Usually, when you hear “new guy buys a gun,” it’s time to run for the hills right? Inexperienced man, or woman, goes out and legally purchases a firearm, you don’t think they’d know the four basic rules one who does have the experience has. There is usually a backstory to every situation, whether you like it or not. Mine was my mother had a strong fear of any and all forms of firearms, but her background is understandable, when one of her boyfriends lost a round of Russian Roulette right in front of her eyes. Some have always had the respect of a firearm and for life, but somebody within their family had a traumatizing situation hindering somebody else.
My mom didn’t even like when I was playing with them toy plastic firearms. On the other hand, my father is a Marine. They say that no matter how big of a “Billy Badass” you are, somebody always gets ahold of you within your household. That man who can easily flip a switch from going from a rarely outspoken man, to even worst of a quiet person, won’t hear a single word from him for a couple hours, but gives you that glance that you might as well go to your room and lock the door. He still complied with my mom’s wishes and didn’t own a firearm until he needed a pellet gun for his job. He had to go sight his scope in for the birds, so I went with him when I was about 8 years old.
That was my first encounter with any object that used a projectile outside of mechanical means of a slingshot, stick sword or spear that all kids tend to play with. Until one of my sister’s former boyfriends brought in a couple of firearms. Don’t judge me, it has been 14 years and I’ve had one too many concussions to remember what they were. I do remember going out to a remote location within my community, he helped me light the fire of interest behind them. Learning the actual common-sense law within the gun world; Treat all firearms as if loaded, keep your finger off the trigger, know your Target and what is beyond, do not point your firearm at anyone or anything you wish not to destroy. Few years later, I joined the Army and they helped engrain them basics inside of my head.
Recently, I have purchased my first firearm. Listened a few other authors within Liberty Report, that have far more experience behind the trigger. I was wanting something for personal protection as I travel, nobody can deny that it is becoming a dangerous world. They started talking me to go out and shoot a few rounds off, which that is always a given thing to do, don’t go out and buy a car without testing to see if that is truly what you want before you invest your hard money into it. I went to a local range back home that rented firearms. I looked into the Glock 19/42, Springfield XD/XDS and the Smith and Wesson M&P Shield as my primary concentration. Just trying to feel what is right for your own hand. The grip was too small and squared off for my hands with both Glocks. S&W didn’t have a comfortable trigger for me. XDS felt as if it was literally cutting into my hand after each shot, no matter what I did with my grip. XD fit perfect in my hand, slide was smooth past my hand without much effort into my grip, outside of keeping hand away from pinch points, despite what the other authors wanted me to go with, where they are Glock “Fan Boys”, where no matter what, they had to push you into that direction.
All I’m really getting at, no matter what, you are your own judgement. Have thousands of people pointing in this direction or that direction, but you will never know which way to go until you literally give it a shot. Reviews are great for durability, warrantees and functionality of all firearms, but it only plays a small factor. What works for one, might not work for you and what works for you, might not work for another. That is a life factor that I’ve come to realize. There is always an option, but the question is, which one best suits you? If you are curious about firearms but have never grown up around them, you need a willingness to learn, have a safe mind and value a life. If you have never touched one before, go out and take a sponsored safety course. There are thousands of NRA, USCCA and several other private firms that are equally qualified to do so all over the nation, THIS is where your research should be highly in-depth. You don’t want to go to somewhere that is incompetent and could cause damage to the range or put you through drills which could get you killed in the long run. Does not matter if you are new or old to the gun game, you can always find something new to learn. Never stop learning.
Guest Writer: Joe Kallenbach
Joe Kallenbach grew up small town in Washington. Farming community, just your average blue collar. Been driving truck for only 3 years, roughly 400,000 safe miles. Require three states to have what many in their 60’s and 70’s don’t have. But you know, I wouldn’t change this lifestyle for anything. So, I just hope that I am able to put pen to paper on ways that our industry can help itself. My focus is the transportation and logistics industry of this great land, but there are times that I’ll get off track and venture off into different areas.
