@LibraSid
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First Gun... pistol or revolver?
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How much do you want to spend on ammo should be question you ask yourself.
A revolver will stop shooting after your 6 odd rounds, and you have to reload. A 13 round clip will go through semi-auto PDQ.
Also, the larger calibers will have more expensive ammo besides.
If your goal is to "plunk," a .22 or .22 mag will be fine. If you want "home defense," start thinking 9 mm or some such monster hand gun.
I would like it to have stopping power and be useable for home defense; however, that isn't the main focus... I moved out of Baltimore 😛
Cost wise, I don't want to spend a fortune but I know it will cost some money and that is fine. I know bullets will add up but unless there are major differences with the ammunition that really isn't a deciding factor.
I have seen several people recomend a 38 as being a good first gun, what are your thoughts on those? It may help to say that I am a bigger guy and am not worried about recoil. I have fired a few weapons before ranging from handguns to automatic assualt rifles and one really nasty shotgun (that one has some kick).
Plus I read things like this excerpt...
A beginner wanting a defensive weapon should chose a cartridge that is effective but that has minimum recoil. This allows you to learn how to shoot without having to fight the heavy recoil of larger rounds. Many people will recommend that a beginner start with a .22LR chambered handgun. If your goal is target shooting, that is an excellent choice. It is a cheap round that you can afford to practice a lot with. It is not a defensive round, by any means. For defensive use, we recommend either a .38 special/.357 magnum revolver or a 9mm or .40 S&W auto loading pistol. We recommend that you purchase a revolver in .357 magnum because you can learn to shoot the very mild .38 special but also shoot the very effective .357 magnum ammunition once you are trained. Ammunition for the .38 special and .9mm is about the cheapest there is for centerfire* handgun cartridges. This makes for inexpensive practice with the actual weapon you are going to bet your life on.
This leaves me with questions like:
"that a beginner start with a .22LR [...] It is not a defensive round, by any means."
WHAT? How is a bullet not a defensive round? My older brother is an extremely large man, he stands about 6'5" and is over 500lbs... he can literally throw me across a room. Anyway, he used to joke and say that if someone shot him with a 22 it better be point blank and in the temple otherwise it would just piss him off.
also,
How bad is the recoil? I know I just said I wasn't really worried with it but these articles keep talking about the differences. It has been years since I shot, am I just not rememberring it accurately? I never felt like the gun wanted to pull out of my control or anything.
.38 or .45 for home defense. If someone is coming into a home with intent to harm I am certainly not worried about their psychological well being.
If someone is hepped up on illegal substance, also a consideration.
With children a locking gun safe or cabinet. Growing up I never would have touched my fathers firearm or it would have incurred the wrath of the ages, BUT kids are kids and they do not think on occasion. I was taught every firearm was loaded. Empty chamber or not. If you raise a gun, you raise it with intent to fire it. Meaning you are not frucking around. You have a deadly weapon in your hand, not a bouquet of squirting flowers. Treat it as such. Keep it clean, serviced and oiled, get the proper permits for your state.
^ Sorry, not enough coffee in me yet.
Make and model is purely up to you. What you like to look at, what feels good in your hand. Wood stock, synthetics, what finish you like on the barrel, etc. I personally like Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Winchester and Walther.
Over lunch I stopped in a gun shop and was looking at a Reuger 9mm like this:
Pros / Cons?
Nice little handgun. Breaks down easily for cleaning. Ready for any bells and whistles you might want on it ( sight or other ). Lightweight in your paw. Might want extra magazines. Cons? Not many, good starter pistol.
44 Magnum loaded with hollow points. If you're gonna blow away intruders, do the job right.
That was not my stance at all, it is a person preference of my fathers for home defense. He's been a firearm lover since he was a teenager. He knows his stuff, he's been at it for over 50 years. But thanks for the unwarranted speech.
I'd go with a 9mm for all around versatility.
Posted by Wynter
44 Magnum loaded with hollow points. If you're gonna blow away intruders, do the job right.
I just have it for peace of mind, btw. If an intruder came into my house, I would probably just run out the back door and hop the fence screaming fire or something. 😛
It is common sense and any gun person will tell you to learn your weapon. Familiarize yourself with it, learn all the safety aspects. No one here is saying to play Dirty Harry and just go spraying the place with bullets. I will tell you as someone who has grown up around guns, the men associated with them, police officers and so on that a .22 bullet won't do shit to someone hopping around on goofer dust with the intent to hurt someone. Unless of course you're Dead Eye McMasters and not slowly filling your back seat with pudding because there's a whack job in your house. You also teach your children gun safety, to NEVER ever. Keep them locked up, use your brain. Research, learn from people that have been around them, shoot and love 'em.
