Guns

[K-Dog]

I hope to avoid politics with this thread. I hope every one will work with me on doing that.

I am interested in buying a hand gun. I have no clue what brand, what kind, what caliber, what ever.

I live in a good neighborhood with good neighbors. Home defense is not the issue. Fact of the matter is I WANT a gun, I dont NEED a gun. That said I want a gun now because I am unsure if I will be able to get one IF I were to ever NEED one. Taking it out to the shooting range is about the extent of it.

People I have talked to thus far speak highly of the Colt 1911, but some are saying a revolver.

I am taking all opinions, comments and suggestions.

[Purple Nurple]

1911 is a tried and true classic. I personally love my S&W .40. If you're not getting it to defend yourself, a 9mm is probably all you'll want. Unfortunately the day may come when you need to back your bark up and that .40 goes BOOM.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1362111084' post='1373032']
1911 is a tried and true classic. I personally love my S&W .40. If you're not getting it to defend yourself, a 9mm is probably all you'll want. Unfortunately the day may come when you need to back your bark up and that .40 goes BOOM.
[/quote]

Am I to assume the 1911 is a 9mm ?

[codizzle]

What's ur price range

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1362111084' post='1373032']
1911 is a tried and true classic. I personally love my S&W .40. If you're not getting it to defend yourself, a 9mm is probably all you'll want. Unfortunately the day may come when you need to back your bark up and that .40 goes BOOM.
[/quote]

Gotta trust the Floridian on this!

[flaccopoe]

What do you want a gun for, anyway? Just shooting around on the range?

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1362111532' post='1373039']
Am I to assume the 1911 is a 9mm ?
[/quote]

The 1911 uses .45 ACP rounds.

Really, I can't tell you what your preferences would be, but you can go to a shooting range and ask to try out a couple of their pistols to see which one you're most comfortable with.

And for the love of god, before you buy one please take some firearms training courses if you haven't already done so.

Also, good luck finding rounds for cheap these days...

[Guest Moderator 6]

I used to go up to Taneytown and shoot clay pidgins with a 12 guage all the time. Talk about a redneck sport.

[H8R]

I have a Kimber 1911 Custom II, Its a great gun ... Little spendy though. If its your first guy and you wont shoot often, and stopping power isnt a giant factor... Get a 9mm. .45 rounds are stupid expensive. Try to grab a Springfield XD 9mm or a Ruger LC9 for a dependable cheap-ish pistol.

Also, if you have good neighbors and a good neighborhood... Thats the ideal place for a break-in..AKA, you should def. have a gun for HD.

[BMORElegacy]

It depends on what you want to do with it.

A Ruger .22 is loads of fun if you want to shoot up paper targets or cans. They're comfortable and .22 ammunition is CHEAP.

If you want to feel like James Bond go with a Walther PPK. It's a fun little gun with quite a kick for a 9mm (because it's so small).

If you want to feel like Clint Eastwood and go with a cowboy style revolver I really like the Bisley .45. It's a solid revolver in the mold of a cowboy gun.

You can't go wrong with the 1911. It's a fixture in Americana. If you're looking for manufacturers look at Sig Sauer or Colt. Sig Sauer is a top flight company and you can never go wrong with the gun's originator in Colt. Personally, I'd get a WWII style 1911 but that's just because I'm a HUGE history buff.

But remember, the gun is only half the expense. Keep in mind that you then have to buy the ammo to fire it. Magnum's are fun and all but the bullets are insanely expensive. You'd probably be best to go with a .22 for target shooting and if you want something a little more powerful go with a 9mm. There are tons of guns chambered in 9mm which keeps the price of the ammo low.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='Moderator 6' timestamp='1362151031' post='1373284']
I used to go up to Taneytown and shoot clay pidgins with a 12 guage all the time. Talk about a redneck sport.
[/quote]Skeet shooting isn't a redneck sport! Royalty and dignitaries shoot clays. It's not the sport's fault that rednecks highjacked it lol

[BloodRaven]

Sigma .40 and the Hi Point 9 are decent starters. I can't really talk about my personal collection.

[Moderator 3]

I used to go to turkey shoots and had a lot of fun. Got tired of eating those turkeys and hams, though.

