2nd Amendment Newbie (vanity)

self

[Another-MA-Conservative]

Looking for some guidance and advice from freeper 2nd Amendment fans here. I hope it is not inappropriate to post such threads on FR, but it seems like a good audience for it.

I've never owned a firearm before, but I have at least fired long guns before in the distant past(shotguns and a .22 rifle).

Anyway, I'm looking to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights for the first time in my adult life. I'd like a "beginner" handgun, initially to just get familiar with them and for inexpensive shooting-range practice. My research so far has led me towards .22 rimfire semiauto pistols as a good starting point.

That said, I'm thinking about the Beretta U22 Neos 6.0... any good? It's gotten good reviews in the mags I've read so far and is reasonably priced.

I'm also a little nervous about how to go about getting my feet wet in this - I've never even been in a gun shop before. To my understanding, I have to take a training course in order to get a license, and that it's practically impossible to get a CCW license here in MA. Should I join the NRA? How do I find places to shoot? Most seem to be private sportsmens clubs... what's the deal with these?

So... any advice for a 2nd-Ammendment newbie?

[Conspiracy Guy]

I am not familiar the Mark III. Does it have a target barrel and adjustable sights or some other differences? My Mark II has been through the ringer and never fails. Probably had a couple of thousand rounds through it. I keep it clean.

[edchambers]

For quality and price it's tough to beat Ruger.Don't let anybody tell that a 22 doesn't have enough power to stop someone.In my life I've met 3 people that were accidentally shot with 22s in every case if they had not immeadiately sought medical attention they would have died.These guys were all shot one time, one in the foot, one in the leg, and one in the chest.They survived but imagine if they were shot multiple times in the chest or head they would be just as dead as if they were shot with with the lastest and greatest hand cannon.I prefer autos but Ruger also makes an excellent single action revolver that's damn near indestructable,simple,very safe and has an alternate cylinder for 22 magnum.

[Ladysmith]

Dang you! Now I want to head to the range and do a little shooting!

So how is the M1911? My brother bought a Kimber this summer and what a hoot!! I figured that a .45 would do a number on my wrist, I was stunned to find it was less stressful than even my 9mm or the .38special. And accurate! Brother! Given a little time and practice, I think I could point-n-shoot pretty accurately in no time.

[logic]

Actually, true story:
I was someplace in an agressive environment and brought my Ruger MKII with a bull barrel for protection incase violence erupted.(I was young and stupid and now know better than to even go in the first place) A week later someone I was with told me that the next day someone told them if they had known my Ruger was a .22 they would have started something..... funny how stupid some people are. No a .22 is not nearly as devastating as the .45 (1911 clone) I carry now, but DEAD is DEAD. The moffia made .22's famous for one shot kills to the head....

[Another-MA-Conservative]

Your five-step plan is just want I was planning, well, except for #1. Can't move out of MA. Besides, isn't it better anyway to have folks like us working to change things in places like MA, rather than just let the commies go unchallenged?

Heck, part of the reason I'm eager to exercise my 2nd amendment rights IS the fact that I live in MA!

Look like it's going to be a long process though - first I have to find and take the class, then apply for the license to carry, which I guess can take up to two months. Sheesh!

And I thought it was a pain in the butt to get my motorcycle license!

[rem22-250]

"A week later someone I was with told me that the next day someone told them if they had known my Ruger was a .22 they would have started something..... funny how stupid some people are"


You must have been at a DemonRat function. :o)

[Parsiphal]

In my opinion the M1911a1 is the finest pistol ever designed and still takes the cake as gunpowder's number one single-handed man-stopper. Boy, will I get an argument on that. It was created as an answer to the failure of government issued .38 revolvers to bring down drug-induced tibesmen during the Phillipine insurection. Not so user-friendly perhaps as the 9mm, it remains compact, powerful, reliable and more "pointable" than any other pistol, with the possile exception of the Peacemaker or Lugar.

[rem22-250]

God Bless John Moses Browning 1911 inventor

[Stashiu]

Yes, that short shotgun with front and rear pistol grips is legal, even in the Peoples Republic of Maryland.

[showme_the_Glory]

Good for geese in Ohio too......

[Ranxerox]

Nice looking bunch of guns, all in the same price range. As far as recommendations, I would look for online forums that feature the particular gun you're interested in and see what people are saying. Also look at the trouble-shooting/FAQ portion of the manufacturers website for clues to problems with a particular gun. I know Beretta has an active online forum for their lineup, so take a check over there.

As far as the revolver/semi-auto thing goes, I wouldn't worry about it for a range/plinking gun - it is more important for CCW than for casual shooting. That doesn't mean you shouldn't be familiar with the operation and clearing of your gun, it's just not as critical when you're not in a life threatening situation.

