Dad's Guns

[HobieMarty]

So, when going through my Dad's house and clearing out his belongings we discovered four hand guns. Growing up, the only gun we had was a Remington .22 semiautomatic rifle, which I also have, so I was fairly astonished that Dad had these guns. I did remember several years ago he had mentioned to me that he was going to get a 9mm hand gun because something about laws changing. Anyhoo, the four guns are as follows:

Hi-Point Firearms model C9
Ruger LC9s
Ruger LC9s with a Viridian ECR R5 laser sight
M&P Bodyguard by Smith & Wesson .380 with Crimson Trace.

Each of these has holsters, at least two clips and the clips were loaded with hollow points.
I don't know anything about hand guns but from what I have researched, they all seem to be pretty good units, I know the Hi-Point was a cheaper one of the bunch but it seemed to have decent reviews. I couldn't get the laser on the LC9s to work so I have no idea what to do to fix that. The bodyguard is very light and the laser has a flashing mode that I don't understand that feature either. The bodyguard and the LC9s with the Viridian have their boxes and there are trigger locks for those and some paperwork.
So, what is the general consensus about these guns, good choices?

I know that the first thing in gun ownership is to become educated and learn proper safety handling and care of the gun(s) and to take lessons in how to use them properly. I've shot .22 rifles and shotguns and a couple of handguns, and although I am a pretty good "shot", I have never had proper training, my plan is to keep the guns and I'd like to fire them, but safety first.
So, I'd appreciate any advice on hand gun ownership and possibly maintenance and how to get the Viridian laser working again.
Now for the pics...

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[HobieMarty]

Here is the Hi-Point 9mm

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[id10t]

Hi Points are regarded as POS bricks by those who afford $1200 1911s and SIGs and such.

I think what pisses 'em off about 'em so much is that they are big, heavy, ugly and Just Work. Would I CC one? Nope, but if you gave me one I'd have it in my truck, tackle box, on the boat, etc. Worth about $150 used, $200 new.

The Rugers and S&W aren't bad, aren't great, and are very common. Unsure on the laser or other doodads, I've never been one to put those on my guns. $300ish each, maybe more for the laser one.

[masraum]

I assume the batteries in the laser are dead.

I think the LC9 are pretty common carry guns, small and light, so easy to carry.

M&P guns are generally pretty decent guns. I assume that's a decent carry gun.

There are 4 rules.
- Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction. Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. ...
- Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded. ...
- Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger until You are Ready to Shoot. ...
- Always Be Sure of Your Target and What's Beyond It.

There are some other rules, but they kind of enhance the 4. For instance, if you go to a range to shoot a gun, never have the muzzle pointed anywhere but down range. It's not uncommon for a beginner to point the gun to the side or even to spin around and have it point to the rear. Both are big no-nos.

Another big one is never put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to fire the gun. The standard practice is to have the trigger finger extended down the gun not on the trigger.



It's funny, if you see a thread where folks are posting pics of attractive women with guns, often scantily clad, eventually someone will post a pic of a girl with her finger on the trigger, and no matter how hot she is and how scantily clad she is, there will probably be a few comments about the fact that her finger is on the trigger.

Most ranges will have their own rules, and I suspect all of them will probably be pretty similar mostly using the same set of rules. I suspect they will all cover the stuff above, and then most will probably add some rules about when the gun can and can't be loaded, etc....

[Seahawk]

Neat little pistols, especially since they were your Dad's..

I would first get smart on Alabama gun laws: https://www.alea.gov/gun-laws

When it comes to this type of stuff you can only tie the record - no points for creativity.

Next I would have a gunsmith look the pistols over to make sure they are safe to fire. They look fine but it shouldn't be expensive at all to have a trained eye take a look.

Lastly, train and shoot. There are a number of places in your area:

https://www.yellowpages.com/opelika-al/firearms-and-tatical-training

Most importantly, make sure you get eye and ear protection and have fun.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

N
Most importantly, make sure you get ear and ear protection and have fun.

Good point on the ear and eye protection. I have always just used whatever safety glasses I had laying around, but for hearing protection, I prefer a good set of ear muffs. I think I've even had times (indoor range) when I used the in-ear plugs AND ear muffs.

[Seahawk]

One more thing: If you decide to sell any of them, shoot (I know, I know) me a PM.

[flatbutt]

Given that I live in the most strictly regulated state in the nation I'll mention that you should check the 'Bama laws specifically on gun inheritance. I'd bet it's no big deal for you but it pays to make sure.

[Roswell]

Join the local gun range. They will offer classes on gun safety. Take them. They will also be able to teach you how to care and clean the guns.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by masraum

There are 4 rules.
- Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction. Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. ...
- Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded. ...
- Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger until You are Ready to Shoot. ...
- Always Be Sure of Your Target and What's Beyond It.
you're ready to fire the gun. The standard practice is to have the trigger finger extended down the gun not on the trigger.

