I feel weird about this, but I've run it past a gunnie whose opinion I respect (and who holds a high standing in the gunnie community) and he says it's okay. So here we go...
My birthday is March 11, and I really want to buy a pistol. It may be a surprise to some of you folks, but I don't own a concealed carry weapon (mostly because I don't want to advertise that fact.)*
What I really want to own is Glock, because my Kel-Tec carbine uses the exact same magazines and ammunition, and having interchangeable magazines is a big deal to me.
But here's the thing: pistols are expensive, and I am a poor freelance writer. I can't afford $500 for... well, for anything, really. And if I want to carry legally in Florida, I have to take classes and then get a license, which is another $200 on top of that.
A friend of mine suggested I ask the gunnie community if they'd be interested in donating money to help me buy a pistol. I wasn't sure that was a good idea, because it seemed too much like begging. But I asked around, and got a positive reaction to it. I guess it's true that gunnies are in favor of people owning pistols and will help contribute to that!
So here's my request: If you are interested in helping the Bratty Little Sister of the Gunblog Community purchase a Glock for concealed carry, then please donate using the PayPal button to the right of this column. All funds sent in this manner will be used towards buying a pistol.
Ideally, I would like a Glock 19, but I'm not especially picky and will take either a 17 or a 26 if my choices are limited, or I can find one for cheap. If any of my readers have one of these models that they are willing to sell for less than the current retail price of "an arm and a leg", then please contact me.
If, by some miracle, I manage to get more than I need to purchase a Glock, I will use the rest towards acquiring a concealed carry permit. Anything after that will be magazines, ammunition, a holster, etc.
If you're interested in helping, but don't know how much to give: I have been informed that a good barometer for this sort of thing is "a box of ammunition." The current price for a 50-round box of 9mm JHP is about $10 American.
If you do decide to donate, let me know if you wish to do so publicly or anonymously. Public donors will receive a Thank You from me on this blog when I am finally able to purchase my sidearm.
In conclusion: Please help your little sister get a gun so she'll be safe in certain parts of town. Thank you.
* Sure, I own a Ruger Bearcat, but that's a single-action .22 revolver -- not really suitable for concealed carry or for self-defense.
If you don't mind buying used, check out CDNN (CDNNinvestments-dot-com); they'll frequently have police trade-in Glocks for sale at less than $400; even including whatever your local FFL will charge you for processing the paperwork you'll still be coming out way ahead.
ReplyDeleteThey also (currently) have some pretty good deals on ammo and they'r great on shipping.
You should budget for some good firearms/defensive training as well. It's very important.
ReplyDeleteA little something is on the way and what TJ said!
ReplyDeleteIt is very difficult to ask for help. I am not good at it myself, but I am glad you did. I wil feel much better knowing you have a good quality pistol to carry and of course what TJ and Keads said...get some training:)
ReplyDeleteWith the exception of the Kel-Tec (which technically isn't mine because I didn't buy it), all of my guns are used. They don't have to be pristine; they just have to work. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info!
There's what I know I should do, and what I can afford to do. Right now I can't afford it.
ReplyDeleteconsider getting something with a more active safety. Glocks only have
ReplyDeletethe "if you dont pull the trigger it doesnt fire, if you do it does" which is still to me conceivable in
an unintentional firing scenario.
Supah!!!
ReplyDeleteI have the G36 and really want a G19 myself because it's close to the same physical size and lots cheaper to feed. Payday's on Friday, I'll kick in a few bucks then.
The good thing about the Glock is that it fires when you want it to (and doesn't when you don't). It just works. +1 on the training, hopefully you will get enough to cover a good course of instruction...but the first rule of gunfights is to have a gun.
I use a Galco Tuck N' Go holster but would really like to try out the Crossbreed Supertuck. With that being said, the first holster I used was a cheapie Uncle Mikes, it was less than ten bucks and it worked and that's what is important. You're going to end up with a box full of holsters you've tried and replaced anyway. You're welcome to the Uncle Mikes if you want it.
Bye the bye, I've tagged you with a Liebster.
http://lastrefugeofascoundrel.blogspot.com/2012/02/third-times-charmer.html
Larry brought up holsters, which is a good point. Remora might work, and there are other options that are inexpensive while being quality.
ReplyDeleteCommon magazines and ammunition is very helpful expense-wise.
Don't forget that if you end up with a .40 police trade-in, you can always drop in a 9mm conversion barrel as finances allow...
ReplyDeleteGood luck, lady.
