The HQL is our 'permission to purchase' and it takes a while to get it all set up. You need to pay some fees, get some training, some fingerprints, some checks...
Anyway, he'd caught the bug getting into prepper stuff. He is HUGE into B-movies and Zombie movies, so easy match. And dangit, why not?
So he asked me some stuff, but already had his eye on a Canik, a Taurus, or a Smith & Wesson M&P. I told him some pluses and minuses for all of them. So he is thinking S&W now.
But no matter, he asked what to get before he gets the pistol, since he has some time.
I always say a good gunsafe of some sort to lock it in. First. He has a kid, so especially so. I also told him that children and surprisingly good locksmiths so train them up too.
But then the list of thing to get got longer. And my list is much more compact now that I've been around the block. I don't recommend elaborate cleaning kits, for example. But the list is still long.
- gun safe
- Hoppes #9
- Shooter's Choice, oil
- Q-tips
- brass brush
- old tooth brush
- cleaning rags
- Bore Snake
- pistol case
- electronic ear muffs
- ear plugs
- Lula magazine loader
- A holster is on the list but not needed day one, here, in Maryland
- ...
- and ammo (paper targets you can get for a buck at the range)
I forgot eye pro because I wear glasses nowadays and didn't think of that.
Has he actually shot any of his desired pistols yet? Because holding them for 10 seconds st the gun store is unsurprisingly a poor way to decide on a gun.
ReplyDeleteNope!
ReplyDeleteThough he won't learn much from the first 50 or even 500 rounds, either, when you think about it. I was thousands of rounds in before it didn't matter if I picked up a Glock or not.
ReplyDeletehttps://eddieeagle.nra.org/
ReplyDeleteSend him here. Get the song ingrained in the kids. Have them watch the videos. It helps get them in the proper mindset of dealing with guns. That and make sure that guns aren't forbidden fruit. If they ask let them see the gun. Safe it and let them touch it look at it. After they quote Eddie eagle and the 4 rules to you. I've got 3 young ones.
I agree on the Eddie the Eagle program suggestion. While I do love gear, the education shouldn't stop with the kids. Some basic training to include de-escalation techniques, the OODA loop, Cooper's 4 rules & color code, local and state laws and other material.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend Tiger McKee's The Book of Two Guns. It's an excellent primer on defensive firearm use (fighting is not the same as shooting). The book is a reprint of his handwritten notes gathered from his extensive personal training journey. It compiles wisdom and techniques from many different instructors and isn't just for the 1911 & AR-15. It's applicable to almost all defensive handguns and rifles.
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Two-Guns-Martial-Carbine/dp/1419601806
Regarding safe storage: here's a lockpicker approved $60 quick access safe from Amazon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR_5969tiqk
Lastly although the M&P is a good pistol, I also recommend he look at the Sig P320 Compact. I shoot P320's much more accurately than I ever did the M&P series and the ability to swap grip frames means that it can be changed from a 15rd grip down to a 12rd subcompact or up to a 17rd full size (with different length magazines, obviously). Additionally there are certified pre-owned P320's (CPO) that pop up every now and then for under $400.
BEST thing to buy is another house in another STATE???
ReplyDelete