Come school a n00b who wants to buy his first gun

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Zenas

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Apr 22, 2007
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Location
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Well, because of recent events I have decided it's time to own a gun.

A little about myself: I am 24 years old, married, and a 2nd year law student. I will graduate May 2008. I live in Louisiana which is gun friendly. As a student I don't have much money to go around, however, this summer I will be working as well as my wife (she just graduated with a Masters in Social Work and got a new job) so we will have at least $2,000 to spend on guns, ammo, and shooting range time. Finally, we are Christian and conservative (in spite of the law and social work thing -- long story).

My gun experience:
12 gauge shotgun: I've used my Dad's Remington pump and his semi-automatic. Sorry, I don't know what model it was. I've shot skeet on 2 separate occasions and duck hunted, also on 2 separate occasions. I know the basics here.
other: I have fired my brother-in-law's .357 revolver, deer rifle, and a .22 handgun about 3 times each. But I don't remember how to operate them properly.

I've been searching the Internet today looking for a newbie guide on where to start on becoming a gun owner. I'm not yet satisfied with what I've found, but I don't want to walk into a gun shop and just take a salesman's word for what I ought to do.

The advice I've found out there goes like this:
1. Buy a shotgun for home defense (probably a riot-shotgun -- can you hunt with these?)
2. Later, buy a revolver (and a .22 handgun for practicing marksmanship)
3. Then buy a rifle (and a .22 rifle, again, for marksmanship)

If there is a good primer or brochure on becoming a gun owner out there, I would greatly appreciate being pointed in that direction. If not, please cure my serious case of noob-itis.
 
You are in the right place.

Your plan is solid.

I suggest for feedback on specific guns you post your requirements in the shotgun and revolver forums respectively.

David
 
you have come to the right place,read search read more,find a local range/gun store and ask questions, just don't believe everything LOL. Remington makes express turkey gun 21" bbl comes with choke tubes and can serve double duty as many south dakota phesants have learned 1st hand.
it lives in closet for SD. a 357 revolver is very versitile as you can shoot any thing from light 38 spcl to stomping 357 mags.you sound like you have a good grasp on things and your plans are sound
 
I realy don't know if there is a single reference book that is geared toward an overall beginers view . Or a step by step type reference like " windows 98 for dumbies" like I bought when I got into computers.

A couple of thoughts though : Basic firearm safety is taught through many local gun clubs via people who are certified instructors. Not a bad place to start realy.

You should also decide what type, or types, of firearms you need or want based on what you plan to use them for. ( Home defense, personal defense, hunting, target shooting, plinking, trap, etc. )

Not a bad idea to use your family as a resourse if they live close enough - sounds like they have and use firearms and their knowledge could help.

Most gun shops have free pamplets/handouts from the firearms companies. By brousing through the catalogs of guns you can learn what is available.

Keep brousing the forums for information and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.

Someone else may know of a couple of good reference books that may be valuable assets to you. More people will be along shortly with idea's.
 
Find a range that rents them and spend a hundred dollars renting guns for a day. Ask the range master to show you how to operate them and they should be happy to take you in and demo it with you for a while.

My advise, if you want a semi auto, try to shoot a Glock, a Beretta, a 1911 style, and maybe something else that catches your eye. (plastic guns kick different than one that is all metal)

If you want a revolver, most will operate the same. Stick with name brands....Ruger, S&W, Colt (if you have the cash), or now even Taurus.

Basically, handle everything they will let you touch, and then try to rent whatever feels good.
 
I am assuming you want guns primarily for home defense. You also made a reference to hunting.

+1 on the .357. You will get many opinions on which brand and model, but if you stick with Smith & Wesson, or Ruger, you can't lose. You can find them used for very good prices. As previously mentioned, there is a lot of ammo available (and cheap, at that) for a .357 (e.g. 38 special, 38 +P, and full out mag rounds.)

A shotgun is the ultimate Home defense weapon. 12, or 20 gauge will get er done. Mossberg 500 is cheap, so is Remmington 870. I don't know what the laws are in LA about hunting with a shotty.

Let us know what you decide. Have fun!
 
I get a lot of first time gun owners questions at work. I end up taking the questioner out with an assortment of my guns. If you were close I wouldn't mind letting you try each one of my small collection. So many factors come into play with how you like a gun (there isn't a single "do all gun" in my book).

