Replies

Good luck !

When I am asked too help folks get started with firearms I look at their location, their dwelling, their family and local laws etc ........

A new family will have children of course so I recommend that the Mom and Dad seriously consider a simple snub nose revolver that has had the magna trigger modification. That way if everything went wrong and the firearm was obtained by a young child they couldn’t use it . The triggers are locked unless the user is wearing a ring that has a magnet in it that unlocks the gun. The magnets can be put into a ring you already wear such as wedding rings etc so it is a natural thing and easy too use. A snub 357 or a 3 inch Model 65 / 13 can shoot inexpensive 38 special ammo or the 357 magnum ammo depending on the users skills and abilities . That suggestion would be for a new family / new firearm owners . Very easy handguns too operate and maintain but as with all new shooters GET TRAINING and join such a club that lets you get regular practice !

Too many folks will say tactical this or that , get an semi auto handgun and lost of spare mags yet a NEW owner or shooter needs too take baby steps with a viable self defense caliber first IMO and experience . As well as the training I mentioned.

I have no small kids living in the house these days yet I really like the magna-trigger mod as it makes the weapon useless if it is taken from me or picked up by an intruder if it wasn’t in my possession for some odd reason ! I gave em too my girls, my sister, my aunts and elderly Mom for just that reason. Made em all go through the CHL / CCW licensing process and I drag em all too the range once a month too shoot a box or two of ammo from their own firearms and then a family dinner ! They love it and enjoy the day and above all else are confident in their ability too use the tools as intended safely , every day ..........

Once that level is reached a shotgun would be next on the list of a small families self defense tools . Remington and Mossberg etc make a great pump shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge and there is as well the small double barrel shotguns that are very easy for even the smallest of men or women too use in 20 or 12 gauge .

I would hate too try and invade a home where I knew that Mom and Dad were armed with 2 handguns and a shotgun or two.........very minimal and basic self defense tools IMO.

As stated above ........Good Luck !

Stay safe !

So Big'ol took me to a marvelous concert last night: Rain - the Beatles Experience. They are a fantastic Beatles tribute band and their show was just amazing. They wear costumes that make them look pretty darn close to the Beatles at different stages in their career, have studied the voices and movements, and most importantly the musical techniques. Big ol' had us up pretty close to the front and I was amazed at watching the songs be performed. I guess I didn't have much appreciation for how amazing Paul's bass lines were. Wow! And I didn't really appreciate how much heavy lifting George did on guitar (us young'uns usually think of it being a John & Paul band...).

Anyway.... they're headed up to MA next and if you're looking for a nice summer evening, this is the ticket.

Thanks for the suggestions! We’re about to be empty nesters, when our youngest goes off to college in the Fall. We’re in the process of remodeling our house in MA to sell it, and move back home to MS. It will be much easier finding places to do some range shooting there, and the restrictions will be many fewer than we have now.