Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

You are here: MacNN Forums > Community > MacNN Lounge > Gun Recommendations

Gun Recommendations
Thread Tools
andi*pandi
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 01:49 PM
 
Easy to use, reasonably cheap, possibly good for self-defense, possibly shooting pesky squirrels (or drones). My only experience is with BB guns as a kid. I'd also want to do training at a range.

Any recommendations?
     
reader50
Administrator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: California
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 02:06 PM
 
Shotguns work best on drones, they help compensate for poor aim at small moving targets. Shotguns are also kinda big.

If you've never fired a gun before, suggest you start with small calibers. Like a .22 or .25 auto. At the range, try both pistols and rifles. The rifles won't be too different from your BB guns (when using a small caliber) and they work good for varmints because of their easy aiming. Pistols are more useful for self-defense since they don't have a long barrel for an adversary to grab.

Definitely suggest using the range, and try a selection of guns. If you want to try the larger calibers, work up to them slowly. The kick goes up quite a bit.
     
Cap'n Tightpants
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Shaddim's sock drawer
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 02:26 PM
 
Pump-action .410 shotgun. The Mossberg 510 is a great value and a solid firearm. http://www.basspro.com/Mossberg-510-...duct/10218685/
"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character." - M.L.King Jr
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 04:43 PM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
Easy to use, reasonably cheap, possibly good for self-defense, possibly shooting pesky squirrels (or drones). My only experience is with BB guns as a kid. I'd also want to do training at a range.

Any recommendations?
How far away are your neighbors?
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 04:59 PM
 
Not far. The suburbs.

Found a class nearby next month.
     
OldManMac
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: I don't know anymore!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 05:41 PM
 
I have a .380 Ruger LCP and a Kahr 9mm, when I carry. I can't carry now, as my CPL is expired, due to being in the hospital at that time. Both are small enough to fit in a pocket. For home I have a S&W .40 with a laser light, and a new S&W 637 38 special revolver with built in laser light. For me, it's been hard to find one particular gun that does everything.
Why is there always money for war, but none for education?
     
el chupacabra
Mac Elite
Join Date: Apr 2001
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 06:36 PM
 
AR15. It's highly customizable, with customizable buttstock, barrel, triggers. Very versatile. And if you ever need to exceraize your 2nd amendment right defending yourself from the government in the next revolution, it can be converted to a machine gun wit a wee bit a work.

For an all around good 1st gun try a 22. Most people I know say this is their favorite gun for fun. Low kick, cheap ammo... Good gun for subsonic bullets for no noise. It wont kill a human easily but I guess it depends where you shoot em.
     
ShortcutToMoncton
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Rock
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 1, 2017, 08:57 PM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
Easy to use, reasonably cheap, possibly good for self-defense, possibly shooting pesky squirrels (or drones). My only experience is with BB guns as a kid. I'd also want to do training at a range.

Any recommendations?
Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
AR15.


Mankind's only chance is to harness the power of stupid.
     
Stogieman
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 03:44 AM
 
Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
For an all around good 1st gun try a 22. Most people I know say this is their favorite gun for fun. Low kick, cheap ammo... Good gun for subsonic bullets for no noise. It wont kill a human easily but I guess it depends where you shoot em.
I highly agree. I own both an AR-15 and a Ruger 10-22. I have the most fun at the range shooting the Ruger. It has a low kick and the ammo is dirt cheap. (500 rounds for $30) Plus, the aftermarket customization for the 10-22 is huge. I swapped out the stock on mine and changed it to a bullpup rifle. This is what it looks like.

Before:


After:

Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
Stogieman
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 04:11 AM
 
Oh I forgot to mention, if you're looking to get a hand gun I would highly recommend a Sig Sauer. They're more expense than your typical Glock or Beretta but the build quality is amazing. Plus Sig Sauer makes 22lr conversion kits for most of their hand guns. I have a P226 that shoots 9mm ammo. With the conversion kit, I can shoot the same cheap ammo that my 10-22 uses.


Slick shoes?! Are you crazy?!
     
P
Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 06:54 AM
 
Originally Posted by el chupacabra View Post
It wont kill a human easily
That's in the pros column, right?
The new Mac Pro has up to 30 MB of cache inside the processor itself. That's more than the HD in my first Mac. Somehow I'm still running out of space.
     
osiris
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Isle of Manhattan
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 10:10 AM
 
[QUOTE=Stogieman;4374724]I highly agree. I own both an AR-15 and a Ruger 10-22. I have the most fun at the range shooting the Ruger. It has a low kick and the ammo is dirt cheap. (500 rounds for $30) Plus, the aftermarket customization for the 10-22 is huge. I swapped out the stock on mine and changed it to a bullpup rifle. This is what it looks like.





ah, my childhood rifle - the Ruger 10-22, which I quickly turned into a 50-22, then with some duct tape, a 100-22

I would recommend this for basic pest control because it is simple, easy to maintain, reliable and easy to shoot.

