I think it's more that the smaller companies produce niche products. Look at Kahr, KelTec, STI, etc. Nice guns, but the products mainly fill niches not covered by the bigger manufacturers.

Most of the big boys have a fairly decent track record of being reputable in that their firearms have good reputations and well as their customer service departments. Some with great firearms such as Glock and Beretta, I've heard some mixed reviews regarding CS (mostly good though).

The two companies that seem to have the very best rep for CS are the two old line American companies: S&W and Ruger.

BTW, sometimes the smaller companies are not necessarily less expensive, such as Kahr for example.

Originally Posted by Mike Barham

I think it's more that the smaller companies produce niche products. Look at Kahr, KelTec, STI, etc. Nice guns, but the products mainly fill niches not covered by the bigger manufacturers.

Thanks. I think that's a really good point. Perhaps I should just feel comfortable buying what's available based on what the salesperson at the gunshop recommends. Then after a few years and after meeting other shooters I can see what else in the sport interests me.

Originally Posted by m3coupe4me

Perhaps I should just feel comfortable buying what's available based on what the salesperson at the gunshop recommends.

Uh, no. The folks working at gunshops are little more than trained chipanzees with even worse hygiene. The main motivation they have is to move inventory.

Assuming you have proper handgun training and actually shoot before you buy, the best place to find out about customer service is 2 places.

The internet is a good source of complaints. If the complaints follow a pattern, stay away, because there is a legitmate issue.

The second place is a local gunsmith. My preference is to deal with former MOS 2111 Marines with MEU (SOC) experience. If you plan on custom work, better to pick something the guy who is doing the customizing prefers.

Originally Posted by m3coupe4me

Perhaps I should just feel comfortable buying what's available based on what the salesperson at the gun shop recommends.

Stop! Do not listen to the salesman! I wouldn't trust the guy at the gun shop to steer me in the right direction for a gun any more than I'd trust the guy at Best Buy to tell me what TV to buy. In both cases they are told what to "recommend" and most of the time, their knowledge is really, really poor.

Follow Submoa's advice and you're going to be off to a good start.

The gun companies offer "incentive programs" for salespeople who push their products. Free guns, trips to Hawaii, etc.

Originally Posted by m3coupe4me

Perhaps I should just feel comfortable buying what's available based on what the salesperson at the gunshop recommends.

Actually, there's a lot of good information available on this forum, this is a great place to learn about guns.

Originally Posted by unpecador

Actually, there's a lot of good information available on this forum, this is a great place to learn about guns.

Especially in the Beretta and S&W forums.

Seriously, there is alot of good info here. Hang out awhile and you will get a feel for who's giving out the good advice.

Opinions are like a**holes: Everyone's got one and they all stink.

What it comes down to pretty much is most of the models put out by the mainline manufacturers are of good quality, some makes/models are highly regarded for accuracy/reliability. You can pretty much start and end with the makes that have their own forums here. There's really no need to look beyond these as among them there is plenty of choice and price points.

Do the research and find a range that has a some of these for rent, and shoot them. Among the good makes/models it really comes down to personal preference i.e. which feels/fits you best personally, and which you shoot the best. You need to determine what you will use the gun for and then decide on which caliber and trigger action you prefer. Especially with the latter the best way to decide is to shoot them.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

Do not trust the clerk!! Do your home work first, if possible find a range that rents so you can try it out.
These steps will help you avoid the one that was owned by a little old lady who just carried it to church on Sunday.

Originally Posted by tony pasley

Do not trust the clerk!! Do your home work first, if possible find a range that rents so you can try it out.
These steps will help you avoid the one that was owned by a little old lady who just carried it to church on Sunday.

+1

My advise is to heed the advise already given. It is excellent. Don't be in a hurry and shoot them and see what fits you best before buying. We all have our favorites and you will too. Good luck, and have fun.

All good advice. I didn't think I'd get such a fervent reaction from so many people. I think what I'll do is call around to gun clubs and see if I can get some training, rent some pistols, then make a determination as to what I want to purchase. I'll also continue perusing these forums. Lot's of good discussions here. Thanks again for the good advice.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Especially in the Beretta and S&W forums.

...

Do the research and find a range that has a some of these for rent, and shoot them. Among the good makes/models it really comes down to personal preference i.e. which feels/fits you best personally, and which you shoot the best. You need to determine what you will use the gun for and then decide on which caliber and trigger action you prefer. Especially with the latter the best way to decide is to shoot them.

Good luck and enjoy the search.

I called a few places here in NJ and they say no way to renting guns. How am I supposed to even test these things out if no one is willing to rent them? However, I did find out that PA ranges will rent out, but now I'm not sure if I need to have a permit there before using their ranges. Very difficult. Also, sounds like NJ townships are notorious for giving applicants the run around, so I'm probably not going to contact my township until I'm absolutely on the right path.

