Question Legal New to the gun world, seeking advice, and getting the stupid questions out of the way.

[notons]

Police Science Institute in Fresno has a range/shop next door that sells New Gen 3 G19s and G17s and are open to the public. They sell used guns but its not too extensive. You can also rent some of the same guns they sell so you can work out what you want. PSI also offers CCW class. Can't gurantee they're cheapest in town but I've found the range/gun shop staff patient and nice to chat with.
https://policescience.com/guns-available/
There's also a 5.11 Store on the other side and a Costco across the street so you can gun up, gear up, and buy some bulk meat or a smoker.

I leave just outside of Fresno, idk, I’ve never thought putting your exact location on the internet was a good idea, but good god. If my woman can hit every bookstore, Target, and craft store in town in one day, I might have to get some payback with the gun store, 5.11, Costco combo. She’s not ready.

 

[notons]

I’Id keep it simple. Just get a 19, new or used. It will be more comfortable while carrying.

If not for carry, get a 17 or a 34.

Appreciate the advice! I’ll have to shoot a 19, I’ve only shot a 17, but I’ve been told the 19 and 17 are near identical.

 

[DuckDawg22]

A used gun on consignment at a dealer is still going to be subject to sales and sin tax. Keep trolling the classifieds here and a Glock will pop up under your number. Especially with the new roster additions rolling out in the next few months (Caniks, PDP, Echelon even?). I've thinned my Glock roster down to just a 17 and 21 and replaced the rest with Sigs and Hellcats. My 19 and 26 were sold for under $500, so just be patient, keep saving, and be ready to act fast when the right gun pops up.

 

[notons]

A used gun on consignment at a dealer is still going to be subject to sales and sin tax. Keep trolling the classifieds here and a Glock will pop up under your number. Especially with the new roster additions rolling out in the next few months (Caniks, PDP, Echelon even?). I've thinned my Glock roster down to just a 17 and 21 and replaced the rest with Sigs and Hellcats. My 19 and 26 were sold for under $500, so just be patient, keep saving, and be ready to act fast when the right gun pops up.

Ive got $450 ready to go. Also, is the gun community trust worthy? I worry coming from cars, alot of people will claim something is mint, you do your own research and look for yourself, and its a pile of . Is there anything I should check for when buying?

 

[.dC0m]

Ive got $450 ready to go. Also, is the gun community trust worthy? I worry coming from cars, alot of people will claim something is mint, you do your own research and look for yourself, and its a pile of . Is there anything I should check for when buying?

Much like the car community - you have to weed out the scammers. Find a good FFL that can break down the firearm and analyze the parts for you. Unlike cars, there's no odometer or check engine lights to pull codes. On that same note, firearms are much simpler - parts are prone to fail over time/use but majority of the time (especially for Glocks), they're readily available and cheap to replace.

I will say, in all of my private party transfers transactions (probably 50+) all of them have been pleasant. Majority of firearm owners care for the community, but that's not to say there' some bad apples out there. Just apply common sense and if something feels off, trust your gut.

 

[notons]

Much like the car community - you have to weed out the scammers. Find a good FFL that can break down the firearm and analyze the parts for you. Unlike cars, there's no odometer or check engine lights to pull codes. On that same note, firearms are much simpler - parts are prone to fail over time/use but majority of the time (especially for Glocks), they're readily available and cheap to replace.

I will say, in all of my private party transfers transactions (probably 50+) all of them have been pleasant. Majority of firearm owners care for the community, but that's not to say there' some bad apples out there. Just apply common sense and if something feels off, trust your gut.

Will do. I had another member of CAG message me offering to sell an S&W M&P9c 1st gen. I looked up its dimensions and it looks promising. Im a massive fan of S&W, specifically older, full size models which according my research, aren't actually obtainable in CA.

 

[Librarian]

I leave just outside of Fresno, idk, I’ve never thought putting your exact location on the internet was a good idea, but good god.

A whole bunch of gun things in CA vary by county, so revealing that much can draw specific info.

 

[notons]

A whole bunch of gun things in CA vary by county, so revealing that much can draw specific info.

Im specifically in Madera county.

 

[DuckDawg22]

Ive got $450 ready to go. Also, is the gun community trust worthy? I worry coming from cars, alot of people will claim something is mint, you do your own research and look for yourself, and its a pile of . Is there anything I should check for when buying?

