HD Pistol and Shotgun advice.

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Axis II

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I was just contacted by an old friend who has never touched a firearm in his life and wants to purchase a shotgun and handgun for HD. My immediate thought goes to a Mossberg 500 with 18.5'' barrel because the safety is a tang safety and being a new firearm owner he wouldnt have to deal with the safety and forend release on the trigger guard. How are the Mossberg Mavericks? I know there is alot of 870 fans but I like the tang safety of a Mossberg.

For a handgun I am not sure if he wants something for ccw, his wife or just for the nightstand. I will find out more later. CCW I would lean toward a Smith & Wesson 642 or a Shield. He's always in dress/buisness clothes so something small for a pocket or computer bag would be my recommendation. If its a nightstand gun I would lean toward a compact M&P or XD. Again, new gun owner and I dont know how I would feel about something without a safety. For his wife I would say shield or 642 again or lady smith. Should I advise in night sights?

Whats your recommendations?
 
Mavericks are not bad. I would recommend one to a newbie.

A double action revolver would be a good choice as a "family" house gun. Of course everybody would need training but the simplest gun to operate would be a DA revolver. For somebody who has never been armed, a 38 Special would bring peace of mind and ease of use. Might be hard to find anything right now much less night sights. I would keep it bare bones simple. Academy has had Mavericks and revolvers in stock recently so they might be the easiest to find. And then there's hunt for ammo..........:confused:
 
Speedo66 said:
"Whats your recommendations?"

First, lessons at a LGS with a range. Then, once he has some knowledge, you can assist him in making a choice.

My brother, with the same experience, and the same request, was given the same advice.
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I am meeting him tonight to go over a few things and advise him to meet me at a range where he can rent stuff or my gun club and shoot a few of my handguns. His biggest issue right now will be ammo.
 
Cannibul said:
The slide release on a Mossberg is still on the trigger guard.

The problem is going to be finding a defensive Mossberg. I too prefer a tang safety over a trigger safety.

As for the pistol. A Sig P365XL.
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I know that and havent seen one where it wasnt. I just figured being new to it maybe not put all the buttons by the trigger.
 
Hartkopf said:
Mavericks are not bad. I would recommend one to a newbie.

A double action revolver would be a good choice as a "family" house gun. Of course everybody would need training but the simplest gun to operate would be a DA revolver. For somebody who has never been armed, a 38 Special would bring peace of mind and ease of use. Might be hard to find anything right now much less night sights. I would keep it bare bones simple. Academy has had Mavericks and revolvers in stock recently so they might be the easiest to find. And then there's hunt for ammo..........:confused:
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I want to push the revolver because he can put in a pants pocket or coat pocket and his wife can use it also. Then there is the simplicity of no slide, slide release, stove pipes, etc.
 
The tang safety is one of the reasons that I personally prefer the Mossberg 500. The Mossberg Maverick is also a good shotgun but it has a cross bolt safety.

A revolver is always a good choice for new shooters.

Trying to find any self defense type of shotgun will be hard right now no matter what brand you are looking for. Most shops around me from small mom and pop shops to big box stores such as Academy Sports and Bass Pro have very limited supplies of any type of pump shotguns. Pistols and revolvers are also in short supply at most places.
 
Failing taking a class or renting firearms or being able to borrow something. Is there a range nearby? If they buy something fun to shoot, there more likely to practice with it. A 12 gauge shotgun and a compact handgun are not fun to shoot or easy to shoot. Most end up stored away.
Lots of fun and games for a 9MM carbine or a 38/357 lever gun. Most get shot much more then a pump shotgun.
 
My issue with shotguns for new shooters is that the recoil is not subtle. There's not much fun in shooting them therefore training probably won't occur as often as needed. I'd recommend an AR15 and a class.

For a handgun I'd recommend a Glock 19 and a class.
 
The Easy Button for an HD handgun is the Glock 45 or 19.

For a shotgun, I'd recommend a self loader over a pump, particularly for a beginner. Go shoot a bunch of rounds through a pump and it will quickly become clear it takes more work. In fact, go shoot a bunch of rounds through a self loading shotgun and the appeal of an AR will quickly become more clear. I would steer anyone looking for advice for HD firearms to a Glock and a good carbine.

The days of revolvers & shotguns being preferable for beginners are long gone.
 
Good luck in finding a shotgun to purchase. One of the largest firearms distributor which sells guns to local gun stores has absolutely no pump shotguns available for local guns stores to purchase or orders for their customers.
 
Can you find ammunition? Can you even find any guns?
What's available has to come into play here. Maybe used is the way to go, but then there's still the ammo situation.
 
Shotguns are not a good choice for new shooters. This may sound counterintuitive, with all the 'gun shop commando' malarkey one hears, but as has been mentioned, recoil is an issue, and the myth that "you don't have to aim" is just that, a myth. Smaller gauges are effective to a certain point, and in break-open actions (single barrel, O/U, SxS, and that Chiappa thing) the 12 ga. Mini-Shells can be used as is, and as a training tool in anticipation of 2 3/4" defensive rounds.

