Suggest Gun for a new Citizen

[kd7nqb]

A buddy of mine immigrated from South Africa when he was a kid and for a number of reason (mostly financial) has just completed the process for becoming a US Citizen. Currently he works two jobs and goes to school for Marketing.

On Wednesday he will be finalizing the process and actually going through his ceremony to become a US Citizen. He will also soon be leaving our company to work for himself running a street side food cart. Many people in my company have expressed the fact that he is EXACTLY the kind of model immigrant we hope to see more of. Legally came in, speaks English fluently, almost done with his degree, works for a living. The group of us have considered chipping in and purchasing him a pistol to carry since he will be working on the street by himself. He is already excited about getting his CHL very soon.


Any suggestions on a good gun for him? We want something affordable from the "office charity pool" and something small enough for him to pop on his side or under his counter. We were thinking of a small .38spl or a .380 Auto. Any specific suggestions?

 

[The-Fly]

ultimately he has to decide what gun fits him the best. 38 revolvers are cheap and reliable. Personally, I'd want more firepower in the form a glock or xd 9mm, but thats just me.

 

[JLStorm]

Can you all chip in to buy a gift certificate to a reputable gun store? Then he could pick what he liked best and still have it be a gift from all of you.

 

[Trebor]

Print out the info on getting a Garand from the CMP. Since you *have* to be a U.S. citizen to buy a gun from the CMP, having him get a Garand would truly mark his change in status. (Resident aliens can own guns in most states, but are not eligible to buy from the CMP).

There's nothing like saying, "Today, I am a U.S. citizen," like getting a battle rifle right from ex-army stores through the CMP.

 

[230RN]

While reading the original post, something light, like the .380 or .38 SPL, also occured to me. No specific recommendation --let him pick it out.

Interesting that everybody in your outfit was so agreeable to providing him with a firearm. Can you e-mail me a job application?

Tell him congratulations from me. I didn't have to work for my citizenship --it just happened, back in 1940.

I often wonder what would happen if born citizens such as myself had to actually work at it, and learn some US history, to re-gain citizenship.

It'd be a different US of A, wouldn't it?

 

[CK]

Ruger SP 101.

 

[hagar]

For concealment, A Kel-tec P32 or P3AT.

Otherwise, A FAL. That used to be South Africa's military rifle.

Say HI to him from a fellow South African living in the US.

 

[BobTheTomato]

Nothing is more American than Dirty Harry's 44 magnum or a 1911. All things considered a good .38 snubbie would be a good gift.

 

[Kaylee]

If it's to mark being an American.... M1 or AR. As already mentioned, nothing like your nation's service rifle. Everyone should have one.

It it's also to be a carry pistol.. well, I'm still partial to the 1911 again just for the heritage of it, but practically speaking the "lets go to the store and let you pick one" prolly works better.

 

[universal]

When I became a U.S. citizen, I got myself a gun to mark the day. I got a Colt 1991A1. Nothing is more American than a .45ACP. That being said, I think a Smith & Wesson J frame will work for what you explained, plus every American should own a Smith & Wesson. The gun is made here and both the .38 Special and .357 Magnum are American calibers. You should be able to find a nice used one.

 

[MikeH]

I became US citizen in November last year. The first firearm I ordered afterwards is a CMP Garand. Still waiting for it at the moment, though.

If the nice folks here want to chip in for me, too, I'll be more than happy to partake in your generosity.

 

[rangerruck]

I really like the idea of the xd9. also it is tough to beat a snubby, no hammer revolver. lastly , because it is small with no real edges, a kel tec in 9mm , holds 10 rounds in a very small package.

 

[nitesite]

2" snubnose revolvers are among the hardest for novice shooters to accurately shoot.

 

[romma]

Almost anything that goes bang! That's what being American is all about!

 

[Outlaw Man]

+1 on the J frames. Great guns, relatively cheap if you look around for a used one.

It doesn't get much more American than that, though the same could be said about most of these suggestions.

 

[fireflyfather]

Nitesite may be correct. Therefore:

Maybe your farewell party for the guy can be at the range, so he can get familiar with the thing, and everyone who paid for it can put a few rounds through it too.

 

[MD_Willington]

A Garand...A rifle designed for the USA by a man who immigrated to the USA...

A Canuck BTW...

 

[svtruth]

Many great suggestions

for a FIRST gun.
I like the service rifle idea.
What about a SA Colt in .45?
1911 seems a layup.
Levergun in .45 to keep the Colt company?
Whatever, tell him welcome.

 

[hso]

If his first gun is a defensive handgun then it is essential that he gets what fits him so that he can use it more effectively. That means taking him shooting and finding out what fits him if you want to gift a firearm to him. A gun that doesn't fit isn't useless, it's just not as god as one that points naturally. See pax's site (corneredcat.com) for how to fit a gun.

Frankly, the best thing you could do for him is convince him to stay out of the steet vendor arena and work in a low threat job.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

+1 hso

Your friend needs to pick it out.

If there are several of you who shoot, or if there's a range where equipment may be rented, he should have the opportunity to try lots of different formats and packaging.

My only other recommendation is a good .22 LR pistol as a practice/learning tool.

Everybody needs a good practice and fun gun, and the .22 is just right for that.

Congratulate your friend for us.

 

[CountGlockula]

A Glock 9mm model 17 or a Ruger .357 revolver.

Pesonally, I'd pitch in to pay for a basic-intermediate handgun self-defense course. I wasn't sure if your friend has had experience using a handgun.

 

[kd7nqb]

Alright well from your feedback I agree maybe we are better off with a bit of a range party where he can get the feel of a lot of different weapons. As for the firearm suggestions looks like the gift certificate idea is not a bad one.

 

[Professor K]

Nothing says America more than a 1911 in .45acp.

 

[SoCalShooter]

That sounds great, congratulate him for me, I would hope we get more immigrants like that. As for the pistol, he should spend some time at a few local ranges that have compact weapons, its a personal thing and its best to let the person who is going to carry the weapon choose what fits them best.

 

[gp911]

I'd be considering something like a used Model 10. They're abundant and easy shooters. If you're actually buying a new gun I'd consider something inexpensive but reliable like a Rossi snubbie in .357 Mag or a Taurus model 85. If he really likes semi-autos then there are several to choose from.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I'd probably gather the cash and then take him to a gun shop with the cash in HIS pocket, then let him try different guns on for size. If you collect enough a Springfield 1911, SP101, or any number of other guns could fit the bill nicely.


gp911