Newbie Gun Suggestions

[Craig]

I am looking to get something for protection, specifically while traveling in the motorhome. You kinda get leary in rest stops or even out in the boonies sometimes. I hate the thought of not having anything around. So it is time to get something and soon! I will be leaving for Montana and bear country next week.

So what to get? Something fun to shoot when I am out in the middle of nowhere, something I can put into the wifes hand and have her be comfortable with as well, but with enough power to stop an intruder. So what, 9mm, .40, .45 or just say screw it and use the little .22 pistol that I shot cans with as a kid?

Give me your suggestions. I would like to get the paperwork started on a purchase by Friday. Although, a used gun would be okay as well.

[Renob]

For a man stopper, I prefer .40 S&W or .357 Mag. Bear will take a bit more, 10mm, .44 Mag. or .50 AE will do.
A woman shooter may want something less offensive, like .380 ACP or 9mm Para but these won't stop a bear and can have marginal results on a man.

Unfortunately, there is no magic caliber that will stop both, man and bear but is still comfortable for anyone to handle. Whatever you decide on, try to go with the most simple design. Easy to disassemble, clean and operate without having to manually set the hammer or disengage a safety before firing. Most double action revolvers fall into this category.

It's best to purchase a quality firearm and ammo, this can save your life.

P.S. Remember, it's always loaded.

[joedokes28]

http://www.airwarzone.co.uk/_images/sig2340.jpg
Sig 2340

I have a 2340 chambered in .357 sig. Ballisticly similar to .357 Magnum. Awesome / reliable weapon. Ammo is a bit pricey but you can also get it in .40cal which is much cheaper.

If no the sig, then a glock any cal / size you choose. I like Sig Sauer though.

[DREDnot]

With your criteria in mind , a ruger gp-100 revolver in .357 magnum would be hard to beat. Its inexpensive, reliable, a man stopper with magnum loads, and wife friendly when loaded with .38 special.

Unless you are a gun enthusiast and practice regularly, Auto pistols have more ways of letting you down when you need them most.

Also, a companion winchester lever action carbine in .357 magnum would be useful in bear country.

[Griswold]

I have a sig p229 available now. It is a 40 now but the 357sig barrel may be used with it as well.

[Craig]

I have a sig p229 available now. It is a 40 now but the 357sig barrel may be used with it as well.

PM'ed ya!

[lancetkenyon]

For caliber selection, I wouldn't go smaller than a .40 S&W, but would seriously consider a .45 Auto. My 14 year old daughter, who is 5'1" and weighs about 90 lbs, loves to shoot my .45. If you plan on carrying, I would suggest a CCW class. I carry a Kimber .45 Auto with a 3" barrel. Great stopping power with a fairly small frame. My wifes nightstand gun is a S&W 1911PD in .45 Auto with a 4 1/4" barrel. I also have a Kimber Desert Warrior in .45 and a Springfield Armory in .45. As you can see, I am a little biased on the .45.

[Renob]

Lance,
Now that we know your inventory, what's your address and when will there be no one home? :D

[Antman]

With what your post states, I am assuming that you and your wife haven't shot much more than a .22 pistol. With that in mind and due to your lack of experience, I suggest a Ruger .22 auto. Both you and your wife need to shoot it often. After learning to shoot a pistol accurately and being able to handle it safely, say a couple thousand rounds each, move up to what ever caliber you can shoot safely and without flinching. Also one you can afford to shoot.

If you or your wife are inexperienced shooter, the Ruger .22 auto will teach you to shoot without the cost, (say 4 thousand rounds of .22 vs .45 auto), and the big boom/recoil of larger calibers, that can cause a flinch to develop in your shooting style. The Ruger .22 will also work effectively as a personnal protection weapon especially if you double, double tap when you shoot. :)

I prefer the .45 auto and 185gr jacketed hollow points. I shoot a one of a kind Auto Ord Gvmt model 1911-A1 with mix and match parts that I rebuilt myself. It has over 50 thousand rounds through it and the only orignal parts are the receiver and slide. Everthing else has been changed!

