First time handgun buyer...

[Go Navy]

lol... So you re saying do the opposite of what 99% of people have been saying? To avoid a SSE gun?

I'm not trying to "avoid" an SSE gun. In fact I owned one...a Gen 4 Glock 17; didn't like it for other reasons, and sold it via private party transfer.

For me, having a mag disconnect and a loaded chamber indicator don't bother me enough to go through the extra hassle. Yes, I know all the arguments against the mag disconnect which have been posted again and again. As to the loaded chamber indicator, I think it is useful. So call me an outlier.

[Nrai2020]

OP i would say get a gen 4 glock or a VP9..either would be a great first gun.

[Prise]

OP i would say get a gen 4 glock or a VP9..either would be a great first gun.

I'm starting to find some prevailing themes on SSE guns when searching for them. Namely, here in CA, we will pay a premium and demand is outstripping supply.

Fortunately, I'm on Christmas break and have received my bonus. So, I have several weeks to enjoy the journey of researching, searching for, and finally finding one I can purchase at a price I find palatable.

It should be fun!

[Prise]

By the way, a logistics question.

Must I make my purchase before Jan 1st, or must the HG and waiting period be completed before the 1st? In other words, can I buy the gun in late December, and then have the waiting period lapse into 2015? I'm assuming that any Merchant will accommodate my taking the exam immediately.

[CuddlesTheSheep]

If you want a metal gun - sig 226
If you want a polymer - walther ppq
If you wanna be a badass - 10mm 1911

[CuddlesTheSheep]

By the way, a logistics question.

Must I make my purchase before Jan 1st, or must the HG and waiting period be completed before the 1st? In other words, can I buy the gun in late December, and then have the waiting period lapse into 2015? I'm assuming that any Merchant will accommodate my taking the exam immediately.

You can dros on New Year's Eve and have the wait go into the new year

[Prise]

You can dros on New Year's Eve and have the wait go into the new year

Thanks! At least, this does give me a little bit of time.

[ElDub1950]

You can dros on New Year's Eve and have the wait go into the new year

That seems to depend on your FFL of choice. I've read here that some have decided their last SSE will be sold on 12/20 so they're all picked up before 1/1. Call ahead.

[CuddlesTheSheep]

I'm just speaking in regards to the law.

[GunHo]

I did not read all the consequent post so I’m just going to share some of my “first gun” experience in hopes to offer you some insights to consider. To begin, I have yet to see someone who has NOT purchased a 2nd gun; so be prepared. Without having any real experience in shooting, I went with the Sig P226 full stainless (42 oz.) in the 40cal as my first gun. Despite the P226 being a beautiful and well crafted piece of machinery, it is my least favorite gun to shoot out of the 7 pistols I own now. This is mostly because of the 40cal snappy recoil, which takes some serious muscle to tame. I soon purchased the M9 Berretta and SP 2022; both in 9mm, with the idea that less recoil would help my grouping results. The M9 is a nice target but not so much with the SP 2022. Next idea was to shot the 9mm on a heavy full metal chassis and what better model to do it in than the 1911. With the perfect grouping results that I’ve long been aiming for, I found the 1911 9mm to have the perfect balance of recoil and action. I ended up buying two 1911 9mm’s, which are now my designated range pistols. Since you mentioned being partial to the 1911, I say trust your instinct and go with the most popular model of them all.

[Go Navy]

By the way, a logistics question.

Must I make my purchase before Jan 1st, or must the HG and waiting period be completed before the 1st? In other words, can I buy the gun in late December, and then have the waiting period lapse into 2015? I'm assuming that any Merchant will accommodate my taking the exam immediately.

Others will chime in on this important question, but be sure to make the distinction between the single shot exemption, or SSE, and just the normal 10 day waiting period. The SSE option turns into a pumpkin at the close of business on 31 Dec. 2014. There will be NO SSE option in 2015. Increasing numbers of dealers are reportedly running out of time and parts for the SSE thing, as the clock ticks down on Cinderella.

The ten day waiting period on all handgun purchases, and the limit of one handgun per 30 days, continues on into 2015. I THINK, but am not sure, that the 30 day thing is a calendar month? If so, if you bought a handgun on 31 Dec. 2104 (aka "DROSed" it), you would pick it up ten days later which would be in January, but you could also buy another handgun in Jan. 2015.

Help me out here, gentlemen...is that stated correctly?

[Prise]

Calling around today, it seems that in my area, I've found the best pricing as follows:

1. In stock H&K VP9 9mm for $699.
2. In stock Walther PPQ 40 for $649.

Given the current state of SSE, it seems like a "fair" price. Most shops quoted much higher for the above pieces. I'm assuming 40 S&W cartridges are considerably more expensive than 9mms.

So, what do you guys think of the pricing? Fair? If not, I can always defer to some deals on some 1911s, or even the Sig P226, which looks like a pretty compelling piece.

[CuddlesTheSheep]

look for a ppq in 9mm. but those are both pretty solid prices

[5ZS]

I highly recommend the PPQ in 9mm (not 40 cal). It's just the way it is okay!
Also try to find the PPQ 5" if you can. If those are the only availability, go VP9. Price looks fair for the VP9 for California.

There are plenty of 40 caliber for you to buy next year, like SIG's, Glock, XD. There is also a CZ 40 SAO that is pretty nice to shoot in .40. You just do not 40 caliber Walther's, you just don't .

Well, of course take my advice with a grain of salt...your choice.

9mm are around 20 cents per round.
.40sw are around 25 cents per round.
.45acp are around 30 cents per round.
Good link: http://www.wikiarms.com/

[Prise]

I highly recommend the PPQ in 9mm (not 40 cal). It's just the way it is okay!
Also try to find the PPQ 5" if you can. If those are the only availability, go VP9. Price looks fair for the VP9 for California.

There are plenty of 40 caliber for you to buy next year, like SIG's, Glock, XD. There is also a CZ 40 SAO that is pretty nice to shoot in .40. You just do not 40 caliber Walther's, you just don't .

Well, of course take my advice with a grain of salt...your choice.

9mm are around 20 cents per round.
.40sw are around 25 cents per round.
.45acp are around 30 cents per round.
Good link: http://www.wikiarms.com/

My preference for the polymers would be 9mm. I've always preferred 9s, except for 1911s, which, of course, would be a 45.

At this point, I doubt that I'll find a Walther PPQ in 9mm in a price point where I'd be willing to pay. I don't mind paying a premium given the SSE deadline, but certainly will not pay an exorbitant price.

If I can't find a Walther in 9, may just opt for the VP9, though the PPQ would be my first choice.