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.

[P8riot]

How much for the Lark? I have a mechanic friend that is president of the Tidewater Virginia Studebaker Assosiation (or something like that). You can FReepmail me with details.

[OldSgt.]

"expert in the army with the Garand which is not surprising"

All on this thread have said this without saying it. The best firearm is the one each person is proficient with. My
this or that, is no better if it cannot be used effectively when needed.

Bottom Line!

[Euro-American Scum]

Bump for later.

[AnAmericanMother]

This Lark came with the big V-8 (the police engine). It came with a Holley 4bbl, but our genius mechanic put a Maserati fuel injector on it.

That big motor just purrs.

[mbynack]

I've got a 12 Guage Mossberg 500 short barrel with a seven shot mag for home. I also have a 357 Ruger SP101 and a 45 cal Glock 30. I want to make big holes if someone is shooting at me.

My wife has a Colt Diamondback 38 special with a four inch barrel. She's comfortable shooting it and is fairly accurate with it.

I recently bought a Ruger Ranch Rifle in 223. It's never been one of my favorite calibers, but ammo is cheap and available. I have a Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 for hunting.

For plinking I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Ruger Mk II.

[July 4th]

my .357 is a Ruger sp 101

Mine too. I love it.

[yarddog]

Daddy was in the combat engineers in WWII. We just had to put him in a nursing home and I was going through some of his old papers and found a large (about 3 feet square) illustrated on front and back, history of his outfit.

Although yellowed it is in great shape. Unfortunately there are two more pages which someone else must have gotten. This one does have all the members of the 208th Egnineers Combat Battalion listed tho.

Also the history from January 1945 till the end of the war. I remember Daddy telling me one of his sergeants shot down a Messerschmidt with a BAR and sure enough, there is an illustration of a soldier shooting down (actually looks like a Focke Wulf) in the cartoon.

[Terabitten]

I'm sure that you're going to get a lot of people disagreeing with his choices. I would recommend a 12 gauge pump as the first gun. You can use it for home defense and hunting. I don't think a 22 magnum is a very practical choice. It's only good for plinking and small game. A 22 long rifle is cheaper to shoot. A 454 Cassull is not practical for anything but medium size game hunting. It's not a good weapon for a beginner because it's expensive and kicks pretty hard.

There was a similar thread right after Katrina hit in which someone asked for what gun(s) they needed to buy within a reasonable budget for a natural-disaster type situation. My list was as follows:

1) Remington 870 12 guage with 18 inch barrel. Perfect for home defense and can be used to hunt as well.
2) Ruger 10-22 for shooting small game as needed, plus, ammo is cheaper than dirt.
3)Good defensive pistol - I prefer the Glock 17. Personal preference plays a *huge* role here.
4)Military rifle - either a civilianized M4 or AK47. I prefer a civilianized M4, since ammo is easier to get (you'll be able to cadge some off the National Guard or whoever.)

Just my two cents.

[mbynack]

I used to be considered a survivalist/gun nut, but after 9/11 and New Orleans my friends consider me a realist and role model.

[Disambiguator]

What oddball calibers are you referring to? The only ones that seemed a little "off" were the .22 Mag and the .454. Everything else on the list seems pretty mundane, if you ask me.

I wouldn't go for a 6" .357 (BTDT). 4" is more easily handled and carried, and recoil is still manageable, IMHO. The Ruger GP100 would be my choice in that regard.

[CodeToad]

Rules, man, the rules: Gun porn required on gun threads!

Kimber Eclipse. The finish is like no other.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Good choices. I bought the 88's because they are cheap enough not to worry about banging them around. 6 shot mag is plenty. I like the Ruger Auto's because they have exposed hammers and double action combined with the decock lever makes keeping one in the chamber simpler.

[christabel]

I used to be considered a survivalist/gun nut, but after 9/11 and New Orleans my friends consider me a realist and role model.

Interesting how our view changes with a different perspective.

[AnAmericanMother]

I would prefer .308 to .30'06, just because the latter is getting harder to find but you can always get a crate of 7.62 NATO.

The "oddballs" that jumped out at me were just the ones you named, .22 Mag and the Casull.

[AnAmericanMother]

And the .270. I know that a certain gun writer was nuts about it, but it's not always easy to find.

[Disambiguator]

Ok, I'll go with that assessment.

:^)

[eXe]

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.

And just what is so wrong with being a "survivalist weirdo"

lol

[Bottom_Gun]

some good choices there, Mine would be different, but that is personal choice. The one thing he left out would be for first timers, or people with little experience would be to get some component instruction on the weapons of their choice!

[AnAmericanMother]

Of course, once you REALLY get into this hobby, you start reloading in a vain attempt to save money . . .

you just load MORE ammo, and start collecting all these orphan calibers and trimming and resizing other cases to fit . . .

Been there, still doing that. (Ever tried to find .455 Webley hulls? I had a terrible time until an outfit in Wisconsin started turning them down from new .45 Long Colt brass. I can trim the cases but I can't grind the rims down - the .455 rim is very thin for some reason.)

[alarm rider]

Excellent choices.