First Purchase
I have never purchased a gun before. I am looking for suggestions on a lightweight, reliable gun for my home.
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For your home? Home defense? Generally, size and weight aren't much of a factor in choosing a gun to be kept in one spot, other than personal preference.
I presume you are inexperienced, and uninformed. I think I might suggest a clean, used Smith & Wesson model 10, K-frame, 6-shot revolver in .38 Special. I would prefer it with a 2" barrel, but would accept a 3 or 4 incher.
A gun like this is heavy enough to be controllable, will handle a variety of loads, is small enough to be unobtrusive and easily put away, and is reliable and easy to use under stress.0 -
I have taken a firearm safety course. Yes my preference is small and lightweight. And probably not a revolver. Is there a difference in the way a revolver shoots or handles versus something else. I hope to never have to use the gun but I also don't want to have to buy another one either.
quote:Originally posted by nunn
For your home? Home defense? Generally, size and weight aren't much of a factor in choosing a gun to be kept in one spot, other than personal preference.
I presume you are inexperienced, and uninformed. I think I might suggest a clean, used Smith & Wesson model 10, K-frame, 6-shot revolver in .38 Special. I would prefer it with a 2" barrel, but would accept a 3 or 4 incher.
A gun like this is heavy enough to be controllable, will handle a variety of loads, is small enough to be unobtrusive and easily put away, and is reliable and easy to use under stress.0 -
Obviously by your response the safety course did not include revolvers. Shame. They are way more reliable than any automatic. Reliability may save your life some day. Join a gun club or find a buddy with a .38 and take it out and shoot. You will never need any more gun than that for self protection. 0 -
A double action revolver is an idiot gun. Load it and pull the trigger, and it works, even for an idiot. It is not dependent on good ammo to work properly. It is not dependent on a particular bullet shape for feeding. It will fire whatever you stuff in the chambers. It can be left loaded for many years with nary a worry about over-stressing a spring. It won't embarrass you by not shooting, as an auto will if you insert the mag but forget to charge the chamber.
A short barrel is no handicap in the confines of a home. It also provides less leverage for a bad guy to use to disarm you if he gets hold of it.
A lot of people like a shotgun for home defense. I won't argue with that choice, since it is an awesome short-range weapon. Only it takes two hands to operate. With a handgun, you have one hand free to operate a flashlight, fend off a close attacker, open a door, etc.0 -
A firearms safety course is far from makeing you an expert in firearms!
There is much that can go wrong with a semi-auto that takes lots of training to know how to handle very quickly in a life or death situation! And unless you have had that practice you will probly want a revolver for it's simplicity! If it for some reason does not go bang when you pull the trigger you just pull it again!
True a revolver may not make you cool with your friends! But there is nobody who does have experience with firearms that will argue about a revolver being more dependable than any semi-auto!
In your own words you do not have much experience so I too must recomend a revolver!
quote:Originally posted by minnesotadawgz
I have taken a firearm safety course. Yes my preference is small and lightweight. And probably not a revolver. Is there a difference in the way a revolver shoots or handles versus something else. I hope to never have to use the gun but I also don't want to have to buy another one either.
quote:Originally posted by nunn
For your home? Home defense? Generally, size and weight aren't much of a factor in choosing a gun to be kept in one spot, other than personal preference.
I presume you are inexperienced, and uninformed. I think I might suggest a clean, used Smith & Wesson model 10, K-frame, 6-shot revolver in .38 Special. I would prefer it with a 2" barrel, but would accept a 3 or 4 incher.
A gun like this is heavy enough to be controllable, will handle a variety of loads, is small enough to be unobtrusive and easily put away, and is reliable and easy to use under stress.0 -
I have been around guns all my life and have shot a large variety of them. I keep a revolver in the nightstand. Too much to go wrong at the wrong time to worry about the gun working. If 6 shots don't scare the bad guy away I will go for the shotgun. 0 -
First question that needs to be ask.
How Old Are You?
Second question.
Can You Legally Own a Gun?
Third question.
What are you look for? Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun?
Fourth question.
How Much Do You Plan to Spend For The Gun?
Since your original post only stated...
quote: I have never purchased a gun before. I am looking for suggestions on a lightweight, reliable gun for my home.
That is very vague information on what you are looking for.0 -
I am a 35 yo single mother who lives in the hood. yes I can legally own a gun. I am looking for a pistol. And I didn't want to spend a whole lot. And the other folks make sense about the revolver. thx
First question that needs to be ask.
How Old Are You?
Second question.
Can You Legally Own a Gun?
Third question.
What are you look for? Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun?
Fourth question.
How Much Do You Plan to Spend For The Gun?
Since your original post only stated...
quote: I have never purchased a gun before. I am looking for suggestions on a lightweight, reliable gun for my home.
That is very vague information on what you are looking for.
[/quote]0 -
Dawn, how much can you comfortably spend?
Ben0 -
I'm with the 'get a revolver' crowd.
