boo

1. I agree with the thought that your first handgun doesn't matter. I get the sense that most people either no longer own or rarely shoot their first handgun. My first was a Springfield XD9, and while it's just collecting dust now, but I've so far held off on selling it just for sentimental reasons. 2. I'll disagree and agree. I wouldn't go as far as to say familiarization is more important than training, but I would say that they are both important. In other words, I think OP should still do training as soon as possible, but he should also train with the same gun and stick with it so that he can get used to its grip, trigger, recoil characteristics, etc. That way he can isolate differences in his technique compared to differences in handling different guns. When going to RTSP (or where ever) to always rent that gun. When he signs up for one-on-one training, have the gun reserved so that it will be available. I put more than 1500 rounds through the XD9 at Woodland Park while waiting for my FID to come in. RTSP would be a great place to take a First Steps class and for one-on-one training, especially if they have the gun you're settling on while you wait for your FID. One nice thing is that you can generally attend their First Steps as a "walk-in". When I was looking into Woodland Park, weekend classes had to be arranged 1-2 weeks in advance, but don't know if that's still the case. If you're on a budget, NJ Firearms Academy always has a groupon for $60 something dollars (I thought the instructors were great, but you'll only shoot .22s. And putting it politely, the setting isn't quite to RTSP standards). I also recall a forum member here offering low-priced instruction. I took one-on-one instruction with Jimmy at Woodland Park and he was excellent.

If you go for the P30, don't forget the $200 rebate offer going on right now. Extra mags might be a bit harder to find because of demand from new VP9 owners (which use the same mags). Regardless of which gun you end up going for, I'd definitely urge you to get some training. Additional range time won't mean squat if you don't know what you should be working on. My suggestion, start with an intro to handgun course, then take a few range trips to utilize what you've learned. Then sign up for some one-on-one training with someone that can diagnose issues you might still have and help to reinforce fundamentals. After that, then it would be the ideal time to where you start trying out guns to see what suits you, though I'm not going to say its absolutely necessary you start that process over from scratch.

There's Luciano's in Lodi. They don't have much of a selection to actually handle in-store, but I do find it be well edited (at least to my tastes).

Anyone with a corporate treasury background considering relocating to Austin? STI is looking for a Director of Finance http://www.indeed.com/viewjob?cmp=STI-International,-Inc&t=Director+Finance&jk=eb9f3e645d77aabd&sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvVAIMnz4z5TB5Bjc_3zaRpB6rdjPLz6j5_YE_6uBIbAeSwHVKohSv9yB0YnhJS_62NmUOME4YAyuBuIvAnJu71cPyNCXhhbeP_ISFCfGJ4uF

Interested in striker-fired polymer? Walther PPQ and HK VP9 are my picks there. I've never fired one, but the Sig Sauer P320 seems interesting. Fire control group is serialized, so frames are interchangable without needing a new permit. Can convert from full size, to compact, to sub-compact. Each frame size is also going to be (eventually) available with three different grip sizes. But I don't think all the frame sizes are even out yet.

Just curious if the P2P system has ever faced legal challenges? I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but what is the point of P2Ps when 1) I'm already doing a NICS check at time of transfer and 2) I already have several other handguns at home, all of which are registered with my local PD and NJSP. I could have sworn reading that California recently eliminated waiting periods for existing gun owners. Is that something NJ could capitalize on? edit: Here's the CA ruling I was referring to: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2014/08/25/california-10-day-waiting-period-to-buy-gun-violates-the-second-amendment-as-to-people-who-are-known-to-the-state-to-already-own-guns/

PDs won't give transparency because you'll then see that the majority of the delay is due to them. I've found county adjusters to be reasonably transparent. Turnaround at Hudson County is only a day or two, if I recall correct. I also thought it was interesting that they didn't receive my application until a few weeks after I had applied. I know Passaic County had problems due to staffing, but in October of last year, they hired someone specifically just to process the mental health checks. While I'm not absolutely certain they're no longer a bottleneck, I recall reading of a Passaic County resident earlier this year, I think in one of the facebook groups, getting their initial FID in less than 30 days. When applying for my initial FID, NJSP was being blamed at one point for the delay, but when I contacted them, they said my PD received the results of my check the same day I was fingerprinted at morphtrak.

