Looking into getting my first pistol & safes/accessories

[joker8baller]

Hi guys!

Lurker for a while, don't really post much. As a thing, I was wondering where I should put this, figured this was the right forum, but if it's not, I apologize and if a moderator could move it to the right one, it would be greatly appreciated.

Anyways, I'm looking into getting my first pistol, right now it's up between a Glock 17, a Springfield XD, and a RIA 1911, which all fall within my $400-$600 range depending on where I get it.

Anyways, I'm going back to the range to narrow it down, honestly I think it's going to be between the G17 and XD, simply because of ammo costs. But if anyone has anything to weigh in, that would be great. I understand it's personal preference, and I reallllllly like the way the XD fits into my hand.

But the bulk of the question is going to confirm I have the right information for everything before I finally buy it. I like getting everything right and don't want to hit any snags before or during purchasing.

First, I'll be getting my HSC in the next week or two.
Second, when purchasing I will have my Drivers License / Pass Port, and I'm trying to figure out what I can use for my proof of residence... I rent my apartment through a sub-lease, so I think I'm going to go with that? No vehicle registration, or owned houses.

Got my ear protection: Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff
Looking for a good, but reasonably priced safe. I prefer it to be on Amazon since I have about $180 left on Credit, and I'm pretty damn broke.

I was thinking about http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-GV100...ds=pistol+safe

That's all I think I need to show? Wham, bam, 10 days? All California legal?

Thanks for any and all responses.

[myk]

Utility bill would work as proof of residency. As for your safe, I've gotta recommend that you spend as much as you can for it. You value your guns, and additionally I'm sure you wouldn't want them to be grabbed and used criminally. Do you have any long guns to store, or just the pistol? Also keep in mind that you will run out of room QUICK...

[Old4eyes]

Glock vs XD - buy the one you shoot best. I like XD, but I am an odd person.

Proof of residency - Utility Bill, Cable TV bill, Land Line Telephone.

House Lock Box - I've got a DAC sport safe, it's in the same price range as the Gunvault.

If you don't have a vehicle (I assume that from the "no vehicle registration" then you'll need a locked container to transport the gun to/from the range. Unless Springfield has changed their plastic box since I bought my last XD, you can get a padlock and just put it through the hole designed for that purpose.

You'll need ammo and cleaning supplies, so you may want to hold off on the house lock box until payday UNLESS you have someone under 18 living in the same residence. Then you need a California approved lockbox. The Gunvault qualifies in that arena.

Do you have eye protection along with the mentioned ear protection?

[acolytes]

As most will tell you, shoot it before you buy it. Glocks and XD's are great guns. I own both. I don't notice much of a difference between shooting the two, but some people do. My brother can't even hit paper with Glocks. I have friends who can't shoot Glocks either for some reason. As far as a safe, I would purchase a big safe (even though your first gun is a handgun. Trust me, you will be adding much more to your collection. I also put other things in my safe, like ammo, knives, valuables, etc...

[joker8baller]

Hey thanks!

No long guns, and no one in the house is under 18.

Proof of Residency, would it have to be my name on the bill? I don't have my name on any of them because I'm doing short term subleases at this temp job. I think this is probably going to be the hardest thing for me to get... Hm.

Yeah. I'm going to have to start looking into a bigger safe, thanks for the suggestion. I def. don't want that to happen.

And thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to the range to shoot both of them again, used both of them 4 times now... my results are changing everytime...

I have some Flakjacks as well as ANSI-rated glasses for eye protection as of right now.

[unusedusername]

Your name should be on your lease. Bring that as it will work for proof of residency.

[Nismo]

I have used a notary public as a proof or residence more than one occasion.

I had the homeowner write up a statement that I lived at so and so residence for x many years ect., signed and dated and got it notarized (yourself and homeowner both present).

[shenphong]

I was in the same position as you, just this past August. Welcome and try to find the best safe that fits your location and wallet. I started off with a cabinet for one month, then finally hunkered down for a 14 gun safe and even that is filling up now. Now I just use the cabinet to store ammo. But once you buy one, you can't stop and now my safe is an array of hand guns, rifles, and shotguns.

If you find a notary, I'd use that. I had used that with my first two purchases and had no issues (I was moving at the time too). And personally, my first handgun was the xd...I had a choice between a glock 17 and my 9mm xd and after going to the range with a friend and a pistol training course, just went with the xd as it felt so much more natural in my hand.

[morrcarr67]

Hi guys!

Lurker for a while, don't really post much. As a thing, I was wondering where I should put this, figured this was the right forum, but if it's not, I apologize and if a moderator could move it to the right one, it would be greatly appreciated.

Anyways, I'm looking into getting my first pistol, right now it's up between a Glock 17, a Springfield XD, and a RIA 1911, which all fall within my $400-$600 range depending on where I get it.

Anyways, I'm going back to the range to narrow it down, honestly I think it's going to be between the G17 and XD, simply because of ammo costs. But if anyone has anything to weigh in, that would be great. I understand it's personal preference, and I reallllllly like the way the XD fits into my hand.

But the bulk of the question is going to confirm I have the right information for everything before I finally buy it. I like getting everything right and don't want to hit any snags before or during purchasing.

First, I'll be getting my HSC in the next week or two.
Second, when purchasing I will have my Drivers License / Pass Port, and I'm trying to figure out what I can use for my proof of residence... I rent my apartment through a sub-lease, so I think I'm going to go with that? No vehicle registration, or owned houses.

Got my ear protection: Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff
Looking for a good, but reasonably priced safe. I prefer it to be on Amazon since I have about $180 left on Credit, and I'm pretty damn broke.

I was thinking about http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-GV100...ds=pistol+safe

That's all I think I need to show? Wham, bam, 10 days? All California legal?

Thanks for any and all responses.

Then what are you doing buying a gun?

[gwanghoops]

AFAIK, you can't use a passport as ID. I tried to PPT a gun from a SELLER who had a passport -- had to do it again later.

If this is your first gun, don't buy a safe until you kind of know your propensity to buying lots of guns. Buy something to hide your HD gun like the GV1000 previous mentioned. Personally, I prefer something with mechanical buttons like the FAS1 for simplicity and speed unless you have kids in the house. Read the gun safe sticky.

[lt05deluxe]

Glocks and Xds are both good choices. You should rent them both before you purchase to see which one you are more comfortable with. Make sure you get a lockbox or a small safe for the house. Some are very inexpensive and does the job. Good luck with the purchase and have fun!

[ZX-10R]

M&P and you will be happy. Try before you buy and you will see that the Glock is not the end all do all.

[Oceanbob]

Welcome to Cal Guns..!.

[Euphoria526]

Welcome to Cal Guns..!.

Welcome o the clusterfluff known as Calguns.
OP-scratch the plastic idea and grab a used real gun for the same price range. It'll be broken in already and you can shoot anything through it without feeling bad.
Or just get a cz

[Trenchfoot]

My first handgun was a Glock 31 in .357sig. Are you a new shooter as well as a first time owner? If so, I usually have my new shooter friends start off by using my XD or 1911 due to having multiple safties. Either way, I would suggest taking a basic handgun course if you are a new shooter. My local range does them for $150 and covers: Safety, CA law in regards to firearms, fundamentals for proper marksmanship, selection of firearms, accessories and ammunition, 100rds of live fire, and proper mindset for survival.