dajonga

So, I am in week 18 of waiting for my initial FID and 6 handgun permits. The delay has given me a lot of time to shop around and research what I want. A little background... I was saving up to buy a .22 and a 9mm with my 2 handgun permits. Then, Dad says he is giving me uncle bob's Beretta 92fs (and a Marlin 39a) and my Father-in-law is giving me a High Standard Duramatic. After learning of my freebies, I upped the handgun permit count to 6 (gotta spend that money on something, right?), leaving me with 4 handgun permits to play with. I thought I might like to get a revolver or 2. Originally, I thought of a used .38 spl. Then I got to fondling and reading. I was torn between a new Ruger Blackhawk .357 Convertible or a double action .357, like a used S&W 66 or new Ruger GP. My budget was $600 or so. I like the idea of a multiple caliber gun, but was probably not gonna shoot a whole lot of 357, mostly 38. Tonight, I stopped by Shore Shot on my way home to look at a used S&W 66 again. Very lovely gun for $475. BA has one, too, for about the same price, Decisions, decisions... And then, I saw it. A S&W Model 10. 4" barrel. Hogue grips. Decent shape, tight cylinder, good timing and trigger. For some reason, I kept coming back to it. Yeah....a nice, simple, cheap, no-frills .38, perfect for a beginner. Shore Shot let me pay for it whilst I wait for my paperwork to come in (Very much appreciated! Thanks, guys). Total price, complete with NICS and tax, was $144. I have spent more than that buying beer. I can't wait to shoot it. I may go rent SS's Model 10 just to see how one feels. I do not know much about revolvers, but I cannot imagine I will regret this buy. I may have to put a deposit on that used Ruger Single Six I saw down south last week also. It is missing the .22 Mag cyl, but the price was only $200. Or the Old Model Blackhawk .357 for $450. I think I kinda like buying used guns. Is this how the sickness starts? Thanks for letting me rant.

UPDATE!!! Berkeley Police called and said that NJSP has returned the ink fingerprints, demanding digital finger prints. I have an appt. with SagMorpho in 2 weeks. The good news in this is that..... 1) I was able to ask about the status of the rest of the paperwork. References have finally been sent out and we are just waiting on prints. When I take my SagMorpho receipt in, I will ask them to fast track my application. 2) I was able to up my handgun permits from 2 to 6. I have no intention of getting 6, but I do have things I want to buy and my father in law is going to give me a once-fired, in the wax bag in the box, High Standard Duramatic. I am going to try to convince my father to part with his inherited Beretta 92fs that he does not care for. So, 1 or 2 permits used already. I want to pick up a used SW .38 or .357 revolver. My ultimate plan is to save up for a Browning Hi Power (shot one a few years ago and LOVED it). The other permits might just get tossed. There was a whole stack, 6 inches tall, of applicants in a pile that I assume had their ink prints returned also. The clerk at Berkeley says that the NJSP decided this in June, but did not return the prints until this week. That woman at the window at Berkeley PD was very nice, understanding and helpful. I guess the delay is on the NJSP end of things. On a related note, I bought a used gun safe from a police officer from up north. He handles the FIDs in his department and says the delay is with NJSP, not the locals.

I applied for my initial FID and 2 PPs in Berkeley on May 12. I called after 8 weeks and was told they are waiting on some forms. Contacted one of my references today and he has not been contacted, 10 1/2 weeks after my application. It figures that, after all of these years without a FID, when I do decide to get it, I live in what seems to be the town with the most delay and/or laziness. So much for shooting with my 9 year-old-son this summer. Maybe by Christmas?