Good ol Walmart
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richard597
New member
I shop at Walmart for the prices not the knowledge of the salesperson in ANY department. If you want/need technical advise, why don't you shop at a store that hires only people properly trained to sell their product at a much higher price?
SPEMack618
New member
An AR-15 for home defense? Really?
I'm sorry, maybe it's my country upbringing, or maybe that when I think of an AR-15 and houses, I think of assualting them, but an AR-15 for a novice gun owner for home defense?
Just doesn't click to me.
I'm sorry, maybe it's my country upbringing, or maybe that when I think of an AR-15 and houses, I think of assualting them, but an AR-15 for a novice gun owner for home defense?
Just doesn't click to me.
richard597
New member
I agree 100%. An AR would not be my first choice for home defense. Seems like a shotgun would be much better although I am no expert. Right now I just rely on my .45. Not too excited about firing that in the house without hearing protection, but it is better than being dead.
Dr Big Bird PhD
New member
I fail to see how a 20 gauge or 9mm wouldn't be easier for a beginner to become familiar with over an AR. Lots of people do get psyched out by just the look of the weapon ever if youre shooting a 22 conversion.
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My was a raw newbie who likely wasn't going to get much in the way of even basic training. The controls of an 870 are easy to learn, shotguns, for some reason are more politically correct (important for some, not for me and most of us I imagine), and the stopping power of a good defensive buckshot load is more than what you'll get from an AR.
AR's have more difficult controls (again, this is trying to look at it from a raw newbies point of view) and might be more intimidating to try to learn to shoot.
Having said that, I personally wouldn't have recommended either of those. I'd recommend he goes to a local range that offers rentals, talk to the guys behind the counter there, and find something he can shoot well. Oh, and take at the very least an intro to handguns course.
But between an 870 and an AR, I'd recommend 870. Adding in all options, neither of them would crack the top 20 probably.
AR's have more difficult controls (again, this is trying to look at it from a raw newbies point of view) and might be more intimidating to try to learn to shoot.
Having said that, I personally wouldn't have recommended either of those. I'd recommend he goes to a local range that offers rentals, talk to the guys behind the counter there, and find something he can shoot well. Oh, and take at the very least an intro to handguns course.
But between an 870 and an AR, I'd recommend 870. Adding in all options, neither of them would crack the top 20 probably.
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
This thread or one like it is going around. Shotgun vs. AR for an inexperienced or totally novice shooter.
Both are bad choices. Get a SW Model 10 and load it with one of the lesser recoiling HP self-defense loads. Or a similar Ruger revolver.
Then the newbie should take a basic handgun course.
I've seen guys complain because their elderly arthritic wife wouldn't take to a pistol grip only 12 gauge. Lots of stopping power and won't miss - by GUM!
Give me a break. That's what I would tell someone. However, I learned my lesson at Cabela's listening to such a conversation where the newbie wanted a pump so he could just rack it to scare the bad guy and wanted some blanks if that didn't work.
Both are bad choices. Get a SW Model 10 and load it with one of the lesser recoiling HP self-defense loads. Or a similar Ruger revolver.
Then the newbie should take a basic handgun course.
I've seen guys complain because their elderly arthritic wife wouldn't take to a pistol grip only 12 gauge. Lots of stopping power and won't miss - by GUM!
Give me a break. That's what I would tell someone. However, I learned my lesson at Cabela's listening to such a conversation where the newbie wanted a pump so he could just rack it to scare the bad guy and wanted some blanks if that didn't work.
Correct & I mentioned that above.
I wanted to srtip out any WalMart connection. When that's done, the replies to the issue - 870 vs .22 vs .223, take on a different complextion.
WhatI find a bit interesting here (on TFL) is a total lack of response from the dozens of members that always preach a .22 is the only gun a newbie should consider.
I profess that the .22 is a wise "first gun" and might serve as defensive arm until the new shooter is ready to go to more mainstream defensive caliber considerations...
The .22 as a first gun is wise as you still learn the safety aspects while able to shoot a gob of rounds down range without making too many bald eagles scream...
Once the fundamentals are learned, the shooter can step up to something better with less cash to get to a proficient level with the new gun...
Brent
The .22 as a first gun is wise as you still learn the safety aspects while able to shoot a gob of rounds down range without making too many bald eagles scream...
Once the fundamentals are learned, the shooter can step up to something better with less cash to get to a proficient level with the new gun...