Fit to hand
Feel during shots (perceived recoil)
Caliber/ammo type and cost
Function (semi/revolver)
Looks
Cost of gun/warranty/reliability


Good luck!

Justin
 
Join a local gun club, take the NRA safety courses, become involved with IDPA competition (for the experience, not to win trophies).

You can get both Remington and Mossberg shotguns that have interchangeable barrels--short for riot/home protection and long for skeet, trap and hunting.

Talk to the folks at the club and either rent or borrow (firearms owners are notoriously supportive of new shooters) different handguns to learn what best suits you.

I use a 12 GA Mossberg 500 for home defense and .357 magnum revolvers with the mild .38 spl loads for competition. If we were allowed CCW in this county I would pick up a .357 magnum revolver with 4" barrel or .38 spl for shorter barrels. Go to the revolver section of this forum for the details of why.
 
A remington 870 is a hard shotgun to beat. It is reliable, easy to take down, and shoots fine. Get an 870 and an extra short barrel. Then get a Colt Walker just because it will be fun.
 
Local hunting laws will determine whether or not you can hunt with the "riot" shotgun. I'm going to assume you aren't going to plung in with a short barrelled shotgun and deal with all the NFA stuff, so just look for the barrel length restrictions for hunting in your state. Over here where I go to school it's 18 inches, so any non-NFA shotgun will work. The type of shotgun you get depends on what you're going to do. Bird hunting and trap would drive for a longer barrel length than deer hunting and home defense (assuming room clearing). Home defense where you just sit in a corner with your spouse with the shotgun at the ready, doesn't really have a limit on barrel length. A good used remington 870 or mossberg 500 would do, although I really prefer the 870 for the feel of the gun.

Revolver choice depends on whether you're going to carry it, or keep is as a nightstand gun. A 3" barrelled .357 all steel makes a decent carry gun, not the lightest, but if you can handle the .357s you have that power at your hands and it's not as hard recoiling as the ultralight .38s. Grip and stance are key. As for a nightstand gun, substantial caliber, .357, .41, .44 all come to mind, all steel, 6 to 8 shots, 4-6" barrel length, although you could conceal a 4-6 in depending on methods.

Rifles, a 10-22 is a good pick for a semiauto, go to rimfire central and before you know it you'll have spent that 2k on that gun alone when it started off at 200. The choices of .22 rifles are endless depending on what you want them for. You may want to look at lower cost centerfires like the mosin nagant and the sks as well.
 
Wow, you guys are great. I really appreciate all the advice.

We'll see how well this works out but I think I'll chronicle my quest for gun ownership on a blog, which I just created, called Firearm Starter Kit at http://firearmstarterkit.blogspot.com/ so that others may benefit from my experiences.

So I'll continue to post here and will use the blog to link here and to chronicle what I'm learning.

To answer some of your questions: I live in Baton Rouge. I'm not really into hunting. My priorities are 1. Home Defense 2. Recreation ("plinking" I think it's called) and 3. Maybe go concealed carry later on, but first I want to focus on #1.

Also, I forgot to mention in my first post, but when I was 16 I did take Louisiana's required hunter's education/safety course.

Finally, my motivation for becoming a gun owner is driven by recent events of violence that perhaps wider gun ownership could have prevented and by what I see as a growing trend of pacifism and fear I see in my generation. I've heard of a metaphor for society. It goes something like this:

Most people are sheep. The wicked people are the wolves. And then there are the sheepdogs, the brave who stand against the wicked. The sheep are often afraid of the sheepdog because he resembles the wolf. But the sheepdog is always wary--staying up late at night, sniffing the air, listening, waiting, always waiting for the coming wolf...
Click to expand...

Well I wish I could attribute that to the author, but I don't even remember where I first heard it. But anyhow, I want to be a sheepdog. Gun ownership is a step in that direction
 
Plinking is only one form of recreational shooting outside of hunting.

Target shooting is very relaxing and Zen and that can be simple handgun target shooting, exotic bench rest rifles, historical black powder firearms and so on.

Then there are several venues for action shooting (a recreational spinoff of combat training): IPSC, IDPA, ICORE, steel shoots, three gun, Cowboy Action Shooting (big on family participation)...

Recreational shooting is great practice so your firearm will be useful when you need it--they are not magic tokens and need a skilled hand to perform well. Along the way you will meet some very friendly supportive people.

