Need direction...

[JPL]

I have got very little experience with guns.

My dad had a Savage 99 (I think that's what it was) when I was a kid, but it left when he did.

Some years ago I was given a Ruger in .30 carbine in partial payment for some work I did, but I shot it, didn't like it, so I sold it for the money.

We recently bought a house, and now I'm thinking that I need a gun.

My wife isn't crazy about the idea, but she's not really opposed, either.

Question is, what?

A pistol? A shotgun? A rifle?

How do I learn about guns? I don't want to buy a gun and not know how to use it.

 

[Red_SC]

Hey, where are you from? I'm sure there are plenty of people here (myself included) that would be more than happy to meet up with you if you're in our area. We could show you how to safely use a gun, and you could see what you're most comfortable with.

BTW, you're opening a can 'o worms.

 

[sturmruger]

Advice

Welcom JPL to The High Road.

What I would recommend is posting what area of the country you live in. Most likely you live within 1 hour of another member. Every time a new guy shows up and wants to learn about guns he will get a whole bunch of offers to go shooting. This is the ideal way to go about learning more about guns. You will basically be able to learn from our mistakes. It will also give you the opportunity to shoot a bunch of guns that you would never be able to try at a range by yourself. The last couple of guns that I have bought we purchased because I was able to shoot them at the range. When I saw them at the show it was a no brainier to pick them up.

Until you have shot some other guns don’t make the mistake of buying whatever gun they recommend at the gun shop. Form an opinion first by shooting the gun yourself and then decide if it is a gun you would like to own

 

[sturmruger]

WOW Red great minds think a like.

 

[Leatherneck]

JPL,
Welcome. You came to the right place. Read around here and on the predecessor to this forum, called The Firing Line (it's archives only, but contains a lot of good, timeless info). Once you're comfortable with the four rules, try going to a range that rents guns by the hour, and try a couple. There are courses of training you can take that are sanctioned by the NRA, usually available through shooting clubs or gun stores.

As has been observed on THR many times: the weapon is what's between your ears; the gun is just a tool. The key to developing a successful weapon then is to improve what's between your ears--training. That traing can be a combination of a formal period or course, as well as what you teach yourself; or, more accurately, you allow others to teach you.

You obviously aren't afraid to ask questions, so that's a good start. Browse the other forums on THR, and if you're ever looking for something specific, try the search function. Good luck, and don't stop learning!

TC
TFL Survivor

 

[keyhole]

To add


Depends on where you live, ( already said), but like in town, or country. Shotgun better, "pucker factor" when you rack a round. Makes the BG's scat, in more ways than one. ( thereby saving you a lot of atty money, and time explaining dead bodies) Also bird shot good in house where others are, reduced penetration thru walls, making innocents a little safer. Would still ruin BG's day!

Best to meet up with some other members, and try out the toys!

 

[Valkman]

Hmmm, born on the 4th of July, eh?

Tell us where you are - if you're around Vegas we can go out and shoot various evil weapons and see what you like and are good with.

 

[Red_SC]

WOW Red great minds think a like.

 

[telewinz]

20 gauge shotgun for starters, take her out and shoot a few clays with TRAP loads and use proper hearing protection. A Mossberg model 500 pump would do the trip.