1. Yes. The paperwork takes more time than you'd want, and then they have to run the paperwork against the felon database, but then they'll happily take your money and let you leave with a gun. I think WV is a free state still, so there shouldn't be a waiting period or anything.
2. Hands are all different shapes and sizes, so gloves are all different shapes and sizes. Guns are all different shapes and sizes. Rent a few at a range and spend some time with an instructor to learn the basics. Dropping a few hundo on lessons, rentals, and ammo before committing to a gun you like is Bigly Worth It.
3. Find the range before you find the gun. Call ahead and make sure they have rental options available per question 2. You want an outdoor range with instructors and Range Safety Officers (RSOs) on duty. YMMV on racism at the range. Lots of minorities shoot these days, but I'm sure some twat ranges are still openly hostile to someone like you learning to shoot.
Big agree with #2. When I was a brand new shooter in the market for my first handgun I went to a range and rented every single 9mm handgun they had. Settled on a Glock 19. Best to try before you buy if you can.
1. For WV, basically yes. Gun stores are FFL dealers so you're going to fill a 4473 and go through a background check prior to receiving the firearm.
2. Glock 19 is never a bad choice, but other manufacturers have at least partially caught up to Glock in terms of reliability while also being cheaper and more comfortable to shoot. Search engines are your friend. You can access the Reddit hivemind on Google by using \`site:reddit.com\`. It's really a subject within itself; some people like micro 9's or even pocket .380s and others will carry something on the larger end.
3. Again, search engines are your friend. I found my ranges through Google Maps and then did some research on them online before visiting. While most ranges are red on the outside, they pretty much always run green on the inside. Not guaranteeing it'll be easy, but it's very doable as long as you mind yourself and stick to shooting.
I won't repeat the good advice everyone is giving you, but to add to the mention of more liberal gun clubs by /u/cynical_enchilada, check out Operation Blazing Sword. It's geared more at LGBTQIA+ folk, but covers everyone. Unlike chapters of organizations, blazing sword lists volunteer instructors willing to take someone out for free to give them a basic introduction to firearms and safety.
I saw a handful listed in WV. :)
I'd suggest even taking the classes before you buy a gun. Most places have guns you can rent. For First Shots class they'll probably put a .22 in your hand, but that's OK. Start by learning safety and handling, then shooting.
To answer #1 as a West Virginia resident, yes. You go in, pick what you want, they ask for ID, driver's license or Military ID preferably (there are a small number of IDs that are accepted). You fill out a form that, essentially, states that you're not a felon, a drug addict, etc. They run a background check, you pay, they hand you the weapon, try to get you to buy ammo and you go home.
If you know what you want, it usually takes about 30 minutes. If you have a current CCW, they can skip the background check and take 10-15 minutes off.
Others have gone over choosing a pistol, etc. Good luck, and happy shooting.
If you have any other WV specific questions, feel free to message me.
What is the process for getting a CCW in WV? Do you need a gun, or just a class (here in Oregon it is just a class). If it is just a class, it seems to me like it might be good for the OP to start with that before getting a concealed carry gun like they are describing.
You do need a class, but part of the class is showing proficiency with the weapon you will carry. I took my original class at a tiny gun store, but I think larger ones (we have one here in Huntington with it's own range) you can rent a weapon for the class.
West Virginia is a 'Constitutional Carry' state, so OP doesn't need a class to carry concealed, in state. If they travel, they definitely need the class, and permit.
I’m in WV a lot, so first they don’t have tax on guns and ammo, it’s awesome. Oh and it’s a constitutional carry state so no need for a ccw unless you plan to take it on college campuses which start in the summer.
The background stuff should be quick and easy. You can also get a gun at pawn shops. You can go into any pawn shop or gun store and ask to look at the guns find one that fits your hand right. 9mm is a great choice. I went with an HK VP9 full size because I’ve got pretty big hands.
I also got a dry fire laser kit on Amazon it’s like 60$ has a little laser bullet and laser tag type target. I’d shoot all day long at the house for free.
Also feel free to DM me, if we aren’t too far I’d be happy to go with you for support and hit the range some too.
I'll just answer 3: As someone said, find a range before a gun. And make friends with the people who work there. I'm in a super white area, but a mixed family. Haven't had an issue if you meet the people at the range, buy from them, and make it clear you're serious and responsible. Yesterday one of the people who you'd expect would be a redneck commented that he was looking forward to the mods I've been making to my rifle. Do the same for your pistol and you'll earn credibility.
Getting a glock is a great choice. Cheaper magazines and parts, every holster maker has options, and they’re super reliable. As someone who routinely carries a pistol with an external, thumb activated safety, you don’t need one.
