Thread: a few n00bie questions

To test guns you may check local ranges- sometimes you can rent various guns. Don't be over inticed by looks. My Glock is not a pretty gun but it functions with no problems.

Concerning a threaded barrel- unless you plan on getting a liscence for a surpressor I would say no to the threaded barrel.

You can easily spend half the amount you talked about and get a great handgun. I would suggest you search over this site because this subject has been covered a lot. You will get many various opinions on handguns here and no one is right or wrong.

Good luck with your search and don't be surprised when you get one and then want another, then another, then another...

Originally Posted by longshotsws

Since I'm planning to buy just one gun

Thanks for the advice!

It's the video game player in me that wants the silencer and laser sights. The cost doesn't bother me, but doesn't owning a silencer put you on a "list"... and not a good list - at least that's what I've heard.

Hello Mr Longshot. There is a lot of guns out there for way less than that plus there's a lot of weight there. I'll stick with the 1911/.45 as there will be a bunch along to tell you about their plastic guns. I would go with a Springfield, S&W, Kimber, or a Para. They all make out of the box shooters from $650 up. If your going to carry it I would consider a Commander size. That's a 41/4" barrel. Do some shopping and shooting if you can. Good luck.

First off find a handgun safety course. Next find a range that you can rent guns and try as many as possible. I would not leave out revolvers from your list. You said 1 gun, I would say a .357 mag with a 4" barrel about the most versible gun out there. Target ammo cheapest around, hunting ammo, defense ammo. Can be a fun plinker or stop a car. Conceal carry a autoloader is flater and easier to conceal. Good luck hope advise helps, but you will not stop at just 1.

Originally Posted by longshotsws

I apologize in advance if I've posted this in the wrong forum.

I'm 24 and planning to buy my first handgun. I have some experience shooting from my youth (15-17 yrs old), but I haven't shot in a while... although I play a lot of video games

Ha ha -- you're still in your youth. Enjoy it while you can

Anyway, this gun would be for self-defense, but I'd also like to shoot it at a range. Essentially, I'm looking for a multi-purpose gun. Since I'm planning to buy just one gun, I am willing to spend around $1,000 to $1,400.

As mentioned, one certainly does not need to spend that much in order to get a very good multi-purpose hangun, but at least we don't have to hold back.

Is 45 the best caliber for my needs? I'm a big guy so I'm not too afraid of recoil. Also, are threaded barrels good for my needs? I've been looking at this, but I'm obviously open to suggestions.

There isn't a "best" caliber. Personal preference, and yes, even personal bias plays a lot into the decision. If you like .45, then by all means pursue that. Other calibers to consider are the .357mag, .40, and 9mm. All of these are suitable for self or home defense. Of these, I believe that the .357 is the best all-round caliber, but is for the most part limited to revolvers.

Since you didn't mention the need for concealed carry, then a standard-sized handgun would be better suited for both home defense and range use. However, without knowing whether or not you want a revolver or auto, or what type of action you want, it would be hard to cull a suggestion from the hundreds of possibilities.

Thanks!

You're welcome!

PhilR.

If you are like me, you realized "I f someone breaks into my house at night, I only have golf clubs and a swiss army knife. oh crap, I need a gun." Since you have a solid budget, I would take your 1400 bucks and spend it this way.

FYI - the reason everyone is chuckling is that this WILL NOT BE your only gun. It starts out that way. But they are as addictive as Krispy Kremes. Krispy Kremes that shoot bullets.

OPTION 1.
1. Free
join handgunforrum.net and ask questions.
(cross that one off that as "done" I guess)
Alot of the people here are folks who rely on their guns (Law Enforcement / Soldiers) for their survival.

$200-300
2. Wherever you are from, find a good shooting range that also rents guns. You'll never know what you like until you fire em off so, I would spend 200-300$ in range rentals/ammo. If you have a reasonably priced rental range like here in Dallas/Plano (http://www.bullettrapinc.com) This should be a really easy process.

$350-1000
3. Gun purchase. Everyone will have their own opinion about the best gun. In a weird way, it is a lot like the fashion industry. "Glocks are sooo 2006! Spring Field XD's are sooo hot right now! Accessorize them with black Houge grips." You should know which one you like after you test fire some guns. Any gun that feels good, you will practice with and get better with. I've seen guys hit tight groups with Highpoints and I've seen guys miss barns with custom Dan W. 1911's. As far as caliber's go, I would recommend a swiss army/ multitool mid range caliber like 9mm (cheaper ammo) or 40cal (what i have).

$125-300
4. NRA course or CHL-type class/ additional shooting instruction/ DVD/.
FYI - A TON of stuff is also available at your local public library.
Not really sure where this should be in the order of the to-do list. (Shipwreck, Mark, Tnoi, Baldy, Sucklead - somebody help me out here)
If you have to bring your own gun (not sure on that), you might want to pick out something that you are comfortable first.


OPTION 2.
1. buy a $300 gun (used cougar, S&W sigma, Bersa)
2. $125 for instruction and spend the other
3. $975 in ammo and range fees PRACTICING with it. - If you run thousands of rounds through a decent quality gun, you will be lethal with it.

OPTION 3.
1. $300 just buy a Wii with Red Steel or MoH/play the hell out of it
2. $700 Walther P99 (def. my next gun) - trigger feels eerily similar.

Good luck

Thanks to everyone for all the suggestions. I have lots of very helpful information to digest!