So I have decided to buy my first firearm and I wanted some input. After asking a few relatives with guns, they referred me to some probation officer that is offering to sell one of her guns for $250? The price is cheaper than MSRP but I do not know if it's better to buy new instead of used?
Here is the gun on offer. She says that she will included everything in the photos:
The gun is in the 9mm caliber.
So should I take the offer or should I just buy new? Anything to lookout for?
P.S. She says the offer is low because my cousin and her served together in Afghanistan.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
2That is a very good deal and should be taken advantage of on the principle that all good deals should be taken.
Having said that, while that gun is really nice for concealed carry, it might not be as fun at the shooting range as a full sized gun. Just my opinion while considering the fact that it's your first gun. That is a good deal though.
Having said that, while that gun is really nice for concealed carry, it might not be as fun at the shooting range as a full sized gun. Just my opinion while considering the fact that it's your first gun. That is a good deal though.
The symbol of the race ought to be a human being carrying an ax, for every human being has one concealed about him somewhere, and is always seeking the opportunity to grind it.
- Mark Twain, a Biography
- Mark Twain, a Biography
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
3Excellent deal for a carry gun. I'm not a big fan of plastic striker fired guns, but I don't mind practicing with mine.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
4Great deal, though I would also wouldn't recommend a concealed carry gun as your first. The short barrel and recoil might sour you on the idea of accuracy and proper grip stance.
If you're looking for an under-$300 pistol, I'd go with either a Taurus PT24/7 or a Tristar C-100.
If you're looking for an under-$300 pistol, I'd go with either a Taurus PT24/7 or a Tristar C-100.
LGC Texas - Vice President
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
5Good choice and a good deal. After this acquisition, though, you will want--perhaps based on your experience with the Shield--to make a decision on what you want in a larger-frame gun.
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Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
6General agreement with what others have said, although I find that the Shield is pretty easy to shoot for such a small gun. I like my wife's a lot and wind up borrowing it frequently.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
7I also agree with others but, with the extra mags, the holster, and the laser (or is that a light?) that is a really good price. Assuming the Shield is to be a carry gun, be sure to practice with it...a LOT. You might look for a range where you can rent other handguns to see what you like.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
8A used Shield is about $300. The extra mag, mag pouch, and holster is worth $100. The laser is about $100. So, you're paying $250 for a bundle worth $500.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
9Buy the gun you can afford.
That said, good deal. I would be tempted and I have more carry guns than I can carry (comfortably)
That said, good deal. I would be tempted and I have more carry guns than I can carry (comfortably)
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
10Take it. That's a ridiculously great deal. You're in California, right? Which makes it an even better deal, since I don't see an LCI on it.
If you shoot it a few times and decide it isn't for you you can sell it and probably make a profit off of it and buy something bigger.
Though the one time I shot a Shield I didn't find it too bad. For a sub-compact pistol it's surprisingly ergonomic.
If you shoot it a few times and decide it isn't for you you can sell it and probably make a profit off of it and buy something bigger.
Though the one time I shot a Shield I didn't find it too bad. For a sub-compact pistol it's surprisingly ergonomic.
"No one can build his security upon the nobleness of another person."
-Willa Cather
-Willa Cather
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
11After you follow all that good advice here and buy it, I suggest you learn to shoot it with target loads and light (115gr) bullets, that will be less recoil than full blown self defense rounds. And if you have to use them for protection have no fear they will reliably make holes in anyone needing a hole.
When only cops have guns, it's called a police state.
I carry due to toxic masculinity.......just other people's.
I carry due to toxic masculinity.......just other people's.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
12I'll also say that you are being offered a smokin' good deal on that Shield 9. I have one and love it. I really don't find the recoil to be all that hard to manage, and of course, with practice you'll be fine with it. It's obviously a short barrel, but surprisingly accurate at the range. Hell, you could buy that thing for $250, shoot it a whole bunch, and if you end up wanting something else, you could likely sell it for more than you paid for it. I don't see much risk in this oppurtunity.
I vote yes.
I vote yes.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
13It seems you've answered your question, so I'll respond to the "new or used" aspect of it all.
