Gun Thread

[henryki]

I want to get into guns more.. Went on a few campouts while i was a boy scout (got my eagle scout and got the hell outta there) and we shot 12 gauges and some 30-06 bolt action hunting rifle.. Anyone have any suggestions on where I should start? because these guns posted here look bad ass but i have no clue what anything means haha. thanks!

[ST1G]

I want to get into guns more.. Went on a few campouts while i was a boy scout (got my eagle scout and got the hell outta there) and we shot 12 gauges and some 30-06 bolt action hunting rifle.. Anyone have any suggestions on where I should start? because these guns posted here look bad ass but i have no clue what anything means haha. thanks!

Well, it all depends on what you want to get into. Hand guns? Shotguns, Rifles? Assault rifles? Black powder?

[henryki]

Well, it all depends on what you want to get into. Hand guns? Shotguns, Rifles? Assault rifles? Black powder?

My buddy is building an AR-15 right now, so assault rifles and I love bolt action rifles too.

[AwakenNoMore]

My buddy is building an AR-15 right now, so Sporting rifles and I love bolt action rifles too.

Fixed that for you, stop drinking the Feinstein Kool-Aid.

[henryki]

Fixed that for you, stop drinking the Feinstein Kool-Aid.

Already learned something new. Thanks!

[ST1G]

Already learned something new. Thanks!

Kind of....

[henryki]

Kind of....

I know 0 about guns haha so anything is good knowledge to me hahaha

[ST1G]

Well, he is kind of just being defensive about people calling them assault riffles.

[mrsleeve]

There are lots of ways to go with this hobby and you will find that for a car site we have lots of knowledgeable firearms guys as well and that will help ya find your niche.

1st and most important question, what do you want to do with it??? Hunt ?? Well what are you going to want to hunt?? Punch paper?? Well what kinda of distance's do you have access to, or have a ambition to shoot at??? Competitions??? 3 gun, cow boy action, bench rest, Skeet/trap/sporting clays, distance, pistol ????? there are many things in between as well, this will dictate what kind of weapon you need.

budget, how much you want to spend????

before we can help too much we need to have some answers to those 2 major questions.


One thing to remember is You live in CA so this is going to effect your options and what you can come up with form a legal stand point.

[henryki]

Gun Thread

I want something I can hunt with and shoot some targets. Don't know about distances. Guesses are about 300-500 feet?

And I'm interested in handguns too. My mom wants one in the house "just in case" even though I know she just wants to shoot at the range once in awhile.

And for budget I'd like to stay under $2k

[AwakenNoMore]

Well, he is kind of just being defensive about people calling them assault riffles.

Just trying to enforce good habits early on. Assault Rifles by definition are select-fire or capable of automatic fire for the layman.

henryki it's awesome your getting into guns, sucks though that your in such a bad place for it. You can get quite a bit for $2k. I'm not sure what handguns are legal to own in cali.

Your best bet is to try and find a range that does rentals or find friends that own guns. One thing that comes to mind is to fill your head with videos from the Military Arms Channel on Youtube, its good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-qxagOkAmCEP-Tu6YliUQ

[ST1G]

I want something I can hunt with and shoot some targets. Don't know about distances. Guesses are about 300-500 feet?

And I'm interested in handguns too. My mom wants one in the house "just in case" even though I know she just wants to shoot at the range once in awhile.

And for budget I'd like to stay under $2k

2k for both? I don't know California laws for "sporting" rifles, but as far as a hand guns go I always recommend the Glock 23 and Glock 19.

Both Glocks are sub-compacts so they can be concealed, easily.

The G23 is a .40 and the G19 is a 9mm. Here is my comparison of the G19 (.9mm) vs the G23 (.40) in a nut shell.

G23

Pros:
-Stoping power
-easier to shoot then a .45
-9mm barrels can be fitted
-popular round

Cons:
-larger recoil
-ammo is more expensive
-early Gen 4 models had some spring issues (Resolved)

G19

Pros:
-cheap(er) ammo
-less recoil

Cons:
-Less stopping power
-some people call you a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles

Really, what I think the best thing is, get the G23, and a 9mm barrel ($120) and then you can have the best of both worlds, the guns are the exact same size.

In the end, its all about getting a gun size you're comfortable with and can shoot actuarially and feel comfortable with.

Go to a range and rent a 9mm and a .40 and decide what you like more. I like Glocks because they simply work, and work well.

Just trying to enforce good habits early on. Assault Rifles by definition are select-fire or capable of automatic fire for the layman.

I get it, I just don't think its that big a deal. But you're correct.

[henryki]

Just trying to enforce good habits early on. Assault Rifles by definition are select-fire or capable of automatic fire for the layman.

henryki it's awesome your getting into guns, sucks though that your in such a bad place for it. You can get quite a bit for $2k. I'm not sure what handguns are legal to own in cali.

