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Cakedaddy 
Group: "Members"
Posts: 6241
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,17:03 |
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I want to get a gun. And who better to ask than some of the gun lovin' individuals that frequent these parts. . .
Specificaly, I want a pistol of some kind. Very little knowledge of what's out there other than what I've gotten from movies and Counter Strike.
Don't know if there's one out there that gives all that I want. . . that's why I'm asking you! I want (listed in the order of importance):
Stopping power
Clip as apposed to revolver
Fun to shoot
Light so even the wife can fire it
Smaller the better
I don't need:
50 round clip
Dirty Harry big or gangsta flashy
As cool as a Desert Eagle is, I don't think I need that yet.
Where's a good place to get one? I plan to go to the local gun club here and rent a few to get a feel for what's out there. I want to get my wife to the range so she's more comfortable with it. I even intend to take my 14 year old a few times to get him familiar with them (if state law permits!).
As far as security, I plan to get one of those trigger gaurd locks (the kind that fills the trigger gaurd so you can't pull the trigger), plus a small gun safe (big enough for a couple guns and a small amount of ammo).
Why do I want one? If you care. . . just do. Have always liked shooting, just never persued it. What's really driving it is that I'm afraid that as time passes, it will be more and more difficult to get one. So, I'll get mine now while the gettin's good. I plan to apply for a CWP as well. Not so much as because I need it, but because I want to get one before you can't.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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GORDON
90%
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,17:14 |
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I think you might have a problem reconciling "stopping power" with "smaller the better."
In the Korean War the North Koreans would wrap their torsos in a bamboo... corsette... so they could keep charging when the UN forces' 5.56 rounds would perforate their guts. Not much stopping power...and that was a rifle.
If I recall.
Maybe it was 'Nam.
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I don't give a fuck!
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| Post Number: 3
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GORDON
90%
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,17:15 |
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But I think the shooting range rentals is a good idea, and a good gun shop owner should be happy to help you find what he want.
Go in and ask for a phased plasma rifle in the 40-watt range.
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I don't give a fuck!
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| Post Number: 4
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| Post Number: 5
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Cakedaddy
Group: "Members"
Posts: 6241
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,17:38 |
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Oh, and as far as the bamboo thing. Didn't they know they could get a similar if not better result by just getting them all hopped up on angel dust?
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| Post Number: 6
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GORDON
90%
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,17:45 |
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Yeah but the bamboo corsette would physically hold in their guts so they wouldn't be getting coils of intestines snagged on tree branches and such.
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I don't give a fuck!
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| Post Number: 7
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| Post Number: 8
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thibodeaux
RAG
Group: Privateers
Posts: 6494
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,18:52 |
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First, it's "magazine," not clip. You gotta talk the talk.
Second, like Gordon says, light and small kind is sort of a trade-off with stopping power. This is one of those areas where people have non-stop arguments.
I personally have a .357 magnum revolver, but loaded with .38 special ammo it's fun and easy to shoot. However, you don't want a revolver, so you're probably looking at 9mm as the best trade-off. You might consider a .380, which is considered marginal in terms of stopping power, but would definitely be smaller with less recoil. I have heard people make the point that bullet placement is such an overwhelming factor in a gunfight that it's better to go with something that you know you can shoot straight with; even if that means a .22.
I guess the answer is, unfortunately, there is no right answer. It's kind of like buying a car, really.
QUOTE Where's a good place to get one? I plan to go to the local gun club here and rent a few to get a feel for what's out there. I want to get my wife to the range so she's more comfortable with it. I even intend to take my 14 year old a few times to get him familiar with them (if state law permits!).
That's probably the best way to do it. Around here, anyway, there are a couple of gun stores that have ranges and will rent stuff out to you. It can get pricey: usually costs $5 to $15 per hour for the gun, plus $10 to $15 for the range, plus $10 or so for the ammo. And you'll probably have to take a range safety test first, which may or may not have a fee. So you're looking at probably $50 and a couple of hours of time. But it beats buying something you eventually don't like.
My suggestion here is: try out a 9mm. Let your wife handle a couple of different ones. Glocks are good, and come in lots of sizes. Kahrs are supposed to be good, too. I would not suggest the Ruger 9mm pistols, as I found them bulky even with my giant hands (don't be afraid to pick one up and try it though; YMMV). Find one that you think feels good and try it out. If the recoil is too much for your wife, maybe try a .380.
Legally, you probably can't go wrong buying from a licensed dealer. There's no federal law against buying guns from a non-dealer (at least in your home state), but there's no telling what your state laws are. Pawn shops may or may not have cheaper (used) stuff, but they probably won't have a range. Also, the dealer staff MAY know what they're talking about (or may not; again, it's like buying a car). Expect to drop $200 to $500 depending on what you get. BUY SPARE MAGAZINES. You can't have too many of those.
QUOTE As far as security, I plan to get one of those trigger gaurd locks (the kind that fills the trigger gaurd so you can't pull the trigger), plus a small gun safe (big enough for a couple guns and a small amount of ammo).
You definitely want to check your state laws on what is required; at the very least, most states require you to "reasonably" keep it away from minors. I have a safe. I'm not a big fan of the trigger locks, but again check your state laws; they may be required there for all I know. Again, I think it's a trade-off: anything that prevents somebody else from getting at the gun prevents YOU from getting at it, and they say when you need a gun you really needed it 10 seconds ago. On the other hand, you really don't want somebody else to get it when you're not around.
