Your first gun?

Hi,

I was just wondering, for those who own firearms, what was the first gun you purchased, and why? Is it a good choice for someone who has never owned a gun before? I would like to buy a gun in the future, for all of the obvious reasons....mainly because I believe this country is only headed more downhill than ever, and it's always good to have some form of self-defense. Personally I'm kinda skinny and short, so I don't have a lot of options, lol. Plus I'm a female.

I need your opinions and expertise....for someone who is something of a newbie and would like a gun that is easy to operate and not too bulky, and who isn't broke but doesn't have a TON of cash, what would be a good option(s)?

I've used a gun before at a shooting range, but it was my dad's and it was a heavy revolver, rather hard to shoot. I'd really like something a little easier to handle recreationally at the range sometimes....it's fun.

Thank you...

reply to post by Replikant


For a newbie I recommend a Red Rider BB gun. Just don't shoot your eye out.

It depends on what you are going to do with the weapon. Are you hunting or is it for protection. Do you want one thats good in open spaces or confined?

My first gun was a mini 14 .223 rifle with an oak stock. I paid $840 for it and it was worth every penny.

If you're looking for cheap guns though, i'd try a local gun show or something like that. However, remember that with guns, you get what you pay for. Also, check that the ammo it uses is readily available.

Hi, Ruger makes a nice light weight pistol.

check these out "my first gun was a 10/22 Ruger.

link> www.budsgunshop.com...

My first gun, is a rifle, which i still have. Me and some friends traveled to long isalnd abck in 1995..I was 20 then. Friend infomred us all about the new world order, he was ex marines, and saw action in Panama. At that time, Bill Bradey was trying to get the brady bill in effect. SO! while the window of opportunity was still open..we went gun shopping
I got a .308, used in the Korean war. Its an american rifle. Just shwoed my ID, guy thier sold it to me, for about $550. I still rememebr that day, kinda funny. Thier was a setup of a 360 degree turninng anti aircraft machine gun thier.you sit in it. Thing was someting like .50 cliber! bullets were BIG! loked more like shells, than bullets. I was looknig at it, and a guy comes over talking to me about it...how he shot a few off those on some gunrange in NJ. The guy, was a postal worker still in uniform! lol. He had that lazy eye face and all, kinda spoked me out..as i took a few steps to the right away from him.
They had a nice selection of sniper rifles, remigntons i think...but too costly for me..$3,000 and up.

For what its worth.. MOST of the rifles the gun place had, were south american argentina and chilie..long rifle that seemed to resemble muskets. They had no clips, and were bolt action. MY .308 i got, is a semi autoamtic, with a clip.

almost forgot the best part! it came with a gernade launcher for the rifle

mmm

Springfield XD compact .40 was my very first gun I bought. I got it because I heard nothing but great things about it. THEY WERE RIGHT! Best hand gun I ever owned hands down imo.
www.springfield-armory.com...

my first gun was a romanian ak-47. bad ass assault rifle, 7.62 have amazing stopping power although not that accurate. these weapons are very reliable and won't let you down. it was the original ak-47 look with the wood butt stock and wood hand grips. I recommend this as your first assault rifle, but with any weapon you buy, before you even think about using it for protection or whatever purpose. you should always familiarize yourself with EVERYTHING about it. example: how to field strip, clean and maintain. safety features and using them accordingly. knowing the power of the ammunition you use and your weapon capabilities. and of course to practice actually using it, target practice and getting comfortable using it.

Ok after reading that you are a small female I would still recommend an ak-47 they are very easy to use. although they are kinda bulky and have somewhat of a kick to them, just something you have to get use to.

But I would recommend for your first firearm to basically own and use for protection would be a beretta 92fs. its a 9mm handgun and comes with a lot of safety features. its very accurate and has a large clip capacity. they are pretty light, and don't have a lot of kick to them. i think right now they are about $600 , ak-47 not too sure(i bought mine for 450$). they might be higher priced now, just make sure you don't buy any chinese made ak-47s they are crap.

[edit on 15-9-2009 by tempesillest]

If you're new to guns and looking for something for self-defense I recommend a shotgun. Easier to learn to shoot and easier to hit what you're aiming at.

Handguns take lots of practice to be able to shoot accurately, especially learning to use them well in a stressful situation such as self-defense. A shotgun or rifle, on the other hand, you can learn to shoot pretty well in a weekend.

You mentioned you're petite, don't let the size or recoil of a shotgun scare you. Anyone can shoot a 12ga easily with the right posture and loadout. Lighter loads (usually called "target loads" at the store) don't recoil much, you should be able to handle them just fine. Find someone who knows how to shoot to go out with & show you the basics.

I've shot rifles and shotguns my entire life and just recently got into shooting pistols in the last couple years. Handguns are great, but unless you're planning on practicing alot to keep up on your skills I highly recommend a shotgun. It's not like what you see in the movies with dudes blasting away bad guys from 40-50 feet away firing with one hand. It takes lots, and LOTS of practice to get to that point. With a shotgun, shots at that distance are easy peasy.

