Getting into the world of firearms

Townhall.com ^ | September 27, 2005 | Mike S. Adams

[beaureguard]

Thanks for your following letter, Matt, which I received this afternoon:

Do you think at some point you could write a column on some of the basics of getting into the world of firearms? Specifically, I'm looking for tips on acquiring weapons for home defense and hunting. While I'm not a survivalist weirdo, I have no intention of waiting for any level of government to ride to the rescue, should bad times come along.

Since I have been hit with numerous requests (mostly post-Katrina) from people looking for that first firearm, I am pleased to respond with a column on the topic. Since you used the word “weapons” (plural) and spoke of “getting into the world of firearms” (again plural) I have a number of recommendations for you. And here they are:

Marlin .22 Magnum, Model 25 MN. We are going to start you off with an inexpensive gun you can easily pick up at WalMart. I bought my Model 25 five years ago for just $150, although they cost about $170 now. Take your new .22 magnum out to the country and fire a few shots at a paper plate taped on the side of a tree stump. Start out at 25 yards. When you get confident, you can put an inexpensive Simmons scope on it for those 50-yard raccoon shots. I have a big back yard and, for me, a part of home defense is getting rid of those raccoons that tear up everything in sight. Your varmint problems will soon be a thing of the past with this little bolt action rifle. It will also teach you patience and shot discipline better than a .22 semi-automatic. Remember, Matt, every shot counts so don’t waste ammo. In fact, make sure that you always buy more than you just shot after a day at the range. Some people call that stockpiling. I call it an investment in your future.

Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum, Model 686. I usually recommend a four-inch barrel but I want you to get a six-inch stainless model. This will help you in the realm of hunting and self-defense. For example, a 145-grain Winchester silver tip will stop that coyote you run into while deer hunting. It will also help stop any intruder (it will even stop his pit bull, for that matter). Keep this gun under your bed and loaded at all times.

Also, this is a great revolver for your wife (assuming you are married, which is another choice I recommend) to get used to shooting. Put some light 110-grain .38 Special rounds in it and see how she likes it. With a big six-inch barrel, it will be easy to handle with hardly any recoil.

Benelli Nova 12-gauge. I have a couple of Remington 870 pump shotguns. But, recently, I bought a 24-inch barrel Nova with Advantage Timber camouflage. I will use mine – a super magnum that takes 3 ½-inch loads – to hunt a turkey this Thanksgiving. You can use yours for varmint hunting, quail hunting, and a number of other purposes with the right 2 3/4 –inch load. Some light buckshot will also make this a good home defense weapon, provided you are in an open space (the barrel is a little long for this particular function).

Stoeger Double-barreled 20-gauge Supreme Coach Gun. If you really want your wife to get into this (to make it a family affair), she needs her own shotgun. I recommend the nickel-plated version because it’s so darned pretty. Let her keep it under her side of the bed and, please, stay on her good side. For more details, see this link: http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/coach-supreme.tpl.

Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle. A lot of people who saw what recently happened in New Orleans have concluded that every man needs an assault rifle. I came to that conclusion years ago. Go to WalMart and get this nice .223 semi-automatic for around $500 (I got mine when they were $375). Then get a scope (the rings are included with this model). I would also recommend several 30-round magazines by Thurmold. I have fired hundreds of rounds through mine without a single jam – even when firing as rapidly as possible. You might also want a flash suppressor, which will keep the muzzle low while you fire away. This is a fun gun that helps explain why I never picked up golf.

Browning A-bolt .270. And, of course, you will need a long-range bolt action rifle when you start bagging deer. My 30.06 Browning A-Bolt Medallion is probably my favorite weapon. Deer, black bear, and boar like it much less. I recommend the .270 to the novice because it has less recoil and will still get the job done. Winchester Power Point rounds (130-grain bullets) are very cheap and more than adequate. Mail me later for venison recipes.

Ruger Super Redhawk .454 Casull. I have no business recommending this gun to you, Matt. Nonetheless, buy it anyway. This gun takes Colt 45 rounds that are great for home defense. When, somewhere down the road, you feel like handling a very powerful handgun, this will provide some great entertainment with the .454 Casull rounds. Get the model with the 9 ½-inch barrel and kill a wild boar. Then kill a black bear. Then put a scope on it (the scope rings are included) and kill a deer at 100 yards. After you are done with your assignments, call me and let me know whether I have given you good advice.

Thanks for writing, Matt. And welcome to my world.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Bingo.

[rarestia]

I've got 15 "survivalist weirdo" firearms here... all of them in relatively common calibers (except that pesky K31 Swiss chambered in 7.5 Swiss).

