Firearms discussion - hardware only, no politics

[GlocksRock]

Those SIG's are nice too... I have a P228 that I like quite a bit. I really want a full size HK USP 9mm, but can't afford any new guns right now. I can't even afford any .45 ammo to feed my Glock 21 and my Kimber 1911

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

I meant to ask this question when this thread first came out. I do not own a firearm, however, now, of all people, my wife wants to get a gun. . She feels we should have one for protection and is pretty adamant about getting one. She said she would like a Glock or a Magum. Yes, I spelled it the way she said it, MAGUM. Anyways, sounds like you guys know your stuff, so my question to you is this: What would be a good starter gun that a woman who's never shot a gun in her life, could handle?

Well, with men hand size is less of an issue than it is with women. She really needs to go handle a few and see what fits her hands. I know my wife, and my Mom ... both love my Browing Hi-Power 9mm, it's their favorite gun in my collection. I'd put that on the list of what to check out.

Of course, you could have something custom built for her

 

[tbergman]

What do you want to do with yours? I can give some suggestions.

Target shooting and varmints mostly, can't hunt deer with high power in Iowa so i stick with the old 870 for that. Doesn't need to be real long distance accurate because that's what the Remington 700 is for but if i just wanted to throw lead everywhere i'd get a mini-14.

 

[alexsound]

Well, with men hand size is less of an issue than it is with women. She really needs to go handle a few and see what fits her hands. I know my wife, and my Mom ... both love my Browing Hi-Power 9mm, it's their favorite gun in my collection. I'd put that on the list of what to check out.

Of course, you could have something custom built for her

Yeah, I'll make sure she doesn't see this image. She'd probably run out to the nearest gun shop and try to get one just like it. Anyways, thanks for the advice. We'll do what you said and go to some local gun shops.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

Target shooting and varmints mostly, can't hunt deer with high power in Iowa so i stick with the old 870 for that. Doesn't need to be real long distance accurate because that's what the Remington 700 is for but if i just wanted to throw lead everywhere i'd get a mini-14.

Alright, then I'd think about a 14.7" or 16" barrel ... carbine gas system. If you don't want to have to permanently attach the flash hider get 16", if shorter is better get the 14.7". I'd probably go for a 1:7 or 1:8 twist barrel too, probably 1:8 ... so it'll stabilize heavier bullets. Just pick your barrel profile on how light you want it to be. Obviously thinner barrel profiles will weigh less, but heat up faster and potentially lose accuracy. But that wouldn't be an issue unless you're pushing it hard, usually the weight savings are well worth it. I'd say get a flat top upper so you can mount optics and clean out those squirrels, and the flexibility of a railed fore-end is really worth the few extra dollars.

CMMG would be a good place to call, they have tons of options available and build quickly to order. Or you can get your parts and build yourself, here are a few good outfits to do that.

http://global-tactical.com/
http://www.adcofirearms.com/
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/

 

[majorloser]

My best advice for buying a woman a gun who has never fired one:

Take her to an indoor range and let her rent or try as many guns as she's up to shooting. She'll tell you what feel right for her.

Of course once she's picked out a puny little .25 auto as her favorite gun, just go ahead and buy her the Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull. She'll love ya' for it.

But seriously, the .380 Beretta 86 with the tip up barrel is a nice easy gun to shoot and load.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

But seriously, the .380 Beretta 86 with the tip up barrel is a nice easy gun to shoot and load.

Nice suggestion ... 380 has decent stopping power and the Beretta is big enough to operate comfortably.

One I wouldn't let her even think about shooting, the micro 380's like my Ruger LCP. They may look cute because they're so tiny, but it's harder to shoot the damn thing than my .460 Magnum.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I meant to ask this question when this thread first came out. I do not own a firearm, however, now, of all people, my wife wants to get a gun. . She feels we should have one for protection and is pretty adamant about getting one. She said she would like a Glock or a Magum. Yes, I spelled it the way she said it, MAGUM. Anyways, sounds like you guys know your stuff, so my question to you is this: What would be a good starter gun that a woman who's never shot a gun in her life, could handle?

I agree with her going to the range and shooting some guns first to see what she likes. It's best to start with a .22 and work your way up in my opinion.

