I'd like to thank the forum owners for creating a TX centric site. I found the link over at thefiringlane.
Anyways, I'm Brian. I moved to TX about 6.5 years ago from California. I never fathomed owning a firearm when I was in California, and it wasn't until about 1.5 years ago that I considered owning one in Texas.
Although I've only been interested recently, I've become serious about purchasing a handgun within the past month. The motives for this are mainly that I feel it's my right, the house on the end of my street was broken into, my neighbor's car was broken into, I travel a lot and would like my g/f to know how to shoot, and I'm starting to believe it's my responsibility as a civilian (semi-joking). I'd like to also add, that despite my original concern about stuck-up gun owners, everyone I've met has been extremely helpful and if they see us doing something wrong, they're quick to politely correct us and not make us feel stupid. I really appreciate this and it shows a general respect people have for the firearms as well as people in general.
Anyways, my girlfriend of 6 years' brother has owned firearms his whole life and I've gone shooting with him a couple times and I'm hooked. He also taught my g/f how to shoot and I'm quite proud of her. I never thought she actually would, but she respected it and enjoyed it. She was extremely nervous at first, but she is quite hooked and wants to pursue it further.
After borrowing and renting several handguns (different brands and calibers), we've decided on an HK USPc 9mm. Despite my preference for the Sig P239, my girlfriend felt most comfortable with the mechanisms (decocker, safety, ease of using those switches) and feel of the USPc and since the USPc was my 2nd favorite (or tied for 2nd with the G19), we'll go with the USPc. Most important is finding a gun she'll be comfortable with since she's a driving factor in making this decision. Additionally, I feel I can always get another after I'm more seasoned with guns and get more experience shooting. We did shoot it in 9x19 and .40 and we both preferred the 9 since we're beginners.
Anyways, I've shot a couple time at my friend's land (he owns over a sq mile in Liberty Hill) and over a Red's in Pflugerville. The staff at Red's (well at least one of the range attendants) was REALLY helpful and did not make us feel bad about being newbs.
Anyways, here come the questions. I almost went to the gun show last weekend to try and find the USPc 9, but we ran out of time. Reds had a USPc .40 stainless for $757 which I felt was a good deal, but we really wanted the 9mm which they did not have. I think we'd prefer to buy new, mainly because we're new at this and I don't know exactly what to look for in a used gun.
Would waiting until next month's show be worthwhile? My g/f's brother said gunshows sometimes have limited handgun selection, however, he's from Houston and has not gone to the Austin shows. I've read reviews online and many people say Reds is overpriced, but I felt their prices seemed fair, but I haven't gone to any other gun shops. I'd prefer not driving around to every shop looking for the gun, especially with gas prices being crazy, and I don't think I want to buy online. We live near Reds and had a positive experience there, but the actual guy selling the guns wasn't extremely friendly so that put me off a little bit.
Do you have any recommendations on where I should go to find that particular gun? Also, is the gun show worth waiting for?
Sorry for all the newb questions. I'm new to this and hope to contribute to other users once I learn more.
Anyways, I'm Brian. I moved to TX about 6.5 years ago from California. I never fathomed owning a firearm when I was in California, and it wasn't until about 1.5 years ago that I considered owning one in Texas.
Although I've only been interested recently, I've become serious about purchasing a handgun within the past month. The motives for this are mainly that I feel it's my right, the house on the end of my street was broken into, my neighbor's car was broken into, I travel a lot and would like my g/f to know how to shoot, and I'm starting to believe it's my responsibility as a civilian (semi-joking). I'd like to also add, that despite my original concern about stuck-up gun owners, everyone I've met has been extremely helpful and if they see us doing something wrong, they're quick to politely correct us and not make us feel stupid. I really appreciate this and it shows a general respect people have for the firearms as well as people in general.
Anyways, my girlfriend of 6 years' brother has owned firearms his whole life and I've gone shooting with him a couple times and I'm hooked. He also taught my g/f how to shoot and I'm quite proud of her. I never thought she actually would, but she respected it and enjoyed it. She was extremely nervous at first, but she is quite hooked and wants to pursue it further.
After borrowing and renting several handguns (different brands and calibers), we've decided on an HK USPc 9mm. Despite my preference for the Sig P239, my girlfriend felt most comfortable with the mechanisms (decocker, safety, ease of using those switches) and feel of the USPc and since the USPc was my 2nd favorite (or tied for 2nd with the G19), we'll go with the USPc. Most important is finding a gun she'll be comfortable with since she's a driving factor in making this decision. Additionally, I feel I can always get another after I'm more seasoned with guns and get more experience shooting. We did shoot it in 9x19 and .40 and we both preferred the 9 since we're beginners.
Anyways, I've shot a couple time at my friend's land (he owns over a sq mile in Liberty Hill) and over a Red's in Pflugerville. The staff at Red's (well at least one of the range attendants) was REALLY helpful and did not make us feel bad about being newbs.
Anyways, here come the questions. I almost went to the gun show last weekend to try and find the USPc 9, but we ran out of time. Reds had a USPc .40 stainless for $757 which I felt was a good deal, but we really wanted the 9mm which they did not have. I think we'd prefer to buy new, mainly because we're new at this and I don't know exactly what to look for in a used gun.
Would waiting until next month's show be worthwhile? My g/f's brother said gunshows sometimes have limited handgun selection, however, he's from Houston and has not gone to the Austin shows. I've read reviews online and many people say Reds is overpriced, but I felt their prices seemed fair, but I haven't gone to any other gun shops. I'd prefer not driving around to every shop looking for the gun, especially with gas prices being crazy, and I don't think I want to buy online. We live near Reds and had a positive experience there, but the actual guy selling the guns wasn't extremely friendly so that put me off a little bit.
Do you have any recommendations on where I should go to find that particular gun? Also, is the gun show worth waiting for?
Sorry for all the newb questions. I'm new to this and hope to contribute to other users once I learn more.