First time gun owner here (shotgun), Ammo and Storage questions.

I recently got myself a 12g 870 express. its the 18 inch, tactical model.
from what i understand its smooth type barrel.

its brand new ordered because im to gun-dumb to trust my used shopping.
so i am yet to buy a case or ammo.
this gun is just a home defense gun, and the bulk of it's life will be spent in the closet unused (i hope)

I wanted to start here as this is my usual heavy-read on the net. before i would be googling around.

1) i dont know anything about ammo picking, or ammo storage
2) i dont know anything about how often to clean, do you detail-clean a gun thats not in use over time?
3) i intend to B-in, but if in a B-out situation, how does one take guns with himself? (i live in minnesota). the conceal and/or carry laws confuse me to no end. its like they are purposely vague.

thanks in advance, in case im not posting till tomorrow evening. (its late here)

Why on earth would.. HOW on earth COULD someone not know anything about a gun, and still be able to buy one.

Astonishing.

wanting to be self sufficient does seem to offend other people...

i dont trust the police to help me at my home when in need. but im expected to be a professional gun nut to compensate for it.

thanks

There must be somewhere near you where you can take a day course in basic gun handling, safety and ownership. You'll learn a lot more from a pro doing hands on learning than you will reading on the internet.

Stop by the local range, or give the NRA a call.

I keep my guns lightly oiled in a cool dry place.
Ammo should also be kept in a cool dry place.
I normally only clean my guns after firing them
Once in awhile you might get some surface rust specks, once again nothing an oiled rag cant handle.
Im sure you will find tons of helpful videos on youtube.

Originally posted by winofiend
Why on earth would.. HOW on earth COULD someone not know anything about a gun, and still be able to buy one.

Astonishing.

The pro-gun brigade likes to make it sound like every gun owner is a responsible, well-read and prepared individual. Unfortunately in the US you can go to a "Gun and Knife Show" and buy firearms and other weapons, no questions asked. No license, no training, nothing.


Next time you hear about gun deaths/injuries in the news, remember that some people have no idea what they're doing, buy guns anyway, then log on to a conspiracy site for advice from anonymous strangers who may or may not have any idea what the hell they're talking about.

reply to post by winofiend


They have legal tender in which to use to purchase the weapon. Next question you can't figure out?

Originally posted by milkyway12
reply to post by winofiend

 

They have legal tender in which to use to purchase the weapon. Next question you can't figure out?

Ok, Can I build a nuclear fusion reactor in my bathtub, using a load of fire-detectors, and is this enough to satisfy my energy requirements for a lifetime? Seriously, I don't know.

-- and it's slightly less dangerous, too, than walking around with a gun and no idea.

reply to post by winofiend


You can do whatever you want. Just be prepared for the consequences.

Oh, and the answer to the question is ... Maybeish. When I figure out the first step, which is this, " what weighs more? One ton of feathers or one ton of bricks?" Ill get back to you when I figure it out.

reply to post by Bisman


Well.. if money isn't a problem and you aren't hoarding ammo for some doomsday. Buy an espensive box of hornady home defense ammo and a cheap box of 12 ounce shot shells (20 for like 5 bucks) and be done with it.

Also.. in Minnesota don't you have to keep your gun unloaded?

Keep it well away from kids, they will make a hell of a mess with it!

I'd go with these because they're awesome. However caution must be used as I believe some of these shells can warp or otherwise deteriorate your shotgun. The shells from this website range from less than lethal to a hollow slug that will supposedly leave a softball size hole in your target. Also if you happen to be a sadist they have rock salt shells.

Exotic Shotgun Ammo

reply to post by Bisman


Looks like I will be one of the few serious posters.
Here's what may help...

Ok you bought a gun. Great!
First things first...READ THE MANUAL THOROUGHLY! (Especially if you know nothing)
Next...learn how to make sure the gun is unloaded. Now double check.
After all that is said and done...start handling the gun. Make sure it's unloaded!
Get used to it. Get a feel for it. Cycle through the pump action a few times.
Don't pull the trigger because dry-firing is not good for guns.
Are you getting a feel for the gun? Good.

Now set it down.
Learn about how to clean it, the manual should describe a decent way to clean the gun.
I always tell people to clean their guns before shooting them to get used to the gun itself.
But for the most part, if it hasn't been fired, it should only need cleaned once ina while.
It should remain dry at all times, but lightly oiled.
You will learn that when you learn how to clean it.
Buy a good gun cleaning set. It will come in handy.
There is quite a process to cleaning that type of gun.
But it's not too hard. There are plenty of how-to's on you-tube.
Especially with the Remington 870.

If you accomplish all that and feel good about it...
Now it's time to shoot the thing. That's why you bought it right?
Get down to your local shooting range and either:
A. Ask for lessons or help with the range.
B. Bring an experience(competant) person with you.
No excuses, either. If you've never had a gun, you need assistance.
You don't just buy a gun expecting to become a marksman overnight.
And don't go shooting the weapon without someone around that can show you how.

