[gravis86]

Lets assume someone has only one handgun for target practice, home defense, and personal defense. What are the most important things for that person to have? (Besides plenty of ammo) I'm trying to compile a list. So far I have:

Good cleaning kit
Extra mags
Holster
Concealed Carry License
Flashlight
Training of some sort

Anything missing from my list? Something you think should be required?

[.cheese.]

mag pouch wouldn't be a bad purchase.

Sure you could carry an extra mag in your pocket, but that's both uncomfortable and impractical.

Oh and a spare recoil spring is a good idea.... keep it at home. You'll need it if you go to the range with any regularity.

[Black Majik]

Good list so far. I'll add a good quality gun belt to that magpouch and holster.

[Autolycus]

With the addtion of those two, you pretty much have it. Though I would suggest a variety of holsters. OWB and IWB are the two. Perhaps a shoulder holster for other situations.

[doberman]

Too vauge.

What kind of gun?

[ATAShooter]

If it is a gun that you cannot dry fire, I suggest snap caps so you can spend some time with it learning the feel of the trigger pre-travel, Break and overtravel.

[shooting time]

Crimson trace laser grips
I just put on some crimson trace laser grips on my model 60 and they work great real powerful laser that you can sight in easily.

[Jayb]

TRAINING........ everything else on your list will follow, as your knowledge grows. Learning can be fun. ;)

[ID_shooting]

Since I havn't seen it posted yet, some type of lockable container to keep it all when not in use. If this is the olny gun a person has then there are plenty of affordable safes on the market that can range anywhere from 1 - 3 cubic feet in size.

[Ed Ames]

I second the lockable container... but not just for use at home.

If you want to travel at all (even interstate driving) you need a lockable hard case. You need it for airline travel, going to some ranges/going to the range in some states, crossing states where you need FOPA protection, etc.. You may want it for other uses like keeping prying fingers off the gun when you aren't around.

A plastic pistol box may be good enough. You can get them for a few bucks. Some guns come with them, many do not. They really aren't secure though.

I have one of these: secure-it box (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=274442) -- it's small, fairly innocuous looking, can be cabled to a car, bed, or similar to prevent casual walk-off theft. Toss it in a suitcase and you can fly with it. Toss it in the trunk of your car and you can drive through any state with it. (The gun must be unloaded for either of those to be absolutely true though.) There are other choices but that would be my minimum.

[M2 Carbine]

I would add Crimson Trace Laser grips, if available for the gun.

After several years of practicing several evenings a week with good gun lasers and laser/lights ALL my defense guns are equipped with a good laser or Streamlight TLR-2 laser/light.

[The Bushmaster]

Gravis86...With all the equipment that has been suggested you may want to invest in a wheel borrow or a wagon to carry all this fine stuff...:D

[Ed Ames]

I second the wheel barrow... but not just for carrying stuff.

A tactical wheel barrow.... :D

I should add on to my previous post the fact that my favorite part about the store-it containers is that they are quite small and easy to carry compared to some of the plastic cases that seem to double or tripple the dimensions of the gun.

[Shawnee]

I'm with JayB on this one.

[hamourkiller]

Cases and cases of ammo!

[earplug]

Membership in a range and some sort of shooting competion.

[The Bushmaster]

Shucks folks...All I carry is a Auto in an IWB holster in the summer with a spare magazine and a revolver in an IWB holster the winter with 10 extra rounds in loops on a belt slide...Oh...Forgot the pocket knife and my keys and a hankerchief and my wallet...Pockets are starting to get crowded with just this much stuff...

Training and practice is the key...

[Claude Clay]

2 sets eye's & ears ( so your significant other can practice also). a range bag to hold all your goodies. assorted small tools for range use. paper or reactive targets. small staple gun and masking tape & what all others have said also. small hi intensity flash light & folding belt knife ( like a Gerber ezout). night sights on a sigp239 in 40 would meet you 3 criteria nicely. good luck

[Don Lu]

Good set of night sights....

