Gun List

[[AK]Squidly]

Originally posted by [AK]Bribo
When was the last time you actually hunted? 1985?

Looking at my hunting license here....1997, although it was nothing more than taking a gun for a walk in the woods (didn't see anything.)

You?

[[AK]Bribo]

I don't claim to be the great white hunter.

[[AK]Abaddon]

Hylander,

I would check out the NRA's site and find if there is an NRA-affiliated range or gun club in your area. That's one way to get hooked up with some people who practice responsible gun ownership.

As for a first gun ... I can offer a few inexpensive suggestions.

.22 cal. - You absolutely cannot beat the old Ruger MK whatever .22 pistols. They come in various flavors and cost ranges (starting around $200 new). Great for target plinking.

9 mm - I would advise a 9mm if you are looking at a pistol for self-defense and for the range. There are many fine, reliable guns out there in 9 mm. I have a bias toward guns that actually have a switchable safety and an external hammer, so I have had a Beretta 92 FS, a CZ-75 and a Ruger P-89 in 9mm. The Ruger has a deplorable trigger pull, so don't get one of those.

I highly recommend the CZ-75. They are a very nice Czechoslovakian pistol, and are available at gun shows for around $350. This is a double-action pistol, for which hi-capacity (15-round) mags are available, but expensive. ($50+)

If you have a little more cash, there's always the Beretta 92 FS (my current gun). These start around $375-$400 for a new blued model and go up to $500+ for a stainless one. Hi-capacity mags are readily available at gun shows for under $50 each. The 92 FS is basically the same pistol currently issued to U.S. troops.

If you are going economy on a 9 mm, you can get a CZ-52, an older, single-action CZ Pistol, that has been rebarreled in 9 mm. This will cost less than $200, but only has an 8-round magazine. I have one of these in the original 7.62X25 caliber and it is a very reliable gun. (The original caliber is hotter than 9mm, so the conversion is COMPLETELY safe).

My main reasons for recommending those three guns in 9 mm are:

50 rounds of 9mm will cost you around $5 to $6 for practice ammo at Academy, compared to $9 to $14 per box of 50 for .40 cal. or .45 cal. It therefore offers a good balance between cost and functionality. For self-defense, you would keep the gun loaded with Federal Hydra-shoks or comparable hollowpoints.

For the CZ-75 and the Beretta, there are legal full-capacity magazines available, at a reasonable price. For many of the newer guns like the Walther P-99, (or anything chambered in .357 Sig) the only full-capacity mags available are tagged as "police only." For others, like the Sig-Sauers or HKs, the full-capacity non-police mags cost $75 and up each.

Anyway, that was a lengthy rant. If you have any specific questions about a type of pistol, fire away (so to speak). About the only thing I have never owned is a Glock. They have all the aesthetic appeal of a pipe-wrench, but are reliable tools for law enforcement.

I have never liked shotguns, because I enjoy using guns for target practice. I like to have that neatly perforated paper target to check out ... and skeet never did it for me. However, for home defense, a shotgun is a practical choice. With the right ammo, wall penetration is limited, and there is less chance of accidentally hurting one of your loved ones while turning a home intruder into a "good" burglar. Good hollowpoint ammo in pistols also does not penetrate walls, for the most part.

Above all else, be prepared for the responsibility of owning guns before you buy one. I keep most of mine locked away in a safe in my house (you can find a small gun safe for $50-$60).

[[AK]Squidly]

Originally posted by [AK]Bribo
I don't claim to be the great white hunter.

Who did?

[Drewski]

However, for home defense, a shotgun is a practical choice. With the right ammo, wall penetration is limited

If you just used your shotgun on someone in your house, I'de say new walls are about the least of you problems. I can't see any type of slug that wouldn't compleatly blow through 2 sheets of 1/4 inch drywall, and not destroy anything on the other side.

I could be wrong, I don't know anything about bullets.

[[AK]Abaddon]

A small gauge shotgun, like a .410 or even a 20-gauge, will have limited wall penetration with birdshot. A little bit of wood and plaster will stop most of the shot. .00 buckshot would be bad, as would standard slugs. However, a pistol, with full-metal-jacket bullets, is far more risky in terms of wall penetration.

And I'm not writing about this because of wall damage. I'm writing about it because of the precious lives (friends, family, neighbors and other non-criminals) that might be on the other side of the wall in question.

[[AK]Squidly]

A faceful of birdshot would serve as an adequate deterent to most home invaders, I'll wager.

Besides, you could finish them off with the butt of the gun - Platoon Bunny Style.

[[AK]Gunny Highway]

I can't see any type of slug that wouldn't compleatly blow through 2 sheets of 1/4 inch drywall

If you have 1/4 drywall in your house you got ripped my friend. The other advantage of a shotgun is if your wife has to shoot it, all she has to do is aim in the general direction no marksmanship required, unless you opt for slugs over shot.

[[AK]Hylander]

Originally posted by [AK]Gunny Highway
The other advantage of a shotgun is if your wife has to shoot it, all she has to do is aim in the general direction no marksmanship required

And this is an advantage to the husband how??

[Pixelsponge]

Just to let you all know, I don't have any guns, and personally think all hand guns and automatic rifles should be outlawed. If you want to go hunting thats fine, bring your single cartridge loading rifle or your bow and arrow or something. I imaging that won't go over very well with most of you.

[[AK]Abaddon]

Whatever floats your boat. No need to bring politics into this discussion.

[[AK]Hylander]

Originally posted by [AK]Pixelsponge
Just to let you all know, I don't have any guns, and personally think all hand guns and automatic rifles should be outlawed. If you want to go hunting thats fine, bring your single cartridge loading rifle or your bow and arrow or something. I imaging that won't go over very well with most of you.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.

I carry my Bill of Rights card from the EFF in my wallet.

[[AK]Hylander]

Thanks for the Info Ab, and everyone else. I probably won't be purchasing anything until next year anyways, but since I saw a few of you own arms - I thought I'd ask your opinions. Although purchasing one prior to the AK Lan party at Squidly's wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Pixelsponge]

Just stating my opinion which I feel strongly about (which I believe is the purpose of this general forum), feel free to completely ignore me. By the way I am fully aware of what the second amendment says, and I am not against the right to bare all arms, just hand guns and fully automatic weapons.

[[AK]Bribo]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Let's not turn this into a long drawn out political rant with hurt feelings on both sides of the fence. This post started out being about cool guns. Let's leave it at that.