Recommend a firearm

[Obturation]

I'd have to follow the trend, a 357 DA/SA revolver. 4" for convenience or 6" if carry isn't the first concern. Not much a 357 can't do if in the right hands, I wouldn't want to take on a moose with one but I'm sure it would work if properly loaded and the shooter did their part.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

M110A2 Howitzer.



Failing that think if I was pressured to recommend a specific handgun for a new shooter it would be a 9 mm M&P Shield. Preferably a first-generation model.

1. It's a relatively inexpensive handgun. At least it was before Coronageddon.

2. It's small enough to conceal easily and people who are not committed to concealed carry will still carry it.

3. It's an easy gun to shoot well.

4. Nine rounds is adequate to most self defense needs.

5. They won't be too butt hurt when they eventually move on to something else.

I think I told this story before but the senior pastor at my church approached me one morning and asked for my advice on what kind of handgun he should get for concealed carry.

I didn't even actually suggest a gun I just told him that I carried an M&P 9 and without any further examination of the gun he said that's too big. That's too much to carry. Somebody told me later that he ended up with a Glock 42 and they weren't even sure that he carried that ever.

Now if somebody asks me I just recommend the Shield and list the reasons I mentioned above except for the part about people not being committed.

 

[spraay]

but, still only recommend one.

I'm going to presume someone wants a general purpose firearm for defense and possibly pursuing game in the days of Covid. I would recommend the Remington 870 Express 12Ga Combo with 28" shot barrel and 20" slug barrel.

This recommendation covers a wide range of hunting and self-defense scenarios (with appropriate ammo) and in these weird times where all manner of tactical firearms and hand guns are in short supply, finding shotguns is still (relatively) easy.

SP

 

[Ranb]

I think the best all around gun is going to be a 12 gauge like a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Can be configured with or without a stock, long or short barrels, smooth or rifled bores and shot or slugs.

Best small rifle will be any 22lr bolt gun. Best mid power semi would be an AR-15, the modular design chambers anything from .17 to 50 BMG. A TC Contender or Encore can be chambered is just about anything form 17 to 73 caliber; handgun or long gun.

 

[jmr40]

If I could only keep one gun for every possible use it would be my 870. Especially if I can have more than 1 barrel. If limited to only one barrel then the 21" turkey barrel that is threaded for interchangeable choke tubes is the one I'd choose. A little short for long range ducks and geese, but with the right choke tube could work. A little longer than most would choose for SD, but a lot better than most 26"-30" hunting barrels.

To be honest, that is the gun that I use the least. I have much better, but more specialized options for what I do. I guess you could say my 870 is a "Jack of all trades", but "A master of none".

 

[SharpDog]

my DDM5V7 with an additional 6.5G upper (both set up identically).

Why? Well, Only one gun so it would have to be a rifle. My DD only has one serial no. so it is legally one gun. Can take both 5.56 and 6.5G calibers. Good from point blank to 600 yds or more. Hunting, Self-defense, target shooting ... it's all good.

 

[CapnMac]

Out of my own safe, it's pretty easy. LE6920 and a G19.

Ergo on the 6920 makes it quick to learn basics, which allows focusing on learning fundamentals. Parts and accessories are common (even if ammo is scarce).

Simplicity on the G19, no controls to fuss with, again plenty of accessories & parts (if with, possibly worse ammo availability).

 

[Demi-human]

I wouldn’t do that to anyone.

How could I? My eclectic taste is vast and different from anyone else’s. Bordering in its usefulness at times.

Should I suggest them get an eighteen pound target rifle that’s 54” long? And a $1600 scope to go with it.

A large bore magnum seven pound hand cannon for a first pistol? Or one that is diminutive, difficult to shoot, and in a marginal defense cartridge?
Black powder frontstuffer perhaps?

And while I do enjoy my inexpensive Turkish shotguns, I don’t really recommend them.
Someone already has to want an AR-15 12 gauge for me to be willing to endorse them.

So, the question is about us as the recommender, rather than our imaginary recommendie? What would I recommend with no more knowledge of the person, or usage, than "I want"?

That’s how I looked at it too.

No, I can’t really just randomly suggest anyone buy a firearm based on what I’ve got.
They are most likely going to be very disappointed, broke and perhaps injured.

This is an impossible question to answer without narrowing down the uses.

Exactly. Even my most mundane choices could be a huge error based merely upon user intent, even where the user lives.

I guess based upon my ownership experience I would suggest to a faceless human I haven’t met that wanted a firearm to get...one.



I like mine and they really are fun!

Very interesting to think about, @film495. Neat thread!

 

[hso]

still only recommend one

What fits the person. It is almost always a noob mistake to tell someone else they need to be using a specific firearm.

 

[Demi-human]

Unless it’s a 1911...

 

[Ernie Bass]

What fits the person. It is almost always a noob mistake to tell someone else they need to be using a specific firearm.

So very TRUE! And it is a mistake to tell anyone with a lot of experience what weapon he should carry for his own EDC. But it sure does not stop some on THR.