As for the rules and regulation for owning a gun...
I recommend you read your state's Constitution.
Not only will you learn about your state's laws, you may also learn things about your state.
A CCW permit is for concealed weapons, mainly pistols.
Handling a shotgun is not typically considered concealing it.
Because it is large and not easily hidden.


One more thing...buy a case for it.
Hope this helps.

The odds are you’ll need that gun during the night.
Wherever your gun is, there should be a flashlight, because your first job is to locate the threat and most importantly identify it.
Is that a bad guy?
Is that my drunken neighbor who tried to get into the wrong house?
Does that guy standing in my kitchen have a gun in his hand or is that a cell phone?

You need to know and without knowing that, you’ve no justification using lethal force.

That means, number one, you’ve got to have a flashlight, and number two, you’ve got to know how to use it and a gun together.
low light shooting and shooting on the move are two skills that are critical to the tactical application of self defense.

reply to post by madenusa


i have to disagree.

Personally i am not going to take time to figure out
if a drunk neighbor got into my house, (because
my door was locked which means he broke in)
or if what he is holding is a gun or a cellphone,
fact is, the intruder is in my house.
He had better be out the door by the time i make
it to the kitchen or it will be the last house he ever
breaks into, intentional or not.

I am not going to waste valuable time asking myself
now... self, is that a gun.. kind of looks like one, but wait
kind of looks like a cell phone.. what is that in his
hand.. hmmm

fact is he is in my house, which would make me in fear
for my life because he is there for no good.

So all i would need is to see him.

for this reason i leave a light on in the kitchen over the stove
that lights up the kitchen and living room. So there is more
than enough light for me to be sure it is not someone that
should be in the house, which is all i need.

op a 12 ga shotgun is kinda a big gun with some decent kick for a first time gun owner. Be careful you don't knock yourself on your ass the first time using it. But as others have suggested go local for questions about this topic, don't trust people on the net that you don't know especially with a lethal weapon. Of course youtube might be the exception to that as you can clearly see what people are trying to show you but even then there are some idiots there as well.

reply to post by Bisman


OP, didn't the gunshop answer any of these questions? They should have talked to you about which ammo is best for your needs, showing you everything from the least expensive ammo to the most expensive. Where do you intend to practice with your shotgun? Didn't the gunshop recommend ranges near your house? Do you have a friend or neighbor who is proficient with shotguns or is a member of a range? Have you contacted the local PD to ask them about the laws in your area?

Beware of advice and training from YouTube and internet posters...such as myself. You don't know who we are or if our advice is correct. Every gun owner started out just like you, though a lot of us had parents/grandparents who taught us how to handle our weapons correctly. Others used the old "trial and error" method, you don't see too many of them around anymore...

I think someone has mentioned contacting the NRA, they will have a list of NRA Instructors in your area. Again, the gunshop should have answered most, if not all, of your questions. Did you bother asking them?

Originally posted by severdsoul
reply to post by madenusa

 

i have to disagree.

Personally i am not going to take time to figure out
if a drunk neighbor got into my house, (because
my door was locked which means he broke in)
or if what he is holding is a gun or a cellphone,
fact is, the intruder is in my house.
He had better be out the door by the time i make
it to the kitchen or it will be the last house he ever
breaks into, intentional or not.

I am not going to waste valuable time asking myself
now... self, is that a gun.. kind of looks like one, but wait
kind of looks like a cell phone.. what is that in his
hand.. hmmm

fact is he is in my house, which would make me in fear
for my life because he is there for no good.

So all i would need is to see him.

for this reason i leave a light on in the kitchen over the stove
that lights up the kitchen and living room. So there is more
than enough light for me to be sure it is not someone that
should be in the house, which is all i need.

This is someone that never held a Gun asking for advice.
He now has that tool in hand that will make him run for his shotgun every time the cat knocks over something.
he will probly will stand in front of a mirror just to see how cool he looks.
A flash light will help him from shooting his Kid raiding the frig.
If you shoot someone that is just standing there looking at you they will call that Murder so you will probly need to have a shovel instead of a flash light,lol
No justification using lethal force.

reply to post by severdsoul


Absolutely. I have a wife and kids that I'm responsible for protecting. Its not the job of the police, it's mine. If someone breaks into my home, I will do everything in my power to end their life. Because I'm the only thing standing between them and my vulnerable family, and I won't lose my tactical advantage trying to estimate their intentions for being in my home.

reply to post by havok


Contrary to popular opinion, I was actually quite serious.

The idea really astonishes me. It's a wonder there is a single stupid person in the US. They, by law of averages, should have all shot themselves.

"I don't know how to use it, but I'll buy myself a weapon that can kill people with the motion of a single finger."

It screams insanity to me. Lets all jump out of planes without parachutes - we'll pick one up on the way.