First time having manual brakes, are mine bad?

It’s a 1974 with I believe factory discs up front.

Ok, so it should have the 73+, single piston slider calipers. Those brakes are more than capable of locking up the wheels when functioning properly. With the factory master cylinder it will be a pretty hard pedal, but if you stomp on it you should lock up all the wheels.

You said the car is new to you, what kind of condition is it in? Has it been sitting a long time? Do you know know the last time anyone did anything to the brakes?