Buying advice for first gun

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f4igrad

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Hey folks,
I am looking to purchase a gun for self defense in my home as well as defense when backcountry camping in the mountains. I have shot guns before (primarily rifles and shotguns) but have never owned one myself. I will not be carrying the gun on me. What do you all recommend for me? I am planning on taking a gun safety class no matter what I get, and I will spend a lot of time on the range practicing. I don't have a fortune to spend, but I definitely want a reliable and accurate gun. Thanks a lot for helping out a total noob!

BTW, I would like to purchase a gun that my GF could also use, both at the range and for emergencies.
 
I suggest a small to medium framed revolver chambered for .357. But when learning do not use .357 magnum loads, use plain ole .38 specials. Simple, reliable, easy to shoot, and it'll get the job done. By the way, welcome! Pull up a chair and stay awhile. You'll like it here.
 
Well, since it's for home defense, and defending yourself while in the back country and you won't be carrying it upon your person... I'd reccommend a 12 or 20 gauge pump shotgun. Any of the major brands. Just seems like it is the most user friendly home defense item.
 
Quote:

." self defense in my home as well as defense when backcountry camping "

....Agree with Jobu07.12 or 20ga. is the ticket. BTW Howdy an keep yur nose clean...:D
 
Yep, I agree and say 12 gauge because ammo is cheaper than 20 ga. I like the pump action Remington 870. I'd say get a short barrel for home defense (they also sell a two-barrel kit). I'm thinking this is around $300 new and you can find 'em used.

Most folks suggest 0000 buckshot against people but even skeet (say #8 birdshot) loads are brutal (while penetrating your walls even less and having less recoil). Carry some slug loads while camping and you're as set for bears as you can be.

Beyond the gun safety class, don't forget to practice before you rely on any weapon or load!
 
Why does it HAVE to be a shotgun? A 9mm is good home defense and fun to use at the range. You can get Winchester white box ammo -- 9mm 115 grain 100 bullets a box for about ten dollars. I have four Beretta handguns and I feel very capable about defending myself with either the full size or compacts...just bought a Beretta CX Storm too. :D All are effective -- why not a Glock, a S&W 60 3", a S&W 686 4"? There's a lot of good guns out there -- don't dismiss them because they're not shotguns -- depending on your situation -- where you live, who with, city, country -- shotguns aren't the only the good choice.

Laura
 
That sound also gives them the advantage of knowing you have a gun and where you're located -- it may not necessary deter them. A good handgun is worth it's weight in gold.
 
this is the decision I have been trying to make for a while now. While I understand that a shotgun would be great for my purposes, in the back of my head I kinda want a handgun to take to the range or plink with. Shooting skeet with a shotgun would be fun, but I would think target practice with a handgun could also be very enjoyable. I can't afford both, and I am really stumped over which one I should go with.
 
Get a handgun first -- you can get good and have something that is easier to run room through room with than a long gun. Try running room through room with a broom and get a sense of the difficulty. A handgun will give you more freedom to be casual, hide the gun and move with ease. You just won't get that from a shotgun. And -- a handgun will let you just plink at the range, especially the 9mm. You can make a Beretta just as tactical as you want by sending it to Ernest Langdon, the guru of all things Beretta and Sig -- if you want a Sig instead at www.langdontactical.com He's the best in the business and doesn't cost an arm and a leg with fast turn around. You can always find a good long gun later.

Laura
 
By the way, I'm a lady gun owner with four Beretta compacts type M, one Beretta full size 92FS, a 4" 686, a Glock 19", a Ruger New Single Six 4" and a CX Storm Beretta. There is no "girl's" gun; have your GF check out which is comfortable to hold and shoot. The 9mm does it for me...:D

Laura
 
I think you CAN afford them both. EAA has single and double action revelvers and 12 bore shotguns. If you shop around, you could get a 38 Special revolver and a 12 bore for less than $400.00. A XD-9 would be a semi-auto to consider along with EAA semi-autos.
 
I got a refurb Glock which cost under $500. You can get good deals used or online www.gunbrokers.com www.gunsamerica.com

I got my compacts for under $500 -- and that includes shipping and handling and transfer FFL fees. I paid $450 for the gun itself. I think even a new Glock is only slightly higher than $500. I work in a gun shop....

Laura
 
A new Glock around here would be 500-550. I know that many people here will dis agree but if you are looking for cheap reliable and not a carry gun look into Hi-Point . Buy it (about 100 bucks) use it, learn with it then move up into better firearms. Before you rule it out do a search HERE
 
Something in a medium sized wheel gun like a K frame S&W in .357 magnum would be a good bet. Taurus also some nice reasonably priced handguns. An L frame S&W or Ruger GP100 would also work very well. The .357 is a very versitle gun. You can use light .38 specials for target shooting and .38+p's or magnums for defense.
 
