Newbie questions (about to buy my first gun)

[newTexan]

Ok. I've taken a number of classes, shot a bunch of loaner guns, and I think the time has come to buy my first handgun. I'm thinking of a Springfield XD or XDM in 9mm or possibly a Glock. Of course, this means I have a million million questions. You guys were great at helping me find a good rifle/shotgun course, so I thought why not post my questions and see what I get.

In no particular order...

1. Are there any not-obvious etiquette rules when going to a gunstore? Obviously don't point the gun at anyone, check it to make sure it's unloaded, etc.. But is there anything that's not obvious? My local store seems to be really friendly folks (bought ammo, ear/eye protection there for classes and they were really nice).

2. Once I buy the gun, is there anything I need to do before heading to the range and loading it?

3. Cleaning.... I'll be honest, I'm not the cleanest person on earth. The car gets washed by God whenever it rains. My desk is cluttered and I have enough dustbunnies to form their own society. So, I'm not sure I'm going to be the type to spend hours cleaning the gun each time I go to the range. So, is there a way to regularly clean a gun that is both easy/quick AND good for the gun? Looking around the forums I've seen everything from millions of patches to a quick spritz with CLP and a boresnake...so yeah I'm a bit confused as to what might be the best way to go about this. I want to take good care of it, but I also know that I'm not going to be the type to spend a huge amount of time on it.

4. Is there anything else a first-time gun buyer/owner should know? :-)

Thanks guys!

[seamusTX]

1. Don't dry-fire without asking. Some people absolutely will not let you dry-fire, even if the manual says its OK.

Don't drop the piece.

2. Read the manual, if you haven't already downloaded it (nearly all manuals are on the web).

Ask the salesman if there's anything in the way of lubrication that needs to be done in advance.

3. I'm probably going to catch flak for saying this, but according to everything I've read about Glocks, you could go the rest of your life without cleaning it.

The thing you really want to watch is grit, whether it's sand, dirt, or something else of that sort.

With modern powder and finishes, you don't have to clean it every time you shoot.

4, A million things, but the first one that comes to mind is to chill out. Jumping into something new is exciting, and it's easy to make mistakes and also drive your family nuts when your excited.

Good shooting.

P.S.: Congratulations on doing some research. A lot of people just buy a pistol based on a friend's recommendation or an article that they read, and are disappointed.

- Jim

[pbwalker]

The biggest thing to be aware of is that you are going to become...ummm...addicted. It happened to me and happens to many. I started with a 9mm S&W back in April. My first pistol (outside of the military). 7 months later, I am up to 12 firearms.

The Bait: S&W SW9VE

My Addiction: Springfield 1911A1, Springfield XD .45, Glock 23, Keltec P3AT, Rossi 351 .38 Special, Bersa Thunder .380, Bushmaster AR-15, Mosia Nagant 7.62x54R, SKB 500 12ga., WASR 10/63 AK-47, Remington 770, Mossberg 500 Persuander 12ga.

I had no idea it would turn into this. I am an addict.

You've been warned!

[WEC]

I also would not release the slide unassisted on an empty chamber. This is up for debate, of course. May not be a big deal for Glocks, but it's just a pet peeve of mine, personally.

[seamusTX]

Good point. The pistol isn't yours until you pay for it, and the seller doesn't need 100 people messing with it before he sells it.

Also, don't let anyone mess with your head. No matter what you buy, someone will say it's a piece of junk, and someone else will say you could have bought it cheaper where he shops.

- Jim

[agbullet2k1]

1. Don't wander off while holding it. I also make it a personal habit to lock open the slide when handing it back or setting it down. Don't act twitchy.

2. I always strip mine down to double check that there are no manufacturing defects and to make sure to get an idea how it's put together (all guns are different somehow). I also load the magazines for several days (if you're willing to wait) so that the spring loosens a bit. Buy some snap caps if you can to practice loading and unloading safely.

3. Two different answers: cosmeticly, cleanliness is a personal issue. mechanically, it's a functioning issue. Dust or fingerprints or scratches on a gun aren't going to do much more than dust and dirt and week old junk mail will do for a car. However, too much grime building up could cause issues later, and since you're probably going to want to carry this, you may want to make sure you do all you can to ensure it will work whenever you might need it.

4. Some places may offer cash "discounts." (Really CC mark-ups) Make sure that if the one you are looking at is just a demo model and they grab one from the back for you to walk out with that you look it over first before buying. Most places I've been to have a "no refund" policy. And have fun.

[newTexan]

So far some great gunshop advice, which is great. Keep it coming!

Any more details on the cleaning process? I'm getting the vibe that it doesn't have to be squeaky clean so that's a worry I don't have to blow out of proportion. However, some practical advice on how to clean would be good too.

You guys are great.

[SCone]

Ask them to show you the best way to handle the gun you're interested in holding. There's no crime in being new to firearms. Let them know this is your first gun if haven't already. Have them field-strip the weapon. Find out the recommended cleaning method, where to add lube, etc.

A good shop will take the time to educate the customer. Like someone said before, it becomes addicting. You'll come back for ammo, cleaning supplies and lots more GUNS!

