Gun Safety, what to purchase, how to get training?

I personally cannot stand Blazer. High muzzle flash, ridiculously dirty, and brass even transfers off the shell casings and onto the slide from handling turning my black firearm some weird shade of bronze on handling points.

Ammo cycling is important to check, but is easily discoverable spending time at the range. My .380 does not like snub nose, which causes regular jams. I specifically seek out round nose to have reliable ammo feed and prevent jams.

 

Lots of good level headed info here , a summary if I may, and add some thoughts of my own.

A modern, high capacity style semi auto pistol seems to be the consensus
Since you are in california magazines are restricted to 10 rounds, something to consider
Try out different models/manufacturers to find one that fits your hand
Keep in mind that external safeties will add an extra layer of training
Get said training, it will be fun and will make you comfortable handling a firearm safely
9mm is a great all pupose round, but a .380 may be easier to cycle and will have lower recoil (is this true?)
I have personal experience that a 9mm with moden ammo is effective against CA black bears, a concern of yours. Others may argue that it is not.
Shot placement trumps caliber generally.
Practice with the cheap stuff but keep your gun loaded with the modern high quality self defense rounds after determining that your firearms feeds/ejects them reliably.

 

.380 will definitely be less recoil that 9mm, but has less force behind it. There are lots of opinions about caliber, 9mm is generally well regarded.
The comment about pistols with an external hammer cycling easier is not really true. It depends on the stiffness of the recoil spring. My 9mm glocks are easier to cycle than my .45ACP 1911, but the 1911 has an external hammer.

 

Also, unless stated with credentials, we're all just enthusiasts with varying levels of experience.

Talk to an instructor. Use that list of shops with ranges.

 

On second thought it may actually be PMC. It isn't something I ever buy by choice except when I'm out of ammo at the range and the range counter just carries cheap ammo. Generally my go to is made in the USA Winchester.

 

PMC and blazer are relatively dirty. Winchester ammunition has not been very reliable for me. Had a few cases tear on me. As in, the brass tore away from the bullet. Won't use it.

 

Regardless of what ammo used burnt gun powder does happen. Part of ownership for those that regularly shoot. After firing a rifle, shotgun, pistol tear down, clean it, and oil it properly. Then I wipe down fingerprints with a lightly oiled rag, to keep rust off my cheap blued guns.

 

I'm right there with you on that one as I wanna know what to expect when I pull the trigger....

 

I'm referring specifically to hand gun ammo, but yes white boxed Winchester in 9mm and .45. The Winchester .380 is a snub nose round so I can't use it. I'll be at the range this afternoon and double check what ammo it was that had that brass transfer issue.

 

I get high muzzle flash with the 115 but when I shoot the 123 there is very little. I notice that its very dirty but I dont mind, just another 5 minutes of cleaning per firearm after use. I used PMC for a while but now I just go for whats cheap and brass.

 

Thank you. I am looking forward to going tomorrow. Took a day off work, just so I can spend the day at the range.

 

Those of us who regularly shoot don't have time or desire to clean after every time we shoot. It's absolutely not necessary either. Unless you are using some questionable surplus ammo, corrosive primers stopped being used a long time ago. I shoot until the gun tells me it needs cleaned or once a year, whichever is sooner. 22lr pistols should handle 1000 rounds with no problem. Clean when they don't function 100%. Centerfire pistols should easily go 500 rounds between needing cleaned. Most rifles should be cleaned when accuracy is affected. Shotguns cleaned whenever you feel guilty enough to clean them.

 

You're supposed to clean your semi auto handguns!?! My Glock haven't seen oil and a brush for some time... I thought you just spit on them??

 

I strongly disagree with this. I believe a firearm should be cleaned and lubed after every use or every 6 months if you are not using it. The LAST thing you want to happen is a failure when you really need your firearm.

CCW weapons should be cleaned every 3 months and ammo cycled through every 3 as well.

A quick clean per firearm should only take 10 minutes. A thorough cleaning no more than 20 minutes.

I clean both my Glocks, and my AR 15 all at the same time in 30 minutes. They are not spotless but they are clean and lubed after every use. I may not clean them right when I get home but either that weekend or the following week they are stripped down and cleaned.

 

Well, I shoot every week, so I don't worry about a gun sitting for 3 or more months. It's your gun and your time, so knock yourself out. It's just not needed. You ever got a gun dirty enough to stop working? takes a lot of doing, unless it's a piece of crap to begin with.

 

To each their own.

I am well aware my AR is built to be dragged through the mud, sandstorm and still fire. I am not one to leave it to chance though when I really need my firearm for it to fail on me when it could have been avoided with 10 minutes of cleaning.