Looking to buy my first gun, heard this was the place to go!

[MNSteveB]

A friend sent me here after he found I'm looking to buy my first gun. I've shot all sorts of guns, but have yet to have the privilege of buying my own. I live in Blaine. I visited Frotiersman sports and Bills Gun shop over the weekend and I think The SW M&P 9 is my favorite so far. Hopefully I can find a used one at a good price. I'll post and learn on this site as I can! Thanks.

[BBeckwith]

Welcome,

Keep an eye out M&Ps show up fairly regularly at very decent prices in the Firearms Sale forum. It is a great firearm. I own 3 of them

[ranger]

Welcome from Champlin Steve. I would bet that Forum Member Thunder John can fix you up with a good deal.
BTW, Bill's Gun Shops are having a S&W Demo day Oct 26th!
https://www.billsgs.com/

[Back In Black]

S&W M&P 9 is on sale at Fleet Farm this week.

[Spike]

A friend sent me here after he found I'm looking to buy my first gun. I've shot all sorts of guns, but have yet to have the privilege of buying my own. I live in Blaine. I visited Frotiersman sports and Bills Gun shop over the weekend and I think The SW M&P 9 is my favorite so far. Hopefully I can find a used one at a good price. I'll post and learn on this site as I can! Thanks.

In Minnesota you will need a permit to purchase or a carry permit in order to buy a handgun. Just a heads up in case you don't have either of them.

[goatroper]

Would like to jump in and suggest that for a first handgun, you really can't beat a .22
Easy to learn the fundamentals on, and as .22 is starting to come back, a lot more shooting time for your money.

[BBeckwith]

A friend sent me here after he found I'm looking to buy my first gun. I've shot all sorts of guns, but have yet to have the privilege of buying my own. I live in Blaine. I visited Frotiersman sports and Bills Gun shop over the weekend and I think The SW M&P 9 is my favorite so far. Hopefully I can find a used one at a good price. I'll post and learn on this site as I can! Thanks.

In Minnesota you will need a permit to purchase or a carry permit in order to buy a handgun. Just a heads up in case you don't have either of them.

That's only half true. You will need the Permit to Purchase or Carry Permit (acts in place of Permit to Purchase) if you purchase a gun through an FFL (gun shop). If you purchase a used firearm through a private party you are not required to have a PtP or Carry Permit. Many will ask to see your Drivers License and PtP though to help ascertain you are eligible to buy a firearm. While it is common it is not mandated by law that you show this information to a private party. It is up to the seller at that point to sell or not sell based on their comfort level.

[MNSteveB]

Welcome,

Keep an eye out M&Ps show up fairly regularly at very decent prices in the Firearms Sale forum. It is a great firearm. I own 3 of them

Thank you! Can you give me a decent price range of that gun used. I just very recently started looking at them and have yet to determine a good price. I originally wanted an XD9 but after some deeper digging the SW seems like a better gun!

Welcome from Champlin Steve. I would bet that Forum Member Thunder John can fix you up with a good deal.
BTW, Bill's Gun Shops are having a S&W Demo day Oct 26th!
https://www.billsgs.com/

That's what they told me yesterday! I have it set in my calendar and several alarms.. I'm sure it'll be packed, but it would still be cool to fire a couple of their line.

S&W M&P 9 is on sale at Fleet Farm this week.

Any idea on their price?

A friend sent me here after he found I'm looking to buy my first gun. I've shot all sorts of guns, but have yet to have the privilege of buying my own. I live in Blaine. I visited Frotiersman sports and Bills Gun shop over the weekend and I think The SW M&P 9 is my favorite so far. Hopefully I can find a used one at a good price. I'll post and learn on this site as I can! Thanks.

In Minnesota you will need a permit to purchase or a carry permit in order to buy a handgun. Just a heads up in case you don't have either of them.

I am aware, thanks for bringing that up! I am headed into Blaine city hall on Tuesday to apply for the permit to buy.

Would like to jump in and suggest that for a first handgun, you really can't beat a .22
Easy to learn the fundamentals on, and as .22 is starting to come back, a lot more shooting time for your money.

I do love a good .22 gun!! However I'd really like a 9mm for my first gun and I don't have a lot of money for more than one gun at the moment. (full time student) I will own a .22 eventually because like you said they are extremely awesome for popping out tons of rounds for cheap.

