2nd Amendment Newbie (vanity)

self

[Another-MA-Conservative]

Looking for some guidance and advice from freeper 2nd Amendment fans here. I hope it is not inappropriate to post such threads on FR, but it seems like a good audience for it.

I've never owned a firearm before, but I have at least fired long guns before in the distant past(shotguns and a .22 rifle).

Anyway, I'm looking to exercise my 2nd Amendment rights for the first time in my adult life. I'd like a "beginner" handgun, initially to just get familiar with them and for inexpensive shooting-range practice. My research so far has led me towards .22 rimfire semiauto pistols as a good starting point.

That said, I'm thinking about the Beretta U22 Neos 6.0... any good? It's gotten good reviews in the mags I've read so far and is reasonably priced.

I'm also a little nervous about how to go about getting my feet wet in this - I've never even been in a gun shop before. To my understanding, I have to take a training course in order to get a license, and that it's practically impossible to get a CCW license here in MA. Should I join the NRA? How do I find places to shoot? Most seem to be private sportsmens clubs... what's the deal with these?

So... any advice for a 2nd-Ammendment newbie?

[Jewels1091]

My son just bought an Israeli military hand gun, unfortunately I can't remember the name of it. It has the best balance of any hand gun I've ever held, easy to disasemble and put back together. Shoots 38 shells, it's got a long range...only draw back it's pricey. I think he paid like $5-600 for it. But it is one of the best designed guns I've ever held.

[ctdonath2]

Ruger Mk. II - great for competent beginners.

[oyez]

Just remember that the Second Amendment is not about hunting.

BTW, Have fun.

[rob3006]

I recommend learning Jeff Cooper's 4 rules of gun safety until you can recite them forwards and backwards. I can't tell you how many times I've had "experienced" gun owners point loaded guns at me out of carelessness. If you are a safe shooter, you will be welcome everywhere.

RULE 1

ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

The only exception to this occurs when one has a weapon in his hands and he has personally unloaded it for checking. As soon as he puts it down, Rule 1 applies again.

RULE 2

NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT PREPARED TO DESTROY

You may not wish to destroy it, but you must be clear in your mind that you are quite ready to if you let that muzzle cover the target. To allow a firearm to point at another human being is a deadly threat, and should always be treated as such.

RULE 3

KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER TIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

This we call the Golden Rule because its violation is responsible for about 80 percent of the firearms disasters we read about.

RULE 4

BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET

You never shoot at anything until you have positively identified it. You never fire at a shadow, or a sound, or a suspected presence. You shoot only when you know absolutely what you are shooting at and what is beyond it.

[Wonder Warthog]

Visit Kim du Toit's "Nation of Riflemen" forum:

http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/forum/index.php

They have a whole forum section for gunowner "newby" questions.

[L98Fiero]

I almost bought a P22 a few weeks ago. Ended up buying a PPK/S .380. I find the Walther's simplistic and good for novices, like my wife. :)

[Pointblank]

I carry a Bersa Thunder .380 APC. It is cheap ($215.00), reliable and .380 ammo is cheap and easy to find. Anything smaller will not measure up in personal protection.

[Rebelbase]

"Get a shotgun and make sure you get a rear pistol grip for it"

Just never sight it down the barrel by holding it up level with your face, least wise the kick will punch you in the mouth.

(happened to my brother one night taking care of a pack of wild dogs)

[Ladysmith]

Yep! I've got one similar to that. A brick of ammo is about $10. Cheap afternoon entertainment!

[dljordan]

Go to your local gun store, ask their advice, take a training class from an NRA certified instructor and you're on your way. You'll get a lot of advice from Freepers, some good, some sarcastic, some bad, so get professional help and then you can start making up your own mind.

[unbalanced but fair]

You can check out the Massachusetts Club and Range listings, I believe they have a web site. Be forewarned, this is not an inexpensive hobby. If you shoot even once a month, the ammo cost can really add up. I'm not trying to discourage you, just want you to be realistic. Go to web sites and talk to shooters. Check out dealers in your area, they are good sources of info. Also, many have ranges.
As to the pistol, the Sig Hammerli 22 Long Rifle is good but it starts at $380.

