What else does a newbie need?

G

GreySmoke

New member
I am buying my first handgun, a Springfield 4" 45ACP with the Thumb Safety.

What other stuff should I plan on getting?

Mags (2 13rd come with it) how many do I need
Ammo - Yea I know. Any suggestion in Western Chgo Burbs Wally World has been dry on .45acp at least by me...?
Cleaning stuff - what should I get??
Ear Protection - Primary Range will be Indoor???
Range Bag or is any heavy nylon bag ok
Other and here is where I really need help....
 
GS, 9/21/09

Congratulations on your purchase. Some of your requirements depend on what the pistol will be used for.

Mags- I usually get four of five for each pistol.

.45 ammo- get whatever you can find in 230 grain FMJ for practice. For self defense a number of quality makers make hollow point ammo- I like the Remington Golden Sabers but there are a number of others which work well. You probably want to run at least fifty rounds of the defense ammo through your pistol to make sure it runs reliably.

Range bag- use whatever works, doesn't have to be anything special.

ear protection- for an indoor range look for a set of ear muffs with a noise reduction rating (NRR) of at least 30 decibels. I use and like the Remington passive (non-electronic) muffs. Electronic muffs are good if you need to hear range commands like at a pistol course.

eye protection- some sort of glasses are a requirement.

Other stuff- look for a good quality holster. There are many makers, some reasonably priced and some expensive, and some requiring a 6 month wait to get your holster. For reasonably priced, mid-range holsters look on the web at Don Hume holsters, Fist holsters, and Highnoon holsters.
You will also need mag holders to hold your extra mags on your belt. A good baseball cap also keeps the occasional hot brass round from landing on your head or going down the front of your shirt (which leads to the "hot brass dance").

Most important is getting some shooting instruction and then lots of practice. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow
 
Welcome to TFL -

As far as cleaning supplies, everyone likes something different. I like Rem oil, and Eezox. A handgun cleaning kit will pretty much come with all of the different parts/accessories you will need. And some stuff you probably don't need, but regardless, it's a good place to start.

You definitely need a holster. Unless you are only going to use the one that comes with the gun. Like me and everyone else, before it's all said and done, you'll probably end up with a box full of holsters as you hunt for the one that works best for your own needs.

Eye and ear protection is a must, no matter where you are shooting.

And I would want more than 2 magazines. Well, good luck with everything.
 
Until you're ready/able to carry, a holster is not initially necessary since this will be a range gun - same for the mag holders.

Cleaning stuff - cleaning rod - pistol one of this is your only gun
patches sized for the bore, and bronze/brass brushes, dental picks for nooks and crannies
cleaning solvent - there are many good ones, I like Shooter's Choice products
Lubricant - what does your owner's manual say? Oil?? Grease? Both?
Range Bag - any decent bag will do - I have one that also works for my shotgun stuff when I go to my club

Eyes and Ears as mentioned

Targets, (IF you're allowed to use your own)
 
Mags (2 13rd come with it) how many do I need
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Get however many you plan to carry +2.

Cleaning stuff - what should I get??
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Go to Wally World and get a handgun cleaning kit and an extra bottle of Hoppe's. Clean your gun every time you fire it. I got an automotive chamois to wipe it down after cleaning - works great. After a couple of uses, it gets a little oil/cleaner in it.

Ear Protection - Primary Range will be Indoor???
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I recommend plugs or muffs with a rating of -33. The higher the rating, the better the protection. The electronic muffs may be good, but they're cost-prohibitive for me, so I haven't tried them.

Range Bag or is any heavy nylon bag ok
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Wally World again. I got a large gym bag for about half the cost of the shooting-specific range bags. Works great.

Other and here is where I really need help....
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Eye protection. Z87+ rating. Tinted or not - your choice.

When you choose your holster, get a good one. I don't like the "Fits A, B, C, and sometimes Y guns." I prefer holsters made specifically for that particular model. A belt capable of supporting the holster/gun is necessary. I like the Uncle Mike's Instructor belts.
 
i wouldnt worry about holsters for now. Ear and eye protection are a must. You might consider a mag loader assister since it is a semi.

in regards to cases, get a range bag/case that allows you room to grow. Do not get anything designed for just one gun, cause guns tend to multiply, and either youll be bringing multiple single cases to the range, or your gonna have to get a new case that can hold multiple guns. also a caser that also holds your cleaning supply bottles and brushes is a plus.

and eventually you will need an ammo can. they sell plastic ones, but if you can get a mil surplus metal one, thats even better
 
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This is all great info. I've been a member of cigar boards for years and the it appears that "firearms" members are just as helpful. I would be interested in specific brand/models of ear protection. I prefer <<<<$$$$ but my hearing is important. I have been reading a lot about Breakfree CLP as a all purpose Cleaner/Lub and Powder Blast for the tough stuff any experience with these products?
 
this is a personal preference, but i prefer breakfree clp aerosol for rifles with small chambers and hard to reach places. for hand guns, i prefer solvent and oil since hand guns come apart nicely
 
For a nice selection of bags go to Lowe's, etc, and look at their tool bags. I've got a large two compartment bag with elastic bands sewn inside to hold tools that works great. Get one larger than you think you will need.
I use Breakfree CLP (liquid, not spray) for everything; it is a decent cleaner and lube and will protect your pistol from rust in a big way.
 
