PA Residency upcoming - what to get to celebrate?

[Gunright]

So, my move to PA is coming along. I've got a place there, have some utilities w/associated utility bills there, mail received there, a credit card address changed over to the new address. I'm keeping my place here for a bit before putting it on the market.

To celebrate having a shipping address there, ordered some "free state standard" mags to that address (they obviously will be staying in PA, no intention to violate anything by bringing them to New Yorkistan.

I'm planning on soon changing over my license now that I have the proof of residency stuff set up. I was going to wait longer on this (e.g. to when my home in NY is sold), but decided to start the process now so that I can vote in PA (instead of NY) in the election. To do so, I must be registered to vote there by Oct 21.

Assuming my acquisition of my PA license goes smoothly, my next celebration is to buy something for the new place that I can't have here. One note, I am way to busy to do a build from parts (although I could get them to be played with later), but in general want to stick to off the shelf purchases. I don't have a ton of money to spend given the vast shitload of expenses in getting a new place while still having the old one, but also don't want to buy junk. Let's say I have a $1500 or so limit for this go-around (the remainder of this year).

Ideas are welcome! Can be handgun or long gun (or both). I have plenty of ammo (for .357/.38, 9mm, .223/5.56, .22lr).

Thanks.

 

[dsdmmat]

Buy ammo.

 

[Jsmegs77]

PA license acquisition is pretty speedy, and you get your license handed to you on the spot as well as your old license with “VOID” punched through the middle. Took me about 40 minutes.

Voter registration is also pretty quick all things considered. I registered my voter info online but you can also do that at the drivers license office. Got my voter registration card about a week later in the mail (Susquehanna County, but I expect others are similar).

What to buy? I bought handguns, because I have a list and have been slowly checking things off. I also de-uglified my AR… it looks much more natural now and 30 round magazines just feel better than those 10/30 ones.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

You don't need a carry permit to buy. You can start buying as soon as you get your PA drivers license.

 

[Gunright]

Buy ammo.

Have "quite a bit", but will be doing some buying anyway. Edit: Ironically I will likely be buying shotgun loads as I'm getting a little low and too busy (or is that lazy) to reload at the moment.

 

[Gunright]

PA license acquisition is pretty speedy, and you get your license handed to you on the sas well as your old license with “VOID” punched through the middle. Took me about 40 minutes.

Voter registration is also pretty quick all things considered. I registered my voter info online but you can also do that at the drivers license office. Got my voter registration card about a week later in the mail (Susquehanna County, but I expect others are similar).

What to buy? I bought handguns, because I have a list and have been slowly checking things off. I also de-uglified my AR… it looks much more natural now and 30 round magazines just feel better than those 10/30 ones.

Unfortunately (or fortunately as I was in NY state), my "AR" is an Ares Scar. (I do like it.). So, I would be looking to add, not modify.

Thanks for the info regarding speedy. What is sas? Won't I be getting a temporary and the real one mailed to me? I'm guessing I won't be able to do a handgun purchase until the real license arrives in the snail mail?

 

[Gunright]

You don't need a carry permit to buy. You can start buying as soon as you get your PA drivers license.

Yes, I was aware of that. Thanks.
I will (eventually) get the PA LTC (License To Carry concealed) so that I can carry concealed in my vehicle.

 

[dsdmmat]

Only 3 times you can have too much ammo.
1) you are on fire
2) you are on a sinking boat
3) you are on a sinking boat that is on fire

Don’t feel bad about the SCR I haven’t been in NY for 4 years I still have the three I had in NY. They still are nice rifles in any state.

1500 dollar budget isn’t really that much these days.
Recommend a:

1) S&W M&P 2.0 competitor with a Holosun 407 And taxes will eat that up fairly quickly.

2) Springfield Prodigy

3) Springfield M1A

4) Any AR15

 

[JRtraderny]

So, my move to PA is coming along. I've got a place there, have some utilities w/associated utility bills there, mail received there, a credit card address changed over to the new address. I'm keeping my place here for a bit before putting it on the market.

To celebrate having a shipping address there, ordered some "free state standard" mags to that address (they obviously will be staying in PA, no intention to violate anything by bringing them to New Yorkistan.

I'm planning on soon changing over my license now that I have the proof of residency stuff set up. I was going to wait longer on this (e.g. to when my home in NY is sold), but decided to start the process now so that I can vote in PA (instead of NY) in the election. To do so, I must be registered to vote there by Oct 21.