[cursona pirate]

You can get cheap water guns at the dollar store

[K-Dog]

thanks for all the input thus far.

I really dont know what my budget is. I mean I want to say a grand, but if you cant buy quality for a grand I might have to step it up.
I really have no clue.

So it sounds like a 9mm is what I should be after.
That has the cheapest ammo right ?
So, pros and cons revolver or semi-auto.

Oh and yes, yes and hell yes I am getting the training too. Taking my wife and kid too.
I have shot guns before. Two occasions. I really dont know what they were, they were all hand guns though. cept for one.
It was an AK-47. That one was pretty fun indeed.

[1/28/01]

9mm Beretta here. Wifes father gave it to me when they moved to Japan.

Rounds are pretty cheap for it, but only if its in stock.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1362194073' post='1374516']
thanks for all the input thus far.

I really dont know what my budget is. I mean I want to say a grand, but if you cant buy quality for a grand I might have to step it up.
I really have no clue.

So it sounds like a 9mm is what I should be after.
That has the cheapest ammo right ?
So, pros and cons revolver or semi-auto.

Oh and yes, yes and hell yes I am getting the training too. Taking my wife and kid too.
I have shot guns before. Two occasions. I really dont know what they were, they were all hand guns though. cept for one.
It was an AK-47. That one was pretty fun indeed.
[/quote]

A grand will buy a decent gun so you're good there.

The cheapest ammo is gonna be .22 rounds. If you have ZERO desire for home defense, you may want to just start with a .22 to get familiar with a gun. Its a great starter caliber.

Move on to a 9mm when you're comfortable. As someone else suggested, go to a shooting range and speak with someone there. You'll be able to take the classes there as well and you can try different guns.

[SecretAgentMan]

I don't know much about guns (I'm that 14 year old who prefers playing guitar to playing COD).
9mm Bereta (as stated here so many times) is the route I would go.

But as a blackbelt, and experienced weapon user (swords, knives, nauchauks) I would like to get into gun training. I mean, I would like to know how to defend my home.

Let me just say this, my dad has a bum knee. Shattered it while playing soccer. If anyone breaks in, I'm the one who's going in for the fight.

Don't know much about gun laws. What is it for the soon to be 15 year old?

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1362199945' post='1374633']
I don't know much about guns (I'm that 14 year old who prefers playing guitar to playing COD).
9mm Bereta (as stated here so many times) is the route I would go.

But as a blackbelt, and experienced weapon user (swords, knives, nauchauks) I would like to get into gun training. I mean, I would like to know how to defend my home.

Let me just say this, my dad has a bum knee. Shattered it while playing soccer. If anyone breaks in, I'm the one who's going in for the fight.

[b]Don't know much about gun laws. What is it for the soon to be 15 year old?[/b]
[/quote]

You have to be at least 18 to legally own a gun.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1362215855' post='1374763']


You have to be at least 18 to legally own a gun.
[/quote]
Perfect. Three more years

[BMORElegacy]

I learned to shoot on a Ruger .22 automatic pistol. You can't go wrong with it. It has zero recoil so it is something the wife, or even the kids, can learn on and the ammo will be dirt cheap. I learned to be proficient with a Ruger in my early teens. It is super easy to handle and manipulate and will be a great introduction to the world of automatic pistols. Nobody should start with a piece like the 1911.

[H8R]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1362574756' post='1379495']
I learned to shoot on a Ruger .22 automatic pistol. You can't go wrong with it. It has zero recoil so it is something the wife, or even the kids, can learn on and the ammo will be dirt cheap. I learned to be proficient with a Ruger in my early teens. It is super easy to handle and manipulate and will be a great introduction to the world of automatic pistols. Nobody should start with a piece like the 1911.
[/quote]