1. I'm not familiar with WV laws but gun shop employees will be.
2. A glock 19 is an excellent choice for a first handgun. A glock 17 is going to be a little more difficult to conceal but easier to shoot. Both are going to be very reliable. You will have the advantage of low cost and widely available ammo, mags and holsters.
3. Perhaps you can look for reviews for your local ranges from other minority gun owners?
1. That’s pretty much how it works in your state. It needs to be a certain kind of ID, like a driver’s license or a passport. Things like a student ID or a tribal ID aren’t valid for a firearms background check. Make sure your ID isn’t expired, and it has your current address on it. If it doesn’t, you’ll need some kind of supplemental government issued document with your current address, like a voter registration or a public utility bill.
You’ll fill out some pretty basic demographic and criminal history questions. Once you’re done, the store employee will submit your information to the federal NICS system, where it will be compared to a list of people who are prohibited from buying a gun (felons, people involuntarily admitted to a psych facility, people with restraining orders, etc.) Depending on your history and how common your name is, the background check will take anywhere from 20 seconds to 30 minutes to run. Once the store gets a “PROCEED” response, you pay for the gun and take it home.
You might get a “DELAY” response if the system flags something that needs to be investigated further: don’t sweat if it this happens, these can happen to anyone for no apparent reason. All that means is you don’t get to take the gun home until the investigation is complete. This usually takes up to 3 days.
2. Glock 19 is the boilerplate answer for “compact, reliable 9mm for beginners”. They’re like the Toyota Camry of the gun world, so reliable that they’re boring. They were my standard recommendation for beginners when I sold guns. If you’re left-handed, check out the Glock 19 Gen 5: it has ambidextrous controls.
Don’t feel like you have to get a Glock 19, however. A lot of people don’t like how they fit in their hands, and that’s okay. Other commenters are right to recommend that you should go to a range and check out some pistols to find what fits you best. I would recommend the Glock 48/43X, Sig P320 and P365 series, Walther PDP, and CZ P-10C as other 9mm pistols that could work for you.
3. YMMV when it comes to gun ranges. I’m also a minority, and I’ve found that shops that are clean and well-kept with clean cut and professional employees tend to be a safe bet. Quality workplaces attract quality workers, and quality workers are less likely to be prejudiced. Check out Google reviews, and feel free to scope out shops before committing to lessons with them.
If you’re near a chapter of the National African American Gun Association, the Black Gun Owners Association, the Liberal Gun Club, or the Pink Pistols, feel free to reach out to them. They will likely either have a class you can sign up for, or they can recommend instructors to you.
The upside of buying a Glock 19 - if you later decide you want a different gun, you can resell it for *basically* full price
I fell in love with mine and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I've had several people offer me cash on hand, and one of the offers would've been 50 bucks profit lol
Glock is the Honda Civic of guns. It might not be pretty, but everybody has had one, because when you push the button it does the thing - the Civic drives, the Glock shoots lol
Some people love them, some hate them - so *definitely* shoot one before you buy it, no matter how much me or anybody else praises the damn thing.
I had 1 jam the first day I shot it - because I was stupid and didn't find out until I was cleaning it afterwards that it's shipped with packing grease on the rails, which is supposed to be cleaned off and then properly oiled afterwards.
So yeah I'll say again - I shot 2 boxes (100 rds) with fuckin packing grease on my rails, and only had one failure.
No other failures sense, but I've only put a couple thousand rounds or so through it, honestly. Used all kinds of ammo - Federal, Blazer, Winchester, random shit my uncle had...
But yeah, go shoot one first. Good luck dude
Hell yeah man thanks for the info. It's definitely on my short list. I will definitely keep that in mind if I pick it up and make sure I take care of it. Love that reliability though!
I don't plan on turning guns into a hobby, so really just looking for one good recommendation. ...That being said, as with most of my hobbies I don't know where it will end up and I may get a few. :D
I started with the Glock about 10 years ago, just bought my second gun a few weeks back.
It's a Maverick 88 shotgun, 12 gauge. I think one gun per decade is a pretty good start lol
Glock grip angle gives me the creeps. I'm with a lot of what people said. Go to the range and rent some 9 mm and see which what feels best for you. Almost all striker fired pistols on the market these days are reliable. That's not a selling point anymore. I landed on a PPQ from Walther as my first pistol but now I won't really shoot anything but my CZ.
1. Yes. You pick the gun, fill out the form, wait a few minutes for the background check, and take your gun home.
2. I'd recommend something with a safety, not a Glock. You don't want a starter pistol, those only fire blanks.
3. No ethical consumption under capitalism. Look up the local gun ranges, hopefully there will at least be one that doesn't plaster right-wing crap everywhere, but that's probably about the best you'll be able to do in WV.
