Since this is a forum for first timers, I wanted to share some of my experience so you can avoid some mistakes I have made or heard of. Here is my list in no particular order:

 

1. Inspect the firearm in the store carefully. Look for rust, scratches and missing parts. Check the fit of the different parts, especially wood to metal. Check the wood finish.

2. Always read the owners manual and clean before first use. Firearms can have grease and oil in the barrel and metal chips and shavings anywhere. The lubricants the manufacturer uses may not be top quality.

3. Save the box the gun came in. It increases resale value and you may need it to return to the manufacturer for repair.

4. Be sure you have the correct ammo. For example, if you have a .45, be sure you know if it is .45ACP, .45 Colt or .45GAP.

5. Learn how to properly clean your firearm. More damage is done by cleaning than shooting a dirty gun.

6. Take your time disassembling and assembling, especially with fine threaded screws. If you are forcing it, odds are you are doing something wrong.

7. Don't store a firearm in anything that holds moisture like a cloth gun case or a leather holster. Silicone impregnated gun socks have worked well for me. They prevent handling marks and don't hold moisture.

8. Invest in a gun safe, even if it is a cheap one. Most burglars are smash and grab and won't take the time to try to force a gun safe. Keeping your firearms safe is part of the responsibility of ownership.

 

That's all I can think of. I am sure others have good advice to add.

All excellent points.

The only thing I will add is safety is your primary responsability. Learn the 4 rules of firearms safety. I have been in a few gunshops lately where the employees do not follow them and have handed me a pistol off the shelf without ever clearing it. Bad habits by employees are impressed upon the first time buyer.

That reminds me...Anyone have any recommendations for a gun safe that would fit in a small closet? Ideally fireproof (would like to store documents too) and with a biometric/fingerprint open option.

I would add:

 

- Make sure you have both held and fired the gun you want before you buy it. You may love the way it feels to hold but hate how it shoots, or vice versa.

- Remember the size of the gun and its recoil are usually inversely proportional. A full size .38 will have a lot less recoil than a little 357 Airweight.

- Get instructions from the store (if possible). Have them show you how to take it apart and put it back together.

They have a very good biometric safe at the bullet hole I got mine there.

GunVault makes excellent safes. They have a fingerprint one and one that used a special keypad that has four grooves for your fingers so you can operate it blind. I have the Multi Deluxe version and it holds about 2 or 3 handguns. Right now I have my Glock 22 and four boxes of ammo in there, with room to spare.

 

They sell them at the bullet hole as well!

 

--FCOD

I keep a gunvault next to my bed. Very easy to operate.