Buying my first weapon, would like input from gun owners

[Melchiah]

Spent this week doing some research and price checking, and thinking about what would suit my situation best. I have never bought a firearm before because of two factors: The price and not having a range to practice. I can justify the expense now; my father and I were invited by a family friend to join a local gun club that has a pistol range. I want to learn to shoot better and safer, and now I have the opportunity.

So, as for weapon choice, I have narrowed my options down to a Springfield model 1911A1 vs the new Ruger SR9. Most of the old guys I've talked to have recommended a smaller caliber than the .45 to start out with, so I'm really leaning toward the Ruger based on that and the fact that 9mm ammo is half the price of .45 right now(fucking copper thieves). However, I *really* like the feel of the 1911 in my hand.

Waiting until tomorrow to go back and make the purchase, giving myself time to think and talk to some people, including the gun enthusiasts who are part of the membership here. I do appreciate your input, so let me know what you would recommend given my situation.

And please, anti-gun folks, I respect your position but please don't shit all over my topic ; ;

[archibaldcrane]

However, I *really* like the feel of the 1911 in my hand.

I think you have your answer right here. Having a gun you really enjoy to hold and fire will make it worth it. I don't know anything about either model, but for doing mainly target shooting that's what I'd go with.

[Remyo]

I'd vote for the smaller caliber Ruger, extremely light and slim. Most handgun fanatics ejaculate for a 1911, though. IMO you aren't going to be actively using it outside of home defense(so why get the .45 really), even though I'd recommend you going to a range fairly often to keep up to date with it. Look into some revolvers too, say a .38 browning maybe. If you aren't hard set on a handgun get a shotgun, despite being limited in tight quarters they are the tops for home defense, since the pellets won't exit the house like a stray bullet would and you have a better chance of actual hitting an intruder.

When I turn 21 next month I'm going to get a Taurus .40 S&W, can't wait.

go to /k/(4chan) or /w/(7chan) too, lots of good advice from them.

[BIGSTIC]

Well it sounds like you have some experiance shooting pistols. But have you actually shot a 1911 vs. the Ruger SR9? Only reason I ask is that most ranges have some affiliation with a couple gun dealers in town and will allow you to test fire weapons prior to purchase. I have handled pistols that shoot like crap but feel beautiful and vice-versa. Also dont forget revolvers. They have come along ways and in all honesty they are quite fun to shoot and reloading is so much easier.

Dont get me wrong I prefer larger caliber weapons and my pistol of choice is a .40 but then again I have these redicuasly large hands and small pistols feel all wrong. But if I am gonna dump more than 20 rounds down range I will typically grab my 9mm. Its all really just a personal preferance since both the pistols you are looking at are good quality but I would try to find a way to test them before purchase. The only gun I have baught prior to firing is my BMG .50 semi-auto and thats just because I couldnt find anyone within 100miles who had one I could test. I had fired a single shot bolt action prior to purchse though.


My top 5 of pistols: in no particular order and I have shot/owned all of these

S&W Model 4006TSW Pistol .40(favorite)
Ruger P89 9mm
Sig Sauer P229 9mm
Taurus Model 44, 8", Matte SS, Ported, 6 Shot
Smith & Wesson Model 500 .50-Cal. Magnum (just for shear fun)

[Melchiah]

I have fired a Rossi .38 revolver, my fathers Colt Python(one of the last good ones before Colt got bought out), and a Colt Combat Commander as far as handguns go. I have small hands and I physically cannot hold a Glock anything and have it feel right in my hand.

[noblemountain]

Heckler & Koch MK23 - carried for the first two years in the rangers and fell in love with it. i have a civilian version "mark 23" now that i love.

Benelli M4 - shotgun we used a lot of in iraq and somalia...it's an amazing piece of equipment and just holding it puts fear in an enemy.\

for home defense purposes, i hate 9mm because they penetrate too much and have zero stopping power. if i hit someone i want them to go down. i don't want to wonder if when i shot them the bullet went through the wall and killed my child or a neighbor. i love a .40 or .45, if i hit you in the hand...you're going down. stopping power is my first concern with home invasion. i keep a shotgun, civi-stripped M4, for home defense though, 'cause nothing walks through a shotgun blast and i don't have to worry about killing someone in another room. just gotta hire someone to clean up the mess.