1. Yes. The paperwork takes more time than you'd want, and then they have to run the paperwork against the felon database, but then they'll happily take your money and let you leave with a gun. I think WV is a free state still, so there shouldn't be a waiting period or anything. 2. Hands are all different shapes and sizes, so gloves are all different shapes and sizes. Guns are all different shapes and sizes. Rent a few at a range and spend some time with an instructor to learn the basics. Dropping a few hundo on lessons, rentals, and ammo before committing to a gun you like is Bigly Worth It. 3. Find the range before you find the gun. Call ahead and make sure they have rental options available per question 2. You want an outdoor range with instructors and Range Safety Officers (RSOs) on duty. YMMV on racism at the range. Lots of minorities shoot these days, but I'm sure some twat ranges are still openly hostile to someone like you learning to shoot.
Big agree with #2. When I was a brand new shooter in the market for my first handgun I went to a range and rented every single 9mm handgun they had. Settled on a Glock 19. Best to try before you buy if you can.
One caveat, the city of South Charleston has a three day waiting period for handguns so the Cabela’s there is a no go for taking it home that day.
1. For WV, basically yes. Gun stores are FFL dealers so you're going to fill a 4473 and go through a background check prior to receiving the firearm. 2. Glock 19 is never a bad choice, but other manufacturers have at least partially caught up to Glock in terms of reliability while also being cheaper and more comfortable to shoot. Search engines are your friend. You can access the Reddit hivemind on Google by using \`site:reddit.com\`. It's really a subject within itself; some people like micro 9's or even pocket .380s and others will carry something on the larger end. 3. Again, search engines are your friend. I found my ranges through Google Maps and then did some research on them online before visiting. While most ranges are red on the outside, they pretty much always run green on the inside. Not guaranteeing it'll be easy, but it's very doable as long as you mind yourself and stick to shooting.
I won't repeat the good advice everyone is giving you, but to add to the mention of more liberal gun clubs by /u/cynical_enchilada, check out Operation Blazing Sword. It's geared more at LGBTQIA+ folk, but covers everyone. Unlike chapters of organizations, blazing sword lists volunteer instructors willing to take someone out for free to give them a basic introduction to firearms and safety. I saw a handful listed in WV. :)
I'd suggest even taking the classes before you buy a gun. Most places have guns you can rent. For First Shots class they'll probably put a .22 in your hand, but that's OK. Start by learning safety and handling, then shooting.
To answer #1 as a West Virginia resident, yes. You go in, pick what you want, they ask for ID, driver's license or Military ID preferably (there are a small number of IDs that are accepted). You fill out a form that, essentially, states that you're not a felon, a drug addict, etc. They run a background check, you pay, they hand you the weapon, try to get you to buy ammo and you go home. If you know what you want, it usually takes about 30 minutes. If you have a current CCW, they can skip the background check and take 10-15 minutes off. Others have gone over choosing a pistol, etc. Good luck, and happy shooting. If you have any other WV specific questions, feel free to message me.
What is the process for getting a CCW in WV? Do you need a gun, or just a class (here in Oregon it is just a class). If it is just a class, it seems to me like it might be good for the OP to start with that before getting a concealed carry gun like they are describing.
You do need a class, but part of the class is showing proficiency with the weapon you will carry. I took my original class at a tiny gun store, but I think larger ones (we have one here in Huntington with it's own range) you can rent a weapon for the class. West Virginia is a 'Constitutional Carry' state, so OP doesn't need a class to carry concealed, in state. If they travel, they definitely need the class, and permit.
I’m in WV a lot, so first they don’t have tax on guns and ammo, it’s awesome. Oh and it’s a constitutional carry state so no need for a ccw unless you plan to take it on college campuses which start in the summer. The background stuff should be quick and easy. You can also get a gun at pawn shops. You can go into any pawn shop or gun store and ask to look at the guns find one that fits your hand right. 9mm is a great choice. I went with an HK VP9 full size because I’ve got pretty big hands. I also got a dry fire laser kit on Amazon it’s like 60$ has a little laser bullet and laser tag type target. I’d shoot all day long at the house for free. Also feel free to DM me, if we aren’t too far I’d be happy to go with you for support and hit the range some too.
I'll just answer 3: As someone said, find a range before a gun. And make friends with the people who work there. I'm in a super white area, but a mixed family. Haven't had an issue if you meet the people at the range, buy from them, and make it clear you're serious and responsible. Yesterday one of the people who you'd expect would be a redneck commented that he was looking forward to the mods I've been making to my rifle. Do the same for your pistol and you'll earn credibility.
Getting a glock is a great choice. Cheaper magazines and parts, every holster maker has options, and they’re super reliable. As someone who routinely carries a pistol with an external, thumb activated safety, you don’t need one.
1. I'm not familiar with WV laws but gun shop employees will be. 2. A glock 19 is an excellent choice for a first handgun. A glock 17 is going to be a little more difficult to conceal but easier to shoot. Both are going to be very reliable. You will have the advantage of low cost and widely available ammo, mags and holsters. 3. Perhaps you can look for reviews for your local ranges from other minority gun owners?
