Author Topic: First Gun (Read 1123 times)

cav58d · « **on:** June 04, 2007, 05:44:42 PM »

I have made the decision that it is the right time for me to exercise me second amendment right, and become a gun owner. I have no intention of ever hunting. I am simply looking to become licensed, purchase a hand gun for home protection, and hopefully never have to take it out of its lock box aside from cleaning or the shooting range.

I am looking for a weapon that would be easy to maintain for someone with minimal gun experience, as well as enough hitting power if I ever was put in the situation where I had to use it to defend my family and my home.

I'm looking for recommendations on both the weapon, and a weapons safe to house the gun.

cav-

By the way. I don't want to spend more than 1k.

Denholm · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2007, 05:47:11 PM »

If Money wasn't an issue, I'd recommend this little baby.

You can't possibly miss!:D

(This was out of pure humor)

VOR · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2007, 05:47:59 PM »

A .357 magnum revolver is just the ticket for you. Within your budget, you can have just about any example you'd like. That would be my recommendation.

cav58d · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2007, 05:52:39 PM »

What are the major advantages and disadvantages to a revolver opposed to a "clip" gun?

VOR · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2007, 05:55:36 PM »

That;s a question that will take forever to answer, so I'll throw in some major ones and let the other members chime in with the rest.

For starters, simplicity of operation. Inherently reliable and easy to use.

Second, no worries about the readiness condition you keep it in. Load the wheel and store it. Pull the trigger and it goes bang. There's no need to concern yourself with any other step to ensure it's prepared for use, unlike a semi-auto.

VOR · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2007, 05:57:08 PM »

I'll add this: since it's your first one, whatever you decide to buy take a safety class and learn to handle it properly. This is more important than what you choose in the long run.

Toad · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:06:11 PM »

Agree; plus it will shoot relatively inexpensive .38 Spl ammo at the range and you can load significantly hotter .357 magnum ammo for home defense if you so choose.

Prices won't break the bank, either.

Mr No Name · « **Reply #7 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:11:31 PM »

.357 is a fine choice, if there is a woman in your house I might also suggest a .32 magnum. The .32MAG is very controllable, concealable and has ample stopping power.

Revolvers are safer by nature than semi-autos. That is not to say that semi-autos are unsafe. They require more practice and instruction to operate safely.

Take a gun safety course, it will cost you about $60 for an 8 hour class.

I have seen good, new .32MAGs in stainless for @$300

CFYA · « **Reply #8 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:24:27 PM »

If this is for you (not the wifey/kids) I would highly suggest a 1911 style 45. You can have a good shooter for 300-400 used and 400-700 new.

Also a Glock in 40 S/W is a sweet shooter. No safety and will go bang when you pull the trigger. These can be had for 300 or less.

I would not suggest anything palm sized for home defense. You want something you can grip with a good sight radius that has some weight to help with recoil.

If you carry then above statement is slightly voided. I personally would have a carry gun and a home gun stashed.

If your really gun safety minded I highly reccomend the H&K P7 for concealed carry. (its 9mm but extremly compact for a "full" size gun with a grip safety that will fool anyone not familar with the gun.)

Tritium sights are a must for any gun designated for home defense.

Keep a small high powered flashlight near it as well.

Know your states GUN LAWS!!!!
All states are different in one way or another.

DO NOT GO 9MM FOR HOME DEFENSE!!!!! In my opinion a even 357 is a tad weak for home defense for an able bodied shooter. You want 40 S/W, 10MM (not common), 45 cal, and up

No matter what ammo make sure its +P and a low flash powder. You do not want night blindness in this situation. With soft walls the use of Glaser safety slugs or similar is reccomended.

Any other questions let me know......finally a subject I can add to!

~~CFYA~~

VOR · « **Reply #9 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:27:43 PM »

I don't have the energy to dissect that one, but someone else will have some fun with it I'm sure.

Dago · « **Reply #10 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:47:42 PM »

Don't even get me and Lazs started!

DiabloTX · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:53:24 PM »

lolz.

I still really dig my first, and so far only, gun. A Henry .22 LR lever-action rifle. Ammo's cheap and it's a nice plinker.

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #12 on:** June 04, 2007, 06:54:24 PM »

I have fallen in love with the little Taurus 445 44 Special snub nose revolver I bought my wife. MUCH nicer than a 357 Magnum, less muzzle blast, slower, smoother, softer recoil, and the ballistic equivalent, or pretty close to it, of a hot 45ACP. They are VERY hard to find, being out of production for 2-3 years or so. The blued steel brings around $300, the stainless a little more, and the titanium just over $400. You DO NOT want the titanium, even for carry. And you DO NOT want a ported version either. But a better personal defense gun is hard to find for the new shooter. The next purchase for it will be two 5 shot speed loaders, and a holster.

Hornet33 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2007, 07:05:18 PM »

Couple of things here.

1. Is this the first gun you have ever owned?
2. Do you have ANY experiance with firing a gun?
3. How many people are living in your home with you and what type of home do you live in? Apartment, house, condo?

I ask all this because for a new gun owner it's important that you make the right choice when purchasing a firearm for a specific purpose.

Personaly I would NEVER recomend a handgun for HOME defense. Couple of reasons for this. Handguns take more training to become proficient with. In the event you might actually need it, if you are not 100% sure of your own ablities to handle the weapon and hit your target the very first time, you have problems. A handgun fires a round that can and WILL penetrate the walls in most homes, and will still be deadly to anyone on the other side of the wall. If you miss, you can put everyone else in your home in danger.

I've owned all sorts of guns since I was 14 years old. My personal choice for home defense is a 12 gage pump action shotgun loaded with #4 game loads. The reason I recomend a shotgun is you don't have to be 100% accurate in the heat of the moment. Close is often good enough. Light game loads do NOT carry enough energy through a wall to seriously hurt someone on the other side if it does penetrate, but they will put someone down with a direct hit. Last but not least, a criminal even hears the sound of a pump gun being racked, he knows he's on the receiving end of some very bad news.

A decent shotgun such as a Remington 870 is going to be several hundred dollars cheaper to buy than a good reliable handgun, as well as the ammo being cheaper and more easy to come by. Check around your local area for Trap and Skeet ranges. Learning to shoot a shotgun at small moving targets is the BEST way to learn proper lead, plus it's fun as hell.

Don't limit yourself to a gun your only going to keep locked up in a safe. Get something that you can take out and shoot on a regular basis and have fun with. I've yet to go to a Trap range and not have a great time and meet nice people.

Hanguns are nice but they have their limitations. For a first gun I think a good shotgun will serve you better. They're just easier to use and to get comfortable with. If it's something your wife or girlfriend might have to use, maybe a 20 gage. Something with a little less recoil, but still has plenty of knock down power.

Remington, Wichester, Mossberg, and Bareta all make pump action shotguns in what they call a "Home Defender" model. Short barrel, and a shortened stock. Most are priced anywhere from $300-600 on average. Ammo will run about $4-6 for a box of 25 shells.

Good luck and welcome to the club.

GtoRA2 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2007, 07:06:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by VOR
A .357 magnum revolver is just the ticket for you. Within your budget, you can have just about any example you'd like. That would be my recommendation.

I'll add this: since it's your first one, whatever you decide to buy take a safety class and learn to handle it properly. This is more important than what you choose in the long run.

Both of these are really good advice.