Thread: Really Need some advice...

Originally Posted by hammerheadtib

I'm going to the gun show this weekend at the South Florida Fair Grounds and have a few questions. I dont know what would be a good gun to look for. For mainly CC.
This will be my first gun and my first gun show. What should I look for there.
Also can you post some pics and prices with your gun choices. Thank you in advance.

If you don't know guns, gun shows are just a good place to get ripped off. My advice is to avoid this weekend's gun show. Instead, find an NRA pistol instructor here: http://www.nrahq.org/education/train...L&Type=BPistol. Take the Basic Pistol course and go to the next gun show armed with knowledge - not just dollars.

Ditto what Mike said. Get a little familiar with pistols before you buy one, or you'll most likely end up with what you don't want. The NRA course of instruction will familiarize you with the basics of revolvers and pistols. Then, get to a gun range that rents handguns and try some different makes.

One of the most important things to consider is how it fits your hand. Not all handguns are comfortable to shoot for everyone. If the grip is too big or too small, you won't be as accurate as you could be. If it fits your hand well, you'll know it as soon as you pick it up.

If you know of one, or someone you trust can recommend a good gun shop, you may be better off buying your first handgun there. They more likely will take the time needed to make sure you end up with a pistol that fits you and meets your needs.

DITTO again,, shows are fun and would give you overload on models and types, kind of like picking blond over any thing eles.

Hit the shops and rental ranges , do more shopping and learning.

Do you have a trustworthy friend to answer questions for you then gunshows can be a wealth of info some good some bad and start learning the difference.
Go to the show but leave money and credit cards at home and enjoy.

thanks for all the replies. I'm going to go with a friend who knows a little bit about guns but now I think I'll leave the card and cash at home. Would the bass pro down in pompano beach be a good place to buy a gun. I dont know of any other gun shops that are in good areas.

I think that Bass Pro Shops, are a good place to go for INFO, thye charge about 100 dollars more than any gun store. Wat I would do is go to the gun just look around see wat type of gun u like, hold some. DO NOT BUY, at the gun show. Than find the ones you like, write them down, u can ask us here, or just find a gun store and go to one.

I have been asking everyone I know what would be good to carry on my or in my truck AND be able to fit into my hand...I have big hands.
A few people I know have told me that I would love the Glock 19 and I might want to look at the Glock 23
I like it because its not as large as a full size handgun but its not a subcompact. What are your opinions on this gun.

I'm getting in line behind Mike on this one. You can get ripped off something hard at a gun show and they look for people who they think won't know to check for something. I have generally taken to buying only military surplus at gun shows and even then I only buy from certain dealers. So my advice is to either skip the gun show or take someone along who is really up on firearms and is a seasoned gun show goer. I haven't been finding a lot of real deals at gun shows lately anyway. Most of the time they are more expensive then the most expensive local dealers. Most people I know go to those shows for ammo.

I dont know if its different in Texas, but the gun shows I have been to consistantly have better prices than academy, cabellas, gun shops, etc.

I dont know just what one would be better for me.



Also I'm sure it'll make a difference........I shoot with my left hand

Originally Posted by cnorm

I dont know if its different in Texas, but the gun shows I have been to consistantly have better prices than academy, cabellas, gun shops, etc.

I know in NC that used to be case, too. But as of recently the prices have out of this world high.

Originally Posted by hammerheadtib

I dont know just what one would be better for me.

Also I'm sure it'll make a difference........I shoot with my left hand

There's not much you can do about that. Not a lot of gun companies make guns for left handed shooters only, I know Charter Arms has the Southpaw which is a left handed revolver. Other than that, you may want to explore options like HK for their ambi features.

Most autos can be operated just as well by lefty as a righty. Lefties can just use the index finger to operate the slide and mag releases, instead of the thumb. Guns with thumb safeties will need an ambi unit added if it is not already included.

Revolvers are also easily worked left-handed. When pressing the cylinder release, just flip the left thumb over the frame and pop out the cylinder. It's a tiny bit slower than a righty, but reloading revolvers is slow, anyway.

Get training and at least a little experience before you buy. If you don't have any idea what you want or like, there's no way strangers on an internet forum can.