Getting into the world of firearms

Townhall.com ^ | September 27, 2005 | Mike S. Adams

[beaureguard]

Thanks for your following letter, Matt, which I received this afternoon:

Do you think at some point you could write a column on some of the basics of getting into the world of firearms? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on acquiring weapons for home defense and hunting. While I'm not a survivalist weirdo, I have no intention of waiting for any level of government to ride to the rescue, should bad times come along.

Since I have been hit with numerous requests (mostly post-Katrina) from people looking for that first firearm, I am pleased to respond with a column on the topic. Since you used the word “weapons” (plural) and spoke of “getting into the world of firearms” (again plural) I have a number of recommendations for you. And here they are:

Marlin .22 Magnum, Model 25 MN. We are going to start you off with an inexpensive gun you can easily pick up at WalMart. I bought my Model 25 five years ago for just $150, although they cost about $170 now. Take your new .22 magnum out to the country and fire a few shots at a paper plate taped on the side of a tree stump. Start out at 25 yards. When you get confident, you can put an inexpensive Simmons scope on it for those 50-yard raccoon shots. I have a big back yard and, for me, a part of home defense is getting rid of those raccoons that tear up everything in sight. Your varmint problems will soon be a thing of the past with this little bolt action rifle. It will also teach you patience and shot discipline better than a .22 semi-automatic. Remember, Matt, every shot counts so don’t waste ammo. In fact, make sure that you always buy more than you just shot after a day at the range. Some people call that stockpiling. I call it an investment in your future.

Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, Model 686. I usually recommend a four-inch barrel but I want you to get a six-inch stainless model. This will help you in the realm of hunting and self-defense. For example, a 145-grain Winchester silver tip will stop that coyote you run into while deer hunting. It will also help stop any intruder (it will even stop his pit bull, for that matter). Keep this gun under your bed and loaded at all times.

Also, this is a great revolver for your wife (assuming you are married, which is another choice I recommend) to get used to shooting. Put some light 110-grain .38 Special rounds in it and see how she likes it. With a big six-inch barrel, it will be easy to handle with hardly any recoil.

Benelli Nova 12-gauge. I have a couple of Remington 870 pump shotguns. But, recently, I bought a 24-inch barrel Nova with Advantage Timber camouflage. I will use mine – a super magnum that takes 3 ½-inch loads – to hunt a turkey this Thanksgiving. You can use yours for varmint hunting, quail hunting, and a number of other purposes with the right 2 3/4 –inch load. Some light buckshot will also make this a good home defense weapon, provided you are in an open space (the barrel is a little long for this particular function).

Stoeger Double-barreled 20-gauge Supreme Coach Gun. If you really want your wife to get into this (to make it a family affair), she needs her own shotgun. I recommend the nickel-plated version because it’s so darned pretty. Let her keep it under her side of the bed and, please, stay on her good side. For more details, see this link: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/coach-supreme.tpl.

Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. A lot of people who saw what recently happened in New Orleans have concluded that every man needs an assault rifle. I came to that conclusion years ago. Go to WalMart and get this nice .223 semi-automatic for around $500 (I got mine when they were $375). Then get a scope (the rings are included with this model). I would also recommend several 30-round magazines by Thurmold. I have fired hundreds of rounds through mine without a single jam – even when firing as rapidly as possible. You might also want a flash suppressor, which will keep the muzzle low while you fire away. This is a fun gun that helps explain why I never picked up golf.

Browning A-bolt .270. And, of course, you will need a long-range bolt action rifle when you start bagging deer. My 30.06 Browning A-Bolt Medallion is probably my favorite weapon. Deer, black bear, and boar like it much less. I recommend the .270 to the novice because it has less recoil and will still get the job done. Winchester Power Point rounds (130-grain bullets) are very cheap and more than adequate. Mail me later for venison recipes.

Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull. I have no business recommending this gun to you, Matt. Nonetheless, buy it anyway. This gun takes Colt 45 rounds that are great for home defense. When, somewhere down the road, you feel like handling a very powerful handgun, this will provide some great entertainment with the .454 Casull rounds. Get the model with the 9 ½-inch barrel and kill a wild boar. Then kill a black bear. Then put a scope on it (the scope rings are included) and kill a deer at 100 yards. After you are done with your assignments, call me and let me know whether I have given you good advice.

Thanks for writing, Matt. And welcome to my world.

[MarkL]

I am thinking of getting a .22 pistol (maybe a Walther P22) for my first gun and to learn about shooting together with my son.

Any recommendations or feedback from all of you gun experts out there will be appreciated.

Well, I've never shot a Walther P22, but I won't let that stop me from giving out my uninformed opinion! It's never stopped me before! lol

Walther makes a really fine firearm. However, there are many others that are terrific too. In .22, you might want to check out the Ruger Mk2 or Mk3. You might also want to check out their 22/45, which is quite similar in feel to a 1911 (.45 Auto). It seems that these are the "universal" .22 semi-auto handguns. Simply EVERYONE I know has one. They're relatively inexpensive, rugged, and seem to work forever. Interestingly enough, mine is extremely reliable EXCEPT immediately after cleaning! I've found that it will jam two or three times during the first 100 or so rounds fired through it after cleaning, but after that, it's completely reliable.

