Handgun Question

[mitch]

I'm not much of a gun guy, all I have is a couple shotguns and a .22 for hunting. Lately I have been wanting to get a handgun. I don't know anything about them. I want to get one before laws become too strict to buy one. I just want to have it to shoot every once in a while.

What is a good gun to get? I'm not looking to spend a lot on this gun. (I know I'll probably get 100 different opinions on this)

What permits do I need to get?

Thanks for any input.

[DanOmite19]

As for what gun to get, I'm not even gonna go in to it. There are so many types, calibers, preferences that are for and fit different people. I personally own a Ruger P94 .40 and a Smith and wesson .357.

As far as permits you need to acquire a Permit to Purchase from your local Police department, or if you live in a township your county sherrif's department. You fill out a background form it takes anywhere up to 30 days.

They mail you a PTP and its good for a year. You just take that to where ever you are gonna buy your gun and that's it.

You can also purchase a handgun if you have a conceal and carry permit. Those are good for five years...

[Loose]

Pretty sure it is only a 7 day wait for the permit to purchase and good for a year,

Just go the the gun store and fondle them til you find one you like, buy anything from a 150 to 1200, there a gun range near you were you could go test shoot a bunch?

The laws wont get to strict to get them anytime soon, magazine capacitys might get smaller if the libs get their way.

[DanOmite19]

A person who wishes to purchase a pistol or assault weapon

from a federally licensed firearms dealer must either obtain a

transferee permit from the local police chief or sheriff or

submit to a background check to determine eligibility to

possess the weapon. A person need not obtain a transferee

permit if the person already possesses a valid permit to carry

a pistol. Minn. Stat. §§ 624.7131; 624.7132

This is copy and pasted from www.house.leg.state.mn.us (Firearm Laws)

Mine only took ten days, I know some have taken 30 days.

[Dave S]

Had my PTP in 5 days from Le Sueur County. Sometimes they get them out sooner. Never heard of them taking 30 days until now.

[MikeH55343]

My advice is to start with a .22 Cal. Revolver or Auto is truely personal choice. As advise earlier, go to the gun store and don't be afraid to ask to handle several models.

Shooting a handgun takes a bit of practice but that is just part of the fun. Paying for the ammo is not part of the fun.

[Loose]

Ccw is up to 30 days to get.

Almost positive ptp is up to 7 days to get.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Almost positive ptp is up to 7 days to get.

Took about 14 days for the one I got last year.

[TooTallTom]

I noticed that you have "Albert Lea/ Ames" listed as your location. If Ames is your legal residency, you'll have to jump through the hoops that Iowa has set up. I don't know what those would be. If you're a legal resident of Albert Lea, then it's the MN hoops. I'm familiar with those, and that's what I'm talking about below.

Like the previous posters have said, you have to have a permit to purchase a pistol or assault weapon (there are legal definitions of what "assualt weapon" actually means). The permit isn't tied to any specific gun, and there's no limit on number of guns purchased while the permit is valid.

To be safe, plan on a couple of weeks from the time you turn your paperwork in to the time you get your permit. Because the permits are taken care of locally, the process can vary somewhat. For instance, the time it takes might be different in one location versus another. I have to go in person to the police station to pick my permit up (they won't mail it) and they photocopy my signed permit and my driver's license. Some retailers will let you put money down on a pistol without actually having your permit, and then pick it up after you get your permit. I don't know what happens to your cash if you are denied a permit.

As far as guns to buy go, I'm +1 for a .22lr pistol. I'd suggest staying under $400-$500 and more towards the target-shooting end of the spectrum. It's great for learning the fundamentals of shooting handguns and cheap to shoot. Plus, with enough practice you can use it as a small game/ grouse gun. That's a lot of fun. When you buy your next pistol ('Cause they're like Pringles in that way.) I'd suggest .44mag if you aren't put off by the recoil. Like .30-'06 in rifles, the .44mag is probably the most versatile handgun cartridge in production, and is available in lots of gas stations. I like to be able to buy my bullets, beer (stupid Minnesota), and batteries at gas stations.

[DitchPickle13]

I'll throw in my opinions on some guns to look at, since the others covered the permit aspect.

First of all, figure out if you want a revolver or an auto-loader, if you don't already know. Next, ask your self if self/home defense has any role in why you want one. If not, then I'm +1 for a .22, whether it be a revolver or auto. Cheap ammo and easy to shoot.

Otherwise, you'll want a larger caliber. For revolvers, .357's are nice because you can shoot less recoil/cheaper .38 special rounds for target practice and the .357 Mag rounds for defense, et cetera.

For quality auto's in the medium price ranges, go hold a Glock, Springfield XD and Smith & Wesson M&P as a starting point to see what you like. Rugers will be a little lower in the pricing and Sig Sauers or H&K's on the higher end. All good options in my opinion. Those are just a few options, but should give you a good starting point.

[Ralph Wiggum]

For quality auto's in the medium price ranges, go hold a Glock, Springfield XD and Smith & Wesson M&P as a starting point to see what you like. Rugers will be a little lower in the pricing and Sig Sauers or H&K's on the higher end. All good options in my opinion. Those are just a few options, but should give you a good starting point.

I'll agree. Find a gun that fits you--all of the major manufacturers put our good guns! Don't forget Beretta. The PX4 Storm is a sweet gun. The H&K P30 is awesome, but not in my price range

Definitely get a .22 at some point, though. Great to learn and practice on. And for fun, it is tough to beat 500 rounds for $18.