Handgun: DA revolver or Glock-type auto that is easy to learn the manual of arms on.
 
shafter said:
My issue with shotguns for new shooters is that the recoil is not subtle. There's not much fun in shooting them therefore training probably won't occur as often as needed. I'd recommend an AR15 and a class.
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I'd start a nOOb out some low-brass field loads, the stuff that's normally $5/box of 25 at Walmart. It has very little recoil and is quite mild. Being cheap it would be easier to do volume practice and being it has little utility for defense you might actually find it in the stores. Only after a hundred or so rounds of this stuff would I introduce some reduced recoil 00 Buckshot.

An AR is a great HD weapon in lots of situations, can't argue against it. But it's going to be a lot harder to find one and maybe impossible to get any ammo at all.
 
Really like the Mossberg 500 Flex. So easy to change grips and barrels and stocks. I have the 20ga with 18" barrel. The only thing I did not like was the action release. I put on a Shoten Armory extended action release and made a world of difference. I also put on a enhanced safety.
 
What make/model for a new shooter as self defense isn't answered with a make/model response.

It is more complex than the "get a Glock/reach for a revolver/shell out for a shotgun" take-a-pill response.

A new shooter needs a gun that fits them, not us. What do they point naturally, what fits their hand, what grip angle points to the POI and POA? That takes going and "trying on" guns with the knowledge of how to fit the firearm to the individual. My wife points a CZ like like she was born with it, my buddy and my sifu do as well. My daughter points a traditional Glock. My son a 1911. One petite lady ended up with a wide body 1911 in .45acp because that's what pointed naturally for her. I train defensive shooting for new shooters and the first thing we do is find out what fits the individual before we start putting holes in paper and shots on steel. That lets them start out without the disadvantage of trying to work around an improperly fitting firearm and gives them a quicker start to good shooting technique and better recoil control.

So, the answer isn't make/model, but when can you get to a range/shop to "try on" different handguns to find what points for them.
 
hso said:
What make/model for a new shooter as self defense isn't answered with a make/model response.

It is more complex than the "get a Glock/reach for a revolver/shell out for a shotgun" take-a-pill response.

A new shooter needs a gun that fits them, not us. What do they point naturally, what fits their hand, what grip angle points to the POI and POA? That takes going and "trying on" guns with the knowledge of how to fit the firearm to the individual. My wife points a CZ like like she was born with it, my buddy and my sifu do as well. My daughter points a traditional Glock. My son a 1911. One petite lady ended up with a wide body 1911 in .45acp because that's what pointed naturally for her. I train defensive shooting for new shooters and the first thing we do is find out what fits the individual before we start putting holes in paper and shots on steel. That lets them start out without the disadvantage of trying to work around an improperly fitting firearm and gives them a quicker start to good shooting technique and better recoil control.

So, the answer isn't make/model, but when can you get to a range/shop to "try on" different handguns to find what points for them.
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True, but rarely is the Glock 45 or 19 the wrong answer, especially for someone who does no more than take it to the range once or twice a year.
 
MistWolf said:
True, but rarely is the Glock 45 or 19 the wrong answer, especially for someone who does no more than take it to the range once or twice a year.
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Taking any gun to the range once or twice a year is IMO unacceptable. And I would not agree that a Glock of any kind is always a right size or fit for most shooters. That is too big of a generalization.
If you are going to own a gun for self defense, you need to accept the fact that you will most likely need a class and diligent ongoing training.
 
George P said:
I disagree; I got rid of my 19. The grip is horrible - especially compared to the M&P 2.0 with adjustable backstraps- making gripping the gun much nicer
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There's a reason they are nicknamed the 'Block'. Ironically, while it dislike the ergonomics and esthetics of Glocks I am very accurate with them, and the manual of arms is simple enough for an auto. I agree with Mist Wolf as far as for someone who takes it to the range once or twice a year; they are the S&W 4" Model 10 of autos.
 
hso said:
What make/model for a new shooter as self defense isn't answered with a make/model response.

It is more complex than the "get a Glock/reach for a revolver/shell out for a shotgun" take-a-pill response.

A new shooter needs a gun that fits them, not us. What do they point naturally, what fits their hand, what grip angle points to the POI and POA? That takes going and "trying on" guns with the knowledge of how to fit the firearm to the individual. My wife points a CZ like like she was born with it, my buddy and my sifu do as well. My daughter points a traditional Glock. My son a 1911. One petite lady ended up with a wide body 1911 in .45acp because that's what pointed naturally for her. I train defensive shooting for new shooters and the first thing we do is find out what fits the individual before we start putting holes in paper and shots on steel. That lets them start out without the disadvantage of trying to work around an improperly fitting firearm and gives them a quicker start to good shooting technique and better recoil control.

So, the answer isn't make/model, but when can you get to a range/shop to "try on" different handguns to find what points for them.
Click to expand...

I usual refer new shooters to a G19 sized pistol instead of referencing a specific model. Every manufacturer makes a pistol in that size, allowing the newbie to pick one that feels the best
 
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