All right, I don't know how helpful I've been. If you want some help with research, I can scrape up some links. packing.org is supposedly pretty reliable with info on state laws. Good luck, and have a blast!
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| Post Number: 10
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Vince
I make sweet, sweet love to my legally licenced copy of Microsoft Vista.
Group: Privateers
Posts: 5016
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,19:23 |
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I was thinking 38 as well (about as close to 'stopping power' and small so the wife can shoot it).
Thib, why do you say he doesn't want a revolver? I've always favored the revolver for home defense.
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| Post Number: 11
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TPRJones
I saw The Fault in our Stars opening night.
Group: Privateers
Posts: 12384
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 07 2007,19:23 |
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Careful, some folks consider this sort of discussion to be terrorism.
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Vidi Perfutui Veni
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Cakedaddy
Group: "Members"
Posts: 6241
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,01:06 |
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(Vince @ May 07 2007,14:23)
QUOTE Thib, why do you say he doesn't want a revolver? Â I've always favored the revolver for home defense.
Cause I said I didn't want a revolver. :-) Clips. . I mean magazines are cool! Really, it's because I know I could load with a magazine faster than I could load a revolver.
As far as the small but stopping power, it would boil down to how small can you go but still have stopping power. Like you said, opinions vary, so I just want to hear yours.
I wasn't sure a .38 or 9mm would be big enough. But it sounds like it would be in most cases. Or at least that's the opinion here. I like the sounds of the 200-500 range. Nice that you can get something good that inexpensive.
As far as the trigger guard. . . I like those cause they just look so 'safe'. I may not leave it on while it's in the safe. But I'll like them when it's not in there.
Was talking about it more with my wife. Trying to find out her interest level and what not. Her response was, "I want to go with you when you pick it out (at which point I was happy that she was showing so much interest), so I can ask them if they have the Midget Cricket".
When I get the time to hit the range/club, I'll keep you informed of what I find or am leaning towards.
Thanks for the info.
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| Post Number: 14
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TheCatt
Top 2%
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 22951
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,04:16 |
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I agree with the range idea. I've never owned a gun, but went to the range once (twice?) with my wife and Thib and it was a fun way to try out the different guns.
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It's not me, it's someone else.
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Malcolm
I disagree.
Group: Privateers
Posts: 27168
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,07:29 |
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(Leisher @ May 07 2007,20:49)
QUOTE QUOTE I think you might have a problem reconciling "stopping power" with "smaller the better." Noisy Cricket.
Dart gun w\ neurotoxin-filled darts.
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Diogenes of Sinope:
"It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
"Other dogs bite only their enemies, whereas I bite also my friends in order to save them."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC:
"Better dead than smeg."
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| Post Number: 16
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Paul
The Cumulonimbus of the Interweb
Group: Privateers
Posts: 8365
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,11:25 |
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The smaller the gun, the louder it'll be.
The bigger the shell it fires the louder and more recoil you'll get.
The smaller the barrel the louder and less accurate it will be.
If you want your wife to shoot it, you don't want the gun to be so big that she can't wield it, or so small that when she sees/hears it she becomes afraid afraid of it.
If you want dependability, a revolver is going to beat something with a magazine. They don't jam, and you don't have to worry about the springs in the gun or magazine wearing out. The simplicity of the revolver made is easier to clean and maintain as well.
Of course, with a magazine you're gun is going to hold a maximum 11 shots (10 in the mag, 1 in the chamber). They tend to be a little quieter, and depending on the model they might cut down on the recoil some, making them more accurate as well.
I have a quick-load with my revolver. I pop open the cylinder, drop the spent shells out, insert the quick-load, and with a twist the bullets are released from the quick-load. I slap the cylinder into place and get to fire another six shots.
I think a .9mm or .38 is a good idea.
Really, for home use, my opinion is that dependability and a loud BANG are more important than a greater shot capacity and quicker reload.
In the middle of the night, in the dark, with that adrenaline, you are not going to hit the burglar unless he's in your face. I want something loud, so that mofo knows he's being shot at.
I keep two rounds of snake shot in the cylinder. Should there be an intruder in my house, those first two shots are warnings. Unless I have the gun pressed against someone the rounds are non-lethal. I don't have to worry about the slugs penetrating a wall and then hurting family or electronics.
Of course, snake shot does not have the same power as a regular shot. In my .22 (with a magazine) it jams every time I fire a snake shot because there isn't enough energy to properly expel the spent casing. With the revolver obviously I don't have to deal with that problem.
Oh, and with the revolver, should I decide the first shot needs to be a slug instead, it'll take me pretty much no time to rotate the cylinder two clicks.
That being said, if I planned on using the gun on a frequent basis, I'd go with one that had a magazine. Magazines are convenient, and allow the firearm to hold nearly twice as much as the typical revolver.
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"All hail Paul." Â -Unk
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| Post Number: 17
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GORDON
90%
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 36125
Joined: Jun. 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,11:56 |
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The old timers in the Marines would often lament the discontinuation of the .45.
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I don't give a fuck!
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| Post Number: 18
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Paul
The Cumulonimbus of the Interweb
Group: Privateers
Posts: 8365
Joined: May 2004
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Posted on: May 08 2007,12:08 |
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I remember watching a show on the history of firearms.
if I'm not mistaken, the .38 Special was developed for the Marines (or Navy) to protect them from Filipinos.
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"All hail Paul." Â -Unk
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