The three hand guns I have all I bought used. They are all in excellent shape. That does not mean that "used" is always a good idea. First, the .22LR Ruger MKII. It has the long six inch bull target barrel. It's heavy, only really for target shooting or getting used to the 9 mm for the military without shooting 9 mm. Cheap. So it's an awkward gun used for anything other than those uses. I use it for half of those: target shooting. Old owner did not like. Advantage: CDFingers.
The .357 GP 100 came with ugly solid wood finger grips, the ones with shapes for your fingers. Same with the Vaquero. I got them both used, both with those horrible grips. Now, for me, the recoil of full power .357 or full power .45LC hurts my hands with those kinds of grips. I think the same for the previous owners. They did not shoot them a lot. I changed the grips. Advantage: CDFingers.
Now, your mileage may vary. I looked at dozens of hand guns while I was waiting for these three to show up. Each does what it was designed to do, and each does it well. I rejected many others, sometimes for price but usually for wear: folks sell their guns when they're worn out or when they're "not fun" to shoot. Patience was rewarded. Advantage: CDFingers.
I took my time finding my hand guns. The jury is still out on rifles, as I've not whittled down my herd to the exactly perfect ones. Projects are still projecting. I think it's good to be flexible and try many things, showing up as knowledge and patience. Advantage: gun buyer.
CDFingers
The three hand guns I have all I bought used. They are all in excellent shape. That does not mean that "used" is always a good idea. First, the .22LR Ruger MKII. It has the long six inch bull target barrel. It's heavy, only really for target shooting or getting used to the 9 mm for the military without shooting 9 mm. Cheap. So it's an awkward gun used for anything other than those uses. I use it for half of those: target shooting. Old owner did not like. Advantage: CDFingers.
The .357 GP 100 came with ugly solid wood finger grips, the ones with shapes for your fingers. Same with the Vaquero. I got them both used, both with those horrible grips. Now, for me, the recoil of full power .357 or full power .45LC hurts my hands with those kinds of grips. I think the same for the previous owners. They did not shoot them a lot. I changed the grips. Advantage: CDFingers.
Now, your mileage may vary. I looked at dozens of hand guns while I was waiting for these three to show up. Each does what it was designed to do, and each does it well. I rejected many others, sometimes for price but usually for wear: folks sell their guns when they're worn out or when they're "not fun" to shoot. Patience was rewarded. Advantage: CDFingers.
I took my time finding my hand guns. The jury is still out on rifles, as I've not whittled down my herd to the exactly perfect ones. Projects are still projecting. I think it's good to be flexible and try many things, showing up as knowledge and patience. Advantage: gun buyer.
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
14There's a good reason why used guns are generally not much cheaper than new ones. It takes a LOT of shooting to wear them out.
The shield is a great little gun. Snap her hand off.
The shield is a great little gun. Snap her hand off.
Chamber's empty, magazine's full, safety's broken.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
15I still think it's a great deal, but I also think lasers are dumb. I want to know what I'm shooting at, so a good flashlight held with a temple index and practice shooting strong hand only is the way to go for me. I would sell the laser and get 250-300 rnds of practice ammo.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
16Is that a laser? I thought it was a Viridian Taclight. Like an LED light
The symbol of the race ought to be a human being carrying an ax, for every human being has one concealed about him somewhere, and is always seeking the opportunity to grind it.
- Mark Twain, a Biography
- Mark Twain, a Biography
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
17I paid about $360 new last year for my Shield 9, so I would definitely go for it.
It's a good gun. Easy to shoot, my wife practices with it occasionally. A little bit of front flip due to the size, but I don't think it's a bad first gun at all.
It's a good gun. Easy to shoot, my wife practices with it occasionally. A little bit of front flip due to the size, but I don't think it's a bad first gun at all.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
18What a ripoff. If you buy it I'll take it off your hands for $300. I'm helpful that way.
It's a great deal. If you get it, you may also want to consider a full size M&P as a range gun.
Pretty sure that's a Reactor TL flashlight, not a laser. Says so on the holster. Iron sights look like Trijicon night sights too.
It's a great deal. If you get it, you may also want to consider a full size M&P as a range gun.