[Joe Brower]

"I find the Walther's simplistic and good for novices, like my wife. :)"

Great minds think alike! $;-) My wife is exactly whom I bought a P22 for two Christmases ago.

Funny thing, she hardly shoots, but out to fifteen yards she does extremely well with the .22lr. Give her anything bigger, though, and she's immediately all over the map. A very profound demonstration of how blast and recoil can affect a shooter's performance.

[brazzaville]

Good morning.

The best gun for self-defense is the one you have when you need one. That said, why not just start with the best and not stop buying. You can never have enough firearms and ammunition.
John Browing's 1911 in .45 ACP is still the best choice for a handgun. It requires training to use well but you should get training anyway.
If money is an issue the Makarov is a real deal. You can find them for less than $200.00 and Russian ammo is cheap. The 9x18 round is probably close to the minimum for a defense weapon but the gun goes bang every time and is accurate and easy to fire. The main drawback is the tiny sights but that just leads back to the need for training and practice.
I carry a Series 70 Colt or a Makarov. The Mak is great for hot days .
Whatever weapon you choose get training from someone who knows how to teach.
I would love to see firearms skills taught in school, balanced with constant lessons in social responsibility and common sense.

Michael Frazier

[Conspiracy Guy]

I hunt rabbits with my Mark II. Almost my autoloaders are Ruger. I have P97DC's in 45 ACP and in 9mm. I have a Colt M1911 variant. I have several revolvers from S&W. Long guns and shot guns too many to mention.

[rem22-250]

First: I would suggest you to go to a firearms safety class if you are unfamiliar with firearms.
Second; Then go to an organized range and observe and ask questions. You will find that most firearm people are more than willing to answer questions about their firearms and allow you to try theirs. this will give you a feel of what is comfortable for you.
Third: Owning a certain firearm for protection is your personal choice and hinges on what you feel most comfortable with, be it shotgun, rifle or handgun.
Forth: You have to consider if the firearm is to be used for protection in a dwelling, that the projectiles do not carry through walls to other rooms or dwellings possibly injuring innocents. Shotguns with bird shot are fine so are handguns with the proper ammunition.
Fifth: Know your firearm and it's capabilities.
Happy shooting!

[Another-MA-Conservative]

Wow, averaging two replies per minute so far! Guess this is a pretty good audience for my question overall - thanks everyone! (Did I mention I love FR? :-)

Several folks have mentioned shotguns; I can see that angle for home security, but it's not really what I had in mind to start out with. Is this thing even legal?

I realize revolvers are simpler, but I'm not intimidated by the mechanics of a simple blow-back semi-auto; I'm pretty mechanically inclined and I don't think I'd have any trouble breaking it down. Actually, the fascinating mechanics of semi-autos are part of their appeal to me, silly as that may sound.

I know a .22 isn't much good for personal defense, but it's still better than a Louisville Slugger or a kitchen knife, no?

The Beretta looks good at $310 for the 6" barrel version... I'll also look more closely at the Ruger and Walther 22s. Maybe a Colt 45 or 1911 clone down the road...

[logic]

I also vote for the Ruger MKII (that's what I learned on) but be wary of aftermarket magazines. Many don't have enough sping tension to raise the bolt stop completely when the mag's empty which caused damage to the bolt stop which eventually got so mangled it caused the gun to jam. Also It is a bit tricky to take down and re-assemble. After 24 years I finally figured out what I was doing wrong....

[Another-MA-Conservative]

Thanks for the goal.org link! I hadn't seen that site yet, most helpful.

[Sweet_Sunflower29]

The Mark III is even better!

[taxcontrol]

1st, move to a more 2nd amendment friendly state.

2nd, take a class from an reputable instructor.

3rd, get an expensive .22 revolver / pistol (you can pick them up inexpensively at a lot of pawn shops).

4th, go to a range and practice practice practice. You should burn through at least 1,000 rounds. Work on gaining accuracy, calmness while shooting, range etiquette and MOST IMPORTANTLY - SAFETY!

5th, save up your $$$s for your next - ahemm "Toy" :-)