Looking to purchase first handgun

[newport2015]

Im looking to purchase my first handgun. I am in orange county. I know very little about gun stores so can anyone recommend any good ones in OC. Also good ranges where I can rent guns and shoot. We have one gun in my family which my father owns. It is approximately 30 years old and hasn't been fired since. He says I am welcome to use it but I am not sure if that is against the law. Could I take that gun to the range and fire it? Also how do you transport a gun? Is firing a gun that hasn't been fired in 30 years dangerous? Sorry for all the stupid questions its just overwhelming.

Robert

['ol shooter]

Welcome to CalGuns, Robert. There are plenty of gun stores in OC. Turners, The Stockade, and Fowlers come to mind first. They can also advise you on places to shoot. Bolsa Gunsmithing does repairs, so you might start there with your fathers gun. I don't know if the others have a gunsmith, but Bolsa is a factory repair station for many brands.

[Ziggy91]

Welcome to Calguns!!!

First off, you made a great decision to ask our community for advice. If you're looking for your first handgun, I highly recommend that you find a range to rent some handguns and see what suits you best. It sounds strange, but spending the $10 (+ ammo and range time) to rent a handgun is nothing compared to the hundreds you could spend buying a mistake that you hate to shoot and would possibly sell in a month or so.

Good luck.

[Firerescuebatt07]

Welcome to Calguns brother.Like my fellow calgunners said find a range and go rent some guns! Whatever feels the best in your hand will be the one you want! I DO recommend shooting many calibers and also try revolvers out as well. Practicing with a revolver will really teach you the fundamentals of shooting although some might disagree but thats my opinion. Guys telling you 500 guns to buy will not be the best answer for you. Holding them and shooting them WILL. God bless, good luck and when you decide to purchase something show us a pic! We loveeeeeee pics!

[S0M1L9S]

OC Firearms seem to be the rage now (great price & service).
Turners has the weekly sales (off the hook wed is their best prices).
Ammo Brothers (Cerritos)
Rifle Gear (Fountain Valley)
OC Armory (Laguna Hills)

Insight (Artesia)
Firing Line (HB)
OC in door range (Brea)

What 30 year old gun is it?
Generally if it well kept (not rusted/corroded), new springs and good to go...

GL on choice

[Vampyredark]

So many choices and opinions out there. Check out the ones that appeal to you... then research those ones. You will learn a lot that way. However, you cannot go wrong with a good revolver - 357 mag. Its like having two guns in one because they can shoot 38 specials and 357 magnum.

[Dirte]

Welcome to Calguns newport2015. Don't worry about your questions being stupid. The world of firearms is incredibly overwhelming when you first get into it. If you have no previous experience, just learning all the terminology is enough to make your head explode at the beginning. By joining Calguns you are definitely on the right track,though. The tremendous volume of info you can find on here from people with years of experience is truly invaluable. Here's my two cents:

1. As newbie, be aware that almost any question you have at this point has probably already been covered extensively. Use the search tool for the forums and you will probably find the answer to your question along, with a plethora of additional info that you hadn't even thought of yet.

2. If you don't find the answer there, or if you're not sure what to search for, don't hesitate to ask it in the forums. You may get a few sarcastic responses in addition to the helpful ones but that is just part of being in an open forum so just ignore it. The majority of members are all too happy to help out new people.

3. To help simplify things as you're starting out, I would suggest focusing on just one body of knowledge until you gain more familiarity. For example, just start learning all that you can about hand guns and ignore rifles, shotguns, etc., for the time being.

4. Unfortunately, the laws here in Cali can be pretty complex so you will have to do your homework on that. Start by reading and understanding this: http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/FAQ and ask questions about anything you're unsure of.

5. In the meantime, this is the answer to your question about transporting:
6. I persnonally can't help you out with local places in OC but there is a forum dedicated to local areas here on Calguns. You will find answers to all your gun shop & range locations there. You will also find out how to connect with other Calgunners from your area who can help out by attending the monthly shooting meeting for your particular local chapter. This is the OC forum: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/f...play.php?f=291 I strongly encourage you to get out to one of the local events in your area, you will not regret it.

Regarding your dad's gun, if you're able to tell us what it is then you will be able to get some more specific advice about it. As long as you are following the requirements I listed above, there is no reason you can't transport it and use it at the range. Most importantly, before you do anything else with it, you need to have your dad or some other qualified person with some firearms experience make sure its safe and not loaded. Perhaps if you ask, he can take you to the range and show you the basics?

[TheWoodCrafter]

OC Firearms is a great place.
Steve is very helpful and is very willing to help.

For a first semi-auto I have always thought a .22 or 9mm would be best.
Rounds are cheap and easy to find (normally) and low recoil.
The other caliber would be .380.

I shoot at Field Time Target and Training in Stanton.
Great place, lots of rentals.

Another good gun shop is on Beach Blvd below Westminster Bivd.
Field Time Sports and Gun.

Of all the gun shops I have been to in upper OC I think best prices is at Turners.
They have some good sales.

[BigL]

Just avoid taurus in my opinion they are garbage

[ruddogg]

On Target Shooting Range in Laguna Niguel has a nice selection of rentals for you to try out. However, if you don't own your own gun, you'll need to go with another adult, otherwise they won't rent to you.

Field Time in Stanton is also great, decent selection of rentals too.

As for gun shops.

Riflegear www.riflegear.com
Turners www.turners.com (one in Orange, & one in Fountain Valley)
Ammo Bros
Fowlers
OC Armory (limited selection but great guys for SSE) www.ocarmory.com

good luck on your search. rent many and buy the one that fits your hand best & the one you're most accurate with.

[hcbr]

OC Firearms seem to be the rage now (great price & service).
Turners has the weekly sales (off the hook wed is their best prices).
Ammo Brothers (Cerritos)
Rifle Gear (Fountain Valley)
OC Armory (Laguna Hills)

Insight (Artesia)
Firing Line (HB)
OC in door range (Brea)

What 30 year old gun is it?
Generally if it well kept (not rusted/corroded), new springs and good to go...

GL on choice

+1 on what S0M1L9S said, it's a good starting list.

the calguns forum has alot of info to offer, and just by our responses and search will help you out if you have anything you need to understand or seek.

Welcome, and one word of advice, choose the best handgun that suits YOU; in other words, shoot all of whatever range you go to has to offer and make your decision then on which one you liked and willing to plop money. Take our advice and recommendations, but choose which gun is comfortable to your taste regardless of what others say.

Good luck and hope you post some photos up to show off your new firearm

p.s. - it's ok that your dad loans you the gun, but keep in mind 1) when not in use, it must have a gun lock (gun lock cable) on it at all times when not in use 2) recommend when transporting (while having the lock still on it) to keep it in a range bag, these are cheap and conceal the weapon. Keep the firearms in your trunk and you're gtg

[generalpetres]

i second oc indoor range went there cause they had a descent selection of firearms including cz's. its all up to you but go out and try some different handguns and how they feel in your hand. i ended up getting a cz75 sp-01.

[rickterscale]

Calguns Foundation Wiki is a good source for information about California firearms laws.

[riderr]

However, if you don't own your own gun, you'll need to go with another adult, otherwise they won't rent to you.

The requirement is also lifted if you are a member.