Thoughts from a newbie...

[Phlach]

Coming up on week 1 of the LTC wait (applied last Friday, expect about 8 week wait).

Being extremely new to firearms (didn't grow up around them), window shopping has been LOTS of fun. I've come up with the following list of what I think I would like to buy, and in what order. Would love feedback (different points of view, general advice, etc).

First, it seems like I really can't go wrong buying at Four Seasons (I live in MA). It seems their prices are extremely reasonable, great prices on ammo, etc. Are they the "largest" store in MA? They seem quite popular.

Order I think I might want to purchase:

1. Ruger Mark III Hunter (so I can shoot all day on lunch money, plus that fluted barrel makes my heart go pitter patter. Yes, I know the field strip is "interesting" and I may need some medication to get through it the first time. I've watched LOTS of videos on the full field strip and to be honest I'm almost looking forward to the challange).

2. Ruger SR9c (I expect my LTC will be unrestricted. Seems like a nice carry/range pistol. Lots of good feedback on the trigger. I like the idea of a manual safety on my first carry piece. Price is right)

3. Sig Sauer SCM 556 (Fired an AR-15 (not sure of the manufacturer) .223 in the firearm class that I took. Fell absolutely in love with the AR-15's. The price on the sig looked good in comparison.)

4. SW 1911 E Series (provided they are available in a couple months. Because... everyone should own a 1911? oh, and they're the bees knees? that all SS E series certainly floats my boat)

Flame away! I can take it!

 

[sweed]

I'm a newb also, researched reviews and read countless posts about a first gun. I think ( as long as I get an LTC-A unrestricted) I will go with the SR9c. I have safety training tonight, and still need to apply for LTC and have interview. If restricted, I'll go full size.

 

[jenlynn724]

Congratulations to you both on the LTC's.. I recommend shooting the gun you are thinking about buying before you purchase it. You will hear everyone under the sun giving you their opinion on why you should or shouldn't buy a certain gun, but at the end of the day the only opinion that matters is your own. Buy what YOU like, and what YOU are going to be comfortable shooting..

 

[Phlach]

I'm a newb also, researched reviews and read countless posts about a first gun. I think ( as long as I get an LTC-A unrestricted) I will go with the SR9c. I have safety training tonight, and still need to apply for LTC and have interview. If restricted, I'll go full size.

I was thinking I would go with the regular SR9 as well if I get restricted, but I've read the trigger was horrific on the SR9 when it first came out, and now it is just "ok", but that it's NOT the same as the trigger on the SR9c (which they say is fantastic for a factory trigger).

 

[Phlach]

Congratulations to you both on the LTC's.. I recommend shooting the gun you are thinking about buying before you purchase it. You will hear everyone under the sun giving you their opinion on why you should or shouldn't buy a certain gun, but at the end of the day the only opinion that matters is your own. Buy what YOU like, and what YOU are going to be comfortable shooting..

Sounds like good advice. I hear Mancheter Firing Line is a good place to test guns out (large selection of rentals), but I also heard it can be difficult (couple hour wait) to get a lane there for non members?

 

[whatluck]

Great choices. I will point out that the SCM556 isn't really an ar-15, it's closer to an ak-47. Not a bad weapon though.

 

[sweed]

Sounds like good advice. I hear Mancheter Firing Line is a good place to test guns out (large selection of rentals), but I also heard it can be difficult (couple hour wait) to get a lane there for non members?

The couple times I went to MFL, we rented our guns, bought the ammo and were all set to go shoot. These were all on Saturdays as well.

 

[Phlach]

Great choices. I will point out that the SCM556 isn't really an ar-15, it's closer to an ak-47. Not a bad weapon though.

Doh! See, my "noob" is showing. Thanks for pointing that out. Regardless of the style I buy, one thing I want to make sure ahead of time is that pre-ban mags will be available. Do you know if this is the case with the SCM556? Would I have better luck aquiring pre-ban mags by going with a more tradition AR-15 type weapon?

 

[flintoid]

Doh! See, my "noob" is showing. Thanks for pointing that out. Regardless of the style I buy, one thing I want to make sure ahead of time is that pre-ban mags will be available. Do you know if this is the case with the SCM556? Would I have better luck aquiring pre-ban mags by going with a more tradition AR-15 type weapon?

SCM556 takes AR-15 mags. So it functions like an AK (gas piston), looks like a AR-15, and uses AR-15 mags and ammo.

 

[Phlach]

SCM556 takes AR-15 mags. So it functions like an AK (gas piston), looks like a AR-15, and uses AR-15 mags and ammo.

Ah, I see. Thanks.

 

[Fsorrent]

Four Season is definately not the "largest" gun shop, but definately one of the most popular due to their prices, stock availability and quality of customer service.

 

[howitzer11]

I would suggest a used bushmaster over the sig 556. One thing to consider is that a true AR15 platform has been a standard for a while. Whereas the sig 556 does not have much after market stuff available for it. Buttstocks, grips, foregrips, ...
Also at least on my sig 556 the play between the upper and lower is way too much. Also I believe the upper on the sig is stamped versus forged on the bush.

 

[Billsail]

That's a great list to start with. You've done your homework. Don't forget all the fun you can have with a shotgun and a .22 rifle. Then you'll be broke!

 

[Phlach]

That's a great list to start with. You've done your homework. Don't forget all the fun you can have with a shotgun and a .22 rifle. Then you'll be broke!

Thanks. I'd really like to get a revolver on the list too. *Sigh* Why couldn't I discover my love of guns BEFORE I got married! Lol

 

[reveille]

For a rifle I would reccomend a spikes tactical compleat AR15 rifle. for $799 you cant go wrong. very good quality for cheap money. But I orderd mine on febuary 21 and still havent seen it yet. The wait time was 4-6 weeks, now tomorrow its been 2 months. Im not mad yet. if I dont recieve shipping info in 2 weeks then ima get madd.

