Grew up in a household hating gun, now I have a few questions.

[Ant Mod]

I grew up in a household that hated guns yet I grew up loving them. Now that I am an adult and out on my own I am free to explore this sport that i love so much. Imagine going shooting with the boyscouts when you are 12, falling in love with the sport, yet never being able to participate or talk about it in your own home.

Sorry, my question is this. I have read recently that some handguns should not be used with +P ammunition. Obviously I am assuming this is because it is more powerful. Will the box say +P on it? Am I to assume when I purchase surplus or cheap 9mm ammunition it is not +P? Is it always not +P until you ask for +P by name?

Last question, is there any literature I can pick up so I can start reading up on these types of questions. I am embarrased to say but I dont even know about gun safety really. Or how to take care of a gun. I have a lot of catching up to do. Thanks.

 

[Combat-wombat]

You grew up in a gun that hated households?

Welcome to The High Road, I hope you enjoy it here.
I am pretty new to shooting too, so I can't answer your question about +Ps, but I'm sure one of the many knowledgeable on this forum can.

 

[gun-fucious]

http://www.saami.org/unsafe3.htm

+P ammunition is loaded to a higher pressure, as indicated by the +P marking on the cartridge case headstamp. This ammunition is for use only in firearms specially designed for it and so recommended by the manufacturer of the firearm.

 

[El Tejon]

Hi, Ant, welcome to THR!

1. yes, ammunition that is loaded a little hotter is designated +P. This will be indicated upon most new commerical ammo. This is not the case for surplus militree ammo. Careful of pistol ammo that was design for use in machine pistols. Before one uses +P, make certain your weapon is made to handle it. Even if it is, it is like running your car at 100 on the interstate. You can do it but it will accelerate wear.

2. The search function on THR and TFL will get you started on any other questions. Watch out for that "KSFreeman" on TFL he's a real knucklehead.

3. Gun safety is best learned by learning the 4 Rules and then seeking instruction. The 4 Rules are the foundation of all firearms handling, they always apply, they are life.

4. The NRA has a couple of booklets on gun care. Search THR and TFL, trade books, classes, many "how to" gun smithing courses provide PM on cleaning and lubing.

Hope you stick around.

 

[forquidder]

Info

This board is a good reference for all types of gun facts and a search with any question you may have on any gun subject will likely turn up results. More important than this though is a hands on type of instruction that a good many of us received in our formative years. For this I HIGHLY recomend getting in touch with an NRA Representative in your area (contact Info on their wesite) for gun safety classes, hunter safety, etc.. These courses are usually held for a nominal fee and you will learn things that you simply can't learn from a website or a book. And while you're at it shell out $35 and join up.

 

[Balog]

'Lo Ant, welcome to the High Road. Good info so far, all I can add is that +P+ is loaded to even higher pressure than +P. And while most surplus ammo will be fine, be real careful to not get that sub-gun stuff.

Oh yeah, and if you want to keep your ability to enjoy firearms I'd suggest joining a good no-compromise Second Amendment defense organization such as Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Onwership. Don't let the name fool you, it's a great group. Find out more at http://www.jpfo.org

 

[Daedalus]

Welcome ant. To The High Road, and to the brotherhood of Anti-gun Household escapees

 

[Standing Wolf]

Welcome!

If you hang out here at the High Road a month, you'll learn more than newbies used to learn in years hanging out at gun shops.

I believe it's worth your while to join the N.R.A. and G.O.A.:

http://www.nra.org
http://www.gunowners.org

You'll not only learn a lot from the N.R.A. and G.O.A., you'll help the next generation enjoy the right to keep and bear arms, too.

 

[Brian Dale]

Howdy, Ant Mod -

Welcome home.

 

[Travis McGee]

If you buy a .357 magnum revolver, you can shoot soft recoiling .38s, .38+P, or full power .357. (.38 is actually .357 caliber.)

And if you're starting out, you should probably start with a revolver instead of a semi-auto pistol anyway.

Matt

 

[Drjones]

SHAME ON ALL OF YOU!!!

I can't believe no one has posted this yet!!!

:banghead:

http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/safetyrules.html

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET


Finally,
Welcome to THR and please feel free to ask ANY questions! The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.

 

[sm]

little addendum...

Rule 4: Be sure of your target and beyond

Welcome to THR!
Pull up a seat, read learn and ask. Gun safety course advisable , shoot different guns before you buy...gonna be REAL hard to beat a good revolver for first gun. Used older smith , craftsmanship, sweet actions, less money for more quality than new stuff. For the price of a mag you can buy a box of ammo. For the price of a Iwannacoolgunvirus, you have gun, training, ammo, holster, belt with a good used smith...oh and since new guy buys the ammo...we won't be left out on that little note...

 

[The Reaper]

Ant,

See if you can locate an NRA Basic Pistol or Home Firearms Safety Course in your area.

These courses cover safety, ammunition, types of actions, care and cleaning, storage, how to shoot, and transportation. The Home Firearms Safety will also have many different types of firearms for you to handle and look at from black powder rifles to pistols, shotguns etc.

Go to this link and select your state.
http://www.nra.org/frame.cfm?url=http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp

 

[XavierBreath]

I'll second the NRA Basic course. You will get a lot for your money there.

Welcome to the forum Ant, you will find a lot of good folks here. Remember the only dumb question is the one you refused to ask. Nobody grew up knowing this stuff. Everyone had to learn, and the smart ones are STILL learning. If someone blasts you for asking a question, they have only shown themselves to be a jackass. Have fun on the forum and never stop learning.

 

[Baba Louie]

Welcome to THR Ant Mod
If you're like me, you'll soon learn the depth of your ignorance in all things gun related by just lurking and listening (of course, every so often I just have to express my lack of gun intelligence by spouting off something). The info these guys have is astounding.
The 4 rules are a mantra and should be drummed into your subconcious thought process.
When the time comes and you ever do have children, teach them well. Its not always about hating guns... it's loving what ownership of them brings, responsibility and, some say, a taste of freedom.
Side's that, it sure is fun to punch holes in paper, feel the energy and smell the gunpowder (not to mention Hoppes No 9 afterwards).
Adios

 

[geekWithA.45]

Welcome Ant!

If you're anywhere in the south jersey/PHL region, pm me, and I'll get ya oriented and started in the right direction.

(in other words, we'll go shooting, after some basic training)

 

[Smoke]

Welcome to the wonderful world of weapons...isn't thats what that www. thing is all about?

I'll second looking into the NRA courses if available inyour area. Also seek out shooting ranges in your area, especially ones that might have Range/Safety Officers on site, they can be a great help. Associating with shooters will allow you to soak up info quickly.

Links: Here
and TFL

TFL is no longer active but there is a wealth of info there.

 

[Futo Inu]

Welcome!

Be sure to use the search function here, and at that wealth of information (and entertainment), now closed to new posts, known as www.thefiringline.com .

Go nuts with your and our sport (in a slow, careful, controlled sort of way).

Hey, speaking of SPORTS [segue to off-topic thread drift]:

THE PUCK DROPS TONIGHT, BA-BEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Stars.