Just curious when you say you like the 147gr better, in what way? Less perceived recoil/muzzle flip? More reliable for your guns? And while I'm at it, do you feel a difference between FM 115gr and 124gr? All of my experience with FM is has been with 115gr ammo and I'm interested in a point of comparison (actually 99% of the total handgun shooting experience has been with 115gr ammo)

Can you still use the express lines where you're checking in via a terminal or do you have to do the full service counter check in?

If it helps, RTSP has the Steyr M9a1 as a rental (4" barrel vs 4.5" for the L9).

I'm generally in business casual or a suit and I carry a SOG Twitch II. I wear it IWB, so to speak, with the clip under the belt so that it's easily accessible, won't be obvious, yet won't tear up delicate dress pant pockets.

Gander Mountain? Either you're thinking of someone else or something has changed. When I tried in April, they won't ship handgun ammo to NJ, FID or not. edit: I see Gander doens't consider .22lr to be handgun, so fine for OP's purpose

Before the flood of revolver recommendations hits, I'm going to say shield. It's not just for outside CCW, but it's convenient for home carry and comes in handy if you feel the need to answer the doorbell prepared or home-based craigslist transaction, but while also being discrete. I love holding and admiring my 686, but dont care for shooting 357. If you get the craving to shoot it, just rent until you get the funds for both. My $.02

Just curious, did they let you attend the one day at a reduced price?

Anyone know anything about these guys? I saw this on instagram, but I don't even see it listed on the training calendar on their own website.

This ^^^^^^. After taking basic pistol, I made a point of getting one-on-one training after just a few range sessions and I'm so glad that I did.

Going off topic, I only recently learned that the term mall ninja was coined to describe an actual person, or at least an actual internet persona. A person claimed to be a member of an elite mall security unit who was a pracitioner of ninjutsu and had boots that allowed him to walk on walls. Do a search for 'gecko45'. Hilarious stuff.

Exactly. People never commited suicide until gun rentals were invented. In fact, I think existing gun owners should be subject to weekly psychological tests. You never know if they're going to get an urge to shoot up a school. If it saves one child's life, it's worth it.

Personally, my bigger concern would be that of a potential thief wanting to help themself to OP's gun collection.

For handgun I have several 9mm and one 357. If I hit the lottery I'll start buying all the missing calibers, but in the meanwhile, I figure I'll just rent if I get the itch to shoot something else. My guns aren't getting used enough as it is, and I don't feel like dropping $500 on another gun that's going to get shot a few times and then collect dust.

What I find curious is how rare open carry is in NJ gun stores or ranges. I've only seen it at RTSP. I see OC at Gun for Hire, but only active LEO. I remember in CA always seeing people at gun stores, ranges and even pawn shops typically open carrying.

Any comment on the hunting at Shongum? Is it any better than hunting on public WMA land in nearby Morris/Sussex/Warren counties? Currently a novice hunter mainly interested in turkey, goose, maybe deer. I signed up for the wait list last year and just got the call today. The thing is, I don't know if it's worth it to me now. I'm 10 minutes away from GFH (where I'm a member) and Bullet Hole, 20+ minutes from the Fairfield clay range. I don't shoot much in rifle, but I figured I'd just join Cherry Ridge if I ever got around to it. Shongum is an hour away. Two things that would boost my interest more: 1. If the hunting experience is positive, that would definitely make the membership fee worth it to me even if I only went a few times. 2. Another positive would be the presence of shooting areas where I could set up idpa-style courses of fire. But I'd probably only do this infrequently. Not sure I'd join just on the basis of this. Any thoughts?

So who thinks this guy would still be alive if his gun were in a quick access safe? http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/inquirer/20140729_Armed_doctor_saved_lives.html edit: not saying that OP should leave his gun loaded on top of the reception counter next to the stickers and lollipops, but if he's concerned enough to have a gun, he has to think of the scenarios where a gun would be needed and how accessible it would be in those scenarios.

Anyone know what kind of ammo Brian Aitken was convicted for the possession of? As I understand, it didn't literally have a hollow point, but a judge ruled it to be legally a hollow point because it was designed to expand on impact.

Not sure if you still care, but I was at the Hazelton PA Walmart and they didn't even ask for ID for 9mm ammo. I'm asian, often mistaken for hispanic, generally recognized as over 21, and the sales associate knew I was from NJ. I was chatting with the guy ahead of me in line. He's buying a hunting license when pulls out a NJ DL. Turns out he's originally from PA, but recently moved to NJ. I wanted to wrap my hands around his neck and shake some sense into him, lol.