As the title says, with things getting… spicy, I’m looking to purchase my first firearm.
I haven’t shot a gun since I was a kid, and I live in a deep blue area.
I want to make sure I cross all my T’s in making sure whatever I get is appropriate and practical.
What sort of accessories are typically purchased with a firearm, and how much should I look to spend for something of reasonable quality?
I’m assuming a few things are a given like a safe and extra ammo. What else do you suggest?
And not to beat a horse to death, and of course, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism, but are there brands that can be supported without feeling like my money is going to making problems worse?
Budget enough to avoid buying a HiPoint or other gun with a really lousy trigger. That’s no way to try to learn.
9mm is indeed the sweet spot between power and capacity, if you’re using proper defensive ammo and not ball. 9mm ball can fail to stop attackers even after making a fatal wound and require follow on shots. And considering the unfortunate likelihood of having to go to trial to defend your actions, taking follow on shots to stop an attacker is something a prosecutor WILL use against you. Proper ammunition is essential when you carry. Cheap ball is great for the range, though.
If you’re not concerned about needing all that capacity, though, and I think it’s realistic not to expect drawn out gun battles going down, consider .45 ACP. A proper 9mm round will put someone down, but a .45 slug is like a big rock hurled by a furious sasquatch. It’s gonna kick more, but it’s not hard to manage with a little practice, and whoever decided they wanted to kill you isn’t gonna ever be the same if they make it.
Safes are great, but even a locking case will do for a little while. More important than that, though, I feel is practice. Figure on 150-200 rounds to get a good feel for your gun, and then maybe 5 to 7 hundred rounds a year for maintenance, at a minimum. Handguns are harder to shoot accurately than people realize or tend to talk about in general. It’s easy for people to do enough to get their permit, but if you’re going to be going into the world prepared for a gunfight, you need to actually be fully prepared for a gunfight. Not just skilled enough to put your shots where you want them to go, but also with enough situational awareness to quickly judge what’s behind a target and where and how bystanders are moving around.
That means budgeting for things like taking a tactical handgun course and finding a way to practice more than just hitting a mark on a range. Shooting isn’t the same as shooting and moving.
Also, familiarize yourself with point shooting rather than lining up sights. “Bullseyes don’t shoot back” is a good book on the subject.
There are companies that provide “legal insurance” of a fashion, where you pay a monthly fee and if you end up having to shoot in self defense, you’ll have an attorney pretty much on retainer if you need it. It’s something to consider. If you decide to go for it, read the terms and conditions carefully, you don’t want to buy coverage up to $5000 or something and end up high and dry.
Don’t skimp on ear and eye protection, and have fun!