 

[Armored farmer]

My pick is based solely on the joy of shooting and learning an old honorable discipline of traditional muzzleloader.
I have as much fun with this gun as any I own.
No extra equipment like reloader, optics, primers,cartridges.?...but it does require quite a few specific items of plunder to operate.

Can you guess what it is?


A .45 caliber flintlock.
If you have never tried it, you should. It is the paterfamilius.

 

[Ernie Bass]

My pick is based solely on the joy of shooting and learning an old honorable discipline of traditional muzzleloader.
I have as much fun with this gun as any I own.
No extra equipment like reloader, optics, primers,cartridges.?...but it does require quite a few specific items of plunder to operate.

Can you guess what it is?
View attachment 947954

A .45 caliber flintlock.
If you have never tried it, you should. It is the paterfamilius.

Beautiful Rifle. And just now after all these years, understanding the Beauty of the Black Powder muzzle loader. All the fundamentals of shooting in one gun. Not to forget the discipline of making ONE SHOT count.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

So very TRUE! And it is a mistake to tell anyone with a lot of experience what weapon he should carry for his own EDC. But it sure does not stop some on THR.

Mmm hhhmmm. I’ve soured pretty badly on discussing firearms with anyone lately. Know it alls have ruined my interest in the discussions.

 

[Ernie Bass]

Gosh How I love history. And the reason I am a gun enthusiast today is because of the inspiration of many good books about history, like The Last of the Mohicans, which I read as a very young lad while camping with the family like we did every summer.Sitting around a campfire in the dark woods and reading about Hawkeye and his adventures is so vivid in my mind.
Yep, a flintlock is on my bucket list.

 

[Bfh_auto]

The one gun I have that I would recommend to everyone is my Rossi 92 in 357.
The recoil is easily manageable. It has a short LOP and is light.
I wish I hadn't waited so long to get mine

 

[WisBorn]

So you are looking for a good recommendation from someone with real experience.
I couldn't recommend a African Safari rifle, past what my friends have used and the animals that they have taken. The same goes for Bears and Alligators.

When it comes to whitetail deer I think what I would recommend holds merit. Forty years of experience hunting five states. All different types of terran from swamps and marshes to thick woods and mountains.
Muzzle loader and Shotgun restrictions, archery, pistols, and my favorite hunting with a rifle. I have used 18 different firearms including all types of designs and six bows. In addition I group hunted for many years so I can draw in from that experience. I also have had to finish the job for hunters that made poor shots and in two cases didn't use enough gun and that had a poorly designed bullets.

That said, my recommendation is a bolt action rifle in 308 win. The bolt action is accurate, allows for a second shot and is available in a broad range of prices for right and left handed shooters. The 308 has enough energy at all sensible hunting distances. It also can use reduced recoil loads for young hunters or people that don't want the recoil. The combination is also capable for large game such as elk.

My close friend asked me 2 years ago what rifle to start his 8 year old son with. He went with a Browning A bolt in 308. Last night my buddy sent me a picture of his son's 4 deer a 3 year old Wisconsin 8 point. Using reduced recoil loads the rifle preformed as expected

Yes there are other great cartridges and rifle types, but for an all around whitetail rig a bolt action 308 is a great choice topped with a 3-9 or 2-7 scope of good quality.
That said, my favorite hunting rifle is a Weatherby Mark V ultra lightweight in 7mm Rem Mag. I don't recommend it as a first hunting rifle. It has more recoil than many shooters can manage. It does have more range and energy than the 308, but not enough at sensible ranges for a new shooter.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Gosh How I love history. And the reason I am a gun enthusiast today is because of the inspiration of many good books about history, like The Last of the Mohicans, which I read as a very young lad while camping with the family like we did every summer.Sitting around a campfire in the dark woods and reading about Hawkeye and his adventures is so vivid in my mind.
Yep, a flintlock is on my bucket list.

View attachment 947957

I watched that film two days ago.

 

[Drifter27]

Good quality 14.5" barrel ar15 chambered in 556 with a low power scope

 

[Archie]

Due to my life, I know a bit about defensive and concealed arms. My first choice is the Browning falling link design, commercially known as the Colt Government Model and frequently the "1911". For those who feel the recoil too much, perhaps something in 9x19mm may be more comfortable. A decent revolver (in my world that's a pinned barrel Smith & Wesson) revolver, minimum cartridge of .38 Special, maximum of .45 AutoRim. For those with no real experience and no desire to become a 'serious shooter', a Glock pistol in 9x19mm.

I know a little about hunting in North America. For most game of elk or smaller, a 'convenient' (weight and length) bolt or lever action rifle of between .25" and 7mm - not magnums - will do nicely for most people. Moose and larger game usually require a bit more bullet (so to speak) and large dangerous game (the sort who eat one or just tapdance on one's skull) also require a bit more 'margin' of power. Presumably one will start smaller and study larger things as needed.

Grist for the mill.