Learn me buying a gun

I still don't understand why the .32 is worthless.

In reply to 96DXCivic:Because as a self defense round it's basically worthless, although there are some modern loads that may be suitable. If punching holes in paper and having fun is the goal, the .22 is the way to go-it's way cheaper and there are a buttload of guns and loads for it. If self defense is the goal, well the .32ACP is better than no gun at all (the .32 Smith and Wesson is even weaker stay away). A .32 may be a visual deterrent, but even a fatal shot may not immediately incapicitate. When you go to the gun show, take a look at the LadySmith line by Smith and Wesson as they are specifically tailored for women. Look at all the dealers before making a purchase because prices will vary, ask lots of questions and keep the BS meter on high. They are there to make a buck and some may try to take advantage of a newbie.

I am going to take a friend with me that has a ton of guns and knows them pretty well. Out of curiosity has anyone shot one of these.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat604684-cat604685&id=0080050291195a&navCount=1&podId=0080050&parentId=cat604685&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Not considering this for the girlfriend.

Edit: Ignore that gun. I just read that a lot of people don't consider them safe. Double Edit: Ignore my edit.

96DXCivic wrote: I still don't understand why the .32 is worthless.

I used to hang out with a very large guy with 3 little dots on his chest from a pimp and his .32 trying to start a bar fight. He was the bouncer. Guy pulled the 32 and put 3 in his chest before he snatched him up in a bear hug, breaking his (pimps) arm and holding him until the police made their way in.

Sorry... I won't waste my money or time on that.

Got it on the .32

I read adventure novels and I know professonal assassins prefer the .22. One shot to the head and it bounces around in side destroying the brain and the slug so it's untraceable.

I've owned a couple of .32's.

They have a surprising kick, given the short barrels that often come with them. This also gives you a gun that's not terribly accurate. Most are blowbacks and have no extractor, so if you have a misfire, you may find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

.32 ammo is a little hard to find and is much more expensive than 9mm. If your girlfriend would like to shoot you with something bigger than a .22, you may want to think about getting her a small but heavy 9mm. The ammo will be cheap and easy to find, recoil will be minimal and you will have a fairly effective defensive round.

Remember: Cheap ammo = shooting more often = improved skills and more confidence.

Get her a Glock.

2nd the glock, just bought myself a 19 a couple weeks ago. shot it for the first time last weekend, and loved it. despite being lighter than my previous 9mm, it seems to have even less recoil, and shoots more accurately than the old ultrastar i had before.

if you find a 3rd gen one, they come with an accessory rail molded into the frame in front of the trigger guard for mounting a light and/or laser to for home defense. great guns, most reliable gun you'll find for the price, too

She wants a .22. I want a gun myself which is why I asked about the .32. I am going to try shooting a lot of guns before I get one.

there are .22LR conversion kits for all of the glock models, if'n you want to shoot a bunch and not go broke doing it. they can be hard to come by from what i hear, though

Guns are like shoes. Each style has its own good and bad side. And , yes, it can be a very personal decision.
I got my first concealed carry permit back when Tn essentially licensed you for a particular weapon so I showed up for my exam with several guns. Now the law has been changed so you only have to show basic proficiency with one weapon. My local law enforcement stress course requires 25 shots so you also have to think about how many times you will have to reload with certain guns.
Like everyone has said, go to gun shows(tell her to think of it as DSW) and try them on for size and comfort. Women tend to be intimidated by the size of guns so expect her to be attracted to the smaller sizes and bores. I would suggest that you get her to talk to someone she respects in law enforcement for their recommendations. She will take their advice; yours will be filtered.

96DXCivic wrote: I am going to take a friend with me that has a ton of guns and knows them pretty well. Out of curiosity has anyone shot one of these. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat604684-cat604685&id=0080050291195a&navCount=1&podId=0080050&parentId=cat604685&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true Not considering this for the girlfriend. Edit: Ignore that gun. I just read that a lot of people don't consider them safe.

I have one. No safety concerns from here, they are really interesting and can be had much cheaper than that price at Cabela's, like less than $100.00. I want to get another one and take the blueing off and put it in a sporter stock. Sport rounds (deformable and round) are available as well. Its right between a 30-06 and a 308.

She has somewhere to put it now?

Does she have a gun safe already? If not, might i suggest that as a gift?

In reply to mattmacklind:

I reread the safety concern thing and it was only on certain guns.

In reply to madmallard:

Her roommate is has a gun safe and she said that she was willing to lock up guns for her.

