Gun suggestions

[countdemoney]

I'm in the market for two or three guns and would appreciate suggestions, especially from owners. Budget is $1k to $2k. In all probability, I will buy a handgun and then pick either the rifle or the shotgun, but not both.

1. Rifle - something in a common caliber with decent range and stopping power. Needs to have a clip, but doesn't need to be out of a John Woo film.

2. Pistol - looking for a common caliber here. Movies make me want a .45 desert eagle, but there's movies and then there's real life. No smaller than a .40/10mm.

3. Shotgun - 12gauge. Pump or semi-auto.

In my youth, I was very good with rifle and shotgun, but have never used a pistol.

Suggestions for where to look off SF would be appreciated. If anyone knows Jan's current title, I can also stop at the bookstore.

 

[JetBlast]

All you'll ever need.

 

[Milhouse]

Shotgun: Remington 870 of some sort. These can be picked up very reasonably priced brand new from just about any sporting goods store, even Walmart, etc. You can get fancy versions, such as those with a Marine finish (for durability in saltwater environments), etc.

Most everyone I knew started out with an 870 when they learned how to hunt. Cheap, reliable, durable. I think you can get the base model for a few hundred bucks.

 

[crazyquik]

It really depends on what you're looking to do with the pistol and rifle. There are a lot of nice .40 S&W and .45 ACP pistols available, depending on what size you want (full size or compact).

Do you plan to hunt with the rifle at all?

That is an awesome M4 poster.

edit - in before this thread turns into a $hitstorm

 

[gnatty8]

If you start asking people for recommendations for a good, non-itch ski-mask, I am gonna get really worried..

 

[xchen]

I have a Glock 17 (9mm) that I received as a gift last year as my first gun. I specifically wanted this caliber as my first gun to learn to shoot with because 9mm ammunition is just so cheap. I'll be picking up another handgun at some point in 2009 and will likely get a revolver this time around. I haven't shopped around yet but I am thinking either a .38 special or a .45, might even go with something small and concealable.

As far as rifles, I have no experience with them but I would like to eventually purchase a shotgun and a rifle. Possibly a semi automatic AR-15 or something similar. If you ever get anything this big you really need to get a big, heavy gun safe to keep them locked up.

 

[NorCal]

Common sense would seem to suggest if you need to ask what type of gun to buy you don't have enough experience to justify owing one gun, let alone three.

On the other hand, you will never get the experince unless you buy a gun and this IS America so I say start with one and work from there. Its like buying clothes, if you run out and drop a **** load of $ before you really know what you want, you'll end up regretting something.

So i'd assume you are not hunting, if you are hunting ask a hunting buddy to use one of theirs until you get a feel for it.

If you want to get into the home defense/ Govt. fighting game, I say start with a .22 pistol. Its cheap to fire and you can get comfortable shooting (say a few thousand rounds) with something small, then work your way up if you need to. And despite what people will tell you, a .22 will stop just about anybody if-God forbid- you ever actually need to shoot at someone.

Please lock up you guns.

Oh and yeah Flame on!

 

[countdemoney]

Originally Posted by Milhouse

Shotgun: Remington 870 of some sort. These can be picked up very reasonably priced brand new from just about any sporting goods store, even Walmart, etc. You can get fancy versions, such as those with a Marine finish (for durability in saltwater environments), etc.

Most everyone I knew started out with an 870 when they learned how to hunt. Cheap, reliable, durable. I think you can get the base model for a few hundred bucks.

I believe I used a marlin pump 12-gauge when younger, and I know I've fired the the 870. I didn't know about the marine finish which sounds geeky enough for me to like it.

I'm not worried about the training - I was very, very good as a youth, but would probably do a hunter's safety course again just to brush up on gun safety since it's been so long.

re: uses.
It should be able to bring down an animal something around the size of an adult deer (200lbs). I'm no Putin.

 

[countdemoney]

Originally Posted by xchen

I have a Glock 17 (9mm) that I received as a gift last year as my first gun. I specifically wanted this caliber as my first gun to learn to shoot with because 9mm ammunition is just so cheap. I'll be picking up another handgun at some point in 2009 and will likely get a revolver this time around. I haven't shopped around yet but I am thinking either a .38 special or a .45, might even go with something small and concealable.

As far as rifles, I have no experience with them but I would like to eventually purchase a shotgun and a rifle. Possibly a semi automatic AR-15 or something similar. If you ever get anything this big you really need to get a big, heavy gun safe to keep them locked up.

AR-15's are large in size, but are actually quite small caliber, probably smaller than I would like. Usually, I keep guns disassembled. This isn't SWAT.

http://www.spike.com/video/sw-t-intro/2748774

 

[Spilotro]

The Springfield M1 series rifles are a superb choice for ANY application, aside from maybe large game (bear +).

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php

As for handguns, anything made by H&K (Heckler & Koch) is going to be incredibly reliable, accurate, and simply superb all around. I own a USP .45ACP with night sights, and it is the best handgun I have ever had. Stay away from magnum handguns for your first; something between 9mm and .45ACP (not including marginal calibers, such as .32ACP) should be your ice-breaker.

Best of luck! Be safe and have fun!

Edit: The AR15 is a superb choice as a rifle for any application, but as you mentioned, it is a smallish caliber. Some love it, and some (me) are skeptical. Also, the AR is NOT what I would call a large weapon; it is actually quite slim and light.

 

[Nil]

Originally Posted by NorCal

If you want to get into the home defense/ Govt. fighting game, I say start with a .22 pistol. Its cheap to fire and you can get comfortable shooting (say a few thousand rounds) with something small, then work your way up if you need to.

I'll second this advice. Pistols are hard to shoot and it takes a lot of practice to become reasonably proficient in them. Too many people start on a larger caliber handgun and develop terrible flinching habits and never get the hang of it. The plus side of getting a .22 is that good ones (I prefer the Browning Buckmark and Ruger MkIII) can be had for $250-300 brand new, so if you were so inclined, you could easily get one of those and a service caliber-sized handgun for not too much more.

The most important part of handguns is to make sure it fits you properly. A good method is to hold the pistol in a two-handed grip and choose a point on a wall. Close your eyes and bring the pistol to point at that spot. Open your eyes and see how close you are to it and if your sights are aligned properly. You'll basically need to go to a reputable gun store and handle as many pistols as you can to find the one that works best for you. If you're not concerned about carrying it concealed, choose a full-sized pistol, it will be easier to handle.

 

[VKK3450]

Glock model 22, full size .40 cal. Good hand size, solid stopping power, fun to shoot at the range. Only handgun I ever owned, so I cant comment against others, but I always liked it.

I did shoot a lot of guns before buying one though, and while I never owned another gun I liked and chose a Glock.

K

 

[Nahmeanz]

For a pistol get a 1911 - some quality manufacturers are Colt, S&W, Springfield Armory, Kimber, & Dan Wesson. If you want to spend the money and go custom then you can check out Ed Brown, Wilson Combat, and Les Baer.

 

[Piobaire]

...

 

[Jumbie]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

...

Have you become a pod merkur?