What and Where, Info for a new adult gun owner

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Hasaf

Hasaf

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As the teachers start shambling back to the school building in order to prepare for the upcoming year. I, as a gun nut, have been approached by various teachers about my recommendations for a "first gun" (those first-time gun buyers are real, imagine that).

My response is to answer direct questions, but I am hesitant to be too specific as what is right for me may not be universal. Beyond that, I am strongly recommending taking a class.

We are in a somewhat remote area, so a class is a couple of hundred miles, as a minimum, away. Can anyone point me at an online class that will cover the real basics along with a realistic assessment of needs and firearm selection?

Any other thoughts or suggestions for a first-timer gun buyer?


All that said, when pushed on a specific recommendation, I recommended the S&W M&P EZ series as a handgun and a Mossberg or Remington pump-action shotgun, with a long magazine tube, to those who really wanted me to name a shotgun. But, I was hesitant to recommend any specific gun.
 
Tatiana Whitlock is offering various online classes and consulting. I also know groups such as Sheepdog Response offers online content but I believe it is more along the lines of a 2 day defensive class not a complete intro.

NRA is probably worth a look.
https://tatianawhitlock.com/
 
George P said:
Have them read Kathy Jackson's CorneredCat.com - that's a good start.
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I would also recommend Kathy Jackson's book The Cornered Cat. It's more geared to women but there is a lot of good information there.

There is also a YouTube channel called She Equips Herself that makes videos addressed more to new women shooters.

I think if I was pressured to recommend a specific handgun for a new shooter it would be a 9 mm M&P Shield. Preferably a first-generation model.

1. It's a relatively inexpensive handgun. At least it was before Coronageddon.

2. It's small enough to conceal easily and people who are not committed to concealed carry will still carry it.

3. It's an easy gun to shoot well.

4. Nine rounds is adequate to most self defense needs.

5. They won't be too butt hurt when they eventually move on to something else.

I think I told this story before but the senior pastor at my church approached me one morning and asked for my advice on what kind of handgun he should get for concealed carry.

I didn't even actually suggest a gun I just told him that I carried an M&P 9 and without any further examination of the gun he said that's too big. That's too much to carry. Somebody told me later that he ended up with a Glock 42 and they weren't even sure that he carried that ever.

Now if somebody asks me I just recommend the Shield and list the reasons I mentioned above except for the part about people not being committed.
 
Looking at the person asking the question, the first question I would ask, how do you dress mostly. If it is a dress suit? You are limited. Size and capacity. My latest purchase, the slim 9mm, the Glock 43X. The magazine it comes with, a ten-round capacity magazine, 9mm. But an aftermarket all steel magazine is available, with a 15 round capacity.
A request from your Gun Shop to have the pistol ordered with Ameriglow night sights would be a great extra.
That is exactly what I did. This night sight combination is made for Glock, but not by Glock. Dry fire practice, a lot!
 
Hasaf said:
But, I was hesitant to recommend any specific gun.
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When first time buyers ask me those questions I generally turn it around and ask them some questions about what they want to do with the weapon. Many haven't really thought about it, or if they have, they haven't known what factors to consider. I might mention specific guns as examples, but not necessarily recommendations.
 
Jeff22 said:
All shooters need a gun that fits their hand
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Its sure fun to watch people try and shoot their subcompacts at the range. It's even more fun when it's a 40 or 45. More horsepower in a tiny frame does not go better in most cases. Finger extender mags help a lot and my local range appreciates my sales.
 
I would recommend:

https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/serious-mistakes-gunowners-make/

A summary:

The ‘Concealed Carry Mistakes’ lists I frequently see usually revolve around simplistic issues, such as:

  • Equipment issues; gun, holster, clothing, etc.
  • Not getting enough training
  • Not ‘knowing’ the law
In contrast, the 12 tracks of Serious Mistakes cover:

  1. Introduction
  2. Brandishing/threatening
  3. Chasing after the end of a confrontation
  4. Downrange failures (shot an innocent while shooting at a threat)
  5. Intervention
  6. Lost/stolen guns
  7. Mistaken identity shootings
  8. Negligent Discharges, including self-inflicted gunshot wounds and Unintentional shootings
  9. Police Involvement
  10. Poor judgement
  11. Unauthorized access (generally by small children)
  12. Unjustifiable shootings
Click to expand...
 
