I know nothing about guns [Archive]

kawalekm

09-30-2010, 05:05 AM

Hi Laura
Look in your local yellow pages for sportinggoods stores or gun shops in your area and see if any of them have their own websites. You can then find out if they offer a handgun safety class through their store. Here's an example of the local store that I buy my guns at, (http://www.turners.com/engage/training.html) and they offer a course that's conducted at a local range.

You can also check out the button called "In Store Ad" to see what they have on sale this week. Of course, the same guns will not be on sale in your local area, but it will give you an idea of the prices might be like.

Don't know if you have to bring your own gun to your class or if they can provide one. What gun to buy will generate dozens of responses, but I get to be first to suggest that you try both revolvers and pistols and see what you are most comfortable with. I guessing you'll likely end up prefering either a 38 special revolver or a 380/9mm pistol. Best advice I can give you is to try/shoot both and decide what feels best in YOUR hand!
Good luck to you,
Michael

09-30-2010, 05:33 AM

I think taking a handgun safety class is a very good start. You will beable to handle several different handguns at the class, and it will help you decide what fits you.

Most of the gunshops around here have all the info anyone needs on where to take the classes.

Personally, i think new shooters should start with a revolver, they are safer for a new shooter, have much less maintance and get the job done!

DM

backlash

09-30-2010, 07:31 AM

Find a local gun range.
A lot of them have rentals so you can try before you buy.
Some have women only classes.
I agree about buying a revolver verses an auto-loader.
Revolvers are easier to maintain and safer for a new shooter.
With an auto some people remove the magazine and think it is unloaded.
Forgetting the round in the chamber.
My BIL did that and actually argued with me that it was not loaded.
I picked it up off the bench and shot it down range just to prove my point.
I don't shoot with him any more.
I know a lot of people dislike the NRA but check their web site.
http://www.nrahq.org/women/

Teg

09-30-2010, 07:45 AM

Agreed on the safety class, that being said you might want to take a look at the Ruger LCP series and/or the new Smith & Wesson Bodyguard series of handguns, just looked at those the other day and they are pretty nice. But try and remember that the biggest consideration is finding something you feel comfortable with that will still do the job.

Aamylf

09-30-2010, 08:54 AM

I love my Glock 19. They never jam, are easy to handle, have great sights, and fit nicely into a concealed carry purse.

Visit some gun stores with shooting ranges --if they act like you are a stupid woman for asking questions -- walk away. We have one range here that treats me like an idiot and another with classes like "Women and Weapons" where they teach you to be familiar/comfortable with everything from a 22 to a carbine over the course of 2 days. They also give great classes, one on one and when I ask a "stupid" question, they answer it respectfully.

CareBear

10-01-2010, 08:43 AM

All the Posts are very good and accurate, I am a Certified Safety Instructor for the
Ohio Deparment of Natural Resources. DNR. Your state will have website all so.
you read and take tests on line '' Name all types firearms how they work, the 10
commandments to gun safety, The prime four rule. Its like Basic Gun Talk. Once
you have mastered the terms and gadgets, you'll have a better chance of picking
things up much faster in a class envirement ..... Good Shooting. !

Glocks are $$$$$$$$500 +
380 Taurus $ 300.00 ,,Good starter, can jam!
Ruger 9mm $ 425.00 very accurate
Single action 6 $ 250.00 38. cab, used 'Old reliable

rice paddy daddy

10-01-2010, 10:21 AM

I guess I am truly blessed. My Dad taught me to shoot at age 6, presented me with my very own rifle at 10, and at 19 learned weapon handling and marksmanship the Army Way. Hooaah!
All the suggestions so far have been good.
Not knowing where you live (city, rural), we just have to generalize. Most states have hunter safety courses run by their fish & game department. Usually in the fall before hunting season starts. They should be free of charge. Here you can learn gun safety, which is the single most important thing to know as a gun owner.
Visit the NRA website to see if certified instruction is offered in your area. Alternately,
find an honorable man that you can trust that is a gun owner/user to teach you. At your church, perhaps, or work. Are any of your relatives Army/Marine vets?
If you find such a person, you can use the skills you learned at the hunter safety class to judge their worthiness to teach. Or perhaps, one of the safety instructors moonlights giving lessons.
Good luck, and please keep us informed of your progress.

