First Gun Advice

[HalveNaught]

Title says it all. I am looking to buy a gun to protect my family and possibly my "cache" if SHTF, which it is looking more and morel likely thatit may. My friend recently bought an SKS and is looking into a Saiga, I like the Saiga and am thinking about it. But I worry about being put onto a "list" of assault rifle owners. Is this true? Do I get put on some list?

or...

Would it be better to purchase a handgun. I have been eyeing the Ruger SR9 for a while now. It seems the handgun might be better for home defense, and may keep me off of some "evil" list.

Really I am open to either, but I would like to know what you all think woudl be the best purchase given the state of our nation.

FYI- I grew up hunting, so I know how to handle a weapon, I have a grown boy, so no little ones, I live in a safe area, but a not-so-safe area is just around the bend, I am determined to purshcase something ASAP, maybe just for peace of mind, maybe for when SHTF.

What would you guys do?

[ldivinag]

buy a remington 870 shotgun...

then a sig classic series P handgun. used one is better.

then finally an AR.

presto. you can compete in 3 gun contests too.

[13Delta]

well if you dont want to look evil i'd go with a revolver . cant go wrong with a S&W 686

[Vanguard]

buy a remington 870 shotgun...

then a sig classic series P handgun. used one is better.

then finally an AR.

presto. you can compete in 3 gun contests too.

Ha, those were my first 3 guns, not in that order though.

P226
870
AR

[wash]

The list you are thinking about is the registry of assault weapons.

Anything that you can legally buy now in CA is not going to get you on that list.

However, every hand gun has mandatory registration, so if you buy a pistol, you wind up on a list.

When you buy a long gun, your info is supposed to be flushed out fairly quickly.

I would go with the shotgun, then find a place to go trap shooting. You'll love it. Just make sure you have some buckshot for the home.

[justin_5585]

What is your budget? For your purpose, a pump action 12 guage is probably the best bet. Lots of ammo options, easy to learn and use, effective, and for training, wal mart bulk packs of birdshot are plenty cheap to shoot.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

If you are looking at one gun, go with the shotgun. Either a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500. They are both inexpensive, reliable, and will last several lifetimes. Get a 12 gauge, because it is the most common. If you are worried about recoil, use the featherlite loads, as they kick less than a 20 gauge does, but put out more lead.

If you are looking at putting together a battery of guns, here is what the basic list will probably look like:

A pump action shotgun, 12 gauge.

A .22 LR rifle. Be sure to get one that has both iron sights and a scope. That lets you use it for all kinds of things.

A rifle. The action type and caliber are strictly up to you. If you never plan on hunting deer, anything .223 and up will work. If deer are a possibility, go with something at least 7.62x39. .30-30 would probably be my minimum, but to each their own.

A handgun. .380 would be the minimum caliber I would go with. 9mm and .357 are usually easier and cheaper to find, so keep that in mind.

With those 4 guns, you can cover almost all of your regular hunting and self-defense needs. But just a warning... If you start buying guns, you are highly unlikely to stop at just those. I swear, they seem to be more addictive than crack cocaine.

[HalveNaught]

Thanks everyone, some good advice there. I hadn't even considered a shotgun, not sure why. Maybe because I have never even held one.

Anyway, I stopped by the local gun store and looked at some Mossberg 500's. They had all kinds of configuration, left me wondering...

Do I need a heat shield? Does one normally grip the barrel right after shooting? haha Seriously, is there a reason it might be necessary on a shotgun?

Also, I like the compact-ability of the pistol grip as the primary use will be home protection, is there a need for the shoulder stock? Is a pistol grip THAT hard to wield/control?

What's up with the breacher model, that looks impressive! :-)

Thanks all.

[Turo]

Also, I like the compact-ability of the pistol grip as the primary use will be home protection, is there a need for the shoulder stock? Is a pistol grip THAT hard to wield/control?

Pistol grip only shotguns aren't very hard to wield or control, but aiming can be a problem if you aren't properly educated on how to do it. You probably need strong wrists to control a 12ga, but it isn't unmanageable.

[hawk84]

my first was a moss 500 with the 28" and 18.5" barrels, its actually right next to me in 18.5" form

great home defense weapon, and utterly reliable

after that I bought an AR-15, then a M&P 40, then a .22 rifle, then a .22 pistol, then a 1903A3, then an SAR, then a 10/22

im broke.....

[Greg-Dawg]

Read up on CA gun laws. Become a member at a range that rents out guns and try them all. Decide from there.

[seanbo]

Get a moss with a knoxx stock

[Dr Rockso]

The Saigas are a good deal. Just picked one up in 5.45x39 for ~$400 out the door. As long as you're willing to buy ammo online or at gun shows it's the cheapest centerfire rifle caliber out there. They are not "assault rifles" or "assault weapons", and aren't treated any differently than any other rifle or shotgun when it comes to record keeping.

If your primary concern is home defense a handgun is probably the most reasonable choice. You can use a flashlight, operate light switches, use a phone, etc with your free hand while using a handgun vs. a long gun.

[paintballergb]

You won't need a heat shield.

[HalveNaught]

Well I got a lot of great advice on choosing a first weapon that is used solely for HD, and the shotgun came up alot. But what about SHTF situation, on other threads on this topic the first weapon is almost always AR, followed by a sidearm. How would a shotgun playout in a situatiuon where society declined and one had a cache of goods along with family and property to defend...from, err zombies? :-)

The shotgun has an limited range, what would you guys say that effective range is? My gut tells me to go with an AR, but the power makes it less than desireable for HD. What about buying a used shotgun? Do they come down in price much? This might alow me to get 2 weapons.

Uh-oh, I think I feel the addiction coming on!! :-)