96DXCivic wrote: Edit: Ignore that gun. I just read that a lot of people don't consider them safe.

Don't consider the Mosin Nagant safe? And why, pray tell? That rifle served Russia and and its satellites/clients for a century, give or take, in various forms. I don't recall a lot of failures caused by the rifle's design or construction.

My son has one, a 91/30 (full length rifle, hex receiver, laminated stock). It has potential. Not comfy to shoot out of the box, but a rubber buttplate improves that. Assuming it hasn't been too badly abused, It's as safe as the shooter.

It is only the ones built with the label "Instructie". And that is if trust wikipedia.

chickgun = ladysmith..

duh

I find it funny about the rumors of the Mosin being an "unsafe" gun. The safety on them can be stiff and hard for some to set (pull the bolt knob back and rotate) but I have no problems with mine at all. Heck I love mine and it is rock solid. $150 for a 91/30 is high though that is the range you would be looking at for the smaller M44. Ammo is dirt cheap for a high powered rifle. Shooting Russian steel core is fun .

Here is mine (again) decked out with synthetic stock, scope and bi pod.

it actually no longer looks like this, its in the process of getting a camo paint job done and has the coyote tan base coat done. Oh and I actually have grown accustomed to the straight bolt, I actually work the action with my left hand even though I shoot and am right handed.

In reply to rebelgtp:

I have only heard it about one model and that was on Wikipedia so take that for what it is worth.

Something you may consider is the type of operating mechanism from the standpoint of safety and reliability. Double action only (DAO), versus double action or single action in the case of a semiautomatic hand gun, may be appropriate if the gun is not practiced with frequently or if it is to be used for self defense. I started with a revolver which is the safest configuration in my opinion. The LadySmith (see above) is a nice weapon. I like the idea of a .357 mag because you can shoot .38 special through it at low cost. Reloads are cheap. Ruger has a center post attachment for the grip on their GP100 and SP101 models that will mount a custom grip for any hand. The SP101 is smaller (5 shot) and some women I know like it. For defense the .357 is an unbeatable one shot stopper. You should keep in mind that the shorter the gun is, the easier it is to point it at something you don't want to shoot.

A really nice semiauto .22 in the Thompson center. It has beat out the competition for accuracy in all the comparisons I've read about. I'd check on whether it came with a "youth" stock if I was buying one for my wife or daughter. If it did then that would be my choice.

96DXCivic wrote: In reply to rebelgtp: I have only heard it about one model and that was on Wikipedia so take that for what it is worth.

I normally hear people saying it about all MN rifles. Kinda like when one model car gets a bad rep (even just a few not all of them) yet the whole brand gets a bad name because of it.

As for what gun to get your girl honestly I agree with the others that said to let her pick it out. Ergonomics on guns can be kind of funny, what is great for one person can be down right painful for another. I remember going with my dad and uncle shooting one time and my dad fired a little auto pistol of my uncles and the slide came back and took a chunk out of my dads hand. Small gun, big hand bad combo.

I remember firing a SW .38 with a small grip and it would rock back in my hand when fired. I just could not get a good grip on it. Have her try out a bunch preferably at a range that rents so you also get a feeling about shooting them. A .22 will be a great start and can be great fun for the low cost of shooting one. Generally if you can get really good with a .22 you will be able to get really good with something with more high power. Generally if you work backwards you will be worse with the .22.

Mosin Sagant not safe?

Not if you're the POTUS.

Here are a few suggestions for a .22 pistol:
Ruger Mark II with a 5.5" bull barrel or the 6" Government Target model. Versatile gun that's great for plinking or for more formal competitive target shooting (NRA bullseye)

Olympic Arms Wolverine. This is an updated polymer version of the old Whitney Wolverine. It looks like a 1950s raygun. Kinda neat.

.22 conversion kits and either a Glock 34 or a 1911. Gives you versatility to practice with cheap .22 ammo and still have a larger caliber gun for certain competitive pistol games and/or self-defense.

96DXCivic wrote: I am going to take a friend with me that has a ton of guns and knows them pretty well. Out of curiosity has anyone shot one of these. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat604684-cat604685&id=0080050291195a&navCount=1&podId=0080050&parentId=cat604685&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true Not considering this for the girlfriend. Edit: Ignore that gun. I just read that a lot of people don't consider them safe. Double Edit: Ignore my edit.

You can get them cheaper than that. They kick like a mule and shoot fire out the barrel. But I know several folks that have one.