Discussion Firearm questions at store

[Fire&Ash]

Hello all. I am hoping to buy a firearm at a hunter/sports store soon. I want to buy a Glock that is a 9mm. I want to get hollow point bullets. What questions would a gun seller ask me? I don't want to seem suspicious. I am a dainty lady and I feel like I would be suspicious. I want to say I want to buy a gun for self defense but also for shooting range purposes.
What questions do they ask that I can prepare to ask ahead of time? I am an amateur gun user. I took only 1 basic instruction class

 

[jacrispy]

they'll have you fill out the typical paperwork. be honest with them (obviously don't tell them you're using the gun for CTB) and say you're new to guns and looking for something small and compact like a handgun for self-defense. should be enough to throw them off the trail. if you pass a background check they won't bat an eye. just like any other store they're looking to make money

 

[lifeisbutadream]

Yes, what jacrispy said. Self defense, protection, that's all you have to say and that is all they want to hear. That being said, a shotgun is better for this purpose and cheaper, and may even be easier to buy depending on where you live. A larger caliber handgun like a Glock 45 or 10mm would be somewhat more effective than the 9. Recoil will not be a problem for you unless you plan to practice, which wouldn't be a bad idea actually, but then the recoil of the bigger calibers might hurt you if you are quite small. I don't know what, if anything, they had you shoot at your class, and how well you managed it. You did say you were dainty. Do you have the hand strength to load the Glock and charge it? If not, a revolver is the way to go simpler and more fail-safe, tho Glocks are pretty simple.

 

[bluebus]

I actually bought a shotgun recently. I returned it though as soon as it arrived at the store. I got cold feet and decided to do more research and find a method that I felt more comfortable with. I'm not sure what country/ state you are from, so my experience may not be relevant to your situation. I placed the order online and had it shipped to the store. No questions asked or anything. I did speak with someone on the phone because I wanted to know how long the shipping would take. They didn't ask me anything. I did explain to them though that I was purchasing it for self defense reasons, as I myself am also a small dainty girl. The man was completely understanding and sympathetic. If I were you, I would use the self defense excuse. It's not that uncommon at all and if you're lucky like me, they will be understanding. Best of luck

 

[Fire&Ash]

I actually bought a shotgun recently. I returned it though as soon as it arrived at the store. I got cold feet and decided to do more research and find a method that I felt more comfortable with. I'm not sure what country/ state you are from, so my experience may not be relevant to your situation. I placed the order online and had it shipped to the store. No questions asked or anything. I did speak with someone on the phone because I wanted to know how long the shipping would take. They didn't ask me anything. I did explain to them though that I was purchasing it for self defense reasons, as I myself am also a small dainty girl. The man was completely understanding and sympathetic. If I were you, I would use the self defense excuse. It's not that uncommon at all and if you're lucky like me, they will be understanding. Best of luck

Thanks. I plan to go face to face unless I see something that isn't available.

Yes, what jacrispy said. Self defense, protection, that's all you have to say and that is all they want to hear. That being said, a shotgun is better for this purpose and cheaper, and may even be easier to buy depending on where you live. A larger caliber handgun like a Glock 45 or 10mm would be somewhat more effective than the 9. Recoil will not be a problem for you unless you plan to practice, which wouldn't be a bad idea actually, but then the recoil of the bigger calibers might hurt you if you are quite small. I don't know what, if anything, they had you shoot at your class, and how well you managed it. You did say you were dainty. Do you have the hand strength to load the Glock and charge it? If not, a revolver is the way to go simpler and more fail-safe, tho Glocks are pretty simple.

I do have the hand strength to pull the slide. I used a 9mm Glock at the shooting range. The recoil was strong. Can you tell me more about revolvers and model/caliber? Any you recommend?

 

[ikadasui]

I promise you just dress DECENT! not super nice, but not trash and smile lol. i've gotten 2 guns and i'm black at these white hick stores the last type of customer they'd want and it worked out fine

 

[Pidgeons_Sparrows]

i wish i could just go out and buy a gun... man you dont know how lucky you have it. gun would be my ideal method but its practically impossible in my country

 

[lifeisbutadream]

"I do have the hand strength to pull the slide. I used a 9mm Glock at the shooting range. The recoil was strong. Can you tell me more about revolvers and model/caliber? Any you recommend?"

Budd Dwyer used a .357 magnum revolver very successfully. Videos of the incident are probably still available online. Even more powerful revolvers are the 44 special, and then even moreso the 44 magnum. As you are small the shopkeeper may advise you not to get the last two or even the 357. Personally I would only use a shotgun.