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"When in Arizona, do as the Arizonans do."
I'm a pretty low-maintenance guy. Aside from food, Internet, and Mountain Dew, I don't require much in the way of spending my disposable income. So with cash to burn, I did like virtually all freedom-loving individuals do in this state: I bought a gun or two.
Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/6BUV0Zx.jpg)
Originally, I was set on getting a Glock, but I went with the S&W strictly due to comfort. It's literally making me a better shooter. Fencing with a pistol-shaped grip surely had something to do with it, but the gun fits my hand extremely well. I just raise it and the sights align without me really having to try. It's a wonderful first piece.
Smith & Wesson M&P LR .22
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/3V3MWhk.jpg)
This was kind of an impulse buy for me, but I've seen this one at the local shop a few times and have been interested in it since. .22 caliber ammo is very, very cheap and not powerful at all, so there's little to no recoil, minimal sound, and easy on the wallet. Won't lie: there's something invigorating about holding and firing a semi-automatic rifle, even a measly plinker like this thing. 
Taurus 1911 .45 ACP
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mfUzEmV.jpg)
This big guy was definitely an impulse buy for me.... But it looked very pretty, I wanted a higher-caliber weapon, was interested in trying out a famed 1911, the guy was nice, and I got 50 rounds free ($24 value). Desperately needed a good cleaning, so when I shoot it tomorrow, it should fire fairly well. Feels good in the hand and the sights are intuitive. We'll see about the kick and the noise....
(Next on my list: same guy offers an AR-15 with a handful of goodies attached to it for $1,250 before tax. It's a deeply-tempting offer. @_@ )
Because I'm wanting to pursue this more intently in the future, I'm investing a decent amount in ammunition, cleaning, and necessary accessories. (no, I'm not gonna go buy some sapphire laser pointer for a bayonet knife to "tactically" trick out these firearms, lol; I mean like a reloader or maybe a scope) Both of these were about $500 each; ammo at the local stores is $15/50 rounds of 9mm and $23/300 rounds of .22. Supply is finally starting to pick back up after the crazy demand over the past couple of years.
Ranges: the BLM in our state is awfully lenient on shooting, lol. Basically, you've just gotta be a quarter-mile from any building, and you have to clean up after yourself. Since I live in a remote area, I go to an unsupervised range up a hill just outside of town. Next thing I need to do is build a target stand or three to practice accuracy.
This is my new hobby, and it's tons of fun. I'd recommend to anyone that they jump on an opportunity to do the same. 
+ Show Spoiler [White-Ra shoots too, y'know. :-P] +
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United Kingdom10443 Posts
Although I don't agree with the gun law in the USA I like this blog post because from your tone you sound like a responsible gun owner and someone who enjoys the hobby. Not some guy who is reckless or a wannabe vigilante.
What was it that made you buy a gun?
Anyway hope you have fun, stay safe and continue the same attitude.
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On June 23 2014 14:05 KelsierSC wrote:
Although I don't agree with the gun law in the USA I like this blog post because from your tone you sound like a responsible gun owner and someone who enjoys the hobby. Not some guy who is reckless or a wannabe vigilante.
What was it that made you buy a gun?
Anyway hope you have fun, stay safe and continue the same attitude.
I began thinking about purchasing a handgun two years ago during my internship out here. I was in the downtown area of Tucson, at night, alone, waiting for someone I barely knew (another intern) to pick me up and show me around the city. I realized then that I wanted another way to protect myself; more options, more freedom. After much deliberating, research, inquiry, and practice, (I hate making wasteful purchases) I went ahead and jumped in. Besides, it's the popular thing to do out here, our version of "going out to the bar."  + Show Spoiler +the bar scene is terrible, by the way...
I'm not planning on taking a Concealed Carry (CC) class yet, but it's on my to-do list. The M&P 9 you see above is too large for CC, but others tell me it's a very informative class and firearm use is actually a surprisingly minimal part of it. You learn a lot about other methods of warding off attackers before resorting to your gun.
So for now, it's just for fun.
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We had Glock 17 and Steyr AUG in the Austrian army.
These are pretty good weapons and it's ridiculously easy to fire them.
It never occurred to me that this would be a fun thing to do in your spare time though.
Would a normal person be able to buy rifles like the Steyr AUG in the US?
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Zurich15305 Posts
On June 23 2014 15:31 urboss wrote:
We had Glock 17 and Steyr AUG in the Austrian army.
These are pretty good weapons and it's ridiculously easy to fire them.
It never occurred to me that this would be a fun thing to do in your spare time though.
Would a normal person be able to buy rifles like the Steyr AUG in the US?
If it's a modified semi-automatic version, sure.
But then again the same is true for Austria.
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I see, I didn't know that. Well at least the license in Austria is relatively hard to get.
Anyway, these guns basically fire themselves, so there is little to no adventure/skill associated with it.
The only thing that would be fun, hunting with bow and arrow, is of course forbidden in Austria.
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On June 23 2014 16:21 urboss wrote:
I see, I didn't know that. Well at least the license in Austria is relatively hard to get.
Anyway, these guns basically fire themselves, so there is little to no adventure/skill associated with it.
The only thing that would be fun, hunting with bow and arrow, is of course forbidden in Austria.
Its not hard to get a "Waffenbesitzkarte" and almost anyone can get category C + D weapons (its hard for category B weapons), even easier if you are a member of a sport shooting club. You just have to be above 21 and get a "Waffenführerschein" first but you have been in the military so thats very very easy. If I remember correctly you will not be able to buy a AUG in austria though (at least not if you want the easier C + D).