NotSoFast

10-01-2010, 09:12 PM

In general sporting goods stores aren't good for specific information and training. The best bet is a good local gun shop. But be sure to ask around about their reputation before you deal with them.

NotSoFast

10-01-2010, 09:17 PM

380 Taurus $ 300.00 ,,Good starter, can jam!

Not something I would want to rely on for self defense.

qwerty

10-02-2010, 10:05 AM

I love my Glock 19. They never jam,

All semi auto's will jam at one point or another. Plus the 9mm does not have the stopping power, unless you are a really good shooter. Of course my sidearm of choice has always been the Colt 1911 A1 45 ACP. I have several but my favorite is the Officers model that my father presented to me as a gift after my graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. But its a safe queen. But I would not recommend that gun to you.

What the other guys have said is good sound advice. In particular finding a place that will let you try out different guns. But it has been my experience in my local that the small "mom and pop" gunstores are a vanishing breed. Driven out of business by the big sporting good stores. The ownly thing I would add is don't look at pawnshops. Get a .38 and that should work fine for you. Later on if you want to try semi auto's look for a Walther P99 chambered in .40 caliber S&W, thats my wifes weapon of choice..

Good luck and safe shooting!
Bill

lostone1413

10-02-2010, 02:10 PM

You got some good advise. Best check at the gun store and see who they know that can teach you the basics. After you get confident handling a gun then get some real training into real life shooting. I don't know the state your in but being in Arizona I know allot of instructors. I live about 1 hour from Gunsite. The best instructor in my book is Gabe Suarez. He trains all over the world and has instructors in most states. He beats places like gunsite hands down. He has a web site if your interested into seeing if he has any classes near by.The site is www.warriortalk.com Lots of good info and without a doubt some very dangerous men post on the site. Some that work personal protection in South American and other dangerous places. One thing you will learn fast shooting to defend yourself is nothing like shooting at a paper target at a gun range. Message me if you want some more info

lostone1413

10-02-2010, 02:21 PM

I have to add one thing. Don't fall into the caliber thing. If you look at a Ballistic Chart you will see with the modern ammo their is very little difference between the 9mm and the 45acp. I have 4 45acps in the gun safe but carry either a 9mm XD or a 9mm Glock. Everyone that I have talked to that works personal protecting in South America or South Africa carries a 9mm. Most it is either the Glock or XD. As far as how many rounds the mag holds the more the better. I know a couple that have been in several shoot outs. All tell you better to have more rounds then you need then be one short. Read up on Gabe site you will learn about real life shooting. You will learn how important it is to learn to point shoot and how you still need to be confident at shooting a 100yards and how a Red Dot can help allot of shooters. Like Applegate said. Training to shoot a paper target is one thing training to shoot a man is another thing

Laura

10-02-2010, 07:55 PM

10-03-2010, 04:27 AM

I STILL think you should take a handgun safety training course. If you don't, i'm betting you will pick up some bad habits, and when you learn from a friend, you will learn the friends bad habits. I use to be involved with handgun safety training, and i saw this over and over.

If my name is going to be in any data base, i hope it's because i joined the NRA.

DM

Bucky623

10-03-2010, 10:29 AM

I have been a member of the 'Indiana Gun Owners' forum for a while now and they have a very good 'Women and Firearms' section.

http://ingunowners.com/forums/women_and_firearms/

We have plenty of great gals on the forum that have been where you are right now and I’m sure they would be happy to help you out.

I’m Bucky623 over there too.

rice paddy daddy

10-03-2010, 01:52 PM

I work with two young men that served in the Army, and know a lot about weapons. One young man has collected guns since he was young, and his father has been an avid gun collector himself. He has ooodles of weapons for me to shoot so that I can find one I like, and has offered to walk me through anything I want to know!!

I will let you know what I end up with.

BINGO!!!
The reason I mentioned Army/Marine vets is because of the caliber (pun intended) of the training they go thru. Safety is burned into their brains. I am unfamiliar with Air Force/Navy, they may be the same.
Keep us posted, and if you ever get down to north east Florida we can go to the range.