Other reliable guns

Many folks love their CZ 75 (9mm), S&W 908 (9mm) -- which is also very inexpensive, I believe the Springfield may even be less than the Glock -- also an excellent choice.

For revolvers:

S&W 60 3"
Lady Smith 65 3"
Ruger SP101 3"
Ruger GP100 3"

I prefer the 3" for better accuracy. Again, never dismiss a used gun, many are lightly used and just ditched because of the owner's hand size or the GF didn't like it.
 
Mastrogiacomo I would beg to differ with your opinion there is no girls gun. Although I am not a girl I have studied Mrs. Meek for a number of years so that I am pretty sure that I have some idea that SOME girls have distinct preferences.

Except for my old S&W model 59 Mrs Meek has always preferred guns with small hand grips. She dislikes rubber and plastic grips and prefers wood given the choice. She has had a preference for light guns, having given up a perfectly good .38 because it was "too heavy". She likes light colors as well, with her current favorite being an ivory colored P-32. She absolutely HATES heavy recoil like the .40 cal and .357 but likes Glock 9mm. She is currently angry because you can't safely clean a plastic pistol with ammonia based window cleaner!

So IMHO the perfect girl gun is a light pastel or chrome colored pistol which is light and easy to shoot which has small hand grips and is easy to clean.

f4igrad Given this is a large world with many options I will give only one firm recommendation. If you get a revolver and expect a wife/girlfriend/fiancee to refrain from wrapping it over your head at the end of a gun cleaning session use only jacketed bullets. You have never seen anything approaching the rage of a woman who has broken three fingernails cleaning lead fouling out of a pistol. You could bring home an illegitimate child and you won't come half as close to being beaten to death. :what:
 
I have small hands so in my opinion -- there are no "girl's guns." I was given a 442 snubbie as a ladies choice -- HATED IT! :fire: The grip killed my hand with the recoil and I couldn't hit the side of a barn. I'll take a 3" revolver any day....and a Glock or Beretta in any size. Many women I've heard from love the Glocks for the light weight and trigger -- but I sure wouldn't want a .45 in a light weight gun....or a light weight revolver....:uhoh:

For the ladies touch -- have the gun refinished in purple....:neener:
 
so why go for a $500 Glock when I can buy a 9mm that is cheaper. Is there a gun that is similar to the Glock and very reliable for less money? I was wanting to spend closer to $200-$300 because of having to get a permit, safety class, taxes, range fees, ammunition, etc.
 
F4 -- the subcompact Springfield XD is supposed to be cheaper than a Glock, but you should know, I earn well below poverty level and have since coming out of college. I would not want a gun in the the price range you mention to trust my life with. Used is a good route to look -- refurb Glocks have all new parts -- and I own one in a Glock 19. The Beretta is my baby though. Put the gun on lay a way and you can get it in no time -- and a solid, good gun that won't fail you -- but then I'm biased as I own five. They're not terribly expensive or how could I own all that I do?

I wouldn't go cheaper than a S&W 908. How much is your life worth?

Laura
 
Buy a CZ-75 in 9mm and get the extra "Kadet" .22 conversion kit. You'll essentially have two guns for the price of one. Do a search here for more info on the CZ. You'll find it highly reccomended.
 
.357 lever gun

Since some mentioned .357/.38's and some mentioned shotguns, I'll go with a pistol caliber lever gun.

Cheap .38 practice and great .357 performance without recoil issues. Very accurate, fast to shoot, and as short/handy as a HD pump gun. You also get the neat mechanical noise as you work the action. Winchesters and Marlins routinely sell for under $300. Just more fuel for the fire.

Regardless, I'd spend time and a few bucks at a local range renting a few models that have caught your attention. The money spent there can save you frustration down the road.

Because my wife doesn't like semi-auto's, our house gun is a Model 28 S&W. I let her fire every handgun I have and let her decide which one she felt the most comfortable using. If you want one for your GF to use, get her involved in the selection.
 
If youre set on getting a semi-auto handgun, look closely at the CZ-75. I have a CZ-75 PCR I picked up for $375 new. It took about 2000rnds to finally get it to malfunction and alot of that was Wolf ammo. Ultra reliable, extremely accurate, and very comfortable. My wife loves shooting it too and she has a Beretta Cougar herself. IMHO, CZ will give you the most bang for your buck.
 
A 1911 would be my choice

Specifically the Colt NRM Government (New Rollmark). Good single action 1911 trigger, manual thumb safety, grip safety, easy to shoot and well balanced. I chose the Colt because it is a great first gun. Nice finish, nice build quality and still very accurate.

Fat bullets too for self defense. :)
 
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