So I'd like to buy my first gun

[Cdnone1]

I have been following most of the different gun, ammo, reloading etc. threads for years now.
I would like to buy my first handgun. I really just want to have one in the house for protection. I have two teenage sons that I plan to take gun safety courses with and teach them respect of firearms.
The gun will remain locked at all times with the ammo locked in a seperate place in the house because I'm not to worried about break ins as I am other type of security.

I would like to buy a semi auto handgun.
My questions are
1- What type of gun can I buy for around $500. I don't mind buying used as that's how I've bought all my Porsche's.
2-Do I have to really worry about all the stuff I read here about ammo? Can I just buy ammo off the shelf and get decent results from it?
3- How do you "sight in" a hand gun or do I need to do this at all if I'm not to worried about distances over 30 yards

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks
Steve

[Porsche-O-Phile]

For home defense, I recommend a 10-gauge shotgun loaded with bear shot.

[Rick Lee]

You can buy a good handgun for $500, you don't need to sight it in and you can buy good ammo anywhere. Best prices are usually online. Look at the classifieds sections on Glocktalk.com and Sigforum.com. You won't be able to get through one day's worth of listings (there are that many) and there are some good deals out there. Most semi-auto handguns these days have fixed sights that need no adjustment. In fact, a lot of them come from the factory with a target in the case with three rounds through it they used for testing before shipping the gun. You can find most Glocks for under $500, a few SIG's, a few Berettas, lots of S&W's, any CZ, any Steyr and no H&K's. If it's just gonna be used for shooting at the range, buy the cheapest ammo you can find, either at Wal-Mart or some online reloader. A lot of folks now refuse to ship tp CA because of new restrictions on FFL's. So you may need to buy locally.

If you're a total noob, you should rent a few guns at a local range and try them out to see what you like. IMHO, SIG Sauer is the best, most ergonomic, most durable and highest quality all around for the money. I have four of them. YMMV.

[varmint]

http://www.gunsonthenet.com/
http://www.auctionarms.com/

these are a sort of ebay for gun owners. unfortunately, california's laws make it a pain in the ass to buy from out of state. but they're nice places to window shop, and see what prices are.

you can get a really nice shotgun for $500. great for home defense. take the kids out to shoot skeet. maybe even some hunting.

[Rick Lee]

I just reread your post that you want it for home defense, but it will be kept locked and and ammo kept separate. Uh, do you think an intruder is gonna wait for you to run to the safe, find your keys, unlock it, get the gun, find the ammo, load and then draw?

Anyway, buy the cheap ammo for the range and then Federal Hydra Shok or Speer Gold Dots for home defense. It may seem expensive. But ammo is cheap and life is really expensive. A locked up gun is gonna protect you about as much an unarmed Bobby.

[RANDY P]

What Rick said.

Go to the range and just pick and choose different handguns to rent. Each one will have a different feel- some you agree with, some you don't. Try out different callibers- of course the larger stuff is going to have a higher cost to shoot.

Find something that you like, and practice, practice and practice- stay out there until you know the gun inside and out. Try different brands of ammo until you find something the gun agrees with. Different guns like different brands- find something that works without hangups and stick to it. I always test both range ammo and my carry ammo to make sure it's a reliable combo.

If this is a gun that is limited use / home defense I'd shy away from anything heavily used or obviously modded. You can buy plenty of good firearms for well under your price range, of course the larger known brands will cost more and may be used at that range but whatever you buy, make sure it's quality. Don't buy a cheap handgun made by an unknown manufacturer. This is your life, buy the best you can afford- and remember to test the combo thoroughly.

Anything mentioned above are all great guns to check out and try. I'd also be looking at Rugers (some may cringe, but they are excellent firearms)- excellent warranty and out of the box every one I've ever shot did better than my 1911's.

I own a Glock 27, have 2 1911 clones (Para 14.45 + S+W), 1 Colt commander 1911 Original series 70, 1 Ruger P345 (great shooter) and a Ithaca 1911.

The one I like the most overall to shoot? The Ruger. It eats any ammo and was perfectly sighted out of the box. They also are single / double action (gun will fire without the hammer cocked if magazine is loaded like a revolver) and have numerous safeties. I paid $389 new at the local pawn shop. Their warranty is legendary too.

PS don't worry about sighting in the gun, do that last (if it really bothers you) after you figure out how to keep your groups tight. That's the most important thing when learning to shoot. Keeping all the holes close together as you fire.

rjp

[Jim Bremner]

ja think that you'll get any hummingbirds with it?

[rouxroux]

Originally Posted by Cdnone1

The gun will remain locked at all times with the ammo locked in a seperate place in the house because I'm not to worried about break ins as I am other type of security.

Hmmm. I'm confused. While having the weapon/ammo stored in separate locations may be "secure" when it comes to your kids, that sort of defeats the idea of "home defense". $500? I'd buy a used 870 in 12g as my "home defense" and a used Ruger Mark II .22 for teaching/plinking. It could be doable for that amount of money

[on2wheels52]

I would not recommend a center fire semi-auto for a first handgun.
There are a lot of choices out there, I would suggest something used as you won't buy the right one first.
Jim

[jyl]

Consider a bedside handgun safe, either w/ combo lock or fingerprint lock (though I haven't tried the latter). Gun and ammo locked in separate locations makes it useless for home protection, unless you're thinking about social unrest etc.

