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Discussion: First Firearm
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WiseChoice |
First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 6:34 AM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 16 2010, 1:53 AM EDT
Hello all. I need some help. I have fired plenty of weapons in my lifetime at rangesand family/friends land. I, however, have never owned a firearm I have always used other peoples or rented them from places. WHAT do you recommend be my first firearm. Ive been looking into the liscensing process. I am definitely on a budget. Knob Creek has Nagants for 95 dollars. Ive shot those dozens of times and I enjoy them highly. What do you all recommend. I live in KY and am 20 BTW. I understand i cant have a pistol yet. I was leaning towards a Bolt Action seeing as those are pretty slick. Anyones input please. Forgive my Ignorance if I said something completely stupid.
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theghostnthedarkness |
1. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 7:33 AM EDT
i would recommend a 12g pump, moss. 500 series is always nice. a pump shotgun gives you great versatility and could be purchased new for around $200. but i know there are alot of used guns floating around ky so i would go with one of them if i was on a budget. you would have the same or higher capacity as the nagant with range up to 150 yards and it wouldnt be so hard on your shoulder after continuous fireing. plus the ammo would be easier to find on the run post zday. if you really want a bolt rifle then the nagant is a great choice. they are sturdy and the ammo is cheap but beware of sticky bolts. but the sticky bolt problem can easily be fixed with a little garage gunsmithing. and just because your not 21 doesnt mean you cant have a handgun. it just means you cant get one from a gun store. i was around 17 when i got my first 9mm. it was a FEG, and anybody who downtalks them has never had a FEG hi-power. it was one of the best guns i ever owned. Do you find this valuable? |
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WiseChoice |
2. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 7:50 AM EDT
"i would recommend a 12g pump, moss. 500 series is always nice. a pump shotgun gives you great versatility and could be purchased new for around $200. but i know there are alot of used guns floating around ky so i would go with one of them if i was on a budget.TBH It doesn;t really hurt my shoulder at all. Unless I fire without the butt up against my shoulder/bicep all the way. I think a .22 pistol would fit my fancy. Im a pretty basic guy at the range. Every single time I go I have a BLAST shooting just the basic M N, haha. It never gets old or boring. Reading all this junk about what to get to own a gun has me confused. What exactly do I need to do? (For KY) Do you find this valuable? |
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theghostnthedarkness |
3. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 8:02 AM EDT
"TBH It doesn;t really hurt my shoulder at all. Unless I fire without the butt up against my shoulder/bicep all the way. I think a .22 pistol would fit my fancy. Im a pretty basic guy at the range. Every single time I go I have a BLAST shooting just the basic M N, haha. It never gets old or boring.h&r .22 revolvers are my fetish. i never had one i didnt like. not to expensive either. as for .22 semi-autos ruger mk series is excellent, s&w 22a?(i think thats the model i cant remeber) is a good shooter is enexpensive and is set up from the factory to accept optics. and if you are lucky enough to find one a stoeger .22 luger is a lot of fun and a great shooter. all three of those run 200-250 used. i think the smith is that much new though. Do you find this valuable? |
SasquatchJim |
4. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 10:18 AM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 14 2010, 10:20 AM EDT
If you were to ask me for a good first firearm, I'd say:Mossberg 500. Great all-around gun. Ruger 10/22. Easy to use, very inexpensive, with tons of accessories and magazines. Stevens Model 200 in either 30-06 or .308. They are basically a cheaper version of the legendary Savage 110. I own both, and there isn't too much of a difference. t would make a great hunting rifle. I've heard some good things about the Nagant, but since I don't have one, I don't think I should suggest it. However, if you've shot it and are comfortable with it, then I'd go with that. Do you find this valuable? |
Survivor15 |
5. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 11:32 AM EDT
I agree with SasquatchJim, Ruger 10/22 or Mossy500.