[Bunnykillah]

People buy guns to shoot at paper targets? And I would recommend a Springfield .30-06 for maximum stopping power.

[BIGSTIC]

Benelli M4 - shotgun we used a lot of in iraq and somalia...it's an amazing piece of equipment and just holding it puts fear in an enemy.

I have a Benelli Legacy for Phesant Hunting and a Benelli Sport II for sporting clays. I love my Benelli's.

And ewwwwwwww at .30-06. I'll take my .270 or a nice .308. Every out of stater brings there .30-06 or 7mm when hunting season opens and it makes me I <3 my .243 for dear season. Nice and light weight and dead on every shot. Sry just .30-06 brings up every dumb ass that wants to kill a trophy.

[Plow]

Yeah um you really might want to let people know what you're wanting it for.


Pretty big difference between what you'd want for say, competitive type target shooting, shooting rabbits in your backyard, or actual hunting.



If you just want to have a gun, or you actually think you're going to shoot someone if they break into your house or something, I strongly suggest you seriously reconsider.

[Senoska]

id pick up a .22 hand gun if its for nothing but shooting at the range, ammo is wtfcheap and if need be they can stop someone in their tracks.

[Melchiah]

haha I just realized BIGSTIC was from AL. I live in Trussville, a bit northeast of Birmingham lol

My father uses a .30-06 when he hunts, though he has on occasion used his lever action .44 Magnum. I heart that rifle so much. It just feels cool when you shoot it.

[Melchiah]

I've always wanted to own a handgun since my dad started me shooting his revolvers. I don't live in an area where scumbags breaking into my home is a problem. I want to learn to shoot better really. That's all there is to it. I thought I explained that? We were invited to join the local gun club and use their range... thus eliminating the real reason I never bought a weapon before.

[noblemountain]

id pick up a .22 hand gun if its for nothing but shooting at the range, ammo is wtfcheap and if need be they can stop someone in their tracks.

.22 is great for target shooting if you're into that...'cause ammo is super cheap.

as far as "stop someone in their tracks"...yeah, a .22 isn't doing anything to a motivated individual. you may shoot a vital organ and they may die...but not before they kill you.

PS...i'm from AL also...odd that all the bama guys posted in this topic.

[BIGSTIC]

haha I just realized BIGSTIC was from AL. I live in Trussville, a bit northeast of Birmingham lol

My father uses a .30-06 when he hunts, though he has on occasion used his lever action .44 Magnum. I heart that rifle so much. It just feels cool when you shoot it.

Noblemountain is from AL. I am from MT but my sister does live in Arab AL. Beautiful country down there.

[Melchiah]

Please tell me both you guys hate rednecks as much as I do :bagel:

For people not familiar, Arab, AL is pronounced Ay-rab, long "a" at the front. I dunno why.

[Remyo]

lol isn't big sky country like montana or wyoming?

[Melchiah]

Yeah, my dumb ass wasn't paying attention. I thought I saw the Huntsville, AL under BIGSTIC's name :3

[Remyo]

Yeah, my dumb ass wasn't paying attention. I thought I saw the Huntsville, AL under BIGSTIC's name :3

I figured. You know that new Trussville High School being built?

[BIGSTIC]

Please tell me both you guys hate rednecks as much as I do :bagel:

For people not familiar, Arab, AL is pronounced Ay-rab, long "a" at the front. I dunno why.

My Plate on one of my old bikes......

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...c/DSC00069.jpg

But after reading about your definition of Redneck down there I would be more apt to call them Hick's up hear. But yes I have a big lifted Ford with a .22-250 in the back window and a winch on the front so I guess you could say I am a Redneck

And amazed someone knows how to pronounce Arab lol

[Melchiah]

"Redneck" is chic around here. I live right between Trussville and Pinson, which is about as far away from Birmingham as you can get and still live in Jefferson County. And no, I didn't hear about a new Hillbilly-Trashville High School(Hewitt-Trussvile lulz). I went to Hewitt middle for 7th grade and then the Jr High for 8th, but Clay-Chalkville High was finished the summer of my 8th grade year so most of us from the Clay area got rezoned again.