Smurfslayer
Member
Greetings,
I knew eventually I would have to face this, and need some input. 1st, I've been shooting 15+ years, ex Army, honorable discharge, NRA instructor. I've had students put the question to me "What kind of gun should I get?" and always I try to maintain some balance, not favoring a brand, not favoring a caliber or type. Rather, I prefer to make the person try several with things to consider in mind - how does it fit their hands, how are the ergonomics, what will it be used for, etc... I want people to make up their own minds on what guns they buy, but am always happy to provide input for what should be considered.
Fast forward to last night (or should that be rewind to?)... The wife's friend who 1: doesn't particularly like me, and 2: is fairly irresponsible, and 3: is on heavy prescription painkillers and 4: is not known for keeping the best company had a problem with a midnight visit from someone... For whatever reason(s) she asked the wife for my advice on getting a gun. She's an Anti and doesn't shoot ! Despite me trying to dissuade the wife she wouldn't hear of me not wanting to help as she put it. I expressed my reservations about this woman having a firearm because of her history of associating with people with criminal backgrounds, and irresponsibility, but in the end it _IS_ my wife's friend.
I decided that my wife should best handle the responsibility speech and I looked at her correspondence.
First, I recommended 2 1st class local establishments, one of which offers range time & training. Here's where I began to opine...
She said "Rick's friend who is a cop recommended a glock 14" ... I know, I know... but remember, she's an anti, and a total newbie. I corrected her with my minimal knowledge of glocks - 17 vs. 19, and further opined that while it was perfectly ok, I didn't prefer them. I listed the 2 glocks out with the XD 9, Walther P99, H&K USP as a list to choose from. I added that Revolvers were simpler, easier to maintain, opining that Ruger, Taurus & S&W all made good revolvers; a .357 would be a good choice, being able to also shoot .38's...
She responded being somewhat dismayed by the prices, saying she was expecting around $200 ... I followed up with a Mossberg 500 recommendation - as being far superior to handguns for home defense, and inexpensive, haven't heard any more...
I'm not keen on this woman having a gun There, I said it. She's a drinker (I mean she's got a problem, not one or 2 drinks with dinner), as previously stated, she's been known to hang out with criminals, some felons, and on, and on... Should my wife & I attempt to discourage this woman from getting a gun? Realistically, I don't expect her to change her lifestyle or habits, I did strongly reccomend training at the local range, but she asked my wife for me to help her... I'm conflicted...
Thoughts and opinions ?
I knew eventually I would have to face this, and need some input. 1st, I've been shooting 15+ years, ex Army, honorable discharge, NRA instructor. I've had students put the question to me "What kind of gun should I get?" and always I try to maintain some balance, not favoring a brand, not favoring a caliber or type. Rather, I prefer to make the person try several with things to consider in mind - how does it fit their hands, how are the ergonomics, what will it be used for, etc... I want people to make up their own minds on what guns they buy, but am always happy to provide input for what should be considered.
Fast forward to last night (or should that be rewind to?)... The wife's friend who 1: doesn't particularly like me, and 2: is fairly irresponsible, and 3: is on heavy prescription painkillers and 4: is not known for keeping the best company had a problem with a midnight visit from someone... For whatever reason(s) she asked the wife for my advice on getting a gun. She's an Anti and doesn't shoot ! Despite me trying to dissuade the wife she wouldn't hear of me not wanting to help as she put it. I expressed my reservations about this woman having a firearm because of her history of associating with people with criminal backgrounds, and irresponsibility, but in the end it _IS_ my wife's friend.
I decided that my wife should best handle the responsibility speech and I looked at her correspondence.
First, I recommended 2 1st class local establishments, one of which offers range time & training. Here's where I began to opine...
She said "Rick's friend who is a cop recommended a glock 14" ... I know, I know... but remember, she's an anti, and a total newbie. I corrected her with my minimal knowledge of glocks - 17 vs. 19, and further opined that while it was perfectly ok, I didn't prefer them. I listed the 2 glocks out with the XD 9, Walther P99, H&K USP as a list to choose from. I added that Revolvers were simpler, easier to maintain, opining that Ruger, Taurus & S&W all made good revolvers; a .357 would be a good choice, being able to also shoot .38's...
She responded being somewhat dismayed by the prices, saying she was expecting around $200 ... I followed up with a Mossberg 500 recommendation - as being far superior to handguns for home defense, and inexpensive, haven't heard any more...
I'm not keen on this woman having a gun There, I said it. She's a drinker (I mean she's got a problem, not one or 2 drinks with dinner), as previously stated, she's been known to hang out with criminals, some felons, and on, and on... Should my wife & I attempt to discourage this woman from getting a gun? Realistically, I don't expect her to change her lifestyle or habits, I did strongly reccomend training at the local range, but she asked my wife for me to help her... I'm conflicted...
Thoughts and opinions ?