Bring your wife, too.
 
smith and wesson model 15, with a 4" barrel. 38 special with any 158gr lead semi-wadcutter. this will undip any "possum on the half shell" you run into, and turn them into a ready made armadillo skin purse.

this gun is also effective against 2 legged critters, and can be loaded with low velocity wad-cutter reloads you can pick up in your local gunshop cheaply as practice ammo.

if you like high velocity stuff, you can select 125 gr +p loads for occasional use.

cost for a used gun at a gunshow? about $150.
 
You are in the right place.

Your plan is solid.

I suggest for feedback on specific guns you post your requirements in the shotgun and revolver forums respectively.
Click to expand...

Good Advice.

IMHO Here's a good basic setup;

1) A Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun $300
2) Either a S&W 686 or Ruger GP 100 or SP 101 4" or 6" $450
3) A Ruger 10/22 Rifle $250
4) Glock 19 $500

You'll still have plenty of money for ammo, ($500), within your budget.

After that the world is your oyster. check out all of the threads and enjoy the site. It has been and remains one of the best on the web. Go to a local range and rent many different guns and choose the ones that you feel most cumfortable with.

Members in your area may even invite you to meet them at the local range. A good mentor is a great thing to have.

Welcome and good luck.
 
Congrats on the new addiction. I mean hobby. Guns are addicting and it sounds like your plan is good. Shotgun for home defense is the best option. But I will say that I think you should try to rent a .22 to practice with before you go buy a 12 gauge.
 
I bought a remington 870 12 gauge this weekend at a gun show for $250 from an individual so no paperwork, no hassle and it helped out a fella who just needed to liquidate some quick. This is the first weapon I've had that I can say confidently WILL defend my home. It came with a 18.5 inch barrel that has no choke tubes (not a bird gun, it's a close range defense gun)

You put 6 12 gauge shells with 9 (or 12) pellets of 00 buckshot (called 'double-ought' if you ask for it), and for $100-$200 more you can get a different barrel that you just put on (takes all of 30 seconds) and you can shoot clays or birds with it.

You could also buy a longer, rifled barrel (again, another $100-200) and a scope and shoot 12 gauge slugs if you're into target shooting.

Did I mention, it doesn't require expert aim to defend your home with this thing. Plus, I hear that size 8 bird shot and smaller won't penetrate residential drywall walls...so if you've got kids, there's no handgun out there that won't penetrate drywall that I've seen, that will also stop an attack.

There's my vote. The worst thing that can happen is that you buy a used shotgun and don't like it, then you sell it for exactly what you bought it for. there's no depreciation on a used gun if sold in the same market.
 
A little educatin' is always a good thing. Any shooting range in your area is probably going to have some type of formal or informal handgun training class or be able to put you in contact with someone who can teach you the basics. Try to get a bit of shooting experience with various types of handguns before buying.

Simple is best for self defense, so something like a Glock or a revolver is good. Stay away from handguns with lots of buttons and levers.

And as others have said, a Remmie 870 is one of the ultimate home defense weapons. May not be the best choice in every situation, but an 870 is never a bad choice.

Just be sure to practice regularly with whatever you buy so you'll be comfortable using them and not have to fumble around if you ever encounter a real self defense situation.
 
Don't use bird shot if you intend it for self defense. It will not break through into the chest cavity. You will get sued for maiming them. Also, you still have to aim with even a short barreled shotgun. It will have maybe a two or three inch spread at home defense situations. I got a new Remington 870 express supermag (you will not need a supermag unless you intend on shooting geese or somethign similar) for $260 last year for christmas after a rebate, so you should be able to get a good used one for not to much.
 
I haven't patterned my newly acquired Remington 870 18.5" cylinder bore, but my old Mossberg 500 with a 20" cylinder bore patterned about 15" spread from 20 feet with size 8 shot in federal 2 3/4" shells bought at walmart. This was also displayed when shooting clays... couldn't score with that barrel.

I'd imagine buckshot would hold a tighter grouping because it's heavier and has more energy leaving the barrel, but I'm no expert.

Didn't know you could get sued for maiming someone while in a self-defense situation, that's a very good point... I guess everyone is suing everyone now a days. I wonder if the victims family could sue me just as easily for killing an intruder?
 