 

[MisterHappy]

From someone that's not a noob.....Try before you buy is essential!

Today I shot a Glock for the first time (My 12 yo had used one before -we have generous Club members ) and a Beretta(?) carbine.

Hated both of them. Nothing about the guns per se, but they didn't "fit". They were usable, and I was able to stay on the paper, but they're not be my first choice....

I did the shooting at Manchester Firing Line (first visit, hell of a nice place!) and were I going to be plunking down coin on a toy, a pay-to-shoot place, or a friend with what you're looking for is a must.

 

[ScottC]

Definitely shoot before you buy! Having said that, Manchester Firing Line is great, but American Firearms School in Attleboro, MA is much much cheaper (pistol rentals are almost half-price compared to MFL). Both times that I've gone I found that they had a better selection of rentals too, but that could depend on the day and how busy. Just check the site for range closing before you go.

 

[bhmax16]

If you have any questions on the Sig 556 shoot me a PM...I have one and I really like it.

As for me...I'm a bit biased since I'm not an AR15 guy. In general a good AR will be a bit more accurate than the Sig, but for the purposes they were both built for the difference is negligible. With that said...using my hand loads...I've shot 3/4 MOA with my Sig. Like another member stated there aren't many "tacticool" accessories available specifically for the Sig, but aftermarket rails are available and any picatinny mountable accessories can be used on the Sig. It's operating system IMO is more robust than an AR's and it has a nicer trigger. However, ARs are much lighter and easier to maneuver more quickly than the Sig. All comes down to what you want and what qualities are most important to you in a weapon (which you will only learn as your experience grows).

 

[fencer]

Thanks. I'd really like to get a revolver on the list too. *Sigh* Why couldn't I discover my love of guns BEFORE I got married! Lol

LOL !! Congrats and welcome to the forever broke club.

Your post is so familiar cause it sounds like one of my first posts. I picked up my LTC on a Friday before Halloween and was at FS at 9:00 am the next morning. I left with a Sig 226 and a Smith and Wesson 686 -4" barell. I still love em both.

I picked up a Sig 556 a few months later in Group Buy from American Weapons Systems (great folks), and love it too. Along the way there have been many additions and none I regret but my most recent favorite is my Sig 1911.

 

[gunclinger]

Nice list phlach. I just got my LTC-A a week back and have started my purchasing. The waiting period does lend itself to research and plenty of window shopping.

I love ARs and AKs, but decided to jump first at an M&P 15-22 (also looked at Ruger SR22 and similar Sig and Mossberg models). Cost of rifle is a third to a half that of a full 5.56 platform, and difference for 22lr ammo isn't even close. This means plenty of rifle shooting practice, and for me it's been 15-20 years since I've done it. And still fun messing with accessories. You don't get the same bang...

We are also in MA, and the thought of an expensive-but-neutered AR (unless you go preban) doesn't feel so good.

 

[Roymond]

As others have said, Four Seasons is not the largest Gun Store in Massachusetts, but it is one of the best. It's actually one of the smaller (in relative size) gun stores I've been to. I think the only one that is smaller is Guns and Gear in Agawam.

I'm going to assume that you're in Eastern MA, (which is why you said Manchester and Four Seasons as opposed to AFS or Hoffman's in CT (which is probably the closest in Western, MA that has more than just Smith & Wesson), but if you are willing, definitely check out some gun shows. There is commonly one in West Springfield where the Big E is and then there is on in Marlborough too. Don't know the dates on the next couple

 

[Keystone]

Assuming the ruger MkIII fits in your hand, it's a great gun. I've got a bull barrel target model, and don't regret the purchase. For your carry piece, most definitely try out a gun before you buy it. The Rugers are fairly popular, as are S&W M&Ps, Glocks, the Walther PPS, etc.

FS is a pretty small store, though some (Tite Group in Northborough) make it seem huge. Carl manages to pack them in. I'm fond of Blue Northern, in Ayer, they are really close to me and are good guys, and they tend to be not quite so insanely packed on weekends.

There's a Green shoot up in NH in the middle of June, head on up there and you can shoot any of a billion different guns that show up.

 

[je25ff]

3. Sig Sauer SCM 556 (Fired an AR-15 (not sure of the manufacturer) .223 in the firearm class that I took. Fell absolutely in love with the AR-15's. The price on the sig looked good in comparison.)

I'm not exactly a veteran around here, but I would suggest going for an AR-15 instead of the Sig. You can probably find an AR for less money and easier to find extras/parts for.

 

[daveyburt]

my first purchase involved a Ruger 22/45 SS long fluted barrel. it's a great cheap shooter and only takes a couple/three times to get the disassembly down.

 

[Phlach]

Thanks all for the recent flurry of posts. I've appreciated all the feedback and great advice. For the AR-15 I'm now leaning towards the Stag Arms Model 3, but I'm going to hold off on that purchase until I've had a chance to try a few out. Any thoughts on the Stag appreciated.

 

[Blitz1]

Thanks all for the recent flurry of posts. I've appreciated all the feedback and great advice. For the AR-15 I'm now leaning towards the Stag Arms Model 3, but I'm going to hold off on that purchase until I've had a chance to try a few out. Any thoughts on the Stag appreciated.

If You're at the shoot in June I will let you try out my Sig 556.

 

[Phlach]

If You're at the shoot in June I will let you try out my Sig 556.

That's right around when I should be getting my LTC. Probably going to be close. Looking forward to attending the green shoots.