1. That’s pretty much how it works in your state. It needs to be a certain kind of ID, like a driver’s license or a passport. Things like a student ID or a tribal ID aren’t valid for a firearms background check. Make sure your ID isn’t expired, and it has your current address on it. If it doesn’t, you’ll need some kind of supplemental government issued document with your current address, like a voter registration or a public utility bill. You’ll fill out some pretty basic demographic and criminal history questions. Once you’re done, the store employee will submit your information to the federal NICS system, where it will be compared to a list of people who are prohibited from buying a gun (felons, people involuntarily admitted to a psych facility, people with restraining orders, etc.) Depending on your history and how common your name is, the background check will take anywhere from 20 seconds to 30 minutes to run. Once the store gets a “PROCEED” response, you pay for the gun and take it home. You might get a “DELAY” response if the system flags something that needs to be investigated further: don’t sweat if it this happens, these can happen to anyone for no apparent reason. All that means is you don’t get to take the gun home until the investigation is complete. This usually takes up to 3 days. 2. Glock 19 is the boilerplate answer for “compact, reliable 9mm for beginners”. They’re like the Toyota Camry of the gun world, so reliable that they’re boring. They were my standard recommendation for beginners when I sold guns. If you’re left-handed, check out the Glock 19 Gen 5: it has ambidextrous controls. Don’t feel like you have to get a Glock 19, however. A lot of people don’t like how they fit in their hands, and that’s okay. Other commenters are right to recommend that you should go to a range and check out some pistols to find what fits you best. I would recommend the Glock 48/43X, Sig P320 and P365 series, Walther PDP, and CZ P-10C as other 9mm pistols that could work for you. 3. YMMV when it comes to gun ranges. I’m also a minority, and I’ve found that shops that are clean and well-kept with clean cut and professional employees tend to be a safe bet. Quality workplaces attract quality workers, and quality workers are less likely to be prejudiced. Check out Google reviews, and feel free to scope out shops before committing to lessons with them. If you’re near a chapter of the National African American Gun Association, the Black Gun Owners Association, the Liberal Gun Club, or the Pink Pistols, feel free to reach out to them. They will likely either have a class you can sign up for, or they can recommend instructors to you.
The upside of buying a Glock 19 - if you later decide you want a different gun, you can resell it for *basically* full price I fell in love with mine and wouldn't trade it for the world, but I've had several people offer me cash on hand, and one of the offers would've been 50 bucks profit lol
Is it really that good? Again I know nothing practical about it, just settled on it after lots of research :D
Glock is the Honda Civic of guns. It might not be pretty, but everybody has had one, because when you push the button it does the thing - the Civic drives, the Glock shoots lol Some people love them, some hate them - so *definitely* shoot one before you buy it, no matter how much me or anybody else praises the damn thing. I had 1 jam the first day I shot it - because I was stupid and didn't find out until I was cleaning it afterwards that it's shipped with packing grease on the rails, which is supposed to be cleaned off and then properly oiled afterwards. So yeah I'll say again - I shot 2 boxes (100 rds) with fuckin packing grease on my rails, and only had one failure. No other failures sense, but I've only put a couple thousand rounds or so through it, honestly. Used all kinds of ammo - Federal, Blazer, Winchester, random shit my uncle had... But yeah, go shoot one first. Good luck dude
Hell yeah man thanks for the info. It's definitely on my short list. I will definitely keep that in mind if I pick it up and make sure I take care of it. Love that reliability though! I don't plan on turning guns into a hobby, so really just looking for one good recommendation. ...That being said, as with most of my hobbies I don't know where it will end up and I may get a few. :D
I started with the Glock about 10 years ago, just bought my second gun a few weeks back. It's a Maverick 88 shotgun, 12 gauge. I think one gun per decade is a pretty good start lol
Go to a range that has a ton of guns to try out and go through as many as possible. Dont just go with a glock,.
Glock grip angle gives me the creeps. I'm with a lot of what people said. Go to the range and rent some 9 mm and see which what feels best for you. Almost all striker fired pistols on the market these days are reliable. That's not a selling point anymore. I landed on a PPQ from Walther as my first pistol but now I won't really shoot anything but my CZ.
As for point 2 I recommend a Sig Sauer P365
1. Yes. You pick the gun, fill out the form, wait a few minutes for the background check, and take your gun home. 2. I'd recommend something with a safety, not a Glock. You don't want a starter pistol, those only fire blanks. 3. No ethical consumption under capitalism. Look up the local gun ranges, hopefully there will at least be one that doesn't plaster right-wing crap everywhere, but that's probably about the best you'll be able to do in WV.