Gun Newbie Here

[KJS]

Get a revolver. They are simple and reliable. Smith & Wesson M327 TRR8. This is a 357 magnum. Built for sporting and tactical. Also, get one for your significant other also. Nothing better then shooting with a friend.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=45916&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

And the MSRP is a mere $1,400 so why not buy two as suggested. While I'm sure this is a very fine gun, it doesn't strike me as something one is at all likely to buy as their first. While retail prices are, of course, lower than MSRP, even $1,000 is more than most folks are willing to pay for a .357.

 

[Gambit911]

Thanks guys just checked in and wanted to let you all know im still reading. For all of the people that suggested guns im looking in to them all and checking up prices as well. I actually never heard of gun rental places but i shall be googling them as soon as i wake up tomorrow morning maybe head out and try to hit one up if i find one close buy. Once again thanks for the help and insights.

 

[GojuBrian]

You want a semi-auto, so I won't insult you by suggesting another revolver. You have clearly made your mind up on the platform.

The sig p250 is a fine choice, so if it feels right then get one. I'll throw a few more semi-auto names with similar platforms and the relative price range in the bucket for you.

Springfield xd or xdm (had the xd, loved it)(highly reccommend for a newb!)
CZ 75B (have it, love it) (single and double action though) (external hammer)
Glock (ugly, but it's a tank and simple)

These guns are simple to use and maintain. You won't have to worry about replacing anything for many thousand rounds either.

 

[jad0110]

As a new shooter who is looking for a semi auto, I'd consider something along the lines of a used Ruger Mk I or II or a Browning Buckmark - all in 22LR. Centerfire ammo is darned near impossible to find right now and when you do find it, be prepared to sell a kidney to pay for it.

My sister bought a used Ruger Mk II with a 5.5" barrel and adjustable sights about a year ago for $199. Granted, that was a rockin' deal, but $250 would be a good price too.

Beyond that, I'd stick to a 9mm as it is usually the most affordable centerfire round. You might also consider a 9mm platform like the CZ-75 that has 22LR conversion kits readily available.

Just a thought.

Quote:
I don't understand why he should "get a revolver" first.

Generally, I'm not real hard over on "get a revolver" first. However, when introducing someone to shooting who has never touched a gun in their lives (and who may also be nervous), I ALWAY start them on a 22 revolver. The simplicity advantage that a revolver has for the totally 100% green shooter is that the loading/unloading process is a simpler concept for the anxious mind to grasp. Open cylinder, if there is a single cartridge in there, then it is loaded. There is no guessing game as to whether or not threre is a round in a chamber, not to mention I've seen quite a few noobs unload an auto out of sequence (rack the slide then drop the mag - bad ju ju).

If the new shooter gets over the initial nervousness, then I generally have no problem with them trying out an auto or any other gun in a more potent caliber. I guess it all depends on the individual shooter.

 

[Impureclient]

Being in your shoes about a year ago for my first purchase, I went with a Kahr CW9. I wanted the most all around gun I could get. I was looking for a gun that I could easily conceal, had a respectable caliber, and I could shoot that was easy on the hands and wallet. The recoil with a 9mm is easily handled even by a child. I go shooting with my son and he controls it rather easily. The 9mm 100 count boxes can easily be had for about $20, bringing the cost per to $0.20 per round. Only to be beaten by a .22 round. If you decided to go with the .22 you couldn't use it for self defense. The old standby Glock 19 is always a favorite. It's larger than my CW9 by enough that I wouldn't carry it though which is why I passed it up. The Glock 26 it's smaller brother was also just too fat to conceal unnoticed the way I dress(shorts and t-shirt.) Depending on where you live, you will more than likely want to eventually carry it. If you aren't into buying lots of guns and just want one or two then looking for one that easily conceals is important. I went to the local gun shops and held/fondled and tried to conceal on myself anything that was in my consideration. When I had the CW9 in hand, I knew it was the one for me. How the gun feels in your hand is pretty important. If you are lucky your local range may have the gun you want for rent. As a few have said that really helps too. The only problem is that the smaller guns aren't usually for rent. If the size and weight doesn't matter and you can conceal it nicely, the CZ 75B should definitely be on your short list too. As far as buying used remember: Buyer Beware. Unless the manufacture has a lifetime warranty, you may be buying somebody's lemon. When I priced new vs. used it wasn't worth saving a couple dollars to be surprised later.