Assuming my acquisition of my PA license goes smoothly, my next celebration is to buy something for the new place that I can't have here. One note, I am way to busy to do a build from parts (although I could get them to be played with later), but in general want to stick to off the shelf purchases. I don't have a ton of money to spend given the vast shitload of expenses in getting a new place while still having the old one, but also don't want to buy junk. Let's say I have a $1500 or so limit for this go-around (the remainder of this year).

Ideas are welcome! Can be handgun or long gun (or both). I have plenty of ammo (for .357/.38, 9mm, .223/5.56, .22lr).

Thanks.

I'd buy a can .

 

[kev74]

I'd buy a can .

#metoo

 

[dsdmmat]

#metoo

I'd buy a can .

That is a good suggestion! The form 4s are coming back in less than a week now.

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[Jsmegs77]

Unfortunately (or fortunately as I was in NY state), my "AR" is an Ares Scar. (I do like it.). So, I would be looking to add, not modify.

Thanks for the info regarding speedy. What is sas? Won't I be getting a temporary and the real one mailed to me? I'm guessing I won't be able to do a handgun purchase until the real license arrives in the snail mail?

Not sure what SAS is…(edit: typo, corrected other post, damn iPhone) but in PA they create your license on the spot, no paper temporary one. You’ll leave the driver license center with it in hand. In my county anyway, you can then promptly go to the sheriff’s office and get your LTC. Took me an hour flat and I walked away with both my driver’s license and my LTC.

LTC is not required to purchase anything… you could walk into any gun shop with your freshly minted driver’s license and purchase whatever.

 

[Gunright]

Not sure what SAS is…(edit: typo, corrected other post, damn iPhone) but in PA they create your license on the spot, no paper temporary one. You’ll leave the driver license center with it in hand. In my county anyway, you can then promptly go to the sheriff’s office and get your LTC. Took me an hour flat and I walked away with both my driver’s license and my LTC.

LTC is not required to purchase anything… you could walk into any gun shop with your freshly minted driver’s license and purchase whatever.

I don't believe this is true. My kid made the journey (moved) before me and had a temporary good for 14 days and got the regular one in the mail. From the PA site:

While the customer is at a PennDOT Driver License Center, all initial verifications to prove identity and residency prior to issuing the temporary DL or Photo ID card (i.e. verification of Social Security number, birth certificate, immigration/naturalization credentials) is completed. Using state-of-the-art facial recognition technology, the 15-day period is used to validate the individual’s photograph does not match another photograph in PennDOT’s database under a different driver name(s), thereby further aiding PennDOT in identifying individuals who have potentially committed identity theft. Once this validation is completed, individuals receive their permanent DL or Photo ID card in the mail within 15 days. In addition, PennDOT also uses this state-of-the-art facial recognition technology for the same purpose when an individual has their photo taken for their driver’s license/identification card renewal.

A slight wrinkle on this (for me) is that I was once a resident of PA (born there, got my initial drivers license there long long ago) but I doubt they have a photo from that long ago (I moved as a late teenager).

 

[Jsmegs77]

I don't believe this is true. My kid made the journey (moved) before me and had a temporary good for 14 days and got the regular one in the mail. From the PA site:


A slight wrinkle on this (for me) is that I was once a resident of PA (born there, got my initial drivers license there long long ago) but I doubt they have a photo from that long ago (I moved as a late teenager).

Must be county dependent or it’s changed since I moved here from NY in October 2023. I’m describing how it went for me, can’t imagine my experience is an anomaly.

 

[Vapor]

Must be county dependent or it’s changed since I moved here from NY in October 2023. I’m describing how it went for me, can’t imagine my experience is an anomaly.

It depends on some random stipulations. I had a temp for 14 days. Sheriff Benedict still took it as valid for the pistol permit.



Buy handguns and all the mags you want. I moved already with lots of good rifles and ammo.


I have 25 rounds ar10 mags and 33 Glock mags now.


I don't ever want to go back to a "reasonable" ten.

Heck my new carry in .380 takes 12s.


Ps. Don't use northeast title and tags.

