Best gun for a non-gunnie.

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BamBam-31

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A buddy of mine called me up and asked for a recommendation. He said his cousin lives near DC and is frightened by all the terrorist threats, so he wants to purchase a gun for home defense. (Sounds like another anti-miraculously-turned-pro, eh?)

Anyhoo, here are his parameters: Cost isn't too much of an issue. No $5000 custom 1911's, but $600-700 is within reason. He's not going to practice with it (I know, I know, :banghead: ), just store it at home "just in case." He lives in a townhome, so he's concerned about over-penetration.

My suggestion? Ruger GP100. Just over $400, man-stopping .357 or econo-plink .38, no external safety to practice with, super-reliable, no-brainer maintenance. As for over-penetration, AFAIK, there's not much you can do with handgun rounds. I suggested birdshot from a boomstick, but his cousin was set on a handgun. I told him that if his cousin ever had to pull out his piece, over-penetration is way down on the list.

I also think his cousin was leaning more towards a semi. I said definitely a 9mm if he's not going to practice with it. He'd also need to learn a bit more about maintenance with a semi. I pointed them towards the Glock 17 and Sig 226. There are other great 9mm's out there (CZ, Hi-Power. P-99, etc.), but I've personally had great experiences with the Glock and Sig, so I suggested those.

Is this about right? I'm used to talking to other gunnies about which gun's better than which, what fits my hand best, etc., but this newbie approach is actually making me think. Hope I didn't steer his cousin in the wrong direction.
 
To new shooters I always recomend a 22 revolver unless they want something they can use for self defence right away and then that is a .38 or .357 sized large unless they plan to carry. I think you had a great train of thought steering him towards the gp and cautioning about the extra skill/knowledge needed with a semi.
 
Bam-Bam, that's the same advice I give: a shotgun, followed by a .357 revolver if they insist on a handgun. The shotgun would be better, as you're aware, but the revolver has the smallest learning curve compared to a semi-auto. (no safety, no grip-safeties, no magazines, no slide to rack back and forth)
You can find Rugers for well under $300 used if you shop around. One further idea, get one in stainless because you KNOW it's just going to sit in a drawer somewhere and never get looked at.
 
Hello,

Yeah, I think you've got it about right. A revolver is probably a good idea for someone who's going to have it "just in case". It's not as complicated as a semi-auto. However...

With regard to the semi-auto choices, I would go with something that has simple controls and will work flawlessly out of the box. A good indication of the last point is if the pistol is issued to domestic LEOs: Glocks, Sigs, etc.

I will put in a vote against a CZ for this guy. 50% of the ones I have bought new did not operate properly from the box.


-z
 
Maybe I just live right these days. I've picked up S&W 4 screw M&Ps locally for <$200 in great shape. .38 is an excellent round. I can load ultra minimum rounds for training or +P to penetrate DEEP!
 
I second the idea of a S&W Model 10 M&P. Go to the revolver forum and print off the "how to" float and go get one for that ultimate in "load and put it on the highest closet shelf" firearm.
 
A 4" .357 is just about perfect as an "only gun", even and especially for the novice gun owner. It'll do every handgun job in a competent fashion, from carry to plinking to home defense. Load it with .38 Special +P for defense, use .38 wadcutters for plinking, and save the Magnums for slaying Bambi or fending off rabid mutant biker zombies.
 
Since he's looking for advice, tell him to forget it if he isn't going to learn how the tool operates, and safety. If the fool is determined to never fire it unless he has to, and to get a semi, then a SA would probably be best. If he doesn't know that the first pull will be hard and subsequent ones easy, he's in big trouble. A Browning Hi-Power would be good, and Speer Gold Dot hollow points.
 
I would recommend a 4" 357mag revolver. They're easy to learn how to use & maintain and they can sit loaded indefinitely w/o anything to be concerned about. I would also HIGHLY recommend a basic course so that if he ever does have to use it, he can be somewhat confident in his efforts.
Lastly, I recommend the revolver because it is much easier to go practice w/ a handgun than it is a shotgun or long gun. Indoor & outdoor ranges are available to him.
Good luck!
 
Possession of firearms implies a degree of responsibility and willingness to accept consequences of actions. It is the height of irresponsibility to just buy a gun and not learn safe handling or learn how to use it.

No recommendation from me without a firm committment to learn safe handling practice. I wouldn't want my friends death, injury, or participation in someone else's death or injury on my conscience.

But that's just me.
 
Shotgun, Mossberg 500?g

If he insists on a handgun the Ruger in revolver is probably best, but you can't beat a Ruger Semi-Auto, My P95 is reliable and cheap.
 
BamBam-31, yeah, you done good! I'd also suggest some Fox Labs pepper spray. :D
 
A seven iron and a loud whistle would probably be better than a handgun with out learning to operate it. If they insist on a handgun your advice is what I would also give.
Gerald
 
I would suggest sending him to a local shooting range for a few lessons.let him shoot a few different types and calibers of pistols,get a feel of what each one feels like in his hands,how each pistol shoots,and let him chose the firearm with your reccommendations in mind.
each shooter feels more comfortable with a pistol which feels good in his hand,and that he can shoot well.
 
BamBam-31!