I have to disagree. There's nothing wrong with learning with a 1911. People say the same thing about fast cars ( I learned in a race car ) . The principal is still the same. The same rules apply. Responsibilty is still the same. My first pistol was a Ruger SRH.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1362577190' post='1379506']
I have to disagree. There's nothing wrong with learning with a 1911. People say the same thing about fast cars ( I learned in a race car ) . The principal is still the same. The same rules apply. Responsibilty is still the same. My first pistol was a Ruger SRH.
[/quote]It's just common sense to me to learn on something that is more forgiving. Lighter gun means less fatigue for longer lessons. Less recoil means less less fatigue and heightened accuracy to hone your skills. If you're learning, you won't feel guilty about burning through .22 LC at a blistering rate as compared the the pricey .45 ACP that the 1911 is chambered. I consider a .22 pistol or rifle to be the training wheels of the firearms world. Everybody should learn the basics of manipulating a simpler weapon before stepping up to higher powered and more complicated firearms. For a beginner, the less moving parts the better. It allows you to focus on gun safety and the basics of aiming and firing the weapon.

We just don't see eye to eye. I think it's irresponsible for a 14 or 15 year old kid's first experience behind the wheel of a car to be in a 400+ HP race car... I remember my first time behind the wheel, and I was scared to death. I can only imagine how that feeling of fear and anxiety would have been amplified if I was in an expensive and powerful car. How can a novice handle a car like that when they still don't know how to operate a manual transmission, brake smoothly, or even check their mirrors frequently.

[H8R]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1362580947' post='1379521']
It's just common sense to me to learn on something that is more forgiving. Lighter gun means less fatigue for longer lessons. Less recoil means less less fatigue and heightened accuracy to hone your skills. If you're learning, you won't feel guilty about burning through .22 LC at a blistering rate as compared the the pricey .45 ACP that the 1911 is chambered. I consider a .22 pistol or rifle to be the training wheels of the firearms world. Everybody should learn the basics of manipulating a simpler weapon before stepping up to higher powered and more complicated firearms. For a beginner, the less moving parts the better. It allows you to focus on gun safety and the basics of aiming and firing the weapon.

We just don't see eye to eye. I think it's irresponsible for a 14 or 15 year old kid's first experience behind the wheel of a car to be in a 400+ HP race car... I remember my first time behind the wheel, and I was scared to death. I can only imagine how that feeling of fear and anxiety would have been amplified if I was in an expensive and powerful car. How can a novice handle a car like that when they still don't know how to operate a manual transmission, brake smoothly, or even check their mirrors frequently.
[/quote]

I feel you learn to respect something more that scares you. When shooting a .22... people don't take them seriously , it gives the false impression that it isn't deadly! In fact, the .22 is such a plinker that people are reckless with them.

I also feel you should be WELL versed in gun safety, LONG before you pick up a firearm. I passed my hunters safety course at 8 years old... Had my first gun ( 870 12g pump at 11)I didn't get my own pistol until I was 16 . As for a fast car for my first... I drove a junior dragster, a race cart and quads and dirt bikes before I got my license.. The point is, everything is relative. The same level of respect sh

[H8R]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1362580947' post='1379521']
It's just common sense to me to learn on something that is more forgiving. Lighter gun means less fatigue for longer lessons. Less recoil means less less fatigue and heightened accuracy to hone your skills. If you're learning, you won't feel guilty about burning through .22 LC at a blistering rate as compared the the pricey .45 ACP that the 1911 is chambered. I consider a .22 pistol or rifle to be the training wheels of the firearms world. Everybody should learn the basics of manipulating a simpler weapon before stepping up to higher powered and more complicated firearms. For a beginner, the less moving parts the better. It allows you to focus on gun safety and the basics of aiming and firing the weapon.

We just don't see eye to eye. I think it's irresponsible for a 14 or 15 year old kid's first experience behind the wheel of a car to be in a 400+ HP race car... I remember my first time behind the wheel, and I was scared to death. I can only imagine how that feeling of fear and anxiety would have been amplified if I was in an expensive and powerful car. How can a novice handle a car like that when they still don't know how to operate a manual transmission, brake smoothly, or even check their mirrors frequently.
[/quote]

Some people have stones, some people have pebbles. I feel you learn to respect something more that scares you. When shooting a .22... people don't take them seriously , it gives the false impression that it isn't deadly! In fact, the .22 is such a plinker that people are reckless with them.