I agree with every comment made thus far. Putting me in the "survivalist weirdo" category, while evoking a need to thank, really isn't fair. I'm more concerned with the well-being of my family, friends and myself. NOLA has proven that the Feds can't affect adequate protection in the aftermath of a national tragedy.

[xsrdx]

And a Ruger 10/22 in 22LR is a better choice in a .22 rifle than the Marlin 22 MAG.

[Fellow Traveler]

I have both the milspec Springfield .45 auto and the Glock model 21 .45 auto. I like both of them but here are a few things to consider. The Glock of course has more ammo available at 13 rounds in the magazine. However, that makes for a very thick grip. I have very large hands so it does not bother me. out of all the other people who have tried it usually only men who are at least 5'10" will have hands big enough to wrap around the grip. The Glock shoots adequately as far as accuracy and is utterly reliable when it comes to functionality.

The Springfield armory pistol has 7 or 8 in the magazine depending on whose magazine you buy. It also is utterly reliable in function. The thing that stands out with the Springfield is the accuracy. I have shot some very tight groups with this pistol. 25 yards under 2 inches weaver stance. I can't do that everytime, but that is more of a function of the shooter not the pistol. The only frawback that I see with the Springfield is if you want to reload. The glock tends to toss its empties in a nice little pile. The Springfield chunks them everywhere. Also the Springfield tears the mouth of the case on at least one case in every magazine.

With all of that said I usually keep my Glock as my primary home defence pistol. The main reason being is that it has tritium night sights.

[saganite]

I've always owned a .22 rifle and pistol. My current ones are both Rugers. I have 30 year old Mark I ( I know, they didn't call them that when they were new but since they've come out with the Mark II and III I feel like it's appropriate) and I've put thousands of rounds through it. I recently had to buy a new magazine because the original had a weak spring (after 30 years) and I was having feed problems. It's a very accurate pistol. The rifle is a 10-22. I recently added a cheap Simmons scope and bought a 25 round after market magazine. Lots of fun and an excellent way to learn to shoot.

[AnAmericanMother]

nd a Ruger 10/22 in 22LR is a better choice in a .22 rifle than the Marlin 22 MAG.

GMTA. I started both my kids on this rifle.

[xsrdx]

You might also want a flash suppressor, which will keep the muzzle low while you fire away.

Ok, this guy is inept. A flash suppressor/hider is just that - it does not serve as a muzzle brake or compensator.

[yarddog]

Those Ruger .22 auto pistols are great guns. I once had the exact same gun you have. It was bought used and rusted.

I had my dealer return it to Ruger and they refinished it to where it looked new for only $25. They even included a new box.

I like the 10/22 and there are so many accessories for it that it is pretty much the standard. They can be made to shoot great by experts but as they come are usually just so-so. The little Marlin model 60 is much cheaper and usually a lot more accurate. I do like the Ruger mag system better tho.

[Fudd]

"I've selected the Glock 19 as the family SHTF handgun - no manual safety levers to fumble with, easy to strip for maintenance, nearly unbreakable, utilizes common-as-dirt (and cheap) ammunition... and is eminently affordable"

And a consistent trigger pull - no needing to pull harder on the first round out the pipe.

[Deguello]

"Too bad the Mini-14 isn't..."

Years ago during a show, I spotted a Mini-14 Ranch on a table with a $1500 price tag.

I asked the guy what was so special about this this rifle and he said to look on the side. There was a selector switch. This was the first Law enforcement version I had seen.

[xsrdx]

My tag line went AWOL.

[AnAmericanMother]

They can be made to shoot great by experts but as they come are usually just so-so.

A point I forgot to make. The trigger on my 10/22 was particularly awful, but fortunately we have a gunsmith that we trust who has done work for us for 20 plus years, and he did a great job on the trigger and tuned everything else up while he was at it.

[MarkL]

I once had a conversation with a cousin who is rabidly anti-gun. We were talking about the MO "shall issue" CCW law, and she was shocked to hear that the guy she was dating kept a handgun at his place of business for protection. After berating him for a while, she looked at me and sneered, "And you have a gun too, don't you..." I answered, "no, I don't have 'a gun.' I've got 17 guns!"

Since then, I've sold one that I really didn't have any use for... It was a PPC competition handgun that a buddy of mine who was interesting in starting PPC and Action Shooting wanted to try.

