Questions For First Time Firearm Buyers

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By Joseph J Davis - 1/8/2021

Choosing a firearm can be overwhelming. People ask me “What kind of gun should I buy?” without any supplementary information, and instead of giving them a canned response like “Glock 19”, I ask them a series of questions so I can get to know them better, and make suggestions accordingly.

None of these questions are meant to be in any way insulting, or discouraging. I ask them so I can help people make the right decision, or at least point them in the right direction. What works for me, doesn’t work for everyone else, and I can’t make decisions for others. All I’m trying to do is help out. I understand that some jurisdictions have restrictions on the type of firearm, or ammo capacity, or certain features, and that can make the process even more difficult, so be sure to check federal, state, and local laws. I also understand that certain firearms and ammunition can be difficult to get at a reasonable price right now.

With all that being said, let’s get started.

Question #1 - Are you prepared for the responsibilities and consequences that come with firearm ownership and use?

This is a huge question, but by far the most important. Do you trust yourself to safely handle a firearm? Do you have a place to safely store it? Will you be prepared to use it against an assailant if you have to? If there’s an injury, do you have medical equipment and knowledge to treat it until emergency services arrive? Regardless of what you use it for, are you prepared to deal with the physical, mental, moral, legal, and financial consequences? If you live in an apartment that has a strict “no guns” policy, and the landlord somehow finds out, you could be evicted. If you have young children, you need to make sure the firearm is stored in a way that they can’t get to it.

Again, I don’t want to discourage anyone or scare them off, but it’s important that everyone is aware of these things going into it, and is taking it seriously.

Question #2 - What is the intended use of the firearm?

What do you plan on using it for? Casual target shooting? Concealed carry? Home defense? Competition? Shooting clays? Hunting?

Some firearms are more purpose specific than others, and some fit multiple roles very well. Determine what is most important to you, and go off of that.

A couple of examples -

If you want something just for casual target shooting, you may consider a .22 LR handgun or rifle. Low recoil, low cost, and they are great for learning the fundamentals of shooting.

If you want to carry, you’ll need a handgun, either a semi-automatic, or a revolver. Plus, a lot of out of the box handguns also fit into a category of competitive shooting. The Glock 19 is a very popular carry handgun. It can also be used for home defense, and it’s an approved handgun for the USPSA Production division.

Question #3 - Have you shot a firearm before?

If you are looking at a specific firearm, have you shot that specific firearm? If you’ve never been shooting before, or it’s been a long time, do you have a family member, friend, coworker, or anyone that could take you out shooting and let you try out some firearms? If not, are there any ranges in your area? Even that can be tricky, because not every range offers rentals. If they do, there will likely be additional costs. They might have a limited selection. The ranges I’ve been to that offer rentals have popular options for handguns; the Glock 19, the Sig Sauer P365, and the Smith & Wesson M&P Compact, to name a few.

If at all possible, try it, before you buy it.

Question #4 - Do you have any physical restrictions?

Some firearms are easier to operate than others. If you have difficulty with your hands and wrists, with arthritis, MS, or anything like that, it can make actions like racking slides or pulling triggers difficult, if not impossible. I would not recommend a Double Action Only revolver with a 12 lb trigger pull to someone who has difficulty with their hands and wrists.

So we’re going to want something easy to operate. One option I’m familiar with is the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ, which is available in 9mm and .380 Auto. I don’t have one, but I’ve shot one on a few occasions. The slide is easy to rack. I can do it with just a finger and a thumb. The magazine has buttons on the side to push down the follower, which makes it easier to load. The trigger pull is about 5 lbs, which is not the lightest, but pretty close. All of those factors combined made it incredibly easy for me to use.

Question #5 - What is your Budget?

How much can you afford for the firearm itself? How much can you afford for everything else that goes along with it?

- Ammunition (for the range, for defense, for hunting)

- Magazines

- Speedloaders

- Holsters
- Eye Protection

- Ear Protection

- Cleaning and lubrication

- Repair or replacement of parts (either the tools and knowledge to do it yourself, or by taking it to a gunsmith)

- Storage (such as a safe)

- Cases for transportation

- Training

- Membership to a range.

All of that and more needs to be taken into consideration, not just the price tag on the firearm itself. It’s not a one and done deal.

Question #6 - Are you willing and able to train and attend classes?

This is expanding on question #5, as budget is a huge part of training, but I want to talk about training separately. Training is learning how to do something new, or to improve an existing skill. Shooting is a diminishable skill that requires regular practice to maintain. Training to improve, practice to maintain.

I strongly recommend taking classes, finding private instruction, and shooting competitively. Classes and instruction are for training, and shooting competitively will put your skills to the test.

Let’s talk about classes first. I understand that finding classes can be difficult, and they can be very expensive. A defensive shooting class may be anywhere from $250 - $800 and can involve shooting 250 - 1000 rounds of ammunition. Depending on where you live, they can be a several hour drive away, or you might have to fly to get there. Factor in a hotel, and any other associated expenses, and it really adds up. Not to mention the time involved. You may have to take time off work to travel and for the classes themselves.

Private instruction might be a more feasible option. It may be closer to home, and much more affordable, around $75 - $150 an hour. That’s still a good chunk of change, but for some people, that can be the difference between training, and no training.

As I mentioned earlier, competition is a great way to put your skills to the test. I shot my first USPSA match last summer at the Holmen Rod & Gun Club in Holmen, WI, and it was an amazing experience. Everyone was incredibly kind. They gave me tips to get started. I got feedback after each stage. I was able to get an objective measurement of my shooting performance under pressure. That showed me what I needed to work on.

Put all that together, and you will become a better shooter.

In Closing

Making the decision to purchase a firearm, and choosing a firearm is just the first step. I know I asked a lot of questions. I hope you’ve found them helpful in determining your first, or next, firearm purchase.

- Joseph J Davis

Joseph J Davis - JJDWI

Driftless Defense & Firearms Training

info@josephjdaviswi.com