Getting my first gun (outside the US)

B

Bachá

New member
Hi guys...

So, for 2 months you guys were helping me to choose my first gun. At the end I choose this one:

m9a1compactinox_zoom001.jpg


I promised some guys to keep you posted, so tell me if this is any interesting to you and I not just filling the forum with fluff :confused:

On february 18 I purchased the gun. We do have gun registration so after buying it the gun goes to the authorities with all the paper work to be registered to my name. Yesterday march 14 the gunshop called that My gun is ready to pick up :eek: almost a month after the purchase... I am not sure how this make me feel... one part of me wishes it could be faster, but with all the crazy things that happen here one part of me is glad that it is this hard.

So you dont need a license to own, and you have to be 18. To carry you do need a license and go throuh some tests.

So sadly I didnt have the oportunity to try any other beretta... eeeeevery body was so busy :-( Now that I have to take the test, they tell me they give you a little bit of instructions and it is more like a class/test than just a test... So, waht is your recommendation? should I just go for it and take the test? I guess if I keep waiting for someone to go to the range with me It would take another month :mad:
 
Great looking gun!

Do you have any prior experience with firearms? If so then go ahead and sign up for the test, as it seems that visiting a range in your country is not as easy as it is in many parts of the US.

That said if you don't have a lot of experience with firearms then it may be worth waiting a little while until you have time to try your gun out at the range.

Your decision should also be based on the requirements for the test. What is considered a passing score?

In either case, remember to clean your gun prior to shooting it!

Good luck!
 
Great looking gun!

Do you have any prior experience with firearms? If so then go ahead and sign up for the test, as it seems that visiting a range in your country is not as easy as it is in many parts of the US.
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It is so good looking that I am thinking about buying the px4 storm subcompact too :D This 92 compact looks like a jewel, I am not sure I want to carry it :D

No I dont have prior experience. What it is amazing to me is that everybody do it like that. Buys the gun, picks it up and go to the test...

The problem with ranges here is that they dont have guns for rent. There are some private instructors but they all are busy or charge too much...

Once you have your firearm is rather easy to go to the range. There are ways to take the gun home, ask for a temporal permit to go to the range, and then get back to take the test. But the police is always making up stuff to ask for moeny if they find you with a gun without a license, even if you have the other permits. So I would like to pick the gun at the store and go right to the carry test to avoid that...

Some people have been having trouble reporting that police says that hollow point ammunition is ilegal because it is "army exclusive caliber" which the law prohibites but doesnt tell which ones are those... Then again by the ginebra convention the army cant use hollow point, AND ammo is even more controlled than guns, so if it was illegal how would shops sell it... but that is my country :-(
 
What is the test? If you just have to get shots on target then you should be okay if they provide basic tips.

What are the repercussions of failing? Can you just retake the test until you improve enough to pass?
 
Can you schedule a trip to the range a couple of hours before you take the test to practice?

I understand you wanting to get a proper carry permit as soon as possible. I hope the authorities won't give you too much trouble, as it sounds like you are going through all the proper channels to be a legal firearms owner.

Ask your instructor about the legality of hollow points, they are illegal in parts of the US as well.
 
..."so tell me if this is any interesting to you..."

Yeah, it's interesting to me. I think I'll add that one to my list when I have to find more guns to buy!
 
Very interesting. It's nice to know how these things come out.

I'm still trying to get my mind around an adult buying a gun with no prior experience and taking a test with it.

I am NOT criticizing you. You're in a unique situation where you are.

Like most folk on this forum I grew up with firearms and my Dad showing me how to shoot a variety of guns and then shooting with my friends and informal and formal competition---all before I was an adult and could buy a handgun of my own. It's really hard trying to put myself in your position.

Good luck and I think you have purchased a VERY nice handgun in a very sensible caliber.
 
It is so good looking that I am thinking about buying the px4 storm subcompact too This 92 compact looks like a jewel, I am not sure I want to carry it
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It is a gorgeous pistol. And, you found out that fretting too much about your first purchase is rather needless, because one gun just isn't enough.

No I dont have prior experience. What it is amazing to me is that everybody do it like that. Buys the gun, picks it up and go to the test...

The problem with ranges here is that they dont have guns for rent. There are some private instructors but they all are busy or charge too much...

Once you have your firearm is rather easy to go to the range. There are ways to take the gun home, ask for a temporal permit to go to the range, and then get back to take the test. But the police is always making up stuff to ask for moeny if they find you with a gun without a license, even if you have the other permits. So I would like to pick the gun at the store and go right to the carry test to avoid that...
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As I recall, you stated previously that failing the carry test had no dire consequence. Because you can practice before the test, I'd just take it when you pick up your gun. Watch some videos for proper grip, stance, and technique, and remember to squeeze, not jerk, the trigger. Try to fire all your shots in single-action mode.

https://youtu.be/5VP4X6FVa4E

The NRA Marksman rating, a very low rating, for handgun requires one to, ten times, put a 10-shot string into an 8-inch diameter circle at 5 yd, without using a rest and with a 2-hand grip. That's pretty easy to do, as that's only 153 minute-of-angle accuracy, as compared to the 1 moa most can accomplish with a rifle. As I recall, you described the carry test as being somewhat similar.

