Whether or not this is just your first handgun or your first firearm, get some training in terms of safety and proper handling. That should be your first step. Formal training is nice in that it can be documented but at a minimum, find someone you know and trust who's familiar with weapons and capable of teaching.
New handgun owner, what to do first?
- Thread starter Kiffster
- Start date
Ragin Cajun
New member
The most important item I would reinforce is SAFETY !
PRIMARY SAFETY RULES
In a tradition which I believe may have been started by Jeff Cooper, the following four rules apply:
1. All guns are always loaded.
.
2. Don’t let the muzzle of the gun cross anything you’re not prepared to shoot.
3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and up on the gun’s frame until the sights are on target and you’ve decided to shoot.
4. Always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
Because we do actually unload firearms, a fifth rule, the condition check, is also worth learning:
5. Whenever you pick up a firearm that has been out of your control, if only for an instant, open (crack) the action to determine that it is in the condition (loaded or unloaded) in which you want it to be.
A “click” when you expect a “bang” can be as deadly as a “bang” when you expect a “click.”
Grease on rails, etc. is very important. Mark your mags and keep a range log identifying which mag you used, type ammo, etc. This has helped me in the past to diagnose a mag problem rather than chase my tail on an ejection problem.
A gun is a mechanical device, and thus is subject to mechanical ills. Be it a revolver or esp a semi, there will be "problems." By knowing your piece and practice, practice, practice, you can minimize the problems. And some of the hardware problems are sofeware related (ie, us.)
Have a safe time, enjoy.
PRIMARY SAFETY RULES
In a tradition which I believe may have been started by Jeff Cooper, the following four rules apply:
1. All guns are always loaded.
.
2. Don’t let the muzzle of the gun cross anything you’re not prepared to shoot.
3. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard and up on the gun’s frame until the sights are on target and you’ve decided to shoot.
4. Always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it.
Because we do actually unload firearms, a fifth rule, the condition check, is also worth learning:
5. Whenever you pick up a firearm that has been out of your control, if only for an instant, open (crack) the action to determine that it is in the condition (loaded or unloaded) in which you want it to be.
A “click” when you expect a “bang” can be as deadly as a “bang” when you expect a “click.”
Grease on rails, etc. is very important. Mark your mags and keep a range log identifying which mag you used, type ammo, etc. This has helped me in the past to diagnose a mag problem rather than chase my tail on an ejection problem.
A gun is a mechanical device, and thus is subject to mechanical ills. Be it a revolver or esp a semi, there will be "problems." By knowing your piece and practice, practice, practice, you can minimize the problems. And some of the hardware problems are sofeware related (ie, us.)
Have a safe time, enjoy.
Steve Smith
New member
Kiffster, I hope you haven't fired you pistol yet. If not, while you're following Jim V's advice, RUN A SWAB THROUGH THE BARREL!!! Many a time has a manufacturer left a glob of goo in there, and that could result in an overpressure, which will then result in the gun rapidly dissasembling before your eyes (if you still have eyes)! I have just found my favorite cleaning sullpy company...Pro Shot. Get their high dollar cleaning rod, solvent, and brushes and jags, and you'll be cleaning very well. Use 100% cotton patches (the fake ones don't absorb well). When you run solvent on a patch the first time through, let it set for several minutes before doing anything else...it works better that way.
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Frontsight!
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"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper
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Frontsight!
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"Put a rifle in the hands of a Subject, and he immediately becomes a Citizen." -- Jeff Cooper
branrot, Jesse Venture said he supported Concealed Carry before he got elected, but quickly lost interest after he was given a carry permit as the Governor. I guess now that he is protected by armed guards and his own gun, he's not interested in helping the rest of us. I am getting a paddle holster along with the gun, so I'm set in that regard. I forgot about the eye/ear protection - thanks. Any suggestions out there on what type of protection works best?
Stephen, I joined the NRA a couple months ago, and support the CCRN(Concealed Carry Reform Now) in MN.
