First gun

[JDay]

In your opinion what is a good gun to start with.

There have been a few homes broken into and car jackings around my house increasingly in past few months and my girlfriend doesn't feel safe and I don't feel safe for my car, so I have decided to get a gun to keep at home. I have always been a fan of the AR15 and recently the REC7 but they are out of my budget now and a little overkill for what I need it for.

I lost my job recently so ideally it would be something inexpensive but reliable. I occasionally go to the range so something I can use for target practice and hunting small game would be good.

All thoughts welcome.

If you want something cheap that works get a high-point.

http://www.hi-pointfirearms.com/handguns/9%20mm/hi_point_9mm.html

[Hanger9]

Hey guys thanks for all the great suggestions,

To all those warning me about shooting at someone taking my car I don't plan to warning shot and that is about it unless the fire back. I won't fire at them unless they fire at me or try to get in my house. On a side note I'd rather shoot a hole through my block then let them have my car.

From everything you guys recommended I am between the 10/22 and the Remington 870. Both seem very reliable from what I have read and look like good guns that will be good for some small game.

Again thanks for the advice, and Merry Christmas everyone.

[six10]

If there's a BIG 5 near you, they've got a Charles Daly "tactical" 12-gauge pump (18-1/2" barrel, 6-round capacity - 5 + 1) for $209 right now. They're guaranteed for life. Say the worst happens and you *do* have to use your gun to stop a threat; the police will be taking that gun away from you indefinitely. Better to lose a reliable $200 gun than a pricey one you're going to miss, imho.

[Hanger9]

Hey six10 thanks for suggestion I checked it out but the 870 and 10/22 have a lot things I can do to them in the long term which appeals to my tinkering nature, the Charles Daly didn't have many options from what I could find.

[six10]

Right, the only option it has is that you won't cry if it gets taken away from you. Good luck!