Need Advice On First Gun.

if you want some thing that's going to stop somebody but not shoot through the 3 houses next door sometimes its not the gun but the ammunition.

try using a fragmentation round for whatever weapon you choose it wont work on a armored person unless you fork out big bucks and find somebody that can deal or make the smart rounds. But for the average smuck its gonna rearrange their insides good

unless you pick the 357 it will just make a really big hole anyway so it wouldn't mater what rounds you put in it.

Now if your wanting some thing a bit more exotic try one of these babies. both are the same gun just different manufactures

Originally posted by homeslice
reply to post by Surtur

 

If only everybody had guns then we would all be safe.

More than you know. An armed society is a polite society. I believe that to be true.

Do you really need to buy a gun?
Who are you going to shoot?

Well, sometimes a man just needs killing. If you don't believe that, go buy a history book.
As to your question, probably the crazy guy breaking into his house to do who knows what.
Personally, I currently own two guns. Bought both of them within two weeks of turning eighteen and have had them for about fourteen years now. I take them out to the range every chance I get.

And get this, I must be the worst shot in the history of firearms in your mind. In those fourteen years, my kill ratio is 0.00%. I haven't killed even one person. I guess I need to hit the firing range again for some more practice.
Try breaking into my house and I guarantee that percentage will change, but that's a record I'd kind of like to keep.

Seriously, if you're not going to contribute something worthwhile, then please don't even bother reading the thread. You'll save both your time and ours. Thanks.

edit on 1/24/2012 by Americantrucker because: (no reason given)

dont know how much you wanna spend, but aero precision makes a sweet AR-15 pistol for around $695.
here's a link to an auction site... www.gunbroker.com...

You've presented two solid choices for home defense and I'll not burden the discussion with alternate suggestions. Ballistics wise the .357 Mag is clearly superior to the .45 ACP, having established THAT, it's clearly a matter of whether you prefer or need the extra capacity and speed of the 1911. Most .357mag owners shoot .38spcl at paper and a good number of folks carry with .38/+P to get the recoil benefit of the magnum frame. If you're not carrying the 1911 concealed, there are a number of 10 round mags to increase your ammo capacity. If you DO plan to carry the 1911, you've got a plethora of choices in sizes as well as caliber, but personally I wouldn't settle for anything but .45acp in a 1911 whether it's an Officers or a Long Slide or anything in between. My carrying 1911 is a Light Weight Commander, aluminum frame, 4.35 barrel from the early 1970s. In those days the Detonics Combat Master was the concealment 1911 of choice. Now-a-days I'd be thinking about an Agent or Officer size frame. BTW I also have a 45acp revolver (Taurus) and I understand the 5 round moon clips also fit the Taurus Judge 5 shot frames - a much more affordable alternative than a S&W 625.

ganjoa

Originally posted by homeslice
reply to post by METACOMET

 

Jesus... HA.

And Ghandi was NOT referring to private ownership of guns, but to the British Government's refusal to enlist Indian troops into the WW1 war effort.

Its not like he was telling everyone to run out and buy a gun.

It's better to receive advice from a man who knows how to respect others than someone who would rather discredit their wisdom out of pride.

reply to post by Surtur


You probably got more than you bargained for with your simple question. I say this and leave the rest up to you.

One great benefit of any revolver in .357 is the ability to run .38 specials through the same weapon. Great for training (cheaper and easier on your hands and arms) and even carry if you don't want all of the power of a .357. You can even run .38 +p's and get close to the performance of the .357 round.

Versatility and ease of use for your first weapon. If you do end up shooting more .38's than .357 just keep the cylinder chambers clean so that you can readily load the .357s.



1911's are a great platform and very popular. Just more involved when carrying and using than a revolver. One previous poster mentioned the .38 Super in the 1911 platform. Great round and very popular amongst those who compete with the 1911's and shoot a thousand rounds a day. Much easier to handle and afford than .45's.

So many factors. You just have to buy what is right for you and how you plan to use your gun (home defense, carry or both)

Thank you all for the advise, expect the few who don't think we should have guns and be in bondage to the government. An armed society will always be a free society they may keep attacking our rights, but as long as we have our freedom of speech and our guns no one will destroy the spirit of America.

Get an UZI.
Or get a sawed off shotgun and install a knife under the barrel.
If these are not an option, get a turkey gun.

The best advice: buy the weapon that you are most comfortable with. Have you thought about the Nagant revolver? Very inexpensive, anywhere from $99-$109, and the ammo is cheap and plentiful.

Does your local gun shop have a range where you can try different models?

Best advice I ever got/listened to: Start out with a .22 - easy, cheap and fun to shoot. You're wife and kids can learn on it as well.