[rsliman]

cant go wrong with a kimber.. thats what i carry

[YJunk]

The XD series from springfield has got to be the easiest gun I've ever owned for field cleaning. I have owned, S&W, Glocks, Colts, Sig's and a Taurus and this by far the easiest to strip down. From a shooting stand point its as accurate as any hand gun I've owned previously (for out of the box shooting - no mods) and is more comfortable to handle than my previouse Glocks. Just my two cents...

[elevate]

I agree about the Springfield XD, (excellent write up in some recent gun magazines, in the $500 range or less and comes with 2 magazines an auto loader, a belt holster, and a case, very easy to break down and clean, simple and safe to operate) and the 40 cal and up. Although I am somewhat new to the gun field the class I took stressed the importance of a bigger caliber. When or if you get into a gun fight every shot counts. If you dont get a chance to tap dance on the guy you might be screwed with a 22 when you might have ended it with one shot with a 45. (I know of some rappers that brag about still being alive with a limp after 5 shots, I belive 5 small caliber shots. They dont make the damage required to end it quickly.) Considering how quick a battle will be over you need as much as you can get on your side. Semi autos are reliable and they are getting better and better as far as recoil goes. Also as mentioned above they can be girl friendly. CCW class is a definite reccomendation, (for you and anyone else handling the gun, 21 and over) just what you learn about the liability issues open your eyes a little about your responsibility when you own one, as well as allowing you to carry without worring about being an exposed target for all kinds of people. I do belive there is something to the target practice with a 22 (cheap ammo and easy to learn) but I would want the 22 to be in the hands of the bad guy and the 45 in mine. Sorry for taking up pages, hope this helps. Rob

[VIVIsectI]

I've got a glock 19 and I love it. It's light but it doesn't throw you back to bad and can be kept under control.

[Wildcat455]

Craig, if you and your wife wanna shoot some of the guns mentioned, let me know. I was planning to go target shooting with another mutual friend, and would be happy to have you along.

As far as which guns, I'll PM you if you are interested.

[Craig]

I am heading down to shooters world in a little while. I am not sure what I will do once I get there... hopefully by a gun! :D

Seriously, I will be looking at most likely a .45. I hope to shoot a few different brands and styles to figure out what is most comfortable and fits me best. After that I think the decision moves more toward barrel length.

I will probably only put a few hundred rounds a year through it after learning how to shoot it. Just enough to stay comfortable with it. (Although, who knows once I start with something I tend to jump in with both feet.) It will almost never be on be on my hip, so size and weight are not as important from a carrying perspective. So any suggestions and why?

[Heinz57]

Ok, well, a single action ruger 44 mag, long barrel, "Go ahead, make my day"

Get one for you and one for Renee. You can drop the gun in the mud, snow or water and it will fire. JJ.

[elevate]

Match the capacity of the the gun with the size of your or wifes- hand. get the biggest possible but make sure its handled comfortably. (Pick up a desert eagle .50 and swing it around, youll get what I mean) The longer the barrel the more acurate the gun should be. Shooters world is a good place. 10% off if you get a membership, and a farily good selection to rent, let them know your buying and they will let you try out a few for free.

[azdesertrhino]

For dependability in a situation where the stuff hits the fan, a revolver is the best bet. Point, pull the trigger. Threat doesn't stop, pull the trigger again.

I have revolvers and auto's in a variety of calibers. When I conceal carry for personal protection,for the most part, it's my .357 revolver loaded with ammo designed for stopping power. I don't have to worry about jamming, misfeeds etc.

The others are toys to play with! JMHO!! :D

[Renob]

Ok, well, a single action ruger 44 mag, long barrel, "Go ahead, make my day"I believe that statement was made from behind a S&W model 29 .44 Magnum double action revolver but can be used with others, as well. :cool:

[strider]

I have to agree with elevate. If you are fairly inexperienced(wife also) I would go with a revolver. Simple,reliable and solid. With modern hollowpoints anything .38 cal and up is acceptable. I prefer semi-autos myself but I have used and taught with just about everything. Whatever you decide,get something that is comfortable(for you and her) and fits the hand well. It should also point naturally as well(goes with fitting your hand. If you need some help and/or self defense training,let me know. I'd be glad to work with you both.

