little bit of digging when I had opportunities throughout today and the I saw some S&Ws that looked sweet. I'll be on the lookout for Rugers thanks to your recommendation!