[gcrookston]

The very first accessory I purchase is extra magazines... I don't like to have less than 5 per pistol

[gravis86]

ID_Shooting and Ed Ames:

Lockable container? It depends on if the person carries the gun or not. If the person CC's the weapon, it would never need to be locked in a container. It's either on the person, or on the nightstand next to the bed.

[OldTXCop]

How about a good knife.

[The Bushmaster]

I still (more then ever) recommend that wheel barrow...You'll need it.

[RPCVYemen]

Maybe training?

I am not a know it all. I just bought a semi after shooting a SA revolver for a while. There is a local gun store/range that offers 1 hour one-on-one instruction for $60. I am thinking of doing an hour. My impression is that instruction does not replace practice, but might help me learn faster.

Any reaction to that?

Mike

[possum]

Good cleaning kit
Extra mags
Holster
Concealed Carry License
Flashlight
Training of some sort
my thoughts in order
1) extra mags
2)holster
3)training
4)cleaning kit
5)night sights
6)flashlights, hand held and weapon mounted.

[Srigs]

Good quality gun belt is very important for a carry gun.

[1911 guy]

Get the highest quality you can afford of these things:

Holster, mag pouch, belt
magazines
enough ammo to start a small war. Expend and replenish often.
training
light, mounted or handheld, your choice. Base this choice on training.
cleaning kit
Springs/small parts

Everything else is (or should be) designed to help you use these more efficiently. If it doesn't help you put more rounds on target more accuartely, it's just a marketing gimmick.

A lockable case isn't a bad idea, should you ever envision yourself traveling or staying in hotels/motels.

[BlindJustice]

S & W 1911 Stainless Sttel(SS) Fixed Novak Sights
5" Bbl. Len. in .45 ACP

Cleaning kit

5 - Wilson Combat(WC) ETM SS Magazines
WC Versa-Tool for complete dissasembly of 1911
WC - Silicone imprg. wipe down cloth

Guy Hogue Ebony w/palm swell grips

Cabella's "Bulletproof" Aluminum pistol case

Milt Sparks Axiom holster & 1.5" belt.

.400 CorBon "Drop-In" Bbl. from Jarivs Inc.

& looking at getting a .22 LR conv. kit.

[BlindJustice]

I forgot to mention I have a Concealed Pistol License
aka CPL as they are known in Wash. State.

my order from Milt Sparks is due this month after
first placing it in June. I mention this because in Addition
to the Axiom, an OWB w/FBI Cant has two snaps on
either side with metal reinforced loops The DFC owb
double mag holder is also in the order as well as the
Mirage holster and a single IWB mag pouch. The Mirage
is OWB but only covers the trigger otherwise not much
wider than the belt, all in Cordovan.

The Cabellas Case was $120 and it's 18" x 11" x 4" dimensions
can carry two large pistols, but not a 14" T/C
Cntender. I just keep the 1911 in one by itself with
the accessories. Although it is dust and water
resistant, I have the aforementioned silicone imprgnated
cloth folded over the gun.

Revolver stuff.

S & W 625 in .45 ACP/.45 Auto RIm
S&W Perf. Center Mastger Revolver Action Job
Guy Hogue full size finger grooves checkered
monogrip in Rosewood.
25 or 30 Full Moon clips
4 HKS 25M Speedloaders

Only thing I bought was a good set of scredrivers
Same cleaning kit as the 1911

Need a carry rig

Range bag - if it isn't on my belt it will be
in the bag, A Leatherman's Wave multi-tool.

oh, and the Wilson COmbat 'insert marketing
label blah blah " lube comes in a nifty hypo that
can be twisted on or off. My gunsmith likes it.

Shooting Glasses

I have a REI multi-pocket vest that
has a bunch of handy stuff usuallay in it.

Night Vision Monocular

what?