 

[dean3690]

Buy ammo.

dsdmmat is so correct that it hurts to think otherwise. Of course buying ammo is the correct and only answer to this question. But why is this even the question to begin with when the question obviously should be "To celebrate, what should I buy AFTER I BUY AMMO?" That is truly the right question here and then all the other answers above become good and legitimate friendly advice to steer a brother to freedom nirvana. With ammo in hand, the cornucopia of guns and accessory options can become so overwhelming that caution, forethought and friendly brotherly advice is required to avoid spasms, foaming at the mouth or dancing with delight in front of strangers in the gun store. Good on Gunright for the move and seeking help with this important decision. You just can't be too careful with something this important.

 

[Parzival]

I'd buy a can .

It was my first purchase in Montana.

 

[Saltwater60]

Whatever you get make sure you get a voters registration card for pa because your vote there will mean something.

 

[Gunright]

Whatever you get make sure you get a voters registration card for pa because your vote there will mean something.

This is one reason I am doing this soon. I have other reasons to delay a bit (e.g. to the end of the year), but going for it now because of the election. and my desire to get new things that require a PA license. (I can get ammo there w/o a PA license and can get magazines shipped to the PA place w/o a PA license.)

 

[Gunright]

dsdmmat is so correct that it hurts to think otherwise. Of course buying ammo is the correct and only answer to this question. But why is this even the question to begin with when the question obviously should be "To celebrate, what should I buy AFTER I BUY AMMO?" That is truly the right question here and then all the other answers above become good and legitimate friendly advice to steer a brother to freedom nirvana. With ammo in hand, the cornucopia of guns and accessory options can become so overwhelming that caution, forethought and friendly brotherly advice is required to avoid spasms, foaming at the mouth or dancing with delight in front of strangers in the gun store. Good on Gunright for the move and seeking help with this important decision. You just can't be too careful with something this important.

I don't believe this is true. My kid made the journey (moved) before me and had a temporary good for 14 days and got the regular one in the mail. From the PA site:


A slight wrinkle on this (for me) is that I was once a resident of PA (born there, got my initial drivers license there long long ago) but I doubt they have a photo from that long ago (I moved as a late teenager).

OK, a correction to what I posted above.

I now have a PA license in hand, not a temporary and no need to wait for it to be mailed to me.

It seems that a temporary is given if a real ID license is desired, at least in some of the processing centers. Since I have a passport, I opted for the non real ID version so I could get the permanent license right away. I can get the real ID version for something like $30 as they had all of the information required to get it. I can either go back to the same place and they will take my $ and have the replacement sent out, or go to one of the processing centers that does real ID's on site.

So I believe I am now legal to get myself some new toys.

Edit: Also registered to vote, got a receipt for it and told to expect the voter registration card in a week or two.

 

[Saltwater60]

OK, a correction to what I posted above.

I now have a PA license in hand, not a temporary and no need to wait for it to be mailed to me.

It seems that a temporary is given if a real ID license is desired, at least in some of the processing centers. Since I have a passport, I opted for the non real ID version so I could get the permanent license right away. I can get the real ID version for something like $30 as they had all of the information required to get it. I can either go back to the same place and they will take my $ and have the replacement sent out, or go to one of the processing centers that does real ID's on site.

So I believe I am now legal to get myself some new toys.

Edit: Also registered to vote, got a receipt for it and told to expect the voter registration card in a week or two.

You and people like you could take the presidency from Kamala and in serious.
As for what to get I have always wanted a Thompson sub machine gun so that’s what I would get. Probably not an original because of cost but I’d try. I get tons of normal capacity mags and a suppressor for some of my rifles because my kids think they are too loud to shoot comfortably.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I am going to give my opinion and try to keep your 1500 budget realistic

If you are potentially going to get a can at some point I would love a compact .300blk ar15 variation of some sort. I would love the idea of what that can do in a shtf personal defense/home defense type role.

But if thats not something you're interested in I would maybe look into an AR 10. For 1500 this wouldn't be perfect but should be serviceable and fun.

$1200

https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-sabre-10a1-forged-16-308-mid-length-w-moss-green-receivers-and-burnt-bronze-rail.html

On clearance for $300

https://palmettostatearmory.com/vortex-strike-eagle-1-6x24-gen-2-riflescope-with-ar-bdc3-reticle-vortex-sport-cantilever-30mm-ring-mount-2-offset-v2.html

 

[Podmonkey]

I'd say a proper, unmolested AR is in order and then a quantity of proper capacity magazines. The new Magpul TMag has recently started shipping, perhaps keep an eye out and get a few whenever they are in stock. Maybe buy a case or two of ammo if only to relish in having it shipped straight to your door.
Or maybe get one of the new Ruger LC Carbine series as they are not NY legal.