[Brian Blum]

remington autoloading shotgun AND a fullsize .45 Glock. that'd be my choice anyway.

[Hunter]

I am going to go the conservative route, and most likely sound like a old fuddy duddy. But I took some important lessons from my time volunteering with the Sheriffs office.

I peronally would suggest you go with a 9 MM. Doesnt matter what brand. Biggest reason will be shooter's responsiblity. Plus, it much more freindly in close quarters action.

3 major factors.

1) A 9mm is enough of impact to take someone down. As much as a .45 or a .357? No, but it will work. But a 9mm will stop much quicker then a 45 and definatly faster than a .357. You are looking for RV protection, ( I am in the same spot as you) You have to think about where you are going to be in a shooting scenario? In a parking lot? Campground? If you honestly had to use your weapon, chances are you are going to miss and you have to think about "round liabilty". When I lived in apartments, I had the lightest grain hollowpoint I could find so I wouldnt hit someone 2 apartments over.

2) Shooting someone in a house is one thing, shooting someone who was trying to get into your RV is much different. Laws vary HUGE with RV's acorss the states. Last thing you want is some lawyer hounding you cause you had to be a "Dirty Harry" with a hand cannon.

3) Have you ever fired a weapon outside with out protection? Prett freakin loud. Ever fire a weapon in a non insulated room without hearing protection? Liek getting hit between the ears with a bat. It takes someone with alot of training not get spooked by a weapon going off in a small room. To us average people, that is the same as a flahbang. You will lose so much of your sense after the first round, you better hit him, cause you wont know which way is up. I have fired my 9mm in a small area without protection and it flat out hurts. (dont worry, it was practice out in the desert) I cant imagine letting go a .45 or .357


Just playing the other side of the coin I guess.

Besides, I like my ole' Glock 17. 18 rounds. Enough for 2 triple taps and covering fire out of one mag.:cool:

[Craig]

Well the deed is done. I spent more than a few hours a Shooters World today. In an out of the range. I was given a box of 40 cal. and jammed up a 45 with them. :eek: That was fun. I shot a bunch of different stuff and ended up with a 1911. Glocks Suck! Ok, it wasn't that bad, but damned if I can make em work. I grabbed a Sig 1911 and kept my group with in the lines on a 5 target target. I actually missed the whole target with the Glocks, twice.

So a Kimber 1911 custom TSE it is. Way more money than I wanted to spend. But it feels awfully good, I couldn't say no. And I can hit something right out of the box.

I think I did OK for what I need and I am very anxious to go out and put lots of bullets through it!

Thanks for all the advise!

[Wildcat455]

Congratulations,

In the end, it does come down to personal preference, comfort, and what you can be effective with... Those things all lead to confidence with your firearm.

The 1911 platform is a popular one, as is the Sig, Glock, etc. Each firearm has it's own appeal, and will attract people to them.

Here's a couple of links to get you into the shooting world:

http://www.arizonashooting.com/forums/

http://warriortalk.com/

http://forums.1911forum.com/

[joedokes28]

Congrats.

Kimber makes a nice weapon.

[Hunter]

Cant go wrong with that choice. Bill had made a very good point... Being comfortable with a gun is the most important thing. And yeah, those Glocks can be tricky with that trigger

[elevate]

1911s have been reccomended to me by a lot of people. Obviously for a good reason. Its got a lot of history voting in its favor. If I was going to go overboard though I wouldve gone far and sprung for a HK Mark 23. That way when my gunfight lead me out of my rv into the close by lake Id still be able to take him out from under water.:D

[Antman]

1911s have been reccomended to me by a lot of people. Obviously for a good reason. Its got a lot of history voting in its favor. If I was going to go overboard though I wouldve gone far and sprung for a HK Mark 23. That way when my gunfight lead me out of my rv into the close by lake Id still be able to take him out from under water.:D

HA HA! Funny!