[mitch]

Thanks for all the input guys. Looks like I just need to go to the gun shop and handle a few and see what I like.

[HandGunner]

handguns for hunting? you found your guy

smith and wesson anyone from 357mag up to 500 yes 500 its great for deer

longer ranges go for a Thompson Center Encore pistol I do not own a factory barrel just the frame so far im waiting for my custom made .308 winchester 15 inch barrel and yes i believe it will have a 1inch MOA,

go for longer barrels. I have taken a deer with a 50ae Desert eagle. remember the smaller you go on caliber the more yardage you lose because of the bullets power to perform. a 460magXVR S&W is great for deer id say a good 150yard gun but i could see a 200 yard shot out of it as well but among all these i think the TC Encore is by far the best, why? I can shoot a dang .308 out of it dats why plus easy 300 yard shot if your good!

the semi autos handguns gor for the biggest cal you can get a 9mm is not going to cut it for deer, 357 mag up to 50ae in a auto loader is about it

as for optics on my TC ENCORE i got a burris 3x12x32 scope perfect scope for the gun anything else id say any scope with a 2-7 zoom is good but you can go red dots if you wish just know scopes will always be more precise and be sure the scope can handle the handguns recoil, burris handgun scopes have a POSI-LOCK on the scopes so obviously they are magnum rated

[BigRock]

I am posting a few days late in this thread, but if the OP hasn't already purchased this handgun yet, there are a couple of questions that need to be asked. What is this handgun going to be used for? Personal protection? Target shooting? Hunting? If this is your first handgun, I would go with a .22 for plinking, or small game hunting, and a 9mm, or a .380 for persoanl protection. .38 Special would be a good choice in a revolver. Going too big in the caliber choice too fast is a recipe for poor shooting form due to flinching from heavy recoil. Starting out as a new handgun owner with a .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, .500 S&W, even .45 ACP, is not necessarily a good idea. You can always progress to those calibers later after you get your shooting form down using lighter recoil calibers. .22 LR is your best choice to start out with imho. Otherwise go with a 9mm in a semi auto. Good luck!

[pureinsanity]

if you want a gun to shoot get a 9mm if you want a gun to protect get a bigger caliber.

I would recommend a glock. They are cheap, durable, and reliable. Not to mention if you got a .40 you can get a conversion kit and change it into a .22 hand gun for just target shooting. save on a lot of ammo.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I would recommend a glock.

Not to mention incredibly uncomfortable, at least in my hands .

Whatever you buy, make sure you get to at least handle it first. Let the fit make the decision. Poor fit leads to poor shooting. Find a gun that feels good to you. All the major brands make good guns.

[hockeybc69]

I hate the feel of the Glocks.

Then some people it works perfectly.

Go down the case and hold everything. Hopefully the one that fits best, isnt the most expensive one.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Hopefully the one that fits best, isnt the most expensive one.

LOL, I made the mistake of shooting an H&K P30--of course it fit me perfectly! Can't convince the wife that it is necessary, though

[hockeybc69]

Give me a Kahr any day of the week...... Seriously, I can only have one if you "give" it to me...

[picksbigwagon]

I am going to add Taurus to this as well. I own two, a 357 mag ported and a PT1911. Good quality, great fit goes bang everytime I pull the trigger

[mitch]

It's probably going to be a while before I buy one, I just wanted to get a better understanding so I wasn't completely clueless when I go to the gun shop. As for what I plan to use it for. I'm thinking just shooting and personal protection. I think it would feel weird to me to hunt deer with a handgun.

[KatoMike]

You can pick up a new Ruger Buckmark for around $300...solid and accurate .22 handgun.

I am also a big fan of Glocks - I have two and they function flawlessly. Never have to worry that when the **** hits the fan your gun will malfunction. 9mm is a good caliber for both target shooting and personal defense (lots of choices of ammo for self defense).

Easy to get parts for Glock, very easy to take down and clean and very easy to customize (go to a gun show and see how many Glock parts/accessories there are for Glocks compared to other brands).

[swamptiger]

Quote:

I am going to add Taurus to this as well. I own two, a 357 mag ported and a PT1911. Good quality, great fit goes bang everytime I pull the trigger

It's been awhile since I've owned a handgun (outside of my .44 Army cap & ball), but I've been looking at a Taurus model 65/66 in .357 lately. Looks like a good value to me. The Ruger SR9 looks like a good deal in a semi-auto.

[Glockophile]

The Buckmark is made by Browning and it is a top line 22 pistol, I own the 5.5" URX and the Competition model called the bullseye.

Ruger makes the Mark I, II, and III, I have a mark III hunter which has the stainless 6/78"inch barrel. I feel the the buckmark and the ruger shoot the same.

The mark III differs with the I and II because it has the loaded barrel indicator which visually allows you to see its loaded, or in the dark you can feel the indicator protrude/sticking out, and a magazine disconnect which means you cannot shoot it without the magazine (clip) in the gun.

[skolfoppa]

Mitch- First, go get your ptp. That way you will be able to start seriously looking for your handgun.

The Ruger Mark II/III are great pistols to begin a collection. They are accurate and fun to shoot. .22 ammo is relatively cheap and the platform will give you a chance to hone your skills as a marksman.

If you bowhunt and know the thrill of the close encounter, handgun hunting is a close second IMHO. I still hunt with a Ruger SR .44mag and may never pick up a rifle again.

Take your time and enjoy the process of buying your first pistol. Skol.