Hi all,
I wondered what all of you thought would be the best “first gun” for a fellow T-man?
I have been looking at Remington 870s, but have no experience with these models.
I was also looking at a few small, semi-auto 22's, being somewhat cash and asset poor and knowing their relative inexpense.
Have any of you had experience with the 870s? Are there any 22s I should look at more closely?
Thank you.
MID
You are looking to get one of each right? One maybe for home defense and one for target/small game?
Remington 870 rocks. Stone reliable and it’s got a great track record. Never a mistake to buy one.
My Mossberg 500 is less expensive but doesn’t have the feel of the Remington.
I’ve shot three different Ruger 22 semi-autos and liked them all. I like the looks of the longer barrels, my dad’s got the tapered barrel but the seem to reliable and accurate.
A short-barreled, quick-handling shotgun like this pump-action Remington 870 is probably the most effective home-defense firearm imaginable.
Ruger 22/45 - Handheld .22 caliber tack-driver. Great for kids and new shooters. Very accurate and inexpensive.
What do you want to use it for Midnight?
The 870 is a great gun. In various barrel configurations it can be used for hunting, home defense and trap shooting. 12ga. is a useful caliber. A box of 25 rounds will run you between $5-10 depending on the load.
If you don’t have a lot of experience shooting get a .22 cal. and learn the basics of marksmanship. Remington and Marlin make great .22’s and Dicks sells them as a package with scopes. About $200-250.
Could also upgrade a bit and get a 22 Win. Mag. Marlin makes a nice bolt action .22mag with a box magazine. Put a nice scope on it and you will be able to practice cheaply and learn the basics. Box of 50 rounds of .22mag cartridges are about $5-6.
The pci you posted is the 870 set up for home defense or police use.
Shotguns and .22’s are totally different. What are you wanting the gun for? That may help people give accurate advice.
I know it’s your first gun and all but what do you actually want it for? Defense, plinking, skeet, hunting, just 'cause or any combination of those? The reason will determine what kind of gun will suit you best.
Well, this was my first gun and I have nothing but fond memories of it.
What’s your budget and what kind of shooting do you plan on doing? While I’m not sure what your plans are, here’s a few suggestions:
For home defense only, go with the short barrel 870 or Mossberg. Differences between the two have already been mentioned.
If you want to develop the skill of shooting, start with a semi auto .22 rifle. I’d recommend either a ruger or Marlin. I have a Remington .22 rifle and can’t stand it because it always jams.
If you want a pistol, try the one Derek posted, or try to find a .22 revolver. I have a 10 shot smith and wesson 617 revolver and it’s a lot of fun. Downside is that it costs $500.
Another option would be to go to a gun shop and look over the used guns they have. You can usually pick up an old but unfired SKS for less than $150.
It all depends on what you are using it for.
22’s are dirt cheap to shoot and lots of fun. Great choice for a first gun if you are going to be able to go plinking.
If you can only buy one gun and are going to hunt a shotgun w/ a seperate slug barrel might be just the thing.
Of course guns are like popcorn. You can’t have just one.
The Benelli Nova’s are really good. You can find em new for 300$ They are pump action if that is what you’re looking for. It’s your own personal preference but try before you buy. Remington’s 870’s are good as well, but if you don’t have the cash stick with a Benelli.
As far as a .22 goes, there are tons you can look at. I have an old Winchester, bolt action, and it’s awesome.
I’d like to also say that 12 gauge is the most widely used gauge for shotguns, and the variety of ammo for them is off the wall.
If you are looking to use your shotgun for hunting check to see if it is chambered to hold 2 3/4", 3" and 3 1/2" rounds depending on what you are hunting.
I just got a box of 100 sport loads for 20$ @ Walmart for my Remington 11-48.
[quote]Doug Adams wrote:
What’s your budget and what kind of shooting do you plan on doing? While I’m not sure what your plans are, here’s a few suggestions:
For home defense only, go with the short barrel 870 or Mossberg. Differences between the two have already been mentioned.
If you want to develop the skill of shooting, start with a semi auto .22 rifle. I’d recommend either a ruger or Marlin. I have a Remington .22 rifle and can’t stand it because it always jams.
If you want a pistol, try the one Derek posted, or try to find a .22 revolver. I have a 10 shot smith and wesson 617 revolver and it’s a lot of fun. Downside is that it costs $500.
Another option would be to go to a gun shop and look over the used guns they have. You can usually pick up an old but unfired SKS for less than $150. [/quote]
I love my SKS. Easy to modify, fun to shoot and cheap bullets!
If you go that route, just be sure to dismantle it and clean ALL the packing grease.
Shotguns are great for home defense. You hear an intruder and all you have to do is pump it. That sound would scare anyone.
Also, the only aiming required with a shotgun is North, South, East or West.
I am on a bit of a budget ($500 or less), and want to get both a shotgun (for hd and fun) as well as a .22 rifle (would love to get a handgun, but, alas, I am 20 and I have been told that fedral law requires you to be 21 to get a hand gun).
I was partly wondering what to get first; the practical and powerful shotgun, or a fun and cheap .22?
[quote]texasguy1 wrote:
I love my SKS. Easy to modify, fun to shoot and cheap bullets!
[/quote]
How much was your SKS? I have been a real fan since one of my friends let me use his :).
Personally I’d hold off on the shotgun for now and focus on developing your marksmenship with the rifle. Walmart usually has Rugers and Marlins for $150. Get a few bricks (500 rounds ea) and start practicing.
[quote]midnightamnesia wrote:
I am on a bit of a budget ($500 or less), and want to get both a shotgun (for hd and fun) as well as a .22 rifle (would love to get a handgun, but, alas, I am 20 and I have been told that fedral law requires you to be 21 to get a hand gun).
I was partly wondering what to get first; the practical and powerful shotgun, or a fun and cheap .22?
texasguy1 wrote:
I love my SKS. Easy to modify, fun to shoot and cheap bullets!
How much was your SKS? I have been a real fan since one of my friends let me use his :).[/quote]
A shotgun is much more fun to shoot then a 22, which is barely a step up from a pellet gun, so I would buy that first, more practical for defense and fun to use also.
[quote]midnightamnesia wrote:
I am on a bit of a budget ($500 or less), and want to get both a shotgun (for hd and fun) as well as a .22 rifle (would love to get a handgun, but, alas, I am 20 and I have been told that fedral law requires you to be 21 to get a hand gun).
[/quote]
I’m not sure how it is now but when I was under 21 federal law required one to be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer. In Arizona it was legal to purchase a handgun from a private person and to possess(not concealed). Check your local laws, gunlaws.com - State by State Firearms Laws would be a good place to start.
The shot gun is the best home defense weapon. If you are getting a 22 I would recommend the Ruger 22 rifle, like all other 22�??s it�??s cheap and fun but the ruger has a lot of kits to hop up the gun or modify it. Have fun:)
[quote]derek wrote:
Ruger 22/45 - Handheld .22 caliber tack-driver. Great for kids and new shooters. Very accurate and inexpensive. [/quote]
I seriously loled when I thought about how some of my liberal friends would read that. “Great for kids!”
Good discussion. I’m not in the market for a gun just yet, but I’d love to learn how to shoot, just like I’d love to learn how to fight unarmed.
-Gendou