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.
Renting sounds like a good idea, I’ve got a range just up the street from work, thanks!
My wife and one infant, and yes, shooting toward an intruder coming into my bedroom would head toward my daughter’s nursery, so that’s an excellent point!
Absolutely! I would not hesitate to kill in order to protect myself, my family and my property.
My daughter is 3 months old now, so I should probably wait until she at least starts crawling before I get her to the range. ;-)
Thanks for the advice! I’ll be spending plenty of time at the range just up the street!
I wouldn’t have expected to spend that much on ammo, so thanks for the advice/heads up!
It’s sounding like I’ll need to be willing to budget a bit more, and I’ll do it to get the quality I need. I’m hoping you are right, though, and someone needing the money will be willing to part with a good weapon at a great price. Great advice, too, about PMing with a few people here, thanks!
I live in Georgia, btw.
An oldie but a goodie and cheap...
Mossberg 500.
Fairly reliable, proven, easy to use. Great firearm for your spouse to first learn on.
Don’t forget to take classes from a trusted and certified instructor.
wow i found a even smaller gun (2mm calibre). and luck for me they are made in my homecountry and don´t count as weapons. i definitely need one of those babies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_TeYqvpk-A
Okay, I was thinking it was along those lines, sorry to sound ignorant, but I wanted make sure of my assumptions.
Like a lot of people I went through the process by going to gunshows and seeing what was being offered as well as renting different types and trying them out.
My choice would be a 1911 type as well.
One other thought I heard expressed is that a lot of people don’t really know what they want and maybe go through the process of buying one and trying it out and then reselling it and getting something else.
A carry weapon is a very personal choice with a lot of factors involved – and it may take a few tries before you get they kind you’ll want to carry around and have to rely on in a dangerous situation.
Sorry I missed your point about concealed...
there are a variety of 380 or 40’s that I would recommend. Small, some have decent clip sizes and they pack a decent amount of stopping power.
However under $400...hmmm...
But I would look at the Kimber Carry’s...nice variety and well designed. They have a real small 45 which will drop most in their tracks but it will kick.
1911s arent reliable enough for me in terms of function.
Yep, my doctor just gave me the same speech because I am 6'2" and 225 lb.and don't fit the CDC Charts. Forget that fact that lift weight three to four days a week and at 50 years old, I can still bench press over 300 lb. and run for an hour without gasping for breath.
All is forgiven! After all it is Christmas.
But if you are just looking for a cheap hand gun for around the house I recommend a Ruger security six, 357 revolver. Great inexpensive hand gun. I'm sure a local pawn shop has one. Do not forget to take whatever you buy and your wife to the range and practice. Very important!
I use a Blackhawk .357 loaded with .38 hollow points as backup. It is a single action revolver and is pretty safe to handle.
Just me.....
i agree for the shotgun (i prefer semi-autos ok pump guns are now illegal here anyway so the choice was easy ;-) for home defence. i thrust my life in my Benelli M2 (pistol grip). But a AK47 for home defence? well i hope that you life in a house without any neighbors. because an AK 47 easy penetrates a standart wall.
That's not practice, it's remodeling!
Thought about a 642 as a possible carry weapon, but I’ve pretty good luck with the 1911 type.
Very cool, but not as cute as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUcrWGJy6q0&feature=related
Like you, my preference is for S&W revolvers. My collection is moderate in size - just took delivery on a NIB Model 66 snubbie made in 1974. Stainless steel is the way to go for carry guns, in my judgment.
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