Congrats on the 1911. A few things I like about the .45 ACP is if you shoot it indoors, unlike a 9mm or .357, you'll still be able to hear after a few minutes. I always laugh at the cop shows when they have a big indoor shootout and everyone can still hear. The cup pressure on the .45 is very much lower than a 9mm, therefore you'll get a lot more reloads, if you are going to reload, out of your brass than with a 9mm, where typically you get one or two reloads before your brass starts cracking. I have some .45ACP brass that you cant read the head stamp on, after five plus reloads, but was good to reload.
Is your Kimber setup to fire any type of loads? Is the feed ramp polished? If not you may have to get some work done on it. Also has it had the trigger and stuff polished? You will also have to match some mags up for it. I number mine and try them with the different ammo I use and keep a reliability log on them and use the most reliable one for the first reload.
Sorry to get off on a tangent. Good luck with the new piece! :D

[Craig]

Is your Kimber setup to fire any type of loads? Is the feed ramp polished? If not you may have to get some work done on it. Also has it had the trigger and stuff polished? You will also have to match some mags up for it. I number mine and try them with the different ammo I use and keep a reliability log on them and use the most reliable one for the first reload.
Sorry to get off on a tangent. Good luck with the new piece! :D

Edumacate me here Bill. Different loads, polishing, matching magazines? Start typing cause I don't know what the heck your talking about. :D (actually I do a little bit, but not near enough to answer your questions)

Here is a link http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/custom/tlerl.php

And a pic! http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/custom/customtrlrl.jpg

[Antman]

Edumacate me here Bill. Different loads, polishing, matching magazines? Start typing cause I don't know what the heck your talking about. :D (actually I do a little bit, but not near enough to answer your questions)

Here is a link http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/custom/tlerl.php

And a pic! http://www.kimberamerica.com/images/pistols/custom/customtrlrl.jpg


Ok, Are you planning on reloading for it? If not, I would try different ammo as I was getting used to shooting the gun. Different brands, different grain bullets and styles of bullets. Will it load Jacketed hollow points? or Semi-wad cutter lead cast bullets? I'm sure it will load 230 gn full metal jackets as that what its designed for. Usually a Jacketed HP is a 180-200grn bullet and they are shorter and more blunt than a FMJ 230grn bullet. You may have to have not only a different magazine for them, but have the gun's feed ramp polished and what I call "throated", removal of a little material on the top of the ramp for easier loading of shorter bullets.
More than likely your Kimber is already to go. I would have at least 4 maybe 5 magazines to run the different loads through and keep "Book" on them. By this I mean keep track of all malfunctions and try to determine if a magazine is the cause. If you suspect any mag, only use it for practice, never for carry. Once you find your load that you like and your Kimber likes, be sure and go out and shoot it at night! I carried loads that were 185grn HP from
Lawman for over 5 years and never thought to shoot at night. When I did I realized that everyone for a mile would know where I was, but I would be blind! What a fire ball!
I also think the .45 auto in 1911 is perfect for concealed carry in the small of your back. I carry mine without a holster and can set in a seat or chair comfortable. I am a lefty and the mag release is to my advance as I can drop the mag without even loosing the target with my left trigger finger and slide the next one in and drop the slid with that same finger and get back on the trigger. I use low profile adjustable sites and amberdextrous safety.
Usually on a jeep run I have a Bianchi web holster I use.

Finding what you and your gun likes to shoot isnt easy. Try different ammo and remember to keep a little notebook on your results with different stuff. I tried lots of different powder and bullets down through the years and finally decided that not being the worlds greatest shot just used ball powder for all my pistols for the ease of reloading it.
Have fun! If I can help try to answer any questions let me know. I am sure there are others on here that can help too.
:D

[Renob]

Don't forget to get a CCW permit or at least take a gun safety course. A plethora of legal info awaits.

