First time gun buyer, need some help

[MadHappy]

Hey guys! I plan on buying my first rifle soon.

If you're interested, a little background info:
I'm 22, I grew up shooting my dad's .22's, and still do. My grandparents own a good chunk of land, and by tradition, we go there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc. I have a fairly large family, so it's just a day packed with throwing darts, riding dirt bikes, and shooting guns. Problem is, the only people that bring guns have .22's and pellet guns, and rarely do the family members with the .38's or 30/30's bring them. So I've taken it upon myself to get my younger cousins and I something a little more exciting to shoot.

Some research led me to the exact rifle I was looking for; cheap, reliable, and makes a loud sound The Mosin Nagant 91/30

The main question at hand, what steps do I need to take so that I can just walk into the gun shop, make the purchase, and wait the 10 grueling days? Also, any standout advice for a first time gun/Nagant owner would be great.

If all goes well, hopefully I can get it before Thanksgiving, or at the very least Christmas.

Thanks in advance

[chozenfew805]

Welcome Aboard!

I think Big5 has them for like $120+/-, just walk in with your CA ID and they'll walk you through the process. Good Luck on buying your first gun!

[Bangzoom]

Welcome Aboard!

I think Big5 has them for like $120+/-, just walk in with your CA ID and they'll walk you through the process. Good Luck on buying your first gun!

This and you will fill out a form claiming the make and model of a safe you own..other than that you may not have many to choose from at a Big5...bring a bore light but dont expect bright and shiny...even though i got one from them and a hex to boot

[Ribkick]

This and you will fill out a form claiming the make and model of a safe you own..other than that you may not have many to choose from at a Big5...bring a bore light but dont expect bright and shiny...even though i got one from them and a hex to boot

Please explain?

[Czsp-01-9mm]

Big 5, bought a mosin from there got lucky too, also try to find one that's not counter bored, and as stated before a bore light, not gonna be bright bore because the guns are usally gunked up with cosmlin

[mcmikeblues7]

Hey guys! I plan on buying my first rifle soon.

If you're interested, a little background info:
I'm 22, I grew up shooting my dad's .22's, and still do. My grandparents own a good chunk of land, and by tradition, we go there for Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, etc. I have a fairly large family, so it's just a day packed with throwing darts, riding dirt bikes, and shooting guns. Problem is, the only people that bring guns have .22's and pellet guns, and rarely do the family members with the .38's or 30/30's bring them. So I've taken it upon myself to get my younger cousins and I something a little more exciting to shoot.

Some research led me to the exact rifle I was looking for; cheap, reliable, and makes a loud sound The Mosin Nagant 91/30

The main question at hand, what steps do I need to take so that I can just walk into the gun shop, make the purchase, and wait the 10 grueling days? Also, any standout advice for a first time gun/Nagant owner would be great.

If all goes well, hopefully I can get it before Thanksgiving, or at the very least Christmas.

Thanks in advance

I've owned a few Mosins (btw, if you call them nagants, you might get some flack from serious collectors. The nagant is a russian military revolver, and is generally called the nagant while the mosin nagant is just called the mosin) You will need to learn how to clean the gun after shooting corrosive ammo, do not worry about using corrosive ammo, it is only corrosive if you do not clean it properly. You will also need to remove the cosmoline unless you buy it from a private party (which is generally the cheaper option as you do not have to pay for DROS) This can take some time, but it does not take a handyman to do so. The only place around me to get the cheap ammo (military surplus) are the gun shows, other than that I buy off the internet. You will need TWO proof of residencies to buy the gun unless you buy it from a private party. You do not need a gun safe (though they are nice if you have more than three guns) but they will ask you to have a cable lock. I assume you understand basic gun safety, but I don't know if you are aware of how to properly fire a high recoiling gun and not get a bruise. Its pretty easy. I suggest you watch a youtube video or ask a friend to explain it.

You can send me a pm if you want some more detailed answers about cleaning the gun or where to get the ammo. The people on the C&R subsection of this sight (under shotguns and above rimfires)

[Bangzoom]

Please explain?

you have to show you have a safe place for the gun or I THINK they make you buy a trigger lock...you fill out a form saying you own a safe...write in the make and model and sign it...no proof needed

[paul0660]

Drivers license,

clean record

safe, for which model you will fill out and sign an affidavit, or you get to buy a cable lock,

money

10 days

Make sure they are on sale.

