help me buy a gun

[Brosia]

Just about ready to make my first purchase. I'll be sure to have a long talk with the guy at the gun shop, but give me some opinions. I try to follow ya'lls threads on guns, and I admit, it makes my head spin because I have NO clue.
Gun prices will differ everywhere, and probably most expensive around here, but I'd like to keep it at around $500.


My details:
No experience with guns
Looking for home defense foremost
would like it for small animal hunting if it had to be
5'1", with wimpy girly arm strength.


help

[ryantx23]

Are you looking for a pistol, rifle or a shotgun? For a woman with no firearms experience, I'd probably go with a 9mm pistol of some sort, and a .22 rifle (Suggest a Ruger 10/22) if you go with that. Give us some more info on what you're thinking and we can help you better.:D

-Ryan

[Big_Saw]

Are you looking for a pistol, rifle or a shotgun? For a woman with no firearms experience, I'd probably go with a 9mm pistol of some sort, and a .22 rifle (Suggest a Ruger 10/22) if you go with that. Give us some more info on what you're thinking and we can help you better.:D

-Ryan

+1 here...everyone here knows I'm a big fan of the9mm pistol....I think it's the best all-around caliber, IMHO. And the Ruger 10/22 is, IMHO, unmatched in bang-for-the-buck and quality.

You might even be able to acquire both for around 5-600, if you're patient and shop smart. Just don't buy trash - research reviews and ratings before you settle on any particular model/brand, and don't be afraid to ask a ton of questions!

There are a number of garbage guns left out there that were made by folks who were put out of biz for making trash, so be careful.....learn how to properly inspect a used weapon, too....you can find all kinds of in-depth info on theses topics online.

[beebopcop]

Just about ready to make my first purchase. I'll be sure to have a long talk with the guy at the gun shop, but give me some opinions. I try to follow ya'lls threads on guns, and I admit, it makes my head spin because I have NO clue.
Gun prices will differ everywhere, and probably most expensive around here, but I'd like to keep it at around $500.


My details:
No experience with guns
Looking for home defense foremost
would like it for small animal hunting if it had to be
5'1", with wimpy girly arm strength.


help

Well Brosia, I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that you go with a revolver in .38 or .45 acp caliber. The reason is that a revolver has less moving part than a semi auto and is less prone to the various jams of a semi auto. Both the .38 and .45 acp are known man stoppers with the .45 acp being the better of the two. I don't think that you are going to get by with just one gun to serve your needs. I concur with the fellows above about the 10/22 by ruger for small game and ease of use, and dependability. Getting back to the revolvers for a moment. The .45 acp revolvers use moon clips to load the cylinder. Some moon clips are designed to hold 3 rounds and some 6, but the point is they are like little speed loaders so that you load the gun with just one or two movements and you are ready to fire again. The only other thing that I would say is that there is nothing wrong with getting a used gun if it checks out well and be aware that gun prices vary greatly from one dealer to the next. It would be better if you could buy from a private party because it does not require paperwork, at least not in NC. Maybe someone on this forum has what you are looking for. Put you an add in the "wanted" section and see what turns up. By the way, I carry a revolver on duty along with a couple other weapons, so I have confidence in it.
If there is anything I can do to help, let me know:D

[voodoo]

Brosia, Seeing how you are in NY, you will need to get a permit in order to own a handgun. Not hard to get if you live in the sticks. Seeing that you live on LI, you may find it difficult. It is the local law enforcement that has final say on wether they grant you the permit or not. In the sticks, about 2 weeks to get. NY metro area, 4-6 months, IF you are lucky. Get a 20ga pump shotgun. Not ideal for home defence, but very doable.

[kenno]

I'll offer my opinion:
If you are a novice with firearms take a safety class where you will be introduced to different type and model guns.
Ergononics is very important in firearm selection especially in hand guns. You will want a handgun that is small enough to fit you well, easy to use and with reasonable power. There are several models in 9mm and 38spl/357mag that fit this criteria. Recoil can be determined by the type ammo you use in 12 and 20 gauge as well as 38 Spl, but in 9mm you have to maintain a certain power level to cycle the handgun.
You should concider both a 12 ga and a 20 ga pump to see which is most comfortable. A 20 gauge shotgun is usually a bit lighter some 'Youth Models' are offered with shorter stocks for smaller builds. I think a 10-22 rifle would fit you quite well and be an excelent starting point as well as an affordable one, there are many used ones on the market.

