Plan to become a gun owner?

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by Mick

I was pretty into target shooting with .22 caliber rifles when I was a younger man. I promised the wife that I wouldn't keep a firearm in the house when the kids were here, so I have not actually shot a gun in nearly 30 years. The youngest child moved out in July, so I have been thinking of getting back into it. The RTSP is Union is more or less across the street from the liquor store I go to regularly.

The thing about RTSP is that you can go and rent pretty much any gun they have, and fire it, but they will not rent to a single person unless you already have your FID card, you must have a buddy to rent and shoot if you don't have an FID card (I currently do not). Let me know if you want to buddy up and make a visit to Union RTSP.

Gun range then ——-> liquor store Moe.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

Gun range then ——-> liquor store Moe.

What? I'm an excellent shot, now hold my beer and watch this!

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by Mick

What? I'm an excellent shot, now hold my beer and watch this!

I bet... how about a shot of Tequilla?

[Bill]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

Gun range then ——-> liquor store Moe.

I disagree. Look, if you plan on shooting drunk in the future, then you should learn drunk and practice drunk, so that your training matches the real world conditions you expect when it matters.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

I bet... how about a shot of Tequilla?

I could really use a good ass kicking, I'll be perfectly honest with you . . .

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I disagree. Look, if you plan on shooting drunk in the future, then you should learn drunk and practice drunk, so that your training matches the real world conditions you expect when it matters.

Now this man, knows what he is talking about! If some asshole breaks into my house in the middle of the night, I'm going to need to know how to handle a firearm when piss drunk!

[RED-85-Z51]

Ranges are fun if the range officer isnt a dickhead...

Mr.."no rapid fire on the range" bastard...

[C3C7NIC]

Hubs is LEO, was SWAT commander until recently.

Just now, as I type this, there is breaking news of shots fired in our largest shopping mall with people barricaded.

All that to say, we BOTH carry everywhere we go. I won't ever be huddled in a corner without the ability to defend myself against a gunman etc. So we don't just have protection in our home, but on our body everywhere we can legally CC.

Educate yourself and become very comfortable with whatever gun you choose to use and for God sake, keep it out out of the hands of kids or the wrong people.

[RED-85-Z51]

I bought my first gun about 2 years ago. A Remington R1 1911. It was absolute garbage, a jam o matic. I learned the ins and outs of the platform, studied it, noted what i felt would fix it..did some filing, polishing, some parts swapping, custom fitting of parts. Now i have a dead nuts reliable 1911 that eats any ammo, very low recoil and i can reliably hit center mass on a torso target from well over 100ft away...very fun gun.

Then i got into AR platform, bought a used colt m16 upper and put it on an Aero Stripped lower i built, also dead reliable. Wanted to feel up other calibers so i got a box of stripped lowers, and uppers in 5.56 7", 300blk 10", 6.5 grendel 24", 458 socom 20" and 50beowulf 20". Built them all...great guns. I only kept the 458 and 50cal along with the 5.56 carbine...the others i let go of, just wasnt a fan.

Now im into Turkish CZ clones...great values to be had from Sarzilmaz right now

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by C3C7NIC

Hubs is LEO, was SWAT commander until recently.

Just now, as I type this, there is breaking news of shots fired in our largest shopping mall with people barricaded.

All that to say, we BOTH carry everywhere we go. I won't ever be huddled in a corner without the ability to defend myself against a gunman etc. So we don't just have protection in our home, but on our body everywhere we can legally CC.

Educate yourself and become very comfortable with whatever gun you choose to use and for God sake, keep it out out of the hands of kids or the wrong people.

I carry. At home I have hidden gun safes in shelves, books and other strategically placed locations. 1 has a Kimber Target Eclipse, 1 with Glock 17. Both full stopping power

[99 pewtercoupe]

At home, 12 ga Benelli pump as the first go to in the bedroom when things go bump in the night. A .40 S&W is also within reach. When we lived in Illinois I had a concealed carry permit but have been lax about getting a Florida permit since we moved here. Need to add it to my to do list

[BADRACR1]

Mossberg 500 19" pump 12 gauge with 00 buckshot. Also in various spots a Ruger SR22, an SR9c, and an SR1911cmd. Plus I carry everywhere except inside work. Any other time I never have one out of reach. Nightstand while in bed, end table while watching tv, kitchen counter while cooking, and yes, even when I take a shower on the sink under my towel.

A shotgun is generally considered the best choice for home defense. Buckshot takes little chance in missing a target and may even get two at the same time. Plus the sound of a pump shotgun being racked will usually be enough of a deterrent by itself to encourage the intruder to reevaluate his choice. Get some training in the use of one if it's your choice.

If you would rather have a pistol go first to somewhere like Sportsman's, Academy, or a well stocked firearms store. Handle all you can and get the one that feels best in your hand. If you don't like it you won't like shooting it. Like stated above a .22 is the best to practice with. Cheap and gets you used to the mechanics. Move up to what feels comfortable after that. Get some training on models and their various pros and cons.

If you choose semi-autos make sure it is one that you and your wife can work the slide without difficulty. A smaller firearm is easier to conceal but a larger frame generally has less recoil. Same with materials. Plastic or alloy pieces will be lighter but heavier models will have less recoil and be easier to stay on point with follow up shots. Training classes will help you be more at ease, build confidence, and help you enjoy shooting.

