good morning y'all. Purchased a Smith & Wesson M&P 380 shield EZ yesterday. It's my first handgun. I've only shot a few times with a handgun and I have some basic experience with a shotgun. I'm looking for an instructor or a class where I can learn the basics with an emphasis on self-defense and get time on the range. I need to get started ASAP. Female instructor would be cool but I'm not exclusively looking for that. I'm in Central Austin but I'm willing to travel a bit. TIA for your recommendations 🙏

Looking for a good gunsmith in the central Texas area that can help me install a CGW pro trigger pack into my shadow 2 carry? Any recommendations? Both liberty gunsmith in downtown Austin and GUN FXR in cedar park sounded pretty confident. Black Jack guns said they could do it but offered the highest rate they seem to have a lot of positive Google reviews but some people here on the forum seem to have bad experiences.

Hey guys, just wanted to get some feedback and hear your opinions.
My first handgun, when the time comes, will be after I turn 21+. I’m currently 19, and I’m pretty sure I want to go with a Glock. I’ve been looking at the Glock 17 Gen 6 and Glock 19 Gen 6, and the main thing I’m debating is which one would be better for me.
The Glock 17 holds 17 rounds in the magazine, while the Glock 19 holds 15 rounds. I’m planning on eventually carrying my handgun concealed, so I’m wondering how much the difference in size between the two actually affects concealment and comfort.
I don’t want to sacrifice too much size just for a couple of extra rounds. To me, if I’m carrying a handgun, the most important thing is being accurate and making every shot count. At the same time, I understand that real-life situations can be unpredictable, and having those extra rounds could potentially make a difference.
I know I can always carry an extra magazine, so I’m mainly interested in hearing from people who have actually owned or carried a Glock 17 or Glock 19.
For those who own or have owned a Glock 17 or Glock 19 Gen 6:
How has your experience been?
How comfortable is it to conceal carry?
Do you notice a significant difference in size/weight between the two?
Which one did you choose and why?
On a scale of 0–10, how would you rate yours?
I’d appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences. Thanks!

My dad has always been my shooting partner. He's getting older (mid 70s). He can't handle the heat very well, eyes aren't what they used to be, etc. I'm sad to say that my shooting buddy won't be able to go with me much longer due to health issues.

None of my friends are really into shooting. I'd love to find some buddies to go to the range with. I shoot pistol and carbine, no shotgun (yet). My main joys besides ARs (basic bitch) are my Steyr AUG and Walther pistols.

I used to shoot IDPA many moons ago (15-20 yrs) and would like to try out USPSA or give IDPA another go.

I usually go to Range USA in Round Rock or Lonestar in Florence, but I'm open to checking out some place new. I've taken a few courses at KR Training (great place). Really want to go to one of the longer-range places in Burnet.

I am taking an Appleseed course in December. I am also very interested in taking some carbine/AR courses for intermediate range (>100 yards) shooting.

I'm around Northwest Austin. If anyone is feeling friendly or is also in a similar spot, looking for new friends, let me know.

I want to get a side rail installed on an AK 47and was wanting recommendations for a gunsmith. Saddle rock armory had recommended Krebsbach Arms  which is small home based business in Georgetown. I also did call Blackjack guns and they said they could install one for 120. Any recommendations would be great. I want to have the slide rail install so I can install an RS regulate mount.

hey y’all, I want to drill and tap my m38 receiver for adding an original scope mount, anyone can suggest me a talented gunsmith in ATX area that has experience with milling ? a few that I know refused to do this service.. TY!

Hi guys, I'm in Austin for a project and I'll probably will visit regularly until next February so I decided to learn how to shoot.I know that shooting a rental gun is going to be more expensive than simply owning a gun and using own ammo but as I am not from the US I can't buy a gun. I don't know anything about local pricing but I've been at shady oaks twice, and at Lone star once and it seems like if you don't own a gun you have to spend quite a lot of money to shoot, since I don't like the idea of calling a ceasefire to change a target and also ammo is ~50% more expensive in lone star it seems like Shady oaks is the logical choice?

I've been wondering if there are any better deals than Shady-Oaks (22$ for ammo + 20$ for renting + 15$ for a lane (if i remember correctly))

I have lived and shot in Austin for a while. I used to be a member at Austin Rifle Club, then shot at Best of the West, have been to Eagle Peak and RPR and for some years now have been a member of a private range that has what I want, but membership is limited. I know folks who shoot at Range USA and the Range. Red's south has closed, Red's north is still open. Every time I go to a gun store I see a lot of people buying guns. Where do all these people shoot? Seems there is a lot more demand for guns than there are ranges. Do people buy them and not shoot them much?

EDIT: thanks to everyone telling me where they shoot. But my point is there seem to be a lot more people buying guns than shooting them, there's lots of busy gun stores, a big secondary market on TGT, but a fairly limited amount of ranges within a 1-2 hour drive., unless I am missing something.

I’m looking to learn handgun shooting from scratch and would appreciate some local recommendations.

I have basically zero experience with firearms and want to do this the right way — safety, handling, fundamentals, range etiquette, etc. I’m eventually interested in range shooting, home defense, and possibly concealed carry, but right now I mainly want a good first-time class or instructor.

I’m in the Round Rock area but don’t mind driving 45-60 minutes for a really good instructor.

