Gun Nuts

I am new to shooting and hunting.

For deer season, I borrowed a Winchester 30-06. I don't know a whole lot about it other than it was a composite stock, not wood.

I have an old "Revolution" (that's what is written on the barrel) 20g single shot, shotgun that is sawed off (its legel) for home defense. Its lousy for anything else. I took it squirrel hunting and grew tired of watching squirrels say, "whew!"

So, if you were me, what would you reccomend for an affordable deer rifle and an affordable shotgun?

 

I picked up my first gun last year, a Mossberg Maverick 12ga pump for about $150. I've put quite a few rounds through it and for the money I think its hard to beat. I need to pick up the 18 inch barrel for home defense. But I think I am getting ready to start looking for a good handgun after tax time. Any suggestions?

 

I know exactly where Aurora is, BTW. My great-grandparents lived there and while they were alive, we visited there just about every holiday.

I used to think such a small town was funny (I was from Springfield), but God in His wisdom has sent me to a town that is about an 1/8 the size of Aurora...Birch Tree!

 

Mainly just backup for the shotgun I may try to get a concealed carry license. Looking for something dependable and affordable.

 

I love my Glock 33. It is .357 sig, but can easily accept a .40s&w or 9mm barrell... then you have three guns in one. The .357sig is expensive to shoot.
My Winchester 1300 defender is sweet. Can't be beat for home defense.

My Winchester Mdl 70, 7mm mag is a great all around hunting rifle.

My Walther P22 is a lot of fun with the lazer sight.

My.......... well I'll stop there. Someone might think I'm a gun nut. :laugh:

PS..... the concealed carry license is a great tool to reduce crime. I highly recommend it.

 

I would suggest S&W in a .357 or 44 mag configuration (the ruger I shot rocked heavily - I have been told that there is a ruger that does not have that problem).

Load your first shot as a light roung in a 38 special (in the .357) or a 44 special (in the 44 mag). This will give you a 'warning' shot. I from there if you need the concealed weapon out in the open, I suggest 1 (or 2) hollow points and the solids (the opposition should be behind something then.

Do not use dum dum's = they are pretty much illegal.

Find someone that knows how to shoot . . . and then spend some time learning how to shoot. I would not suggest concealed carry until you are completely comfortable. Fear should never be part of handling a weapon - especially a concealed (defense) weapon.

If I am around, I can always help you get compfortable . . .

One improtant rule - DO NOT try to CONTROL the weapon. You need to be comfortable letting the revolver (semi if you go that way) disipating its energy as it climbs . . . . If you approach it right, the only limiting factor should be grip size NOT recoil.

And like grand daddy said . . .

 

The best way to measure a shotgun is to pick up a model that has dual beads (you do not have to keep the dual bead). If you place the shotgun fitted to your shoulder and look down the barrel at a 'target,' if you see 'one' bead - then you have a good fit. If you see 'two' beads, then you have a bad fit.

Shotgun is point and shoot - you need a 'good feel' rather than a good set of sights.

For a pistol or rifle, you usually want a decent 'sight fit'.

 

Some of them are a little blocky. The model 30 is quite big in the grip, that is why I traded mine for a model 33. I have heard that different models of glocks have a different feel.

I absolutely agree that one needs to find the gun that "fits". It does not matter what gun you have if you can't shoot it safely and proficiently.

 

I purchased a mdl 70 winchester 7mm mag last year. You know winchester closed the door on their plant, so I thought it was a good investment. I've never lost money on guns. Anyway, I sighted in the scope this last Thanksgiving. The scope was waaaaayyyyyyyy off. I had to fire 7 rounds before I had it zeroed. At first I was wearing a leather jacket, but it got warm and I had to loose the jacket. My shoulder was so sore for a week from the recoil on that gun. Wow! I felt like i'd been kicked by a mule. I can hardly wait for someone to think they really need it worse than I do.....lol.

I'm thinking of one of the wsm models. They don't have near the kick. I doubt i'll get a chance to go somewhere that I'd need that long of a shot anyway. The wsm will do the job just fine, for most of my shooting, and not leave me with a sore shoulder.

 

Actually it was quite memorable....lol. We used a laser bore sight.... don't know what brand, as it belongs to my brother in law in Georgia. The first shot at 100yds was two feet high! He had sighted in several guns for others too. Don't know what happened, but it took 7 shots to figure it out. The first shots went over the back stop so we didn't have a hole to determine which way to go. He lives in the mountains in NW Georgia and has lots of land. There was no way the bullet would have gone far..... way too many trees.

 

I carry a Glock .45 on duty and a .38 Taurus snubnose off duty. I love the glock. I highly recommend it to all my new officers and students.

 

Going by memory (I'm not home)...

A cheap .22 revolver, the only gun I keep loaded, and in my nightstand drawer.
A .22 bolt-action rifle (my dad gave me when I was about 8).
A Smith & Wesson .357 automatic.
An 1892 Remingrton .32 repeating rifle.
A .25 revolver, inoperable and brand unknown.
An inoperable automatic (haven't looked at it in years).

I probably think more about the gun I don't have, which was stolen in the early 80's... an 1872 Colt .45 pistol, given from my great grandfather to my dad, who wanted me to have it after he passed on.

 

That is sad!

Heirlooms are much more important to the family!