Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting 1st Handgun

[AMink]

If you're just looking for something to shoot, there is nothing wrong with a good . 22 Ruger, Smith, or Browning. If you want a bigger caliber, I'd suggest a 9mm or . 40 as the ammo is plentiful and you can get some good buys if you pay attention. I have two Springfield Armory XD40's, the Tactical (5" barrel) and the Subcompact (3" barrel). I like them both very much. They are very easy to clean and inherently safe. They also shoot quite accurately for out-of-the-box guns. There is also a large aftermarket for them should you need holsters, magazines, etc. You can probably pick up a used one for under $500, maybe closer to $400. Shoot as many guns as possible before you buy. If you can't shoot much, at least hold a lot. As mentioned above, not every gun fits every hand.

 

[sarj]

Want to learn to shoot try Gunsite Academy was best of the 4 different schools Ive been to

Gunsite looks interesting... what did you take there? I haven't had any formal training but I'm not so stupid to think I couldn't use it. Right now I run about 200-250 rds every three weeks or so at an indoor range in 9, 40, & 45 with the occasional 380 & 357 mixed in. Did you use a single weapon for training, or have a couple? Based on experience, which would you train with?

 

[dresslered]

Driftwood Ram (mine too) has some good advice about renting a few before you purchase. It has been my experience that these rental places require you to buy their ammo which is often loaded light. As for myself, my first was a 44-Mag Colt Anoconda. I don't get out much, so when I do, I wanted to make it count. My last handgun was a Beretta Pietro (Italy) 92FS, 9mm. Absolutely terrible!

 

[BIGNASTY]

Gunsite looks interesting... what did you take there? I haven't had any formal training but I'm not so stupid to think I couldn't use it. Right now I run about 200-250 rds every three weeks or so at an indoor range in 9, 40, & 45 with the occasional 380 & 357 mixed in. Did you use a single weapon for training, or have a couple? Based on experience, which would you train with?

Sorry I didnt get back sooner was out of state for a few days. The classes that I took were the pistol 150 and the 250 both with the wife she had very little pistol shooting so the 150 was more for her but I thought that is was good for me also. I think the more a person has been around guns that you feel your way is just as safe but in the 150 class I did learn a few things that were very very good. My training came from self defence in the military and special weapons training. It was for the Jungle and I wasnt to concerned with the safety of anybody in front of me. But in the 150 and more so in the 250 class it was more practical how to clear a house in low light conditions and because there might be someone you really dont want to shoot in the house I felt that it was the best of the classes that I have attended. The other course that I have taken was extreme long range rifle I was in it for way different reasons than most of the other students most were law enforcement and that kind of thing I was in it to learn for my hunting I shoot a 338/378 its a big bullet and long range is what its all about for this round. Shoot anything to close and there is so much damage that it becomes sausage. Where I hunt in MT we hunt the slides its where the trees have been cleared because of snow slides or land slides so the ranges are usually very long. I still dont feel comfortable shooting at Elk or Deer at anything over 800 yards. Its not that the gun wont do it its just me I still get really

AMPED up and shake like a dog chiting a peach seed. My Bro in law shoots and has hit Elk at 1000 yards and they drop like a sack of rocks. He shoots the same round as I. He just feels better about it. As for wepons I like the 45 ACP I just like big bullets. The wife shoots a 10 mm its the same bullet as the 40 just a different case she can control it better than my 45. They stress in the class that its not the size of the bullet or the power its if you can controll it no matter what you use if you hit someone with a BB gun its going to sting like He. . but you still have to hit them

 

[SRath]

... My desire to keep this permit forces me to be a civil person. I don't hang around trash. Moral turpitude - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I always wondered why you don't hang out with us on the politics forum... :-laf

I want to assure you that we only talk badly about politicians and none of us actually is one.

On topic: Definitely find a way to shoot as many as you can before deciding. No two people are alike on what fits, feels, and shoots best or what fits their needs best. The difference in size between my Glock model 22 . 40 cal and my Colt Commander . 45 is negligible until you shoot them and try to carry them. The Colt, a single stack with half the capacity is just a tiny bit thinner in actuality, but it packs a heckuva punch and seems much slimmer. That could be good or bad depending on your hands and comfort with the gun in them.

If you want to really shoot a lot, buy a Ruger Mark II . 22 cal, it is the only ammo that is affordable anymore. Sad but true. If self defense is your objective, buy legally from a private seller and leave the gubbermint out of it and don't get anything under . 40 caliber. 9mm's are not reliable man-stoppers.

 

[sarj]

I appreciate your comments Nasty. I gave it a look & already talked to the woman about it. I figured the 150/250 was a good start. I like 1911's and have them in 9's & 45's. It just wouldn't be my weapon of choice if push came to shove, I have a 686 7-shot and an XD in 40 dedicated for home protection, mainly because those are the ones that I could lose to an evidence locker if it ever came to that; hence the question. The woman likes the airweight smith I set up for her with the crimson trace. The only problem is that it's just a 5 shot. She also likes the EMP in a 9mm, but I told her she'd need to train with what she'll use. I don't know if I have time to get in there this year, but it looks like we'll probably hook up & hang in their RV section this year or next. Thanks for the tip.

 

[The patriot]

If self defense is your objective, buy legally from a private seller and leave the gubbermint out of it and don't get anything under . 40 caliber. 9mm's are not reliable man-stoppers.

