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I know nothing about Guns... need some general advice

gordontrue

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I am very much in favor of the right to bear arms... but have never had any interest in bearing any myself.

I wouldn't know because I've never tried it... but shooting and/or hunting just doesn't sound that fun. In terms of having one for self defense... I go back and forth... usually concluding that the fallout of having to use a gun on someone might not be that much better than the fallout of not having one in a situation I could use it in. (That might sound ridiculous to some... I get it... its a whole other conversation that I didn't intend to get into here)

Recently, my wife has decided that she wants a gun for self defense... and I support her in this decision. She is as clueless as me - maybe more - when it comes to guns.

My thinking is that we should sign her up for some shooting / general safety classes before we start looking at buying a gun. (I'd probably take the classes as well). Once she's gone through the classes... maybe she'll have an idea of what type of gun she wants / what situations she wants it for, etc.

Is that a good approach? Any other general advice on the subject? Any legal issues we should know about (we live in Texas).

Thanks
 

DHoey

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Sounds like you have a good plan. Many indoor ranges have guns that you can rent so I would suggest shooting as many as possible. I would suggest a smaller caliber and framed semi auto that would be comfortable for your wife such as 9mm, or .380.
 

bamabear82

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Sounds like you have a good plan. Many indoor ranges have guns that you can rent so I would suggest shooting as many as possible. I would suggest a smaller caliber and framed semi auto that would be comfortable for your wife such as 9mm, or .380.
That ^.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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Yes, sounds like a good plan. Take classes before and after you buy a gun. General training + training with the firearm you purchased.

I would actually suggest a revolver because they're easy for everyone to operate and you can get them pretty cheap. But a semi-auto is good as well.
 

DHoey

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Yes, sounds like a good plan. Take classes before and after you buy a gun. General training + training with the firearm you purchased.

I would actually suggest a revolver because they're easy for everyone to operate and you can get them pretty cheap. But a semi-auto is good as well.
I prefer revolvers myself, but in a self defense situation, I want as many rounds as possible and many small frame revolvers hold 5 rounds.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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I prefer revolvers myself, but in a self defense situation, I want as many rounds as possible and many small frame revolvers hold 5 rounds.
On the other hand, revolvers are indestructible, take very little to maintain them and the gun is almost always going to go "boom" 5 times when you pull the trigger five times. Very little can go wrong with one; which makes them great self defense guns. They can sit in a drawer for 10 years and still work when you need them to.
 

GeekSportsFan

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Take the NRA safety course first. You can also meet lots of folks there who can help you and your wife select the proper hand gun. First class organization.
 

Bridgeburner

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In my experience revolvers are easier to use adequately but semi-automatics are easier to use proficiently. You are on the right track with the training. I've got WAY more money in training than I do the gun. If you get good training and are willing to keep up with it the semi-automatic might be the better choice.
 

Win TWINS!!!

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I am very much in favor of the right to bear arms... but have never had any interest in bearing any myself.

I wouldn't know because I've never tried it... but shooting and/or hunting just doesn't sound that fun. In terms of having one for self defense... I go back and forth... usually concluding that the fallout of having to use a gun on someone might not be that much better than the fallout of not having one in a situation I could use it in. (That might sound ridiculous to some... I get it... its a whole other conversation that I didn't intend to get into here)

Recently, my wife has decided that she wants a gun for self defense... and I support her in this decision. She is as clueless as me - maybe more - when it comes to guns.

My thinking is that we should sign her up for some shooting / general safety classes before we start looking at buying a gun. (I'd probably take the classes as well). Once she's gone through the classes... maybe she'll have an idea of what type of gun she wants / what situations she wants it for, etc.

Is that a good approach? Any other general advice on the subject? Any legal issues we should know about (we live in Texas).

Thanks


My advice?

Avoid your wife when she's pre and post menstrual.
 