Pretty sure that's a Reactor TL flashlight, not a laser. Says so on the holster. Iron sights look like Trijicon night sights too.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
19My bad, read it was laser in an earlier post. Just not a big believer in hanging crap off of guns.virtualhabitat wrote:Is that a laser? I thought it was a Viridian Taclight. Like an LED light
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
20The 'Reactor' line for the Shield is used for light, red laser, and green laser. The housing and holster are identical.begemot wrote:What a ripoff. If you buy it I'll take it off your hands for $300. I'm helpful that way.
It's a great deal. If you get it, you may also want to consider a full size M&P as a range gun.
Pretty sure that's a Reactor TL flashlight, not a laser. Says so on the holster. Iron sights look like Trijicon night sights too.
But even if it's a light rather than laser, the whole package is still a great deal for $250.
Glad that federal government is boring again.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
21Thanks for the clarification.Stiff wrote:The 'Reactor' line for the Shield is used for light, red laser, and green laser. The housing and holster are identical.begemot wrote:What a ripoff. If you buy it I'll take it off your hands for $300. I'm helpful that way.
It's a great deal. If you get it, you may also want to consider a full size M&P as a range gun.
Pretty sure that's a Reactor TL flashlight, not a laser. Says so on the holster. Iron sights look like Trijicon night sights too.
But even if it's a light rather than laser, the whole package is still a great deal for $250.
I've grown to like lasers on my SD guns. Thinking of picking up a green one for my Shield.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
22No matter how good of a deal it may be....consider other things.
First it's a used pistol...go for new.
Make sure it fits well in your hand...this is a smaller frame CC pistol...not ideal for learning on...get a full size model.
A CC model will have sharper recoil and be less comfortable to shoot.
Smith & Wesson, Ruger, H&K, all make full size versions...go check out a gun show or big chain store like Cabela's to see some
of the choices out there, you'll be able you see em first hand...hold em ask some questions. etc.
after you find one you like or several 'candidates' you might go to a range that will rent you a pistol to test out and see how you like it.
First it's a used pistol...go for new.
Make sure it fits well in your hand...this is a smaller frame CC pistol...not ideal for learning on...get a full size model.
A CC model will have sharper recoil and be less comfortable to shoot.
Smith & Wesson, Ruger, H&K, all make full size versions...go check out a gun show or big chain store like Cabela's to see some
of the choices out there, you'll be able you see em first hand...hold em ask some questions. etc.
after you find one you like or several 'candidates' you might go to a range that will rent you a pistol to test out and see how you like it.
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
23Have the friend who is selling the gun take you to the range and shoot it with them.
Then if you like it you can both go to an FFL afterward and close the deal.
I think if I had it all over again I would look for a used or new CZ 75BD. Great steel framed pistol and very reasonably priced.
enjoy!
Then if you like it you can both go to an FFL afterward and close the deal.
I think if I had it all over again I would look for a used or new CZ 75BD. Great steel framed pistol and very reasonably priced.
enjoy!
Bleeding Heart Liberal with Second Amendment Benefits.
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
24Yes. I hope everyone's as lucky as I, as I got three nearly new guns because two were uncomfortable to shoot due to the grips, and the other was awkward unless used for its fairly specialized purpose. Result was they were not shot much. Then I got them...nigel wrote:There's a good reason why used guns are generally not much cheaper than new ones. It takes a LOT of shooting to wear them out.
CDFingers
Crazy cat peekin' through a lace bandana
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
like a one-eyed Cheshire, like a diamond-eyed Jack
Re: Buying First gun. Should I buy new or used? $250 good de
25LGBTGunner-
So, did you buy it? For that amount, you can sell it, probably at a profit, if you don't like it. Looks like a decent carry piece.
So, did you buy it? For that amount, you can sell it, probably at a profit, if you don't like it. Looks like a decent carry piece.
Hell is where:
The British are the chefs
The Swiss are the lovers
The French are the mechanics
The Italians make everything run on time
And the Germans are the police
The British are the chefs
The Swiss are the lovers
The French are the mechanics
The Italians make everything run on time
And the Germans are the police