Purchasing my first gun(s)

[The Eternal White Belt]

I am looking into purchasing my first firearm. I have little experience with guns outside of the Boy Scouts (approx 20 years ago), and I am not really sure where to get started, especially here in Maryland.

What is the best way to get started, in terms of educating myself on the merits of each firearm, getting instruction, etc.? Where are good places to look for safety classes, etc.?

I'm guessing a gun range is a good place to start... any recommendations in the DC/Baltimore area?

Thanks...

Oh, and these won't be used for hunting - just personal protection... you know from zombies and the like. Based on recommendations from a friend, I am looking at a Glock 26 (for my wife mainly) and an AR 15, but, I haven't really decided on anything yet.

[Bartman]

Well first your dealer should be able to point you to convenient ranges where basic safety is instructed. Secondly don't let the dealer talk you into anything you might not be able to handle as a first timer. An AR is an easy weapon to use & maintain after you learn it but for home defense it is a bit of Overkill if the use of that word is OK. The fancier Semi-Auto pistols will take a little time to get accustomed to but you have to decide for yourself if you really Need that much or want to Spend that much.

A .22 Auto such as a Ruger MkII will allow you to learn quickly, hardly any recoil and you can get the basics of handling a semi-auto down easily. For home defense, it's marginal at best but you can put a lot of lead in the air really fast with 14rd mags. After starting with the .22 auto, well then it's easier to step up to something more powerful. On the other side of the coin, a decent .38Spl revolver has none of the issues of having to learn to charge the weapon, engage the safety or change magazines. A .357 revolver lets you use .38 wadcutters for target practice and then you can learn to handle the hotter .357 loads. For home defense, it's hard to beat. Many would recommend a good 12ga Pump Shotgun for the home, that's a good choice as well. Maybe a bit much for the little lady but who knows, I know gals that Love to shoot anything they can get their hands on.

It'll be a learning experience like anything else, just use the same approach as any other sport you will be putting a bunch of time and money into and you'll be OK.

[The Eternal White Belt]

Awesome - thanks for the advice.

[Bartman]

I should have looked at your Location in your header.

The closest place to you is maybe On Target. That's down on 175 or is it 176 in one of the shopping centers just past the Hardee's I think. That's going East past the BW parkway a few miles. It's been a Long time since I was down that way since I don't work at the Annapolis Junction CSX yard anymore. On Target is a pretty big gun store that also has a shooting range inside.

[The Eternal White Belt]

Great! I will definitely check it out.

[wrecktangle]

The most important thing to consider when buying any gun for self-defense:

Can you kill someone?

Seriously, do you have the wherewithal, the guts, the huevos, the mental ability, to take someone's life?

When they are looking you in the eye, and you are looking them in the eye, can you point the gun and pull the trigger?

And all this, in a split second decision.

If you can't, then consider that they will take YOUR gun and kill YOU with it.

[Jeebus]

Oh, and these won't be used for hunting - just personal protection... you know from zombies and the like. Based on recommendations from a friend, I am looking at a Glock 26 (for my wife mainly) and an AR 15, but, I haven't really decided on anything yet.

The definition of "personal protection" can vary on your location.

If you are planning on personal protection outside the home, obviously a handgun would be the choice, and a revolver is the way to go if it's your first handgun. (I would recommend a revolver to anyone, btw, not just "first timers." The advantages are many, the disadvantages few).

A lightweight hammerless .38 is ideal for a man or a woman. Forget all the advice about getting a full size .45 auto etc - ask whoever recommends one where their handgun is. If they say "in the glove box" or "at home" then you will know why it's not the best choice for carry - it's big, and it's heavy. And even the smallest .25 auto in your pocket is better than the largest .45 ACP that's not with you.

In your home, a handgun is what you would use to fight your way to a real gun.

A short-barreled 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun loaded with 0 or 00 buckshot is my choice.

But there's also nothing wrong with choosing a rifle like the AR-15 (.223) other than you need to be sure you hit the perp or the bullet could end up in you neighbor next door.

[The Eternal White Belt]

The most important thing to consider when buying any gun for self-defense:

Can you kill someone?

Seriously, do you have the wherewithal, the guts, the huevos, the mental ability, to take someone's life?

When they are looking you in the eye, and you are looking them in the eye, can you point the gun and pull the trigger?

And all this, in a split second decision.

If you can't, then consider that they will take YOUR gun and kill YOU with it.

You make valid points, although I don't think anyone can answer that question until they are put in that situation unfortunately. Luckily, I am trained in numerous martial arts, including grappling, so at least I have that going for me.

[The Eternal White Belt]

The definition of "personal protection" can vary on your location.

If you are planning on personal protection outside the home, obviously a handgun would be the choice, and a revolver is the way to go if it's your first handgun. (I would recommend a revolver to anyone, btw, not just "first timers." The advantages are many, the disadvantages few).

A lightweight hammerless .38 is ideal for a man or a woman. Forget all the advice about getting a full size .45 auto etc - ask whoever recommends one where their handgun is. If they say "in the glove box" or "at home" then you will know why it's not the best choice for carry - it's big, and it's heavy. And even the smallest .25 auto in your pocket is better than the largest .45 ACP that's not with you.

In your home, a handgun is what you would use to fight your way to a real gun.

A short-barreled 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun loaded with 0 or 00 buckshot is my choice.

But there's also nothing wrong with choosing a rifle like the AR-15 (.223) other than you need to be sure you hit the perp or the bullet could end up in you neighbor next door.