Remington 870 is a good choice and can be purchased at any Wal-mart or sporting goods store for around $250-$300. See if a friend has one you can try out before you buy.

te,pestillest...isnt that illegal? an ak 47? i had always heard it was a federal offense to own one, mostly becuase of the bannana clip? my friend had an SKS .227? is it? nice semi automatic..looked like an ak 47 but slimmer.
ah the shotgun..my freind, when he was 15, one day, his grandfather had a small farm, upstate CT. His grandfather let him shoot it one day, and the recoil knocked him on his ass

reply to post by Replikant


My first one was a lever action Winchester .22 my dad bought me when I was 8 or 9 I guess.

If you're looking for a pistol, a revolver is an excellent choice for a beginner. .22's make a lot of sense for learning/plinking. .38's are pleasant to shoot and you can find something that would fit you. They're also much better for defense if that is a concern. They even make female specific models these days.
Go to some shops and or shows and just see what feels good and seems right to you as that means a lot. Maybe check back before you buy, there's a lot of people on here that can give you good advice.

Lastly, I always tell people to get a .22 first and learn how to shoot. If you must have a large caliber immediately (mostly guys), buy it and the .22. And have fun

Originally posted by ziggy1706
te,pestillest...isnt that illegal? an ak 47? i had always heard it was a federal offense to own one, mostly becuase of the bannana clip? my friend had an SKS .227? is it? nice semi automatic..looked like an ak 47 but slimmer.
ah the shotgun..my freind, when he was 15, one day, his grandfather had a small farm, upstate CT. His grandfather let him shoot it one day, and the recoil knocked him on his ass

well my romanian one was actually a wasr-10, obviously semi-auto. they are not the best quality, but like someone else says you get what you pay for.

romanian aks are actually the lower end of aks. the best ones would be russian and bulgarian

[edit on 15-9-2009 by tempesillest]

The first weapons I ever bought with my own money were purchased in a pretty big splurge after I got back from my first deployment, and looking back, probably put me under federal observation for a while. I picked up an XD9, an 870MCS, and a Colt .223. All from the same gun store. In one week.

My first gun was a bolt action single shot 22lr with iron sights, name unknown, but it cost 40 bucks at the time. Then a Ruger Single 6 in 22lr from my grandpappy.

For the inexperienced shooter, there is nothing better for learning to shoot than 22lr. You can shoot all day and have shot $10. It will help you learn the basics like squeezing and not pulling the trigger, sight picture, grip, and safety manipulation.

If you're looking for handgun, 9mm is not a bad option, 40 will have a bit more kick, and 45, well you guessed it, a bit more. You can pick up a Glock for about $400-450 used at almost any pawn shop at any time. Pay an extra hundred at the gun shop for a new one if you wish. You can get the 22lr conversion for $250 which will allow you to learn to shoot for cheap. Just make sure to practice with full loads after you have plinked for a while, don't expect to shoot 45's exactly the same way as 22's, there is a noticeable difference in recoil, and that would be an awful surprise if you didn't expect it.

You may also look into what the local LEO have as their issue sidearm. My locals carry the Glock 22 (40s&w) so I carry a G23 in the same caliber. It will accept the 22 mags as well as the 23 mags. So if TSHTF, at least I know which bodies to check for ammo when I run out.

As far as rifles, the AK74 is a good choice. Reliable, low recoil from the 5.45 round, and the ammo is wwwaaaayyyy cheaper than 223/5.56. like 1/3 of the price. 308 is cost prohibitive, and I would recommend against any of the S.American FALs as the recoil is likely to be a bit much for a novice shooter, especially if you are a short and light.

So to sum it up, a Glock in whatever caliber suits you and an AK74.

First gun was a remington 870, 12 ga, magnum wingmaster.

first gun bought was a sig p226 in .40 cal
sold the p226
currently own just the 870 and a 1911 gov't

*edit

and if you're some government tool collecting private gun ownership on this forum (which I'm sure you're not) go fudge yourself

[edit on 15-9-2009 by VirginiaGreen]

Originally posted by Griever0311
I picked up an XD9, an 870MCS, and a Colt .223. All from the same gun store. In one week.

I'll second the Springfield XD and the Remington 870, both quality guns, both in my closet, both rather affordable.

I can't advise the 223 just because of ammo prices and shortages, atm.

my dad gave me my first gun as a Christmas present, i was the ripe 'ol age of 5 months.

it was a chipmunk .22

probably a little small a slow firing for you.

.357 is a nice powerful easy to shoot hand gun, get a revolver if your a beginner, no jamming and easy to clean

Thier is a rifle ide like too get. its a russian rifle, knwon for being an exellent sniper rifle..i forget the name..moss G someting another? Thier dirt cheap, yet supposed to be VERY accurate 800-1200 yards.. i searched em online, hard to find. MY local wamarts do not sell guns, think its a state lasw thing here in CT. Yearsa go, up till they closed up here, Woolworths, had M1 gerandes, carbines. I always used to go IMMEDIATLLY to that section

11 years ago, my friend was back in town near me, at this house rented out. It was new years eve, he got beyond drunk..1998-1999. He also had a .308. HE was about 4 or 5 feet from a stop sign, let this warcry out lol and shot 6 or 7 rounds into it. VERY loud rifle. entracne hole was about the size of a nickel..the exit behind the sign was about the size of a grapefruit!!!
we went off on him the next day for that. 2 poeple walking that night saw him fire it..the police ddi come over and check his room, and found his rifle..but he was never arrested. HE took the stop sign down before the cops got thier...lack of evidnce. they didi confescate his rifle, which was not liscensed...btu they didnt arrest him either. i always found that odd.