If they are coming to you for advice, they already respect your opinion. Invite them to come to the range with you. Don't make too many hurdles to start, but run them through the 4 rules. Provide some ears and eyes for them. Show them the working of a gun on an unloaded firearm. Then start them with a .22. Then when they are comfortable have them try whatever you carry.

At least that way you know that they are getting a basic instruction and are eased into the process. Then go with them to the store when they are considering a purchase to test out what fits their hand. That is my process.

I tend to over analyze things and spent a couple months determining my first gun. Lots of reading, but no handling. I wound up with a gun that fit horribly and was completely unconcealable. I didn't have a mentor at all so I had the learn the hard way. I would have loved to have had a mentor.
 
crazydaysorg said:
If they are coming to you for advice, they already respect your opinion. Invite them to come to the range with you. Don't make too many hurdles to start, but run them through the 4 rules. Provide some ears and eyes for them. Show them the working of a gun on an unloaded firearm. Then start them with a .22. Then when they are comfortable have them try whatever you carry.

At least that way you know that they are getting a basic instruction and are eased into the process. Then go with them to the store when they are considering a purchase to test out what fits their hand. That is my process.

I tend to over analyze things and spent a couple months determining my first gun. Lots of reading, but no handling. I wound up with a gun that fit horribly and was completely unconcealable. I didn't have a mentor at all so I had the learn the hard way. I would have loved to have had a mentor.
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This.

One on one initial coaching from the person they trust: YOU.

A five minute discussion of how guns and cartridges work, followed by safe handling instruction with a dummy gun at your home or theirs. Ranges are the worst place to learn safe handling. If you are satisfied with safe handling, go from there.
 
A year ago I had never held, let alone operated a firearm. In my state that’s pretty unheard of, so I went to a range with a friend to amend that. He took me though all of what was mentioned by many above, and it was a really helpful experience.

I reluctantly decided to purchase one in May. For home defense and concealed carry, I tried a few and ultimately went with the M&P Shield EZ 2.0 chambered in 9mm. I’m happy with it, and I appreciate the extra grip safety since I have kids in the house. My buddy gave me similar advice regarding finding something that feels comfortable. Who knew it would be three months before I could find any 9mm ammunition?

some of the others I tried didn’t work for me because my hand kept hitting the right side magazine release button while shooting, which really freaked me out because then I was left with a cartridge that was partially chambered and I had to figure out how to remove it safely and try again. Not a situation I want to be in at home, either with kids or an aggressor. So I’m happy with the M&P.
 
thehandofgod said:
Some of the others I tried didn’t work for me because my hand kept hitting the right side magazine release button while shooting, which really freaked me out because then I was left with a cartridge that was partially chambered and I had to figure out how to remove it safely and try again. Not a situation I want to be in at home, either with kids or an aggressor. So I’m happy with the M&P.
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The problem you describe is one that could be avoided by using a revolver. But, as you said you have kids, that might be dangerous as a revolver doesn't have a grip safety. It is also a little bit wider (thicker) than a semiauto which can make concealing it harder.
 
JTHunter said:
The problem you describe is one that could be avoided by using a revolver. But, as you said you have kids, that might be dangerous as a revolver doesn't have a grip safety. It is also a little bit wider (thicker) than a semiauto which can make concealing it harder.
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The Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm 2.0 EZ was a perfect choice for those purposes, I think, and concealability is great. Surprisingly to me, I'm developing more of an interest in the sport and hobby, and did end up also getting a .22 revolver recently. Definitely not great for concealing, and people say that caliber is not great for self/home defense, but I don't think I'd want one pointed at me.
 
thehandofgod said:
The Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm 2.0 EZ was a perfect choice for those purposes, I think, and concealability is great. Surprisingly to me, I'm developing more of an interest in the sport and hobby, and did end up also getting a .22 revolver recently. Definitely not great for concealing, and people say that caliber is not great for self/home defense, but I don't think I'd want one pointed at me.
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A whole lotta folks have been put 6ft under with the lowly 22 . They are not the best. But I like you would want to be shot by one.
 
