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Owning a handgun?
Rius
Globex CEONobody ever says ItalyRegistered User regular
Globex CEONobody ever says ItalyRegistered User regular
So I've had a on-again off-again desire for a few years to own a handgun. Not for protection or anything like that, I think I'd just like having one. Mostly I think it would be pretty fun to learn how to shoot, like that's a skill I would enjoy having just for the sake of having it. I live in Illinois, but I haven't ever really looked at the gun laws of the state. Again, this isn't something I'd want to conceal and carry, just something I'd like to be able to go to a range and practice with. I should mention at this point that I'm a fairly responsible guy and would have safety foremost in mind, i.e. keeping it unloaded and locked away, etc.
Do you guys think it's a silly idea? What other alternatives might exist for learning how to shoot without actually owning a gun?
Do you guys think it's a silly idea? What other alternatives might exist for learning how to shoot without actually owning a gun?
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The NRA website probably has a list of laws you need to comply with and the requirements for getting a license in your state.
Also, ORDER YOUR AMMO ONLINE!!!! I can't stress this enough. You can buy 500 rounds of 9mm on ammoman.com or aimsurplus.com for about 60 bucks vs paying 21 bucks per 100 rounds at walmart. Walmart is the cheapest in town place for ammo. Gunshop will rip you off..
Oh and when you find what gun you want I suggest buying a used on from online gun forums, thats where I bought my HK USP, or going to this website...
Budsgunshop.com
25 dollar transfer fee..
Maybe in your state..But not in The Gunshine State.
I actually literally just bought my first pistol last night. (.357 Magnum Revolver, I'm a fan of the classics.) I think Elitelamer is trying to help you, but I would stress that you go to a reputable gun shop to buy your first, you may pay more, but I've rarely been to a gun shop where the guys behind the counter weren't incredibly knowledgeable and willing to help, but also pretty cool dudes to begin with. Definitely rent a few first too, it's fun, and if you go with 2-3 people you can rent different types and try them all out. Also go online and find your state's gun laws, California has a nice quick .pdf file you can read that lays them out very clearly as an example. Also take a gun safety class if you can find one, they'll teach you all the proper safety techniques and mantras about guns you need to know. If you've been around lots of guns already, probably not a big deal, but you need to understand how to operate a semi-auto pistol if you're going to buy one, they can be a bit tricky at first.
Edit: And as previously stated, 22's are the ultimate plinkers. Cheap to buy, cheap ammunition, fun and easy to shoot. Not so great for home defense, but guns should be your last option there anyway.
well considering hes in illinois...
With that said, buy a rifle, like a .22, not a handgun. They are usually a lot cheaper (around $120), ammo is about $12 for a pack of 500 at walmart, and in my opinion a lot more enjoyable to use at target practice.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/Cykstfc
Honestly, I mostly shoot my handguns now because it's so much easier to tote them around and clean them up.
I'll also second the recommendation for a .22 LR pistol as a learning tool. Even more experienced shooters sometimes will switch to shooting a .22 for a while if they catch themselves reflexively picking up bad habits from firing heavier calibers. And the cheap ammo certainly helps when you're still learning.
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it's cheap to buy, use, maintain etc
oh yeah make sure you learn how to clean and work a gun before you own one
accident because of disrepair = good lord don't do that, silly
Inquisitor77: Rius, you are Sisyphus and melee Wizard is your boulder
Tube: This must be what it felt like to be an Iraqi when Saddam was killed
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http://www.wikipedia.org
Seriously, just go there and look for anything you're curious about, ammo or gun wise. It does a good enough job.
If you buy a Ruger MKII, you should expect to pay about $350, maybe a bit more, maybe a bit less. It may be the same for the MKIII as well, but I couldn't say from first-hand experience.
Ammo prices have gone up a lot recently, but .22 is still pretty damn cheap. You can get a "brick" of .22 (a big ol' box that has between 400-500 rounds, depending on the brand and stuff) for around $15. "Real" calibers, like 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP, etc. usually run between $10 (cheap 9mm) and $20, maybe $25 (standard .45ACP) per box of 50, so .22 is quite a deal.
There are a few different varieties of .22, but the one almost every means when they say "22" is .22LR. LR stands for "Long Rifle," but it's fired from both pistols and rifles chambered in it. Incidentally, that's another good reason to buy a .22. Depending on age, you may or may not be able to get certain ammunition at some stores because it's "pistol ammo," but "rifle ammo" has a lower age limit (18). Of course, some stores treat calibers that can be fired from either as "pistol ammo," period, and others still will actually ask you what you're firing it out of.
Granted, if you're buying a handgun, this is probably a non-issue, but who knows. If you give it to your kid one day, it might come up.
http://www.handgunlaw.us/
That's a site with various laws regarding handguns, including CCW, possession, etc. Might be worth a read.
I'm going to agree with everyone else here. A .22 is pretty much a mandatory starting gun, be it in either rifle or pistol form. A lot of people have both, to learn the different skill sets. They're fun and easy to shoot, great to learn on, and god forbid you actually need to use the gun to defend life & limb, 10 rounds of .22 in the heart will probably do the job.
I've had the opposite experience with gun shows, actually. Same shit as everywhere else in town at the same price, except the dude who's sitting across the table is mean-mugging you the whole time. Unless you're into old WW2 memorabilia or home-made jerky, gun shows are usually a waste of time.
Also, while you'll sometimes find good deals on ammo at them, only go for it if it's low-grade plinking shit or mil surplus. If you're buying home-loaded hollowpoints, you're wasting your time and maybe even putting yourself in danger.
Ruger Mark 3: http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FASubType?type=Pistol&subtype=Rimfire%20Autoloading
Browning Buckmark: http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/family.asp?webflag_=006B
Beretta Neo: http://products.berettausa.com/frame_tabellaprodotti_2002.asp?sgmt=32&Model=U22%20Neos
Sig Mosquito: http://www.sigsauer.com/Products/ShowCatalogProduct.aspx?categoryid=30
The Smith & Wesson/Walther USA pages are being a pain so I can't link a Walther P22.
The Ruger Mark 2/3 and Browning Buckmark are the top two choices in the US gun community. Both are reliable and high quality, they just do a few things differently that make people prefer one over the other (ie, do you prefer round or paddle switches) so feeling both is a good idea. The Mark 2 is obviously the previous iteration of Ruger's design, but some still prefer it when they find one (usually used) since the Mark 3 added a few extra features people often don't need that make disassembly more complicated. Both also have the largest amount of aftermarket parts available if years down the line you wanted to modify them (ie, tossing a pistol scope on top to do longer range target shooting).
Renting is something that will be specific to any given range as far as selection and fees are concerned. Pretty much always worth the cost though, $10-$20 seems to be the norm and can save one from blowing a few hundred on something they won't like. Calling any given range should yield the information you need.
Gun shows pretty much depend on the region/state. Friends have gotten much better selections of stuff going to out of state shows in VA or PA than stuff in our home state.
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