As far as finding ranges, look in the yellow pages, or do a search on the internet. You're bound to find something.

[Redcloak]

I'm not sure, but by posting this, you may have committed thoughtcrime in your state.

...just kidding.

A .22 is a great way to start. You may want to give some thought to starting with a rifle rather than a pistol. Pistols are, by nature, less accurate than rifles. Frustration at not being able to hit the target at first with a pistol could sour you to the sport. You may find that you'll have more fun, and thus shoot more often, with a rifle.

And yes, you should join the NRA. In fact, do that right now. Many gun dealers and shooting ranges offer discounts to NRA members. You can help to preserve your rights and save a few bucks in the process.

[Ladysmith]

Interesting info. Yep, my next toy will be a 1911 of some kind after a bit of research. Another brother suggests I trade in one of my other guns - arg!, just can't do it. I'd rather have my teeth pulled than give up any of my handguns!! LOL!!!

[Chemist_Geek]

I can see that angle for home security, but it's not really what I had in mind to start out with. Is this thing even legal?

Depending on the state, yes. Some states might restrict that. However, why bother with that thing? By not having a stock, you've lost the great stabilization advantage that a long gun has over a pistol. Furthermore, all recoil energy will go straight into the shooter's hands. Not comfy.

Tank's Rifle Shop up in New Hampshire has a nice 20 gauge defense shotgun.

I know a .22 isn't much good for personal defense, but it's still better than a Louisville Slugger or a kitchen knife, no?

No. Yes. Uhh, I'm always confused by that. ;-) In any case, yes, a .22 handgun is more useful than a baseball bat or kitchen knife. But home defense, is something for later. Get familiar and comfortable with firearms first, then look towards defense. Take the Personal Protection in the Home course offered by NRA Certified Instructors before going out for defensive firearms.

[Parsiphal]

My first firearm was a single-fire bolt-action .22 rifle, as a traditionaly Southern 12th birthday gift from my Dad... and he couldn't have made a finer choice. And I agree a rifle is a much friendlier to the target than a pistol. By far. And once you gain some opinions of your own as to firearms, may I suggest investigating the blackpowder variety. My little .36 Colt Navy (sheriff's Model) is by far my favorite nowadays, and more fun than playing cowboys & indians was when I was 12.

[Conspiracy Guy]

The M1911? is a good shooter. Doesn't kick but it rocks. I like autos for point and shoot. More natural than revolvers. I don't shoot my M1911? much because it is old. I like to point and shhot my two P97DC like this, 9mm in lefthand 45ACP in righthand, left then right, until I'm down too 2 rounds per clip then fire those simultaneously.

[Another-MA-Conservative]

"I'm not sure, but by posting this, you may have committed thoughtcrime in your state."

Ya know, that thought did cross my mind. It's weird; I feel like some sort of miscreant for even thinking about exercising my Constitional right.

"A .22 is a great way to start. You may want to give some thought to starting with a rifle rather than a pistol. Pistols are, by nature, less accurate than rifles."

Yeah... I don't mind a challenge though. This is actually what is steering me towards a .22 pistol - from what I've read, a .22 is supposed to be pretty easy for a newbie to develop accuracy with, by virtue of its light weight, light trigger pull, and soft recoil. Plus, that Beretta looks cool with a scope. ;-)

"And yes, you should join the NRA. In fact, do that right now."

I just did. NRA owes you a commission for a new member referral. :-)

[Redcloak]

Thanks for joining the NRA.

(By the way, don't feel guilty about throwing out the blizzard of mailers they'll send you now. We all toss them. In fact, I even heard Tanya Metaksa joke about them once.)

[Ladysmith]

My first firearm was a single-fire bolt-action .22 rifle, as a traditionaly Southern 12th birthday gift from my Dad

Has that tradition been P.C.'d to death yet? I sure hope not.

[wku man]

I agree wholeheartedly. Forget the Walthers and Barettas, get a Ruger Standard. If you're a new shooter, you need to practice...a lot! I've been shooting for years, and I still pretty much suck with a pistol at ranges anything beyond 15 yards. So, being as .357 and .45 ammo is too expensive for intensive pistol marksmanship training, I got a Ruger...paid $150 for it slightly used, at one of those eeeeevil gun shows. It's great because .22 is very cheap, so you can shoot a lot without having to spend an entire paycheck on ammo. Furthermore, the principles of pistol shooting are the same with a .22 as with a .45, so you can hone your skills, then move on to bigger, better things and all you'll have to do is adjust for the heavier recoil.

It's a no brainer, spend less and get a weapon better suited for training, or buy a gee-whiz "pretty" gun that's gonna cost you an arm and a leg to get good with.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!