[strider]

Kimbers are fully throated and polished from the factory. The ejection port is also relieved as is the mag well. The TSE is as well equiped as anyone would need. You can compete with it right out of the box and do well if you do your part. I WOULD shoot 500 or so rounds of what you plan to carry in it to ensure reliability. You should find it to be fine. Just know that a 1911 is by nature inherantly more "user intensive" as it should be carried locked and ****ed for self defense.Become VERY familiar with it and never be complacent. Also, get a HIGH quality holster. Comfort is important as well as retention and speed. Don't scrimp here! I have several suited to particular tasks and won't blink at spending 100.00 or so for a good one. Galco,Safariland have good ones. Milt Sparks, Bullman, Mitch Rosen and others on the custom side. Have fun and let me know when ya take her out. I'll let ya shoot my Kimber. It has been my duty weapon. Competition gun and Oh s*^t gun. Over 35,000 rounds and still hummin!!

[elevate]

No doubt (about the ccw course), what is lethal force, when is it reasonable, when is it not, when is it this, when is it that, how long can you go to prison for by trying to make a dumb statement with your gun.

And then even if you had every right in the world to use it, you probably still will need to get a lawyer and defend yourself against the bad guys family.

Better to be in the know, besides, you can be less worried about legal issues when driving or walking with it.

[Craig]

I do plan on enrolling in ccw at some point. Safety is of paramount importance and knowing the law would be nice as well.

Bill, I don't think I'll be buying a reloader anytime soon. So I'll be shooting store bought rounds. I have a couple boxes for Federal Premium 230 Grain Hydra Shok JHP's that I am gonna give a try. I will try them to make sure they cycle through without a problem. But I plan on shooting the cheaper stuff until I can shoot a decent group.

I am hoping to go out and shoot a little tomorrow. Does anyone know if there are any restrictions at the white tanks off of Watson? I know there are a couple of houses back there but we would go in quite a ways past them.

[Hunter]

Take a big hat and a tarp. Makes gettin' your brass up so much easier.

[Craig]

Take a big hat and a tarp. Makes gettin' your brass up so much easier.


Which one goes over my head and which one on the ground? ;)

[AZG23]

GLOCKS dont suck...thanks...Bill can atest to that...jsut gotta learn to shoot em..! Thats all I own are GLOCKS...

I currently carry a GLOCK 30, .45 cal...as for rounds...any premium round will do you jsut fine...its shot placement that stops aggression, not wonder bullets...find a rounds that cycles 100% out of your weapon, and that is as accurate as you can get...

There are several loads in .45 that are good in this category...I currently carry 230 gr Speer Gold Dots...excellent feeding and superb accuracy out of the G30. They are also a bonded bullet so they retain their weight.

other recommended rounds are Winchester RangerT 230 gr, Federal HST, and Remington Golden Sabers 230 gr.

there is NO substitute for training and practice, ESPECIALLY with a 1911 style weapon...fine motor skills deteriorate fasts under he adrenaline dump of a self defense encounter, and if they arent engrained into a skillset, you may not be able to manipulate your weapon. Remember...the best weapon you have is between your ears!

Lemme know if you have any questions...

[STOMPINJML]

1911 model is the way to go, lots of mods, and very nice and reliable, kimber, is very nice, thats what i carry a kimber custom, if ya got the money a wilson combat i think is better,

[AZG23]

and while we are on the topic of .45's....I gotta

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/azg23/9mmwussy.jpg

LOL...just kidding...shot placement is what counts...not caliber...:D

[lancetkenyon]

