**UPDATED** Bought my first gun. Pg.3 for pics
 

I'm filling out the remainder of my paperwork for my Police Academy application. To be honest, I haven't really fired too many "real" weapons, mostly just paintball guns and air powered stuff.

Assuming I get to start in the spring, I don't want to be the only guy there with no real weapons training. I'd like to get a jump on it, so If anyone can point me in the right direction for a good starter pistol, I would appreciate it. Also, am I going to have to apply for my permit before I purchase the gun? How does that work. Thanks guys.

g26

Go to the range and find a gun YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.

Yea, but what about the permit process? Is it something that needs to be done before I actually buy something, or do they issue it with the purchase? I'm lost.

Take a firearms or hunter/trapper safety course before you do anything firearm related.

THIS IS FOR YOUR CCW

Go to the bensalem PD building, and ask for the paper. You will have to sign it, write down referrals, and return. The popo will than look at it, write down any marks or blemishes on your record, and either deny you or call you back and tell you to pick it up.

You than go to the district court (montgomery county is Norristown, not sure what bucks is) and fill out another form. The sherriff? (whoever, I don't know) than looks over it, and either signs off on it or denies you.

That's about it.


I MISSED SOMETHING> YOU DON'T HAVE TO APPLY FOR A "PERMIT" before purchasing a gun. When you go to buy a gun, you will sign your name and they will call a number and instantly be able to tell you whether or not you can buy it. SOMETIMES it takes a day, but for most cases, you can buy it right there.

Thanks guys.

buy something 9mm. easy to shoot and you can get used to it before moving into a .40 wich the police around here carry.

you don't need a CCW to purchase a handgun. Just a valid drivers liscense and be 21. But you can't carry it with you if you don't get a CCW.

Also, take a course at your local shooting range, I know Targetmaster on 202 holds a couple good ones, for begginers who have never fired a weapon, to advanced tactical stuff.

So I can buy the gun anytime I want and can store it at my house. But I have to get my permit to carry it. Can I drive it to the range before I get my permit?

YES. Keep the ammo up and gun in seperate compartments from each other in the car and you can drive it to the range, no questions/problems at all.

You can drive it there put it has to be in the trunk or glove box and any ammo needs to be in the opposite place. If you want a good first gun a glock 19 is also a great gun. I am currently selling mine if your interested. Obviously we would need to go somewhere and transfer it. If you were interested i would be more then happy to let you shoot it first.

Well I want to get out and get a feel for a few different guns first. My mom and dad both know most of the Bensalem and Abington police officers, as well as some other guys and my dad actually just told me he knows a guy who owns/works at a gun shop, so he said he'd be more than happy to take me to check some stuff out this week. Thanks.

If you get any of the subcompacts, make sure you get a pinky extension for the magazine (i.e. g26) Otherwise, it's going to be uncomfortable.

My first gun was a Baretta 92fs 9mm.

Beautiful handgun.

and expensive...but nice...

if you wanna go cheap you can find a smith and wesson .357/.38 revolver for in the 150-200 range used. 3xx brand new. I am pretty sure you dont want a revolver even though they are considered the easiest for self defense (SA/DA) and just keep on pulling the trigger if you get a FTF. Semi- autos are more of a pita if it jams or fails to fire...if a life and death situation you are pretty much done.

Glocks are nice but pricey, but can be had in the 400s for a used 9mm 17 or 19

Springfield XD-- as easy to use as the glock and cheaper and some say more accurate out of the box. Comes in almost every standard caliber and sized from subcompact to 5" tactical.

HK S2000/USP-- awesome but more expensive than glock (compact USP would be a sweet carry gun)

Taurus millenium or PT 24/7-- nice AND cheap-- but have an untrue bad quality rep due to a few series that were released with problems, recalled and fixed.

Walther p99- i know nothing about...but a cool looking gun

Ruger P89 (all steel) or p95 (poly grip) I hear are nice and competitively priced

smith and wesson would probaly be an ideal choice for you.
something with a safety. 9mm, cheaper to shoot than .45 and less recoil. most popular cailber too.

did u ever take a look or buy one yet?

My dad talked to a few of his cop friends and most of them said for my first gun I should look at a .40cal glock. Apparently a lot of departments use them and its a favorite off duty pistol for a lot of officers. One of the guys might even be selling his which would be great for me. I'd get a decent first pistol that I know was well taken care of. I'll update soon because I think I'll be picking up SOMETHING by the end of this week.

1911 or a beretta 92 fs, both have hammers and safeties (unlike the glock) and you can buy a .22 conversion kit for cheap practice. lots of other custom parts for these out as well

hauge's range has a huge selection of rentals covering most brands and a friendly staff who would be answer any questionsyou might have. tell em Dave from Iraq sent you ;)

A glock 40 cal is good but your gonna wanna shoot it alot and 40 ammo is expensive, 9mm is cheap.

My Gf's mom just bought a Glock 19 yesterday for $519 at Cabelas. Beautiful gun!

Cabelas is cool as is glock 19's i own one currently i think it will be gone within the week woot.