quote:

Originally posted by Modern Day Savage:
As usual, SIGforum members come through with solid advice and tips...so I'll try not to duplicate them.

Outstanding decision by you to get your state's carry license, but, even more so, to get training. Getting quality training now, early in your shooting experience, will pay dividends that will last a lifetime. It is far easier to learn how to do something right early on, rather than to have to "unlearn" mistakes that you have practiced to the point of habit and comfort with them. Quality firearms training will teach you how to maximize your training time, both at home and during live-fire range time, and quality training will also show you how to self-assess your own shooting so that even when an instructor isn't standing beside you, you can still determine what is happening with your shots and technique.

Far too many gun owners get wrapped up in the guns and gear, and I do understand that is the sexy fun part...but quality training helps to make you a better and safer shooter, no matter what gun or accessories you decide on. It can also help you to better evaluate which guns and accessories better meet your individual needs.

My advice would be to reserve a portion of your shooting budget for additional quality training and classes, throughout your shooting career.

The previous advice of reading books on the use of guns and defensive force is excellent. Although dated by today's gun tech standards, Ayoob's In the Gravest Extreme is still worth a read, as well as many other books on the subject.

I would also advise going slowly on modifying or accessorizing your gun(s) and gear. Get to know the OEM gun and holster first. Sometimes adding an accessory or customization can interfere with another piece of gear, requiring yet more gear or modifications. Sometimes modifying or customization will yield benefits, but you won't know that until you have had a chance to test the gun and holster first.

I'm reluctant to suggest any individual mfr. or model... especially for new shooters. There are far too many individual needs and purposes and environments to suggest that platform X will work for you just because it works for me. Focus on what works for your individual requirements.

If you haven't done so already, I'd strongly suggest you learn about the various action types, their strengths, their weaknesses, and both their mechanical and functional design characteristics. It may not make much difference to you now, but understanding action types and their characteristics will help you to decide which guns or platforms make the most sense for your individual requirements.

I'm generally reluctant to suggest striker-fired guns to new gun owners. Perhaps, in your case, as you have already taken some training, it may be alright, but as a general rule, it is best reserved for those who have ingrained gun safety into their handling skills as reflexively as breathing.

Consider reading this thread:

Single Action Only vs. Striker-fired

Bill, welcome to the forum!