Ben from MN

[MNWild81883]

Hey!

I am 26, from MN and have recently been looking at getting into guns. I play paintball but do not have experience with real guns. I shot a few rifle .22s as a teenager and just shot a few 9mm and a .45 handguns yesterday. It was quite a blast!

I am planning on purchasing two guns; the first being a bolt-action .22 with iron sights, and the second being a 9mm.

I have read through the forums and see that I need to rent various types of 9mm to see what fits me best. There is a range here that generally costs $15 per gun to rent. However, there is a gun show coming in the next two weeks. Since I have never been to a show, will I be able to test most of them there? Or are they so crowded that it would be hard to do that?

After I have tested the various guns, I will be taking a handgun 101 course before making a purchase.

Anywho, I just wanted to stop in and say "Hi!" and plan on asking a lot of questions!

[cougartex]

Welcome to the forum.

You would be able to hold various guns, but not shoot them.

[ElMar]

Welcome.

[ken2925]

Welcome to the forums from SC!

[Hiram25]

Welcome to the forum from Delaware

[ActionB]

Hi Ben;
I am pretty new to the forum as well and also from MN. I recently got my permit to carry and if you can afford it, I suggest you take that class even if you have no plans to carry. Most likely, when you go take the range test, the instructors will be helpfull explaining handgun basics to you as well as potentially being able to shoot a couple different guns brought by the instructors as well as other students. It might be good to offer to pay for some ammo. Otherwise the ranges also offer some differnt levels of training. I am sure you were talking about Bill's in the Metro area. That is a big range and can be busy. If you want a more personailized expieriance, try going to Inrange in Monticello. At least that was my expieriance.... I went there and rented a few different 9's and a .380 and the lady was very helpfull in explaining the operations of the various models. They are a little cheaper as well, but you may burn more gas than you will save. It does add up pretty quickly. I went to both ranges and rented guns because Bill's has a much bigger selection.... And I have been around guns and hunting all my life, just not much with handguns before.

I must say through my own decission making process I also concluded the 9mm was the caliber for me. For home defence I have my carry gun, currently a Springfield EMP, as well as keeping a Remington 870 express youth 20 gauge shotgun by the bed. My wife can handle that if I am not there, it is versatile, cheap, effective, reliable and easy to handle.

[Rogelk]

Welcome Ben, I'm a fellow MN also. The gun shows will let you handle them but aren't equipped with a range to fire them. That would be the ultimate gun show and one that doesn't exist that I know of. The Crockadile productions are pretty sad but the one at the fairgrounds in April is about the best we have in this state. Here's a link for shows http://www.gunshows-usa.com/minnesota_gun_shows.htm

For .22 rifles I'd look at this for a new one http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-lux/ but, you should be able to find a used bolt action at the fairgrounds. For a 9mm, plenty of choices. Stick with the major brands and you should be ok. Ask opinions and use the search feature. We all have our favorites.

[MNWild81883]

Hi Ben;
I am pretty new to the forum as well and also from MN. I recently got my permit to carry and if you can afford it, I suggest you take that class even if you have no plans to carry. Most likely, when you go take the range test, the instructors will be helpfull explaining handgun basics to you as well as potentially being able to shoot a couple different guns brought by the instructors as well as other students. It might be good to offer to pay for some ammo. Otherwise the ranges also offer some differnt levels of training. I am sure you were talking about Bill's in the Metro area. That is a big range and can be busy. If you want a more personailized expieriance, try going to Inrange in Monticello. At least that was my expieriance.... I went there and rented a few different 9's and a .380 and the lady was very helpfull in explaining the operations of the various models. They are a little cheaper as well, but you may burn more gas than you will save. It does add up pretty quickly. I went to both ranges and rented guns because Bill's has a much bigger selection.... And I have been around guns and hunting all my life, just not much with handguns before.

I must say through my own decission making process I also concluded the 9mm was the caliber for me. For home defence I have my carry gun, currently a Springfield EMP, as well as keeping a Remington 870 express youth 20 gauge shotgun by the bed. My wife can handle that if I am not there, it is versatile, cheap, effective, reliable and easy to handle.

Thanks a bunch for the information. I may have to check out the range in Monticello!

[MNWild81883]

Welcome Ben, I'm a fellow MN also. The gun shows will let you handle them but aren't equipped with a range to fire them. That would be the ultimate gun show and one that doesn't exist that I know of. The Crockadile productions are pretty sad but the one at the fairgrounds in April is about the best we have in this state. Here's a link for shows http://www.gunshows-usa.com/minnesota_gun_shows.htm

For .22 rifles I'd look at this for a new one http://cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-452-lux/ but, you should be able to find a used bolt action at the fairgrounds. For a 9mm, plenty of choices. Stick with the major brands and you should be ok. Ask opinions and use the search feature. We all have our favorites.

Thank you for the advice, as well as the links. I will definitely check them both out.

[ActionB]

One more thing if you get to Monticello. There is a guy who sells handguns out of his home near there (they have his card at the range, or you could call ahead and ask) and he will bring guns to the range and let you shoot them, by appointment mostly evenings and weekends. If you buy from him, he will insist on giving you a crash course on using the gun. I thought his prices a little high, but if you are planning to pay for a 101 class anyway, he is probably a better deal and you will get one on one training with him, at the range even.

Good luck and have fun!

[Todd]

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