What do you wish someone told you when you started?
If you could go back and tell beginner-you one piece of advice, what would it be? Mine: "buy once, cry once." Wasted so much money on cheap stuff before figuring out what actually works.
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I'm in the same boat. Let me know what you end up going with.
Appreciate the honest review. Most people just hype everything up.
Been there done that. Lesson learned the hard way for me too.
Mine would be: don't get caught up in the latest and greatest. The fundamentals haven't changed in 100 years. A good 1911 or revolver will serve you better than 5 plastic fantastic guns that you shoot mediocre. Also, buy milsurp when you see it cheap - wish I'd grabbed more Garands and Springfields when they were $300.
100% agree on buy once cry once. I wasted probably $800 on cheap optics and furniture before I learned to just save up for quality stuff. Now it's BCM/Aero uppers, LaRue triggers, and good glass only. Also - learn to build your own if you're into ARs. Way cheaper than buying complete rifles and you know every part that went into it.
Learn to reload early! I spent years buying factory ammo at $.50+ per round when I could've been loading 9mm for $.18. Also, don't be afraid to buy in bulk at shows - found cases of Federal 9mm for $220 last month vs $280+ at my LGS. Cash talks at shows.
Honestly? Just shoot more. I spent way too much time researching gear online instead of actually getting to the range. All the fancy stuff doesn't matter if you can't hit what you're aiming at lol