What additional costs go along with a new gun purchase?

Nights sights aid in lining up your sights on a target at low light levels. They are fairly useless in total darkness(you must be able to ID the target). Some prefer a weapon mounted light, while others prefer a hand held light. I've trained and am comfortable with either. They both have their pros & cons. It comes down to how the firearm is used. Night sights are not worth the cost on a range only firearm, but as I said earlier, you might need it for defense, so why not have some cheap insurance ?

So do the sights...

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Originally Posted by VAMarine

I think they suck. :watching:

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Originally Posted by VAMarine

I think they suck. :watching:

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What do you prefer? Cheap SPringfields?

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Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

What do you prefer? Cheap SPringfields?

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In some cases, yes. But I generally prefer more expensive HKs or more expensive 1911s, but that doesn't matter. We're not talking about getting a gun for me and my preferences are going to be different than most here.

I have no issue with spending $50-$100 etc to upgrade a Glock trigger. I have certain preferences so that I'm going to change a number of things on pretty much anything I buy...that's life.

Go buy your G19, start shooting the heck out of it, if there's something you don't like you can change it.

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Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

Are you serious? Do you prefer a holster that goes behind the back, or one thats in the front by your junk?

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on the strong side or crossdraw or shoulder holster under a coat jacket
not in front and
not in the back - unless you are standing all day and not sitting down

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Originally Posted by hideit

on the strong side or crossdraw or shoulder holster under a coat jacket
not in front and
not in the back - unless you are standing all day and not sitting down

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What's your preference? Probably depends on the situation.

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Originally Posted by hideit

on the strong side or crossdraw or shoulder holster under a coat jacket
not in front and
not in the back - unless you are standing all day and not sitting down

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Under an un-tucked shirt I find that just in front of the hip tells less and is less likely to get bumped into.

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Originally Posted by Packard

Under an un-tucked shirt I find that just in front of the hip tells less and is less likely to get bumped into.

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Have you been at a party when someone stumbled into you? Probably awkward!

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Originally Posted by Capt Rick Hiott

For self defence a laser site is GREAT!!

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Hate to differ but you're better off to learn to shoot than to buy a gadget. Learn to shoot, buy the toy later...

So when do you know your experienced enough? I dont get the last comment.

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Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

[Holster-position] preference? Probably depends on the situation.

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No, it doesn't.
Experiment to find the best holster location for yourself, and always carry your pistol in that same place.
If you switch it around, it won't be where you're reaching for it, when you need it in a save-your-life panic.

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Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

So when do you know your experienced enough?...

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You are an experienced shooter when you can quickly and consistently hit the place at which you're aiming, at any distance from face-to-face out to at least 25 yards.
You also need to know how to strip, clean, and reassemble your gun, quickly and efficiently.
It helps, also, to know the applicable laws concerning guns, both state and federal.


Lasers:
A laser will not help you shoot. If you do not have control over your pistol, the laser will only "dance" all over your target. This is very confusing, visually, to the shooter.
A laser can help you to practice your trigger control. If you can keep the laser's spot in the same place, all the way through your trigger press, your shooting will improve.
A laser may seem worthwhile, but if your fundamental shooting skills are not fully developed (see "experienced," above), it is merely a confusing gimmick.
A wiser man than I once said: "No gimmick, gadget, or miracle-of-the-week will ever absolve you from the need to learn and to practice good fundamental shooting skills."

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Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

No, it doesn't.
Experiment to find the best holster location for yourself, and always carry your pistol in that same place.
If you switch it around, it won't be where you're reaching for it, when you need it in a save-your-life panic.



You are an experienced shooter when you can quickly and consistently hit the place at which you're aiming, at any distance from face-to-face out to at least 25 yards.
You also need to know how to strip, clean, and reassemble your gun, quickly and efficiently.
It helps, also, to know the applicable laws concerning guns, both state and federal.


Lasers:
A laser will not help you shoot. If you do not have control over your pistol, the laser will only "dance" all over your target. This is very confusing, visually, to the shooter.
A laser can help you to practice your trigger control. If you can keep the laser's spot in the same place, all the way through your trigger press, your shooting will improve.
A laser may seem worthwhile, but if your fundamental shooting skills are not fully developed (see "experienced," above), it is merely a confusing gimmick.
A wiser man than I once said: "No gimmick, gadget, or miracle-of-the-week will ever absolve you from the need to learn and to practice good fundamental shooting skills."

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If you don't mind me asking, how many times have you had to bust out your weapon from your holster in a pinch?

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Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

No, it doesn't.
Experiment to find the best holster location for yourself, and always carry your pistol in that same place.
If you switch it around, it won't be where you're reaching for it, when you need it in a save-your-life panic.

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There's a lot of truth in this. I've seen plenty of students/competitors not able to consistently get their hand on their holster after responding to a stimulus. Not saying that it's due to multiple holster locations, but it does follow suit with "Hick's Law" and that multiple options = increased reaction times and having to think about where the gun is is going to further hamper speed of draw.

However, with enough time and training/practice I know many people that carry multiple ways. I know a lot of officers that have to carry strong side in a duty rig but carry other ways while off duty.

I've been complimented in the pat about how well I access my gun etc. and I attribute a lot of that to the gun being worn the same place regardless of which guns I'm carrying, I'm currently carrying in a different method than what has been the norm, but I make a point to do several draw-stroke presentations when holstering the gun and a couple "air gun draws" throughout the day as well as visualizing the drawing process and mentally reviewing my gun's position etc...



But I digress, the OP of this thread has about as much to worry about holsters as I have to worry about zombie's from Mars attacking on the 8th day of the week. HE LIVES IN CALIFORNIA IN LA COUNTY, HE WILL NOT BE GETTING A CARRY PERMIT, and I doubt very much that he will be putting in for any non-resident permits any time soon....

It's all good to think about, but lets not get overly fixated on holster issues until he at least buys a damn gun....I'm beginning to think the zombie martian attack is more likely to occur at this rate.

Precisely!
Thanks guys for the comments, you guys rock!

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Originally Posted by TheLAGuy

If you don't mind me asking, how many times have you had to bust out your weapon from your holster in a pinch?

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Thousands of times in competition.
Twice, in real life.

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Originally Posted by hud35500

As a fellow Kalifornian and a law enforcement officer, I advise you not to alter the firearm in any way. Adding a set of night sights is fine, but intenal alterations are trouble if you intend to use it for defense. Prosecuting attorneys have a field day with altered firearms. Trigger work is fine if it's to be used strictly for taget shooting, but you may need it one day to defend yourself.

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Can you point to a documented case of such making a difference in trial? I hear this a lot. But to date, have not seen such. Even Mas Ayoob hasn't found such definitively.

I ended up getting the Beretta PX4 storm 9mm, i liked the extra safety considering its my first firearm, I was on the fence between the glock g17 and the Beretta. I figure its a good start and get some more weaponry within the next year.

Thanks again for all the advice! You guys helped me out.