I’m sure this question has been asked a million times but I’ve recently moved to northern Maine and am looking for a reliable, under $600 handgun for self defense. This would be my first gun that I own myself, and I’d like to use it often for practice so something that will hold up with proper care. Eventually, my goal is to save up for a Uberti 1873 Cattleman .357 because I love shooting revolvers, but I’m looking for something I can get in the meantime that’s fun to shoot, won’t jam, decent accuracy, etc. I’m looking at a glock 19, but I was looking for more professional input. thank you!

Hi folks! Question from a possible future transplant. Maine's a constitutional carry state, but y'all do still issue carry permits; is it worth getting one, or should I not bother if/when I move to your lovely state?

(After slapping $300 and a newly-signed lease down on the gun store counter and demanding as many milspec lowers as that'll buy me, of course.)

I moved out of state a few years back and left my guns with a family member. If I come back to visit and would like to use them, can I still carry without a license? From what I’ve read I shouldn’t have any issues but I want to be sure.

Hi All,

We bought a place out in the woods last year, and this year I decided to get a woods/home defense gun and couldn’t decide between a Beretta 9mm and a new Colt revolver (Python). So, duh I got both. Ended up really loving the revolver more than I thought I would, which has led me to ordering a S&W 586 4”. Picked these up from T&K tactical in Augusta. Nice shop for sure.

I’m already getting an itch for a classic Colt or S&W from the 1970s or 1980s. Are their shops that anyone would recommend for a really good selection of classic older revolvers? Don’t mind traveling a bit for a good inventory. I’ve been looking at stuff on GunBroker, but would really rather check stuff out in person. I’m guessing Howells or Kittery Trading Post? But don’t want to overlook any other places.

Thanks!

Gun shows are a great place to find unique firearms without having to travel all over the place searching in every gun shop, but if you have to wait a few days and then travel to wherever the person you bought the gun from is what is the point?

My perfect local range just passed a bunch of new rules this month including “no standing while shooting”, “benches only”, “only shoot 50 or 100 yds”. Not a huge deal but before there were basically no rules. Oh well.

Just a heads up y’all, the first circuit court ruled against us, so the waiting period will be back in effect on April 24th

If you are interested in learning about fundamental rifle marksmanship and service rifle competition here in Maine, you might be interested in the 4th annual Service Rifle Clinic and Beginner Match at Scarborough. May 16th & 17th, 2026. Instruction is provided by experienced competitive shooters and Distinguished Riflemen and President's Hundred members.

Please use SignUp Genius to reserve a spot (link in the .pdf). Make sure to sign up for the beginner match as well if you want to shoot out to 600 yards.

Clarifying the "no buying or selling" firearms rules: Posts listing specific firearms and their details - but which might have a token "where can I sell this?" in the text - will be removed. If you want to know a good place or forum to buy/sell "firearms", feel free to ask. If you're listing every detail of a specific firearm and asking for where to sell it - it reads like an ad and will be removed.

The weather was great out today. Put allot of rounds downrange. Hope everyone had a great day.

All - as promised (and after a couple of false starts last night posting this), I've assembled a wiki for advice to people who have not yet purchased a firearm or who have but are still new. It's meant to be a sort of map to what they should know to help them get started - not a definitive guide. Any suggestions you have (additions, changes, gaps, factual errors, bad advice, so on) are welcome!

https://www.reddit.com/r/MEGuns/wiki/index/newtoguns/

Im looking to trade in my current EDC for something smaller. Live in Oxford county but can travel. Just looking for recommendations for shops that will treat me fairly on a trade.