Guns 101

[ducatiz]

For any first firearm, you can't beat a .22, regardless of the type.

22 revolvers, autoloaders, rifles galore.

Shooting is an art.  Shooting well is a science.

Take a class that doesn't require you to own a gun first (most do).

Depending on where you are, you may have some ranges that rent guns, but don't go for the big calibers.  The mechanics are the same you are just asking to get annoyed with it at first.  You won't have the muscles to be accurate with any powerful cartrige (i.e. anything over 32 ACP -- seriously!)

Pump shotguns are a great home defense option, as is a revolver.  I recommend both.  The revolver will get you around the house better, but the shotgun is good at controlling a crowd.  The handgun is easier to stow and secure, esp if you have children in the home, but a shotgun will get you more immediate respect.  Either way, it's better to have either one than neither. 

Statler's point about a gun not being for intimidation is right.  If they are intimidated, let it be as they are running from being shot at.   A firearm is a device to kill someone, not a scary movie.  Use it correctly and you'll live longtime.

Whatever you buy, practice with it a lot.  Get to know it -- learn to strip and clean it.  Learn to store it safely, to carry it safely, etc. 

[Bun-bun]

Pump shotguns are a great home defense option,  //the shotgun is good at controlling a crowd.//  but a shotgun will get you more immediate respect. 

Don't ya just hate it when burglars come in a crowd!

It's a valid point. . . if you piss off a street gang, but maybe just a touch too severe a scenario for a first time gun buyer to be contemplating?

[ducatiz]

Don't ya just hate it when burglars come in a crowd!

It's a valid point. . . if you piss off a street gang, but maybe just a touch too severe a scenario for a first time gun buyer to be contemplating?

Burglars often work in groups.  I've had two break-ins in my lifetime, both times it was 2 guys.  Both times they got to see the action end of a shotgun, but it was a coach gun... good Southern style home defense.

[rgramjet]

Don't ya just hate it when burglars come in a crowd!

It's a valid point. . . if you piss off a street gang, but maybe just a touch too severe a scenario for a first time gun buyer to be contemplating?

Ill bet Redskins player Sean Taylor wished he had a shotgun when that group of turds, robbed and shot him dead....

[ducatiz]

Ill bet Redskins player Sean Taylor wished he had a shotgun when that group of turds, robbed and shot him dead....

that stinks

[rgramjet]

that stinks

Aye Mama.....

There is a large gun show in Chantilly VA this weekend!  Good place to check out tons-o-guns!  Im taking my son to the NRA museum tomorrow then hit'n the show!

[ducatiz]

Aye Mama.....

There is a large gun show in Chantilly VA this weekend!  Good place to check out tons-o-guns!  Im taking my son to the NRA museum tomorrow then hit'n the show!

we went to the museum a while back.  it is interesting, but don't expect to be blown away (no pun intended).  it's a bit "sedate"

that's The Nation's Gun Show, it's every 2 months.  i may pop in to see if i can scrounge some cheap ammo. 

[rgramjet]

Cool, Im on the prowl for an LAR 8 and/or an airweight .357 as well as some optics...

[ducatiz]

Cool, Im on the prowl for an LAR 8 and/or an airweight .357 as well as some optics...

i've never seen such great deals on commodity guns.  a lot of regular dealers there who aren't selling cheap.  maybe a few, but you can usually find prices a little better on gunbroker even with the transfer charge.  unusual stuff (like the K31 sniper that I drool over) are good finds, but pricey.  there is a guy who sells ammo only and has decent deals, i forget his name.  has a lot of milsurp stuff.

[Bun-bun]

Gun show here was last weekend.
I have nothing against the shotgun for home defense argument. I have a Mossberg 500 among other weapons placed around the house (See 3 gun cabinet thread).
It's just that I think y'all are moving a tad far afield of the original question, ie what's a good first gun(singular) for a noob shooter?

[Kopfjäger]

Don't ya just hate it when burglars come in a crowd!

It's a valid point. . . if you piss off a street gang, but maybe just a touch too severe a scenario for a first time gun buyer to be contemplating?

If I knew anything about guns, I would have a smartass answer for you.  

[Bun-bun]

If I knew anything about guns, I would have a smartass answer for you.  

Not trying to be a smartass. See above.
After you're comfortable around guns, and have some knowledge, and don't think a gun makes you invincible, or hot shit, Yeah, a shotgun for home defense is a valid choice. A damn sight better than an AK-47 or AR-15, which has been known to go through the wall and kill a neighbor by accident.
A first gun should be easy to use, and cheap to fire. I can buy 500rds. of .22 for the same price as (or less than) a 20 rd. box of 12 ga. shells. Rifle vs. pistol, as a rifle is easier to fire accurately.
that's all.

[rgramjet]

A Ruger 10/22, a couple of 30 round banana clips and a brick of .22s makes for a fun afternoon.

[Bun-bun]

A Ruger 10/22, a couple of 30 round banana clips and a brick of .22s makes for a fun afternoon.

+1

[blue tiger]

Not trying to be a smartass. See above.
After you're comfortable around guns, and have some knowledge, and don't think a gun makes you invincible, or hot shit, Yeah, a shotgun for home defense is a valid choice. A damn sight better than an AK-47 or AR-15, which has been known to go through the wall and kill a neighbor by accident.
A first gun should be easy to use, and cheap to fire. I can buy 500rds. of .22 for the same price as (or less than) a 20 rd. box of 12 ga. shells. Rifle vs. pistol, as a rifle is easier to fire accurately.
that's all.

Unless that first gun is a do all that must be used as a defensive weapon. A .22 will kill a person with ease but you have to wait for them to die. They could easily harm you while they bleed to death then run away to die in the street or local ER. If it's a one choice firearm that needs to plink and be a home defense weapon you need a shotgun or rifle. A rifle such as the AR-15 is an outstanding home defense weapon as is almost any shotgun. The overpenetration issue is a weak argument because any weapon of sufficient power to incapacitiate a human attacker will penetrate several sheets of drywall with absolute ease. This includes a shotgun loaded with anything other than birdshot. And birdshot is woefully inadequate as a defense round.