+100 on Lt Col Jeff Cooper's 4 laws. Memorize them.

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I would first get smart on Alabama gun laws: https://www.alea.gov/gun-laws
Lastly, train and shoot. There are a number of places in your area...

+1

Assuming you have little to no recent training in firearms (laws change):

Unless you know what you are doing, I strongly suggest you DON'T fool with them until you have someone you trust show you a few things (like how to disarm each weapon). As already said, even after the guns are disarmed, have the mindset that EVERY gun is loaded.

If you plan on keeping them then know the laws on storage, transportation, concealed carry AND what you must or must not do to legally shoot them for fun or self defense (as per flatbutt):
-In some states you can carry almost anywhere.
-In some you cannot carry except in very restricted situations and with proper license.
-Some states like NJ even restrict what ammo you may have. Some states have a 'Castle doctrine'.
-I won't explain these things because it is your responsibility to research and understand your responsibilities and anything written here would only be partial list off all the things you should know.
-Also learn proper handling, how to maintain them and how to shoot correctly.

If you don't plan on keeping them, then you really need to know the laws on how to sell. There are all kinds of restrictions on shipping. You are liable if you sell to a felon and they use the gun in a crime. In most cases you may sell privately but I don't suggest it unless you know the person well. You can sell through a local gun store (read up on FFL).

Finally:
The Hi Point is the Yugo of handguns. Yes it works but unless you literally can't afford anything else it is not a good deal at any price. There are handgun snobs for sure but the Hi Point is not a good weapon.
Ruger and S&W are respected manufacturers. The Rugers are great reasonably priced pistols. I have an LC9s Pro and it is reliable. A great place to ask questions and learn: www.rugerforum.net/
(I think that id10t may be a little light on the values. Those were the values pre-2020> You can go to a gun show to see what they sell for)
The S&W is a very popular piece and as a rule will be worth the most.

[Seahawk]

The price ranges for the Ruger are here:

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=ruger%20lc9s&Sort=13

S&W here:

https://www.gunbroker.com/All/search?Keywords=M%26P%20Bodyguard%20by%20Smith%20% 26%20Wesson%20.380%20with%20Crimson%20Trace.&Sort=13

Remember, these are auction nunbers and may not be accurate, but they give you a sense of the market...at least what the sellers would like

If you decide to sell, FFL is the only way to do it.

[HobieMarty]

Good advice and thanks for all the replies.
The guns are put up in a safe place where no one can get to them and they are all unloaded. Good point about eye and ear protection, I actually found a set of ear muffs and I put them on and didn't realize what they were for until discovering the hand guns. Funny thing about the Bodyguard, my Mother has two of those. Mom and Dad were divorced back in the late 80s, when Mom remarried some years later, her husband got her a gun and they would go to an indoor range. She had a Baretta at one point but liked the lightness of the Bodyguard and she likes the Crimson Trace.
So anyway, I am not selling the guns, will check laws and there is a police firing range not too far from me so I may wander over there one day and ask some questions.

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[tabs]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

One more thing: If you decide to sell any of them, shoot (I know, I know) me a PM.

Drop them in the mail to Seahawk and violate a Federal law, so make sure they go to an FFl in Seahawks state.

[E Sully]

In NY they would have to be turned in to the Sheriff's department for a serial number search before pistol clerk can add them to permit.

[Crowbob]

So if someone stumbles across a firearm going through their deceased parents’ stuff what are you supposed to do? Take it to the police? Won’t they just confiscate it? What if it turns out to have been stolen or whatever?

[gacook]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

So if someone stumbles across a firearm going through their deceased parents’ stuff what are you supposed to do? Take it to the police? Won’t they just confiscate it? What if it turns out to have been stolen or whatever?

Varies widely from state to state.

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by gacook

Varies widely from state to state.

That makes sense. Anybody here from MI know the answer?

[tabs]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

So if someone stumbles across a firearm going through their deceased parents’ stuff what are you supposed to do? Take it to the police? Won’t they just confiscate it? What if it turns out to have been stolen or whatever?

Well then the Popo will finally know who hit Jimmy...

[911 Rod]

Cool little guns. I bet you wish your day liked bigger ones. lol

[masraum]

Originally Posted by E Sully

In NY they would have to be turned in to the Sheriff's department for a serial number search before pistol clerk can add them to permit.

Just another in a long line of good reasons NOT to live in NY/NJ.

And I've heard that it's common in those areas to carry a bat, ball and glove in your car whether you play a stick and ball sport or not. the ball and glove are subterfuge.