That said, if you're anywhere near the Twin Cities (does Duluth have a 'hood'?) check out Bill's Guns (one in Robbinsdale, one in Circle Pines). They used to rent guns for use at their range and probably still do...it's a great way to try a few.0 -
I really didn't think much about price, i guess its what ever price a comfortable gun costs. i am in the twin cities. by hood i mean we had a stabbing last summer, a guy beat his dog this summer and a ten year convicted felon just move in all in the same four corners. Yes i am looking to buy a new house.[:)] 0 -
If we know how much you can spend, we can help with a more specific recommendation. For a Smith & Wesson revolver, you can easily spend $400 for a clean one. Maybe less, if you shop around. For a little less money, there are Charter Arms, Taurus, and Rossi revolvers, all good, but not up to Smith & Wesson quality. For more money, there is Colt. Colts are very nice, but no Colt, even the legendary Python, has as smooth and nice a double action trigger as a Smith. 0 -
Here you go. Something to start from on price.
I would rather have a used good Smith than a new Rossi or Charter Arms. For the poster.. I use a 3" barrel gun cause the shorter barrels do not have a full length extraction rod for emptying the gun. Empties may get hung up in the short barrel guns.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=834487080 -
quote:Originally posted by spurgemastur
I'm with the 'get a revolver' crowd.
That said, if you're anywhere near the Twin Cities (does Duluth have a 'hood'?) check out Bill's Guns (one in Robbinsdale, one in Circle Pines). They used to rent guns for use at their range and probably still do...it's a great way to try a few.0 -
Another vote for a revolver for your needs! 0 -
The one select-fire indicated is a deal. It is probably a round butt frame, and I would definitely go for smaller grips.
I just noticed that it is an import, which means its past is unknown. To me, that would require a thorough inspection.0 -
Thanks for clearing everything up..
I would also suggest a Revolver.
Now what are your guys thoughts on the Lady Smiths .38's?
My Sister in law has one but I have never gotten to check them out.0 -
FLAME THROWER[?][?] 0 -
I definitely agree that a revolver is the way to go in your situation. I may take some heat for this next suggestion, but so be it. If your budget is extremely limited and low, you might consider a revolver in the .22 LR caliber. You can find these for a much cheaper price, recoil is nonexistent, and ammo is plentiful and cheap as well. Although is doesn't have near the punch as the larger calibers, it will put the hurt on an intruder in you home. If you can afford something in a larger caliber then I would suggest to go for that instead, but like I said, if you budget if very limited a .22 will suffice.
Jon0 -
Like so many others I agree that a revolver is a better home defence option. A comment on weight... the ulta light weight revolvers are uncomfortable to shoot. Nice to carry but it is difficult to learn to shoot well when the handgun does not have enough weight to absorb some recoil.
The Smith and Wesson suggestion above is a good one. In fact I use a Smith and Wesson model 19 similar to this one.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=83364909
The Ruger GP 101 would also work well. Like this one...
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=831194250 -
If you pull the trigger on a semiauto and it goes "click,"[:(] you start taking the gun apart. If you pull the trigger on a revolver and it goes "Click," you pull the trigger again.[^]
I have several of each. The revolver is the one that waits at home for uninvited guests.0 -
quote:Originally posted by minnesotadawgz
I have taken a firearm safety course...
I hope to never have to use the gun but I also don't want to have to buy another one either.
I'm far from an expert myself, but I would add to the excellent advice above that you need a lot more than a safety course.
Everybody has limited funds, but if it is for self defense buy the best you can buy. Once you make the decision and buy it, make sure you know how to use it. Once you know it well be mentally prepared to use it. Everybody hopes to never have to use a gun for self defense, but if you NEED it it better work, and having it does no good unless you are ready to use it and proficient with it.
Having a gun does not keep you safe. Using a gun effectively may save your life or someone you love.0 -
1) DO NOT BUY AN AUTO.
2) Buy a Smith and Wesson Model 36 or 60 - they both shoot the .38 Smith & Wesson Special cartridge.
3) Practice alot.
You're welcome.
Please hang around GunBroker. There is nowhere that you will be able to receive better advice.
Welcome aboard.
Doug0 -
a used model 10 smith might be worth looking at 0 -
Also forgotton to be mentioned by the other members:
When you buy your ammo, you should consider ammo that has a low flash powder. If the case ever comes to needing your gun at night, you will be thankful to be able to see after the first shot.
[:)]0 -
Another vote for a revolver. Far FAR fewer things to go wrong when things are already going wrong. You can pick up a used Smith Mdl 10 for probably $200 or less with careful shopping. A mdl 36 or 60 is smaller, holds one less shot, will cost you more. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I have been around guns all my life and have shot a large variety of them. I keep a revolver in the nightstand. Too much to go wrong at the wrong time to worry about the gun working. If 6 shots don't scare the bad guy away I will go for the shotgun.
SAGE ADVICE...I would say the same thing..revolver..[8D]..Loko0 -
Revolver, I have keep several types of fireams at easy access , but if given only one choice for home defense go with the majority, use a Revolver, I prefer S&W. 0 -
The small J frame revolvers will never have as nice a trigger action as the K frame guns. I still recommend an all steel K frame .38. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nunn
For your home? Home defense? Generally, size and weight aren't much of a factor in choosing a gun to be kept in one spot, other than personal preference.
I presume you are inexperienced, and uninformed. I think I might suggest a clean, used Smith & Wesson model 10, K-frame, 6-shot revolver in .38 Special. I would prefer it with a 2" barrel, but would accept a 3 or 4 incher.
A gun like this is heavy enough to be controllable, will handle a variety of loads, is small enough to be unobtrusive and easily put away, and is reliable and easy to use under stress.
I agree. There are also many other good, inexpensive revolvers out there that will do the job.0
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