[Liko81]

The required "accessories" for ANY pistol regardless of use are:

- Instruction manual; read it thoroughly several times.
- Ammo; goes without saying. Get appropriate loads for the intended use; medium-weight hollowpoints or EFMJ for defense, heavier total metal jacket for target, light FMJ or lead slugs for plinking.
- At least 3 mags. I keep one loaded with JHPs for defense and the other 2 with FMJs, normally for plinking but they work well against a BG too. Some may advocate four or five (to have two or three mags of defense ammo), especially if you carry. IPSC competitions require as many mags as you can carry.
- Cleaning kit (also goes without saying); this includes a few rags for wipedown and q-tips for digging out gunk from crevices.
- Bolt/action lock. Hardened steel shackle only, cable locks are worthless as are a lot of trigger locks. The lock is in the gun (or the gun is in the safe) whenever it is not within reach.
- "Eyes and Ears"; safety/shooting glasses and earmuffs/earplugs. Even if you shoot "outlaw", your sight and hearing are of utmost importance.
- A bag/case to take everything to the range. Any duffel bag will do, but a locking case is preferable.

If you're planning on concealed carry, you also need (in addition to the license):
- Holster; selected for comfort, reachability/draw speed, and of course concealment.
- Gun belt; one or more sturdy belts that'll keep your pants up with the extra weight, or take the weight off of your pants in the case of an internal gun belt.
- Mag pouches; in case S really HTF and you need more than a clip to off your bad guy.
- A weapon less lethal and/or faster to deploy than your gun. Pepper spray and a good folding knife are good choices and invite fewer questions when used. Carry a baton only if you can conceal it and have take the certification course.

General good-to-haves, not necessary to do the job but definitely an advantage:
- Flashlight; as bright and long-lasting as you can afford (80 lumens or better is pretty much a must otherwise it's just a giveaway). A weaponlight is handy, but very specialized; a 6-D maglight makes as good a club as a light.
- Aftermarket grip; gives you a more solid hold on the gun so squeezing the grip (low shots) is less likely.
- High-vis and/or night sights; an essential for defense, timed target, and whenever speed counts. This can be glow paint, stick-on dots, tritium cells, fiber-optic (light-gathering) material, etc.
- Range rod/quick-cleaning kit. For the unlikely occurrence that you hit a squib (dead powder) or shoot so much you foul the gun to its failure point.
- Quick-access safe; faster and more secure than an action lock; the safe can be opened in seconds or kept open while home, closed when you're out.
- Dummy rounds; chargeless, primerless rounds with or without snap caps to use for practicing drawing, firing, clearing jams, and unloading.
- A dummy gun or guns for use with a partner to practice basic handling, weapon retention, disarmament, and room-clearing.
- Pencil; always good to have one. You can do "shoot the pencil" drills to improve accuracy at home, use it to mark previous hits on a range target, and it, like anything, is a weapon.

Now when out and about, all you need are the gun with any mods (grip/sights/taclight), a few mags, and what's on the concealed carry list. If you're serious about shooting in any sense of the word, I would try to get as much of all this as possible.

[sb350hp]

Quote
"“Jesus Was A Long Haired, Peace Loving, Anti Establishment, Liberal, Hippie Freak With Strange Ideas. Everything Conservatives Hate." - Anonymous Wise Person "

Anonymous wrong person. No one knows what Jesus looks like, there is just a common picture that makes him look like some "fabio" wannna be. Blasphemous. Peace loving... Yes until it is time to fight "Armageddon". Anti-establisment... depends he instituted the family and the church and instructed his followers to render unto ceaser what is ceasers. LIBERAL... NO WAY not in sense it is construed in today's society for example his feelings on homosexuality. Stange Ideas...Only to Liberal hipped freaks with secular humanistic philosophies.

[redneckrepairs]

I have to say ammo and range time , Lots and Lots of both .

[Zach S]

22 conversoin! Sadly, I dont have one. Havent had money lately. Bills, holidays, 6 month old daughter. The tranny is going out in my Caprice as well, so I'll need a new car soon. I wish I had got the rimfire conversoin a long time ago, at least then I could afford to shoot now...

Sure you could carry an extra mag in your pocket, but that's both uncomfortable and impractical.
Not uncomfortable at all. Of course, I carry a 1911. If I carried my widebody 1911, or any double stack handgun, I could see comfort being an issue...

[Zach S]

oops!

[VARifleman]

Extra Springs, not just recoil, any spring for the gun.