Very recently there were individuals here on this forum almost arguing with me that a 380 was the way to go.

I cant CCW here, but when I visit the free USA I carry a 45 combat commander series 70.

If I'm wearing hot summer cloths I can use a colt pocket nine.

I know... shot placement yada yada yada, but if youre going to make holes bigger ones are ALWAYS better.

 

[AMink]

I carry a 45

"The only reason I don't carry something bigger is they don't make a . 46. "

Harkens back to the . 44 Mag being the most powerful handgun out there but I get a chuckle when I read it. Actually, I guess now they make the . 460S&W but that might be a little difficult to conceal!

 

[SRath]

Very recently there were individuals here on this forum almost arguing with me that a 380 was the way to go.
I cant CCW here, but when I visit the free USA I carry a 45 combat commander series 70.
If I'm wearing hot summer cloths I can use a colt pocket nine.
I know... shot placement yada yada yada, but if youre going to make holes bigger ones are ALWAYS better.

The CCW class I took had some hard numbers supporting this. There wasn't just a slight difference; it was a major difference between a . 40 or larger and a 9mm. It was based on actual gunshot wound and mortality studies and statistics.

Your chances of surviving a 9mm gunshot wound are actually pretty good. At the other end, they are extremely poor if a . 45 was used simply due to the shock and impact. Even the difference between a . 45 and a . 40 was quite surprising.

The police statistics of 9mm-shot perps that kept right on shooting back was alarming. So if you use 9mm, use lots and lots of bullets.

 

[dresslered]

I guess now they make the . 460S&W

Actually, they make a . 500S&W (and even a snub nose), but the . 460 feels nicer in my opinion.

 

[The patriot]

One can easily go broke getting/keeping proficient with those calibers.

The old 357/125gr federal load is hard to beat in a revolver.

I carry the 9 with the Federal 9BPLE load, it's supposed to be the best 9mm load.

I have a bunch of 45 ammo that's good to choose from.

I have a 40 but the ammo I have that was supposed to be good turned out to be unreliable and Remington wont do anything about it. Too bad, I got a metric ****-ton of it. #@$%!

 

[dresslered]

I totally agree on the . 357. One day I'll get one. I'm a big fan of just about any revolver.

 

[AMink]

Actually, they make a . 500S&W (and even a snub nose), but the . 460 feels nicer in my opinion.

I've seen those, though haven't fired one. I think I might need a back replacement if I wanted to carry it concealed! It's a big boy.

 

[dresslered]

I've seen those, though haven't fired one. I think I might need a back replacement if I wanted to carry it concealed! It's a big boy.

The . 460 with the muzzle brake is actually easier to fire than my Colt . 44Mag. What's really impressive with the S&W is the "ring of fire". Spectators are often heard saying "holy 5hit!"

 

[sarj]

I totally agree on the . 357. One day I'll get one. I'm a big fan of just about any revolver.

My 686 was my first hand gun, and I still love shooting it. I don't think you could do better for a first gun. It's also still the one I keep ready at all times.

 

[The patriot]

My first pistol was a 586. 6". Back about 1982. I still have it.

I still have my first rifle. Got it in 1977 (Dad got it actually. I was too young) a Model 39A Marlin.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I appreciate your comments Nasty. I gave it a look & already talked to the woman about it. I figured the 150/250 was a good start. I like 1911's and have them in 9's & 45's. It just wouldn't be my weapon of choice if push came to shove, I have a 686 7-shot and an XD in 40 dedicated for home protection, mainly because those are the ones that I could lose to an evidence locker if it ever came to that; hence the question. The woman likes the airweight smith I set up for her with the crimson trace. The only problem is that it's just a 5 shot. She also likes the EMP in a 9mm, but I told her she'd need to train with what she'll use. I don't know if I have time to get in there this year, but it looks like we'll probably hook up & hang in their RV section this year or next. Thanks for the tip.

The reason I have always like the auto in what ever cal. is for the fast reloading. That is part of the 250 class I can drop a clip and drive home another bunch of 45 in my Para faster than I can dig the speed loader for the revolver out of my pocket of loader holster. As for Cal I REALLY like the idea of punching large holes in what EVER I shoot at. The instructor at a Military school I went to said it best with the small guns you might be able to put more bullets into a combattant but with large bullets if you hit the combattant in the leg its Damn hard to run with one leg, The 45 ACP had just that in mind when it was thought up.

 

[BIGNASTY]

If your looking for a revolver load that is one NASTY load try a 44 mag 10 grains of Unique a gas check fill with #12 shot and another gas check. Inside a house that is one really bad A** load. I put them in my S W 629 backpacker 3 in barrel for snakes it looks like you ran the snake thru a meat grinder

 

[dresslered]

If your looking for a revolver load that is one NASTY load try a 44 mag 10 grains of Unique a gas check fill with #12 shot and another gas check.

That would be fun but tough on the barrel.



I bought my 6-year old (now 9) a Ruger 10/22 . 22LR Caliber. I got him two stocks: a compact stock for now, and a regular stock for when he grows into it. This is a highly configurable gun with many options and you can shoot it all day long without taking out a second mortgage. He'll never outgrow it.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Tough on gun? if you shoot lead at any speed use a gas check anyway, shot is lead dont see the issue at least not in my gun. The forcing cone has no sign of ware more than pushing 240 grain slugs out of it