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Best first gun to own? Need advice!

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.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: banglist; gunownership; vanity
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To: 668 - Neighbor of the Beast

Renting sounds like a good idea, I’ve got a range just up the street from work, thanks!


181 posted on 12/16/2009 12:37:50 PM PST by bonillamktg (Some of us do still love and believe in our Constitution!)
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To: RonF

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!


182 posted on 12/16/2009 12:37:56 PM PST by bonillamktg (Some of us do still love and believe in our Constitution!)
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To: Erik Latranyi

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!


183 posted on 12/16/2009 12:38:04 PM PST by bonillamktg (Some of us do still love and believe in our Constitution!)
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To: bossmechanic

I wouldn’t have expected to spend that much on ammo, so thanks for the advice/heads up!


184 posted on 12/16/2009 12:38:10 PM PST by bonillamktg (Some of us do still love and believe in our Constitution!)
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To: gettinolder

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.


185 posted on 12/16/2009 12:38:15 PM PST by bonillamktg (Some of us do still love and believe in our Constitution!)
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To: bonillamktg

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.


186 posted on 12/16/2009 12:42:00 PM PST by surfer
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To: mikeus_maximus

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


187 posted on 12/16/2009 12:42:49 PM PST by darkside321
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To: Red in Blue PA; Armedanddangerous

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.


188 posted on 12/16/2009 12:45:38 PM PST by BerserkPatriot (There are no 1st Amendment rights without 2nd Amendment Rights)
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To: bonillamktg

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.


189 posted on 12/16/2009 12:45:38 PM PST by surfer
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To: BerserkPatriot

1911s arent reliable enough for me in terms of function.


190 posted on 12/16/2009 12:47:17 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (I think youre so full of inconsolable rage you don't care who you hurt)
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To: HiramQuick
By Medical standards, the AMA and Drs see me and imnmediatly give me the imminent funeral talk. (been hearing that for 20 years now) Scrawny little dirtbags, they wouldn’t know good health if it bit them where the good lord split them.

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.

191 posted on 12/16/2009 12:51:56 PM PST by Labyrinthos
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To: bonillamktg

All is forgiven! After all it is Christmas.


192 posted on 12/16/2009 12:52:38 PM PST by Ben Mugged (Unions are the storm troopers of socialism.)
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To: bonillamktg
Since you have no experience at all with guns then I would start with home defense and forget about CC. For home defense nothing beats a shotgun. Nothing. 12G or 20G semi auto, which ever your wife can handle would be my first weapon. Then as fast as I could afford I'd buy a little bolt action 22 Mag for practice shooting. Do not under estimate a 22 Mag, it's a real weapon too.

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!

193 posted on 12/16/2009 12:57:01 PM PST by jpsb
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To: bonillamktg
By the way, after owning guns for over 50 years I settled on a double barrel .410 shotgun for personal protection. Manual triggers means it doesn't go off unexpectedly, a center mounted LED flashlight will temporarily blind an intruder and if I use it I have bird shot in the right chamber and 00 buckshot in the left. The resulting shots do not penetrate the walls so my neighbors are reasonably safe. The shotgun is light and short so I can swing it in a hallway. If I need more than two shots I bring out my backup.

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.....

194 posted on 12/16/2009 1:02:43 PM PST by Ben Mugged (Unions are the storm troopers of socialism.)
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To: bonillamktg
Shotgun! 12 gauge pump. You are not ready for a handgun, shoot the shotgun about 1,000 rounds and keep it in the bedroom. After about 5 years get yourself a good rifle, AK-47 type semi-auto and learn to shoot it, it will never fail you. Then after 3 years with the AK-47, you are ready for a hand gun. To be safe and good with a handgun takes years. I would never recommend to a newbie to get a handgun as a first weapon.
195 posted on 12/16/2009 1:12:49 PM PST by 2001convSVT ("Only Property Owners that pay taxes should have the right to Vote")
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To: 2001convSVT

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.


196 posted on 12/16/2009 1:23:11 PM PST by darkside321
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To: 2001convSVT
shoot the shotgun about 1,000 rounds and keep it in the bedroom

That's not practice, it's remodeling!

197 posted on 12/16/2009 1:24:37 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim (Live jubtabulously!)
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To: Armedanddangerous

Thought about a 642 as a possible carry weapon, but I’ve pretty good luck with the 1911 type.


198 posted on 12/16/2009 1:31:18 PM PST by BerserkPatriot (There are no 1st Amendment rights without 2nd Amendment Rights)
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To: darkside321

Very cool, but not as cute as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUcrWGJy6q0&feature=related


199 posted on 12/16/2009 1:54:50 PM PST by mikeus_maximus ("I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people.")
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To: TennesseeGirl

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.


200 posted on 12/16/2009 2:14:18 PM PST by 2nd Bn, 11th Mar (The "P" in democrat stands for patriotism)
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