Finally purchasing a handgun, tips on how it works and cleaning supplies?

It goes bang!

They will check your background there and walk you out and hand you the case. Just get a handgun cleaning kit, $20. Youre only using it a handful of times.

I shouldn't clean it after every use? I plan on putting a decent amount of rounds through it the first month or so, the best teacher is actually doing ya know?

You will fill out a Form 4473 for the bacground check. As long you have a clean record, you should have no problem.

In rare cases you may get a "hold" on the background check which can cause a delay in receiving the gun. This happened to me once, but it was cleared to go within 6 hours or so.

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I shouldn't clean it after every use? I plan on putting a decent amount of rounds through it the first month or so, the best teacher is actually doing ya know?

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It depends on who you ask. Do you have to clean it? Hardly ever honestly, but puts ALOT of rounds (700+) through it to ensure it functions properly, especially dirty. I clean my 1911 everytime I shoot it just because I like to keep it clean, but Ive only cleaned my Glock 19 maybe twice. Make sure you shoot at least a box of self defense ammo you plan on keeping it loaded with (assuming this is a home defense gun) to ensure that it functions properly with that as well. Some guns can shoot bulk FMJ ammo just fine and then have feeding issues with some hollow point defensive rounds. Just ensure it functions. I would strip it and clean it before I shot it for two reasons, to become familiar with my weapon and to remove any packing grease/gunk they may have on it from the factory. Put just a few dots along the guide rails of Hoppes no.9 grease and the mating portion on the slide. Some people like Rem Oil as lubricant/preservative, but I prefer Break Free CLP on the rest of the gun.

Since you won't be carrying it concealed, I would get the full size 4.5".Higher capacity, easier to shoot.


Ammo: try Freedom Ammo
LINK


currently 10% off 9mm ammo, plus free shipping.
Either get the
9mm 124 gr. RN New Box of 500
9mm 124 gr. RN Reman Box of 500(Remanufactored aka reloads) $18.46/100 rds.

Check the glock forums, those guys run thru 1000's of rounds of Freedom Ammo without issue.

Ammo can get expensive fast buying from the big box. I was shooting 200rds/trip to the range. That's almost $60 for winchester white box. Freedom ammo, less than $40.

Academy is awful. Those guys behind the desk have serious inferiority complex disorders. They feel the need to be dicks about everything and act like they are God's gift to the firearm world.

I agree going to a mom and pop type store. They are always so kind and you end up really making a friend. They refer business to me, they send me holiday cards, etc.

Make sure you ask them to bore sight it in for you. Saves a bunch of time and ammo at the range later on.

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You serious? It's a pistol

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this guy

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I'm finally purchasing my first handgun today, a Springfield XD(m) 9mm from Academy Sports. Springfield is also running that cool promotion where I get additional mags and a firing range bag for free.

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I did the exact same Thanksgiving weekend. Went in Saturday morning expecting to walk out with a new gun but they had a hold placed that lasted till Wednesday.

I picked up some 115gr Federal American Eagle and a box of Hornady Critcal Duty for home. Went online to Springfield and also got the 2 mags and bag; still waiting for it to arrive.

Took it to the range the following weekend and put around 200 rounds through it. The gun feels nice and shoots great. As many have said, this is an excellent gun.