I moved to the US in 2001, becoming a citizen in late 2014. Almost immediately my wife told me I was American now, I should buy a gun! I had shot in the UK, while a member of the Army cadet’s and on the battalion shooting team.
I thought about it on and off for the next couple of years finally deciding in late 2017 it was time. My research led me to decide I would most likely get a Compact handgun, most likely in 9mm. This was due to the cost of ammunition, I wanted to be able to afford to shoot it and didn’t want my first handgun to be a 22.
I went to the indoor range near home and rented 5 9mm Handguns, shooting 10 rounds through each. Those initial rentals were:
Glock 19
S&W M&P Shield 9mm
A CZ (don’t remember which)
Springfield XD9
Beretta PX4
I ended up going back and putting 20-30 rounds through both the XD and the Glock 19, finally deciding the Springfield XD9 was the one I liked and shot the best.
January 2nd, 2018 I ventured into my local Sportsman’s warehouse to find out what I needed to do to buy my first gun. The associate behind the counter told me I’d need 2 forms of ID and a Handgun Safety Certificate (Yay California!). Asking how difficult the test was for the Certificate she looked at me and said “Have you handled a gun, and do you have common sense?” after I answered yes to both, she said the test was easy, and I would get two chances.
I went back that evening after work, and left with my 10-day wait underway on the soon-to-be mine XD9!
– English Bob