Is it wrong to get into guns?

[BobCatholic]

A 9mm is not that powerful of a round where you can’t shoot accurately. The best rule of guns is to remember that if you want to stop someone, shoot something that will stop someone. Many people argue that even a 9mm isn’t strong enough to stop someone and a 45 is better. A 22 is best for target practice or shooting small animals. Not for stopping a human or large animal.

With handgun ammo being almost impossible to find, it doesn’t matter which caliber I get. I could buy the a Glock 17/19 and won’t be able to shoot anything without ammo. So I’m starting with 22LR first since I was able to snag a brick of it. True, it won’t last long but it sure would last longer than a box of 9mm.

 

[Bill_Martin]

I’m looking for a 22LR to start with for both my wife and I. They need to be easy to maintain (field strip should be easy), be high reliability, good warranty and high accuracy, minimal outside safeties which get in the way.

I’m open to a 22LR revolver (must have swing out cylinder) my wife wants a semi-automatic.

Models I had in mind were:

For my wife:
Ruger SR22 (must have laser), Smith & Wesson M&P 22 (maybe others?)
(all with 10 round magazines, they need to be legal here where I live in Cook County)

For me:
Taurus 94, or M94; Smith & Wesson K22,

Eventually we’d like to graduate to a 9mm - Glock 17/19 for me, and 26 for my wife.

Your best bet would probably be to keep checking Gunbroker.com and join a forum like The High Road, Firing Line, or AR15.com and check the classifieds sections. Trying to find one at or under MSRP at a dealer is pretty much impossible at this point. Keep in mind that if you buy a gun online it must be shipped to an FFL holder, so the actual cost will be slightly higher since you pay shipping and an FFL transfer fee (usually not much though). Joining a good forum has other advantages as well since you can find out which brands may suit you and which to avoid.

 

[Soren_Itenu]

Training in the proper use of and owning a gun is not a matter of morality. The moral question comes in only in why or how you’re using the firearm. A gun is merely a tool; it’s how you use it that makes it moral or immoral. So, if you’re being responsible and using it for self-defense and safety, then it isn’t immoral. I can totally understand why you’d want to protect yourself. I’m an American expatriate living in Japan, and from what I can see, things are getting worse and will continue to worsen in America. Good luck!

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

A rule of guns is that the best round to shoot is the one you can hit with.

Does this apply to the guns themselves too?

 

[Hovannes]

Do you personally know any local law enforcement officers? Ask them. Old models are usually offered to the cops first whenever a new model weapon is issued. They may know of an officer who has an older model for sale.
Or check at your local range. Most have a bulletin board for buying and selling stuff.
Semiautomatics hold the fascination of the shooting public these days and demand top dollar… DA revolvers are every bit as useful and often considerably more reliable in the long run and far more user friendly as well, and are often much less expensive to purchase.
Last month I was at a sporting goods store Sacramento and a good used semi auto .40 Beretta, Sig or Colt started at $900. A S&W Model 15 ex-guard revolver was going for $475 while a Model 10 (same revolver only with fixed sights) for even less.
Just sayin’

 

[BobCatholic]

Does this apply to the guns themselves too?

Yup No use in having a gun without ammo (throwing them at the bad guys is not a good idea) - hehe

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Yup No use in having a gun without ammo (throwing them at the bad guys is not a good idea) - hehe

Oh no, I didn’t mean that. (Though you did just remind me of a funny movie scene where one guy wanted to proceed with a gun fight by suggesting they use the useless guns as clubs.)

I meant if the concept of using ammo you shoot best with also applies in that the best gun-type to use is the one you can shoot with. Is this true too?

See, I’m really not a gun expert but I am closer when it comes to weapons in general. If I had to choose a gun, I tend to be fascinated by light pistols because they seem so easier to use at close range.

 

[BobCatholic]

I meant if the concept of using ammo you shoot best with also applies in that the best gun-type to use is the one you can shoot with. Is this true too?

From my research, use the gun and ammo combination that allows you to hit accurately. For me it is 22LR and revolver. Maybe even 22LR semi-automatic pistol.

How do you know which gun/ammo combo is good? Go to your local gun shot, rent a gun, buy ammo and shoot it at their range. Try out multiple guns and ammo.

Another idea is to go to a factory shoot at your local gun shops. This is great, the gun manufacturers tour the nation going to various gun shops, and allow you to shoot their guns for free, you usually just pay for the ammunition, sold by the shop. I went to a local factory shoot and tried out some guns. Not sure if they do that where you live.

