I've saved up roughly 500 dollars or so to go out and buy my first weapon. I've had the experience of shooting pretty much all the standard firearms. .22 Rifles, 12 & 10 guage shotguns, .357 revolvers, .45, and even an AR-15 (God I loved it!)
I'm trying to decide however which one I should get. My purpose for it would be mostly home defense and for target shooting/fun on the weekends. I enjoyed the .357 as it could also shoot .38 specials for less of a recoil. I have gone shooting skeets which was very fun, and tilts the balance between a shotgun and a .357.
Any suggestions on companies, or brands that are tailor made or perhaps more suited for a first time gun owner? I need something with super polished chrome, or super precision barrel. Thanks! Oh and feel free to share pictures and gun stories here.
yeeeehaww! Ya the NRA convention was held here last weekend. Wasn't able to go but pictures of it seemed AMAZING! haha! Surprisingly, no incidents occured! . Registered Gun Owners are actually some of the safest people on the planet in my opinion. How can you hate a freedom loving, property defendin RED BLOODED AMERICAN?
On May 24 2009 13:41 Talith wrote: yeeeehaww! Ya the NRA convention was held here last weekend. Wasn't able to go but pictures of it seemed AMAZING! haha! Surprisingly, no incidents occured! . Registered Gun Owners are actually some of the safest people on the planet in my opinion. How can you hate a freedom loving, property defendin RED BLOODED AMERICAN?
as opposed to wat color blood rest of the humans have? rofl
Well, you have to have a concealed permit in order to carry or hide weapons with you. There are certain restrictions if it's in your vehicle such as ammo and weapon seperate, etc. It's also not allowed on schools, and government buildings, etc. But thanks to 2nd amendment rights, Americans are able to provide the means to defend themselves.
Generally, home defense and target shooting are mutually exclusive when it comes to gun selection. Also, your 'first gun' is usually not one you want for home defense.
Forget the super-polished chrome and super-precision barrel. Not only are they not for beginners, but they won't be accessible with your budget. Your first gun should be a 22 rifle with halfway decent sights where you can put a few thousand rounds through (aimed at paper targets) it learning the basics of breathing, trigger control, etc. Your second gun, if you wanna go with handguns, there's nothing wrong with a basic 357 magnum shooting 38 specials. On the other hand, for your second gun, you might want to go to a basic hunting rifle or some old military rifle such as an 03 Springfield.
While your learning the basics with the 22 rifle, you will probably talk to a lot more people than you have been, and you may change your feelings/preferences entirely. Once you have successfully tightened your groups with the 22, you will probably be ready to prepare your upgrade. Save some of the 500 for next time.
I only offer this advice after discussing this topic with my dad who is an avid target shooter and has fired off over 50k rounds in his life.
Thanks Micro! Some other guys were suggesting I also start with a .22 first and work my way up. Plus they're so cheap and I guess I can hunt rabbit or squirrel, or dove with it. Any particular make for the rifles or are they all pretty much the same?
There's also this for when you really need to kill every last mother fucker in the room! + Show Spoiler +
On May 24 2009 13:59 Talith wrote: Thanks Micro! Some other guys were suggesting I also start with a .22 first and work my way up. Plus they're so cheap and I guess I can hunt rabbit or squirrel, or dove with it. Any particular make for the rifles or are they all pretty much the same?
It's a matter of personal preference. The Ruger 10-22 is a very popular model, but you have to put on some better sights - a scope is a good idea. There is no need to "trick it out." You might also want to pay a gun smith to improve the trigger pull (make it less gritty). My dad has used one just like that for many years.
See what's available. Your focus should be on the sights and the trigger pull.
The real test is how tight you can hold a group. Be sure to use appropriate targets. For 50 feet, the NRA 50 foot small bore targets are excellent; the ISU (olympic) targets are a real challenge. If my dad sees you at 50 feet with a life-sized silhouette target, he will take your gun from you and club you like a baby seal.
