Considering buying a gun... opinions

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:06 pm

Was thinking about purchasing my first gun. I've shot a few a few times, mostly small caliber rifles, but I have shot a 38 a few times, as well as a .45 colt gold cup special (My dad's).

So, any thoughts on what to get? Id like accuracy more then stopping power, but, a good combo would be nice, and, Id like to spend under $400, and (I know, getting picky now...) I'd like the ammo to be relatively cheap, as, Id like to shoot it at the local range a few times a month.

I was told to look at the FEG PA63... They're well within my price range, as well as accurate. I just find it hard to believe a "quality" gun can be had for under $200... any thoughts on any other models. I know, there is your standard .40 S&W, as well as a 9mm, or even a .45 ACP, but, Im open to suggestions.

Tom @ Snake River · Post by **Tom @ Snake River** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:26 pm

Your "FIRST" gun, come-on guy, get with the program.

BUt really, if you are looking for a handgun, it is up to your interests. I would deffinetly buy used. Its like buying a car, let the guy who bought it new take the depreciation.
However a good gun like any collectable should maintain a certain level of value.
I have always liked military, so I have a Springfield Armoury 1911-A1 and later picked up a Military Beretta. For ease of shooting, I would stick with the 9mm, it takes a real man to handle a 45 acp.
Again, buy what guns interest you.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 4:33 pm

If all you want to do is punch holes in paper targets, .22 rimfire is definately the cheapest way to go, ammo-wise. .22 pistols are available for as little as ten bucks for a "Saturday night special" that might make a 6" group at 10 yards or as much as a couple thousand dollars for a match-grade pistol that you can drive tacks with at 50 yards.

For hunting anything bigger than squirrels or rabbits, though, you'll want something a tad bigger. Good older Colt and/or Smith & Wesson .357 magnums of .38 specials can be had for under a hundred bucks almost anywhere. Ammo for them is way more expensive than .22 rimfire, but is probably the cheapest "big gun" ammo available. As the bore diameter goes up, so does the price per round.

Of course, there's always the black powder option, too. Some of the reproductions of the old "cap & ball" Colt and Remington revolvers are surprisingly accurate. You can have the fun of casting your own balls or buy them ready-made, percussion caps are dirt cheap, and black powder isn't terribly expensive, either. Common calibers for these guns are .32, .36. and .45 if you're interested. Dixie Gun Works in Union City, TN will have everything you'll ever need in that line if you can't find it locally.

obxron · Post by **obxron** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 6:03 pm

Quality will cost but in the long run it is worth it. Cheap guns are cheap because they are made crappy and are unreliable. Taurus makes inexpensive reliable handguns, I have a Berretta clone 9mm. that I've fired several thousand rounds with no problem. My personal preference for self defense is a Colt 1911a1, easy to shoot, fairly accurate, reliable and it will drop an intruder with one hit, downside is that it is single action and only 7 shots. 45acp isn't cheap to plink away with either. Like Lifer said, 22cal for plinking is the way to go.
A quality revolver is the way to go for novice shooter, load it, point it and shoot unlike the semiauto that you have to load the clip, pop it in the gun, pull back the slide and shoot.
An important thing to consider when picking a pistol is that it fits comfortably in your hand, last thing you want is to be holding a pistol that feels awkward and bulky.
Last thing and most important is to always be safe.

milstencil · Post by **milstencil** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:35 am

My wife carries a Walther P22, which is really lite and is the right weight for her.
I carry the S&W Sigma 9mm, good weapon, but has a strong trigger pull.
When we go shooting everybody likes the 1911's! They don't make a finer gun! lots of fun, easy to clean and damn accurate at 50 feet which makes it good for home defense.
Ammo ain't cheap anymore, so make your choice accordingly.
Rick

Dicktater · Post by **Dicktater** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:29 am

My 22 Rimfire...not cheap but great shooter......

below is my H&K USP40 (not cheap it's German Made)

Below is my wifes S&W Airlight 357 Mag (Not cheap but only 12 oz.)and safe

bubba_got_you · Post by **bubba_got_you** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:01 am

i like my mauser for a rifle and my pt145 for a handgun but for a first gun i started with a 22. marlen

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:56 am

Depends on what it is you want the gun for. For simple plinking, as was mentioned, a handgun in .22 LR can't be beat. If you want a self defense arm, then there is a myriad of types and calibers you can choose from. I personally wouldn't go below a 9mm from a defense standpoint, but thats just my opinion. If I were you, I'd go with a short barreled .357 in a medium frame. You can always shoot .38 Special ammo with it if you don't want, or can't handle heavy recoil. Plus if at some point you do want the added oomph, its a simple matter of just loading it up with .357 mag ammo instead of buying another gun altogether. I've always been partial to S&W handguns and you can't go wrong with their products.

