First gun...please help!

Yup, four guns is all you really need for about anything. I would have different guns than Bladefoolish, but basically the same idea: .17hmr rifle(If you ever get to shoot a .17 you'll never want to touch a .22 again), 12ga shotgun, .45 1911 (revolvers are for old guys :D ), .308 rifle (pretty close ballistics to an aught six, but match grade ammo is easier to find and barrels last a little longer)

Ask twenty different people and you will get twenty different lists of four guns. Most people will still have the same basic idea though: a rimfire rifle, a shotgun, a large caliber handgun, and a centerfire rifle. That also happens to be the order I would recommend buying them in if you can't afford to get them all at once.
 
"I have to agree with bladefoolish. Which, of course, hasn't stopped me from buying about 30 other guns"

Uhh. . . me neither.
 
"Yup, four guns is all you really need for about anything. I would have different guns than Bladefoolish, but basically the same idea: .17hmr rifle(If you ever get to shoot a .17 you'll never want to touch a .22 again), 12ga shotgun, .45 1911 (revolvers are for old guys ), .308 rifle (pretty close ballistics to an aught six, but match grade ammo is easier to find and barrels last a little longer)"

Yep, the depate can go on forever. Those four listed aren't necessarily my favorites -- I believe that the 1911 is the greatest handgun ever invented, and I love my Savage 99 in .308 -- but, imo, the most practical, i.e. the .357 can handle a wide range of loads and bullet types, .22 ammo is cheap and easy to find.
 
Moving to Gadgets & Gear. I've said it a million times so far...just because you post mostly in W&SS it doesn't mean you can post any topic you wish. We have forums dedicated to your question. Please utilize the correct forums for your "off topic" threads.
 
neither are the prime "first" choice.
luger IMHO, its a historic piece of history.
buy a .22 rifle or .38 pistol as a first "shooter" gun
 
if ur going to collect take the luger. if you need a gun to use take the 357. if you don't have any experience use 38 specials in the 357 until you learn how to handle it.

luger tolerences were held too close. once they heat up from firing they jam. germans were too good at what they did. take a gov model 45 shake it from side to side and listen to it ratle. it was designed not to jam from expansion due to heat. an 8 inch barreled 357 shouldn't be hard to handle. have a 2 1/2 inch model 66 and it was't hard to handle once i fired it a couple of times. a little on the loud side and had to change the grips to packmyers, a little more to hold on to. think changing the grips would be a good idea to any person new to handguns. just my 2 cents
 
safetyman said:
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.



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.
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With these two bolded clarifications, get the Luger.
 
I've had a couple situations in which a relative told me they were leaving me some item, but circumstances changed. Another relative talked them out of it (my grandfather's gold pocket watch), they lost it (jewelry), it was stolen (really nice 4WD gear), they sold/traded it (cabin), someone else snatched it (derringer), etc. If something like the Luger is offered and you think you might like it, take it when you have the opportunity and sincerely thank the generous donor. Otherwise, there's no telling whether you'll ever see it again.

DancesWithKnives
 
It it was me I would take the Luger and put it some where very safe. For a first gun I would look for a 9mm semiauto. My wife's first pistol is a subcompact XD9. She had no problem shooting it and getting through her classes and she had never fired a gun prior to her first class.

There are several great semiautos out there. Glocks, XD, Kahr, S&W, Ruger etc... My advice is head on down to Keith's on Powell in Gresham. They have a huge selection. Take the time to look at and handle everything. I did that with my wife and told her cost was not a problem. She picked out a what felt right for her and she is happy with it. Also send me an email at jadeuvall@hotmail.com next time you are heading out to hang out with River 8 and the gang. If I'm headed that way I'll bring what I can and if we can find a sutable spot maybe we can even fire a magazine or two through each one so you can get a feel for a couple of differnt guns.
 
bladefoolish said:
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.
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I'd have to agree. Which is why the first handgun I bought was a 4" .357 revolver. Followed almost immediately by a 4" .22 revolver. (I LOVE my 617)

So to go back to the original topic: do just what a few other folks have said- take the Luger, store it away securely somewhere and buy a .22 (there are a number of *excellent* choices in revolvers and semis, seriously you can't go wrong), shoot the .22 a bunch and then you'll know what you really want.
 
bladefoolish said:
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.
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Amen!
 
TAKE THE LUGER!!!!!!

Then clean it and oil it and put it away and call it "your precious."

We doesn't shoot the precious.







We spends our own dollars on a stainless 4" .357 revolver (like a Ruger GP100), learn to shoot it, using .38s for cheap practice, and sight it in with good HP for home defense and we loveses it.

But we mustn't hurt the precious. No, we mustn't.

Vintage Lugers are worth so much that it's really a collector's piece and shouldn't be used for anything other than accumulating value.
 
Dibley said:
TAKE THE LUGER!!!!!!

Then clean it and oil it and put it away and call it "your precious."

We doesn't shoot the precious.







We spends our own dollars on a stainless 4" .357 revolver (like a Ruger GP100), learn to shoot it, using .38s for cheap practice, and sight it in with good HP for home defense and we loveses it.

But we mustn't hurt the precious. No, we mustn't.

Vintage Lugers are worth so much that it's really a collector's piece and shouldn't be used for anything other than accumulating value.
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Exactly what he said ^
 
Welcome to the world of guns!

id go with the LUGER, store it well and learn as much as you can about it and all others.

but dont shoot it, at least not very often ;)
 
Oh my...I forgot to subscribe to this and have missed all of the feedback you guys have left! Thanks to everyone for putting in their say to help out a newbie (at least when it comes to firearms). I still have a lot to think about and learn so I'll take my time with this.
 
Mr. Safteyman,

I have to say +1 to what Dibley said. Take your precious and loveses it. Dont shoot it. Well, maybe once. :)

For the most part, Handguns and Rifles are tools. You should be able to use it and learn without being handicapped with huge recoil impulses.

If you plan on buying a handgun, buy a handgun in the .22lr , 9mm or .38 special. The handguns in 9mm or .38 special could be dual purpose for defensive applications. Rounds are cheap and easy to come buy. Great for practice. And if you get a rifle, .22lr is a great caliber as well. Of course all my opinions. You will great advice from many on this forum, as i do.
 
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