 

[stonecutter2]

Hi there and again, welcome to THR. I'm going to go over some costs involved in the wonderful world of shooting, since that was one of your concerns (unknown financial obligations).

If anyone feels I'm wrong with any of this, feel free to chime in.

First, by all accounts, the Sig P250 should be a fine pistol and, if cared for, would probably not need much maintenance aside from cleaning. This is also probably true for a used pistol (depending on who took care of it previously), though buying new means you know the gun's history, because you've taken care of it.

Any questions about the purchase can definitely be asked at a gun shop - they're going to know what fees and such might be involved in the purchase in your state (wish I lived in TX!) better than me.

Okay, so let's say that you buy the gun online. The purchase price may or may not include shipping (budsgunshop.com includes shipping in their price). The website ships the gun to a local firearms dealer, where you're going to pick it up. You pay the website who you bought the gun from for the gun/shipping, AND you then pay the firearms dealer where you pick the gun up, for a "transfer fee." I think that usually also covers the federal background check as well. Call any shop and ask - the fees can vary from shop to shop, so get one convenient for you and at a fair price.

Ammo, as you've said, can be expensive. 9mm isn't too bad. Price varies by caliber and quality of ammo. Buy more ammo than you think you'd need - you'll likely go through it fast. Get used to handling your gun safely, cleaning it, and shooting it.

You'll also need some gun cleaning supplies. You can usually buy a little kit that contains all that you need. Sometimes the kits are specific to a certain caliber - others have a variety of calibers. The kit should contain brushes, some "patches", bore cleaner, gun oil, and a cleaning rod. The rod is used to push the brushes and patches through the gun's barrel, to get rid of lead remnants, powder, etc. These kits are relatively cheap, around $15-$20 for a single caliber...more expensive for multi-caliber kits.

Clean your gun when you get it! It'll help you familiarize yourself with it, and it ensures the gun is in proper condition to shoot. Read the manual if it came with one. No really, read it Go online and look for one if you didn't get one when you bought the gun.

Now that you've got the gun, and you can clean it (clean it regularly, take care of your firearms and they should function longer without issues), you're going to need to keep it somewhere.

A little gun safe/vault is an option (the kind that can slide under a bed), or more than likely a new gun will include some kind of lock of some sort. I recommend using the lock - if not for any children you might have, so that if you happen upon a bad guy mid-heist in your place, you don't find him pointing your own gun at you using your awesome self-defense rounds. Also, safely storing your gun away is just a good practice. If your gun will be used for self defense/carry, then obviously locking it up all of the time wouldn't make as much sense. Some people apparently like these little safes for $40 or so. I'm considering getting one of those and latching the case to my bed frame.

Bottom line: Your transfer fee shouldn't be more than around $50. It depends on your area. Gun cleaning kit/supplies - $20+, if you can find a cheaper kit it'll do what you need, otherwise ask for cleaning supplies when you buy the gun. Ammo - varies in price. Gun lock/vault - gun might come with a lock, but that case above is only $40, vaults can be around $100 or you could invest in a gun safe....necessitating more gun purchases to fill the safe!

Hope some of that helps you a bit. Good luck with your first firearm purchase! Get what you like, and enjoy it! Be safe and have fun!

 

[Gambit911]

Hey guys sorry i have to admit i haven't checked this thread for a while but just wanted to let all of yall know that since you took the time to type out these guides and give me a piece of your mind i at the very least read them and will definitely take this information with me when i make my purchase! I think that this thread was helpful enough and will attempt to close it if i can figure out how to..

Once again thanks guys!