[MNSteveB]

A friend sent me here after he found I'm looking to buy my first gun. I've shot all sorts of guns, but have yet to have the privilege of buying my own. I live in Blaine. I visited Frotiersman sports and Bills Gun shop over the weekend and I think The SW M&P 9 is my favorite so far. Hopefully I can find a used one at a good price. I'll post and learn on this site as I can! Thanks.

In Minnesota you will need a permit to purchase or a carry permit in order to buy a handgun. Just a heads up in case you don't have either of them.

That's only half true. You will need the Permit to Purchase or Carry Permit (acts in place of Permit to Purchase) if you purchase a gun through an FFL (gun shop). If you purchase a used firearm through a private party you are not required to have a PtP or Carry Permit. Many will ask to see your Drivers License and PtP though to help ascertain you are eligible to buy a firearm. While it is common it is not mandated by law that you show this information to a private party. It is up to the seller at that point to sell or not sell based on their comfort level.

I'll be getting my PTP on Tuesday so I don't have to worry about finding a seller who doesn't need to see one. Or if a new gun happens to cross my path that is a great deal.

[jgalt]

.

[gunsmith]

Are you guys referring to the S&W M&P 9 or the compact or the Shield. I'm curious as to which is on sale at FF this week

[yuppiejr]

Since you live in Blaine I'd suggest including Capras (just south of 10 on 65-Central) in your "to visit" list, and also consider swinging by Bill's in Circle Pines just up 35w to rent and try a few pistols out.

Sourcing the pistol aside, I second the poster who suggested you start with a .22 and get lined up with an individual instructor right away to get the fundamentals down. Good instruction will pay you back over the entire time you own a gun every time you pull the trigger, the earlier you make the investment the longer you will enjoy the benefits.

A good .22 pistol will let you inexpensively practice, correctly, the form required to develop good muscle memory over thousands of rounds that will carry over into skilled marksmanship with a centerfire handgun later. As you develop your skills on a .22 you will likely be better able to evaluate how a specific centerfire pistol fits and functions best for you when it's time to move up. The Browning Buckmark and Ruger Mk3 or 22/45 models along with the S&W M&P 22 (among others) are all worthwhile platforms to learn on.

The legend said it best...

"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." -- Jeff Cooper

[Ivan45]

While the M&P is a great gun, I wouldn't say its better than an XD. Try the triggers, or better yet, shoot them both, then decide.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

[mrp]

I'll be getting my PTP on Tuesday so I don't have to worry about finding a seller who doesn't need to see one. Or if a new gun happens to cross my path that is a great deal.

While a person w/out a P2P or MN P2C can legally purchase a handgun, the seller must fill out what is called a "Report of Transfer" if they want to remain within the law...

No they don't. Keep reading until you get to this part:

Subd. 12.Exclusions.

Except as otherwise provided in section 609.66, subdivision 1f, this section shall not apply to transfers of antique firearms as curiosities or for their historical significance or value, transfers to or between federally licensed firearms dealers, transfers by order of court, involuntary transfers, transfers at death or the following transfers:

(1) a transfer by a person other than a federally licensed firearms dealer;

[MNSteveB]

Since you live in Blaine I'd suggest including Capras (just south of 10 on 65-Central) in your "to visit" list, and also consider swinging by Bill's in Circle Pines just up 35w to rent and try a few pistols out.

Sourcing the pistol aside, I second the poster who suggested you start with a .22 and get lined up with an individual instructor right away to get the fundamentals down. Good instruction will pay you back over the entire time you own a gun every time you pull the trigger, the earlier you make the investment the longer you will enjoy the benefits.

A good .22 pistol will let you inexpensively practice, correctly, the form required to develop good muscle memory over thousands of rounds that will carry over into skilled marksmanship with a centerfire handgun later. As you develop your skills on a .22 you will likely be better able to evaluate how a specific centerfire pistol fits and functions best for you when it's time to move up. The Browning Buckmark and Ruger Mk3 or 22/45 models along with the S&W M&P 22 (among others) are all worthwhile platforms to learn on.

The legend said it best...

"Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician." -- Jeff Cooper

I didn't even think of Capras, thanks for the suggestion I'll check them out! I mentioned it earlier that I'm not new to guns at all. I've shot my fair share of all sorts of guns and ammos and I like the 9mm a lot. I will look into a trainer in the future, but as for now until I'm out of school I can't afford private lessons like that.