If home defense and self protection are the main goals here and, if as you say, the guy isn't going to learn the firearm or practice with it, then I would recommend a shot gun. Doesn't take a lot of practice or skill to provide a lot of defense and protection. Good shooting;)
 
If he doesn't think he'll practice that is one thing, if he isn't willing to learn initially that is something else.

If he isn't willing to practice in the beginning to learn I second what others have said. Insist that he go w/ a knife, pepper spray, a baseball bat, a good heavy gulf club, etc.

If he is willing to learn but then plans to simply load it and put it away then I'd be willing to help out (I actually have a friend who has been thinking about this track).

My first thought would be to continue suggesting that if they don't plan to consistantly keep up with range practice that they get a long gun. A shotgun as you already suggested is a great HD gun anyway and it is very powerful. Any long gun is more forgiving- it is much easier to aim w/ a 16-20" barrel than w/ a 3-6" barrel under stress even with regular practice and training. In addition to the shotgun I'd also suggest a pistol caliber carbine. You get the advantage of more practice than the shotgun or a rifle (there are far more indoor pistol ranges out there than outdoor rifle ranges, esp. in a suburban/urban area like here in the DC area). A Hi Point 9mm carbine, a Ruger PC 9, a .357mag or .44mag lever rifle, the Ruger Deerfield Carbine (.44mag) are all great options. Also, a .223/5.56 rifle would be a good option. They are intimidating (so maybe if lucky your friend would scare the BG into complying), the caliber doesn't have the overpenatration issues of other rifle calibers and is even better than some handgun rounds, it is cheap to shoot and practice with, etc. Another bonus of the rifle or carbine in a pistol caliber or .223/5.56 is that they won't "kick" much and they are fairly easy to shoot so they should be less intimidating for a newbie who isn't so sure to begin with.

If they are dead set on a handgun then your idea of a revolver is best. In fact, if they are asking for your help as a knowlegable gun guy I'd insist that they at least listen to that. If they insist that they want an auto then it is obvious that they don't put any value on your advice anyway.
 
Sorry, but a pump-action shotgun would be my last recommendation to someone who doesn't plan to practice.

I shoot my Mossberg Persuader in various forms of 3-Gun/IDPA-style matches, and I'm always discovering new ways to cause malfunctions. I've learned that if I ride the slide release button while shooting, I will absolutely lock up the action. That's bad in a match, but positively lethal in a gunfight. I can short-stroke the action, fumble tactical reloads, and fail to disengage the safety.

If he tries to use it in a combat situation, he's going to be worm food.

Ruger GP-100, S&W Model 66 or 686, Taurus Model 66 loaded with 38 Spl 158grain JHPs would be my first choice. Minimum barrel length of 4".
 
Chaim, I'm a big fan of the AR-15 weapons system for indoor work, but recommending it to the new shooter is just foolish.

Let's assume that he has an intruder, and he points the rifle at the attacker, and nothing happens. If he doesn't practice, how will he know what to do?

Has he failed to disengage the safety?
Is there a round chambered?
Is the magazine seated correctly?
Is the rifle cocked?
Does he have a jam? If so, can he clear it?

The time to learn AR-15 failure drills is not during a life-and-death situation.
 
Should he insist on a semi-auto. He probably wants a 9mm with an honest-to god 15-shot magazine.
something very safe and relaible.

Then he should look at a CZ75 BD Police. Issued to the
police in Brazil. Decocker and very smooth operating gun.
Comes with the hi-cap and a Clinton mag.

The Ruger DC is another option. Just not as nice as a CZ for
some people. Plus, you get the Bill Ruger inspired 10 shot
mags!

Better (in my mind) than the Ruger..
Taurus makes a good 9mm. Something that would serve him well.
Has a decocker, so it is very safe. So does a PCR, that is also
quite light for a police issue combat 9mm.
 

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Hey, great replies, fellas! Lots--I mean LOTS--of good advice. I emailed my buddy this thread, and I'm sure he'll show it to his cousin. (You guys readin' this?!)

As far as his mindset goes, the impression I got was that he'd learn some basics initially, and then later just set his piece aside for poop meets fan scenarios. I hope after reading this (and with a little prodding from my buddy ;) ) he'll change his mind towards practicing with it. Small steps, perhaps, but in the right direction, eh?

Thanks again for the input, guys. :)
 
Another vote against the shotgun: I think a long gun can be too hard to use in tight quarters, and the operator has to think about things like whether the safety is on, or whether a round is in the chamber before he racks it and loses a round on the floor, or god-forbid he clench up and should short-shuck in the dark. Plus, the noise, flash, and kick can disorient. And, if he is vaguely an anti, he probably will have it buried in the closet where no one can see it. A handgun can be kept more easily concealed by the bed.

I also am in favor of a revolver. Nothing to think about except whether it is loaded. A S&W, Ruger, etc., will probably be the ticket. I think that .357 is too much for indoor self-defense for someone inexperienced and without hearing protection - .38 is probably just the ticket. If he insists on semi-auto go with a Glock: also no safeties to think about, and they are pretty reliable. I would think 9mm is plenty.

He needs to at least go to the range a few times and maybe take a class. And if he is an anti, tell him for gods sake not to feel guilty about owning a firearm.
 
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