 

[Gunright]

Things are progressing.

Monday - drive from NY
Tuesday - got my PA license
Wednesday - bought a handgun (just because I wanted to do one before having any sort of "permit" to see how the process would go.) Unlike NY, where most mega stores (thinking about you Dicks) have to have a manager escort you out, gun (in case) was handed to me and "thank you, have a nice day!"
Thursday - applied for LTCF (PA concealed/vehicle carry). Form was one page, most of it prefilled as "not required" by the local sheriff, rest was age, dob, place of birth, PA, and the same questions (as far as I could tell) as on a 4473 (are you a felon, etc.). Half an hour (wait for background check) and $20 later I had the LTCF in hand.

Also visited a couple shops to peruse "AR style" offerings. No decision yet on that. Did see the Ruger LC Carbine(s) that Podmonkey mentioned. Bought some fudd ammo (shotgun shells for clays), why not? Another few hundred gone.

I can already see that I will need to watch myself before spending 5-10K quickly, like a kid in a candy store.

FUKH.

 

[Gunright]

The post today about the body armor case in NY got me thinking - I don't have any and was foolish not to buy it before the NY ban. I did a bit of searching here but could use some recomendations on things to look at.

Is ceramic Level IV the way to go?

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

The post today about the body armor case in NY got me thinking - I don't have any and was foolish not to buy it before the NY ban. I did a bit of searching here but could use some recomendations on things to look at.

Is ceramic Level IV the way to go?

Yes. There are some pretty smart people here on this topic who can make recommendations

I think one of the better yet economical options was defense mechanics
People seemed to like this company

Home

defensemechanisms.com

 

[Vapor]

Things are progressing.

Monday - drive from NY
Tuesday - got my PA license
Wednesday - bought a handgun (just because I wanted to do one before having any sort of "permit" to see how the process would go.) Unlike NY, where most mega stores (thinking about you Dicks) have to have a manager escort you out, gun (in case) was handed to me and "thank you, have a nice day!"
Thursday - applied for LTCF (PA concealed/vehicle carry). Form was one page, most of it prefilled as "not required" by the local sheriff, rest was age, dob, place of birth, PA, and the same questions (as far as I could tell) as on a 4473 (are you a felon, etc.). Half an hour (wait for background check) and $20 later I had the LTCF in hand.

Also visited a couple shops to peruse "AR style" offerings. No decision yet on that. Did see the Ruger LC Carbine(s) that Podmonkey mentioned. Bought some fudd ammo (shotgun shells for clays), why not? Another few hundred gone.

I can already see that I will need to watch myself before spending 5-10K quickly, like a kid in a candy store.

FUKH.

I can tell you Dick's Sporting Goods no longer sells firearms of any kind at all. Nothing hunting related


I've worked in one of their warehouses for the last almost 7 years. I'm leaving officially October 11th for a new job.


They dismantled all the gun cages in all 5 warehouses and cleared them out by deep discounts in stores last year. They liquidated all ammo, bows, crossbows, etc. Ditched the hunting category period. End of story.


Sold the field and stream name to Morgan Wallen and Eric Church.

 

[Vapor]

Things are progressing.

Monday - drive from NY
Tuesday - got my PA license
Wednesday - bought a handgun (just because I wanted to do one before having any sort of "permit" to see how the process would go.) Unlike NY, where most mega stores (thinking about you Dicks) have to have a manager escort you out, gun (in case) was handed to me and "thank you, have a nice day!"
Thursday - applied for LTCF (PA concealed/vehicle carry). Form was one page, most of it prefilled as "not required" by the local sheriff, rest was age, dob, place of birth, PA, and the same questions (as far as I could tell) as on a 4473 (are you a felon, etc.). Half an hour (wait for background check) and $20 later I had the LTCF in hand.

Also visited a couple shops to peruse "AR style" offerings. No decision yet on that. Did see the Ruger LC Carbine(s) that Podmonkey mentioned. Bought some fudd ammo (shotgun shells for clays), why not? Another few hundred gone.

I can already see that I will need to watch myself before spending 5-10K quickly, like a kid in a candy store.

FUKH.

I got my DL and pistol permit the same day. One and done.

 

[Robin]

Well, this is the direction I would be going.

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Good Luck!
Robin

 

[Gunright]

I got my DL and pistol permit the same day. One and done.

I was worried about not being in the system, etc. Good to know I could have done it all in a single day.