Hand gun

[Sharky]

Re: Hand gun

I strongly believe the first rifle and the first pistol purchased should be one chambered for .22LR.

I agree, and preach this too. Very few listen, though. Way, way too many gun owners out there with high-caliber guns who are unsafe and outright dangerous to anyone around them. You can spot them a mile away at the range.

[shiny!]

Learn Gun Safety

Before you buy your first gun, take a gun safety course from a reputable instructor.

Learn "The Four Rules of Gun Safety". Memorize them, practice them, and make them automatic, "auto pilot" behavior. Everyone should know these rules, even if they don't like guns and don't handle guns. Because you never know when you might have to handle one.

Rule 1. Every gun is a loaded gun, every time you pick it up.

Rule 2. Never point the gun at anything you don't wish to destroy.

Rule 3. Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.

Rule 4. Always be aware of your target background.

Every time you hear a news story of someone being hurt or killed by an accidental discharge, it's because the person with the gun was not observing at least one of these rules.

#1 means that every time you pick up a gun the first thing you do is check to see if it's loaded. Doesn't matter if you just put it down on the table, then pick it up a moment later. CHECK IT. Doesn't matter if your friend tells you it isn't loaded. CHECK IT. Always treat it as if it is loaded, even if it isn't.

#2 means that you don't wave a gun around and "sweep" your spouse, friend, dog or even your own foot. Especially because that gun is loaded. See #1.

#3 means that if your finger is not on the trigger, the gun can't go off accidentally. Practice your draw and safety release. Your finger doesn't go on the trigger until you are aimed at your target.

#4 means be aware of who and what is behind your target, because odds are that in a stressful situation you will probably miss. High-penetration calibers such as 9mm and .357 magnum can and do penetrate walls. Is a loved one on the other side of that wall? For home security it might be wise to load shot shells or .38 specials in that .357 magnum.

GUNPROOF YOUR CHILDREN: You never know when your child might come across a gun at a friend's house or while out playing. Just as you teach your child not to play with matches and not to go swimming without an adult present, you should teach your child about gun safety in an age-appropriate way.

Don't give your children toy guns. Teach them that guns are not toys. When my son was little he had a squirt gun that did not look like a gun. He was not allowed to yell, "bang! bang!" Instead he yelled, "squirt! squirt!"

The NRA's Eddie Eagle gun safety program teaches children that if they ever come across a gun they should:

1. STOP!
2. DON'T TOUCH!
3. Get away from the gun and tell an adult.

Teach this to your children.

Small children should not know you even have guns. When your child is old enough to know you have a gun, take him or her to the firing range. Explain again that a gun is a dangerous tool, and not a toy. Fire the weapon once WITHOUT your child wearing ear protectors, just to let it sink in how loud and dangerous a gun really is. Allow your children to learn about guns safely, so it takes the allure out of the "mysterious gun".

If your family watches TV, watch with your children and make it a contest to spot how many times the Four Rules are broken.

I hope this is helpful.

[flintlock]

Re: Hand gun

Since this is your first pistol I assume its not for concealed carry? If I'm right then your choices become even greater. While SIG and HK make fine pistols, don't think you have to spend a fortune to get a good weapon. A few hundred dollars will buy you a very nice used pistol. And most used pistols were actually used very little. Personally I look for reliability and ease of use. What feels comfortable. Fancy finish work and crap like custom pearl handles comes way down the list for me. Save that stuff for the collectors.

There are so many good choices out there, you really need to better define your needs. Will it be carried in a vehicle? Stored in a Safe? Will it be subject to the elements. Will the size be important. Are your hands big or small? Auto or revolver? (There are pros and cons to both.) Don't get carried away with the "man stopper" argument. Contrary to what some say, you don't necessarily need a 45 or a .357. 9mm is a nice starting point, though I carry a 9mm Makarov, which is even weaker. Huge pistols tend to get left at home.

[flintlock]

Re: Hand gun

Easy on the pistoleros, muchachos! Even if you train with a pistol before you go to the mall, you'd be surprised how long it takes to react, pull, aim, and fire, especially if it's a concealed carry (which it would be unless you're a police officer in uniform). An aggressive punk within 15 feet of you who decides to rush you will assault you before you can shoot him. This is not to mention the time it takes to process the severity of the threat (life threatening or just mouthy). Moral: Support your local police (and judicial system) and avoid trouble spots.

I never owned a pistol until about 15 years ago. That's when an intruder tried to break into my house while I was asleep. The police arrived 30-45 minutes later. This came at a time when we had just had a murder two doors down. Scared the heck out of me, but the murderer turned out to be the husband, not an intruder as first thought.

I agree, avoid trouble spots, and odds are, when out in public, the perp will get the drop on you most times. I only have a carry permit because I work in some bad areas.

[ThePythonicCow]

Re: Hand gun

I really loved the Colt Python

Sweet. I should check that one out. It's been many decades since I've fired a gun. I have big hands and a serious love of fine mechanicals and tight tolerances. I've been considering getting a gun or two, probably a revolver and a rifle. Besides, with a name like Colt Python, how could I resist?

Well, looks like its not all that cheap, and no longer manufactured, so that could cause the sensible cheapskate lobe of my brain to protest. We'll see.

[HDLee]

Re: Hand gun

I think thats a good question. my two cents is that I know people in south africa who have had their whole family wiped out. For instance my uncles best mate lost his grandmother, mother and two sisters when robbers broke into their house abducted all of them, put them in the boot of the car, drove off somewhere and shot them all while they were all inside. That's the worst instance i've heard of but there's plenty more grotesque stories, so I can understand wanting to own a gun as it could come in handy. Having said that, I don't think the US is nearly as bad as SA so I think you guys might be inviting trouble. The other thing is that the guys in SA that I think have the most quality of life are the ones that don't own guns, take the view that if someone breaks in and kills them there's probably not much they could do about it anyway. They live life fairly simply with everything they need in the house but nothing over the top and have insurance just in case of a break in, don't bother with massive security systems etc. I think these guys attitude also helps them avoid trouble for the most part. But the important qualifier here is that most people who live like this are single or retired and don't have a family to protect, but not all. Point is I can understand wanting to protect your family.

I live in SA . . . everyone here knows someone who has been hijacked, robbed, assaulted . . . a close friend of mine in JHB was hijacked a year ago (thats a gun to your head). His 12 yr old son - went walking on a ridge (Westcliff) with a friend and they held up by some young gansters. They were stripped bear and everything was stolen !!! :eek: !!!

That same friend went to see the gorillas in Rwanda . . . there you can buy AK's @ the local market !!!

take a look at these statistics
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/...rica/cri-crime

according to them we take 1st place for gun violence>Homicide>overall homicide rate . . . and 2nd place gun violence>homicides>% homicides with firearms . . .

I lived in a "high risk" area on the coast 9 years ago, very little security - access from beach and road. There were a number of break-in's and attacks along the road, although I got exposure to guns very young (born in a war and my father used to hunt) I hate them - I got a dog (German Shepard) and trained her, she went every where with me - I never had a problem.