+1 here on buying a good quality holster. Uncle Mike's $10 specials may look appealing if you're on a budget, but ove rthe course of ao couple of years you'll be spending more on replacing that cheap holster (it wore out, wasn't comfortable, wouldn't retain the gun, et cetera ad anuseum) then you would if you bought one quality holster once.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get your gun, give me a shout. I can help you out on a holster.
ReplyDeletePassed info on this to my favorite holster maker...
ReplyDeleteGlocks are very large and blocky. I had a Glock 26 for carry, but never could comfortably. 19's are even bigger but they shoot nice and feel good in your hand. But still difficult to carry. What I found is I wouldn't carry because of the difficulty. I now have a LCP that I carry in my pocket most of the time. Very easy very concealable, but still not my most desirable gun to shoot. I've not got a Sig P238 WONDERFUL GUN shoots nice carries easy. If I were to do it again I'd go right for the Sig. Unfortunately, I didn't know that until I tried them.
ReplyDeleteErin, Glock 19 is an excellent choice for concealed carry, that's what I recommend to my students. I gave you a donation, you can use my name, and once you get your pistol, I will give you a 4 Day Defensive Handgun certificate to use at Front Sight Nevada to learn how to deploy it.
ReplyDeleteJames
Erin, dunno where at in the Sunshine state you are, but I'm in Tampa. If you're nearby, I wholeheartedly suggest dropping me a note and I'll let you shoot the M&P. They are comparable in price and are damned fine weapons themselves.
ReplyDeleteYou're more than welcome to shoot my Glock, but it's a 20 ;)
I'm both a Glock and an M&P guy, and I love the way the M&P feels in my hands better than the Glocks. It's not a one-size-fits-all thing, and there's *NOTHING* wrong with Glocks. They go bang every time you pull the trigger.
Can I get pony decorations on it? ;D
ReplyDeleteThanks James! However, I live in Florida... kinda the opposite of Nevada. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm in Daytona. Opposite coast, about 3-4 hours drive away if traffic cooperates.
ReplyDeleteLet me save you $100, take the Hunter Safety Course. It's usually free and qualifies as Training according to the application.
ReplyDeleteI want to agree with you, but revolvers kind of work the same way.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend the Glock 26 instead of the 19, it is referred to as the baby glock, but is very concealable, and with a cheap conversion kit, you can use glock 19 magazines in it. I have no problem carrying 10 rounds, with 15 round backups. To use glock 19 magazines you buy a cheap piece of rubber/plastic that gives you the full grip over the 15 round magazine. But the real fun happens when you get a glock 18 magazine, 33 rounds of shooting pleasure. If you were in Missouri, i could hook you up with an FFL dealer i know, who gave me a great deal on my glock 26. Also i recommend the fobus holster.
ReplyDeleteTo get a cheap Glock - Join the GSSF $35 - Congrats you now qualify to purchase a glock at the LE/Mil pricing $398/ for any regular frame model $458ish for the 10mm and .45 I'm pretty sure you're limited to 1/year, but you also get a third magazine with the gun. Those prices are also good for either the Gen 3 or Gen 4 guns. Also I'll contribute to your endeavor Best of luck from someone who is new to the blogging.
ReplyDeletehttp://the-ooda-loop.com
Heh. There are certainly possibilities.
ReplyDeleteYou betcha. What do you want? A lightning bolt?
ReplyDeleteUh... I'd have to think about it. This is happening way faster than I expected! I'll get back to you on it, for sure.
ReplyDeleteClink. Clink.
ReplyDeleteWow! Yeah, I'm torn between the 19 and 26, and vacillate between the two. Ideally, I need to shoot both of them to determine which fits my hand better.
ReplyDeleteOh noes! I've been put into the clink! :D
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't post a comment last night (probably a work computer issue). I sent you an email. Is the contribute to the campaign button working again? Best of luck with this.
Vinosaur
Good luck! I'd try to help out but I'm working on buying my own soon.
ReplyDeleteDonation inbound.
ReplyDeleteErin, I'm about an hour from you (a town 25 min north of Orlando). I don't have Glocks, but if you're interested in trying Sigs (239 or 229), a Bodyguard 380 (smaller caliber but HIGHLY concealable), or some M&P compacts, I'd be happy to take you shooting. Drop me an email sometime if you're interested.
ReplyDeleteHi Erin! If your goal is really to CCW, I would just like you to make sure you try the gun you are going to be carrying as a concealed weapon has such for a couple weeks before you buy it. If possible, please have someone lend it to you. As others have posted on your blog, the Glock is a bulky weapon. I have nothing against them and they are excellent firearms. However, if you don't have your gun on you because it's inconvenient or uncomfortable to carry, it will be useless. I would suggest at least looking at something like the Kel-Tec PF-9 or the Kahr CM9 and see how you feel about a platform that may be more comfortable to carry more often.