DirtDirtDirt

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You guys are all nuts
 

Wild Turkey

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Please note though that one class or group of classes is not going to be enough training. If you are going to own a firearm for the purpose of self defense you will need to shoot it regularly to become proficient. I make it a point to shoot at least once a month to keep my skills sharp.
 

Bridgeburner

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Please note though that one class or group of classes is not going to be enough training. If you are going to own a firearm for the purpose of self defense you will need to shoot it regularly to become proficient. I make it a point to shoot at least once a month to keep my skills sharp.
Well said. And as so far as classes go, while an NRA class is a good first step, you generally do get what you pay for. Classes hosted by Mike Pannone (CTC Solutions), Earnest Langdon (Langdon Tactical), Todd Green (last I heard he was dealing with medical issues), etc. are expensive but well worth it. On average I spend about $600 on a weapon ($1200 when you consider I like to have two) and that cost is nothing when compared to what I spend a year in training and ammunition.

I can't recommend Mike Pannone enough. Big fan. He's the one that turned me onto the CZ P-07 as well.
 

Bridgeburner

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My training and ammunition expenses are a big reason why I'm not a "collector" actually. I just don't have the coin to do both. I think a lot of people would be better served taking that "gun money" and turning it into "training money" or "ammunition money".
 

Wild Turkey

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Also buy a lockbox to keep the gun in especially if you have kids in the house. You don't have to go crazy and buy a gun safe any metal box that will lock is better than nothing. Honestly nothing is more important than having your guns secured against accidents.

It won't prevent theft but it will stop anyone from an accident that is the most important thing.
 

Yankee Traveler

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All good advice.
First, home defense or concealed carry?
Home defense, you may want a long gun. Rifle (small carbine) or shotgun. Or you may want a handgun.
Concealed carry to defend yourself, or your wife to defend herself, may dictate a smaller handgun than what you would leave in your nightstand lockbox.
You and you wife do need to go to a range, or a few, that rent different handguns if that is what you decide. Get a feel for different models and different calibers. Also different functions. Grip safety, magazine safety, manual safety. Some experts love a magazine safety (the gun will not shoot without a magazine inserted) some hate it. Some love a manual safety, some do not.
Shoot a bunch, shoot a bunch more and decide what you like.

Remember, if you walk into a store/range and the salesperson immediatly starts pushing you towards a particular model or type without getting a feel for what you want avoid him or that store. My wife and I went to one range in Nashville to shoot some pistols and the salesman instantly started telling us that every woman needs a 12 guage pump shotgun with a pistol grip because they never need to aim.
Sorry, my wifes doesn't want a shotgun hanging out of her purse.
 

Bridgeburner

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Lol. I'll add that you should ignore anyone at a gun shop that tells you that:

You don't need to aim a shotgun.
Just the sound of racking a pump action shotgun will send intruders into flight.
A 45 will knock a man clean off of his feet.
Don't keep one in the pipe.
 

Yankee Traveler

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Lol. I'll add that you should ignore anyone at a gun shop that tells you that:

You don't need to aim a shotgun.
Just the sound of racking a pump action shotgun will send intruders into flight.
A 45 will knock a man clean off of his feet.
Don't keep one in the pipe.

Cocked and Locked!
 

BradPittsEvilTwin

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If you are talking about home defense, I would recommend a youth model 20G pump action shotgun with heavy bird shot. 20G is plenty of stopping power from the distance you'd be firing from, but isn't as likely to go through walls that you don't want to shoot through. A youth model will be smaller and easier to handle indoors.
 

CruiseControl

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I would be interested in knowing what gun people would chose if they could only have one gun. I would start a new thread but I am new and can't do it yet I guess.

I would pick a Ruger mini-14 .223 Ranch Rifle. Its one of the most versatile guns out there. Short barrel to make it adequate for home defense and working in tight spaces, but also accurate enough with a scope that you could hunt.... or defend your home at distances. It just does everything. I love my Ruger mini 14.
 
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