[Zombie Axe]

I'd concur with what BBC suggested on the revolver, many because of your location, but also because revolvers can get the job done. If you can't get the job done in 5 or 6 shots, 17 rounds of 9mm ain't gonna do you much good either...

For home defense, you can't beat a shotgun. I like the Mossberg 500 pump shotgun... They used to offer a security combo that came with a stock, 28" barrel, pistol grip and 18" barrel... The pistol grip looks cool but is not as functional as the standard stock... However the stock with the 18" barrel makes one heck of home defense weapon.

Then when you want to hunt, swap it out for 28" barrel and you are good to go :)

May want to go with a 20 gauge, but they make stocks like the Knoxx Spec Ops recoil reducing stock that will tame down the recoil of the 12 gauge...

If you were in another location, I would suggest the Glock 17 or 19 (whichever fits you better) or the Springfield Armory XD line also in 9mm.

For a great all around rifle, I agreed with everyones choice on the Ruger 10/22. Great plinker to get practice with, can harvest alot of game with it, and CHEAP to shoot!

[Zombie Axe]

BTW, don't take everything the guys at the gunshop as a truth... Remember they are in the business to sell you what they have in inventory, and you may wind up with something you don't want...

I reread kenno's post and as usual offers some excellent advice on taking the class...

I'd also add go to one of those gunstores/shooting ranges that allow you to rent firearms and fire them on their range. That way you will know what works for you after trying them out... May have to spend a little money on this to test drive a few, but in the long run, you will have exactly what you feel comfortable with...

[West Texas!]

20 gauge shotgun with low recoil rounds...it'll be perfect for home defense and hunting, especially for a tee-nee tiny woman with "wimpy girly arm strength." and I don't *think* you'll need a permit it.
ETA, my wife is 5ft 3in, 115lbs...she loves her 20 gauge with 18.5 inch barrel.

[ganski]

i would say a remmington 870 12 ga shotgun, you could deffinatley shoot it, great for everything, you could shot buckshot for home defence, birdshot for small game, and slugs, for large game, reasonably cheap 270 - 300 dollars new, since its a pump its pretty reliable compared to an auto that needs alot of cleaning. If you wanted to get a hand gun, I would recommend a 9mm, its a cheaper gun and ammo also a very popular ammo. Your best bet is with a xd 9mm which you could get used around 400 and new around 500, their solid guns but its all about your choice and how the gun fits you and what your looking to spend and how to use the gun. good luck!

[Big_Saw]

Okay...so you need a 9mm auto pistol, a .45 wheelgun, a12/20shotgun, a 10/22 rifle and some shooting instruction and you'll be good to go!;)

[West Texas!]

i would say a remmington 870 12 ga shotgun, you could deffinatley shoot it, great for everything, you could shot buckshot for home defence, birdshot for small game, and slugs, for large game, reasonably cheap 270 - 300 dollars new, since its a pump its pretty reliable compared to an auto that needs alot of cleaning. If you wanted to get a hand gun, I would recommend a 9mm, its a cheaper gun and ammo also a very popular ammo. Your best bet is with a xd 9mm which you could get used around 400 and new around 500, their solid guns but its all about your choice and how the gun fits you and what your looking to spend and how to use the gun. good luck!

My little wife loves her XD-9SC.....fit's her hand really well.

[Red]

If you ever get up to NH you are more than welcome to try everything I have and see what you like or what works for you. I have everything the folks above listed except for the 9mm... but my buddy has one I can borrow. I know it's a long way buit figured I'd offer in case you traveled to the area.... I have taught quite a few people about firearms and while I am not a guru by any stretch I am safe and sane... I just like to shoot ... alot!

Rick in NH

[Brosia]

hubby likes the idea of a shotgun, just the sound of the pump action should send any would-be intruders running. Actually, he doesn't really like the idea of my owning a gun at all, since he tends to tick me off often :p

Thinking a handgun will be too difficult to acquire around here, I don't want to wait months and months (though I've got a clean record, I swear!)

I plan on eventually having a few guns, this is going to be only my first purchase

[Rustyshakelford]

hubby likes the idea of a shotgun, just the sound of the pump action should send any would-be intruders running. Actually, he doesn't really like the idea of my owning a gun at all, since he tends to tick me off often :p

Thinking a handgun will be too difficult to acquire around here, I don't want to wait months and months (though I've got a clean record, I swear!)

I plan on eventually having a few guns, this is going to be only my first purchase

My opinion, would be if you are going to just have one, a shotgun in 12 guage is what I recommend.