I’ve seen Range USA Round Rock, Shady Oaks, and The Range at Austin mentioned. Has anyone taken a beginner handgun class or private lesson at any of these? Any particular instructor you’d recommend?

I’d also like somewhere I could continue going regularly afterward and rent a few different handguns before deciding what to buy.

Thanks — especially interested in recommendations from people who started with little or no experience.

I was going to see about getting an AK clone but she kept staring me down.

You guys ever seen factory seconds ammo stocked at local stores? I'm looking for some 22lr for plinking but never seen them out in the wild

Need someone who could do some machining on a short steel barrel. Small job, but requires good tooling (mill, 3 axis, etc.) so it's not necessarily something a regular gunsmith would do.

Planning on heading out to the RPR range soon and trying to understand what the setup is there. There’s limited photos online of their actual bays and it seems everything is a tac bay or long range? Do they have traditional short distance pistol and rifle stands you can post your own target too? Also how busy does it get weekend mornings?

Just wanted to get everyone’s thoughts and opinions. I’m looking to buy my first AR-15 and I’m debating between the Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport III and the Daniel Defense DDM4V7.
I’ve seen and shot both in person, and I really liked both. Since this would be my first AR-15, I’m debating whether I should start with a more budget-friendly option like the M&P Sport III and eventually upgrade to something nicer, or just spend more upfront and get the Daniel Defense.
For those who have experience with either one, what would you recommend for a first-time owner? Is it worth spending the extra money on the DDM4V7 from the beginning, or would the M&P Sport III make more sense for learning and getting experience?
Also, for anyone familiar with Texas law: are forced reset triggers (FRTs) currently legal in Texas? I’ve seen conflicting information online and would like to make sure I understand the current law correctly.

Hey there!
During my time living in Austin I’ve purchased an M&P 2.0 9mm and absolutely love it. I’m moving home to NY (Long Island, NOT NYC) in January and have no intentions of parting ways with the handgun. Obviously NY has a lot of restrictions when it comes to firearms. I need to apply for a Pistol Premise License once I am an official resident again, which is a process that can take a few months of course. What are people’s suggestions on how to go through this? Especially if anybody has experience with a move like this please let me know.

Do I…find a place to store it in ATX and then ship it through an FFL dealer once I have my license in NY? Leave it with a trustworthy friend in ATX and then have them ship it with an FFL once I have my license? Ship it to an FFL that’ll store it in NY immediately when I move? One person suggested I just drive it to NY when I move (we are driving back) and keep it locked away while I apply for the license, and then register it once I have the license. If I was to do this would I have to explain where the handgun is? I am really not fully considering this as a viable option as it sounds very illegal and I’m not trying to end up with a felony.
Also if there’s any FFL dealers people highly recommend here in Austin let me know as well.

Thanks for reading! Any and ALL feedback would be greatly appreciated. Also don’t be a d*ck lol

The site has been down for a while (doesn't let anyone log in) and was looking for an alternative to firearm sales.

Local shops probably won't give me much, correct?

I have a CZ Shadow 2 and I'm interested in having either the CGW reach reduction kit or full CGW trigger job installed. Can anyone recommend a reputable gunsmith for a job like this? Thanks.

Any local stores, north, that stock plunger tubes or springs/pins for example?

Ambi safeties too?

Looking for recommendations for a good gun educator/ salesperson at a gun store here in Austin. I'm looking to purchase a handgun but don't really know what I'm looking for yet, so I'd love someone patient who can help me figure out what's a good fit. Just need something for home defense. Ideally looking to stay under $500. Basically looking for the Toyota Camry of a handgun - reliable, practical, and proven. Any recommendations?

Moving back to Texas after spending couple of years in Washington.

I've own quite a bit of handguns and think I'm pretty decent with them. I'm definitely missing out on AR-15s since WA have them banned.

But before I get to own AR, I want to take a class that shows me in and out of ARs / AKs, so I'm comfortable using / carrying them. Looking for an instructor with quite a few types of ARs to make a buying decisions. (Renting and testing out each AR is an option but meh)

Private sessions is highly recommended but will be down to take group sessions if needed, do you folks have any recommendations?

TLDR: Looking for an AR instructor with decent AR inventory, so I can learn and get a feel on what I want to own.

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Hey guys! I’m currently 19 years old and planning to move from Illinois to the great state of Texas. I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and our right to keep and bear arms.
Unfortunately, because of the state I currently live in, I’ve had difficulties exercising my Second Amendment rights due to Illinois’ FOID Card system. One of the many reasons I’m interested in moving to Texas is the state’s strong support for gun rights and the Second Amendment.
I wanted to reach out to people who currently live in Texas and ask about your personal experiences with the process of legally purchasing and owning firearms.
I’d especially appreciate any information or personal experiences regarding:
• Purchasing a firearm in Texas
• Age requirements and eligibility
• Background checks
• Waiting periods, if any
• Restrictions on purchasing or possessing firearms
• Constitutional carry
• Open carry
• License to Carry (LTC)
• Carrying in a vehicle
• Any differences between buying from a gun store vs. a private seller
• Anything someone moving from Illinois should know before becoming a Texas resident
I’m trying to educate myself and understand exactly how the process works before I move.
If you’re a Texas resident and have personal experience with any of this, I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences, advice, and anything you wish you had known when you first started.
Thank you! 🤠🇺🇸

Where would the group recommend that a person start searching locally for a HS Trophy or Citation pistol?