Potential first-time gun owner looking for gun recommendations

[ttwtt78640]

I'm going to try and apply for permit sometime this week! Do you know about how long that should take?

That varies by state, check their website or tell me the state and I will.

In Texas the CHL permit takes a 10 hour private class ($100), fingerprinting, "passport" photos and then a $140 Department of Public Safety CHL application fee, The average turn around time is about 3 weeks, from what I hear.

 

[zstep18]

That varies by state, check their website or tell me the state and I will.

In Texas the CHL permit takes a 10 hour private class ($100), fingerprinting, "passport" photos and then a $140 Department of Public Safety CHL application fee, The average turn around time is about 3 weeks, from what I hear.

North Carolina.

What's the reasoning behind requiring a permit for a handgun, but not a shotgun or rifle? Is it just the fact that a handgun is more concealable?

And do you know of any rifles or shotguns which are short in length?

 

[ttwtt78640]

North Carolina.

What's the reasoning behind requiring a permit for a handgun, but not a shotgun or rifle? Is it just the fact that a handgun is more concealable?

And do you know of any rifles or shotguns which are short in length?

NC gun laws: Gun Ownership FAQ

Be careful if you decide to saw off a shotgun (or rifle) barrel, as it may make it illegal (federally or for your state). Federal law states that a "long gun" barrel must be at least 18" and the overall lenght at least 26", but state laws vary.

Good home defense shotguns and rifles:

Academy - Remington Model 870™ Express® Synthetic Home Defense 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun

Academy - Savage Stevens 350 12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun

Academy - Savage Axis .223 Remington Long/Short-Action Rifle

Academy - Remington 770™ .270 Win Bolt-Action Rifle with Scope

Academy - Rossi Circuit Judge .45 Colt/.410 Rifle

 

[Fisher]

A sawed off shotgun has such a wide blast pattern that they are basically useless except at close range.

 

[ecofarm]

Why I do not see going shotgun for first gun:

If one decides to carry, now one needs to learn and train a completely different weapon. Get safety lessons, go to the range, become confident and proficient, find difficulty areas and such. This is, in affect, throwing away all those dollars and hours spent on a shotgun, as the new weapon serves fine for home defense. To add insult to injury, the new gun is better for home defense if there is a need to move in the home (to protect childrens' rooms, assist someone, etc). Ultimately, the small frame .357 serves as a superior home defense weapon if there is any consideration for mobility - and all that shotgun time/money is wasted.

I say go with a fool-proof, absolutely reliable, big-stopping-power, small pistol that serves both home and (possibly future) carry defense, thereby concentrating ones dollars and training.

 

[ttwtt78640]

Why I do not see going shotgun for first gun:

If one decides to carry, now one needs to learn and train a completely different weapon. Get safety lessons, go to the range, become confident and proficient, find difficulty areas and such. This is, in affect, throwing away all those dollars and hours spent on a shotgun, as the new weapon serves fine for home defense. To add insult to injury, the new gun is better for home defense if there is a need to move in the home (to protect childrens' rooms, assist someone, etc). Ultimately, the small frame .357 serves as a superior home defense weapon if there is any consideration for mobility - and all that shotgun time/money is wasted.

I say go with a fool-proof, absolutely reliable, big-stopping-power, small pistol that serves both home and (possibly future) carry defense, thereby concentrating ones dollars and training.

Well stated case! Basically, if you do not intend to hunt, or have very restictive state laws, there is no reason for the "progression" from a slightly cheaper shotgun to a decent pistol. I prefer a semi-auto, to a revolver, simply for the concealed carry size advantage and that it can be kept a bit safer in the home by simply storing the magazine and pistol separately, mine (Taurus PT638) has a built in slide lock for longer term storage use. By storing the handgun in a "hard to find" place it often escapes notice even during a burglary (I use a hollowed out old yellow pages phonebook) for the gun and a false closet wall for the ammo and long gun storage (double sheetrock is also fairly decent fire protection). Do not leave targets, gun accessories or the cleaning kit out - that will make any burglars more apt to look harder for the gun(s) - I leave a bb/pellet gun out just as a decoy and to have it handy for varmints.

 

[joko104]

.380 has no knockdown power.
You obviously aren' greatly skilled, so need a Crimson Trace laser grip. Those automatically go on when you grip it. Bullet goes where red dot is.
I'd suggest an Airweight 38sp. VERY lightweight, small 5 shot aluminum alloy with steel lined barrel. Compact. Lightweight. EXTREMELY reliable. Concealable. Enough hitting power.

Avoid small calibers (.380 and lower), though the tiny .380s are exceptionally small and you can get a laser grip. They also wear exceptionally badly (short firing life) and some let you know they are worn out by jamming.

Semi-autos can jam. Revolvers don't.

Mostly, I ABSOLUTELY advise a laser grip. Panic shooting a handgun - particularly small ones - is VERY difficult. Plus the laser is so scary it makes it less likely you'll have to shot at all.

Again, you want an instant on laser grip more than any other feature. Even experienced police officers miss with handguns - more times than not - in a panic situation. And in that situation your target (person) is NOT standing still while you take aim. You may have 1 to 2 seconds deciding between life-death. You miss, you die. With a laser you know exactly where the bullet(s) are going to go.

IF law allows, you firearm is MOST safe in the trunk of your car. Just bring it in and out with you. That actually is less bother than digging it out where you hide it, plus it's always loaded then (unless you have children, then you should buy at least a cheap biometric gun lock box - and bolt it down somewhere.

