Posted on 12/16/2009 10:08:01 AM PST by bonillamktg
I am ashamed to say that I am 30 years old and do not own a gun. I grew up in a house without guns and never really thought about it until recently (as I started a drastic shift from being politically agnostic to a staunch conservative Constitutionalist) and now I am a new homeowner and new father and every day I think about needing to get multiple firearms. I need to start somewhere but, other than getting recommendations from a few friends I respect, I am a bit lost, having never fired a handgun before (I've shot several rifles and shotguns before).
My question is: What recommendation would you give me as the first gun I should own? I want this first gun to be easily carried concealed (I plan on getting my concealed carry permit ASAP), a good weapon for protection of my home, easily usable by my wife (who has never shot a gun in her life), and ideally, I'd like to get armed for $300-400.
Shotgun for home defense. Revolver for carry. Revolvers are simple. You don’t need anything fancy...keep it simple.
As far as choosing a first gun, I'd encourage you to to find a range that rents different models so you can find the one that suits you best. Better yet, if you know a gunnie, see if he will let you sample his collection.
A lot of folks have rightly said that a S&W 4" DA revolver in .357 is a great choice for a first gun - simple, dependable, accurate, relatively cheap to practice with .38spl, and a very effective manstopper in .357 mag. The downside to that choice will be concealability if you want to carry. Additionally, if you choose to go with a snub-nose model, you will gain compactness at the expense of accuracy and pleasantness to shoot in practice.
Semi-autos will generally give you more capacity, ease of carry (to a point), and entertainment value on the range, but you will pay for that with a more complicated learning curve and more potential for mechanical problems. There are also several different action types in semi-auto that make a big difference to different shooters.
For the record, my first gun research back then led me to a CZ-75BD in 9mm. It's very similar in function to a Sig Sauer at about half the cost.
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If I had wanted to moderate I would have posted the comment to both the poster and to the moderator. What I did was a casual reminder of posting rules. You have a problem with that? You don’t even have a dog in this fight. You must like sticking your nose into other folks business.
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An American must begin with a 1911. All else follows accordingly!
There will likely be as many answers to your questions as there are gun owners. But I would advise you to (1) do some internet research and (2) go to a gun range or store and try out those from your narrow list and (3) take the NRA basic pistol course before your CCW course.
Couple of things to remember: There are varying opinions about the smallest calibre that's effective for self defense. Many will tell you to go with the largest caliber you can handle. The larger the caliber and smaller/lighter the gun, the more the recoil and time it takes to learn to use it properly. A gun that's heavy enough to reduce recoil and enjoy practicing/learning to shoot with, and one that's light enough for concealed carry and use by your wife, are two different things.
Novices may like to start with a revolver as it's less complicated/easier to load and use. There's also less chance of failure to fire because the user is not keeping their wrist strong enough, as is required by semi-automatics. Smith & Wesson makes some dandy little revolvers with alloy frames that are great for conceal carry and small hands (see the Ladysmith), but again, these are not target guns.
Personally, I first bought a heavy revolver (S&W 686+, 4 inch barrel, stainless steel frame, Shoots .357 hollow points for defense and cheap .38 specials for fun). There's something about that simple machine that I just find to be aesthically pleasing and fun to handle. A few weeks later, I researched and bought a Smith & Wesson M&P 9C (9mm compact) for concealed carry. I handled Glocks, Sprinfields, Sigs, CZ's etc. and there was just no comparison. I understand that when Smith designed its M&P 9, it had a well known engineer, an ergonmics specialists, and others sit down and brainstorm for 20 hours to list everything they wanted in an ideal pistol. I love the way the 9c version feels, aims and shoots.
Finally, whatever you do, get a small gun safe to keep by or under your bed protect your kids. These have a spring loaded, code-activated door and can be opended quickly in the dark with one hand. The gun store can help you there.
Best of luck.
Get the SIG P250 and choose your caliber(s) and size(s).
Most everyone on here has said essentially the same thing and they are all correct and to the point. I will add my .02$ for what it is worth.
Before you plop down any cash, go to a gun store, take your wife, and browse. Look at something you like, and have the wife handle it as well. It is important that she and you both be comfortable with the weapon. Not too bulky, not too small. Recoil must be taken into account as well, but that you may have to do on the range.
Now, this is the important bit. Find a point in the distance, be sure you have a safe line of sight, and throw the weapon up to the point. Can you get on target swiftly and accurately? Do you find yourself having to adjust a bit here and there to be on? Have your wife do the same. It is vital that you are comfortable with where your weapon points and you are on target consistently. If you and your wife cannot, select another weapon, following this same set of rules.
Go and take lessons from a certified NRA instructor, both of you. The skills you will learn are for safety and practical. I cannot stress to you enough how valuable this information and learning can be.
Finally, remember Molon Labe!:)
Walther P22
Find a good deal on a 12ga. pump action shotgun with no plug in the magazine and maximum 20” barrel. Get instruction on how to load, fire, and maintain it. Buy two boxes of bird shot, and go someplace and shoot both boxes through the gun. Then, clean the gun, buy 10 rounds of OO buck shot shells, load the magazine, store the gun out of reach of children and/or lock the trigger, and get yourself mentally prepared to blow any intruder away if necessary.
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I concur with other posters that advise a used Smith & Wesson revolver for the first-time gun owner. Why?
1) Simpler to operate. No safety to fumble with. No slide to pull back (particularly if you have weak hands). No magazine to fumble with. No forgetting and wondering whether a round is already chambered. If a round fails to go off, just squeeze the trigger again. Revolvers are more intuitive to load and use. Just aim and squeeze the trigger.
2) Safer for you. No forgotten round in the chamber waiting for an accident. No fumbling with safety or slide when a thug is coming at you.
3) More reliable operation when your life is in danger. No problem with ammo misfeeding, stovepiping, ejecting. Far more forgiving of any type of ammo (solid point, hollow point, various bullet weights, hi-velocity) that is designed to fit your caliber. If you are shopping for a used pistol at the gun shows, it is easier to evaluate a revolver for funtionality than a semi-automatic.
4) More affordable. Used revolvers are not “sexy” in today’s market and in less demand than before. Used common models are the best deal out there and there are lots to choose from.
Buy a .357 because you and your wife can practice with the milder .38 Specials until you are comfortable and ready to upgrade to the more powerful .357 ammo.
I recommend a 4” barrel as the best compromise for portability, weight, shooting comfort and accuracy.
Go to a gun range to meet people and ask questions before you buy anything. Some ranges offer rentals. Most gun enthusiasts are very evangelical about their hobby and will practically beg you to try their gun if you show the slightest interest. It helps if you dress and act decently and don’t come across like a thug or oddball.
Good comment. I'm thing about a 1911 for my next gun- either Para Ordnance or Kimber or (if wife won't object) a Nighthawk :)
As to S&W autos- yes, I've read bad things about the Sigma series. But folks should not confuse those with the new Smith& Wesson M&P autos- great guns!
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