The 10-22's big brother Mini-14 also by Ruger was also a fun shooter, but crazy loud .223s I enjoyed in my teen years:

"Faster, faster! 'Till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death." - HST
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 11:33 AM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
Not far. The suburbs.
This makes hunting varmints a dicey proposition. I believe the rule of thumb is be at least a mile away from potential accidents.
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 12:22 PM
 
I have family with acreage, I can go there to practice.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 12:36 PM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
I have family with acreage, I can go there to practice.
The squirrels are a local problem, no?
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 12:42 PM
 
theoretical problem. In case of nuclear apocalypse, the 1 mile rule won't apply and I'll be competing with my neighbors for dinner. I have the biggest tree with all the acorns though.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 01:57 PM
 
Then I'm going to go with the general consensus and say .22, at least to start.

It's not the ideal self-defense or hunting round, but is ideal in every other way.

As already noted, cheaper can't be had, and it's a fun round. To put the "fun" concept a different way. A .22 is the easiest round to do what's supposed to be the whole point... put the bullet where you want it to go. It will take less than a day before you're going "crap... I'm a marksman".

This was mentioned, but bears repeating. If buying a gun becomes a possibility, it's hard to overrate the importance of trying out a bunch of guns in your selected caliber and picking the one which "feels" the best. Pretty much everything else is irrelevant.

One last thing about .22s is they can be handled by fairly young children. That's a thorny discussion perhaps beyond the scope of the thread, but the non-contentious observation is choosing that round won't give you fewer options.
     
BadKosh
Professional Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Just west of DC.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 02:55 PM
 
How about a Springfield Armory XD series? I have the XD45. Really fun to shoot. Also, for long range and fun to shoot, the Remington 597 22LR. Uses rimfire 22's. You can get it with a scope! remington makes 30 round magazines for it too! I have .....several.
     
el chupacabra
Mac Elite
Join Date: Apr 2001
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 09:16 PM
 
… .
( Last edited by el chupacabra; Jan 5, 2024 at 01:35 AM. )
     
phantomdragonz
Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Near Boulder, CO
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 2, 2017, 10:21 PM
 
A lot of these suggestions are terrible (sorry!) for what you are asking for.

If you want a long gun for self defense I suggest a shotgun, I would suggest a pump action since the sound alone will usually be sufficient and you may not have to deal with the mental anguish of actually ending a life.

If you want a short gun for self defense then I strongly advise you to go and handle some. Buy what feels good in your hand. If I end up buying another handgun I want a smith and wesson bodyguard. I already have a Springfield XD which I really like how it feels in my hand.


First and foremost don't bother buying a gun for self defense unless you practice. If your state/location allows for concealed carry then take a class and get the license.

Practice, practice, practice and teach kids that guns are not toys. Take them shooting and TEACH and SHOW them how to respect it.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 3, 2017, 12:29 AM
 
Well, as I said. A .22 is a poor self-defense and/or hunting round, but it's great in all other aspects.

If home defense and/or hunting are the priority, I would agree a shotgun is the way to go.
     
Paco500
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 3, 2017, 08:02 AM
 
Obligatory lefty wacko snowflake recommendation that the best gun to ensure the safety of you and your family is the one you don't buy. That being said, for squirrels, rats, rabbits , and birds, an air rifle is perfectly sufficient. My son shoots clay pigeons with a .20 shotgun which suits a younger/smaller person well.
     
Face Ache
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Jul 2001
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 3, 2017, 11:05 PM
 
"2017 US housing design trends include moats, crenellations and murder holes."

Personally I find crossbows to be scarier than guns.
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 4, 2017, 12:03 AM
 
But a lot slower on the reload.
     
olePigeon
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Dec 1999
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 4, 2017, 12:10 AM
 
Keep in mind that in many states you don't need a license for a shotgun or breech load rifle. They're both easy to load and useful for self defense, sport, and hunting.
"…I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than
you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods,
you will understand why I dismiss yours." - Stephen F. Roberts
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 4, 2017, 07:53 AM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
Obligatory lefty wacko snowflake recommendation that the best gun to ensure the safety of you and your family is the one you don't buy.
Let me put it this way...

I think if someone doesn't realize getting a gun involves adopting risk, then they really shouldn't be getting a gun.

Same goes for chainsaws.
     
Paco500
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 4, 2017, 08:17 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Let me put it this way...

I think if someone doesn't realize getting a gun involves adopting risk, then they really shouldn't be getting a gun.

Same goes for chainsaws.
I'm not trying to talk her out of it (well, maybe a little, on principle), after all, as I've said before, I'm a gun owner myself*. I just felt it was my duty as a regressive to say something.

*No self-defence aspect to my gun ownership- I don't even keep the shotgun at home anymore- it lives at my son's coach's shop.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 4, 2017, 11:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by Paco500 View Post
(well, maybe a little, on principle)
Which is completely reasonable, and if it's the right principle in this circumstance, the last thing I'd want would be for it not to be followed.
     
Cap'n Tightpants
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Shaddim's sock drawer
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 5, 2017, 03:12 PM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
Which is completely reasonable, and if it's the right principle in this circumstance, the last thing I'd want would be for it not to be followed.
Absolutely. If you can't accept the risk, you shouldn't ever have a gun.
"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character." - M.L.King Jr
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 6, 2017, 11:41 AM
 
My biggest risk is if the kids or their friends got hold of it. So I'd also put it in the safe or some such.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 6, 2017, 01:05 PM
 
A gun lock on top of it couldn't hurt.