Teg

10-03-2010, 02:04 PM

I am unfamiliar with Air Force/Navy, they may be the same.

Air Force is the same for career fields that carry weapons, we trained to the Army standard generally (no idea on the navy, though in my experience the Navy is very paranoid about weapons). But as you probably know, some folks will still have bad habits with guns no matter how many times ya whack them over the head. ;)

rice paddy daddy

10-03-2010, 02:48 PM

Of course, since I was in when Moses was a Corporal, I'll bet a few things have changed.
We were taught to check our rifles were unloaded by locking the bolt back, visually inspecting the chamber, then inserting our finger into the chamber to make sure (remember, we're talking about soldiers here, not Harvard grads). I don't know if that method would work with an M16.;)
But you are correct, there's always someone who didn't get the message.:D

gunsmoke

10-03-2010, 04:18 PM

I think you're on the right track.

Take your time try alot of different things, get comfortable first and then confident about handling firearms and find what suits you best, what feels right this is a very personal choice!

Not to beat up on Police Officers but unless they are ALSO Instructors/Armorours/Competative shooters they as a class don't use or rely on firearms as much as TV would have you beleive.

Military training and use along with an enhoyment of sport and competative shooting is the backround to look for in someone to train you.

A carry gun is a VERY personal choice. Buying a carry gun is a great deal like buying your foundation garments. 500 people can tell you X is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but you just can't get comfortable with it for some reason so you go with what feels right to you.

Just like foundation garments, guns are tools they have a certain job to do and what is more personal than self-defense. So work at it until you find the one you are comfortable and confident with then go with it.

A mention about price - in particular this is a stickey subject for me. We all have our budgets that we have to live with and that is a legitimate limiting factorm but when giving the pricw you pay for this very special tool and its place in your life, think about how much your safety and well-being are worth!

Best of luck to you, remember this is just another adventure to be explored and enjoyed, and let us know how you work through it all, share your experiences with us!

cinok

10-03-2010, 08:30 PM

Just want to throw in my 2 cents. You are making a some major decisions here first to purchase a fire arm and then to carry concealed. From your OP it does not sound like you have much if any experience with firearms. I do not suggest buying taking a course then start carrying until you are comfortable with them the pistol and have built some serious muscle memory to draw and fire in a crisis situation. When you do target shoot do so at man targets so you can get used to shooting at something that resembles a person.

Stinger

10-03-2010, 08:41 PM

You don't have to join the NRA in order to take an NRA sponsored course. Here's a useful link for you to peruse:

http://www.nrahq.org/education/index.asp

You can, also, go the self-education route with a few good books:

(1) http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001765

(2) http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001781

(3) http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=BK%2001790

(4) http://www.nrastore.com/nra/Product.aspx?productid=PB%2001565

Good luck!

duckidaho

10-05-2010, 04:14 AM

It's been said. Except I would add that in certain gun friendly states, the police department might offer a safe gun range and training. Olympia, Washington for example. (WA state not DC) If you live in a pro-gun state...Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Montana, etc. The police might have good information.

Definitely take a safety course, try some guns, and I suggest a .38 revolver. Find one that fits in your hand well. Most states will require a course of some kind for a Concealed Carry permit anyway.

lostone1413

10-05-2010, 02:49 PM

I knew I could count on you guys!!

No one in town does what I am looking for.
I don't want to join the NRA, cause I don't want my name in another database.....
But!
I work with two young men that served in the Army, and know a lot about weapons. One young man has collected guns since he was young, and his father has been an avid gun collector himself. He has ooodles of weapons for me to shoot so that I can find one I like, and has offered to walk me through anything I want to know!!

I will let you know what I end up with.

I am looking for something I can carry inside the waist of my pants by my back...but won't know if that's what I will end up with. It will just depend what feels right in my hand!!

