On buying a gun...

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Permalink Reply by LShieldes on November 11, 2009 at 10:19am

I really don't want to get bogged down in a caliber debate, but just wanted to throw one thing out there.

I strongly agree with everyone about making sure you put plenty of rounds through the firearm to make sure you are proficient and won't hesitate and won't miss. One thing to think about is the price of that ammunition, as well as the price you have to pay everytime you go to the range.

Down here we have some out door ranges, where I am free to throw Monarch's and Blazers through my CZ75bd. I clean the gun when I am done, so the nastier rounds really do no harm. This allows me to take almost half off the price of a box of 50 9mm rounds. An indoor range will want nothing but brass rounds, and try to convince you that is the only thing that should ever go through your gun.

Then there is just the price difference between a .38, .357, 9mm, .45 and so on. Some calibers can be triple what others are. I barely shoot my .44spl anymore because I just don't have the $20+ dollars a box to spend. The 9mm isn't shot that much more either as when I started shooting it I was getting alum ammo for $3 a box, and brass for $5, those prices have doubled. I was fortunate to get in plenty of time before the price skyrocketed, so now I just put out 100-300 rounds ayear on the 9mm, and after my wrist surgery am putting maybe 6-12 rounds out on my .44spl.

I enjoy shooting, and I understand the need for defense, I just have to be extremely smart about the costs. I have purchased a heritage .22 revolver to be able to affordably spend time at the range.

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Permalink Reply by Gary A. Rainey on November 21, 2009 at 2:17am

I did see your saying that you do not wan a shotgun for your first firearm purchase, as far as for home defense use, they really can't be beaten in most situations. Firstly, they are reliable, second, they require less fine motor skills for effective use in a high-stress situation(something that can't be said about a handgun). In addition to this, they're economical to purchase and practice with. Also, for indoor use, they're less likely to overpenetrate interior walls than a handgun or rifle. Added bonus not mentioned, is that because semiautomatic or pump-action shotguns are tube fed, they can be reloaded without removing a magazine, meaning that the weapon will remain useful while you're topping off the magazine. I know this isn't what you asked for, but I thought I'd like to offer a dissenting opinion. Also, if you decide on a shotgun, skip the pistol grip and get one with a full-stock.

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