Brent
buck460XVR
New member
Hard for me to believe anyone can come to a objective answer to what firearm someone really needs and/or can handle after a five minute conversation with them at Wal-Mart. Even more so when a wife and a young child will also be using it. This goes for the salesperson or a customer. Women familiar with firearms many times are intimidated by shotguns, same goes for young children. As been stated before, assuming someone is gonna become proficient and continue with their education of firearms just because they bought one on a SD whim is as foolish as bragging about being more knowledgeable than the average Wal-Mart employee.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
Wanna bet?StukaJU87 said:
Some do ... and I don't want to be entering a lottery if I encounter a goblin in my house. Gang bangers have street smarts. They know about body armor, and they know where to buy it (or steal it -- a couple or three vests went walk-about from a local PD near me not too long ago).
SPEMack618
New member
I might not be salling forth to do battle against an enemy that Congress has declared war on, but when defending my home, you can damn sure bet that I will fight as if I'm in a war.
4runnerman
New member
First off-Keep in mind this is Walmart not a Gun shop. If you go to walmart looking for advise on a rifle purchase this is your own downfall. Walmart hires employes not proffesionals. This is a discount store. Do not dump on the workers for not knowing any thing about fire arms,Dump on the idiot that goes there not knowing any thing before hand. Who in their right mind buys a rifle or pistol with out doing some research first?. When i go to buy a car or TV or Computer ect ect. I have already spent many hours on the computer reading reviews and researching it first.
Which is why I say that a smallbore defensive shotgun is a good idea.
All members of a family unit that can shoulder a longarm can put it to good use.
The Federal 3-inch #4 Buck with a Mossberg 500E in the fullchoke or cylinder choke config. will do the user very well at inside the house ranges as long as said user does their part.
yet a few gave me the stink eye for mentioning it in the shotgun thread.
All members of a family unit that can shoulder a longarm can put it to good use.
The Federal 3-inch #4 Buck with a Mossberg 500E in the fullchoke or cylinder choke config. will do the user very well at inside the house ranges as long as said user does their part.
yet a few gave me the stink eye for mentioning it in the shotgun thread.
Where the heck are you shooting? All I've ever done is annoyed a few crows!
Really, folks...complaining about poor service or a lack of expertise at Wal Mart is pretty disingenuous. They don't hire experts because experts are expensive. It's a lot cheaper and easier to have Brian from footwear to run the gun counter on Sundays.
And why is this? Because we perpetuate the situation by supporting Wal Mart. At a certain point, you can choose cheap or good, but not both.
buck460XVR
New member
Yeah, but it seems to be one of the most popular thread themes on internet gun forums. Go to any of the most popular gun forums on the WWW and you'd be hard pressed to NOT find a current Wal-Mart rant. Kinda like the "dumb-azz at the range" or the "dumb-azz at Gander Mountain". Seems folks get some kinda boost to their ego/self-esteem when they realize they are more informed on guns than the average college student working part time on the weekends......
stantheman1976
New member
I would think a simple pump action 12 gauge would be a great home defense gun. Yes recoil will be an issue and it may not kill the intruder if you don't hit him just right but one shot would almost definitely hurt or scare him enough to make him think twice. Not many BGs amwould be willing to stuck around after they've had a 12 gauge fired at them.
+1 to those defending Wal-mart. It's a discount department store, not a gun shop. And even gun shop people screw up decisions like these.
That said, my local Wal-mart has a couple of very knowledgeable employees at the sporting goods counter.
I see no reason why a newbie can't handle an AR as easily and safely as an 870. It's accurate. It's low recoil, softer than my reduced recoil loads (which I bought at Wal-mart). They're not that complicated- I'm pretty sure my 9 year old could read the manual and understand it.
In any case, I think a gun owner should seek some level of training. IMO, steering a new gun owner toward training is more important than steering him toward a particular type of firearm.
That said, my local Wal-mart has a couple of very knowledgeable employees at the sporting goods counter.
I see no reason why a newbie can't handle an AR as easily and safely as an 870. It's accurate. It's low recoil, softer than my reduced recoil loads (which I bought at Wal-mart). They're not that complicated- I'm pretty sure my 9 year old could read the manual and understand it.
In any case, I think a gun owner should seek some level of training. IMO, steering a new gun owner toward training is more important than steering him toward a particular type of firearm.
you do understand that when you ask for customer assistance at most stores, your just going to get whatever employee was just standing around/ the tire change guy with no tire to change, the electronics associate with no customer to help and so on? most people in these stores have a mantra,
punch in, punch out for lunch on time, punch back in, and punch out at quiting time. and dont get yelled at in between.
in most stores, 3 people will know how to do paperwork to sell a gun. if they know anything about the guns, thats a bonus.
punch in, punch out for lunch on time, punch back in, and punch out at quiting time. and dont get yelled at in between.
in most stores, 3 people will know how to do paperwork to sell a gun. if they know anything about the guns, thats a bonus.
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