I take them shooting. After I've instructed a bit, I know what to tell them.

And I've been asked more in the past 2 months than the past 5 years. Funny that.
 
For someone who is not. “Gun guy or gal”, I usually recommend a 4”Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, revolver shooting .38 specials. Keeping it simple! They can load it and no it will reliably shoot when they take it out of the night stand!
 
Some people begin with equipment questions in mind. We have to appreciate that a person needs some equipment to get started. On the other hand, a person who understands sooner and early in their learning that just being a consumer of firearms products does not achieve their goal, is going to be a lot more likely to achieve success. I do understand how guns give even an untrained, unskilled, unknowledgeable person a tremendous amount of power that they could not likely attain by any other means. We mustn't make the false claim that an ignorant and unlearned person can't possibly defend their life successfully with a gun. Instead, we ought to argue how much more likely they will be successful and how much better chance they'll have at avoiding terrible, awful mistakes if they do make an effort to gain knowledge and skills.

New gun owners are frequently counseled to:

1. Learn Equipment Choices
2. Get Training
3. Know Legal Issues

One resource I can recommend is "Serious Mistakes Gun Owners Make" -- https://tacticalprofessor.wordpress.com/serious-mistakes-gunowners-make/ The link to acquire it seems to be broken at the moment, but it's worth tracking down.

If a person finds it impractical to attend in-person training (understandable in 2020), they would be well-advised to make an even more concerted effort to learn. If they're teachers, they ought to have some appreciation for what it takes to learn a specific discipline.

Youtube is full of video introductions for new gun owners. Respected youtubers like Greg Kinman and Paul Harrel have made videos to specifically address people buying guns for the first time. I think if a person is willing to consult multiple sources and pursue enough knowledge to be able to evaluate sources and filter their information, they can gain some understanding. They might be better off starting with videos produced with a higher editorial standard (then what a youtube search returns). For example: https://thunderranchinc.com/product-category/courses/training-dvds-and-books/

or

https://www.amazon.com/Panteao-Productions-Reactive-Shooting-Tactical/dp/B004NAE1L2/ref=sr_1_1?d


There are also a number of books that would be well worth reading, especially for a person who is forgoing in-person training. I recommend books by:

Masaad Ayoob
Clint Smith
Claude Werner
Greg Ellifritz
Grant Cunningham
Scott Reitz
Tom Givens
John Farnam

Yeah, it's a lot of reading, but if they're forgoing in-person training, they better expect to work harder. As for what specific books they should read and what first or in what order will depend on the person and their situation. They're going to have to plot a logical "lesson plan" for themselves according to their individual needs.
 
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thehandofgod said:
I tried a few and ultimately went with the M&P Shield EZ 2.0 chambered in 9mm. I’m happy with it, and I appreciate the extra grip safety since I have kids in the house.
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I apologize if I'm wrong but based on that it sounds like you're leaving a loaded weapon unsecured in your home.

That's a REALLY bad idea.

Loaded weapons need to be on your person or locked up
 
Trunk Monkey said:
I apologize if I'm wrong but based on that it sounds like you're leaving a loaded weapon unsecured in your home.

That's a REALLY bad idea.

Loaded weapons need to be on your person or locked up
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Definitely not! Both are locked up, neither are loaded, and the ammo is locked up separately.
 
bearcreek said:
how does the grip safety change anything as it relates to kids in the house?
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My reasoning was that if they should get ahold of it (see above-- locked up and not loaded, ammo locked elsewhere), they would be less likely to have the hand strength to discharge it.
 
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