looking to buy my first gun!!!! very excited

[LawDog]

Okay.

First, find yourself something along the lines of:

www.caswells.com

They have gun rentals and Ladies Day. Go, with a friend if necessary, tell the employees that you're new and ask questions. Try any gun that looks interesting, and ask more questions. I'd plan on spending an afternoon.

Lot's of folks here suggesting .38/.357 revolvers. Rent one, and try it with both the .38 Special loads and the .357 magnum loads. If they have a .32 magnum, rent that one and give a whirl. If the .38/.357 seems light, give a .44 special or even a .45 Colt a try.

Find the gun, and the load that you are comfortable with.

Once you find one that you like, sign up for an NRA class and get that under your belt.

Take the NRA class(s), then go back and test guns again -- you may find that your taste in guns may have changed -- then buy yourself your first gun.

Please be aware that you will not be allowed to carry your new pistol on Federal lands, and are in danger of going to jail if you try.

Call your Arizona State office that is in charge of State Parks and enquire as to the legality of carrying a pistol on State Park land.

And, please, take as much training in firearms as you can.

Welcome to THR.

LawDog

 

[Hemicuda]

Another vote for the Smitty revolver...

I'd say a pure stainless one (the airweights like my 637 are nice, BUT...) the all stainless ones are a bit heavire, and recoil is better due to the fact...

also stainless for ease of care, and preferrably one which is chambered for .357 mag, because then you can shoot anything from light .38 loads, to full-bore .357's, all in the same weapon...

My GF carries a Mod. 640 every day, and it is a FINE choice...

 

[LIYAH]

so much infomation.....

ok first let me again thank every one for the information.
i do have a couple questions, (again)
1 - snake shot, from what i am reading it is not one single bullet but more like pellets for a lack of a better word, so you don't miss?
1a- can snake shot be used against others, 2 or 4 legged?
1b- can snake shot only be used in a revolver?
2 - Arizona question- if i am hiking in a State Preserve is that considered a state park (i think so? but if anyone knows?)
2a- would i need to carry it in my hydra-pac

i believe there is a gun show this weekend, i was going to try and go down armed with my list of guns that everyone suggested, and a notebook.

i will let you know what happens- again thank you so very much
-will keep in touch

~Marie

 

[cslinger]

Snakeshot is indeed a series of small pellets. They do make it slighty easier to hit a target such as a snake but you still have to aim. They are not nearly enough to deter a determined predator two or four legs.

Snake shot tends to not feed well in semi auto handguns due to its bullet shape and is typically recommended for revolvers.

Call your local authorities to find out your local laws. Don't rely on anything but that from the horses mouth, preferably in writing.

Arizona is an open carry state if I remember correctly so where legal you shouldn't need to put it in a pack. See above suggestion about local laws though.

While you are at the show handle as many guns as possible but don't buy right away come back with specific questions and if at all possible find a place locally where you can rent and try.

Good luck and take care.

Chris

 

[Nightfall]

Start your journey into the world of guns right here: http://thehighroad.org/library/rules.html

The Four Rules of Gun Safety

1.All firearms are always loaded.
2.Always keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction.
3.Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4.Always be sure of your target and know what is behind it along the bullet's trajectory.

 

[JamisJockey]

Snake shot is a bad self defense round. It doesn't carry any whollop nor stopping power. If you're carrying the gun outdoors on hikes and what not, its a good round for dispensing with wayward snakes and small critters.

 

[LawDog]

Marie,

Snake-shot can be found here:
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=3&pg=14&prod_id=24
It's a load of very small pellets. There are snake-shot rounds designed for semi-autos, but the ability of snake-shot rounds to cycle a semi-automatic pistol is iffy at best.

I personally would only use snake shot in a revolver.

Snake-shot is best used at less than 10 feet on nothing larger than a snake or a small rodent.

Your best bet to find out if a State Preserve is considered a State Park is to call (or e-mail) the governmental unit that oversees Parks and/or Preserves.

If you are allowed to carry your pistol, I would strongly advise that you carry your pistol in a holster on your person. If you find yourself needing your pistol, more than likely you will need it now, and you will have neither the time, nor luxury, to dig through your pack to get it.

LawDog

 

[LIYAH]

shopping on lunch break!!!

Greetings!!! i could not stand the reading and no handling, so i drove around during my lunch break until i found a gun shop!!! they had a Smith and Wesson 640, very nice, nice feel, nice look. Also a 38 special a little heavier but not to bad i liked them both. now i must shoot them. but first find a range someone mentioned caswells and shooters world.
another question, i am left handed, easy or hard to find left handed belt holsters?

~i'll keep you updated
~Marie




ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

 

[cslinger]

Finding a left handed holster for something like a J-Frame revolver, like the 640 should be relatively easy since they are very popular guns.

Once to consider being a lefty are the gun's controls. Are you able to open the cylinder easy or in the case of a bottom feeder (Semi-Automatic) can you work the magazine release, slide release and or safeties. Once again it all comes to to tinkering with and playing with many models to make sure they work for you.

The Smith and Wesson 640 is a hell of a good gun by the way.

Chris

ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

Billy, have you ever seen a grown man naked?
Have you ever been to a Turkish prison?

Sorry I know it is a Batman reference but it just reminded me of that for some reason.