I also feel you should be WELL versed in gun safety, LONG before you pick up a firearm. I passed my hunters safety course at 8 years old... Had my first gun ( 870 12g pump at 11)I didn't get my own pistol until I was 16 . As for a fast car for my first... I drove a junior dragster, a race cart and quads and dirt bikes before I got my license.. The point is, everything is relative. The same level of respect should be displayed no matter the weapon of choice.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1362582781' post='1379545']
I feel you learn to respect something more that scares you. When shooting a .22... people don't take them seriously , it gives the false impression that it isn't deadly! In fact, the .22 is such a plinker that people are reckless with them.

I also feel you should be WELL versed in gun safety, LONG before you pick up a firearm. I passed my hunters safety course at 8 years old... Had my first gun ( 870 12g pump at 11)I didn't get my own pistol until I was 16 . As for a fast car for my first... I drove a junior dragster, a race cart and quads and dirt bikes before I got my license.. The point is, everything is relative. The same level of respect sh
[/quote]I agree with that. Before I even picked up a firearm I learned the basics of gun safety and marksmanship on BB guns and pellet rifles. I knew the ins and outs of how to respect and handle guns before I even put my hands on a rifle that shot cartridges propelled by gunpowder. I just think that if you're scared out of your mind of what you're handling you can't focus on learning how to use it properly. If I have kids that want to learn how to shoot I'll start with BB guns, then .22's, and then work up from there. Start small and work your way up as you get more comfortable with manipulating increasingly more powerful weapons. If somebody wasn't taught to respect a .22 then what makes you think they'll respect something of a higher caliber? I was taught to treat ANY WEAPON (bow and arrow, BB gun, or .30-06) with the same level of respect. It tells me that somebody wasn't taught correctly or aren't responsible if they don't handle a .22 correctly, and it has nothing to do with the caliber of the weapon.

.22's are dangerous of course, and it would be a possibly fatal mistake to disrespect them. But they are perfect guns to learn on, and have fun with, if the extent of what you're going to be doing is target shooting at paper or cans.

[cobrajet]

I always preferred the .38 Super in a 1911 frame. Great caliber and fun to shoot.

For home protection, I have a Remington Law Enforcement 870P pump shotgun with enough .00 Buck close by. It is what I pulled out of the trunk of my radio car when it was time to get serious!

[cobrajet]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1362582781' post='1379545']
I feel you learn to respect something more that scares you. When shooting a .22... people don't take them seriously , it gives the false impression that it isn't deadly! In fact, the .22 is such a plinker that people are reckless with them.

I also feel you should be WELL versed in gun safety, LONG before you pick up a firearm. I passed my hunters safety course at 8 years old... Had my first gun ( 870 12g pump at 11)I didn't get my own pistol until I was 16 . As for a fast car for my first... I drove a junior dragster, a race cart and quads and dirt bikes before I got my license.. The point is, everything is relative. The same level of respect sh
[/quote]
That would be a huge mistake to underestimate the .22. I always said I would rather be shot with a larger caliber while on duty. The .22 bounces around inside you and tears up everything. I have been amazed, after 21 years experience in Baltimore City, that someone can get shot under the arm with a .22 and won't make it but I have seen people walking around after taking a head shot with a larger caliber. Always treat a gun as if it was loaded, never point it at anyone, and when you unload a semi-automatic make sure you also remove the one in the chamber then lock it back and inspect it - then look away and inspect it a second time. Make sure that no children can readily access it. Take care.

[H8R]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1363277136' post='1395978']
That would be a huge mistake to underestimate the .22. I always said I would rather be shot with a larger caliber while on duty. The .22 bounces around inside you and tears up everything. I have been amazed, after 21 years experience in Baltimore City, that someone can get shot under the arm with a .22 and won't make it but I have seen people walking around after taking a head shot with a larger caliber. Always treat a gun as if it was loaded, never point it at anyone, and when you unload a semi-automatic make sure you also remove the one in the chamber then lock it back and inspect it - then look away and inspect it a second time. Make sure that no children can readily access it. Take care.
[/quote]

Exactly. Thats why in a lot of places, you cant hunt with a .22. The stopping power isnt there...but the DISTANCEis unreal.
The bullet bounces around like a ping pong ball.