Another .22 that some people LOVE is the Browning Buckmark. And used Colt .22s are highly prized as well.

Generally, you shouldn't be put off looking at and buying a used .22. Just take a knowledgable friend with you to check it out beforehand.

Mark

[MarkL]

And even though the 10/22 is my son's favorite rifle, not everybody wants to shoot that one (my daughter likes the Garand.)

I've got a friend, who when his daughter was about 15, and the little boys in the neighborhood and from school started spending some time at their house, was always cleaning his shotgun in the kitchen when the little boys would come over... Sounds like that's simply not necessary at your house! She could be cleaning that Garand herself! Sounds like the perfect "daddy's little girl!"

Mark

[Tijeras_Slim]

I had some real problems with a Walther P22, to the point where Smith refunded my money. I'd reccomend a Ruger first if economy is a consideration (I've had many of those and they all worked great)

[Squantos]

6.5 grendel is our do it all round for my local needs these days !

I have a Bull barrel bolt gun and a AR upper from alexander arms for that caliber and it is a very good stable long range tool !

[rightwingreligiousfanatic]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

[MarkL]

Everyone should have enough ammo to last a lifetime in a pinch.

In a shooting fight, many people DO have enough to last them the rest of their lives... For a while, when I was shooting in practical shooting competition, I was using a 9mm, and 17 round mags. I still carried 4 full mags on my belt, because the one time that I thought that I'd only need 1 extra mag (due to a mandatory reload), I managed to fumble the reload and had trouble finding the magazine... I do have to say that it was interesting keeping my pants up with an Ernie Hill Speed Leather holster and 4 mags and pouches holding 68 9mm rounds on my belt!

A favorite line from a movie is "I don't want to get killed for a lack of shooting back!"

Mark

[PoorMuttly]

I am so glad to hear about that! Seems like an excellent round, and I deeply hope that our fighting troops get their hands on it soon.

[MarkL]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

I don't think that Colt makes the "Woodsman" any more, but you should be able to find them used at gun shows, and they're popular enough so that you can find magazines pretty easily.

But I do have to say that I really LOVE the Rugers. They just feel good, are relatively inexpensive, rugged, and reliable (except for what I said in my case for freshly cleaned). I really have no explanation for this: And other's I've spoken with (but NOT everyone) have had this happen as well.

Mark

[PoorMuttly]

9 out of 10 Safety Experts agree...Belt AND Suspenders wins the day.

The other guy hasn't been released from The Center yet....but when he is.....

[PoorMuttly]

I think the Browning Buck Mark pretty much is a Woodsman. It's offered as an amazing rifle configuration too....shoulders and points like lightning, and has Hi-Viz sights.....and a hi-viz price tag, too!

[yarddog]

Most of us have guns we wish we still had. One of mine is a Colt Woodsman. I bought it at Jimmy's pawn in Fort Walton Beach when I was in college. I think he felt a little sorry for me because he took an H&R revolver and $55 for it.

That was the best .22 pistol I have ever had. I traded it to a dealer who was also a coon hunter. He traded me a Springfield 03A3 with a Redfield Receiver sight and sourdough front blade. He also threw in 1000 rounds of Lake City match.

I may have gotten the best of the deal but would love to have that gun back.

[Uri’el-2012]

The first thing Mike should recommend to anyone is a good NRA safety training course.

[1Old Pro]

Thanks to both of you! I'm checking out Colt and Ruger websites right now...

Also look at the Beretta .22

[MarkL]

Most of us have guns we wish we still had.

I know exactly how you feel... Every now and then, I'll get asked by someone if I'm interested in selling my S&W 629 Power Custom Grand Master. When I'm a bit short on cash, sometimes I'll get a bit wobbly on it, but then I remember that I bought it used for less than $400, and I would NEVER be able to find another one of these. Besides, if I ever do want to sell it, I feel a moral obligation to go back to the guy who sold it to me in the first place. He deserves the first option to buy it back.

BTW, here's what it looks like, although mine's based on a 629, in .44 Mag, so mine's bigger and heavier.

Mark

[longtermmemmory]

don't they make a mini-14 which is for 7.62X30?

which caliber is better?

[yarddog]

don't they make a mini-14 which is for 7.62X30? which caliber is better?

You probably mean 7.62X39. It is probably better for deer hunting or if you have access to a lot of that ammo cheap.

For self defense I would probably rate them about equal.

It is called the mini-30.

[Tijeras_Slim]

The Woodsman is a great gun, and you can also find economical High Standards used with some frequency. I really like the Rugers, and the only thing they have going against them is the somewhat byzantine disassembly procedure. On the other hand, there are tons of aftermarket drop in parts to turn them into true tackdrivers.

[Zeroisanumber]

When, somewhere down the road, you feel like handling a very powerful handgun, this will provide some great entertainment with the .454 Casull rounds.

Should have recommended a good wrist-support while he was at it. Hell of a powerful gun, but it'll sprain your wrist if you're not careful.

[xsrdx]

Benelli Nova 12-gauge.

Cheap junk but not horrible.

?? Eegad- How would you describe Mossberg then?

Never heard anybody call a Benelli cheap junk, but there's a first time for everything.

[Tunehead54]

Bump for reference!!!! ;-)