One bit of advice. To carry at your back is without a doubt the worst place to carry a gun. Get a water pistol or something and have someone come after like they are attacking you. You will see that 99% of the time their hands will go around you. Now who has access to your gun? Its sure not you. For years I carried appendix and still do. I carry at about 1 O-clock every waking hour with no trouble. If someone comes after you your hands will always be in the front of your body to better protect yourself. Doesn't it make better since to have the gun close to were your hands will be? If you want any info on the type of holster I use PM me

cwatson

10-07-2010, 07:03 PM

I have to add one thing. Don't fall into the caliber thing. If you look at a Ballistic Chart you will see with the modern ammo their is very little difference between the 9mm and the 45acp.

I agree with that completely. I am not recommending a .22 by any means but how many times have you hear on the news or read in the paper that some street thug killed someone with a .22 or .25. Again I am not recommending a .22 but they will kill also. Look at the new self-defense rounds for 9mm now days. They can do some damage and I wouldn't stand in front of one and think it would not stop me.

Laura,

It was less than two years ago I was asking the same question and now I am a certified conceal carry instructor for the state of Texas and also teach Basic Handgun usage and safety. There is a local gun store and they are some "good ol' Boys" (no really they are) and they asked me to start teaching a handgun selection course because a lot of women come in wanting to buy a gun but have no clue what they are looking for. I know I bought a couple of guns in the beginning that I would not buy again or recommend. If you can find someone that teaches a course like that it would be very beneficial. In my course we have everything from .22 cal to 44 mag - semi-auto to revolver. Usually after the first couple of shots the nervousness goes away and they have a great time and a basis to go by when they go to purchase a gun.

I actually just finished a new course that I made with my self-defense instructor, armed self-defense. It's called S.T.O.P - Stop the Transfer Of Power. The biggest thing to remember is not just learning how to shoot but really getting good and practical practice with your gun. Tactical training so to speak for home and self-defense :)

Good luck

qwerty

10-08-2010, 01:40 PM

BINGO!!!
The reason I mentioned Army/Marine vets is because of the caliber (pun intended) of the training they go thru. Safety is burned into their brains. I am unfamiliar with Air Force/Navy, they may be the same.
Keep us posted, and if you ever get down to north east Florida we can go to the range.

The U.S. Navy does not have infantry, thus no training with m-16 at boot camp. Recruits are "familiarized" with the current standard issue pistol and the Mossberg 500 shotgun.

Why does the Navy not train very much with firearms. Well look at it this way, a Nuclear engineer has little use for a pistol.

There are certain jobs in the Navy that train extensively with a wide variety of weapons, Navy Seals, Master of Arms, Sailors aboard NAVSUP (Naval Supply ships) are issued street sweeper shotguns as these ships are unarmed. and Seabee's to a certain degree. I heard more than one time while on liberty in Australia from Vietnam era war veterans that one should never fire at a Seabee because the person firing upon the seabee will find out how quickly a bulldozer can be turned into a tank. ;) Below is a link that is an update on the Navy's policy on firearms.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=54055

Regards,
Bill

ArmySGT.

01-06-2011, 05:17 PM

Where does a gal go, to:

(a) Find a hand gun (one that I can conceal) that I like?

(b) Find a place that will show me how to take my weapon apart, clean it, put it back together, load it, fire it.....basically teach me the elementary parts of gun ownership.

(c) Find a place that 'educate' me. Not just take my money.

Thanks!!

http://www.2asisters.org/

Why you ask other Women that know something about Guns, and Gun Laws.

Milking Mama

01-10-2011, 06:55 PM

Most states will require a course of some kind for a Concealed Carry permit anyway.

Just a little tidbit- PA does not require any training for a concealed carry permit. In fact, in our county, we just walked into the Sheriff's office, filled out the paperwork (we did have to list some references), and they were more than happy to give us our permits! When we originally got our permits, our county was so "advanced" (cough, cough), that they just photocopied our pictures from our drivers licenses, and cut and glued them to our little-piece-of-paper permits. My hubby and I then got them laminated so they wouldn't get all messed up in our wallets.

The good new is that our county has taken a step OUT of the dark ages... When we went to have our permits renewed, they actually took photos of us with a digital camera and printed them right on the new permits! Wow. Then, we just had to take the permits to Staples to have them shrunken down to credit-card size and laminated.

It's just amazing to me how the "system" works sometimes... or rather, doesn't work. :girl_wacko: