TexasCHLforum.com

Howdy y'all

I am new to the forum and I plan to become a new gun owner this year. I'd appreciate some feedback on buying a gun. I've just retired and returned to Texas after a long absence. I have not owned a gun in nearly 20 years (hunting rifle) and I know that the laws are different now.

I understand that in Texas a license is not required for a house gun but the CHL is required for concealed carry and there is no open carry (excepting in legal use like hunting of course). And I've deduced that the "instant check" is pretty quick at the gun shop (30-40 minutes for a new owner? ). Right so far?

I know what I want to buy; revolver 45 colt or similar (not auto) but I am not familiar with shopping/bartering for a gun. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the various avenues for buying a gun...anything you can tell me would be of help.

gun shops vs pawn shops vs gun shows vs individuals?

fishfree wrote:Howdy y'all

I am new to the forum and I plan to become a new gun owner this year. I'd appreciate some feedback on buying a gun. I've just retired and returned to Texas after a long absence. I have not owned a gun in nearly 20 years (hunting rifle) and I know that the laws are different now.

I understand that in Texas a license is not required for a house gun but the CHL is required for concealed carry and there is no open carry (excepting in legal use like hunting of course). And I've deduced that the "instant check" is pretty quick at the gun shop (30-40 minutes for a new owner? ). Right so far?

I know what I want to buy; revolver 45 colt or similar (not auto) but I am not familiar with shopping/bartering for a gun. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the various avenues for buying a gun...anything you can tell me would be of help.

gun shops vs pawn shops vs gun shows vs individuals?

No license required, no registration. As long as you're not a prohibited person (felon, etc) you can own a gun. CHL is required for concealed carry, but you CAN carry a handgun in your car concealed with no license thanks to the Motorist Protection Act. My instant check has never been longer then 5 minutes, but I suppose YMMV.

Have you shot the type of weapon you're interested in? I'd recommend going to a range and trying out a wide range of different weapons...revolvers, glocks, 1911s, m&ps, XDs...try them all! You may be surprised to find out something you thought you weren't a fan of you enjoy and are quite accurate with.

From there, you can do some research and try to find a deal on the type of weapon you want.

But first things first, go shoot a lot of different guns. Find what fits your hand, and buy it! Good luck!

Welcome back to Texas and welcome to the forum.

Local Gun Store, Pawn Shop and Gun Show Dealers (all FFL) will require the NICS check and filling out form 4473, but it should only take a few minutes. The same holds true if you purchase the firearm from an online vendor who must ship it to a local FFL. For new guns, one of these is usually a good way to go.

If purchasing a used gun, either know precisely what you are looking for and be able to evaluate condition, or arrange to have the firearm checked out by a gunsmith if in doubt. For used guns, individual sales also come into play. When buying from an individual, no form 4473 or NICS check is needed, but the seller can ask for whatever form of ID and documentation they want. Also, unlike going through an FFL, beware of sellers that want to meet at a place/time that could put you in harm's way should that seller turn out to be a scam artist/thief. As always, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).

I see you are looking for a revolver but keep in mind if you qualify with a revolver, you will only be able to carry a revolver with your CHL. If you qualify with a semi-auto you can carry either one. What area do you live in?

Thanks all for the replies.

fishfree wrote:And I've deduced that the "instant check" is pretty quick at the gun shop (30-40 minutes for a new owner? ). Right so far?

Not counting filling out the paperwork, (maybe 5 minutes), NICS takes perhaps another 5-10 minutes to OK the purchase. However, if you have a CHL, there's no NICS check. You go pick out your gun. You fills out the 4473 form. You pays your money. You leaves. End of story.

The Annoyed Man wrote:

fishfree wrote:And I've deduced that the "instant check" is pretty quick at the gun shop (30-40 minutes for a new owner? ). Right so far?

Not counting filling out the paperwork, (maybe 5 minutes), NICS takes perhaps another 5-10 minutes to OK the purchase. However, if you have a CHL, there's no NICS check. You go pick out your gun. You fills out the 4473 form. You pays your money. You leaves. End of story.

You forgot the best part, you go to the range and shoot your new gun

You can buy really nice, brand-new, warranteed cowboy-style revolvers for under $500. (Most are made in Italy, but whatever.)

Buying used stuff can save money, but it also is like pulling a lottery ticket. You could pay for a piece of junk and have no recourse.

Auction Arms is a great place for window shopping and getting a feel for actual market prices. Just be aware that the asking prices there are often the seller's pipe dream. The closing prices are what matter.

- Jim

And one other suggestion - if there is one near you, go to a gun show. You'll get to look at all the pretty guns, fondle them a little bit (the advice to go rent guns at your local gun range is excellent advice, by the way! Do yourself a favor and do that). And the prices for new guns are usually better than you get over the internet. They do the NICS check right there.... took about 10 minutes total time for the check and the paperwork at the last gun show when I bought a new gun.

One thing no one's mentioned - if you're buying a gun for self-defence or home protection, a six-shooter might not be what you want. Texas requires CHL holders to keep the gun CONCEALED at all times. Hiding a six-shooter with a six in barrel is a bit tougher than one of the compact automatics that shoots 6,7,8,9,, or more shots (depend on the pistol and magazine size, obviously). There's nothing wrong with having a six-shooter to play with, but...

Look around, read the reviews, look at the gun magazines (the publications, not the bullet holders ) look at a lot of guns, then buy one, realizing that you'll probably want to get another one, or a different one, sometime soon, anyway, if you're like most of us.

Welcome back!