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MajorDamage |
6. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 11:38 AM EDT
PM on this subject to OP sentApplication and intended use will dictate proper expenditure of limited funds not just model/caliber IMO For example: my 1st anti-personnel rifle purchase was a Mini-14 and my 1st training rifle was an AP-74 (AR-15 look-alike in .22 lr only) 2 out of 2 found this valuable. Do you? |
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WiseChoice |
7. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 11:56 AM EDT
Hell guys I don't even know where to start. The Mini-14 looks pretty nice at a price that fits my current budget. (Unless I didn't find the right thing)For the Mossberg. It looks nice and is at a fair price for my budget but I don't know if I want my first firearm to be a shotgun. Mosin Nagant M44 is Cheap, Enjoyable to fire and is Easily Acquirable. But I don't know. Why don't one of you SELL me a rifle. Haha. Do you find this valuable? |
LJ126 |
8. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 2:24 PM EDT
Well, I've pounded my chest so many times about the virtues of the Mosin-Nagant that it's not funny anymore - it's my default answer now. If you've got $200 burning a hole in your wallet and you've GOT to get a gun, in my opinion, that's the firearm to get. Why?It's a .30 caliber rifle that's accurate, durable and easy to maintain. It typically comes with all of the accessories that you need (cleaning rod, kit, sling, ammo pouch, oil/solvent can, takedown tool) and doesn't require any additional work to be a fully-functional battle implement. Ammunition is dirt cheap when you buy bulk surplus - and since the former Soviet block countries still use that cartridge, ammunition should be available for a long time at low prices. At $200, you should be able to purchase a few hundred rounds of ammo with the rifle too! Sticky bolt is actually easier to fix that you think. Once we get things sorted out I'll write an article expressing how I remedy "sticky bolt." 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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LJ126 |
9. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 2:29 PM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 14 2010, 2:30 PM EDT
Forgive my double post guys, but I forgot something to share with WiseChoice - look at the ZSDW Postal Match article on the left (in the tool bar). The first target - my target - was shot at 100 yards, iron sights, using Brown Bear 203 grain SP ammo (about $7-10/box). That's an EXCELLENT group for any rifle. My other groups are similar sized, maybe a little larger. With a scope I'm convinced I could make that group sub-MOA.NOTE: I'm an accomplished 3-Pos shooter with LOTS of time behind the rifle sights, and that group is from a lightly accurized ex-sniper with a 99% bore. Results will probably vary, but if you're really picky, you can find a good bore that will shoot groups like that. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
John_234 |
10. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 3:48 PM EDT
Well, to be honest, in the firearms world, $90 is very, very cheap for a nice bolt gun, even when you're talking surplus. It's amazing how many Mosins were built.You might end it buying it regardless of whatever else you buy. Ninety bucks, what is that, a week's paycheck? A 10/22 is a great plinker, and so are the Mk2 and Mk3. Everyone needs a .22 LR, and it's perfect to start off of. But if you could only buy one gun, period, it'd have to be a shotgun. As timberrattler said, "If MacGuyver carried a weapon, it would be a shotgun." Shotguns are the swiss army knife of firearms. (despite the fact that the Swiss Army does not use any of them...) You can't go wrong with a Mossberg or Remington. My opinion on the two: Remington tends to be better fitted and finished, but the Mossberg flat out smokes the 870 for ergonomics. The action release can be reached without shifting your hand, and the safety is ambidextrous and very fast. In terms of reliability, both are trusted, and there is a huge parts market for both of them. Again, why not buy the Mosin anyway? : ) Ask LJ how to clean the cosmoline crap out of it and he can show you how to make that gun *shoot.* Do you find this valuable? |
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theghostnthedarkness |
11. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 5:17 PM EDT
"Well, to be honest, in the firearms world, $90 is very, very cheap for a nice bolt gun, even when you're talking surplus. It's amazing how many Mosins were built.the big thing that makes me always go twards the mossberg is it doesnt have that annoying little spring loaded steel thing that just gets in your way while you are loading the tube. you can also pinch your fingers on that thing. i dont know why 870's have them. they surve no purpose. Do you find this valuable? |
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John_234 |
12. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 6:32 PM EDT