 

[SamH]

From my research, use the gun and ammo combination that allows you to hit accurately. For me it is 22LR and revolver. Maybe even 22LR semi-automatic pistol.

How do you know which gun/ammo combo is good? Go to your local gun shot, rent a gun, buy ammo and shoot it at their range. Try out multiple guns and ammo.

Another idea is to go to a factory shoot at your local gun shops. This is great, the gun manufacturers tour the nation going to various gun shops, and allow you to shoot their guns for free, you usually just pay for the ammunition, sold by the shop. I went to a local factory shoot and tried out some guns. Not sure if they do that where you live.

Agreed.

The conceal and carry class my wife and I are going to attend offers seveal weapons to test. While I love my Ruger Security Six with its 6" barrel, carrying it in a “concealed” manner (as required by law) is nearly impossible. I’m hoping they have a compact .380 to test. After some searching I’m sure a Bersa Thunder in .380 is the way to go for a concealed weapon but I don’t want to buy one just to find that I hate it - been there done that with other weapons.

I would definately advise that you try out several weapons before deciding what you want - especially if this will be the only one you plan on owning.

Right now ammunition is nearly impossible to find. Bass Pro, Cabela’s Wal-Mart and most small gun stores are out of EVERYTHING except shotgun shells - and even some of them in “home defense” rounds are impossible to find. 22s had been a little out of stock on and off for the last two-three years but now basic .22 LR doesn’t last on a shelf more than a few hours - if that. .380 has also been short for a couple years too, I haven’t seen a box anywhere since last summer. .223 had been plentiful until late November - I haven’t seen a box of it in brass cases on a shelf since January.

 

[Bill_Martin]

Agreed.

The conceal and carry class my wife and I are going to attend offers seveal weapons to test. While I love my Ruger Security Six with its 6" barrel, carrying it in a “concealed” manner (as required by law) is nearly impossible. I’m hoping they have a compact .380 to test. After some searching I’m sure a Bersa Thunder in .380 is the way to go for a concealed weapon but I don’t want to buy one just to find that I hate it - been there done that with other weapons.

I would definately advise that you try out several weapons before deciding what you want - especially if this will be the only one you plan on owning.

Right now ammunition is nearly impossible to find. Bass Pro, Cabela’s Wal-Mart and most small gun stores are out of EVERYTHING except shotgun shells - and even some of them in “home defense” rounds are impossible to find. 22s had been a little out of stock on and off for the last two-three years but now basic .22 LR doesn’t last on a shelf more than a few hours - if that. .380 has also been short for a couple years too, I haven’t seen a box anywhere since last summer. .223 had been plentiful until late November - I haven’t seen a box of it in brass cases on a shelf since January.

.22 LR is actually the hardest caliber to find around here, other than 5.56. The OP may have a better chance of finding 9mm, .380, or .45 ACP in stock than .22 LR. Even online it’s very difficult to find and the price per round is approaching 9mm territory which is ridiculous.

 

[SamH]

.22 LR is actually the hardest caliber to find around here, other than 5.56. The OP may have a better chance of finding 9mm, .380, or .45 ACP in stock than .22 LR. Even online it’s very difficult to find and the price per round is approaching 9mm territory which is ridiculous.

I’ve seen several places that have .45 ACP and some with .40 in stock, .380 is extremely rare and 9MM is sometimes available. Specific home defense rounds are extremely rare in all calibers.

 

[SamH]

If i do, then Mother Teresa, the apostles, Saint Joseph and many others (Including the priests, religious people) do or did.** I am talking about having faith in God and not making armful** decision and making assumption that God will protect me.

Anyway, this is a personal decision.

Blessing and love!

The means to protect yourself have been made available to you, yet you choose to test God and not take prudent precautions.

**

The Apostle didn’t travel with weapon either they have faith in God.**

Luke 22:38

Apparently the apostles were armed.

 

[Brendan]

.22 LR is actually the hardest caliber to find around here, other than 5.56. The OP may have a better chance of finding 9mm, .380, or .45 ACP in stock than .22 LR. Even online it’s very difficult to find and the price per round is approaching 9mm territory which is ridiculous.

Yep, 22LR is almost impossible to find around here as well. But can get .380, 9mm and .45 pretty easily. I never thought I would be in a position where I would contemplate reloading 22LR

Bob, I’d recommend looking at the Ruger 10/45. It’s a good 22 but has the layout of a 1911 .45, so it give the ‘feel’ of a .45. But for your wife, it might be a big gun.

