First gun...please help!

safetyman

safetyman

Joined
Sep 8, 2008
Messages
3,766
Hello everybody,

I know there have been countless "which first gun?", and this probably belongs in a dedicated gun forum, but I thought you guys would be able to aid me in my decision.

Okay, here is my situation: I have been bothering my father about two of the guns he owns, a 1913 German Luger and a S&W .357. He has agreed to let me have one of them but I have to choose just one. He told me that the Luger has matching serial numbers and the S&W has an 8" barrel. I am totally new to guns and have no idea which would be better for a first gun. I understand that I should (or must) get an FFL and plan on getting one in the near future (while it's still relatively easy to get one). I also understand that the decision really depends on what I want to do with the gun.

The Luger is really interesting to me since research has shown that it has a pretty colorful history. The S&W is a multi-purpose type gun and looks to be more of something I would actually own if I didn't have this choice.

So, I am looking for help in the predicament of mine. Please advise me in my decision....which one would you choose?

THANKS!!!
 
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you know, I'm not gonna lie, I don't think either is suitable for a first gun, wait hold that, have you shot a gun before? If so what gun?

Now, if you have not shot before my above statement holds true, if you have shot before go with the S&W(it is a revolver right?) reliable beyond anything, powerful round, accurate, and it should be easy to shoot due to the long barrel.

Now, if you have not shot before I would start with a used Browning Buckmark .22LR or a Ruger Mark II .22LR these guns are almost too much fun to shoot, and ammo is ALWAYS readily available and cheap, good guns to develope your grip, trigger control, and siht alignment/sight picture-the fundementals is where good shooting is based.

Hope I helped
 
Choosing between those two would be a personal choice. The Luger has undeniable historical interest (I have one). The .357 is a powerful handgun that will take care of all your needs, albeit with a bulky package. And you can shoot .38 loads if the recoil is too stiff for long shooting sessions.

Have you fired the Luger? Mine is rather finicky about ammo; a lot of what is on the market today is not the right specific impulse recoil to cycle the action reliably, and I get regular jams. This is also dependent on the condition of the magazines.
 
safetyman said:
Hello everybody,

I know there have been countless "which first gun?", and this probably belongs in a dedicated gun forum, but I thought you guys would be able to aid me in my decision.

Okay, here is my situation: I have been bothering my father about two of the guns he owns, a German Luger and a S&W .357. He has agreed to let me have one of them but I have to choose just one. He told me that the Luger has matching serial numbers and the S&W has an 8" barrel. I am totally new to guns and have no idea which would be better for a first gun. I understand that I should (or must) get an FFL and plan on getting one in the near future (while it's still relatively easy to get one). I also understand that the decision really depends on what I want to do with the gun.

The Luger is really interesting to me since research has shown that it has a pretty colorful history. The S&W is a multi-purpose type gun and looks to be more of something I would actually own if I didn't have this choice.

So, I am looking for help in the predicament of mine. Please advise me in my decision....which one would you choose?

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...

Ask your dad to clean and oil the Luger, thank him and take it, then get a secure safe (a good-sized one, as this won't be your only gun) and put it in there and don't touch it again. You'll thank me in about 20 years - trust me. Then, buy yourself a Ruger Mark II (pistol), a Ruger 10/22 (rifle) and/or a S&W Model 63 (revolver). These are all .22 caliber firearms.

Your first gun shouldn't be a collectible 9mm "antique" or a heavy, unwieldy .357 (even though you can shoot less-powerful .38's in it). It should be a .22 with which you can learn the proper way to handle a handgun or rifle. I have many firearms from WWII Garands to Daisy BB guns (in MA a BB gun is classified as a firearm - don't ask). My favorites are still the .22's.

You certainly don't require an FFL - that's a licensed firearms _dealer_. You likely will need some kind of a permit issued by your state or the police, depending where you live. Check the NRA website for more information on that score. While on the site, join. All gun owners, IMHO, should be a member of the NRA.

Your dad probably knows a quality gun store in your area. Ask them for local trainers and courses; take a safety course. Learn how to store, handle and clean a gun safely. Learn and practice the four Gun Laws. Then have fun. But be careful: one thing more expensive than liking knives is liking guns.
 
If you want it to shoot then the .357 would be the choice, if you want it to collect the Luger. Personally I'd jump all over the Luger, you can always buy a S&W later if you want one.

As for the FFL, you don't need one to own a firearm. The FFL is a license to sell firearms as a business, while it's nice to have one it's not required. You can still sell w/o the FFL as an individual.
 
+1 on 22's even better if you can learn with a single shot. It helps keep you from rushing shots by forcing you to take time between shots. Also, since you only have one shot you're more apt to make it count imo.
 
I also would take the Luger, it is a collectors item you may never see again. Like the others said you can always pick up a S&W revolver, and I hear Oregon is not too hard on gun owners.
 
larry44 said:
Ask your dad to clean and oil the Luger, thank him and take it, then get a secure safe (a good-sized one, as this won't be your only gun) and put it in there and don't touch it again. You'll thank me in about 20 years - trust me. Then, buy yourself a Ruger Mark II (pistol), a Ruger 10/22 (rifle) and/or a S&W Model 63 (revolver). These are all .22 caliber firearms.