P.S. I always like to have at least seven mags for each of my pistols. There are [usually] two that come with the pistol and then I buy at least five more. I can load them up at home and when I get to the range I can shoot without stopping too often to reload mags.
 
about a lot of mags, i do that too, but just make sure you like the gun first before you buy a crap ton of mags, cause then it'll be silly
 
this place in Aurora usually have plenty of ammo: http://www.jrshootingsports.com/
but I've been living in central IL for the last year, so things may have changed.

http://megasportsfirearms.com/

http://www.gunshopinc.com/
here's another one around there. They've actually got a used XD. I think it's the 9mm and not the .45, though.


Also, being that you're an Il resident, don't worry a whole ton about extra mags. Being that we can't carry, we don't really need extra mags.
 
Hearing protection is NOT something to scrimp on - when it's gone, it's gone. I know. For indoor shooting, especially when you will have other folks also shooting in that echoing place, I would recommend a set of insertable plugs with a NRR of 29 or so, AND a set of over-the-ear muffs ALSO with a NRR of 29 or more........
 
Oh. I forgot to mention a fews things. I use the "Hoppes #9 pistol cleaning kit." It woulds pretty well. The Springfields come with a bore brush, so you don't have to worry about it. The Springfields, as well, hold up amazingly well when they get dirty and nasty. You won't regret getting an XD. I'd personally suggest going with a 9mm, but that's the whole mess of caliber preference. The 9mm is 2/3's the price of .45's and the recoil is much easier to handle (IMO, at least. The 9mm does "snap" but it's easier for me to recover the 9mm's "snap" than the .45's "push" and place a few rounds on target at 15 years quickly).

I also want to point out: the XD comes with a pistol case, holster and mag holder. For an Il resident, those will all be more than adequate. Being that we can't carry (open or concealed, at all), you don't need a good high quality CCW holster. I use pistol cases to transport pistols and a normal messenger bag to transport ammo and accessories to the range, it works for me. I also, generally, don't wear a holster at the range. I prefer to leave the pistol on the counter, rather than place it in a holster, as it's just added protection from accidentally sweeping someone with the muzzle.

There's really more "preference" built into all of this, than most people will let you realize. The mag loader, I'd forgo for now, as well. I've loaded thousands of rounds by hand into magazines and have NEVER had a problem. It's really built into my muscle memory at this point.

And keep this in mind: a lot of people will give you advice as though you will be carrying this weapon. But, being an Il resident, I know that you can't carry. I know that you're using this for home defense and sport, rather than concealed carry. You really don't need to worry about loading up on extra mags as much as some will make you think. If you're using this for home defense and you need more than 28 or so .45 rounds... something's definitely wrong.

The best advice I can give you is this: go to JR, The Gun Shop and any other shops around up there and look around for things. You'll realize just what you want and need.

Also, if that fishing and hunting store on Ogden Ave in Downers Grove is still around, the folks there were ALWAYS great guys to talk to. I'm just not sure that they exist anymore. I can't find any info for them on the web. It was in a strip mall about a block east of the Corvette Place (if you're from the Western Burbs, you probably know what I mean).
 
well, bore brushes do wear out, but for a new shooter, the bore brush with the XD should last more than a few months. It's not necessary for a new shooter to have to buy a fresh bore brush when a gun comes with one.
 
NRA Basic pistol course should be your number one priorty. Learn basic handleing and safety above all else. The more instruction you receive the better. The rest of the accessories will come as you gain knowledge, skill, and confidence with firearms.
 
Laker said:
NRA Basic pistol course should be your number one priorty. Learn basic handleing and safety above all else. The more instruction you receive the better. The rest of the accessories will come as you gain knowledge, skill, and confidence with firearms.
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+1. If you have a gun, training and skill are the most important "accessories."

As Jeff Cooper used to say, "It is long been a principle of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully."
 
There are a lot of good hearing protection products. I usually go with a cheap set of foam 29-32NPR ear plugs and/or Pro Ears 33NPR muffs. Electronic muffs are great, especially when used with earplugs since you get good protection from both high and low frequencies and can hear range commands.
 
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