[Mo_Gearhead]

You're gonna get a lot of input/opinions on this subject!

But I would never suggest a semi-auto for a FIRST handgun. Get a revolver.

No magazine to insert, no safety to forget/fumble with, no mis-feeds/jams, no slide to rack/load ...just point and squeeze! K.I.S.S.

[berettafan]

You need to be VERY comfortable with the maturity level of your boys before bringing any firearm into the house. Locked or not kids can/will find a way to get to it if they really want to. Safety classes only work for people who were already prone to safe behaviour. Jackasses will not benefit one bit from safety classes.

That said my experience has been there is no more reliable weapon than a Glock. 870's are, imo, for experienced users who won't panic in a life threatening situation and short-shuck the gun. I've been shotgunning for some years now and can tell you i'd probably short-shuck the gun if a pair of drake pintails caught me unawares; let alone a coupla thugs from the hood.

[id10t]

Lots of options, but for home use, I'd get a shotgun. 20 gauge or 12, pump.

If you really want the handgun, I'd find a range that rents them and try quite a few. Off hand I'd look at a 1911 (rock islands are good and inexpensive), the EAA Witness (clone of CZ97b), the CZ97b and CZ75, and a good 357 revolver.

[Mule]

If you have the gun locked away in one place & the ammo in another, an aluminum T ball bat will be more "protection."

[targa911S]

We have been over this many times before. Inexpensive, pump shotgun. First two rounds, rubber buckshot, after that 00 buck. Any questions?

[azasadny]

I'm very partial my my Sig P239 in pmm. since many police depts went to .40 cal, the used 9mm.s can be found for around $500. Go the range often and become very familiar with the gun and let your sons learn to shoot and to practice gun safety all of the time. I have a CPL (CCW) but keep the guns in a locked safe when not carrying.

[RPKESQ]

If you are really new to firearms. Buy a .22 rifle. Much easier to learn proper safety (like muzzle control) and operation with, as well as it helps to build confidence because it is so much easier to learn to shoot well with it. Then progress to a .22 handgun. A semiauto is fine at this stage. Again, go through all the same steps as with the rifle. You can practice quite a bit as .22 ammunition is very cheap. If you can shoot a .22 well, anything else is doable with just a little practice. You can pick either rifle or handgun for well under $500 (in fact you should be able to buy both for about that price).

A centerfire semiauto pistol will not be the best choice to learn with. Keep that choice for later. Just like learning to drive well, you don't start with GT2.

A shotgun is very poor choice for interior home defense. Few people know weapon retention techniques or proper tatics in interior home defensive situations. And don't listen to the "just rack the slide and bad guys will run away" crowd. They have learned their tradecraft in movies and TV. No reputable firearm training organization teaches such claptrap.

Which brings me to the final point. Learning to shoot well is a different and easier skill than learning to defend yourself with a firearm. The first is simple technique (like playing horseshoes), the second is full of variables that have almost infinite possibilities (more like chess). A good training course is essential (google: gunsite).

[Cdnone1]

Thanks everyone
It seems like asking about guns is like asking a group of drivers for the perfect line around a course, everyone's got their own opinion.
All this info will certainly keep me busy doing research.

I am not buying the gun for daily home protection. I would just like to have one in case we experience riots in LA again or some other form of social unrest.

Thanks again
Steve

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by targa911S

We have been over this many times before. Inexpensive, pump shotgun. First two rounds, rubber buckshot, after that 00 buck. Any questions?

Yup...just bought a pistol grip Mossberg. I still keep the .45 ready, just learning about Wad Cutters

How are you feeling, btw. Jack is officially off his Dave's man cave meds You made a big impression.

[2.7RACER]

Hi Steve,

In your first post you stated........
"I would like to buy my first handgun. I really just want to have one in the house for protection."

In your most recent post you stated.........
"I am not buying the gun for daily home protection. I would just like to have one in case we experience riots in LA again or some other form of social unrest."

A handgun can be quick to deploy in an emergency situation.
It does however require some training and practice to gain the type of proficiency needed to be effective when needed.

Same with a shotgun. For pure home protection it's tough to beat a five shot pump action shotgun.

Whatever you decide on you need a plan.

Arming yourself in the middle of the night requires you to develop a plan on approaching that noise at the door or out in the driveway.

Of course you'll want a light, a strong light. Better some outside lighting you can turn on quickly without giving away your position. Motion lights work well.

Who calls 911? And when? Do you fully dress? Do you keep shoes at the ready?

Two teenage sons, will be coming home late, sometimes with friends. Their friends may also drop over at decidedly late hours.

I feel the best first course of action is a watch dog. Big or small they'll react to strange sounds way before you will.

Use of any firearm is very serious business.
Handgun bullets travel through walls, perhaps harming your neighbor.
Shotgun pellets, even 00 buckshot don't quite have the penetration through walls as do bullets.
Of course nine 30 caliber steel balls will go quite far before losing energy.

Home protection requires a plan. Are you going to a safe room with a phone and firearm or are you going out to confront this unknown source?

What about your sons in the middle of the night? Will they stay put or join you where ever you are. I certainly would want to know exactly where they are.

A safe room, lockable, to at least delay an intruder, with a corded phone, strong light and weapon isn't a bad choice.

Did I say you need a plan? This is very serious business.

Make a family plan and practice it a few times so everyone knows what to do.

Sorry for the long post.