Oh, did I mention training classes? And practice. Practice a lot! The more time you put into it the better and more natural you will become with it. If a time comes when you should have to need it better results will be achieved and the actions will be more natural without having to think about what you are doing the more you practice.

Don't stress the first choice you make on a pistol. After all, it's just the first one. Most likely more will follow. Get a good safe, too. Firearms are expensive and you are responsible for each bullet they fire. Keep a record of serial numbers in case of loss. A good personal insurance policy isn't a bad idea, either.

Above all, enjoy and be safe. I've been shooting most of my life. Started my kids and grandkids when I thought they were ready.

[JRD77VET]

First and most important, if you decide to get a firearm, will you be able to fire it without hesitation ( after identifying your target of course) to protect yourself and loved ones?
You do NOT have to answer that outloud or in print here. It is something you have to be completely honest with yourself about. The reason being if you hesitate, it possible the bad person could get the firearm from you.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Very good idea to get proper training right from the start. That way you won't have to unlearn bad habits you've picked up.

When you go to the shop of your choosing, ask if they recommend a shotgun or a handgun for you.

Plenty of good pumps (shotgun) out there. As recommended by others, a short barrel and full stock.

If they recommend a handgun, I suggest a double action revolver in .357 magnum. By purchasing a .357, it will allow you shoot .38 special for practice. ( the difference is case length, perfectly acceptable to use either in a .357 magnum. )

I've recommended manual operating firearms instead of semi autos. That way if they fail to fire, you can either pump another round in the shotgun or squeeze the trigger on the double action revolver.

[markids77]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I'm thinking OP can't go wrong with a street sweeper

Nope. No folding stocks, foreign made shottys which hold 10 or more rounds, 18 inch barrel minimum and probably a bunch more shit we don't worry about here in GA. I would suggest the OP rent a Mossberg 20 ga youth pump gun and see if he/she is comfortable using that.

[Nox]

If you live in New Jersey and decide to go the handgun route, I recommend you use either Critical Defense or Federal EFMJ ammunition. They are not considered to be “hollow point” ammunition, but both are great defense rounds.

[sublime1996525]

Originally Posted by snide

*up sell
*down sell

F'cking millennials.

Hahaha wow. It was a rough work day. And it’s up-sell and down-sell :P

[Norm]

Some very good recommendations here. As previously stated, get very familiar with the weapon you intend to carry or use. Go to the range often, the more comfortable you are with handling it, the better you will be if the shit hits the fan. The more you practice, the more the muscle memory will take over when needed.
Some ranges will not let you quick draw a loaded weapon for obvious reasons, practice at home, unloaded of course. Without that confidence in drawing, you could be more of a detriment to yourself and others around you.
Good luck with whatever direction you go in, and weapon safety is most paramount.

[VITE1]

Oh "you'll shoot your eye out".

[RED-85-Z51]

Originally Posted by JRD77VET

First and most important, if you decide to get a firearm, will you be able to fire it without hesitation ( after identifying your target of course) to protect yourself and loved ones?
You do NOT have to answer that outloud or in print here. It is something you have to be completely honest with yourself about. The reason being if you hesitate, it possible the bad person could get the firearm from you.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Very good idea to get proper training right from the start. That way you won't have to unlearn bad habits you've picked up.

When you go to the shop of your choosing, ask if they recommend a shotgun or a handgun for you.

Plenty of good pumps (shotgun) out there. As recommended by others, a short barrel and full stock.

If they recommend a handgun, I suggest a double action revolver in .357 magnum. By purchasing a .357, it will allow you shoot .38 special for practice. ( the difference is case length, perfectly acceptable to use either in a .357 magnum. )

I've recommended manual operating firearms instead of semi autos. That way if they fail to fire, you can either pump another round in the shotgun or squeeze the trigger on the double action revolver.

.357mag fkin hurts. Got to shoot a Ruger in that last month. 5rds and i was done. .454casull didn't sting as bad

[C3C7NIC]

Originally Posted by Norm

Some very good recommendations here. As previously stated, get very familiar with the weapon you intend to carry or use. Go to the range often, the more comfortable you are with handling it, the better you will be if the shit hits the fan. The more you practice, the more the muscle memory will take over when needed.
Some ranges will not let you quick draw a loaded weapon for obvious reasons, practice at home, unloaded of course. Without that confidence in drawing, you could be more of a detriment to yourself and others around you.
Good luck with whatever direction you go in, and weapon safety is most paramount.

One of the best (yet simple) training points I was given was to spend lots of time dry firing my new revolver, to gain comfort w/the the trigger pull. Seemed silly but really helped me strengthen my weak finger pull w/ the revolver which was creating a huge issue with my accuracy as I was puling not squeezing.

That won't matter with a shotgun will it....?

[Patsgarage]

I am actually going shooting at RTSP in Union tomorrow night. He just bought one of these and I want to try it out. https://worldoftroy.com/product/troy-10-pistol-9mm/
I have noticed that RTSP is a little more expensive than other places in NJ for firearms, but they do have a large selection and the "rent a gun" program is a great way to try it before you buy it.