Now to comment on the .45 being for "real men", thats totally untrue. A .45ACP does not have the felt recoil that its larger relatives have. A .45 uses only a small powder charge to move that heavy bullet at relatively low velocities. Most times its the action of the slide in an auto making it appear to have enormous recoil when in fact it doesn't. Anyone who's fired a .44 mag or .500 S&W mag can attest to what real recoil is in a handgun is. The only reason I wouldn't recommend a .45 ACP for a newby is that most times that caliber is chambered in an semi-automatic action, which to some is a complicated machine. Better to get used to a wheel gun in a lesser caliber and then move up later when you have more experience and confidence. Also, .45 ACP ammo has become quite expensive lately...

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:39 pm

Well, the first thought that comes to my mind is you might want to make a quick decision so you can make your purchase before next Tuesday's election. Word is things concerning firearms puchases may make an abrupt change if Obama was to get elected, although he won't get there with my help.

Carter · Post by **Carter** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:37 pm

"although he won't get there with my help"
Or mine!

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:03 pm

Or mine! Thank goodness I already have a small arsenal.....and a copy of the Bill of Rights!

CREEPING DEATH · Post by **CREEPING DEATH** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 4:24 pm

I'd honestly suggest a Browning Hi-Power. Military grade, inexpensive, long-lived, inexpensive caliber, etc. They also generally fit M1911 holsters.
The PA63 is an OK piece but a bit of a bastard gun, the caliber in 9X18 Makarov but it doesn't use Makarov parts. If you get one let me know I have a magazine I'll sell you pretty cheap.

CD

nivek · Post by **nivek** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 6:54 pm

Hard to beat a medium frame six shot blue steel basic butt ugly revolver.

Nothing to go wrong, hard to break, easy to use, and doesn't take continue time at range to stay current with.

If you are not a *shooter*, every weekend or chance you get to go burn powder, revolver is hard to beat.

Model 13 simply the same gun but chambered in 357 Magnum. 38 Specials fire from 357, but not reverse. M-13 in that is a bit more useful cartridge choice wise.

Neat info on Model-10
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/model_10.htm

Wiki on Smith Model-10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_and_Wesson_Model_10

kevinL
NRA Certified Instructor
Shooter, Reloader, Bullet Caster, Political Irritant, etc, so on and so forth

HWooldridge · Post by **HWooldridge** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:32 pm

As Nickathorne said, "depends on what it is you want the gun for".

For sheer fun, destructive power and overall utility - it's hard to beat a shotgun. I'd recommend a Mossberg model 500 pump, probably in one of the M&P configurations with a plastic stock. They are almost indestructible, cheap and very reliable.

In a rifle, there is a reason Winchester sold over 5 million model 94's. In 30-30, it has many of the same characteristics as the Mossberg but in a rifle - cheap to buy and shoot, handy in the hand and plenty deadly on game. If you prefer a bolt action, the Remington 700 is a good choice. Semi-auto assault rifles are the rage now but also expensive to buy and shoot.

I can't really recommend a pistol - there are so many. I personally prefer a 1911 .45 for self defense but the old Colt style single action revolvers are comfortable to shoot and accurate. A good .22 rimfire is probably your best bet for overall utility but some folks simply want more gun. A buddy of mine has a Browning .22 with a laser sight and it's pretty fun to play with.

Try to find a friend who has a gun or two and buy them a few boxes of ammo in exchange for a shooting session. That will give you an idea of what you like and what it will cost to maintain.

djester · Post by **djester** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 7:10 am

You mentioned an FEG. I have an FEG Mark II, model APK, in 380APC that is a fine little gun. Also, very inexpensive. I think I bought it from a friend for $125, all but new.

Double action and has never failed to fire. Very much like a Walthers PPK I have in 32 cal. Small, well made little carry gun, fun and easy to shoot.

Dave

Considering buying a gun... opinions

Considering buying a gun... opinions

Guns...

Model 10 or -13 Smith and Wesson

Gun Recomendation