Yeah, I don't think I could ever shoot a person. Shot up plenty of beer cans tho. 😛
That's right, I'll make that human outline PAY. LOL
I appreciate everyones contributions very much and welcome as much more as anyone would care to give. It is a lot to absorb and consider. When I was out at lunch I asked the guy about a training class. It is required for a cencealed carry permit but I want to do it regardless. While I have never owned one I have seen first hand the destructive power they have and would be very strict and informative with my children about it.
While the home defense point does interest me, in reality I expect I'd never have to use it. Back where I grew up was a different story but I don't even lock my house at night now. We're out in the country, the neighbor drives my kids to school, we borrow cups of sugar, etc... it's very Mayberry.
Posted by wgamador2
Good luck and please post pictures of your pistol once you buy it.I wouldn't have even thought to do that, I will though.
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Bah, I fail...
That's what it should have looked like.
.22 caliber guns are not defensive weapons. They will indeed glance off a skull unless more or less hitting the skull dead on (no pun intended). If you want home defense, you need something with "stopping power." A .22 ain't got no stopping power. You use this caliber to plunk, as I said, and to hunt rabbit sized animals.
The .38 or .357 are both good guns. Good power, relatively cheap, and certainly available. 9 mm is a fine weapon. At this level of power you may as well concern yourself with appearance, more than anything else. If you like it, and it feels good in your hand, that's the one for you.
So, if you are reading closely, you will see that I keep saying "weapon." That is what a gun of this caliber is. These are weapons, and you need to think of them this way. Take a gun safety course. Remember what they teach you. You can be very dangerous to yourself and to your loved ones if you do not treat your weapons with the respect they require.
glock 19 is pretty good imo..i got one and its great: light, easy to control and take apart
*sniggers*
look at the American, talking as if it were his first born...
(says the guy with the profile pic of a cowboy holding a colt)
i must say i do find it a tad disturbing VB keeps guns in her house. (probably next to the spices) And not only that, she keeps them well oiled and services them regularly.
I'm actually buying a bb gun as a prop. But because of the law they don't do them in black so i'll have to paint it.
Posted by AA
i must say i do find it a tad disturbing VB keeps guns in her house. (probably next to the spices) And not only that, she keeps them well oiled and services them regularly.
I've never had a firearm in my home. I have a pit bull. 🙂 Dad is the one that always has one. Concealed carriers permit, home defense. He always calls me when he has some new toy to oooo and ahh over. Hopefully when the weather breaks we can go shooting. If I did get one though you better believe I'd be taking proper care of it.
He's English puncher.
Posted by AA
*sniggers*look at the American, talking as if it were his first born...
*sniggers right back*
This American would take you a lot more seriously if you had the sense to understand your right to self defense and bearing arms, and the manhood to demand the free exercise thereof. 🙂 Where are you anyway, if you want a pissing match?
click to expand
WELL EXUUUUUUUSE ME?
And my comment was in reference to the title of the thread. (Which i'm sure was intentional)
Posted by AA
i must say i do find it a tad disturbing VB keeps guns in her house. (probably next to the spices) And not only that, she keeps them well oiled and services them regularly.I've never had a firearm in my home. I have a pit bull. 🙂 Dad is the one that always has one. Concealed carriers permit, home defense. He always calls me when he has some new toy to oooo and ahh over. Hopefully when the weather breaks we can go shooting. If I did get one though you better believe I'd be taking proper care of it.
click to expand
you.. you shoot guns? What ... what happened to cooking wholesome meals, baking pies and lighting incense sticks? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME—
Nah it's cool, if it's tradition, it's tradition right?
wait? Your not one of those kill it, cook it, eat it types are you?
LOL They are, you simply must show them off and have a cascade of photos falling out of your wallet. *sniffle* 'Oh look..his first sight..I remember like it was yesterday..he needed a new bolt assembly..isn't he the smartest and handsomest widdle handgun around?'
Wait..there's more. It was heap big day when we got packed up into the truck and off to the gun shop. All the crusty taxidermy, mens low voices laughing and discussing everything. Smell of oil and ( heaven knew what really ). If we were good we got a Coke. A whole dime it was, in a glass bottle and icy cold. Good times. 🙂
Posted by AA
i must say i do find it a tad disturbing VB keeps guns in her house. (probably next to the spices) And not only that, she keeps them well oiled and services them regularly.I've never had a firearm in my home. I have a pit bull. 🙂 Dad is the one that always has one. Concealed carriers permit, home defense. He always calls me when he has some new toy to oooo and ahh over. Hopefully when the weather breaks we can go shooting. If I did get one though you better believe I'd be taking proper care of it.
you.. you shoot guns? What ... what happened to cooking wholesome meals, baking pies and lighting incense sticks? HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME—
Nah it's cool, if it's tradition, it's tradition right?
wait? Your not one of those kill it, cook it, eat it types are you?
click to expand
LOL I shoot guns ( am RUSTY and need practice though, I probably need an afternoon to hit the broad side of a barn it's been so long ). I leave the hunting to the furrier sect. I certainly DO know how to cook fish, rabbit, venison and other.
