Well, today was the first day of the rest of my life.

 

I fired my first handgun ever today, my brand-new SA loaded full size in Stainless. What fun!! Bill the range officer taught me the rules, and gave me instruction on how to safely handle and operate my weapon. I ran through a box of Blazer brass 230 grain ball, both strong and off-hand (I'm a southpaw). The whole experience was smooth and definitely a blast. The noise and shock waves took a little getting used to, in the small space with all the guys blasting away. But after a little while I didn't even notice it anymore.

 

What kind of surprised me was how recoil and kick with the .45 auto did not meet my expectations. I kinda expected to feel like my hands were hit by a truck, or a baseball bat, but it was nothing like that! Just a kind of push and a bit of muzzle jump (flip?). Guess that full-size 40 oz steel hand-cannon absorbs lots of energy .

 

Being totally new to handguns, my target was set to maybe 5 yards and I was able to keep the rounds on the target and in COM (q target). As I get more practice I know I will improve. The gun operated perfectly at all times.

 

I also fired a few mags of .380 from my also brand-new Ruger LCP. It kicks and flips more than the 1911, and I did see some muzzle flash when firing it. I'm sure this is due to the tiny barrel.

 

I'm not even sure if at 5 yards I put any rounds on paper with the LCP, as there were already lots of 45 holes in my target And the "sights" on that little beast kept jumping around, they must be loose or something

 

I had one stovepipe FTE, when I was at the end of my range time. I was getting a bit tired and I may have "limp-wristed" on that round. A quick rack of the slide and the spent case fell out as I canted the port down. Of course, I was using cheap blazer aluminum, and (shame) I did not clean her when I field stripped and inspected her before initial firing. I'm not too concerned at this point, being a new shooter it is most likely me or the cheap ammo.

 

All in all a great first experience. Even the zen-like field-strip, cleaning, oiling, and reassembly process back home was great. I really appreciate a fine quality machine and the simple design of Browning's masterpiece was a marvel for me. Great ideas really do pass the test of time.

 

Best regards, and a special thanks to Bill at Bullet Hole.

 

UN

Congrats.

 

Shooting is fun. You'll only get better.

 

As to recoil, certainly the weight of the gun makes a big difference, but I think you'll find that .380, 9mm, .40, ,45 all have quite manageable recoil. When you start to get into the magnums it gets fairly punishing. A .357 magnum, 10mm and a .44 magnum start to punish your hand but I've found 8-10inch barrels make those much more comfortable to shoot. I've run a number of rounds through a .480 and after 12 per range trip I'm done. That's enough. I've shot a .454 casul and a .460 and both are brutal on your hand, worse than the .480. Certainly if you get the opportunity to shoot those "grizzly" calibers go for it, just be prepared.

 

Also, you noticed muzzle flip. Some rounds are "snappier" than others. A .45 is a fairly slow round so it doesn't flip up nearly as much as a .40 for example. Whatever it is you're shooting, you'll get used to it. The only thing I'll suggest is that you don't push too many rounds at an outing until you get the muscle memory of the recoil set in your brain. If you shoot so much that you tire, you're not helping.

Thanks for sharing. If you ever want to go to the bullet hole on a friday send me a PM.

Awesome! had you glad a good time.

 

what influed your purchases?

Awesome! had you glad a good time.

 

what influed your purchases?

 

If anything positive can be said about the loooong NJ wait for FPID and PPs, it's that you get plenty of time to do Internet research. :shock:

 

My "plan" from all this was to get a 9mm and as I kept reading articles, mags, forums (fora?) the CZ line just called to me. I looked at Glocks of course, but handling a training gun convinced me the grip angle was not for me. Also, and this is totally subjective, I wanted something more attractive. I looked at FN, considered Sig, HK, Beretta, even IMI/IWI Jericho. In short I considered a lot of 9mms, all of high quality reputations, and when I held and dry fired CZ-75B, P01, at Cabela's in PA, I felt "this is what I want". Decision made, and yet I was not ready to buy.... that NJ wait thing.

 

Once I got the sense that my ID and permits were only a few weeks away, I went to Meltzer's and found they had one Ruger LCP. My interest in a mousegun such as this came from my desire to get a Florida carry permit/license, since I bought a second home there. Can't live there yet, but I really liked the idea of CCW there and in the reciprocity states. And with Ruger's good reputation for weapons and service, I thought a post-recall LCP would be a perfect future carry pistol. So I bought it and they held it for me until permits came through.

 

On the day of the permits (lol), I went to pick up my LCP. But I was like a fat man at a Poconos buffet for the first time. I knew I also wanted to buy a 45 auto, and having read all there was to read about them, I handled about a half dozen of them that day. But when I saw, held, operated and dry fired that sweet stainless 1911 loaded from SA, I was hooked. The whole package just melted my brain and it was my heart that made the decision. I had to have it and I will tell you I have no buyers remorse, I am in love with it. 8-)

 

I still haven't found my P01 yet, or more to the point I am enforcing my own "cooling off" period, before buying again. This is an expensive enthusiasm, and I just want to wait a little while before I use my last permit.

 

Someone on a forum, can't remember where, said that through their gun collection they finally understood how some women feel about shoes. I get it too now. LOL

 

best regards,

UN

I know that feeling with the 1911. When I tried Wolfy's S&W 1911 I fell in love and knew I had to have one. Still looking around for one and I'm going to start off with a 22lr. I may just get the 1911 and a 22lr kit for it.

welcome to the world of guns.....glad you enjoyed it......