First firearm purchase

[ct126x]

New here guys. I'm buying my first firearm this Saturday at City Arms in Pacifica. I called and got a quote for a Glock 22 for around $560. Does that sound right? Anyways, I'm new to all of this. Should I buy my ammo there or elsewhere? Is there a break in period with firearms? Do I need to use certain ammo when shooting a brand new gun? Thanks! Can someone give me a brief description of how it's like when buying a gun at the store? I have taken a course on how to use and shoot a firearm. I have an exposed firearm permit from BSIS

[stitchnicklas]

walmart 40sw is 14.98 for 50rds

glock for 560?? is that out the door?? or pre-tax and dros...?

[stix213]

Doesn't sound too bad of a price. Ammo there will likely be more expensive than other places.

Your fun/plinking ammo should be cheap stuff you get at walmart or online (unless we can't stop AB962). Defense ammo should be expensive hollow points. Just avoid any ammo that is not jacketed in a Glock unless you buy an after market barrel (supposedly the rifling in a stock Glock barrel is such that there will be excessive build up of lead when firing non-jacketed bullets, which is supposed to become unsafe rather quickly). Otherwise they will shoot anything else without issue.

Also, while it should be safe it is in the Glock manual that reloads will void your warranty. So do with that as you will.

[ct126x]

Pre tax and dros I think. He didn't mention it

[Helpful_Cub]

Glock 22 for around $560. Does that sound right?

It depends on what features it comes with. It's possible to find them online for $420, but then you still have to figure in shipping (~$20), FFL transfer fee (~$30), taxes (~$50) and DROS ($25). So you'll end up with $420 + $125 = $545 which is about the store quoted you. Just make darn sure that they included all of these things in the total so they don't get tacked on later. Glock should come with a gun lock, if not, that's another $5.

Should I buy my ammo there or elsewhere?

If you like the store, buy some. Gun stores make a lot of profit on selling ammo. If you want to be cheap, go online. If you want cheapish and quick, visit Walmart.

Keep in mind that .40 s&w has several bullet options. Like they have hollow points for self defense, which are very pricey. Then there's the round nosed full metal jacket bullets like those commonly sold at Walmart that are fairly cheap and just fine for target shooting. This thread link covers a lot of the online searchs used by use that don't mind waiting to get the best deals on ammo. The current cheapest .40 S&W ammo I found online was for 24.9 cents a round with shipping.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=361753

Is there a break in period with firearms?

Yes there is, but for the Glock, its mainly for the barrel and spreading the lithium grease in the slide around. You shouldn't worry to much about it, just clean the gun before your first use; don't remove the grease on the slides.

Do I need to use certain ammo when shooting a brand new gun?

Technically no, your gun is rated to shoot all .40 S&W that are factory made. There currently isn't a +P for .40 S&W so all factory loads will be roughly the same to the gun.

Can someone give me a brief description of how it's like when buying a gun at the store?

Ask to see it, handle it, have them show you the features of it. Operate the slide, magazine, check for cracks, scratches etc. Field strip it to check that everything is where it should be on the inside and put it back together, they can help you if your not sure how to do this. After that you talk money, if its a Mom and Pop shop, you being new they'll probably give you $10 off or thing hoping you'll come back for more guns in the future. If its a Turners, there's no haggling, the price is what its labled as. After agreeing, you start the paperwork, they'll walk you through it. You'll need a California drivers licence and your Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC). If you don't have an HSC, that will be $15 and the Dealer can give you the test to take and the Certificate is good for 1-year and is only used when buying handguns. After all the paperwork is done and you've paid, you get to go home and wait 10-days. Double check with the store what day you can pick up your gun. On the appointed day go back, show your drivers licence and pickup your new baby.

[Nor-Cal]

Welcome, if you don't feel comfterble with the price call around to see for your self to diffrent shops to compare prices, also for ammo walmart has mostly plinking ammo, you may want to pick up hollow tips at the gun shop since walmart usually dosent carry them.

[ct126x]

Thanks for everyone's reply. What are reloads? I'm not familiar with all the terminology yet. My plan is to buy cheap quality ammo for range use and buy some better ones for self defense as I will be using this in the security field.