I don't have too much to add. It sounds like you have a little more money than some people to play with. Even so, I'd recommend putting a 9mm near the top of the list. A 9mm will be cheap to buy ammo for, which will allow you to shoot it a lot. My first handgun was a .40 S&W and though I love it now I always cussed myself for not getting a 9mm when I was buying ammo.

Whatever you get, try and get someone who is fairly knowledgeable about guns to take you shooting your first few times. That's what I did with my best friend when I first got into guns. After that, keep the four rules in mind and don't do anything really, really stupid (twirling a loaded gun around your finger, for example) and you should be fine.

Oh, I'm also Christian, planning to hit up law school after I get out of the Army, and an archconservative. So welcome aboard. Too bad you are a guy and not a beautiful woman... :D
 
Go to the NRA website, it should have some search by state function to allow you to find a 'basic pistol class'

Alternatively call your local ranges and ask. Sometimes you will get lucky and there will be an experienced shooter the range will know about who is desiring to make a little extra money on the side by giving small classes on shooting. Check out www.wheretoshoot.org

I'd also strongly recommend the .357 revolver for your first gun, especially one with a barrel lenght of 4 inches, up to as long as 6 inches, with adjustable sights.

A 357 revolver can be loaded with 38 specials, which is great for a new shooter, or even an old hand at shooting, because of the lower recoil.

Remember, the bigger and heavier a gun, the LESS it will recoil, all other things being the same. Do NOT get a small little snubby thinking it will be easier to shoot than some monster big gun.

The longer barrel will aid in you shooting accurately. Sure, a 6 inch barrel is going to be hard for you to conceal carry, but that was pretty far down your list of priorities.

Names to look for in revolvers are Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus (and possibly colt, but they don't make much any more) Steer clear of other brands, especially for now.


Regarding a home defense shotgun. The two most common shotgun makers are Remington and Mossberg, followed by Browning and Winchester. I know for sure both Remington and Mossberg sell a shotgun that includes 2 barrels, a long barrel for duck/pheasants, and a short barrel with sights for deer hunting. That same deer hunting barrel would make a good home defense barrel.

Also, it has been my experience that most birdshot loads recoil much less than buckshot (standard home defense load, with 10-30 large pellets rather than bird loads, wich are 100-200 small pellets) adding a shorter (lighter) barrel makes it even worse. Consider getting a 20 guage shotgun, this will also make it easier for other members of the family to use it later on. Yes, Remington and Mossberg offer the combo package in 20 guage as well. 20 guage is still a LOT of power. If you are talking slugs, (a single large projectile) a 20 guage slug at 'front door to back door' ranges will have more power than a bullet from an AK-47

Pick up a .22 rifle, you can get a good used one, or even some inexpensive new ones for $100-$200 and you can learn a LOT about shooting on that. Having a .22 is a good thing, it need not be a handgun for you to learn a lot about shooting, all the skills regarding trigger control, sight alignment, etc, they transfer from rifle to handgun just fine in my opinion
 
My suggestion would be to find something you are comfortable with. Controllable recoil and ease of use would be my primary objective.If you get something you don't enjoy shooting due to excessive recoil you probably won't practice with it enough.If you get something which in a panic situation you will be fumbling safeties , slides , locks , etc. you will not do anyone any good.A good .38 special revolver would be my pick for someone with limited experience. A .357 would be fine as well in that you could start practicing with lower powered .38 loads at first.If you have a range such as we have here that will let you rent guns to shoot it will give you an opportunity to " Test-Drive" some of the options out there. My wife found the FNH FiveSeven as her favorite and now is the proud and competent owner of one. BTW , we don;t have neighbors or small children in the house to worry about over penetration. Something to think about is frangible ammo. Readily available for .38 , .357 and others ( Not 5.7!). Good luck
 
I keep a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm for defense when I'm at home & either a Remington 11 in 12 Ga or a Mossberg 500 20 ga for the wife. One thing about a pump like the 500 is that just about every criminal knows the "clack clack" of a pump being cycled, it's a real good deterant. Nobody wants to shoot someone, so if you can deter the problem & be prepared to shoot all the better. The other reason for the gauge with the wife, is if she does have to use it aiming isn't an issue, point it down the hall & pull the trigger. I keep it loaded with #4 shot, probably a bit light but alot of pellets going down range. Hope this helps some.
 
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