[winstonsmith]

Today is the day of triumph.

I have triumphed over the best efforts of the gun grabbers to keep this essential and inalieable right away from me. Through much debate and discussion, I have gotten a hard won concession.

My parents will allow me to shoot a gun.

They will even pay for shooting lessons and such, and drive me to the range.

Go me!

I want to express my gratitude for everyone on this board in general, and Mr. Volk in particular. Oleg, your wonderful site (http://www.a-human-right.com) really helped out in convincing my parents. All you other guys helped out alot to.

Yours in victory,
Jack

PS: Now on to convicing them to let me get a .22 plinker

[Oleg Volk]

Glad to have been of help.

On plinkers, it seems that an older Mossberg, such as 144 with peep sights, or a 10/22 with Williams peep sights, or a superb and inexpensive CZ452 or any of the many other options would all be equally good to have.

Also, air guns like IZH46M are extremely accurate and less regulated (but costly, $300+). Good luck -- and keep us posted. Keep in mind that shooting a borrowed gun tends to be less efficient than using your own, with which you'd be more familiar.

[Glockster35]

Winston Smith,

Congrats, I am glad your parents took the proper steps to get you prepared for a life of shooting. You've done what most never do. You never said how old you were.

Please do so responsibly, and go forth in the adventure with a good attitude. Always remember that a firearm is that, not a toy, but a piece of equipment (tool) capable of death.

Be safe, and have fun. firearms and alcohol never mix.

[fallingblock]

Remember the four rules and you'll be right;)

Appreciate your right to keep and bear arms, and remember the associated responsibilities as well.

And, HAVE FUN!:D

[Byron Quick]

winston,

Congratulations! Now prove to your parents that you deserve their trust.

I recommend the CZ452 with iron sights.

[Sven]

Congrats! In no time at all, you'll be joining us at the local shoots!

Ok, maybe I'm being wildly optimistic... but congrats!

[cxm]

Delighted to hear your parents are sensible and responsible... you are lucky compared to many.....

The suggestions as to a good rifle to start out (you didn't say how old you are, so it is a bit difficult to make really specific suggestions ) there are a lot of them around.

The Office of the Director of Civilian Marksmanship (ODCMP URL www.odcmp.com) has (had?) Military Mossburg 144 rifles in near new condition for $75 each... they needed a magazine and trigger guard after you got the gun so the total cost was around $125 delivered. I got several with pre-WWII Lyman adjustable sights on them.. others have Mossburg sights which are very serviceable though not as elegant as the Lyman.

If you can find one of these you will be pleased indeed.


/r

Chuck

[geekWithA.45]

Well done. It's good to see young people thinking rationally, arguing effectively, and getting results!

With more folks like you, America's future is assured.

BOOYA!

My new shooter ritual incantation:

"You are responsible for what you do with your firearm, to the law immediately, and to your conscience for all time."


From the Boy Scout Rifle & Shotgun Merit Badge Manual, circa late 70s.

[Dave P]

Good job Winston! Don't disappoint your parents, and spread the word amongst your friends, too!

[4v50 Gary]

Winston - I think you should make an effort to attend the THR shoot that Sven has organized. It would be a good way to try a variety of guns and meet your fellow enthusiasts.

[C.R.Sam]

Outstanding.

Sam

[winstonsmith]

I'm 15. 5'7" and 135 pounds. And I think I might be able to take you up on that Sven! I posted in that thread.

[Chugach]

Excellent! Tenacity and focus, indeed!

[Ian]

Way to go!

[chaim]

Congratulations.

If your parents allow you to get a .22 I suggest just getting a Savage or Marlin bolt gun at Walmart. They'll run you under $100 and still be decent guns. Alternatively, a new Marlin M60 is about $100-120 and a very fun semi. Being 15 money will probably be tight (unless you can do really well and actually convince your parents to buy for you) and these guns are good guns. Buying used will save you even more, but these are cheap enough I'd personally want to go new (at 15 or 16 it would have taken some saving but I could have gone to $100ish without too much trouble).

If you can't convince them to allow a "real" gun try to talk them into a pellet gun (yes, a pellet gun is a real gun, but even anti-gunners sometimes see them as not quite a real gun- heck, even my strongly anti-gun parents weren't upset when they found my pellet gun I bought at 18 without telling them). Heck, even if you do talk them into the .22 consider a pellet gun or two. They are really cheap practice (as a high-school student I'm guessing that will be really important). Some ranges may require those under 18 (or even 21) to bring adult supervision (would your parents be willing to go to the range with you?) and pellet gun "ranges" can be set up in your backyard or even your basement. They are a great way to learn basic gun safety, target acquisition, gun handling, etc. A really good one isn't any cheaper than a decent .22 but you can get a decent enough pellet rifle for about $50 and you could even get a handgun as well ($50 for decent, a few hundred for a really nice one).

[Monte Harrison]

They will even pay for shooting lessons and such, and drive me to the range.Damn, dude! You must be one helluva negotiator!
Welcome to your new addiction!

[Henry Bowman]

Good on 'ya!