First time gun buyer

N

NavalAirMech

Inactive
Hey all, Hoping for some advice.
Im finally able to spend a little extra money and purchase a firearm for the first time. I've never owned one, but have shot enough pistols, rifles and shotguns to be safe, knowledgeable and effective with them.
For now, I want to buy a pistol. I am in the Navy and deploy regularly, leaving my wife and 1 yr old daughter alone for months at a time. I need something I can trust to not have problems down the road with reliability, small enough that my wife can learn to use, but definately have stopping power and be effective should the need arise.
Like I said, I have never owned a firearm and do not know what to look for in a gun , so if I could get some info on models, brands, calibers, and any other information I could use, I would appreciate it.
Also, registration and red tape. I am lost in this area as well.
Thank you very much all.
 
Good old reliable used S&W model 10 would be good place to start. But I'd get the wifee involved in the project.

I mention the model 10 because they are plentifull, reasonably priced, are a natural shooter(for most people). Ammo is readily available, and comes in a wide variety of configurations. The revolver also comes in a bunch of configurations. Round butt (grip) Squair butt, barrel length from two inch to six inches. 2,and 4 being the most available. Light barrel's and heavy barrel's.

Anyway... the best of luck to you and the Missus.If you dont mind I'd like to personally thank you for your service to our country. As for your upcoming deployment I'd like to say... "GOOD LUCK.... WERE ALL COUNTING ON YOU"

Glenn Dee

;)
 
Local laws on purchase, registration, waiting periods, Etc. depend on where your are stationed. If you give us a hint, someone local could give you some pointers.
 
gun for the home front.

Consider your wife's general physical characteristics.....hand size, strength, etc. Take her to a gun store and have her "try on" several different handguns for feel and fit.
Important she handles what she is most comfortable with and can shoot with accuracy and without fear or hesitation.
 
I
usually recommend a revolver for novice users, a Ruger GP100, security six type should work, or a S&W K frame.
Click to expand...

And for a smaller framed revolver available in the new 327 Federal Magnun, 38 spcl, or 357 Magnum. the Ruger SP 101
 
Stay with something in a 9mm (semi-auto) / or a revolver that will shoot .357 mag or .38 spl's ....

There are lots of options out there ...but I would tend to recommend a revolver - so all she would have to do is pull the trigger ( after she's called 911, barricaded herself and the baby in a room .... ).

A Smith and Wesson revolver in .357 mag ( like a 4" model 66 or 19 ) will also shoot .38 spls ...and is a good long term choice ( for under $500 probably). In semi-autos for simple operation, I lean toward a Sig ( like a 239 model that is slim ) reliable and easy to use...
 
First gun? Buy something in .22LR so you and your family members can get some practice in. Or, if you can't do that, buy a gun that has a .22LR conversion kit. The Sig P226 comes to mind, but there are others.
 
You may also wish to purchase a revolver air pistol.

It should make for easy and inexpensive practice without having to go to the range. With proper safety precautions, it could even be fired indoors.
 
Beretta PX4 in 9mm (F model)
Features:
changeable backstraps to accomodate different hand sizes
rotating barrel which reduces recoil and increases accuracy (slightly)
DA/SA Trigger, both of which are very easy to use
A Hammer which serves as an external safety indicator, and 1 level of safety
a decocker which allows you to safely drop the hammer(the firing pin is rotated out of the way of the falling hammer)
a manual safety which is good for novice pistol users/owners
good ergonomics
relative light weight
easy to dissassemble and clean
capable of being carried
reliable and accurate
you can get a brand new one in texas for 519. i dont know about your neck of the woods.
 
i'm making an assumption, but since you are in the navy and are soon to be deployed, are you in california? cause thats a whole different can of worms.
 
For pistols, a good starter caliber is 9mm, has stopping power but easy enough to shoot well.

For revolvers, a steel .38 Special or .357 Magnum (which, as noted, shoots .38s). You want a medium frame at least for starters, the small frames (except for the Ruger SP 101) are a bit light and make for more recoil. You also want one rated for .38 Special +P, which is the most common type of defense ammo, but all steel Smith & Wessons and Rugers should handle this.

9mms to look at: Glock 19 (my house gun), SIG P250 or any SIG with the lighter DAK trigger, Smith M & P , Springfield XD9. I thought my Beretta Px4 would be small enough for my hands, but it's still a bit big even with the smallest grip inserts. Its DA trigger pull may also be a bit heavy. Non+P defense loads may be best to start with.

Fit is very important, your wife's trigger finger has to easily reach and wrap onto the trigger while holding the gun in a firing grip. Revolvers have a variety of aftermarket grips available to adjust for hand size. Some pistols, like the Px4 Beretta, are now offered with various grip inserts, but make SURE of the fit before buying.

Revolvers: Ruger SP 101 and GP100, Smith (medium) K Frames, including Models 10, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66, 67. There are used Model 64 police trade-ins available now for a bit more than $200, these are modified to double-action-only mostly, and should be good. J & G Sales in Prescott, AZ and others are selling them.

I second the notion of a range/rental visit with your wife to see what she likes and is comfortable with, since her protection is the whole point.
 
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