ReplyDeleteWhile magazine compatibility with your carbine would be great, please understand that it is much more important that you have a firearm that meets your intended role for it.
Given the gunnie who has picked up your cause, I have no doubt that you'll be able to afford a quality firearm and training!
Okay, I'm ignorant. How do I try a weapon for a few weeks without actually buying it? I don't have anyone in the area who knows me well enough to lend me a pistol, and since I don't have my concealed carry permit I couldn't carry one around to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I'm failing to understand something important.
It's easier to adapt the 26 to your grip, than the 19, if the 19 is too big you can't make it smaller, while the 26 can be made bigger very easily. I usually shoot my 26 with my pinky under the magazine. If your hands are small, the 26 may fit better. but it is a good idea to shoot both before making a decision. If possible try to shoot a 26 with a 15 round magazine and the adapter.
ReplyDeleteI rented several guns from a local range to try them out before buying. I didn't get to take them home with me of course, but I was able to try a holster loaned from a very generous gentleman on the next lane and also things such as pocket carry and such. I would suggest that even if you can't afford range fees and a rental, go to the store and handle as many guns as they have patience for as often as they'll let you so you can try to get a handle on what will work for you. You might want to spread the love out a bit so you don't wear out their patience. Once you've settled on what feels good to you, do fire it before you buy one. If your local range doesn't have one, call around, it's worth a trip further afield to try it than it is to wind up with a gun you don't like and hate to use.
ReplyDeleteCheck out gunbroker.com. They have a list of FFL's in YOUR neighborhood that will do transfers. Also, Glocks are nice, I have 2. Before you get a Glock, Check out the Ruger LC9. Brand new, $350 thinner and lighter than the Glock. And the main thing about concealed carry is to CARRY!
ReplyDeleteUnless you know someone with one, you probably can't. I wish you were closer, I'd let you try the G19 for a while. What I generally recommend is to go to a range that rents and handle the ones you're interested in and shoot them. You can get a feel for the actual size and recoil. I carry a Glock 23 and my wife has a 19. They are basically the same size. They are a bit thick, so you have to be dedicated and plan a lifestyle change to carry one regularly.
ReplyDeleteI threw a few in. Hopefully, you get enough for the gun and a good holster. Don't forget a good holster. It makes all of the difference in the world. Oh, and a good gun belt. It keeps the holster from flopping too much. See how it starts to add up? Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHah. Magical.
ReplyDeleteThough for a holster a big question is carry location and style.
And of course don't be too worried if you find a holster that fits better. Having a "holster box" is a part of carrying.
So there's something to be said for waiting off on the personalized holster until you find what position and style works really well.
A lot of gun shops will let you try holsters and that could help you narrow down when it comes time.
I'm posting this to my blog (MeinYiddishebloyger.blogspot.com).
ReplyDeleteTraining is expensive, but there is a fairly inexpensive alternative. Join your local IDPA, and start shooting in matches. Aside from ammo, matches usually cost between $15-$20. It will do wonders for your confidence and ability to handle the weapon in realistic move-and-shoot scenarios. Aside from the fact that they are a heck of a lot of fun.
You can't. I was hoping maybe you did. As an alternative to carrying without a permit, you could just carry inside your residence when you are at home with a CCW rig and that will give you a good idea.
ReplyDeleteWhite box 100 round .45 ACP runs about $36 at the local wally world. I'll split the difference.
ReplyDeleteI have a personal (purely emotional) bias against Glocks. (I think there ugly if for no other reason). I do, however, pledge to contribute to your CCW training. Please let us (me) know when you have purchased your firearm, so we (I) can donate without compromising our (my) prejudice(s).
ReplyDeleteNot to detract from Erin, but norther or southern NV?
ReplyDeleteThe gun has been successfully funded. Anything more goes towards training, ammo, and bureaucratic permits.
ReplyDeleteGlad to drop dime in the jar. But try to stay out of those parts of town, if you can. :)
ReplyDeleteHere's a box of ammo.Good luck & shoot straight .
ReplyDeleteErin, I was directed to your page from a link on Oleg Volk's site. I'm the owner of Omega Firearms Training in Leesburg. Give me a call... you'r training is on me. (352) 460-0797 - Ted
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your fundage has been successful!
ReplyDeleteClink, Clink ... That's for brighteneing my day a few weeks back with your "backchannel you baby" comment. I still laff when i think of it ;-)
best o' luck to ya, johnnyreb™