So, what are you packing? Options

[Benbot]

Well, this past weekend I finally fulfilled my Constitutional requirement as an American and purchased my first firearm. I'm particular to handguns over rifles and shotguns, and I wanted a reliable modern, polymer pistol, so I decided upon a 4th Gen Glock 19 over an overwhelming number of choices. Under no circumstances would I consider carrying a gun--I think conceal carry is for people with an unrealistic belief in the practical effectiveness of gun possession in a life or death scenario. These people are either living in a fantasy or really REALLY bad neighborhoods. I just want a good gun to shoot at a range. Bullets and pistol do not meet beyond.

Anyway, it's a neat piece of mechanical engineering. Practicality notwithstanding, I can understand why so many people love them. I hope that as a hobby this doesn't become a money pit like my Transformers habit. I gave up getting TFC's not-Devastator for this, so the two are already fighting for my dollars.

[Dissever]

Inherited a civilian-issue Colt 1918 and a Berretta 32 Tomcat from my grandfather's estate. The exectors' eyes were wide as saucers when we found them (this was in California).

The sweetheart has a Sig P220.

We do not carry. I agree that carried conceal is ridiculous though. This past New Years' I got into a protracted arguments from people in my hometown who felt it necessary to do so coming to Atlanta for a New Year's Eve party. It ended in them calling me a liberal, and telling me to 'stay in Atlanta with your people', IE blacks.

Effing honkey crackers.

[CORVUS]

Went to a Halloween Party this year where one of the hosts' older siblings thought it would be a fun Halloween prank to fire a pistol into the air during an outdoor gig.

Party ended pretty quickly after that.

[Goblez]

due to my countries laws. a Super soaker is the closest thing I have to a gun.

[Deathy G1]

No guns, but I have 57 knives, most of which are Spyderco brand.

[The Muse]

DH-17
DL44
E11
...scores more

And 1 Thermal Detonator... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-ironhide.gif)

[Fortress Ironhol...]

More knives than a slasher film.

The state of Texas forbids concealed carry inside of a church or place of education, and federal law forbids concealed carry inside post offices.

I spend so much time in the above three that it'd be something of a hassle right now to go concealed-carry.

OTOH, I can pincushion a person in a heartbeat.

[Canthros]

Congratulations! If you should find that your new Glock isn't as reliable as expected, you should do some googling. Glock changed the recoil spring assembly in the 4th Generation guns in a way that works great for their .40 caliber pistols, but has caused some initial balkiness in the 9mm guns. I believe there was a recall or something, so if you should have some problems, a little research may be in order--Glock may owe you a new recoil spring assembly. I have heard this is fixed on the newer guns, so it may also be a non-issue for you.

If you're a competitive sort, you might do some looking into the Glock Shooting Sports Foundation, which--wait. Were you the guy asking for advice about a handgun last year? I think I mentioned all of that, then, too. Anyway, I hear the GSSF is a good way to get into competitive shooting, provided you have a Glock to shoot. (You may need a holster, though.)

I think conceal carry is for people with an unrealistic belief in the practical effectiveness of gun possession in a life or death scenario.

Beats the hell out of a sharp stick and harsh words, though.

FWIW, I carry a Browning Hi-Power. (It was good enough for Hannibal, it's good enough for me. Also, it's been very reliable and plenty accurate, and feels good in the hand.)

I've been thinking about a Glock 19, though. It's about the same size, half the money, and a damn sight easier (and often a lot cheaper) to find parts, magazines, holsters, accessories, etc for.

And I carry (but, not all the time) not because I live in a bad neighborhood or am crazy, but because crazy weirdos are out there and, as a blogger I read put it, I don't want my last thought to be, "Gee, I wish I had a gun." I think that was another argument in another thread, though.

Fun fact: according to the Kentucky Revised Statutes (500.080 (4), specifically), a 'deadly weapon' is, well, I'll just quote it here:

(4) "Deadly weapon" means any of the following:
(a) A weapon of mass destruction;

Also guns, knives, clubs and sticks, black jacks, nunchaku, shuriken, and brass (or other material) knuckles.

But, yeah: weapons of mass destruction! "I never go anywhere without my weaponized anthrax--for duck huntin'!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

I hope that as a hobby this doesn't become a money pit like my Transformers habit.

Man, I wish. Even cheap guns are pretty pricey--there are very few available under $100, and most you don't want (Mosin-Nagant rifles have their charms, though, and Nagant pistols are curious little oddballs, both findable under a hundred--if only barely). And ammo seems to increase in value faster than my IRA. Ah, well.

Anyway (now that I've probably horrified roughly three-quarters of the forum), welcome to the hobby! Have fun, be safe, and have fun (but be safe!)! If you get the opportunity, I highly recommend shooting something full-auto (and suppressed, if possible). It's a really efficient way of turning money into noise, but it's also a hoot and a half. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon-fire.gif)

[LioConvoy]

Boxes, mostly.

[Waspinator]

Went to a Halloween Party this year where one of the hosts' older siblings thought it would be a fun Halloween prank to fire a pistol into the air during an outdoor gig.

Party ended pretty quickly after that.

Idiot. That crap sometimes kills people.

[Canthros]

Yeah. God only knows where the hell that came down, or what it damaged when it did.

[Lizard King]

Guns freak me out, I could never own one

[Waspinator]

Yeah, the bullet is slowed a bit by air friction, but it's still probably at dangerous speeds wherever it hits.

[ultra magnus13]

Just picked up a Gen 3 Glock 19 with Night sights last week. About 300 rounds through it so far. If you don't have one already I've got 2 spare Glock 19 holsters I would part with cheap.

[Canthros]

Yeah, the bullet is slowed a bit by air friction, but it's still probably at dangerous speeds wherever it hits.

Well, a .22LR bullet is still potentially deadly at over a mile, so, yeah. Depends a bit on the angle, though.

[Benbot]

Congratulations! If you should find that your new Glock isn't as reliable as expected, you should do some googling. Glock changed the recoil spring assembly in the 4th Generation guns in a way that works great for their .40 caliber pistols, but has caused some initial balkiness in the 9mm guns. I believe there was a recall or something, so if you should have some problems, a little research may be in order--Glock may owe you a new recoil spring assembly. I have heard this is fixed on the newer guns, so it may also be a non-issue for you.

Hopefully that won't be a problem. I just got it and haven't had a chance to shoot it, but it does have an 04 spring, which I believe is the "correct" spring to have in the 9mm. The range that I will be going to actually has a GSSF event this coming weekend. I'm not going to participate though--too soon. I've never fired anything more than a 22 before. I'll let you guys know how things turn out when I go shooting this weekend.

[NovaSaber]

Yeah, the bullet is slowed a bit by air friction, but it's still probably at dangerous speeds wherever it hits.

In fact, it's only slightly slower than if it had been fired in a straight line.

[Scavgraphics]

No gun..but twin Katars by the door.

[Kalidor]

These people are either living in a fantasy or really REALLY bad neighborhoods

Why would you make such a baseless and ignorant statement?

[CORVUS]

Went to a Halloween Party this year where one of the hosts' older siblings thought it would be a fun Halloween prank to fire a pistol into the air during an outdoor gig.

Party ended pretty quickly after that.

Idiot. That crap sometimes kills people.

Oh yeah, and the pair of redneck fools responsible got all indignant and defensive when half of us got pissed and decided the party was over.

Yeah. God only knows where the hell that came down, or what it damaged when it did.

Fortunately the area was pretty rural, but it wasn't exactly in the middle of nowhere either. It was one of the stupidest things I've ever personally borne witness to.