On May 24 2009 13:41 Talith wrote: yeeeehaww! Ya the NRA convention was held here last weekend. Wasn't able to go but pictures of it seemed AMAZING! haha! Surprisingly, no incidents occured! . Registered Gun Owners are actually some of the safest people on the planet in my opinion. How can you hate a freedom loving, property defendin RED BLOODED AMERICAN?
as opposed to wat color blood rest of the humans have? rofl
it's an expression used to describe the american south lol
On May 24 2009 13:59 Talith wrote: Thanks Micro! Some other guys were suggesting I also start with a .22 first and work my way up. Plus they're so cheap and I guess I can hunt rabbit or squirrel, or dove with it. Any particular make for the rifles or are they all pretty much the same?
It's a matter of personal preference. The Ruger 10-22 is a very popular model, but you have to put on some better sights - a scope is a good idea. There is no need to "trick it out." You might also want to pay a gun smith to improve the trigger pull (make it less gritty). My dad has used one just like that for many years.
See what's available. Your focus should be on the sights and the trigger pull.
The real test is how tight you can hold a group. Be sure to use appropriate targets. For 50 feet, the NRA 50 foot small bore targets are excellent; the ISU (olympic) targets are a real challenge. If my dad sees you at 50 feet with a life-sized silhouette target, he will take your gun from you and club you like a baby seal.
Awesome, will look into that for sure. My co-worker knows everything inside and out about firearms and has been teaching me trigger pull (pull with the pad of index, not the crease), proper target focus, etc. I might go down to a gun range or something later this summer and see if there are any classes.
On May 24 2009 13:39 justiceknight wrote: i gt some qs
doesnt carrying weapons around the town scare ppl off? do u need any special certificate or license to own guns?
it is illegal to carry a conceiled weopon without a permit. and no its americans contitutional rights to own firearms. there are bans or restrictions on certain guns and what you can own. the gun is automatically registered to your name when you buy it but you have to be 18
get a .357, some are versatile enough to shoot a .38 round so you can change it up. In my experience i prefer the ar-15 or an ak47. better act quick though, new laws are coming and because of that prices are rising
If its mostly for home defense obviously it'll be a shotgun, but then again for your first gun you can never go wrong with the classic M1911. Just my two cents.
Personally I am in Phoenix, and with the 2nd highest kidnapping capital in THE WORLD followed by Mexico at number 1! I definitely want to protect myself.
If its for home defense you are better off with a shotgun so you don't run the risk of accidentally hitting a neighbor if you ever have to use it. I recommend a Mossberg 590. Its decently priced and reliable.
On a more serious note, you would probably be best to start off with some sort of revolver. They are cheap and reliable, making them good for self-defence.
You are right about the .357 revolver being a sweet gun. I will own one some day.
But here is my gun (well..one of the them). I bought it not too long ago and I am very happy with it. Springfield Armory XD .45 + Show Spoiler +
Notice it has the grip safety like the 1911 but the trigger safety of a glock. It is high capactiy (13 +1 of .45) and yet fits a normal sized hand much easier than a Glock would. It field strips very easily into 4 pieces as you can see (not counting the magazine) and it has a very good reputation. It is a sweet sweet gun and you can definitely afford it new with the $500 you have while a new Glock or 1911 would cost more (especially the 1911).
High capacity and good safety is what you want for home defense. This one has them both. Just do some reading about it online or in gun magazines. Also, send me a PM if you go and get one. I will want to congratulate you.
EDIT:
I forgot to say, but it also comes with 2 magazines, a dual magazine belt carrier, 2 different styles of holster, a flashlight holder, a speed loader, cleaning supplies and a child safety lock with key (see the picture).
Having 2 magazines is extremely useful and if you buy a gun with only 1, you will have to search and buy an extra.
If home defense is what you need just get a crowbar or something. There are no tribes of native americans around anymore about to burn down your house and rape your women.
On May 25 2009 19:28 Frits wrote: If home defense is what you need just get a crowbar or something. There are no tribes of native americans around anymore about to burn down your house and rape your women.
