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First Purchase

minnesotadawgz
I have never purchased a gun before. I am looking for suggestions on a lightweight, reliable gun for my home.
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Comments

43 comments

Date Votes
  • Colt Super
    K Frame is good.

    Doug
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  • jpwolf
    Revolver for sure

    quote: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.


    The lady smith is an incredibly comfortable gun to hold, but a lot of snap when fired. My wife made me sell hers, she didn't like to shoot it.

    She still loves the first gun I got her, a taurus in .38/.357 with a 4 inch ported barrel. I love it too.[:D] I really like Taurus quality, love the price.
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  • redneckandy
    Got to agree with jpwolf. I own several taurus revolvers and for the price you cant beat them. Now I do like the older smiths but to me it seems the new ones dont have the quality they used to.
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  • Colt Super
    Taurus is good.

    Doug
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  • Wolf.
    --
    -Don't think "cool". Don't think 17-round magazine.

    Think "safe", "reliable", "effective".

    There are too many ways to screw up yourself or an unintended person, or to wind up a victim if you use a semi-auto and you are a minimally-experienced shooter.

    Buy a Colt or a Smith & Wesson caliber .357 magnum revolver with a 2" or a 3" barrel. The short barrel is all you need for home defense. DON'T buy a foreign gun.

    You should buy a good, used gun, not a new one. Get one that has not been "tricked out" by an avid shooter. Get a gunsmith to look the gun over, if possible. The gun should feel good in your hand. If it doesn't, buy one that does.

    Buy 5 boxes of ammo and go to the range four different times, firing about 80 rounds each time. Take your time. Usually a range officer will lend some advice if you need it.

    Then, go buy a box of Federal HydraShok or similar man-stopper cartridges with the heaviest bullet (if there are bullet weight choices). You can usually get this ammo in small boxes of 18-20 rounds.

    Keep it handy.
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  • givette
    I sincerely hope no one is recommending an old style single action revolver to her.

    Smith&Wesson double action revolver (or similar) is the most prudent purchase. Joe
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  • Sperry
    The older revolvers are almost all pre-lock. That is good.

    The Smith & Wesson Model 10 has a great trigger, and can be had, as posted, for about $200.

    Ruger made zillions of Police Service Six revolvers. The trigger is not as sweet, but the slightly smaller frame might be better suited to your hand. Also about $200.
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  • Henry0Reilly
    Smith & Wesson model 10, 12, 14, 65, 66, 586. 686, 36, 37, 49, or Ruger or Colt in .38 or .357.

    If money is a critical factor, Rossi, Taurus, Charter, or some of the other lesser known brands might be acceptable but will not have the resale value of the more well-known makers.

    edit= A pump shotgun in 20 gauge is often recommended for home defense.
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  • minnesotadawgz
    Thank you everyone for all your comments. I am going to take your advice and call Bill's Guns and see what I can learn there after practicing with a few. I will certainly purchase a revolver. I will definitely practice alot.
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  • GUNFUNCO
    Yup, go with a revolver.

    You can get old police trade-ins for about $200 if you watch the auctions and gun shops.
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  • David Nunn
    I think most of us answered your query as though you were looking for something to be relied on for defense with a minimum of practice. Now, you say you will "practice a lot."

    If you plan to "practice a lot," then I would definitely recommend you buy two revolvers. A .22 and a .38/.357. Get them of the same manufacturer, and same frame and grip size if possible.

    Take the .22 out and shoot it, a lot. Get good with it. You can afford to shoot over 500 rounds through it for the cost of one 50 round box of the heavier stuff. There is also a lot less noise and recoil. After you are proficient, graduate to the bigger gun. What you have learned about sight picture, sight alignment, trigger control, and follow through will translate to the bigger gun.

    If by "practice a lot," you mean you will shoot a box or two to become minimally proficient, then just buy the one gun. But, if you really mean it, start with the .22 and work up.
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  • minnesotadawgz
    i meant practice alot to familiarize myself with the gun. i didn't meant practice as in ready to start hunting[;)]
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  • select-fire
    You would be a prime canidate for a S&W K-22 Model 17 They are a .22 Revolver on a .38 frame. Same weight less bang.
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