Originally Posted by m3coupe4me

I called a few places here in NJ and they say no way to renting guns. How am I supposed to even test these things out if no one is willing to rent them? However, I did find out that PA ranges will rent out, but now I'm not sure if I need to have a permit there before using their ranges. Very difficult. Also, sounds like NJ townships are notorious for giving applicants the run around, so I'm probably not going to contact my township until I'm absolutely on the right path.

You can probably answer that question with a call to a PA range. I'm not sure what kind of permit you would need, I doubt you need a carry permit. In California, one of the most stringent states, all the ranges have rental guns and you just have to show a drivers license and sign the form stating you are not mentally ill or a felon etc. and you are good to go.

Some ranges will want to check you out on the gun and if you don't seem to know what you are doing they will not let you shoot. Whenever I rent a gun I've not handled before I usually preempt this by asking the range officer to check me out on the gun and explain all the controls if I'm not familiar with that particular model. They seem to appreciate this, probably because so many guys come in all macho that have no clue so exhibiting a little humility works.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

You can probably answer that question with a call to a PA range. I'm not sure what kind of permit you would need, I doubt you need a carry permit. In California, one of the most stringent states, all the ranges have rental guns and you just have to show a drivers license and sign the form stating you are not mentally ill or a felon etc. and you are good to go.

Some ranges will want to check you out on the gun and if you don't seem to know what you are doing they will not let you shoot. Whenever I rent a gun I've not handled before I usually preempt this by asking the range officer to check me out on the gun and explain all the controls if I'm not familiar with that particular model. They seem to appreciate this, probably because so many guys come in all macho that have no clue so exhibiting a little humility works.

PA, last I recall, really wasn't super stringent so I can't imagine you needing a permit there.

+1 for the suggestion to have the rangemaster check you out on the gun.

Originally Posted by Wyatt

You can probably answer that question with a call to a PA range. I'm not sure what kind of permit you would need, I doubt you need a carry permit. In California, one of the most stringent states, all the ranges have rental guns and you just have to show a drivers license and sign the form stating you are not mentally ill or a felon etc. and you are good to go.

Some ranges will want to check you out on the gun and if you don't seem to know what you are doing they will not let you shoot. Whenever I rent a gun I've not handled before I usually preempt this by asking the range officer to check me out on the gun and explain all the controls if I'm not familiar with that particular model. They seem to appreciate this, probably because so many guys come in all macho that have no clue so exhibiting a little humility works.

So I did some more calling and there are definitely ranges in PA that will rent out guns. I called one called Pistol People in Bensalem (http://www.pistolpeople.com) and spoke with the owner. He said he would set me up with a free lesson and show me the basics, which I though was perfect. About $47 to rent his safety equipment and a gun. Once he sets me up first on the training gun, I'm allowed to rent others. Perfect.

I wouldn't have a problem with the $47 since he is giving you some instruction, but I don't consider that a free lesson. I know you said the fee was for renting of safety gear and a gun but consider that around my parts the range provides eyes and ears for free if you don't have them (even if you are not renting a gun) and gun rentals are $5 to $10 per firearm depending on the range. Maybe he is including ammo for the instruction session.

Typical range cost at my home range is $18 for the lane (no time limit, $9 for an additional person in that lane). Targets less than $5. Eye and ear protection is included with the lane. If you are renting then $10/gun. Lastly most ranges around here require you shoot their ammo through rental guns and that can get stiff ($15 for 50 bag of 9mm).

So if he is including a box of ammo it makes sense compared to my range: $18 for the lane, $10 for the gun, $15 for a box of ammo leaves $4 for targets. Then the lesson would be free.

No biggie really as you are getting a lesson for $50. You can check out the pricing for repeat trips when you get there. If they don't require you buy rental gun ammo from them, hit Walmart on your way to the range. Check if certain kinds of ammo are not allowed (my range allows FMJ ammo only - no naked ball).

Congrats M3, sounds like you are on the right track. Enjoy and let us know about your trip to the range!

Originally Posted by Wyatt

Typical range cost at my home range is $18 for the lane (no time limit,

Is that an indoor range? The indoor range that I usually shoot at charges $16 an hour per lane, 25 yards max with target retrievers. There is a huge outdoor range in the area that charges $10 per shooter for all day but doesn't have target retrievers.

Yes, it is a 25 yard indoor facility with retrievers. The lane cost is per session, not by the hour. Of course, per session assumes you don't leave and come back. I don't think many people have sessions of more than a couple of hours except perhaps some of the serious target shooters - heck, they can take an hour between shots sometimes.

Are you referring to the Angeles Shooting Range? I'm hoping to get up there and check it out. I'm anxious to see just how accurate my 92FS is at 800 yards.

Most of the outdoor ranges just stop fire periodically to allow target retrieval.

No, it's the Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa.

I'll have to check that out, thanks.

Dang ya all. Sorry to here your gun stores are so........unuusefull to ya. My LGS is owned and operated by a couple of great people, One does some minor work on weapons, the other teches bow classes to kids, women, etc. Great info (not that I always agree mind) from both, and the absolute salt of the earth. At least we still have that up here in the commy northeast. Beware saelsmen, sure, but they are not all the devil (no i am not a salesman)