On May 25 2009 19:28 Frits wrote: If home defense is what you need just get a crowbar or something. There are no tribes of native americans around anymore about to burn down your house and rape your women.
Lol wtf? Wtf are you talking about Frits.
You do not need a firearm to protect your home (obviously implied in the first sentence), the second sentence refers to a time/situation when a gun would actually be useful to defend your home.
Not to turn this into some anti-gun thread but getting a gun for protection is absolutely laughable without proper training. If you like shooting guns, that's fine.
On May 25 2009 19:28 Frits wrote: If home defense is what you need just get a crowbar or something. There are no tribes of native americans around anymore about to burn down your house and rape your women.
Lol wtf? Wtf are you talking about Frits.
You do not need a firearm to protect your home (obviously implied in the first sentence), the second sentence refers to a time/situation when a gun would actually be useful to defend your home.
Not to turn this into some anti-gun thread but getting a gun for protection is absolutely laughable without proper training. If you like shooting guns, that's fine.
I actually have a native american living with me... lol?
And I also stated I enjoyed shooting, thus the statement about skeeting. Thanks for reading the opening thread! :D
Oh and with a bat I have to be close to them, and with a gun I don't. Logic states that it would be much easier to defend ones home if one does not have to get within striking range of the intruder, am I right?
A gun would feel much safer than a baseball bat. I'd imagine a handgun is good for home defense, I wouldn't want to shoot up everything, just the bad guy. Are there any places where you can get training with using firearms in the US?
On May 25 2009 19:28 Frits wrote: If home defense is what you need just get a crowbar or something. There are no tribes of native americans around anymore about to burn down your house and rape your women.
Lol wtf? Wtf are you talking about Frits.
You do not need a firearm to protect your home (obviously implied in the first sentence), the second sentence refers to a time/situation when a gun would actually be useful to defend your home.
Not to turn this into some anti-gun thread but getting a gun for protection is absolutely laughable without proper training. If you like shooting guns, that's fine.
I don't know what it is like in the Netherlands , but in the US there are around half a million armed robberies a year and around 14% of those are in homes. Sure, that is a small percentage of the total population but to say that there is no need to have a firearm to protect your home is a little ridiculous. It is better to have a gun and not need it, than to not have it and need it.
Edit- Op also mentions he lives in the "Kidnapping capital of the US."
I do agree that you should try to find some basic training at your local range or something like that if you are going to buy a firearm.
On May 26 2009 02:23 Talith wrote: Oh and with a bat I have to be close to them, and with a gun I don't. Logic states that it would be much easier to defend ones home if one does not have to get within striking range of the intruder, am I right?
Certainly, then you might then go farther than that and conclude that its safer to not even see the intruder so you set up mines.
On May 26 2009 02:23 Talith wrote: Oh and with a bat I have to be close to them, and with a gun I don't. Logic states that it would be much easier to defend ones home if one does not have to get within striking range of the intruder, am I right?
Certainly, then you might then go farther than that and conclude that its safer to not even see the intruder so you set up mines.
On May 26 2009 06:59 TS-Rupbar wrote: I'd rather let someone steal stuff than shoot them.
I rather would as well, that's what insurance is for, but if they have a weapon and about to hurt a family member I'd have no problem protecting them via shooting. This will 99% never happen and I would much rather call the police or scare them out of the house but at least it would be there for a last resort.
On May 26 2009 06:59 TS-Rupbar wrote: I'd rather let someone steal stuff than shoot them.
Buying a gun doesn't mean you want to shoot people. Having a gun gives you an upper hand over the intruder so you can get rid of him. There are many instances were people have scared off robbers just by racking their shotgun.
After watching the new X-man movie, I've decided it's only okay to own a gun for 'home defence' if you're old and live way out in the middle of nowhere. Otherwise just stick to your love gun, and your crazy bone claws.
EPT
. Registered Gun Owners are actually some of the safest people on the planet in my opinion. How can you hate a freedom loving, property defendin RED BLOODED AMERICAN?
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