Salutations from Schenectady!

[DINKIN]

Salutations from Schenectady!
I just moved to Schenectady, to a pretty bad part "Mont Pleasant."

I've always been interested in firearms and taking safety classes.
But My family has forever been anti gun and anti "traditional values.:
So I've always had to keep this part of my life secret from them.

Now that I've moved out and Live with my girlfriend, (In kind of a bad neighborhood), It's time for me to be the man of the house and to learn how to protect myself and those whom I love.

So I'm trying to learn all I can about safety and then which firearms would be best for the beginner/best for concealed carry (for personal protection).

I really don't know what ranges or places I can go locally (Other than rtsp in NJ) to practice shooting and feeling more comfortable with firearms and taking some safety classes or being taught by any local experts or instructors.

It's kinda overwhelming for me and I really don't know where to look.

One of my Co-workers is ex-military and he's teaching me a lot. Taking me through all the forms. And he's going to be one of my character references. But that's my other big concern.

I don't really have anyone else that would be a character reference for me and I don't know who else to ask?

I'm waiting for my Co-Worker to email me the rest of the information that he said he would give me, it's basically all the forms and sheets that he used when he applied for his permit. He formatted and highlighted them in such a way it was really easy for his character references to fill out the right spots and had all the postage and everything all filled out so there were no hiccups for him.

And I'm truly grateful for all that help with the paperwork because that's kinda very confusing for me, I don't speak NY Lawyer and I sometimes just need things simplified.

So where would you guys on this forum recommend for me to go looking for:

1) A place to get familiar with shooting, maybe a range or gun club that's local (not in NJ)
2) Where would I find people who would be willing to endorse me as a character reference
3) I would like honest suggestions about what pistol you'd recommend a beginner?

Thanks so much for all your help

 

[Dr. Evil]

Welcome!

 

[UltraT]

Welcome, you've come to the right place! You could always start with a long gun for home defense while you're working on your permit. I also went head first into firearms with none of my family ever owning any. Always nice to see someone like you with initiative.

 

[kev74]

Howdy!

 

[masterswimmer]

Greetings and welcome to our piece of sanity in this gulag.

In order to handle and fire any handgun you'll have to leave NYS. Unless you're under 21 y/o.
PA, NH, VT are your best bets.
NYS laws don't allow anyone without a pistol permit to touch, let alone fire, any handgun, if you're over 21.

 

[DINKIN]

Greetings and welcome to our piece of sanity in this gulag.

In order to handle and fire any handgun you'll have to leave NYS. Unless you're under 21 y/o.
PA, NH, VT are your best bets.
NYS laws don't allow anyone without a pistol permit to touch, let alone fire, any handgun, if you're over 21.

I don't understand, how do you practice and get comfortable to even know if that specific brand make model is appropriate.
How do I know if I want or even like the way it fires if I cannot go to a range/store and rent one to practice with without having a permit?

That doesn't make sense.

 

[GOYABEAN]

Welcome aboard @DINKIN and don't forget he needs a

 

[UltraT]

I don't understand, how do you practice and get comfortable to even know if that specific brand make model is appropriate.
How do I know if I want or even like the way it fires if I cannot go to a range/store and rent one to practice with without having a permit?

That doesn't make sense.

Once you have your permit you can rent pistols at a range before you buy, but of course ranges aren't going to have every model so it makes it difficult.

Also with the permit you can fondle all the models in a store, but your local ranges might not have the model you want to try and shoot.

 

[masterswimmer]

Greetings and welcome to our piece of sanity in this gulag.

In order to handle and fire any handgun you'll have to leave NYS. Unless you're under 21 y/o.
PA, NH, VT are your best bets.
NYS laws don't allow anyone without a pistol permit to touch, let alone fire, any handgun, if you're over 21.

I don't understand, how do you practice and get comfortable to even know if that specific brand make model is appropriate.
How do I know if I want or even like the way it fires if I cannot go to a range/store and rent one to practice with without having a permit?

That doesn't make sense.

And now you know why I referred to this wonderful state as the gulag.

In just about the entire state you need to buy a handgun (the selling FFL will hold and secure it until after your permit is approved. They'll release it after you receive your permit) and include the pertinent info on your permit application. I say 'just about the entire state' because here in Orange County we have a sensible Sheriff who made it ok to buy your handgun AFTER you're approved for your permit so that you can legally touch, hold and shoot your pending purchase. I don't know of any other county that has taken that sensible initiative.

 

[DINKIN]

And now you know why I referred to this wonderful state as the gulag.

In just about the entire state you need to buy a handgun (the selling FFL will hold and secure it until after your permit is approved. They'll release it after you receive your permit) and include the pertinent info on your permit application. I say 'just about the entire state' because here in Orange County we have a sensible Sheriff who made it ok to buy your handgun AFTER you're approved for your permit so that you can legally touch, hold and shoot your pending purchase. I don't know of any other county that has taken that sensible initiative.

That's unfortunate, I'm not really a big guy so I have never handled a firearm before so I have no idea if I'm even strong enough to keep it under control and not have it recoil into my face. I don't want to sound like a wimp but I'm not really a big and strong guy... So that's why I was really hoping I would be allow to try a few out to see which one is best for my stature and needs?

I was looking at Glock 19 but I don't know if that's too much gun for a small guy like me?

