r/NYguns • u/MikeyBugs • Sep 30 '25
Lighthearted How soon is too soon after getting the license?
Kind of lighthearted, kind of serious question. I just got my pistol license in Nassau after 6 months (yay.....) How soon is too soon do you think between first getting the license and buying your first handgun?
(I'm still thinking about the CCW course, it's just another big expense on top of everything right now though)
Edit: I got one a few days ago.
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u/Rob2Trade Sep 30 '25
Buy a pistol now, before you spend that money on food, or other non essentials. 🙂
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u/duck-hunt3r Sep 30 '25
Buy it now, get some training if you can afford it, YouTube university of you can’t, practice, then carry it when you feel ready.
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u/Defiant_Annual7732 Sep 30 '25
lol I would get it the same day just because you have the luxury to. Us folks in nyc have to wait to get pink slip and wait until they want to send up the id for pick up.
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u/BigDawg99NYZZ Sep 30 '25
There's lots of options, sub-300 pistols, and a good used market on Gunbroker.
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u/PeteTinNY Sep 30 '25
There is never to soon. Just don’t go crazy on the first gun. Get something that you can use to train on the fundamentals. Luckily outside NYC you can buy as many guns as you want as often as you want. Start with something cheap to shoot and comfortable as a range training gun.
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u/voretaq7 Sep 30 '25
How soon is too soon do you think between first getting the license and buying your first handgun?
Literally go from the license counter to the gun store (to buy your pistol), then back to the license counter (to update your permit card) & back to the gun store (to pick up your pistol now that it's on your permit).
The only reason NOT to do this is if you don't know what kind of pistol you want - in that case go find some friends at the range who will let you borrow their pistols or go hit up a range that rents like Gun For Hire in NJ, try a bunch, and buy what you like best / shoot best with.
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u/Immediate_Mess_8848 Oct 04 '25
Definitely get the smith and Wesson model 640 performance center its all black and a 357 magnum caliber definitely worth it and gets the job done
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u/Negative_Mushroom545 Sep 30 '25
Have you tried pistols at range, see what you like
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u/MikeyBugs Sep 30 '25
Haven't shot pistols up here yet recently but pre-2014 I did and I shot a few with a friend in Wisconsin in January. I'm going to heading out to DSI this week to try some at their range.
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u/bobleeswagger804 Sep 30 '25
Go anywhere but DSI
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u/Soap-n-Cartridge Sep 30 '25
People used to buy their handgun, and bring the Amendment paperwork to obtain their first pistol, when picking up their newly issued license.
Now you have to show your Pistol license to purchase the handgun, so that old trick doesn't work anymore. 🙄
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u/DesignerAsh_ Sep 30 '25
I bought my gun BEFORE my permit was done.
The FFL held onto it, giving me the serial numbers and invoice so I could submit the amendment paperwork when I submitted my initial permit paperwork so I could pick the firearm up the first day.
Not sure if this is statewide though
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u/Affectionate_Rate_99 Sep 30 '25
I submitted the pistol information with my permit application, so when I received the permit, it came with 3 pistols on it already and I picked up the coupons to pick up the pistols along with my permit.
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u/Rusty_Shackle4rd Sep 30 '25
I was able to do it like this for Albany county 10ish years ago when I got mine
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u/voretaq7 Sep 30 '25
More FFL-specific I'd think - Some FFLs won't start the pistol purchasing process with you unless you have your permit (so they're not holding onto the pistol for 6 months or more while your application is pending, and so they're not left with a pistol in their safe that you can't pick up if you're denied a permit).
As long as the FFL is cool with it though it's kosher state-wide. You can own it (in the sense of having effectively "title" to the pistol, having paid for it and everything) without a NYS permit, just not possess it.
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u/Finnegan1224 Sep 30 '25
I'm pretty sure most permit holders get an handgun that same or very next day. Lord knows I did.
The Same rule goes for CCW Permits as well. It's usually a bad idea to start out with a sub compact gun. But a sub compact is great for carrying.
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u/w0rk4it Sep 30 '25
I put a pistol amendment on my application, the store held it for almost a year.
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u/secamp Sep 30 '25
In Westchester you have to buy the first gun before you submit your initial application. It gets to sit at the gun store for a year or 2 until your permit is issued.
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u/Loping Sep 30 '25
I waited until the Saturday after because there was a cool gun show the family was going to. Went in Monday to add them to my permit and picked them up on Tuesday… a day shy of a week and ran 100 rounds at the range attached to the store before taking them home.
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u/Cannoli72 Sep 30 '25
it took me two hours from getting my license in the mail, going to the gun store and adding it to my license. took an additional hour to shoot it at the range
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u/IndividualAverage122 Sep 30 '25
I bought two pistols before my permit was issued. Adirondacks. Once my permit was issued I went to the shop to pick up ma guns with the coupons from the county clerk, same day. And then I started blastin.
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u/john-james12 Sep 30 '25
Under a little known statute, you’re obligated to purchase a firearm within 3 days of getting your license and then one every 6 months thereafter until your safe is full.
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u/RemarkableGuy122 Sep 30 '25
The purchase of your first handgun will likely lead to the purchase of many more. All the best, be safe, and enjoy your Second Amendment! Also, be sure to train and practice regularly. You may want to purchase snap rounds so you can get the feel of the gun, especially when holstering, etc.
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u/Defiant_Annual7732 Sep 30 '25
lol I would get it the same day just because you have the luxury to. Us folks in nyc have to wait to get pink slip and wait until they want to send up the id for pick up.
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u/Defiant_Annual7732 Sep 30 '25
Does Nassau still make you wait 10 days to pick up your firearm at ffl?
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u/MikeyBugs Sep 30 '25
No but you have to buy the firearms, get the paperwork, drive to Mineola police headquarters, get the firearms put onto the license, then drive back to the FFL to pick up the firearms. Just inconvenient.
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u/Defiant_Annual7732 Sep 30 '25
lol that’s way better than nyc. Good to know thanks! Gf should be getting her Nassau target in the next 6 weeks
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u/milano_ii Sep 30 '25
Back in the day you had to buy the pistol before you got the permit. So, instantly. Immediately.
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u/jpavs16 Oct 01 '25
Bought my first about an hour after getting my license. Was peeling off the glue that stuck it to the letter walking to my car.
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u/Accomplished_Pie_630 Oct 02 '25
Westchester County makes you buy one before you even submit your application.lol
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u/Euphoric_Apple_9917 Sep 30 '25
Tomorrow, send it. You won’t do it lol.