This advice worked well for me because my wife was really apprehensive about the whole idea of having a gun in the house. She isn't anymore!

But maybe you're single, so go straight for the Desert Eagle .50 AE ... with optional laser sighting, silencer, sniper scope and grenade launcher attachment.

If I were you I'd by whatever I could afford, whatever is legal and registerable in multiple states, and whatever you can use to practice at a shooting range. Why it has to be those 2 options, not sure, especially if you are not sure. Then after the purchase, buy some training lessons. Or you could actually go to a gun store or range and ask some professional shooters which is the right type for you. Some of them can take one look at you and just know what is good for your lifestyle needs.

Originally posted by homeslice
reply to post by Surtur

 

Do you really need to buy a gun?
Who are you going to shoot?

What a terrible response.

I personaly like the 1911 it just grips right for me and I like the sights but for CC I have a Keltec 380 that slips right in my pocket that I really like. I had a laser sight added and use hollow points. Just a sugestion to look into.

get a .22 rifle. learn to aim.

then get a glock, learn to aim again.

then stop. or get an ak 47

then stop

reply to post by HattoriHanzou

I disagree, it's a great question! Here's a partial answer...
Muggers, home invaders, car-jackers, rapists, terrorists, kidnappers, looters and psychotic nut-jobs who have you in their sights for whatever reason.

When taking in to consideration your request...there is some information that is lacking. What is your budget range? That alone has a huge impact on which weapon you choose. There are several makes and models but I myself love the Hi-point brand. They have a lifetime warranty, come in 9mm, 40 cal and 45acp. They also make a nice carbine rifle as well. I own the 9mm handgun from hi-point as well as a sig p229 and I like the hi-point as much as the sig. The hi-pont was around $140 brand new so it is very affordable where as the sig was around $900. The choice is yours. I know our range lets you rent guns to try different calibers and such so you can get a feel for how the different types handle. See if one near you offers the same. Find one that works and fits well for you and don't worry what anyone else says. Remember a well placed .22 round stops just as effectively as any other. Just my .02 worth.

For your FIRST gun, I'd go with the .357 cause you can shoot less expensive .38.

Depending on where you live, you can get less exensive reloads to practice with.

Actually, for your FIRST gun, get a good .22 semi auto. Then practice, practice, practice with as inexpensive ammo as you can fire as often as you can fire it. Practice all day and all night long.

When you've become a virtuoso with your FIRST handgun, then evolve upward as you learn more about handguns.....or rifles..or whatever.

Remember....the best handgun is the one you can consistently hit the target with reliably.

I had a .357 Ruger, bought it used and fairly cheap at a gun show a few years back. It had a 6 inch barrel which is rather long, but I did use it hunting also. .357 has enough stopping power for what you need. Just make sure it is double action six shooter, that we you can just pull the trigger and need not cock it if you prefer.

I also liked it because I could use .38 ammo in it also, which is much cheaper for target shooting.Some people argue it only holds 6 shots, but the first shot is what counts. Applies to hunting also, If your lucky a second shot, after that accuracy tends to falter.

A good rule of thumb for your FIRST handgun is to buy one that if you accidentally shoot yourself, or someone else, you or they have a better chance to survive or do not lose a limb.

If it is your FIRST handgun, you got a long way to go learning how to catch up to everyone else who've owned and operated a handgun for a long time.

IF it's a BIG handgun, and it gives you a false sense of security that might lead you to draw down on someone far more experienced than you are, don't fall into that trap into thinking that because you have a .44, you are Dirty Harry.

In short, for your FIRST handgun, buy one that won't get you killed.

Because that would negate the necessity of owning a handgun.

I disagree with almost every suggestion for handgun caliber. The FBI, CIA and Department of Treasury (Secret Service) all joined forces and created the .40 cal and contracted to S&W to produce the original rounds. They selected this caliber for its unique characteristics packed into one round; speed and accuracy, stopping power, lack of over-penetration. They had 1 thing in mind when creating this round - coming up with the ultimate handgun caliber that maximizes everything you want in a handgun round while minimizing everything you don't want.

The .40S&W is standard issue for CIA, FBI, Secret Service, Coast Guard, many local police departments etc.. Why? Because it is effective and affordable!

Too much gun and you'd better be darned good shot because you're not likely to recover from the recoil quickly enough to get another one off! To little gun, like a 9mm, and you had better be a darned good shot because if you miss, you might just kill a neighbor sleeping next door!

That all said, if you are a novice, get a .22 and learn safety and basics and then graduate to the caliber of your choice. No need to take my advice though, as I'm not an NRA Certified Instructor or anything... oh wait... yes I am!