.380 is a light caliber that is easy to shoot, I have one that my wife shoots with no difficulty
That is considered to be the smallest of the effective self defense calibers.

 

[SamH]

Yep, 22LR is almost impossible to find around here as well. But can get .380, 9mm and .45 pretty easily. I never thought I would be in a position where I would contemplate reloading 22LR

Bob, I’d recommend looking at the Ruger 10/45. It’s a good 22 but has the layout of a 1911 .45, so it give the ‘feel’ of a .45. But for your wife, it might be a big gun.

.380 is a light caliber that is easy to shoot, I have one that my wife shoots with no difficulty
That is considered to be the smallest of the effective self defense calibers.

Do you mean 22/45?

I bought a like new Target Model a month ago for my son to use in 4H shooting.

ruger.com/products/2245/index.html

I thought $345 was a bit much - now that appears to be a steal.

 

[28562]

If you are only looking for a gun for home protection, which you are since you can’t carry in IL, have you considered a shotgun? You can get one substantially cheaper than a handgun, you don’t have to worry about capacity restrictions, ammo is cheap and easy to find, and you can be proficient with it with much less training than a handgun. I paid over $400 for my xd9, but recently bought TWO used (but nice) shotguns for $375. I could cut a barrel off (or buy a short barrel) and pickup a tactical stock for less than a hundred bucks. Now THAT is a formidable defense weapon. It is going to stop the intruder that your 22 won’t…personally, we have a 12ga and a 9mm in the bedroom ready to go if need be, although I pray I never need them. Nobody is going to harm my family without a fight…and I dont plan on fighting fair.

Btw, you said you live in Cook County. Please get a gun soon. There is no way on God’s green earth I would live there without a gun to protect my family.

 

[BobCatholic]

have you considered a shotgun?

I don’t have a place to store it, my apartment is very tight. That’s why I’m looking at handguns. Besides, the recoil would send me sprawling. I could barely hold my friend’s Taurus Judge shooting .410.

I’m new at guns, so I’m starting out with something small and working my way up.

Btw, you said you live in Cook County. Please get a gun soon. There is no way on God’s green earth I would live there without a gun to protect my family.

Agreed. I want to move out of here, maybe to Texas if I could get a job there.

 

[28562]

I don’t have a place to store it, my apartment is very tight. That’s why I’m looking at handguns. Besides, the recoil would send me sprawling. I could barely hold my friend’s Taurus Judge shooting .410.

I’m new at guns, so I’m starting out with something small and working my way up.
.

You hold a Judge in your hands. Shooting that shell out of something with as little weight and support from you IS going to be difficult. A shotgun is much heavier and has your shoulder for support. **Big **difference and you might be surprised how some loads do NOT kick. My wife shot one of mine a while back…5’4", 130ish. She had no issues and thoroughly enjoyed it, as she also enjoyed shooting my 9 (she also had no prior experience shooting guns). It also doesn’t have to be big…like I said, saw off the barrel and stick it in a corner…or under the bed. Or above the closet door. You could dang near fit some tactical shotguns in a good sized drawer!

Glad to hear you are looking at getting out of the Chicago area.

edit—you could even get a .410 shotgun and shoot buckshot from it. It would probably kick about the same or not much more than a 22lr and pack a wallop for the bad guy…

 

[BobCatholic]

edit—you could even get a .410 shotgun and shoot buckshot from it. It would probably kick about the same or not much more than a 22lr and pack a wallop for the bad guy…

At this point a shotgun is not on my radar (though it may be on later) I have no place to shoot it (no ranges around here allow them) and no place will let me try it out (rental at range) before I buy one.

 

[SuperLuigi]

My reason is home self defense.

I can’t concealed carry yet in this state. This is likely to change in the near future. But even then I’m not likely to CC. My wife wants to CC, and I’d like to get her a pistol.

We don’t hunt but both of us had plans to be target shooting at a local gun range to practice. The first time I went out I did pretty well with a friend’s 22LR revolver and I would love to get one.

Unfortunately, I just found out I am losing my job so there goes my plans on obtaining a firearm at all. I guess my plans to own a gun are not in God’s will, and thus my job is gone.

I know of nothing sinful about having a defensive weapon to protect your family.

Collecting guns is even a hobby for some people, and hobbies can keep us out of bad habits.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Agreed. I want to move out of here, maybe to Texas if I could get a job there.

Utah, South Dakota, Oklahoma are good places too…as are the Bakkan oil fields of North Dakota.

for you to find a new job in a place you like.