First Gun

Maybe I´m not the right person to give advice because I haven´t shot a gun in years, yet I do feel I have something to say.

I think you should start with a non-automatic 22 rifle, you should find someone to show you, like a relative or an instructor, you should try diferent guns and be familiar with them before you buy one. Once you handle the 22 non-auto rifle well you can move on to handguns, automatic rifles, higher calibers, shotguns, etc.

When I was a kid and guns could be found and used legally in Mexico (that´s before 1968), my dad used to take us shooting, we had a bolt action, a kid sized pump and an automatic, all 22 rifles, a friend had a single shot 22 pistol, my grandad had a Winchester 30-30 lever action but they never let me shoot that one. Those were the days, You are lucky to be in the U.S.. Enjoy your rights and use them responsibly.
 
First let me say, I like guns. I'm not a gun nut (in my mind) but I probably own more than my share and always seem to want to get more (kinda like knives I guess).

The first thing you'll want to establish is do you really want a gun? It's a huge responsibility to own something that can take a life like a gun (and to an extent, knives too). Do you like to shoot guns? It sounds like you don't have a lot of experience there, you may want to try some out, take a class, go shooting with some friends before you take the leap. You might not like it, some people don't.

Once you decide you want a gun, you have to decide what it's for. Self-defense? Carry? Target shooting? Compettition? Collecting?

What's your budget? Guns go from pretty cheap to pretty expensive and the ammo is about the same not to mention the accessories.

Do you have the temprament to own a gun? Do you ever see yourself getting angry enough to shoot someone when your life's not on the line? Do you see yourself waving your gun at people who cut you off in traffic?

Where are you going to keep your gun? You can't just leave it anywhere. You don't want other people to be able to access your gun without your permission. Children, theives, angry girlfriend? You have to have a secure place to keep your weapon.

I know this sounds like paraniod no-fun talk but I think it's what people should consider before buying a gun. I know I don't want just any nut out there buying a gun.

One more thing...BB guns and pellet guns are guns too and should be treated as such.

Rob
 
Originally posted by nawrocki
http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/state/viewstate.asp?state=pa
Click to expand...


The first thing you need to know about guns is that the Brady Campaign are ANTI-GUN!

They want to take away your constitutional right to own a weapon and are working hard to reach that goal! They, my friend, are the enemy.

If you want no-nonsense honest discussion of gun laws visit www.packing.org
The National Rifle Association (www.nra.org) is THE resource for firerms training and helping you defend the right to keep and bear arms.
 
I finally noticed I should have moved this thread to Gadgets & Gear the first time I saw it. Well, there's nothing wrong with me that a brain transplant won't cure....
 
Pick up a decent quality manual loading .22. Learn the basics. Check out local gun/sportsmens clubs for any programs they might offer. And even if you have no intention of hunting, take a hunter's safety course. Firearms safety is one of the top things taught.

Paul
 
Yeah, why did this poster put up a link to the -- ugh! -- BRADY CAMPAIGN. Is this person a troll? How on earth could ANYONE mistakenly find him or herself at that website while looking for info on buying a first gun?

I want clarification on this one.

---Jeffrey
 
I agree with all of the previous folks that a .22 revolver is a great way to get started.

I'd like to throw in a recommendation for the Taurus. They are somewhat less expensive than most of their competitors and I've found them to be as good as anything on the market. My wife and I own five Taurus revolvers, including a .22, which have all performed very well.

--Bob Q
 
>"A friend from work invited me hunting a few weeks ago but I have never hunted so I turned him down."

=====================================

Huh!? Seems like this would have been a pretty fair opportunity to get around some guys who know guns. And you probably would have had a ball. There's no harm in not knowing how to do something - just charge in as an honest newbie with an open mind, willing to learn.
 
First, let me suggest you not seek initial training from a family member, guy at work, etc. While well intentioned and knowledgable, they are not really coaches or trainers. That is a difference lost to most people.

You also want to steer clear of extremely opiniated people. What works for me, probably won't for you. People are different, the types and brands of firearms are different. They come in different styles and different sizes for a reason.

Become an informed consumer before you spend your money.

I was blessed at one point in my life when I stumbled into an 'honest to god' training course offered at the local gun club. There were a group of instructors trained by Billy Taggert, a former military marksman of some fame in his time. Absolutely no ego's involved - pure training. I don't think I ever learned so much in such a short period of time. Had I not personally been there and witnessed my own personal improvement, I would not have believed it. All it cost me was ammunition. They did it as much as a public service as anything. FWIW, the women on average did much better because of the lack of ego and they listened - they weren't born knowing how to shoot so they learned more and paid attention to everything that was said when they were critiqued.

Before I recommend a pistol, rifle, or shotgun OR rimfire or centerfire firearm, I want to know what you want and what you expect out of this firearm. Plinking? Cheap? Quality? Target specific? Self defense? Sporting? Hunting? etc........

As mentioned elsewhere, as an FFL I cannot legally sell you a pistol - PERIOD. This is federal law and a federal offense if I do. If it is legal in your state and you are purchasing from someone who is not an FFL then, it very well could be legal. Do not participate in a "strawman" sale as that will get you and the other person involved jail time when you are caught. As an 18 year old, you can buy any rifle or shotgun you want from a legally licensed dealer. While I cannot quote NFA law, I believe that also includes Class 3 rifles and shotguns (full-auto and short barreled firearms) so, if you are really serious and have the money, you might want to investigate that avenue a little more to make sure you can get the Form 4 tax stamp.
 
For a "First Gun" for a non-shooter.....
After the Appropiate Traing Course is taken... :)

First Pistol..... .22 Caliber Ruger Mark II Target
First Rifle...... .22 Caliber Ruger 10/22

LG1
 
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