That price is without night sights or anything like that. He did quote me that Glock factory night sights would be an extra $80 or so.

[j1133s]

New here guys. I'm buying my first firearm this Saturday at City Arms in Pacifica. I called and got a quote for a Glock 22 for around $560. Does that sound right? Anyways, I'm new to all of this. Should I buy my ammo there or elsewhere? Is there a break in period with firearms? Do I need to use certain ammo when shooting a brand new gun? Thanks! Can someone give me a brief description of how it's like when buying a gun at the store? I have taken a course on how to use and shoot a firearm. I have an exposed firearm permit from BSIS

That sounds like a good price, OTD I assume.
You can buy ammo there or anywhere, it doesn't matter if you're just going to buy a box or 2 (i.e. the price different will not be enough for you to drive to Walmart or pay shipping). After the first few boxes, you can then buy a case or 2 online and save some money.

[ZX-10R]

Why Glock?

[j1133s]

Thanks for everyone's reply. What are reloads? I'm not familiar with all the terminology yet. My plan is to buy cheap quality ammo for range use and buy some better ones for self defense as I will be using this in the security field.

That price is without night sights or anything like that. He did quote me that Glock factory night sights would be an extra $80 or so.

Don't buy reloads. Briefly, they are recycled ammo and dangerous to use because recycler's manufacturing QC is likely non-exist.

[tba02]

Bud's lists a basic Glock 22 for 450 shipped. Tack on 100 for the transfer and you are at 550. This would be outside of CA tax (semi-wash). If you figure the 25 bucks for DROS and the 10 bucks in tax, you are looking at 595 for a difference of 45.

That being said, it might be worth it to you since that 45 would equal some ammo. In the long run however, piece of mind, not waiting (for shipping and then 10 days), and knowing that you have a shop you can turn to for assistance may be worth it. The guys at City Arms have always treated me well and is my favorite local* shop. 45 bucks may seem significant at the moment, but over the long haul it may pay dividends.

- do you have your HSC?

Their prices on hollow point aren't bad. It doesn't hurt to get some quality rounds for your first trip to the range and for home defense. Practice ammo in FMJ can be sourced over the internet/wallyworld at more reasonable prices and in larger numbers. For function testing, you are once again balancing effort and time for the expense of immediate gratification. Your location matters (gas/travel time) too.

[ct126x]

@j1133s - How can I tell if they are reloads? Will it specifically say "reloads" on the box?

@tba02 - I spoke to someone at City Arms and he said I don't need HSC since I have my BSIS exposed firearm permit. I'm only about 30 minutes from City arms, so I'll just buy locally for now since it's my first purchase. I want first hand experience before I start buying online.

[tba02]

Thanks! Can someone give me a brief description of how it's like when buying a gun at the store?

Walk in, you tell them "you want to spend money" (Uncle V likes that part).
- feel free to tell them you are new to CA and the process.

Ask any questions you may have.


You'll fill out the required paperwork, in the case of City Arms, you sit in front of a computer and fill it out electronically. Sign some papers (bring a CA issued ID and your CA vehicle registration with you)

*money exchanged at some point*

Ask any additional questions you may have.

You will get some paperwork back that will eventually include the date and time (10x24 hours - assuming they are open that day )stating when you can pickup your purchase.

Ask any additional question you may have.

- check out the consignment rack and PM me if there are any lever action .22's

Say thanks and visit the handgun wait support thread !

[ct126x]

Thanks for helping a newbie out. I'll be sure to check to see if they have any lever action .22's for you. Hope to see you guys at the range one day

[j1133s]

@j1133s - How can I tell if they are reloads? Will it specifically say "reloads" on the box?

@tba02 - I spoke to someone at City Arms and he said I don't need HSC since I have my BSIS exposed firearm permit. I'm only about 30 minutes from City arms, so I'll just buy locally for now since it's my first purchase. I want first hand experience before I start buying online.

Reloads wil usually say "remanufactured ammo" on the box or they may come in a plastic bag w/ "remanufactured" sticker. You should just tell the store that you want "factory new" ammo.

I've been shooting for many years and at times in high ammo volume. I've never tried to save some money w/ commerical reloads, not worth the risk IMHO.