 

[joko104]

.380 has little knockdown power.
You obviously aren' greatly skilled, so need a Crimson Trace laser grip. Those automatically go on when you grip it. Bullet goes where red dot is.
I'd suggest an Airweight 38sp. VERY lightweight, small 5 shot aluminum alloy with steel lined barrel. Compact. Lightweight. EXTREMELY reliable. Concealable. Enough hitting power.

Avoid small calibers (.380 and lower), though the tiny .380s are exceptionally small and you can get a laser grip. They also wear exceptionally badly (short firing life) and some let you know they are worn out by jamming.

Semi-autos can jam. Revolvers don't.

Mostly, I ABSOLUTELY advise a laser grip. Panic shooting a handgun - particularly small ones - is VERY difficult. Plus the laser is so scary it makes it less likely you'll have to shot at all.

 

[joko104]

To understand accuracy and knockdown power importance, think of on surprise someone coming at you with a knife, pipe, or just coming at you.

People tend not to understand that you have one arm tied up on your gun - so you are a 1 armed defender against a 2 armed attacker - other than that gun you have - and the attacker can run at you faster than you can run backwards. In fact, he can come at you blazingly fast.

Can you stop that person? If not, you are now fighting over your own gun - and you have 1 hand because the other you are holding the gun, the other person has 2 hands.

You can shoot someone in the heart with a .25 coming at you - and that person may well still kill you with your own gun, a knife etc.

As for shooting practice, forget taking the careful stance at a target range. Instead, do panick instant fast-as-you-can shooting - because that is what self defense is. Fast, impulse shooting from however you can as fast, accurately and hard hitting as you can. Police tend to know they are walking into a situation. In self defense, you generally don't.

To understand it's difficult, put a 1 gallon container hanging from a line and get is swinging back and forth. Run back 15 feet, turn and fire as fast as you can. See how many times you hit it. And it's not coming at you.

With a laser grip, you do NOT have to bring a handgun to eye line-up. The bullet is going to go where the red dot is - regardless of where you are holding the gun. It also allows you going thru doorways and around corners holding the handgun close to your body - as you do not have to have it at eye height.

PRACTICE reality, not target shooting. The question is can you stop an attacker? Can you hit him where it matters? Will that hit stop him?

 

[American]

I am a big supporter of a person's first handgun being a revolver. They are easier to clean/maintain without any sort of disassembly, but to each their own.

I bought a Taurus model 605.

 

[Fisher]

I bought a Taurus model 605.

I was given a Ruger 44 blackhawk. I am more a rifle/shotgun person though. The only time I carry a sidearm is when deer hunting in case I don't finish them off with the 30-06 initially. Since I don't hunt much since getting married it is more "when I did hunt" in reality

 

[blackjack50]

I'm thinking about buying my first gun! I have been thinking about it for some time now. It's use would be mainly for self-defense/protection purposes and having some fun at the shooting range. I would want one in the pistol category, and not too expensive, but not crazy cheap? Any suggestions?

I'll admit, I don't know about guns, specifically. Help me out.

My first handgun was a 9mm XD. It was a duty ready concealed carry gun. I had a lot of experience though.

Personally I recommend revolvers for newbies because they are simple and easy. Reliable too. But a good semi automatic with a safety is a great gun. I would go with a 9mm. Ammo is cheaper than a .45. It also is a lot less tiring to shoot (I can put out twice as many in 9 as .45). If you don't want to carry it concealed...make sure it is a full size. That reduces recoil and makes it accurate.

 

[Surtr]

I'm thinking about buying my first gun! I have been thinking about it for some time now. It's use would be mainly for self-defense/protection purposes and having some fun at the shooting range. I would want one in the pistol category, and not too expensive, but not crazy cheap? Any suggestions?

I'll admit, I don't know about guns, specifically. Help me out.

For a first timer, I would suggest a small frame 357, and keep it loaded with 38 JSP's (jacketed soft point). Being a 357, it will have more weight than most 38 revolvers (weight absorbs felt recoil), plus you can always load it with 357 Mag if you feel that you need more power.

Also make sure it has a transfer bar safety (the majority of new revolvers have these). You can keep all chambers loaded safely, and in the face of having to use it for its intended purpose, all you have to do is aim and squeeze the trigger.

The learning curve on a semiautomatic is a little steeper for beginners, and when it comes to defense, you aren't looking to impress anyone. You're looking to shoot the son of a bitch and get the hell out of there.

That's my personal preference and opinion, though. When you have your money saved, go to the store, and ask to handle different firearms. Your hand will tell you what's best. When I got out of the Army, I absolutely knew that I wanted a little PPK. Ended up walking out with a Charter Arms 38, and it served me better than that little 380 would have.

 

[joko104]

For a first timer, I would suggest a small frame 357, and keep it loaded with 38 JSP's (jacketed soft point). Being a 357, it will have more weight than most 38 revolvers (weight absorbs felt recoil), plus you can always load it with 357 Mag if you feel that you need more power.

Also make sure it has a transfer bar safety (the majority of new revolvers have these). You can keep all chambers loaded safely, and in the face of having to use it for its intended purpose, all you have to do is aim and squeeze the trigger.

The learning curve on a semiautomatic is a little steeper for beginners, and when it comes to defense, you aren't looking to impress anyone. You're looking to shoot the son of a bitch and get the hell out of there.

That's my personal preference and opinion, though. When you have your money saved, go to the store, and ask to handle different firearms. Your hand will tell you what's best. When I got out of the Army, I absolutely knew that I wanted a little PPK. Ended up walking out with a Charter Arms 38, and it served me better than that little 380 would have.

A person can't go wrong with a .357. Plenty of knockdown power. Exceptionally reliable. Solid. Lasts a life time. And can use cheap reload .38specials for practice. (A .357mag is just a longer cartridge than a .38special - same diameter).