Lance,
Now that we know your inventory, what's your address and when will there be no one home? :D
Just so you know, also have 2 mean @$$ dogs and my oldest is a crack shot, I sleep with 1 eye open, my wife is meaner than a rattlesnake, and my house is booby-trapped with many pointy toys spread out in strategical areas placed by my 3 year old. Good luck:D
And on some of the other topics, I LOVE my 1911's with the Galco leather holsters, Don't buy an expensive weapon and put it in a POS holster. Congrats on the Kimber, I love mine. Did you get a 5" BBL? I hope it is the alloy frame, or it's gonna get real heavy. My 3" Tactical Ultra II, has the alloy frame and is pretty light, even with a 7+1 carry capacity. I have put 1000's of rounds through mine and I like the Rem Golden Sabers in 230 GR, the Fed Hydro-Shocks in 230 GR, and the Cor-Bon +P230 GR JHP. It seemed like the 185 GR wouldn't cycle the lighter alloy framed gun with a heavier spring as well as the 230 GR in the 3" BBL, but do just fine in the 5" with the steel frame. I just prefer the 230 GR in everything. Practice the draw and target acquisition with the night sights in the dark, just practice with the gun unloaded.

[Antman]

Kimbers are fully throated and polished from the factory. The ejection port is also relieved as is the mag well. The TSE is as well equiped as anyone would need. You can compete with it right out of the box and do well if you do your part. I WOULD shoot 500 or so rounds of what you plan to carry in it to ensure reliability. You should find it to be fine. Just know that a 1911 is by nature inherantly more "user intensive" as it should be carried locked and ****ed for self defense.Become VERY familiar with it and never be complacent. Also, get a HIGH quality holster. Comfort is important as well as retention and speed. Don't scrimp here! I have several suited to particular tasks and won't blink at spending 100.00 or so for a good one. Galco,Safariland have good ones. Milt Sparks, Bullman, Mitch Rosen and others on the custom side. Have fun and let me know when ya take her out. I'll let ya shoot my Kimber. It has been my duty weapon. Competition gun and Oh s*^t gun. Over 35,000 rounds and still hummin!!

Very good advice! Craig, it sounds like you have it figured out. Looks like your Kimber is ready to go right out of the box, but pay attention to your mags and what your gun likes to shoot. Try different rounds in it, but for now, I'd "carry" a 230 grn FMJ until I was more sure of my other loads.

Be safe! Enjoy! :D

[jeepnut7261]

and while we are on the topic of .45's....I gotta

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/azg23/9mmwussy.jpg

LOL...just kidding...shot placement is what counts...not caliber...:D
As another fan of the 1911, I have to say,


Face it boys,


Size matters.............

[SavageSun4x4]

About the only way you could get more answers on this thread is too have asked what kind of winch and winch line you needed to buy while you carried your new gun. That said:

There is one gun that has the history and dead bodies, as proof of is ability to get the job done when the crap hits the fan, from Viet Nam to Normandy Beach and Batan. Colt 45 ACP. It also comes in various flavors that all translate out into $ to $$$$ and maybe then some.

The other choice I would make would be the 9mm, albeit I think it a little underpowered it will get the job done.

Albeit I think the 40 S&W is a good if not great rd, I pass on it.

Now you did say in and around your RV, which may lead one to play by a different set of rules. I would pick a 44 Mag loaded with Glasser rounds or better known as a surgeon’s nightmare. I can make your day and ruin theirs while not penetrating the walls of an airplane, but maybe an RV. I like it in 44 Mag because its a light load and has a whole bunch of them little tiny pellets that can keep a Doc busy for hours getting them out of your butt.

Your are right in asking what gun and telling us what you are going to do with it. I have a Red Dawn approach to weaponry. I want redunant firepower with an endless supply of ammo whether I am in Phoenix, AZ or Penis Ok.

My home, car, persons etc is protected by a whole bunch of Beretta Mdl 92 9mm. There is no place in my home that I have one futher than about 6 foot from my hands, in spite of one not being able to see it. I also have a BIG MUTHR of a 44 mag that I can beat someone to death with if I have exhausted all of my ammo and am still alive. My final backup weapn is a 1911 [NOT A1] that my Dad carried in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam and I carried in Viet Nam.

For long rifles, I have a 30-06 Grand and the tried, the proven Bushmaster carbine in 5.56 and Ruger SS Ranch rifle loaded with soft points.


Enjoy