Handguns

.22 Ruger Mk2
9mm Taurus PT-99
.357 Ruger Security Six (DA only w/ Douglas Airgauge barrel)
.40S&W Star Firestar
.41Mag S&W Model 57
.44Mag S&W 629 Power Custom Grand Master
.44Mag Ruger Redhawk
.45LC Ruger Vacquero (sp?)
.45ACP S&W 625-5 w/ Power Custom combat action job
.45ACP Springfield Armory 1911-A1
.45ACP Springfiled Armony 1911-A1 "USPSA Race Gun" by Leanord Beatty

Shotgun

12 ga Bennelli Super 90 Defender

Rifles

.22 Remington 571 pump
.223 Ruger Mini-14
.223 Colt CAR-15 (w/ a spare govt contract AR15-A2 upper)
.308 Federal Ordanance M-14S

[xsrdx]

fortunately we have a gunsmith that we trust

Kind of like a fountain of youth, or gold at the end of the rainbow. Or Bigfoot.

I've heard of them, but never seen one. You are indeed fortunate!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Life is good when you own more than ten firearms.

If you know the exact number you have, you don't have enough.

[Mobilemitter]

I agree with your instincts to go for a shotgun first. If you are looking for the "utility" tool for home defense a shotgun is hard to beat. Either a 12 or 20 gauge. I like a 20 guage because my wife and daughter can, and most importantly WILL shoot it. A tool is only useful if it can be USED! It also meets the criteria of someone who otherwise has no interest in the world of firearms. It takes very little time, money or skill to acquire and operate.

Now, what if you have to go mobile and leave your home? It would certainly be prudent to have at least one type of "carry" weapon to have and to hold until something or someone needs to be blown apart. Here is where the user needs to evaluate themselves and the level of commitment they do (or don't) have to develop the skills necessary to become proficient with their "tool" of choice.

What level of investment (time and money) are you willing to put into defending yourself and your family? I really think this is much like buying a car. Are seatbelts good enough for your safety concern? How about air bags all around? How about the vehicle itself? Are you interested in a design that affords better safety over a longer period of operation in more varied operating conditions? Perhaps you are interested in a "speciality" vehicle that is designed to meet your specific needs. How important is the ease of operation, maintenance, and cost of ownership? If you buy your vehicles based upon the perceptions of others, then you may end up doing the same with firearms. You can expect the same results in both cases. Paying for the bling instead of the bang.

In the final analysis we make our purchases and then we live with them. We really don't know how that vehicle will perform until we take it out and put it through the paces. If they don't work out we trade them in for something that will do the job. As we gain more experienced, more money, etc. we may purchase additional vehicles or trade up.

Remember that you should only purchase what you are willing to use. Having the tool is one thing, using it is another! If your purpose is to own and operate a "carry" weapon then make sure you WILL carry it and operate it. The biggest baddest dudes are often found near death (or dead) in the wilderness with their packs full of survival gear that could have saved their lives if they had only USED it.

A pocket knife in your pocket is way more useful than a 7" hunting knife left in a bag in the back of a truck that is now drifting down a flooded river.... get the picture? It won't peform like that really nice knife would have, but it is there for you when you need it. Could you have, should you have carried that other knife? Perhaps. That is another facet of preparation and something each person must determine for themselves. What is pratical for some is not for others.

It is your choice, your family, your life and your tool! No one can make the right choice for you. Educate yourself as much as you can about the various strengths and weaknesses of various firearms. As much as possible, take some out for a test drive! Find a friend or someone you know that has that model and take it for a spin! Some ranges let you rent the firearm for an hour so you can at least get a "feel" for the operation of a particular firearm.

My last recommendation is that if you are new to firearms it would be smart to take a course from a certified instructor(sort of like drivers ed)that is designed to teach you the basics in firearm safety.

[saganite]

Since you own quite a few .45's I wonder what you think of the relatively new GAP round?

[yarddog]

I noticed you have the little Firestar in .40 S&W. I have one and like it. It is very compact but when loaded it literally feels like a chunck of lead. Nothing wrong with it's performance.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

I would say, in addition, get a good hunting knife with a 6" blade, and a couple of good pocket knives with a 3 or 4 inch blade. Also teach all your children how to shoot when they are big enough.

I also like to keep one or two scout axes around. They seem to be rare these days so a good hatchet works also.

Keep one or two good flashlights around where you can find them in the dark.

[AnAmericanMother]

He's a good egg -- he mostly does custom competition pistols, but he'll do oddball stuff for us 'cause we've known him so long.

My grandfather was a diminutive man, our gunsmith lengthened the stock and raised the comb on his old Browning "humpback" shotgun for my 6'6" husband. Did a splendid job matching the wood. (it still kicks like a mule though, he couldn't do anything about that. ;-) )