The Gun Thread

[SPRINGFIELD]

Originally Posted by gonzo

This is not meant as a judgement or any attack, ok? It's an important question anyone should think over carefully before buying a handgun.

Are you capable of shooting someone? (And living with the results.) Being a misanthropist I'd have no problem with it, but many buy handguns and wind up not being able to "do it" when the time comes...and they get hurt. This comes from an old police dispatcher, so like I said..it's simply said in friendly concern for those not already engaged in handgun ownership.

This is good advice. If you are not prepared to utilize the weapon once you draw it, you may well get killed by it, or the attacker's. Most people are able to easily come to grips with using lethal force after the fact. When someones own life is violently threatened, there is a primal "warrior side" in nearly EVERYONE that will come out and fight viciously, even lethally if need be. This "cornered animal" response is hardwired into nearly every living thing, and a weapon vastly increases your odds of surviving such an episode. Even if you don't end up having to shoot it.

[kblair7]

Originally Posted by bengalcat

Question for the experts - I have been wanting to learn how to shoot and buy a gun to keep in my home for protection - what type of gun would you recommend for a lady who has never used a gun before?

I believe that Springfield already gave some good advice.

The only thing I would emphasis is that guns are extremely dangerous and getting training and practice may save your life. People who own guns but have never learned to fire them properly end up hurting themselves more often than the home invader they are trying to ward off.

If you plan to hunt, I also recommend taking a safety course, they are offered all over.

If your planning to buy a handgun, you don't need a handcannon. I would look at some of the smaller Smith & Wesson models, 9mm should be sufficient. Keeping in mind that learning to shoot a smaller handgun can be challenging cause the shorter barrel makes accuracy a bit more difficult. With sufficient practice you should become an ace in no time.

[kblair7]

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

I would first advise that you get some training, either from a knowledgeable freind, or a gun club with a private range. They usually offer free safety courses and basic marksmanship training. That being said, most females tend to do best with a light weight revolver, double action, chambered in something with low recoil. Usually .38 special. Taurus also makes some great little revolvers chambered in 9mm. Why a revolver? Well, they don't jam. With most semi-auto's you have 13-17 rounds. Revolvers have 6. But you have "six for sure" as opposed to 3, then a possible jam which for someone new to the gun world could prove catastrophic. Also, revolvers don't have a number of steps to go through before getting off the first shot. No hammer to cock, no slide to rack, no safety to disengage, just pull the trigger and it goes bang. And realistically, if you have a problem that 6 rounds of .38 Special hollowpoint won't solve-you're screwed anyway. They can be stored loaded indefinitely because unlike an auto, a loaded revolver has all of it's internal springs at rest. An auto has a a compressed magazine spring with 15 rounds on top of it, and you have to rotate out magazines every couple of months or so. A .38 has low recoil, low muzzle blast, and very low muzzle flash. All of these things help you stay focused on stopping the attack, as opposed to worrying about what your weapon is doing to your eyes and ears.

Revolvers can be trouble if the cylinder doesn't shut right. I dislike the flash and smoke. I found semi-autos rarely jam when you use high quality ammo, and you maintain it, keep it clean, etc.
I do think your right on one thing, revolvers are good beginners weapons, the extra weight helps control recoil, and with decent grips (rubber) it should be manageable, if not a bit peppy.

Taurus are reliable but no S&W, which makes a M60 revolver that is cash. Its so cute!

[jowey]

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

I'll start it off,

I love old military surplus bolt-action rifles. Especially Mosin-Nagants. They are dirt cheap(less than 100 bucks) accurate, powerful, and the ammo is both cheap and plentiful. They are Russian, and the Russians did a surprisingly good job of preserving them for the last 60 years. All of them I have ordered have come to me looking as if they'd never been fired.

I have a 1909 Mauser bolt action 30.06 and a few others. Havent shot them in ages, too civilized and weird now. I miss just going out back and plinking cans, the smell of gunpowder and the kick.

[bornright]

Originally Posted by kblair7

Revolvers can be trouble if the cylinder doesn't shut right. I dislike the flash and smoke. I found semi-autos rarely jam when you use high quality ammo, and you maintain it, keep it clean, etc.
I do think your right on one thing, revolvers are good beginners weapons, the extra weight helps control recoil, and with decent grips (rubber) it should be manageable, if not a bit peppy.

Taurus are reliable but no S&W, which makes a M60 revolver that is cash. Its so cute!

I disagree with you on the revolver as I have found it is much easier for the novice to learn to master. I think you will find that most firearm instructors will suggest the revolver. I personally feel for a lady the S&W light weight 38 cal. with a short barrell is the best for her defense. It is not much for target shooting but excellent for self defense at close range.

[jowey]

Originally Posted by kblair7

I wish I could still have kept my m16a1 best gun I ever owned, rarely jammed up, great accuracy, lower recoil than most assault rifles I had ever used. Still the best out there.

