Bought my first handgun need some advice

Not really. Maybe for concealed carry qualifying but you're in IL so I doubt that's the case. An intro to guns course like NRA Basic Pistol should run $150 or less for 8 hours in a classroom setting that may or may not include range time. Sorry I don't have a contact east of the river but I wouldn't shell out $189 for a basic pistol class unless it included a range membership or something.

 

Also print this target chart out and take it with you. It'll help you out a lot.
http://www.gunlink.info/targets/PistolChartR1St.jpg

 

Ya, it depends on the instructor and range but it does sound a little high.

That's a little over $45/hour. The range has to shut down, or at least reserve "x" number of lanes for the class, and my local range generally gets $20-$30 per lane between the lane and targets and most shooters are only there for 30-45 minutes (add another $25 if they buy a box of range (reload) ammo).

Sounds like the range is just trying to make sure they aren't losing money to the class compared to a normal day.

 

when i was a newb i took a introductory course 3 hrs or so classroom and range, for like $70... well worth the money!

 

Wow that is a good one. Thanks for posting

 

Put down the 9mm and get (borrow?) a 22lr pistol with similar controls and you and she get familiar with that before loading up a 9mm.
Trust me, it's the proper starting point and a good trainer for the rest of your shooting lifetime.

 

I can get a 22LR conversion kit for this pistol or buy a 22 they are pretty cheap. I'm trying to find an NRA class for us to take together. Reading the manual now so I know how to take it apart and clean it etc. I like to know how stuff works inside and out before using it. Guy at the store recommended a brass brush for cleaning instead of the plastic one that came with it. Does that sound right?

 

yep, probably bronze, ...but yeah those are better than the nylon ones... just remember, whenever you run a brush through the bore, never reverse direction of the brush stroke until it's clear of the muzzle... oh, and make sure you run a patch wet w/ solvent or oil through before brushing..

 

as an additional recommendation.. when you go to fire it for the first time only load one round in the magazine. There is a good chance after you fire the first shot you will be distracted by all sorts of thoughts of what you just did, how loud it was, etc. You are better off with an unloaded gun at this point. Load one round at a time until you are sure you don't lose your focus after the shot.

 

yeah i reload myself.

 

Sounds like good advice.

Thanks. It is bronze. Bought a cleaning kit today.
Finished reading the manual that came with the gun a couple times and it did mention pushing the brush all the way through the barrel before reversing direction. I could see the brush getting hung up if you didn't push it out the end. Anybody recommend good books on shooting? Too much junk information on youtube to sort through.

 

Watch videos on gun safety online

Take a class to learn proper handling and shooting

Practice a lot

 

Be safe, treat it as if it was loaded.

Find a basic pistol course, the NRA has good ones. I found mine for a day long course for about 150 I think, but it was for an 8 hour course on an outdoor range. There were other people shooting there as well a little ways down (sideways from me) the range. This was a concealed carry class that I did when my mother did hers (I was 16....can't carry still). I know for a fact that there were one or 2 people there who had never shot before. They were taught with a .22 pistol.

You may want to buy the .22 conversion for the gun to learn with. I learned with .45 LC revolver and that was a mistake, if the pistol kicks too much, you WILL develop a flinch that is hard to break. start by learning with a lighter kick, the 9mm may have a light enough, but I haven't shot one in a while and when I did, it was a compact that kicked pretty good (I thought).

Do you have any friends who have handguns?

They may know a range that they can take you too to teach you, if they know enough, its how I learned, but my friend was an NRA pistol coach and retired marine.


Either way, good luck, be safe, and enjoy it.

 

pics?

 

also http://georgia-arms.com/selectbycaliber-2.aspx


i normally buy blazer brass from walmart for plinking its usually the cheapest locally