Your first gun shouldn't be a collectible 9mm "antique" or a heavy, unwieldy .357 (even though you can shoot less-powerful .38's in it). It should be a .22 with which you can learn the proper way to handle a handgun or rifle. I have many firearms from WWII Garands to Daisy BB guns (in MA a BB gun is classified as a firearm - don't ask). My favorites are still the .22's.

You certainly don't require an FFL - that's a licensed firearms _dealer_. You likely will need some kind of a permit issued by your state or the police, depending where you live. Check the NRA website for more information on that score. While on the site, join. All gun owners, IMHO, should be a member of the NRA.

Your dad probably knows a quality gun store in your area. Ask them for local trainers and courses; take a safety course. Learn how to store, handle and clean a gun safely. Learn and practice the four Gun Laws. Then have fun. But be careful: one thing more expensive than liking knives is liking guns.
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Well said - my sentiments exctly. :thumbup:

If you only knew the things I wish I had bought and put in a safe 20 or 30 years ago.
 
luger. never pass on an old gun. you'll always regret it. especially if it's your fathers!
you can't replace memories. you can always buy any ole' 357.
 
I'd say throw the luger in the safe and buy yourself a rimfire or a 9mm.

Oregon is shall issue state so if you meet all of the qualifications (take a class, pay $60, and don't have a record) then they have to give you a concealed carry permit.

You have to be careful in Portland though. Even though there is a state law specifically prohibiting cities from banning concealed carry, Portland has such a rule on the books anyway. A lot of the cops up there don't know about the state law that trumps the city ordinance so even though you are perfectly legal it can still cost you a lot of hassle and legal fees.
 
Take the Luger. They are not making any more of them and its a fine shooter. Get another gun afterwards.
 
Another vote for the Luger. You can always buy a "user" gun.

DancesWithKnives
 
Safetyman, does the luger have any family history? (i.e. did grampa liberate it from a Nazi?) Next question, are you likely to inherit the Luger when your Dad passes away? If so, choose the gun suitable for all round use, not the heirloom.

-- FLIX
 
I recently acquired my first guns and I have to say that my Ruger .22 rifle is a blast. It's easy to forget you're even paying for the ammo with how cheap it is compared to say, my friends Desert Eagle. I think it would make a good first gun.
 
larry44 said:
Ask your dad to clean and oil the Luger, thank him and take it, then get a secure safe (a good-sized one, as this won't be your only gun) and put it in there and don't touch it again. You'll thank me in about 20 years - trust me. Then, buy yourself a Ruger Mark II (pistol), a Ruger 10/22 (rifle) and/or a S&W Model 63 (revolver). These are all .22 caliber firearms.

Your first gun shouldn't be a collectible 9mm "antique" or a heavy, unwieldy .357 (even though you can shoot less-powerful .38's in it). It should be a .22 with which you can learn the proper way to handle a handgun or rifle. I have many firearms from WWII Garands to Daisy BB guns (in MA a BB gun is classified as a firearm - don't ask). My favorites are still the .22's.

You certainly don't require an FFL - that's a licensed firearms _dealer_. You likely will need some kind of a permit issued by your state or the police, depending where you live. Check the NRA website for more information on that score. While on the site, join. All gun owners, IMHO, should be a member of the NRA.

Your dad probably knows a quality gun store in your area. Ask them for local trainers and courses; take a safety course. Learn how to store, handle and clean a gun safely. Learn and practice the four Gun Laws. Then have fun. But be careful: one thing more expensive than liking knives is liking guns.
Click to expand...


This! Take the Luger and put it away in the safe without ever firing it.


Awhile back I was given a cap and ball revolver that was carried by my great great great grandpa. It means more to me then if someone would have just given me a handgun I can shoot. I can always buy a shooter, it's hard to buy a weapon with historical significant for the same price.
 
gruntinhusaybah said:
you know, I'm not gonna lie, I don't think either is suitable for a first gun, wait hold that, have you shot a gun before? If so what gun?

Now, if you have not shot before my above statement holds true, if you have shot before go with the S&W(it is a revolver right?) reliable beyond anything, powerful round, accurate, and it should be easy to shoot due to the long barrel.

Hope I helped
Click to expand...

Thanks Grunt, you helped a lot. I know I need to start with something a little more forgiving since I am a first timer. Perhaps I should suggest to him that I'll take the Luger and then go take a class or two in gun safety and handling. I titled this thread wrong, I was just wondering which gun you guys would rather take if given the choice. I really had no intention of going out and shooting either on anytime soon because I really have no idea what to do.

FLIX said:
Safetyman, does the luger have any family history? (i.e. did grampa liberate it from a Nazi?) Next question, are you likely to inherit the Luger when your Dad passes away? If so, choose the gun suitable for all round use, not the heirloom.

-- FLIX
Click to expand...

You know, I'm not exactly sure if I'm next in line for the Luger. If I am, it'll be a while before anything gets passed down because he's still relatively young. I also don't know if the Luger has had any family history, my Grandpa was in the Navy during WWII and it is entirely possible that he did get it at that time. I realize I have not done enough research on this topic :o.
 
This is not exactly answering your question, but may help you in future decisions. From over 40 years shooting experience I believe that 99% of any shooting needs can be handled with a basic four gun battery: a .22 rifle; a 12 guage shotgun; a 4" .357 revolver; and a 30-06 (or equilvant) rifle.
 
I have to agree with bladefoolish. Which, of course, hasn't stopped me from buying about 30 other guns. :)
 
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