so let me start this off that I have know idea about guns. the most I know is from video games...so not so much. so i want to know how to get a gun and what would be a good first gun to purchase. i only want one for possible protection. thoughts?
BFG of course Edit: I'm going to go here in the spring to get my CCW so those who do know more can help my decision making too...http://www.tdiohio.com/
Most reccomend shotguns for home defense: but, http://lmgtfy.com/?q=firearm for home defense (the second one is a pretty decent writeup) Also, if you don't know how to properly use it, no gun is going to be very helpful. So, learn, and practice.
First off, you should be really pissed before you buy one, and have a victim or victims picked out in advance... Like ninefivezero said a shotgun is a great first choice because they are cheap, reliable, versatile, have cheap ammo, etc. Get a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 and find a good place to practice shooting. So much fun... So why do you want one all of a sudden?
i don't want one all of a sudden. i've always wanted to have a gun of some sort for protection. but i just now have the money for it. thanks for the tips, i'll look into those and i'll read that article.
get a 9mm pistol cheap as shit ammo, so you can go to the range often (more comfortable with your firearm = good) i got a .45 and although its a beast, its damn expensive. and a 9mm would be more than enough (imo) for home defense i'm not a fan of shottys for home defense as it takes a bunch of positioning be sure to ask for a free gun lock (for when you arent using it). most cities have free gun lock programs, and its good practice to ensure someone doesnt play around with a loaded gun
As Fiddy and MSP have already stated if the firearm is for self defense......then yes get a Shotgun especially if you have no experience with a weapon. As far as a handgun goes I say "No" unless you go and expend 500 to 1,000 rounds first. Just my opinion. Also I would add that until you are proficient with a pistol that a 9mm caliber id the wrong choice. Sorry Ranger.
Yeah, if you plan on pulling a pistol out when you hear a bump in the night I agree with Tac. Get down to the range, uncle Bob's back yard, etc, and get familiar with it. And I'm with Ranger on the 9mm thing, that's a really versatile, affordable caliber to shoot.
i thought shotguns were best for home defense because of the spray. waking up in the wee hours of the night, nervous, with sleep in your eyes or no glasses on, in the dark.. youre gonna wanna hit that motherfucker i personally dont think i'd fare well with a rifle or handgun in that situation.
buy a glock now that i have that out of the way. no 9mm. if you're a real american you go 45, otherwise 40 is the smallest i would get for defense (i carry a glock chambered for 40). I just don't see a point in getting 9 for defense when there are still bigger, just as common rounds available. Also, if you're buying a gun for defense, i don't think "cheaper ammo for the range" should be a primary consideration. are you wanting this for home defense or carry? go learn to shoot and practice before you buy anything. most ranges should let you rent (I think - the gun laws here are like a whole different country). There are huge differences between the different types of guns and even the
I believe in WA, state law says guns must come with a gun lock, so that won't be a problem. At least, every gun I've bought or looked at has come with a lock. Well, any firearm will be worthless if you don't know how to use it, so practice with whatever you end up with. That is a big part of it, also, being in a home, where your family may also be, or other houses near by, depending on the round you use, a shotgun is less likely to "overshoot", by that I mean, go through 5 walls and hit your kid, or into your neighbors bedroom. On the other side of the equation, if your just using birdshot ,you won't have to worry much about penetrating walls, but it's not that effective a round against a person. Many many trade offs. If he doesn't plan on shooting very much, true, ammo price is much less an issue. But it's not like 9mm isn't an effective caliber. Personally, while I'd like a .40, I'm looking at 9mm right now because ammo is like half the price... (but I don't plan on using it as a primary home defense firearm) Yah, there are places in WA (including the Seattle area) where you can rent different guns to try out.
Yup....get the 870 Remington with a modified choke barrel (short). Just the sound of chambering a round has a deterent effect all it's own. The 870 I had never ever jambed and I musta pumped 7-8000 rounds through it. They can also be handy in a survival situation. All around good weapon to own.
I'm a gun noob but if I got a handgun it would be a 40 cal. I know glocks are the elite handgun of choice but who else makes good 40 cals?
I actually wouldnt recommend getting a pistol if you dont have much expereince with guns. 9 times out of 10, having little hand gun experience and grabbing it all quick trying to get the first shot off fast. Your going to most likely miss. Then you have a bullet traveling through god knows how many walls. Shotguns wont do this.
Partially. It's a big, wide field of lead heading down range, so your chance of fucking up the perp is better. But also the #3 buck shot they recommend won't over penetrate the walls, killing the child in the next room, the next door neighbor, etc.
I said go with a shotgun because after 10-15 practice rounds you should be able to hit your target. A pistol requires a lot more practice. As far as a 9mm goes, I just don't think they do much damage if you need it self defense. For plinking......sure.
I've had that "stopping power" debate with my buddy John a million times. He's definitely in the same came as Tac, 45ACP, shotgun, etc. As for me I think sending even a small piece of lead into someone at super-sonic speed is probably going to get the job done. Look at the Ronald Regan assasination attempt, Hinkley brought down 3 people in a matter of seconds with a 22lr! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDIVheB5kIM
I say again...if it's for protection at home, get a shotgun. A 9mm pistol unless you are a really good shot like say.....2 in the brainpan is a waste of money. A 22LR is great as long as you can hit what you're shooting at. Just my 2 cents and it is now spent.
my vote goes towards a glock with hollow points, that is what i keep for home defense. a shotgun is too long to be maneuvering around a house with imo as well as it is not semi-auto and buckshot is probably going to penetrate further than a hollow point.
My Remington 1100 and my Benelli are semi auto. They are both set up for tactical use as well......perfect for clearing a room. Jishory if you can under stress put 2-3 rounds in the ten ring with a pistol cool........most can't.
Personally I'd go with a shotgun for home defense but that's just my opinion. I'm also interested in handguns and found this article very helpful beware it's a very long read but well worth it. http://www.craigcentral.com/handguns.asp