You liked the Mattel, damn thing fell apart all the time, rounds would jam in the chamber and when the bolt went home discharge them. Then again I shot competition and preferred the one shot rather than hose an pray.

I will defer to those that actually used the weapon, could get more familiar with it.

[gonzo]

Btw Springfield...

I forgot to add: great idea for a thread! Thanks.

[StillNoScript]

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

Hey all,

Anyone else here collect/own firearms? Does anyone else enjoy target shooting, hunting, or antique firearms? This thread is here to discuss ballistics, specific firearms, cartriges, anything firearm-related. Have at it!

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

I'll start it off,

I love old military surplus bolt-action rifles. Especially Mosin-Nagants. They are dirt cheap(less than 100 bucks) accurate, powerful, and the ammo is both cheap and plentiful. They are Russian, and the Russians did a surprisingly good job of preserving them for the last 60 years. All of them I have ordered have come to me looking as if they'd never been fired.

Originally Posted by gonzo

I don't collect, but we have our share of firearms. Hubby carries a S&W 9mm, and I carry a Sig Sauer 9mm with Hydrashok (I have small hands even for a female). We keep a Browninng 12 gauge and 16 gauge by the doors, and hubby has his 30/30 and some assorted other Bambi killers with scopes...I'll have to ask him. I have an old Colt my Dad left me, and a little chrome/pearl handled 25 that looks like a toy.

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

Wow, nice collection. I carry a Browning Hi-Power 9mm, also loaded with hydra-shocks. Sometimes speer gold dot's, but they don't always feed 100% reliably in the browning. But my Beretta92fs digests them just fine. The Beretta is just a little too big and heavy for a primary carry piece. I have a Smith&Wesson Sigma on layaway right now. It's a .40S&W, which I'm not completely sold on, but I couldn't pass up the price. I am primarily a 9mm guy, .45 guys hate that, but the numbers don't lie. A 9mm loaded with quality hollow points has a better one-shot stop record than most .45's. A hot .45 leaves the muzzle at around 850 feet per second with a 230 grain bullet. A hot nine leaves the muzzle at around 1300 FPS with a 124 grain bullet. This tends to have a more devestating effect on target, with much less chance of over-penetration.

Originally Posted by gonzo

Thank gawd. I actually winced when I typed that we both carried 9's because so many people are down on them. I love what can be accomplished with the size myself. I'm about to get on the Internet to shop for ammo because it's slim pickings in this area. Got any good or favorite links?

I entertained applying for a dealer license with ATF, but I can't get past the Big Brother in my bidness bit.

Originally Posted by SPRINGFIELD

I did apply and obtain my license, but only for my clas 03 FFL. Makes it much easier to obtain the types of guns I collect, but I do hate the fact that the ATF now knows the serial and location of all my weapons. That scares me to some degree, should big brother ever decide to come after them. Best source on the web for cheap, good ammo-Cheaper than dirt com. I order lots of ammo from there, great prices and fast,reasonable shipping. and don't listen to the anti-nine crowd on the web. The 9mm parabellum has proven itself in every major war in the last 100 years to be a very effective pistol round. Not to mention the whole slew of self defense/police shootings with the cartrige that have proven it to be an excellent round. Hell, NYPD uses it, and has had nothing but excellent results with the hydra-shock loading that all of their officers carry.

They sure could use you guys in Iraq. But judging by your guy's thirst for killing "bambis", I'm guessing that having targets shooting back at you might be a little too advanced?

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by StillNoScript

They sure could use you guys in Iraq. But judging by your guy's thirst for killing "bambis", I'm guessing that having targets shooting back at you might be a little too advanced?

Listen Bozo, I'll spell this out for you O-n-e M-o-r-e T-i-m-e: I am NOT a guy. I am female. Had you bothered to read the entire thread you'd also be educated that I do not hunt animals...period.

I may on occassion stalk two-legged animals that poach my No Hunting Posted property.

Got it now? Goooood. Have a nice day!

[StillNoScript]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Listen Bozo, I'll spell this out for you O-n-e M-o-r-e T-i-m-e: I am NOT a guy. I am female.

I never listened to you the first time, probably because I don't pay much attention to you. And, what does your gender have to do with my point? Women fight in Iraq.

Had you bothered to read the entire thread you'd also be educated that I do not hunt animals...period.

Corrected. So then, what's with the guns? Do you hunt humans?

I may on occassion stalk two-legged animals that poach my No Hunting Posted property.

That's cute. But seriously, why the gun fetish? Do you like the sound of them? Whatever it is, they could use you in Iraq. Maybe you won't be on the front line, but you can serve in some capacity and there'll be so many guns around you it'll be like xmas every day!

Got it now? Goooood. Have a nice day!

No, I don't "got it". I don't understand the gun fetish. I think you guys secretly want to kill people. Am I wrong? What else could it be?