And I also agree the AUG was very easy to shoot with, made me understand why child soldiers can exist. Its really easy.
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United States24483 Posts
This is purely personal preference, but I am not a fan of pistol grips on a 22. A 22 is a great first rifle though. I have no experience whatsoever with pistols and can't comment, there.
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On June 23 2014 15:31 urboss wrote:
We had Glock 17 and Steyr AUG in the Austrian army.
These are pretty good weapons and it's ridiculously easy to fire them.
It never occurred to me that this would be a fun thing to do in your spare time though.
Would a normal person be able to buy rifles like the Steyr AUG in the US?
Like zatic said, it has to be semi-auto., but I could probably find one in Phoenix or Tucson, or have it delivered from afar. I'm content for the time being, but thanks for the recommendation.
On June 23 2014 19:59 micronesia wrote:
This is purely personal preference, but I am not a fan of pistol grips on a 22. A 22 is a great first rifle though. I have no experience whatsoever with pistols and can't comment, there.
I'm tellin' ya: try a Smith & Wesson M&P 9. Seriously. Just feel the grip at a shop or put a few rounds through one on a range. With handguns, you remove a lot of the bulk found in the rifle, so I find it's much easier to handle than the .22, but significantly more difficult to aim with.
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United States24483 Posts
cLAN.Anax, where I live, getting permission to fire a pistol is a huge pain in the ass, so no, I won't be buying one any time soon. If I was to get one, it probably wouldn't be the one you are recommending, but I'm sure your recommendation is a good choice.
I'm not sure what you mean by the pistol being 'easier to handle' than a 22, though.
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I meant just renting one out at a range. Perhaps that's still difficult for you in your locality. If so, sorry. :-\
Think of fighting with a bowie knife, then compare that to fighting with a broadsword. That'd be the analogy I'd use. With the handgun, you just load it up, cock it, and go. With the rifle, it's a little more cumbersome, since the magazine is larger and curved, the sights have a longer distance to line up, and you have to brace it against your shoulder. Again, though, fencing for five years with a grip very much akin to that of a pistol is probably biasing my opinion.
Perhaps I didn't understand what you meant by "pistol grips on a .22." X-D I don't know what differences exist between the two.
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United States24483 Posts
Compare your 22 with this:
![[image loading]](http://stateofguns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/TIKKA-T3-HUNTER-STAINLESS-FLUTED-BARREL.png)
I just sorta picked a random 22 that doesn't have a pistol grip. For rifles I prefer this general style to the one you have.
I'm also a fan of small to no magazine, so I don't have a problem with them being clunky. I guess if you still find one cumbersome you can get a rifle in bull pup configuration with a 16 inch barrel :p
Also yea, I can't rent pistols either here.
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Can't go hunting game with the .22
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On June 24 2014 09:20 micronesia wrote:Compare your 22 with this: I just sorta picked a random 22 that doesn't have a pistol grip. For rifles I prefer this general style to the one you have. I'm also a fan of small to no magazine, so I don't have a problem with them being clunky. I guess if you still find one cumbersome you can get a rifle in bull pup configuration with a 16 inch barrel :p Also yea, I can't rent pistols either here.
Ooohhh, makes sense. Fair enough. I don't have much experience with those grips, which was years ago in Boy Scouts. Will consider, thanks!
On June 24 2014 09:46 Disregard wrote:
Can't go hunting game with the .22
For squirrels, you can. One guy sits on his porch and tops the rodents that intrude onto his garden patch. Then he picks some veggies and he's got meat to go with his greens.
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Man you're lucky to live in the free-est state in the country (arizona), I'm about to move to New Jersey and I can't even bring my 50-year-old SKS up there because they think its a baby-killing assault weapon.
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Well if it still operates then at that caliber its a pretty destructive weapon. Considering its still used in third world militaries.
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I live in NYC and gun laws are insanely strict here.
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On June 24 2014 10:42 iamho wrote:
Man you're lucky to live in the free-est state in the country (arizona),
Yeah, people complain that there's nothing to do out in the desert. They need to think a little more outside the box city.
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Nice guns, heard tons of good things about the M&P 9. Heard less good things about the 22 though.
I was thinking about getting some myself but my parents wouldn't let me and a gun license is $100 here, so I guess I'll stick to airsoft for now... Took months of convincing them just to let me get an airsoft gun.
When I get out of MA I'll get some for sure though.
My initial gun list in order of first to last purchase would look like this: Mossberg 500, Ruger 10/22, Glock 19 Gen3, vz. 58 (if they're still $400), M&P shield 9mm, Tikka T3 in .308. I would not buy a Mosin because x54R seems to be drying up and they're increasing in price. SKS's are more expensive than vz's/ak's so I don't see the point in buying them at this current point in time.
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New purchase.
Taurus 1911 .45 ACP
This big guy was definitely an impulse buy for me.... But it looked very pretty, I wanted a higher-caliber weapon, was interested in trying out a famed 1911, the guy was nice, and I got 50 rounds free ($24 value). Desperately needed a good cleaning, so when I shoot it tomorrow, it should fire fairly well. Feels good in the hand and the sights are intuitive. We'll see about the kick and the noise....
(Next on my list: same guy offers an AR-15 with a handful of goodies attached to it for $1,250 before tax. It's a deeply-tempting offer. @_@ )
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EPT
