Guns

[Hollywood]

I got a $300 gift card from work and have decided to get me my first gun. A few years ago on a camping trip with my brother I shot one of his handguns (don't know what it was) and found that it was pretty cool. It has been a slowly festering thought in the back of my mind. Mostly I wanted something for emergency protection when camping but I would be shooting from time to time for fun. Since my security system died last year (miss you Scully) it has been a more prominent thought in my head. I pretty much made up my mind on my last camping trip that I would get one. I thought it was going to be a harder sell with my wife but since she won't let me get another dog I am guessing she figured this wasn't worth fighting.

I think I have decided on the Smith & Wesson SD9 VE. Both my brothers gave it the thumbs up for the price. What say you all? Bass Pro (where the gift card is for) has them for $300. Please know that my knowledge of guns is that they fire bullets and make noise when you pull the trigger.

 

[BigRedRage]

I carry a Smith and Wesson airweight when hiking/camping. It weighs like one pound so is not heavy on your hip and is a revolver so you would never have the jamming issues that a semi auto gun would. its a 38 special/357 so it packs some serious power into a tiny little gun and hold 5 rounds at a time.

I bought it without research and once home and googled it, it was the concel carry gun of the year that year. Very small and slick but very powerful at the same time.

Personally after owning a few semi auto guns, I am a revolver guy through and through and weight matters a lot. My .40 caliber ruger p90 would pull my pants down from all the weight, this gun is perfect.

note: it is in the 400-500 range though. There are 3 editions, one with a full hammer sticking out, one with no hammer and one with a tiny hammer. No hammer makes all shots harder so when doing target practice, the trigger is harder to pull and makes you less accurate. The full hammer sticks out a bit so I went with the mini hammer. it only sticks out enough that you have to purposefully **** the hammer or it wont happen. perfect.

 

[BigRedRage]

less than a pound, 14.4 ounces (probably unloaded)

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-642

Revolvers also require almost zero maintenance. Do not have to learn how to break it down, clean it and etc. I just clean mine with a q tip.

 

[cardncubfan]

I would suggest a revolver as well being you are a newbie. Go to the range & take lessons in gun safety.

 

[LVG]

No personal experience with that pistol. I use XD 9s.

That being said, first, I would try to go to a local gun range and see how the pistol feels (at least here in Vegas, we have several places where we can rent firearms for range shooting). If you like it, then buy it.

I echo other's thoughts that you should take a firearms safety course. Remember to keep your firearm clean and secured. Get the extras necessary and know how to use it.

 

[puckhead]

I always go shoot when I visit my father and the revolvers are a much more enjoyable experience. Simplicity seems like a good idea in outdoor conditions.

 

[Zeno]

Old thread I know but anyone here a firearm collector? I love talking guns.

My favorite are the old bolt action rifles.

 

[Zeno]

I decided to take my hobby with firearms a step further. I am now enrolled in training to become a gunsmith. Course is about a year long and I plan to follow it up with another couple courses as well to become as well rounded as I can be so that I can hit the ground running when I retire..

I retire in 2028 and wanted a part time job I enjoy when I don't have to worry about making ends meet and gunsmithing made a lot of sense for me. I plan to mostly focus on older firearms, stock refinishing, bluing and browning metals, trigger jobs and barrel crowning etc. Not looking to build AR's or mount scopes & accessories or scratch build guns (that is a whole new level of machinery I don't want to invest in).

 

[oaken1]

My recommendation is that you go with a .40 or .45 caliber instead.
Heavier rounds with better stopping power. For people, sure...but also for predators in the wild.
I have seen pitbulls shot 7 times with a 9mm and still be running around like nothing happened.
In the very unlikely scenario where you need to defend yourself from a wolf or a pack of coyotes...or maybe a wild pig...that extra stopping power could make just enough difference.
Of course...if you run into a hungry cat or angry bear...luck is the best caliber you can get.
Also..I might go block or HK..but you will have to add a few hundred to your gift card.

If you are getting a weapon for defense it needs to do more than just give you confidence...because that confidence will get you killed if your target does not go down.

Then...take a safety course. Buy a trigger lock...and if you have children in your life get a small gun safe..but get one with a biometric lock so you can open it quickly. They are not expensive.
Then buy at least a thousand rounds of the cheapest ammo you can find...and a box of Hydroshocks...
Take the target ammo to the range and pop off at least 200 rounds per week..practicing trigger discipline and safety as you go..
Do this until you are comfortable with your weapon, know it's range and limitations, and can put 5 shots in a three inch pattern from 30 feet.
Because under stress your accuracy will suffer so you need it to be...first nature...not second nature.
If you ever get in a situation remember that your handgun is a close range weapon...so don't waste ammo firing at something more than 50 feet away...except maybe a warning shot..animals will usually split if you fire off a round..kinda like banging pans together to get rid of a curious bear.

 

[Shane]

My recommendation is that you go with a .40 or .45 caliber instead.
Heavier rounds with better stopping power. For people, sure...but also for predators in the wild.
I have seen pitbulls shot 7 times with a 9mm and still be running around like nothing happened.
In the very unlikely scenario where you need to defend yourself from a wolf or a pack of coyotes...or maybe a wild pig...that extra stopping power could make just enough difference.
Of course...if you run into a hungry cat or angry bear...luck is the best caliber you can get.
Also..I might go block or HK..but you will have to add a few hundred to your gift card.

If you are getting a weapon for defense it needs to do more than just give you confidence...because that confidence will get you killed if your target does not go down.

Then...take a safety course. Buy a trigger lock...and if you have children in your life get a small gun safe..but get one with a biometric lock so you can open it quickly. They are not expensive.
Then buy at least a thousand rounds of the cheapest ammo you can find...and a box of Hydroshocks...
Take the target ammo to the range and pop off at least 200 rounds per week..practicing trigger discipline and safety as you go..
Do this until you are comfortable with your weapon, know it's range and limitations, and can put 5 shots in a three inch pattern from 30 feet.
Because under stress your accuracy will suffer so you need it to be...first nature...not second nature.
If you ever get in a situation remember that your handgun is a close range weapon...so don't waste ammo firing at something more than 50 feet away...except maybe a warning shot..animals will usually split if you fire off a round..kinda like banging pans together to get rid of a curious bear.

For self-defense, focusing on shot placement is more critical than the caliber of the weapon. Training to be accurate under pressure is more effective than relying on a larger caliber to compensate for poor marksmanship.

 

[oaken1]

For self-defense, focusing on shot placement is more critical than the caliber of the weapon. Training to be accurate under pressure is more effective than relying on a larger caliber to compensate for poor marksmanship.

For people for sure. But in the wild, a body shot with a heavier caliber will protect you better than trying to get a head shot on a moving target...because even if you're off target and hit a leg it will usually deter the attack.

Of course...if you can make a head shot on a moving target from 50 feet with a heavier caliber then you're just golden.