You can usually tell just by looking at pictures how much a gun has been fired. I've never had an FFL that has been willing to look through a PPT gun that they're going to make $10 on a DROS on. In reality, there's only so much you can really inspect during a PPT. Most FFL's don't really want you breaking a gun down in their shop, so you usually will do the inspection out in the parking lot and then go inside to do the paperwork. You can take the slide down, look at the barrel, and check for shiny areas that would indicate excessive wear, but that's about it. I think the fact that the transaction must be done at an FFL weeds a lot of sketchy people out, but at the end of the day it's a Glock and if there a part that needs to be replaced, it's easy to do. They're very easy to break down and work on, and if you're a car guy I'm assuming you're at least mildly handy with tools. Youtube is your friend.

 

[CZsguns]

How’s it ladies and gents. I’ve shot with friends and family for some time, and I’ve decided to buy my own. I’m sold on a handgun, 9mm is my preference, I’m 6’3 260 and would like to CC in the future. Im set on the Glock 17/19 or Sig P320/365 and my budget is $500 even (including the cost of an FSC). Now for the stupid questions, is my budget reasonable? If I become an sig owner, should I also invest in a life insurance policy? And according to multiple sources, we can’t buy a Glock 17/19 gen4/5? What’s the deal with that? Rip me a new one, just don’t tell me to google that , too many sources pointing in too many directions, and I’d like to hear first hand from owners. Thank you for your time.

Edit: just saw you posted Madera/Fresno.

I am unable to address the life insurance question, but here is my experience on the others.

- You did not mention where you live, I can say that in the Bay Area Cali a Glock 17 would run you between $529-$599 before tax and fees. In Socal, members have posted deals at places like Riflegear from time to time where you can pick one up for <$500 pretax & fees on sale. So you may have to step up your budget if you want to go new. Used 3rd gen Glocks tend to be less than $500 so the budget is doable if buying used. New and used P320/P365, even the rostered versions, would be out of budget. Based on the description you provided for yourself, I would recommend the Glock 17. You will make even this gun look small.
-Gen4 Glocks are off roster but make some of the best second hand deals in the marketplace. If you scour, you may find one in the $700-$750 range. Many have low round counts. It is not a bad premium to pay for better grip texture, adjustable backstrap, better recoil spring and reversible mag release (if you are left handed). Gen5 Glocks are still unobtanium in CA. Still huge mark ups in marketplace due to being the latest iteration of Glock. Due to these reasons, I own a few Gen4 Glocks myself.

 

[notons]

Edit: just saw you posted Madera/Fresno.

I am unable to address the life insurance question, but here is my experience on the others.

- You did not mention where you live, I can say that in the Bay Area Cali a Glock 17 would run you between $529-$599 before tax and fees. In Socal, members have posted deals at places like Riflegear from time to time where you can pick one up for <$500 pretax & fees on sale. So you may have to step up your budget if you want to go new. Used 3rd gen Glocks tend to be less than $500 so the budget is doable if buying used. New and used P320/P365, even the rostered versions, would be out of budget. Based on the description you provided for yourself, I would recommend the Glock 17. You will make even this gun look small.
-Gen4 Glocks are off roster but make some of the best second hand deals in the marketplace. If you scour, you may find one in the $700-$750 range. Many have low round counts. It is not a bad premium to pay for better grip texture, adjustable backstrap, better recoil spring and reversible mag release (if you are left handed). Gen5 Glocks are still unobtanium in CA. Still huge mark ups in marketplace due to being the latest iteration of Glock. Due to these reasons, I own a few Gen4 Glocks myself.

Appreciate the wisdom, and yea at first I was hesitant to share my location, but I quickly came to realize this is a pretty trust worthy bunch. My goals right now is to buy a gun, and throw rounds through it, get comfortable behind/around/carrying a firearm in my day to day life, and learning maintenance procedures.

 

[SDDAVE56]

How’s it ladies and gents. I’ve shot with friends and family for some time, and I’ve decided to buy my own. I’m sold on a handgun, 9mm is my preference, I’m 6’3 260 and would like to CC in the future. Im set on the Glock 17/19 or Sig P320/365 and my budget is $500 even (including the cost of an FSC). Now for the stupid questions, is my budget reasonable? If I become an sig owner, should I also invest in a life insurance policy? And according to multiple sources, we can’t buy a Glock 17/19 gen4/5? What’s the deal with that? Rip me a new one, just don’t tell me to google that , too many sources pointing in too many directions, and I’d like to hear first hand from owners. Thank you for your time.

I would recommend CCW insurance though.

 

[notons]

I would recommend CCW insurance though.

Why am I not surprised something like that exists

 

[Number9]

You’re a legend. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge. I should’ve added I %100 expect to buy used. I was trying to find a PD trade in online, but unfortunately I’ve only found Gen4/5 glocks that way. I’d have to call Sportsman’s to see what the legality on that is. As for the private sales, I can’t afford some of these asking prices. I may need to reconsider my budget.

Aims Surplus would get Glock Gen 3 police trade-ins from time to time but those would sell fast.