ok so. i want to buy a handgun and im new to this. i want to be able to take it to a shooting range and eventually get a permit to carry in the state of PA. but as far as just going to the place i know its a 48 hour wait for an application. How hard was this to obtain and the application process.

first, register at PAFOA.org

then, read this: Obtaining a PA LTCF

read as much as humanly possible, then post if you have any questions about something not covered already. i know i preach about PAFOA a lot, but it really is the only place to go for info on weapons in PA.

getting a LTCF in PA really couldn't be easier. depending on what county you live in, you might have to wait up to 45 days, or you could be like me in Berks Co. and be in and out within 9 minutes with your freshly printed license.

Uhh, what 48 hour wait? If you are of age (21) you can go into a gun shop and buy a gun in a few minutes. A little bit of paperwork, the dealer runs a PICS check and if that is approved you are on your way. Unless it is some weird rule of the place you went to...

It is very easy to buy a firearm in PA. Getting a LTCF in PA can be pretty easy or a bit of a pain depending on your county. In Chester County I applied and had my LTCF in less than two weeks.

PAOpenCarry.org has good info, too.

Emptied my pockets after going out with some buddies. Thought it was an inspiring shot for anyone who was thinking about getting their ltcf.

Brian- "dude can you bring your gun in a bar?"

me- "the bar is still in America isn't it? I'm all legal unless the business owners state otherwise."

I'm currently sitting in an airport on my way to Chicago and I have never felt so naked before in my life. <3 my full-size.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/b0405680.jpg

Just a cool thing for me but... I held a M1 Carbine tonight that my uncle carried in the Vietnam. Even had a banana clip in it!! Also, I held his dads marine issued special edition .45 cal hand gun. His dad was in the first wave of soldiers to land on guadal canal during WW2. pretty FN cool

My AR with a few new parts....

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/DSC00692.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...etargets-1.jpg

Zeroing the Red Dot

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...s/DSC00693.jpg

Nice, I bought mine about a month ago. I wanted duo tone like yours, but I saw the black and loved it.

Waiting on my LTCF and Crossbreed Supertuck holster. I don't know how well I'll be able to conceal this in just a regular shirt, but it should be easier with some heavier clothes.

My Springfield XDm 9mm:

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...405-0241-1.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...00405-0242.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...00405-0242.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/a...00405-0243.jpg

wow i really like that.

Nice man!

I just bought but I obviously have to wait until my permit comes in..

http://www.ghostinc.com/product/GHO_STH/GI-STEALTH.html

That's a nifty holster

The crossbread is suppose to be really comfortable. Let us all know how you like it. I've been debating picking one up for my G26

No problem. I should get it sometime this week.

:bigeek: nothing covering the trigger?? that's just asking for trouble.

Well since the gun is double-action only and there is no safety, I will not be walking around with a round in the chamber. It only takes me two seconds to pull it out and rack in a load.

Hopefully you'll have the use of both your hands if/when you ever need to draw your weapon and rack in a load. :roll:

This. The only way to carry is with one in the chamber, otherwise you have a worthless club.

hmm. i had a feeling that was coming. not trying to be a dick here, but you might want to do some serious rethinking about that one. to carry a weapon in anything other than 'condition one' isn't too bright.

many people who have yet to carry say the same thing as you, that they believe they can rack it fast enough. after you (hopefully) research the subject, you'll realize that you'll probably be afraid to carry without one in the chamber.

There's nothing unsafe about carrying a weapon with a round in the chamber if you're using a quality holster with some form of retention. plus, your gun has TWO safeties, the grip and trigger. you have to actually grip the gun and pull the trigger in order for it to fire. BUT, that still doesn't make it okay to carry in a holster that doesn't cover the trigger. look at all quality holsters for all guns. every one of them covers the trigger.

read this entire thread... right from the guys who know your weapon the best: http://www.xdtalk.com/forums/ccw-tal...-question.html

I read the entire thread and I don't disagree with what they have to say, its just that I don't see the point with carrying with one in the chamber. It takes me 3 seconds, sometimes less, to draw my gun and rack in a load. Unless somebody is standing there pointing a gun at me, there is no situation where this wouldn't work. And besides, if I ever found myself in that position, I'm pretty sure that any sudden movement would result in me getting shot.

you both have good points. i have a glock 23 .40 cal and it doesn't have a safety per say, but it does have the mechanism on the trigger. when i first got my permit, i left the gun unchambered to get acquainted with carrying, but now i won't go anywhere without a round in the chamber and a full mag. im more confident in myself with concealing and if caught in a bad situation, those '2 seconds' of racking the gun could mean life or death.

It takes the average human being less than 3 seconds to cover 21 feet. Are you going to be able to pull out your gun, rack a round, and engage effectively? I doubt you'll put rounds on target and even if you do there is the possibility that the person will keep coming at you due to adrenaline or drugs unless you hit them in the CNS. Seriously rethink your plan of attack to carry a firearm. Go get training to make you more comfortable with carrying while having one in the chamber.

The point of carrying with one in the chamber is to have a weapon that is effective in engaging a target. Why else would you carry a gun? It being unloaded is similiar to having a fire extinguisher that isn't charged and then saying you'll charge it when there is a blaze going on in your bed room.