[Nocturnal]

It'll take some time before I get to shoot it (FFL info to AK-47man, transit of gun, paying FFL plus paperwork, 10 day waiting period) but I'm super excited!

It's my first handgun so I guess it's a special occasion. I intended to test fire it and others but I don't have the patience to arrange for someone to come to the range with me. They won't rent out guns to 'loners' or people without their own gun. Well, all my friends are busy professionals with kids like myself so time is rather scarce.

I've held the P99 and was immediately struck by its engineering and plain ol' sex appeal. The SA XD was the only competitor so I chose for the somewhat more expensive but higher quality gun.

I've followed the NRA basic handgun course and have a safe waiting at home. My wife isn't sure about the whole thing because of the kids so initially there won't be any ammo in the house. As she gets used to it and sees that the kids won't know it's there and can't possibly get access it'll turn into a home defense weapon. Till then I'll hone my skills at the range, shooting lots and taking additional courses. It's no use having a gun like this without being proficient!

 

[P88]

Quote[/b] (Nocturnal @ Oct. 26 2004,11:59)]As she gets used to it and sees that the kids won't know it's there and can't possibly get access it'll turn into a home defense weapon.

Be carefull. Kid's know more than you think they do. They will know it's there. The best thing to do (IMHO) is to take your kids shooting with you. Get it out of their system and teach them safe gun handling. You may want to take a watermellon or apple or water jug and shoot at it. When it explodes, explain to your kids that this is what a bullet can do to your head. This is why you never touch a gun unless you are with Mom or Dad.

Anyway, congratulations. Let us know more when you get to shoot it.

 

[BreakerDave]

Quote[/b] (Nocturnal @ Oct. 26 2004,1:59)]As she gets used to it and sees that the kids won't know it's there and can't possibly get access it'll turn into a home defense weapon.

I wouldn't count on the kids not discovering its presence.  Over time, kids will generally go through stuff...  I know you have the safe (I'm guessing, one of those strong boxes), but your best defense on this is getting the kids up to speed and giving them a primer on gun safety.  

-I live in Vegas and over the past year we've had several kids who have shot their friends and siblings with family owned guns they found...

 

[Nocturnal]

Thanks for your concerns. The gun will initially go in a small electronic safe, unloaded with no ammo in the house. I will not take the gun out in front of their eyes or it will be wrapped in such a way that they can't tell what it is. To keep my wife at ease I will probably apply a gunlock as well.

I then intend to buy a fingerprint lockbox.

My son is 4 and daughter 1.5. I can't teach them gun safety yet besides 'don't touch, get mommy or daddy'. And even that is questionable at that age. For now it'll depend 100% on my own responsible handling of the gun and my wife knowing what to do should I have a lapse. Thankfully she's interested in going to a range with me and getting some instruction. I asked her to take the basic pistol course but she'd rather have me teach her. Being a novice myself I'll have to be careful to know my limits and focus on the basics.

 

[P88]

Start saving your money to buy a P22. Then you can take your son to the range in a couple more years and he'll have a little P99 to be like daddy.

Seriously. I started some of my kids shooting when they were 5. All kids are different, so results will vary. But my oldest, who's now 10, is a heck of a shot and he knows not to touch any of my guns unless he asks.

I still want to hear your report when you get it.

 

[Nocturnal]

Hi P88, yeah, I actually thought about first getting a P22 to properly learn how to shoot before getting into bigger calibers. I'll probably pick on up later as a cheap practice gun. Looks real cool too although some of the reliability complaints on this board have me worried a little.

 

[bybon]

+2
Teach those kids early. Let the mystery wear off. You know........like that $150.00 electronic toy they had to have and that now sits in the closet.

 

[MLB]

A .22 handgun is good to have for practice and plinking. You can shoot those all day and not go broke on ammo. However, I think that there are several better alternatives than the P22 unfortunately. Walther dropped the ball on that one IMHO.

 

[Nocturnal]

Which ones do you like better MLB? I'm pretty sure I shot an S&W 22A Link during basic handgun class. Or a precursor to it. 7" Barrel. Delightful to shoot, especially compared to the Ruger semiauto. I also liked the 22 revolver the instructor had. Even in rapid fire DA mode I made decent groups for being an absolute beginner.

 

[MLB]

I don't have any personal experience with the .22 revolvers (going to have to fix that

). The Ruger Mark II, and Browning Buckmark are both high on my list. Sig Trailside and S&W Model 41 are very nice but pricey. I haven't had the chance to get my hands around the S&W 22.

I have the Ruger Competition model, and aside from being a bit heavy, it's lots of fun to shoot.

 

[RCK]

Noctournal, welcome to the club!

Although I understand your concerns regarding the kids, one thing to consider is that an unloaded gun is useless in a home defense emergency.

Try to seek a balance between family safety and security.  Because the first time you have an emergency and the gun isn't ready, it's as good as not having one at all.

 

[Nocturnal]

Well of course I understand an unloaded gun is useless in a defense situation. I'd write 'duh' if that wasn't so pase

let's just say it's a step along the road. If I had pushed for having a loaded gun in the house I wouldn't have been able to buy it at all. Now the gun is here (well, picking it up tomorrow) and I can start working on the next step.

 

[walrus]

Baby steps huh?  When you do take the wife to the range try to start her off with a .22.  I started  my girlfriend off plinking cans with a bb gun and gradually moved up.

 

[RCK]

Noctournal, no offense intended. Lots of folks start with the P99 as a first gun as a 'newbie' to firearms, so they may not be aware of the nuances that go along with being a gun owner.

Agree with baby steps. Get her to overcome her fear. Remember she's probably the victim of brainwashing from decades of anti-gun sound bites in the press and media.

 

[Nocturnal]

No worries Admin, no offense was taken. She has already agreed to go to the range with me and would like me to teach her basic gun safety. So we're certainly moving into the right direction.

I just picked up the gun. Very nice although the backstrap that is mounted is not flush at the bottom with the grip. I'll take a pic tonight. Thankfully all parts are there including the target and one shell. Not a bad grouping at 25m I have to say.

I hope to have some time today to put some ammo through it!