Perhaps obvious, but worth mentioning anyway. Ammo is kinda dangerous.

Further, .22 ammo is more attractive for DIY idiocy. They'll reliably go off when hit with a hammer.
     
Paco500
Professional Poster
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 7, 2017, 07:31 PM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
My biggest risk is if the kids or their friends got hold of it. So I'd also put it in the safe or some such.
As they say, 'if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will accidentally shoot and kill their kids.'

Was that over the top?
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 8, 2017, 10:22 AM
 
From what I see in the news, it tends to be kids accidentally shooting other kids or family members, because they did not know it was loaded, thought it was a toy, or were too young to realize that real guns in real life are dangerous.

So, I have a safe big enough for a handgun and bullets. If I bought a rifle, would it be sufficient to lock the bullets up? Or should I get a tall gun safe?
     
BadKosh
Professional Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Just west of DC.
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 8, 2017, 12:07 PM
 
Seems you don't want the weapon for defense? I have a loaded 45 hidden somewhere in my house. I also have 'some' magazines stashed here and there.
     
subego
Clinically Insane
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Bang! Bang!
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 8, 2017, 12:23 PM
 
The general thought process should be your kids can break into anything if they're determined enough, so whatever physical impediments are put in place need a matching psychological approach.

I personally think if there are guns in the house, the kids should get to join in as soon as is practical. They should take the classes, learn the safety rules, learn respect for the danger involved, and be given a heavily supervised environment where they get to shoot them. The guns shouldn't be made taboo, it's using them outside of "family time" which should be taboo.

If this is the setup, the kids will be far less inclined to try and go around your back.

I'd still lock things up though. Maybe fib a little and say it's for thieves, and not precocious children. Assuming you don't think your kids will try and get around it, you can get a gun lock for a rifle, and keep the key in the safe.

Another one of those obvious comments... keeping children safe isn't really compatible with having a gun in the house for self defense. You're pretty much stuck picking one or the other.
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 8, 2017, 01:28 PM
 
I'm not terribly scared of random thieves/intruders, in my area. But I'd like to be prepared.

I grew up with my father's guns in the house, not locked. I went hunting with him a few times. It was boring, even more boring than fishing. I think he just liked sitting in the woods in the quiet. The guns were kept in the back hallway on a display rack, and the ammo was kept... in a bedroom drawer. I was never tempted to touch them, but don't recall being told not too. The gun rack was high, but not so high that a chair wouldn't have given access.

Older child has fired weapons and is close to getting a badge for it. Younger child never has. Both are old enough to know guns are real, and real dangerous... and I trust their mental state as well. I'd be interested in getting them both into classes, that's definite.

I wish the Girl Scouts had more emphasis on some of these practical skills, but I think they are more worried about liability of injury. I have offered to show my girl scouts the same whittling safety class I taught cub scouts, and they jumped at the chance. Off-book of course.
     
OreoCookie
Moderator
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 9, 2017, 01:35 AM
 
Originally Posted by andi*pandi View Post
From what I see in the news, it tends to be kids accidentally shooting other kids or family members, because they did not know it was loaded, thought it was a toy, or were too young to realize that real guns in real life are dangerous.
From reading your responses here, it seems that right now you just want to dip your toes into the water. So how about you look for a gun range where you can leave your guns for now? Give yourself some time to take some classes and figure out what it is you actually want (e. g. sports shooting, hunting or self-defense). And once you get more comfortable and more experienced, you'll figure the rest out as it goes.
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
     
Cap'n Tightpants
Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Shaddim's sock drawer
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Feb 9, 2017, 05:51 AM
 
I wouldn't get a .22 for shooting drones or critters, not unless you plan on putting 100s and 100s of hours into shooting practice.
"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character." - M.L.King Jr
     
andi*pandi  (op)
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: inside 128, north of 90
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 29, 2017, 03:25 PM
 
Friends and I ended up taking the class this month. Most of the class was safety/legal slides, with about a half hour of practicing loading/unloading dummy ammo into sample guns (some revolver and a sig sauer I think). About 10 minutes on the actual range with real bullets, with a smith& wesson 617 revolver and ruger semi, both handguns. My aim was off to the left due to squinting, I need some bifocals I think!

Have certificate, now to fill out my town's application. Class came with free range time, so my friends and I may go back.
     
ghporter
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Antonio TX USA
Status: Offline
Reply With Quote
Jun 30, 2017, 08:46 PM
 
Andi, I think you'll find that simple range time with a quality handgun is addictive. It's a fun way to work on body mechanics and you can't beat the feeling you get when you've mastered that one thing that kept you from doing as well as you wanted to.

Congrats.

Where do you live that you need town-level approval for owning a firearm?

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
   
Thread Tools
 
Forum Links
Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Top
Privacy Policy
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:09 AM.
All contents of these forums © 1995-2017 MacNN. All rights reserved.
Branding + Design: www.gesamtbild.com
vBulletin v.3.8.8 © 2000-2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.,