Six Tips for (Shooter)Tots, a.k.a Buying a Gun for a Newbie

One knowledgeable gun salesman who writes for a respected self-defense blog suggests that buying a personal carry weapon is a lot like buying shoes: the decision criteria are very...personal. You need to know which size, color, brand and style trips your trigger. You'll also need to know what kind activity you'll be engaging in when using said aforementioned shoes. Six-inch stilettos aren't going to cut it for your daily morning jog. And what kind of clothes/accessories are you going to wear with your shoes? Unless you work in Hollywood, those Smashing Pumpkin-orange Puma Clydes are going to look a little conspicuous when matched with a Hugo Boss suit.

The reason we buy our own shoes? The decision matrix is extremely individualistic. So, it would seem kind of foolish to ask someone else to buy your shoes for you, right?

Now let's put the shoe squarely on the other foot. You're an experienced shooter. Maybe you were a LEO or maybe you were a contestant on TopShot or maybe you just watch a lot of vintage Dirty Harry movies.  Naturally, when a gun newbie like your girlfriend or your Uncle Gary becomes interested in purchasing their first handgun, they shoot a path to your door. First, let's assume you really are a responsible, experienced firearm user with wagonloads of experience. What do you do when someone comes and asks you to buy a gun shoes for them? (For the purposes of this article, pretending you didn't get their text is NOT an option.)

Well, here at DeSantis we know many of our customers, precisely because they are responsible firearms users and experienced concealed carry wearers, often get pulled into this exact predicament. Problem is, you are such a pro, that it's probably been a long time since you've thought about considerations unique to the first time user. So here's a few suggestions on how to handle this delicate request from a relative or just a relatively annoying acquaintance:

1. What size are they: petite female or large green ogre? Let's face it, in almost every context, size matters. If the gun feels too heavy or too clumsy, a new shooter will not be able to aim it well. Same effect if it is too light. In fact, if the gun doesn't fit their hand like a glove, it may end up in the hatbox at the top of the closet, never to be used again. Easily adjustable sights are also a must for any selected weapon and experts recommend at a 4" to 6" barrel for new shooters.

2. What's your sport, Sport? Is your Uncle getting a weapon for home defense or is he planning on plugging water buffalo in Nambia? A .22 isn't much good at slowing a charging grizzly, but a Springfield XD 45 would probably stop Smokey. By the same token, hand guns for home defense are already more challenging to aim and shoot when compared with a rifle or shotgun which can be steadied with extra arm and shoulder.  You don't need to up the aim ante with a heavy gun that makes a new shooter’s tendons ache.

3. One word: recoil. This comes into play most when discussing gun weight. Who strolls into a store and asks, "Yes, I'd like a cumbersome, antiquated, heavy weapon, please". No.  Most new shooters want to purchase a gun that reminds them of their iPhone: light, portable and simple to use. That's great, you'll no doubt tell them, except for one problem: recoil. Your girlfriend wants to kicks some ass, but that cute “pop” gun she wants is most likely going to kick hers like a bronco at a rodeo show. If you want her to stay in the saddle, it's best to find a compromise with respect to size and weight. Ditto for ammo. You already know this, but you'll have to explain to your Uncle that, the higher those little numbers behind the "period" the more recoil you're going to get. That's why many gun pros recommend .22 ammo for newbie shooters. It has the least "bite". Hit the target first and leave stopping power to James Bond.

4. Double your action. You might find it amusing to manually cock back the hammer on your pistol like an exclamation point in an action movie, but that's probably a challenge new shooters are NOT looking forward to. They've got enough on their pie plate with holding a steady aim and not shooting themselves in the foot (literally). So be a prince and steer your maiden toward the DA (double action) section of the shop with pistols like the Ruger LC9, for example.  It's safer for her (and probably you too.)

5. Laces or Velcro? Whichever gun you help your friend choose, make sure you include trigger adjustment from a good gunsmith as part of the deal. For inexperienced shooters, pros are going to recommend a pull in the range of 2-3 lbs for predictable and easy action. No hair triggers for newbies, please.

6. You know how you to tie your shoes, but can you dance in them? The second most important choice you'll help Uncle Gary make is who his handgun instructor will be. In other words, don't give him a choice. Make proper post-purchase instruction part of the deal for helping him pick a pistola. This may seem like a no-brainer - and it will be officially sans cerebellum if you don't direct your loved one to the nearest gun class. Do it.

So there you have it. A gentle pistol purchase manual for your nephew Nathaniel.  Now you’re all set to hone in on the range. Of course, you might want to consider a bullet-proof vest for that first target shooting trip with your new protégé. Let’s be safe out there.