Find some ammo online and make sure you can shoot it where you want to go (magnetic/non magnetic is a big deal some places).

As for rifles, older, hex, and Tula is better.

[RealFitness]

careful not to develop a flinch, if the mosin is your first high power (its way stronger than 30-30) you might flinch. wear thick shirts and put on a recoil pad. If you flinch your accuracy goes to toilet

that said a mosin is a blast... if you miss your target the shockwave alone will knock it down loljk

[Ribkick]

you have to show you have a safe place for the gun or I THINK they make you buy a trigger lock...you fill out a form saying you own a safe...write in the make and model and sign it...no proof needed

Okay. I read your post wrong. I thought you were saying you had to have a safe in order to buy a firearm from Big 5.

I'm well versed in the requirements and thought Big 5 was adding additional requirements above and beyond.

To the OP, if you don't have a safe, and this being your first I would assume you don't, put out the little bit extra to buy a lock rather than claiming you have a safe. You will need some way to safely lock your new firearm anyway.

[Toyman321]

You don't mention where you are located, but it may be worth while to check out the for sale section on here, they come up for sale pretty often on here and since it's C&R you can buy it "cash and carry". No worrying about the 10 day wait and sometimes you even see them on here with some ammo throw in to boot.

[MadHappy]

Thanks for all the replies!

I've owned a few Mosins (btw, if you call them nagants, you might get some flack from serious collectors. The nagant is a russian military revolver, and is generally called the nagant while the mosin nagant is just called the mosin) You will need to learn how to clean the gun after shooting corrosive ammo, do not worry about using corrosive ammo, it is only corrosive if you do not clean it properly. You will also need to remove the cosmoline unless you buy it from a private party (which is generally the cheaper option as you do not have to pay for DROS) This can take some time, but it does not take a handyman to do so. The only place around me to get the cheap ammo (military surplus) are the gun shows, other than that I buy off the internet. You will need TWO proof of residencies to buy the gun unless you buy it from a private party. You do not need a gun safe (though they are nice if you have more than three guns) but they will ask you to have a cable lock. I assume you understand basic gun safety, but I don't know if you are aware of how to properly fire a high recoiling gun and not get a bruise. Its pretty easy. I suggest you watch a youtube video or ask a friend to explain it.

You can send me a pm if you want some more detailed answers about cleaning the gun or where to get the ammo. The people on the C&R subsection of this sight (under shotguns and above rimfires)

Thanks Mike, this was really helpful. As far as cleaning the gun, I'm sure there's a guide on youtube along with not bruising my shoulder

Big 5, bought a mosin from there got lucky too, also try to find one that's not counter bored, and as stated bring a bore light, not gonna be bright bore because the guns are usally gunked up with cosmlin

What things should I look for using the bore light?

You don't mention where you are located, but it may be worth while to check out the for sale section on here, they come up for sale pretty often on here and since it's C&R you can buy it "cash and carry". No worrying about the 10 day wait and sometimes you even see them on here with some ammo throw in to boot.

Cool, I didn't even think of that, I'll keep an eye out.

[BrokerB]

Go to c&r section in this forum . All your what to look for ect...will be there . I would recommend looking at personal firearm sales in this forum to buy rather then big 5.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

Welcome to CalGuns MadHappy!

You may possibly find that the Mosin kicks like a really irritable mule. And they sort of roar and shake stuff up. And loud, bring ear protections for sure. And they can kick too.

Exciting and fun, cheap, reliable, and makes a loud sound for sure.

There may be some shooting skill and education that I lack, but I get shoulder bruises after 8 or 10 rounds. Any 90 year old Soviet Army Sergeants out there who can explain the proper way to shoot a Mosin without pain?

[Claybone]

Why no mention of shotguns ??? OP is that an option you would consider?
Think
1 Big 5 has them cheap and often on sale
2 doubles as a home defense gun or hunting what ever floats your boat
3 ammo is cheap at Big 5
4 the best part of a shotgun is the blessing of slug rounds (low recoil if need be)
5 easy to clean.... if you even do. It is advised but honestly wiht a shotgun its a once a month thing or every x amount of rounds.
6 if you want adding accesories to a shot gun is simple and cheap
7 manipulating the gun is also simple
So for a first timer that is a win win if you are open to the idea of owning a shotgun.

And finaly Shotguns put hair on your chest and repel guys with skiny jeans.

Clay