And what about your friends? Where will you send them to buy their first rifle or pistol?

One last thing, that should be first.... join the NRA.

[seamusTX]

Unless you've been mud wrestling, the only part of a semi-auto pistol that really needs to be cleaned is the barrel.

You remove the slide, remove the barrel from the slide, run a bronze brush with Hoppes #9 down the barrel from the rear, then run patches down the barrel on a jag until they come out clean. Put it back together. Make sure all the parts go back in.

The other thing you need to watch is sweat on the magazines in hot weather. They make disposable silicone-coated wipes for that.

If you put a sweaty magazine into a pistol, rust can form in the mag well. Don't ask me how I know.

Many people consider it vitally important to clean a barrel from the rear, so that you don't damage the muzzle end. I don't know if that's true, but that's how I do it.

Revolvers and gas-operated semi-auto rifles are another story, but that's not what you're asking about.

I'm sure the people in the shop will sell you what you need and show you how to use it. If not, they need to work on their business model.

- Jim

[bryang]

There is not much I can offer to these excellent suggestions and advice everyone has already given you, except....WELCOME!!!

We are glad to have you with with us and let us know what you choose. We all get that itchy-twitchy feeling when it comes to new guns...even if someone else is getting it!

-geo

[atxgun]

Certainly don't try to pretend you know what you're talking about if you don't. You're not there to impress anyone so just be upfront this is your first time, ask the questions you came with and then ask if there's anything else you should know about the firearm since you weren't sure if you even knew the right questions to ask.

I think the standard saying is every 300-500 rounds you should clean your gun. But like most have said that's not a hard and fast schedule. At the same time I like to field strip mine every so often just so I stay familiar with how to do so. And, if you're like me, when you get your first gun you're going to want to break it down and reassemble it many times over just to get an understanding of how it all really works.

Read over the "Never Again" forum in hopes you'll learn something through someone else's learning it the hard way.

Oh, and for etiquette, don't make jokes about killing people when you're buying a gun. This sounds stupid I know but I'm compelled to say this b/c when I went w/ a friend to buy my AR she made some quip about going on a killing spree. Everyone around stopped and stared jaw-dropped at her. Luckily I was a regular at the place and they knew me.

In closing just remember the gun is always loaded, especially when it's not, and you'll be fine. I'm sure just about anyone here can give a story about a time they picked up a gun that's been in the closet for a while, was sure it was unloaded, checked it anyway because of the habbit formed to always check when you pick it up and sure enough "oh snap, glad I checked".

Edit: And oh yes, don't shoot black powder rounds. You may have seen my recent thread about that :)

[nitrogen]

I have several different cleaning regimens that I do. As always, make sure your gun is unloaded, etc.

Nitrogen's minumum cleaning kit:

Cleaning rods.

A bronze brush for your barrel size:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=39190" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
A mop for your barrel size:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=55650" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Patches:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=148248" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bore cleaning foam:
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ ... ING%20FOAM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Cleaner/Lubricant of your choice.
I use GunScrubber cleaner:
http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/sport/mai ... 2&subcat=3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and I use a teflon spray I can't fnd on the web right now.

I like using a separate cleaner and lube, but basically ANY of the products on the market are good. Use whatever you like best.

After shooting:
Field strip. Manual will tell you how to do this. Most importantly, clean the barrel. I use the bore cleaning foam because it's easy. Spray some in the barrel, let it sit. Run the bronze brush through a few times. Then spray a patch with cleaner, and put a patch on top of the bronze brush, and run it through the barrel. Do the same with the lubricant afterwards.

If oyu have extra time, clean dirty parts off the slide and lube 'em.

Periodic "carry gun" maintenence (i.e. a gun that you carry but havn't shot since its last cleaning)
These will get lots of "fuzz" in them. If you have that computer air blower cans, just blow air at it. If not, run a dry patch through teh barrel, and check for lots of fuzz. If there's lots, spot clean it.

[CompVest]

+1 for always having the slide locked open when handing the gun back to the store clerk.

I would consider the S&W M&P as one of your choices based on the guns you are interested in. One big advantage is you don't have to mess with the trigger when you are taking it apart for cleaning.

As to cleaning. I clean my M&P about every 400 to 1000 rounds.
1. I take it apart including removing the stirker assembly
2. I put the whole thing in an ultrsonic cleaner (USC) for 1/2 an hour with USC soap
3. Run really hot water over it to rinse it and assist in the drying process
4. Dry it off using paper towels and compressed air
5. Brush out the barrel
6. Spray dry lube over everything except the striker assembly
7. Put it back together and I am good to go.

I have found this to be the least tedious way to clean my gun.

[agbullet2k1]

Something I forgot to mention something. If you ever have any kids around, it would be a good idea to get a bedside safe.

While we're throwing gun suggestions around too, I'm wondering what drew you to the XD's and Glocks? Had you considered/weeded out any other models?

[mr.72]

Go to my blog and read the Nonconformist's Guide posts, they have a lot of information that you are looking for.

http://conformityfeared.blogspot.com/20 ... rship.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;