You can keep the incense sticks, they make me sneeze. How about an open window and the smell of lilac coming in? *patting hand* There there, it'll be alright, I'll bake a pie.
well ain't that a sight. And for a second there i thought you said you got coke! Mind in saying that, wasn't there cocaine in coke few years back?
I don't think your seemingly old fashioned would a appreciate a faggot like me.
*pleased sigh* You know, being raised by a man had its advantages. Not many girls spent their days peeking into a dudes world. Handing off tools in the garage, going to the gun shop, feeling the wind in their hair on the back of a motorcycle, traipsing the woods for dinner, knowing if you didn't check the toilet ( especially at night ) you'd get a wet bottom. To this day I'd lurve having that truck he had at the time. '48 IH. Cherry red, what a beauty. Enough reminiscing..more coffee. 🙂
Posted by AA
*sniggers*look at the American, talking as if it were his first born...
*sniggers right back*
This American would take you a lot more seriously if you had the sense to understand your right to self defense and bearing arms, and the manhood to demand the free exercise thereof. 🙂 Where are you anyway, if you want a pissing match?
WELL EXUUUUUUUSE ME?
And my comment was in reference to the title of the thread. (Which i'm sure was intentional)
Ah, k. You posted right after me so I thought you were getting snarky with me, apologies since that is not the case.
My gunsmith buddy has a real love of Enfield rifles, btw. Of all the 20th century bolt action battle rifles, the Enfield was probably the best for poor conditions, and the "mad minute" the British riflemen who carried it were capable of is most impressive. It is difficult to get great accuracy and flawless reliability in the same weapon, but the Brits did it with their Enfield rifles. I hope someday you guys are able to regain some of the rights you have lost regarding self defense and the right to keep arms.
click to expand
I like this guy.
He knows his shit.
Posted by AA
well ain't that a sight. And for a second there i thought you said you got coke! Mind in saying that, wasn't there cocaine in coke few years back?I don't think your seemingly old fashioned would a appreciate a faggot like me.
LOL!! In the late 1800s, early 1900s it did. And you just stop that idiocy falling from that gob or I'll pop you one. You rock Aries. 😄
Posted by venusianbull
*pleased sigh* You know, being raised by a man had its advantages. Not many girls spent their days peeking into a dudes world. Handing off tools in the garage, going to the gun shop, feeling the wind in their hair on the back of a motorcycle, traipsing the woods for dinner, knowing if you didn't check the toilet ( especially at night ) you'd get a wet bottom. To this day I'd lurve having that truck he had at the time. '48 IH. Cherry red, what a beauty. Enough reminiscing..more coffee. 🙂
Bingo! I think this explains your fondness for hairy backs. 😉 😛
He most certainly does.
hehe
Posted by venusianbull
*pleased sigh* You know, being raised by a man had its advantages. Not many girls spent their days peeking into a dudes world. Handing off tools in the garage, going to the gun shop, feeling the wind in their hair on the back of a motorcycle, traipsing the woods for dinner, knowing if you didn't check the toilet ( especially at night ) you'd get a wet bottom. To this day I'd lurve having that truck he had at the time. '48 IH. Cherry red, what a beauty. Enough reminiscing..more coffee. 🙂Bingo! I think this explains your fondness for hairy backs. 😉 😛
click to expand
HAHAHAHAHA! BEARDS!!!!!!!! AND MAN HAIR!!!!!!!
wait?? I'm confused. So you didn't just say your dad has a hairy back?
Nope, my father doesn't have a hairy back. Not much on his chest either. He does however, have a beard.
cuz i can buy velcro... and hair.
Ah, ok. That's realistic.
LOL You do that. Luden's wild cherry drop? *rustling packet*
GREAT! You think i have a faggoty voice now.
Confidence has dipped VB, not gonna lie
I beg your pardon? You have a fine voice. Mine sounds like a bull frog right now. Have a chest/sinus cold, tis what the cherry drops are for. My throat.
do i have to order a 32oz steak instead of my preferred fruit salad now? Good god you never cease to amaze you do
bullfrog LOL. Ok 🙂
laughing at your comparison. Not at the condition of you throat.
dxp is being a stank nugget. :/
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I've seen a lot of talk about whether it is better to start with a pistol or a revolver. What are your experiences and/or advice?
Does it even matter?
How about recomendations for a gun, which one and why?
Calibers?
Models?
I know some of you out there are gun nuts, enlighten me!
I'm going into this with almost no experience with guns. I have fired a few in the past but have never owned, cleaned, secured one. I live in SC and people around here are a lot more laid back with guns laws than in other places I have lived. Concealed carry permits are pretty common and not very hard to get.
My primary use for the gun would be target practice at a range... personal pleasure I guess.