Some people have been having trouble reporting that police says that hollow point ammunition is ilegal because it is "army exclusive caliber" which the law prohibites but doesnt tell which ones are those... Then again by the ginebra convention the army cant use hollow point, AND ammo is even more controlled than guns, so if it was illegal how would shops sell it... but that is my country :-(
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The Hague Convention of 1899 bans expanding and deforming bullets in a declared war between signatories. The US never signed it, but I think it is now regarded as an accepted part of the international law of war. Thus, FMJ rounds seem more military than JHP rounds. Get a copy of Guatamalan gun laws, read them, keep a copy at home, at work, and in your car. If a cop hassles you, give them a copy of the laws and ask him to cite the one he thinks you are violating.

Enjoy that compact. Of all your choices, that was easily the most aesthetically appealing.
 
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Can't see your pic for some odd reason but congrats!
Did you go with the Beretta 92?

If so that should treat you well!
 
You need to know how the gun functions. Loading and un-loading should be done safely and without fumbling with it. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to squeeze it and ALWAYS point it in a safe direction. Usually that is down range. If you have the function and safety aspects of the pistol hard wired into your brain you should do OK with any kind of test they might give you. As far as actually shooting, just watch some good youtube videos so you don't make any dumb gripping mistakes, line up the sights and squeeze the trigger. The Berettas are pretty much natural shooters. Should be pretty easy to be as accurate as you would need to be for that kind of test. I'm sure they don't expect great marksmanship. If you aren't required to shoot double action take your first shot single action. If they make you shoot double action take your time and don't jerk the trigger.
 
This is interesting. . . Where are you from?

Your country seems to have some real "common sense gun laws.":eek: I say that as a joke because there are some in America who think this would be acceptable here.

Thank you for sharing. This is a bit like Emily gets her gun. That is a book about a woman who lives in a part of America where they have less freedom buys a gun.
 
The pistol you have picked, gets heavy after a while, all steel and all.

A Glock 19 is cheaper, lighter. Will last for ever, 9mm ball ammo goes right through (a human, most of the time) two holes? can't be bad.

Cheaper as well, most of us here, carry a lot! Do not shoot people a lot. So I carry 147g Ranger T, by Winchester. But if all I could get is 124g sub gun ammo? I would be happy enough. Can you get TruGlo night sights? Good buy.
 
Brit,
Suggesting the Glock now, after he has already gotten the pistol is pointless and doesn't help his situation. Also, the compact Inox has an alloy frame, which lessens it's weight.
Bacha' ,your choice is excellent. As to going directly to your test, well I suppose only you can know that. The shooting isn't difficult, but handling and proper operation of the weapon are important. My best suggestion is you tube videos on shooting the Beretta 92, since you can't do any actual firing before your test. Watch every thing closely and study it's characteristics. It is an easy gun to master. Best of luck and keep us informed.
 
Brit, the Glock is not cheaper in his country. There's a huge premium for some reason...we don't know if it's popular demand or a tariff, or some other reason.
 
Beautiful pistol - it will serve you well. I find Berettas to be easy guns to shoot well. You said before that you can retake the test without penalty, so if they give a little bit of instruction (and maybe allow a bit of practice?) before the test, I would go ahead and go for it and get all your permits as soon as possible. You will get better with practice, but you are likely to pass right away and be able to practice at your leisure.
 
Can you get snap caps in your country? Dummy rounds of some kind?

My thoughts are that you should take the gun home now. Practice handling it safely (finger outside the trigger guard, don't point at things you don't want to destroy etc.) Practice loading and unloading it and understanding the safety/decocker mechanism. Once you're comfortable, find a safe backstop (bucket of sand, phonebooks taped front to back etc.) and use it to practice sight alignment and trigger pull. The internet is a good help for this since you may not have many resources. Practice racking the slide confidently, reloading magazines, manipulating the different levers etc. to be comfortable with the firearm. "Dry fire" training will help you get the fundamentals down.

You definitely don't want your test or your first live fire experience to be uncomfortable. Having some degree of familiarity will do great things for you even if you haven't fired it before.
 
Your decision should also be based on the requirements for the test. What is considered a passing score?

In either case, remember to clean your gun prior to shooting it!
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Yeah thanks... the requirement is hitting a 10 inch bulls eye 5 out of 8 times.
 
What is the test? If you just have to get shots on target then you should be okay if they provide basic tips.

What are the repercussions of failing? Can you just retake the test until you improve enough to pass?
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As far as I know you could take the test the very next day... but it has a lot of implications for me. To start I like like 160 miles from where I have to take the test :-(
 
I understand you wanting to get a proper carry permit as soon as possible. I hope the authorities won't give you too much trouble, as it sounds like you are going through all the proper channels to be a legal firearms owner.

Ask your instructor about the legality of hollow points, they are illegal in parts of the US as well.
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Didnt know hollow points were ilegal in some part of the US :eek:

As I have been saying to some friends... it is easier to be a legal gun owner in here than a responsible gun owner :confused:
 
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