 

[UltraT]

That's unfortunate, I'm not really a big guy so I have never handled a firearm before so I have no idea if I'm even strong enough to keep it under control and not have it recoil into my face. I don't want to sound like a wimp but I'm not really a big and strong guy... So that's why I was really hoping I would be allow to try a few out to see which one is best for my stature and needs?

I was looking at Glock 19 but I don't know if that's too much gun for a small guy like me?

Don't worry about the recoil, generally the way people talk about it online it seems exaggerated to someone who hasn't experienced it. I think it only becomes an issue when talking about large rifle rounds, some magnum rounds, and 12 gauge shotguns and such. Once you have your permit you can try some different types of rounds at a range before you buy.

 

[DINKIN]

Don't worry about the recoil, generally the way people talk about it online it seems exaggerated to someone who hasn't experienced it. I think it only becomes an issue when talking about large rifle rounds, some magnum rounds, and 12 gauge shotguns and such. Once you have your permit you can try some different types of rounds at a range before you buy.

I was under the impression when you were filling out the permit application you had to include the serial number of the pistol you were going to purchase?

 

[UltraT]

I was under the impression when you were filling out the permit application you had to include the serial number of the pistol you were going to purchase?

Well that may be the case in your county, you would know better than I. In my county we don't need to do that. If that's correct, then it's even more limiting for you. Maybe other members here have some ideas of how you could try some pistols before you buy?

 

[togmaster]

Welcome. I suggest starting with a shot gun for HD. You should be able to find a number of local ranges that will allow you to learn and be comfortable shooting it.

 

[Jezman]

Welcome

 

[Pale Rider]

Welcome.

 

[nortatoga]

Welcome! Stop into Target Sports at 122 Saratoga Rd ( Rt 50 ) Ask for Colin he does the Schenectady pistol safety course along with other classes, He will be able to help you! Tell him Jamie sent you!

 

[Patriot]

Welcome!

 

[AK68]

Welcome aboard.

 

[capitalcrew]

Ahh.. the titty. What a place.

Best food in upstate though.

As for your permit you probably don't need to buy when you do your application but every county is different. A shotgun may be easier to come by for home defense.

 

[timboy]

I was under the impression when you were filling out the permit application you had to include the serial number of the pistol you were going to purchase?

First off welcome aboard,yeah Mt Pleasant area can be a bit sketchy depending on where you are exactly.
You are correct,Schenectady County requires you to go to a gun store,purchase a hangdgun that you cant touch then wait 6 or so months while the permit process takes place.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Welcome to the site! You'll find tons of info here.

We just hit 750 members, so make sure to check out this thread for a chance to win a karma. Carry it around your family. Use it loud and proud and they'll know you like guns

https://nygunforum.com/threads/750-member-karma-sponsored-by-cooolone.8970/

 

[Criticalt]

Welcome.

Well, youve taken the first step, youve admitted you have a problem.
Just soak up what you can here and try to get some hands on experience. Saftey is the first task, then fun.
Good luck!!

 

[DINKIN]

Welcome.

Well, youve taken the first step, youve admitted you have a problem.
Just soak up what you can here and try to get some hands on experience. Saftey is the first task, then fun.
Good luck!!

So that's the thing, I am not certain how I can get hands on experience if it's illegal for me to even touch a pistol without an active / pending permit?

That's really what I cannot wrap my head around?

 

[masterswimmer]

So that's the thing, I am not certain how I can get hands on experience if it's illegal for me to even touch a pistol without an active / pending permit?

That's really what I cannot wrap my head around?

If you can't wrap your head around that law, read the unSAFE Act and try to make sense of that.

 

[Criticalt]

So that's the thing, I am not certain how I can get hands on experience if it's illegal for me to even touch a pistol without an active / pending permit?

That's really what I cannot wrap my head around?

Pistols yes but you can fire all the long guns you want.
As far as learning the basics of handling firearms, long guns are a good start.
Ive been around guns most of my life. I have dozens of long guns, ive hunted for 30 years but only got my pistol permit in 2014 at 43 years old.
I understand your need to protect your family away from home but theres not much better than a 12 gauge shotgun for home protection, its a start. If youre going to blow out your ear drums shooting inside, you might as well send the bad guy to hell with 00 buckshot.
As far as pistols, hell, I fired more pistols before I had a permit than after, just saying.....throw me in jail.

 

[DINKIN]

Pistols yes but you can fire all the long guns you want.
As far as learning the basics of handling firearms, long guns are a good start.
Ive been around guns most of my life. I have dozens of long guns, ive hunted for 30 years but only got my pistol permit in 2014 at 43 years old.
I understand your need to protect your family away from home but theres not much better than a 12 gauge shotgun for home protection, its a start. If youre going to blow out your ear drums shooting inside, you might as well send the bad guy to hell with 00 buckshot.
As far as pistols, hell, I fired more pistols before I had a permit than after, just saying.....throw me in jail.

are there any local ranges or any safe place where I could practice with a shot gun?

does anyone have any recommendations for any local ranges they like the best?

 

[masterswimmer]

Where are you located?

 

[DINKIN]

Where are you located?

right near the VFW Post 357

 

[masterswimmer]

Where are you located?

right near the VFW Post 357

Sorry, my bad. I realized after I asked that you're in Schenectady. Can't help ya with range time up there.

Anyone else?