Your best bet is to try and find a range that does rentals or find friends that own guns. One thing that comes to mind is to fill your head with videos from the Military Arms Channel on Youtube, its good stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ-qxagOkAmCEP-Tu6YliUQ

2k for both? I don't know California laws for "sporting" rifles, but as far as a hand guns go I always recommend the Glock 23 and Glock 19.

Both Glocks are sub-compacts so they can be concealed, easily.

The G23 is a .40 and the G19 is a 9mm. Here is my comparison of the G19 (.9mm) vs the G23 (.40) in a nut shell.

G23

Pros:
-Stoping power
-easier to shoot then a .45
-9mm barrels can be fitted
-popular round

Cons:
-larger recoil
-ammo is more expensive
-early Gen 4 models had some spring issues (Resolved)

G19

Pros:
-cheap(er) ammo
-less recoil

Cons:
-Less stopping power
-some people call you a waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles

Really, what I think the best thing is, get the G23, and a 9mm barrel ($120) and then you can have the best of both worlds, the guns are the exact same size.

In the end, its all about getting a gun size you're comfortable with and can shoot actuarially and feel comfortable with.

Go to a range and rent a 9mm and a .40 and decide what you like more. I like Glocks because they simply work, and work well.




I get it, I just don't think its that big a deal. But you're correct.

Thanks for the info! and yeah being in California has its downfalls about guns and whatnot, but hey can't beat an hour away from the beach and an hour away from snowboarding! But I'm going to do some homework on this stuff and hopefully end up with a decent rifle/handgun some time next year. Thanks again for sharing some knowledge with me!
And to answer your question, yeah $2k for both rifle and handgun would be ideal.

[mrsleeve]

I want something I can hunt with and shoot some targets. Don't know about distances. Guesses are about 300-500 feet?

And I'm interested in handguns too. My mom wants one in the house "just in case" even though I know she just wants to shoot at the range once in awhile.

And for budget I'd like to stay under $2k

well your talking less than 200 yards, when shooting we measure distance in yards ;) and thats not all that far for target shooting.

Well at 2k your going to be able step into some very good kit for a beginner. What are you planing on hunting Deer, elk, bear, ducks, bunnies???? I am not familiar with CA hunting regs on where you can use big center fire calibers or relegated to shot gun/muzzle loader or minimum caliber restrictions. Not to mention CA has recently had some legislation concerning lead projectile use so there is that to consider as well . I would be looking at a .308 for the most part one of the most versatile and prolific calibers out there.

hand guns are going to be matter of personal preference and what fits your hand the best and you shoot well the most naturally. the best way to go about that is to go handle as many as you can, and see if you can find a range you can rent them from and try out as many as you can. Counter to STG up there I HATE GLOCK's I dont shoot them well, and they are uncomfortable for me. While they are well made, reliable, and respnably priced they are not something I am going to spend my money because they dont shoot well for me. I like Sig Sauer (my usual carry weapon), and HK. and while I like the Springfield XD's I still dont shoot them as well as a Sig.

[ParsedOut]

I'm going to jump in with my 2 cents here...

Start off with a .22lr rifle, even though ammo is hard to find it can still be had at gun shops for around .10 a round, which is about double what it should be but it's still cheap comparatively. You will learn proper trigger control, sight picture, breathing, etc. Shoot iron sights for as long as it takes for you to get nice groupings at 50 yds, then you can add a scope if you want to start lobbing them out to 75-100 yds.

Then you can step up to an AR or AK platform SEMI-AUTOMATIC rifle. For god's sake do not call them assault rifles, that is anti-gun propaganda talk. I like the AK because the ammo is cheaper and I get a boner for Russian firearms, don't know why.

As for handguns, this is very subjective and personal preference. I personally own Smith and Wesson M&Ps (as you may have read earlier) because they fit my hand really well. Glocks have a funky grip angle and I just don't like em. You cannot go wrong with any major name brand full size service pistol. Name brand is S&W, Springfield, Glock, HK, FN, Sig, Ruger (for the most part) and I'm sure I'm leaving a few out, but if you can't find one you like out of that bunch...well trust me you can.

Last bit of advice, go to a local gun store during slightly off peak times (lunch break during the week) and tell the guy behind the counter that you don't know much but you want to look at a few and get his opinions. Gun people have no shortage of opinions (duh!), handle as many as you can and see what feels right in your hands. Don't try to act like you know more than you do, that's a common thing they see all the time and will not be as willing to educate. Also wouldn't hurt to find a few people at a local range to talk with and just listen more than you blabber.

Sorry about living in Kali, you are going against the grain there so be prepared to run into possible resistance from neighbors, friends and family.

Oh yeah, almost forgot here are a few terminology things I wish I knew when I first got into guns.

Assault rifles are full auto (already covered that above)
Magazines hold ammunition, clips hold your hair (no modern firearm uses a clip, 99% use magazines)
The bullet is the part that shoots out of the barrel
The casing or "brass" is what is left and pops out the side, this is not a shell (shells are for shotguns)
The complete unfired single piece of ammo is called a cartridge or a round (not a bullet)