Money is Tight

[Wysiwyg101]

Here's a general question. Money is tight right now. I almost have enough gathered together to acquire the firearm I'm looking at getting. Somebody suggested I get my CHL first and the pistol second. Someone else suggested the other way around.

The way I see it, getting the gun first adds to myself and my family's safety level as much as possible until I can carry it full time. But, I figured I would ask all you gurus who have been carrying for a long time what your combined wisdom is.

So, which would you do?

[Dave2]

I got the gun first, but I that was before I'd decided to get my CHL so that probably doesn't help you much.

I think I agree with your reasoning, though.

[Vecco]

You need a gun to shoot your CHL with, and might as well get to know it now.

PS if money is tight, look for 90 day layaways, no extra cost.

[gigag04]

Gun first.

MPA and home carry.

[stealthfightrf17]

I would get your gun first so you can get familer with it. Also, you can carry in your vehicle with out a CHL as long as the gun is concelled

[Lano]

I agree with getting the weapon first. It's all a moot point if you aren't armed.

[Blindref757]

With all of the above responses. Take your time and find the right gun for you to carry, conceal, and shoot. It isn't easy and it shouldn't be rushed. Sometimes life gets in the way (especially if money is tight) and you might need to delay the CHL. If you have the weapon, you can still protect your family at home and in your vehicle if the CHL gets delayed.

[PBratton]

I would get your gun first so you can get familer with it. Also, you can carry in your vehicle with out a CHL as long as the gun is concelled

Get the firearm and learn it's operation intimately. If you've never owned one in the past, take a training course.

The NRA has excellent training courses for Pistol, Rifle and Shotgun.

[SQLGeek]

Gun first.

MPA and home carry.

You can at least carry in your car and around the house while working towards the CHL. This also gives you time to become more proficient with your new gun. This is what I'm doing now.

[BigPa]

gun first.

[texanron]

Another vote here for getting the gun first. This is the route I went. Good Luck!

[RottenApple]

Personally I did it gun first as well. My wife, however, is doing it in reverse. She's already decided what gun she wants. Now she's going to start the application and, while it's being processed, will put the money together to get her gun.

[AEA]

Gun first is the way to go. Then practice and get real good/comfortable with it.

I want to caution you though on buying anything just by size/sight/caliber.
You should find a range that has guns for rent and try shooting a variety.
Then, based on that experience, shop for and buy the gun that works best for you (keeping conceal ability and cost of ammo, etc in mind. Also availability of holsters or other carry methods for whatever you actually decide on.

Believe me, I have been thru this and it gets expensive when you think you have purchased just the right gun (by sight/looks and feel) without knowing if you can hit anything with it, or consider the cost of ammo and accessories.

I have had guns all my life (63 years) but even with that knowledge I made mistakes when choosing for CHL when I got my first license. It's a whole different ball game than plinking or dove hunting.

[Jasonw560]

Getting my gun first, then my CHL. Saving up for both.

[sugar land dave]

Let me make one more vote for gun first. Then you can protect your family in the car and at home. If you are planning to conceal carry your firearm in the future, keep an eye on the weight of the pistol. You might consider an aluminum or polymer frame over all steel. Also consider a physical size which will fit in with your current lifestyle's manner of dress. So in short, Size, Accuracy, Weight.