The guns won't be leaving the house, unless it's to go to the range.

Thanks for the advice. I've got a lot to think about.

[wrecktangle]

You make valid points, although I don't think anyone can answer that question until they are put in that situation unfortunately. Luckily, I am trained in numerous martial arts, including grappling, so at least I have that going for me.

Then you are halfway there. And, you're right, no one knows how they will respond until they are placed in that situation.

For personal defense, in your home, you want a high grain, low velocity bullet. No jacketed bullets, something in a hollowpoint or semi-wadcutter. Something that maxes out at no more than ... oh maybe...800 feet per second. That puts it in the .38 caliber range. A high velocity, super sonic round, such as a .223 will likely penetrate the target and keep on going at close range. Like the poster said, you don't want it going through your wall and hitting the innocent next door neighbor.

A .38 revolver is probably your best bet. No safeties to worry about, no concerns about remembering whether or not you chambered a round in that semi-automatic; and at 5-8 pounds of pressure necessary to pull the trigger you don't have to worry about accidental discharges. A revolver is reliable and deadly at close range. And if you miss, the noise will scare the crap out of someone.

My background? Retired BPD cop.

Good luck, and it's great you're doing the research beforehand.

Once you get your gun, get to a range as quickly as possible and try to get as many rounds through the gun as you can. I'd recommend at least 250 rounds. It'll be broken in and you can trust its reliability.

[The Eternal White Belt]

Sounds like a .38 revolver is moving to the top of the list...

I really appreciate all of the advice and help being provided in this thread.

[octoburn]

I am looking into purchasing my first firearm. I have little experience with guns outside of the Boy Scouts (approx 20 years ago), and I am not really sure where to get started, especially here in Maryland.

What is the best way to get started, in terms of educating myself on the merits of each firearm, getting instruction, etc.? Where are good places to look for safety classes, etc.?

I'm guessing a gun range is a good place to start... any recommendations in the DC/Baltimore area?

Thanks...

Oh, and these won't be used for hunting - just personal protection... you know from zombies and the like. Based on recommendations from a friend, I am looking at a Glock 26 (for my wife mainly) and an AR 15, but, I haven't really decided on anything yet.

Get an NRA~certified instructor and go to a site like Maryland Shooters for experienced advice. You should also ask posters on there about when the best times might be to use a particular shooting range and about the clientele that frequent it at different times for safety purposes.

[Norman]

Get an NRA~certified instructor and go to a site like Maryland Shooters for experienced advice. You should also ask posters on there about when the best times might be to use a particular shooting range and about the clientele that frequent it at different times for safety purposes.

I'd try to find out when this guy goes and go a different time!

Md. man in custody after firing AK-47 in the air
Sunday - 11/18/2012, 5:39pm ET
GAITHERSBURG, Md. - A Gaithersburg man is in custody after firing an AK-47 into the air in his backyard Sunday.

Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Starks, a spokesman, say nobody was hurt, and that the 38-year-old man who lives on the 17800 block of Washington Grove Lane admitted to holding a rifle up in the air and fire the shots around noon.

"His home was searched and a rifle, along with three other firearms, one shotgun and two handguns, were seized," says Starks.

He faces multiple charges, including discharging a firearm in an urban area, and possibly reckless endangerment.

Police are still investigating, but say they have no reason to believe the man's guns were purchased illegally.

Link-and no way it was really an AK-47

[Oriole-Bob]

I would also second the notion of looking into getting a Ruger .22 pistol, .22 ammo is really cheap you can get 500 rounds or so for $10. It is excellent to practice with at first for you and your wife. It has very little recoil so makes it a good gun for her to get comfortable with at first.

The AR-15 is also a very easy weapon to shoot, very little recoil but as others said the bullet will travel far. It is an excellent choice in case of a zombie invasion though.

[OldBay]

Then you are halfway there. And, you're right, no one knows how they will respond until they are placed in that situation.

For personal defense, in your home, you want a high grain, low velocity bullet. No jacketed bullets, something in a hollowpoint or semi-wadcutter. Something that maxes out at no more than ... oh maybe...800 feet per second. That puts it in the .38 caliber range. A high velocity, super sonic round, such as a .223 will likely penetrate the target and keep on going at close range. Like the poster said, you don't want it going through your wall and hitting the innocent next door neighbor.

A .38 revolver is probably your best bet. No safeties to worry about, no concerns about remembering whether or not you chambered a round in that semi-automatic; and at 5-8 pounds of pressure necessary to pull the trigger you don't have to worry about accidental discharges. A revolver is reliable and deadly at close range. And if you miss, the noise will scare the crap out of someone.

My background? Retired BPD cop.

Good luck, and it's great you're doing the research beforehand.

Once you get your gun, get to a range as quickly as possible and try to get as many rounds through the gun as you can. I'd recommend at least 250 rounds. It'll be broken in and you can trust its reliability.

Good advise. I second the revolver recommendation, although many, if not most, new guns will have higher trigger pulls. A used police trade-in could be a good budget option - such as a S&W model 10, and could have a smoother, lighter trigger. A case could also be made for a .357 just for the versatility and potential for more power without excessive recoil. There is no need to go with a hammerless (internal hammer) design as long as you won't be carrying it in a pocket.

Its hard to disagree with a combo of a revolver and short-barrel 12 ga pump "defender" type shotgun for home defense (or 20 ga for the ladies).