Does she want to keep it in the house or get a concealed carry permit? For concealed I like the Smith & Wesson Ladysmith's for women.... major's suggestion is good too. I've shot that gun and liked it.

In the house I'm still a fan of a Remington 870 pump action shotgun. Inexpensive, powerful punch, people seem to shoot shotguns by nature/intuition too which is good if she is scared and a robber is in the house. Handguns are also very effective, but I'd go with a longer barrel one for in the house to reduce recoil.

If you live in a state that allows it, silencers are a nice way to extend your barrel, scare the living **** out of badguys and increase accuracy (due to barrel length). Mine cost about 600 bucks, plus a trust my lawyer had to setup but he did it on the cheap.

You want something that works well in close range because most defensive shooting happens like that.

 

[itschris]

Here's a some pics of my carry guns. The 1911 is my favorite gun and this one was built by Bob Cogan. I wrote about it earlier, but it's a basically a modified full sized frame (I have big hands so I need the standard grip size) but it's got an officer's slide on it and we compensated it. On the one pic I hope you can see the checkering detail. Bob does great work and I love this gun. In a rest, this will put 1.5-1.75 groups at 25 yards and 2.25 at 50 yards with good ammo. Everything on the gun was fitted. It feels perfect in your hand. My only complaint is that it's heavy, but I plan on building a lightweight version using titanium.

The XD is a ported .40 cal. which is my favorite round. In Florida, it's rare that you will encounter layers of heavy and tough clothing so you have a lot better options for calibers of choice since even a .22 will penetrate a t-shirt.

Anyway, the XD primarily resides on my nightstand each night and goes into the safe each morning. I do carry it, but I'm not 100% comfortable with it since it does not have a manual safety. I've always had and trained cocked and lock, so I'm still not at ease carrying the XD at all times despite it's safety features. I need more training time with it before it becomes a standard carry gun for me. The gun I carry 24/7 will likely be the lightweight version of my .45 built just like my current one.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

Is the blown primers something you have heard of before? If you think of the item you speak of shoot me a link. I have heard of a plastic piece for the trigger guard but only for aesthetics.

Here ya go!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=970550

 

[alexsound]

I agree with her going to the range and shooting some guns first to see what she likes. It's best to start with a .22 and work your way up in my opinion.

Does she want to keep it in the house or get a concealed carry permit? For concealed I like the Smith & Wesson Ladysmith's for women.... major's suggestion is good too. I've shot that gun and liked it.

In the house I'm still a fan of a Remington 870 pump action shotgun. Inexpensive, powerful punch, people seem to shoot shotguns by nature/intuition too which is good if she is scared and a robber is in the house. Handguns are also very effective, but I'd go with a longer barrel one for in the house to reduce recoil.

If you live in a state that allows it, silencers are a nice way to extend your barrel, scare the living **** out of badguys and increase accuracy (due to barrel length). Mine cost about 600 bucks, plus a trust my lawyer had to setup but he did it on the cheap.

You want something that works well in close range because most defensive shooting happens like that.

I've shot my father's shotgun, and it has a hell of a kick. I thought about the shotgun too, but remembered the kick part. I will say, you don't really have to have dead on aim to hit the target.

 

[Matt34]

I've shot my father's shotgun, and it has a hell of a kick. I thought about the shotgun too, but remembered the kick part. I will say, you don't really have to have dead on aim to hit the target.

A couple years ago at the SRT range (Army's version of SWAT).

That's me in the foreground with the "door breacher". Kick isn't that bad.

What was left of the target.

M24's

 

[Matt34]

My Bushmaster

Mossberg 500

My old XD .45

and finally my Kimber

 

[unreal.freak]

Here ya go!

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=970550

Thanks alot ....Im gonna get one!!

Peace,
Tommy

 

[MidnightSensi]

I thought about the shotgun too, but remembered the kick part. I will say, you don't really have to have dead on aim to hit the target.

Depending on distance and the shot used is how much, but, you still have to aim them fairly accurately to stop a target but not as much as a handgun...

Also, while I am of the belief that if you pull out a gun you should expect to shoot it (and be thankful if you don't have to), but regardless the sound of someone cocking a shotgun is absolutely chilling and would likely make most bad guys run for the hills.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

I agree with her going to the range and shooting some guns first to see what she likes. It's best to start with a .22 and work your way up in my opinion.

I get why people say that, I don't know that I necessarily buy it ... but don't disagree either. I just think that if you're going to carry/own a 9mm or 45, you should train with a 9mm or 45.

This is an excellent training exercise, I still do it with myself. Load snap caps into a mag randomly, like round #4 in one mag, round #7 in another. Then as you're going through the rounds and you hit the snap cap notice your body reaction ... did you jerk the barrel down, did your arms flinch, etc. That's an excellent way to see if you're doing something wrong, and demonstrates it better than shooting a full mag of live rounds can.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I get why people say that, I don't know that I necessarily buy it ... but don't disagree either. I just think that if you're going to carry/own a 9mm or 45, you should train with a 9mm or 45.

This is an excellent training exercise, I still do it with myself. Load snap caps into a mag randomly, like round #4 in one mag, round #7 in another. Then as you're going through the rounds and you hit the snap cap notice your body reaction ... did you jerk the barrel down, did your arms flinch, etc. That's an excellent way to see if you're doing something wrong, and demonstrates it better than shooting a full mag of live rounds can.

I agree, I just mean the first time she shoots a gun I think it should be a .22. Rented or whatever.

I wish I had a .22 actually.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

Here's a some pics of my carry guns. The 1911 is my favorite gun and this one was built by Bob Cogan. I wrote about it earlier, but it's a basically a modified full sized frame (I have big hands so I need the standard grip size) but it's got an officer's slide on it and we compensated it. On the one pic I hope you can see the checkering detail. Bob does great work and I love this gun. In a rest, this will put 1.5-1.75 groups at 25 yards and 2.25 at 50 yards with good ammo. Everything on the gun was fitted. It feels perfect in your hand. My only complaint is that it's heavy, but I plan on building a lightweight version using titanium.

The XD is a ported .40 cal. which is my favorite round. In Florida, it's rare that you will encounter layers of heavy and tough clothing so you have a lot better options for calibers of choice since even a .22 will penetrate a t-shirt.

Anyway, the XD primarily resides on my nightstand each night and goes into the safe each morning. I do carry it, but I'm not 100% comfortable with it since it does not have a manual safety. I've always had and trained cocked and lock, so I'm still not at ease carrying the XD at all times despite it's safety features. I need more training time with it before it becomes a standard carry gun for me. The gun I carry 24/7 will likely be the lightweight version of my .45 built just like my current one.

Beautiful Cogan 1911, I'll bet that's a dream to shoot. Nothing really satisfies like a silky smooth 1911. I'm having a new Fusion 1911 in 10mm built right now, can't wait to get it and post up some pics.

So why ported in a service size 40cal? I wouldn't mind having my Glock 29, compact 10mm, ported ... but the bigger frame in 40 I can't imagine it making much difference other than being louder and throwing crap in your face. Just wondering why you went that route.

 

[Spkr_Bldr]

I agree, I just mean the first time she shoots a gun I think it should be a .22. Rented or whatever.

I wish I had a .22 actually.

Nah, I've watched my wife - who's a petite little thing - shoot enough with 9mm's to see that she can handle it without any problem. In fact my Browning Hi-Power was the first gun she ever fired. She didn't like shooting, but had no problem with the gun

I think 22's are good for kids just to learn respect, and to teach them how to handle a firearm. But for an adult looking to buy a defensive piece, learn on what you're going to own. Just also buy a couple hours of training at the local range at the same time. A first time shooter can get a nice feeling of security by having a teacher watching them and moving them along the right path.

We agree though, the learning part is absolutely integral to gun ownership. If you're not willing to invest the time and effort necessary, then don't even think about buying. And that goes from the day you buy without end ... you have to STAY familiar with your gun.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Depending on distance and the shot used is how much, but, you still have to aim them fairly accurately to stop a target but not as much as a handgun...

Also, while I am of the belief that if you pull out a gun you should expect to shoot it (and be thankful if you don't have to), but regardless the sound of someone cocking a shotgun is absolutely chilling and would likely make most bad guys run for the hills.

That gave me an idea.

I recorded me cycling a couple of rounds through the Eagle. If I was in a dark house and I heard that, I'd be out the door screaming for mommy.

Cocking the Desert Eagle

This is an audio forum, after all, right?