Guns guns guns

Iceman · December 21st, 2007

I turn 18 in a few months and I'm looking to execute my 2nd Amendment rights by getting a firearm. However, I don't know what would be good to start out with. I would like to shoot as a hobby, not necessarily hunting, but shooting for fun (not people).

Fets · December 22nd, 2007

You want to shoot skeet, shoot targets, indoor or outdoor?

Pistol, rifle, shotgun?

JDobbs · December 22nd, 2007

If you are looking for a pistol (or two) I'd recommend getting a Glock for starters. 9mm, 45...up to you.

Iceman · December 22nd, 2007

I'd like to shoot both indoor and outdoor, I can't decide between a handgun or a rifle yet...but definitely not a shotgun.

Fets · December 22nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

I'd like to shoot both indoor and outdoor, I can't decide between a handgun or a rifle yet...but definitely not a shotgun.

If you are just starting out, and don't have a huge ammunition budget I would suggest getting a .22 rifle to target shoot outdoors. The rifle is cheap, and the ammo is very cheap.

If you get a pistol there are a huge amount of options and it depends on your budget. Glocks are a nice mid price hand gun IMO, but there are definitely better & there are also worse. You really need to handle as many as you can to see what you like.

Koolaid & Ghostman should have some great opinions on this as well.

Ghostman · December 22nd, 2007

When I turned 18, I bought all three; however, I was saving up for some time. Yah, I was really looking forward to turning 18.

In addition to a hobby, most people buy guns as personal protection. If that is a consideration, I would reconsider a shotgun. It makes a great home defense gun. Just the sound of loading a round into the chamber will deter any burglar or would-be home invader. The handgun is another good home defense weapon. Owning a handgun takes more maturity from the perspective owner, but they make great home defense weapons. When I say maturity, I don't just mean not carrying it for fun, but also good gun handling as well. You wouldn't want someone to accidentally shoot themselves by sticking there hand in an unlocked drawer. With that said, handguns take more practice to be good with in my opinion.

If you are already proficient with a handgun, I would go with a 9mm. If you aren't yet, I would go with a 22 or a 380 round. You can always get another handgun after you have practiced with a smaller caliber gun.

That is my two cents.

December 22nd, 2007

If you are looking for a home defense weapon you might want a double action. Its has a pretty heavy trigger pull and you mean to pull the trigger. As for targets a .22 is a good starter as Fets said.

Ghostman · December 22nd, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fets

If you are just starting out, and don't have a huge ammunition budget I would suggest getting a .22 rifle to target shoot outdoors. The rifle is cheap, and the ammo is very cheap.

If you get a pistol there are a huge amount of options and it depends on your budget. Glocks are a nice mid price hand gun IMO, but there are definitely better & there are also worse. You really need to handle as many as you can to see what you like.

This is real good advice. .22 ammo is the cheapest to shoot. And if you go shopping for a handgun, you need to get what fits your hand as well as your budget. Don't get one just because everyone recommends it, but rather use the recommendations as a starting point--get what feels right in your hand and that is made of quality parts and craftsmanship.

koolaid · December 22nd, 2007

By law you can't purchase or own a handgun until you are 21. That being said if your looking to get started in target recreational shooting I would have to say get the Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle. The 10/22 is extremely affordable around $150 and probably the most accurate and reliable rifle I have ever owned. It's semi-auto magazine fed and has an unlimited variety of accesories available for it. This rifle is a blast to shoot and the ammo is priced right too, you can get a brick of .22's (500rds) for around $15.

On a side note just like paintball your going to want to get a few essential pieces of safety equipment to go along with that rifle. You want to make sure you get a good pair of safety shooting glasses and a nice pair of ear protection muffs. Also there is three very important things that are a must. A good cleaning kit, a trigger lock, and a lock box to store your ammo in. And if you plan on getting into shooting as a hobby look into getting some kind of gun safe.

Iceman · December 22nd, 2007

So wait, how come I can vote for President, kill insurgents in Iraq, or fly a plane but I can't own a handgun? Lame. Is the law for all firearms or just handguns, I'm assuming it would also apply to shotguns and rifles no?

I used to shoot .22's all the time back when I would go off to camp when I was younger. They were fun and it was really accurate. I'll look more into this option but I definately want to upgrade at some point.

Thanks

koolaid · December 22nd, 2007

Yeah it's kind of a crazy law but you can purchase rifles and shotguns at 18 as long as you can pass the background check.

Jaysonmauer_xo · December 23rd, 2007

First, from a home protection standpoint, nothing beats a dog. No firearm on the market will protect your home the way even a Labrador can, hell even a terrier barks loud enough to frighten off more than 95% of burglars.

Second, go to a gun show, go to several. Gun shows are great places to pick up weapons, especially if all you intend to do is shoot paper. You can get a great 9mm for dirt cheap, and it can pull double duty as a target shooting weapon and a home protection weapon. If you wanted it strictly for home protection or for real combat, I would say nothing smaller than the .40 cal. but since you are talking about miscellaneous paper shooting, nothing larger than a 9mm.

As far as rifles or shotguns go, buy something you are comfortable with. Most are made with a specific purpose (shotgun barrels with interchangeable choke tubes excluded), so consider that as you consider a new (or used) rifle or shotgun for target, trap, or hunting.

Jax · December 23rd, 2007

Atwell's Police & Fire Equip

This is were I got my boots for paintball. They have a pretty good selection of firearms and it's were I plan on getting my handgun once I find a job.

I'm leaning towards a .45. I want something that is going to knock someone down permanently if they ever decide to be dumb enough to break into my house.

I did want a Desert Eagle, but that think is just way too freaking big. I couldn't hold it even when the thing wasn't loaded.

I'm leaning towards this bad boy:

PX4 Storm Beretta :: Pistola semiautomatica