"the big thing that makes me always go twards the mossberg is it doesnt have that annoying little spring loaded steel thing that just gets in your way while you are loading the tube. you can also pinch your fingers on that thing. i dont know why 870's have them. they surve no purpose."The loading elevator? Well, it does serve a purpose, to pick up the shell from the tube and raise it to the chamber. But the Remington can be slower to load due to it staying in the down position. It's nigh impossible to do a carlock shuffle on a Remington. Do you find this valuable? |
Filadog |
13. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 6:39 PM EDT
What do you want the gun for? What do you see yourself using it for most?If you want an all round gun for defensive purposes or hunting a shotgun like a Remington 870 with screw in chokes will be hard to beat If you want something to plink with target shoot and maybe small game hunting a Ruger 10/22 would be a better choice. A better choice for an end of the world weapon then a shotgun too I think If you want a larger caliber "fighting" rifle maybe the nagant though I think a Mauser or Enfield are better choices and can be picked up just as cheap ....No single gun can do it all and if you only have one you have to compromise Do you find this valuable? |
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LJ126 |
14. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 6:46 PM EDT
Where you finding Mausers and Enfields for under $100? I'll pay the extra for shipping! lol. Cheapest Mausers I can find are on J&G Sales, but Enfields are pricey everywhere 'round here.I'll agree though - they're both "better" rifles. They're hard to find at anywhere near the same price point though. Ammo is more expensive too. Do you find this valuable? |
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Filadog |
15. RE: First Firearm
Mar 14 2010, 7:16 PM EDT
I bought a very nice savage made enfield sporter at auction a year or so ago for $40..there were other similiar enfield and Mauser sporters priced about the same. I also bought a nicely done 1917 enfield scoped 30 06 there for $120Back in November I picked up a 7mm Spanish Mauser (1893) still in military trim for $70 at another auction At this same auction I got a Chinese nagant carbine, Ithaca 12 ga. double and a like new 12 ga h&r single for $15 each Last weekend my friend put on a big gun auction and had several Mauser sporters in it. Nothing to look at but imgine they still shot fine. I didn't wait to see what they sold for but he told me they went for less then $50 each. Lots of cheap guns out there but you do have to look around to find them Do you find this valuable? |
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theghostnthedarkness |
16. RE: First Firearm
Mar 15 2010, 3:33 AM EDT
"I bought a very nice savage made enfield sporter at auction a year or so ago for $40..there were other similiar enfield and Mauser sporters priced about the same. I also bought a nicely done 1917 enfield scoped 30 06 there for $120i want to live where you live. whenever there are guns at auctions around here they sell for more then they could be bought at a gun store for. its mostly just the old farms with more money then they know what to do with. the cheapest gun i have ever seen sold at an auciton around here would be about 50 bucks and it was an old beat up muzzle loader. i did buy an old sears 12g pump for 95 dollars one time but i dont think the gun was advertised as being in the auciton. Do you find this valuable? |
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theghostnthedarkness |
17. RE: First Firearm
Mar 15 2010, 3:37 AM EDT
"The loading elevator? Well, it does serve a purpose, to pick up the shell from the tube and raise it to the chamber. But the Remington can be slower to load due to it staying in the down position.sorry john i was running on no sleep. i know it has a purpose but i consider it a design flaw. it could drop down like on a mossberg and countless other shotguns and it would make it easier to load. i mean ive owned lots of them(who turns down a $100 12g pump). i just dont like them nearly as much and always turn them over for a buck quick fast and in a hurry. Do you find this valuable? |
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LJ126 |
18. RE: First Firearm
Mar 15 2010, 4:19 AM EDT
"i want to live where you live. whenever there are guns at auctions around here they sell for more then they could be bought at a gun store for. its mostly just the old farms with more money then they know what to do with.No kidding - Every once in a while, a cheap sporter will show up but its very uncommon and usually a bit overpriced. My buddy's first gun was an Ishapore Enfield in 7.62 Nato, in a synthetic stock; he only paid $120 for it and it was AWESOME. That's the last good deal I've seen one Enfields 'round these parts, and that was about 8 years ago. Do you find this valuable? |
AlexHigginbotham |
19. RE: First Firearm
Mar 15 2010, 4:52 AM EDT
| Post edited: Mar 15 2010, 4:54 AM EDT
Its always nice to have something with cheap available ammo and the ability to customize to better fit you.There is a loophole around the age restrictions on pistols. You can give someone the money and they can gift it to you, legally making you the owner. I had to do that a half a dozen times for a friend before he turned 21. You still have to be 21 to buy handgun ammunition, but I've never seen anyone get carded for ammo. Edit: Took out a double negative. Do you find this valuable? |