Rainbow Six, Do you use snap caps with all that dry firing? Many great tips. I agree on the full cap mags, not worth it for two rounds. Maybe I'll change my mind if I ever find a good deal though.
denfoote, I've taken the safety course, but would like to try other courses in higher level training.
vega, You're preaching to the choir, try talking to my wife.
ubsy, thanks for the book suggestions, I hope to get some good books soon.
Frontsight!, Thanks for the warning. I haven't recieved the gun yet, but will give it a good run through, as R6 pointed out, and cleaning before hitting the range.
Great suggestions from all of you. I appreciate the emphasis on safety, though gun safety has been a feature in my life since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Never hurts to get a reminder, and handguns do pose additional safety concerns.
Kiffster
Stephen, I joined the NRA a couple months ago, and support the CCRN(Concealed Carry Reform Now) in MN.
Rainbow Six, Do you use snap caps with all that dry firing? Many great tips. I agree on the full cap mags, not worth it for two rounds. Maybe I'll change my mind if I ever find a good deal though.
denfoote, I've taken the safety course, but would like to try other courses in higher level training.
vega, You're preaching to the choir, try talking to my wife.
ubsy, thanks for the book suggestions, I hope to get some good books soon.
Frontsight!, Thanks for the warning. I haven't recieved the gun yet, but will give it a good run through, as R6 pointed out, and cleaning before hitting the range.
Great suggestions from all of you. I appreciate the emphasis on safety, though gun safety has been a feature in my life since I was knee high to a grasshopper. Never hurts to get a reminder, and handguns do pose additional safety concerns.
Kiffster
Look at the eye and hearing protection stuff at http://www.dillonprecision.com or http://www.dennysshooters.com
For gun cleaning stuff. http://www.midwayusa.com
For lotsa gun stuff: http://www.brownells.com
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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
For gun cleaning stuff. http://www.midwayusa.com
For lotsa gun stuff: http://www.brownells.com
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Ne Conjuge Nobiscum
"If there be treachery, let there be jehad!"
Rainbow Six
New member
I've never owned snap caps. I have and do sometimes use a spent case to drop the hammer/striker on but mostly I just let it fall. I've never had a problem that was a result of dry firing.
I've talked to a couple of Glock reps that said dry firing a Glock won't hurt anything. Who knows?
I didn't mention that I fully rack the slide and let it slam forward between each dry fire during the break-in/familiarization sessions to help break in the slide, rails, spring, etc. Unless I had a full clip of snap caps *AND* they would feed properly without damage it would be tough to use snap caps during my initiatial dry fire sessions. I'm no expert but I don't think that dry firing hurts anything that firing an equal number of rounds wouldn't hurt. Just my .02...
As for hearing protection, I use Peltor Bull's-Eye Ultimate-10 ear muffs and a pair of blue rubber Howard Leight ear plugs at the same time when shooting. I like my hearing. I mean, how else would I know when the UPS truck was "on the scene"? Both of these are readily available at any local gun shop here in Jawja. 
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Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
http://www.wolfcreek-gun.com
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R6...aka...Chris
I've talked to a couple of Glock reps that said dry firing a Glock won't hurt anything. Who knows?
I didn't mention that I fully rack the slide and let it slam forward between each dry fire during the break-in/familiarization sessions to help break in the slide, rails, spring, etc. Unless I had a full clip of snap caps *AND* they would feed properly without damage it would be tough to use snap caps during my initiatial dry fire sessions. I'm no expert but I don't think that dry firing hurts anything that firing an equal number of rounds wouldn't hurt. Just my .02...
As for hearing protection, I use Peltor Bull's-Eye Ultimate-10 ear muffs and a pair of blue rubber Howard Leight ear plugs at the same time when shooting. I like my hearing. I mean, how else would I know when the UPS truck was "on the scene"?
Both of these are readily available at any local gun shop here in Jawja. ------------------
***************************
Georgia TFL'ers get together:
May 20, 2000-From 3pm to 6pm
http://www.wolfcreek-gun.com
***************************
R6...aka...Chris