First firearm advice for a friend

[surplus-addict]

Okay guys, I need some advice.

I've got a friend. I took her shooting, and she loved at as almost all people do.
Anyway, she's looking for her first firearm. She's 19, so handguns are technically doable, but since she can't CCW there's no real reason to get one right now.

Here's the problem though: she's 100 pounds soaking wet. Absolutely tiny. Cute, but tiny. When she was shooting an AK I had to hold the barrel up for her

She likes shotguns, so that brings me to a predicament: what would be a good, lightweight shotgun for her? I'm thinking something with an aluminum receiver of some sort, but what out there is inexpensive and has that?
Maybe a Maverick 88? That's still 7 pounds though.

But if you guys can also think of a rifle that's reasonably priced (she's in college, do the math), I'd want to suggest that as well.

Heck, if you can think of an inexpensive handgun, suggest that too since she could still legally get that.

Really, I guess what I'm trying to say is bring some suggestions!

[Germz]

Okay guys, I need some advice.

I've got a friend. I took her shooting, and she loved at as almost all people do.
Anyway, she's looking for her first firearm. She's 19, so handguns are technically doable, but since she can't CCW there's no real reason to get one right now.

Here's the problem though: she's 100 pounds soaking wet. Absolutely tiny. Cute, but tiny. When she was shooting an AK I had to hold the barrel up for her
She likes shotguns, so that brings me to a predicament: what would be a good, lightweight shotgun for her? I'm thinking something with an aluminum receiver of some sort, but what out there is inexpensive and has that?
Maybe a Maverick 88? That's still 7 pounds though.

But if you guys can also think of a rifle that's reasonably priced (she's in college, do the math), I'd want to suggest that as well.

Heck, if you can think of an inexpensive handgun, suggest that too since she could still legally get that.

Really, I guess what I'm trying to say is bring some suggestions!

explain how a handgun is doable at 19?

If she cannot effectively handle/support a specific platform she really has no business owning or operating one on her own. At that point its now a safety issue for her and those around her if she cannot handle it safely and correctly.

tell her dont be ambitious. get her a .410 or 20ga, maybe a henry .22 or something small.

until she eats a few more sammiches or works those arms...i'd hold off on owning all together.

[surplus-addict]

explain how a handgun is doable at 19?

If she cannot effectively handle/support a specific platform she really has no business owning or operating one on her own. At that point its now a safety issue for her and those around her if she cannot handle it safely and correctly.

tell her dont be ambitious. get her a .410 or 20ga, maybe a henry .22 or something small.

until she eats a few more sammiches or works those arms...i'd hold off on owning all together.

that's easy. At age 18, one can legally posses a handgun. They can get said handgun by either manufacturing one, or having their parent or legal guardian transfer one to them.

Last I remember, one can own whatever they wish. She could hold up the rifle on her own and quite safely, but for extended periods of time (3-4 mags worth) she could not hold it up without a bit of a struggle.

she's wanting to get something for self defense, a .22 isn't exactly something I'd suggest if she can get something else. I'm looking at the Mossberg 500 Super Bantam in 20ga, it might work.

See now that's just dumb.

[pigpen66m]

You have to be 21 for a handgun.

[surplus-addict]

You have to be 21 for a handgun.

To purchase.
You have to be 18 to own a handgun.

You can have that handgun transferred to you by your parent in an interfamilier transfer which is $15 and is sent through the mail.
Or, you can build one, like building an AR pistol from an 80%.

All legal, all easy: just costs more.

[Merc1138]

Okay guys, I need some advice.

I've got a friend. I took her shooting, and she loved at as almost all people do.
Anyway, she's looking for her first firearm. She's 19, so handguns are technically doable, but since she can't CCW there's no real reason to get one right now.

Here's the problem though: she's 100 pounds soaking wet. Absolutely tiny. Cute, but tiny. When she was shooting an AK I had to hold the barrel up for her

She likes shotguns, so that brings me to a predicament: what would be a good, lightweight shotgun for her? I'm thinking something with an aluminum receiver of some sort, but what out there is inexpensive and has that?
Maybe a Maverick 88? That's still 7 pounds though.

But if you guys can also think of a rifle that's reasonably priced (she's in college, do the math), I'd want to suggest that as well.

Heck, if you can think of an inexpensive handgun, suggest that too since she could still legally get that.

Really, I guess what I'm trying to say is bring some suggestions!

She needs to hit the gym then, unless that AK was loaded with 30 pounds of tacticool crap. It's not like a handgun weighs as much as a rifle, but there's going to be recoil to deal with, not to mention simply holding your arms up to shoot.

[Ed_Hazard]

Well if she's tiring after 3-4 mags thats not so bad, she should do some strength training though.

For a rifle, maybe an AR15 carbine with a pencil profile barrel to cut the weight. You said she was shooting an AK, well the AR's lack of wood will help cut the weight.

As to the shotgun, go with a 12 gauge. I suggest a Mossberg 500 combo (18.5"/24), change the stock and forearm to suit her LOP and take her to bust some clays. The reduced loads will help her get over any initial fear/intimidation factor and she can work her way up in power with reduced recoil and tactical loadings.

Plus if she likes skeet or Sporting clays, it would help with the strength issue.

For a HG make a trip to an indoor range w/a large selection and see what fits and what she likes.

[autoduel]

10/22. Seriously. Everyone's first gun should be a 22.

She likes likes shotguns, but has she actually shoot one?
If she has trouble shooting an AK, a shotty is bigger and has more recoil.

[Merc1138]

Well if she's tiring after 3-4 mags thats not so bad, she should do some strength training though.

For a rifle, maybe an AR15 carbine with a pencil profile barrel to cut the weight. You said she was shooting an AK, well the AR's lack of wood will help cut the weight.

As to the shotgun, go with a 12 gauge. I suggest a Mossberg 500 combo (18.5"/24), change the stock and forearm to suit her LOP and take her to bust some clays. The reduced loads will help her fear over any initial fear/intimidation factor and she can work her way up in power with reduced recoil and tactical loadings.

Plus if she likes skeet or Sporting clays, it would help with the strength issue.

For a HG make a trip to an indoor range w/a large selection and see what fits and what she likes.

This should be the default answer for anyone looking to make a first handgun acquisition. Better to let her figure out what weight, controls, grip, etc. she likes rather than making suggestions which 9 times out of 10 don't seem to work out.

[surplus-addict]

10/22. Seriously. Everyone's first gun should be a 22.

She likes likes shotguns, but has she actually shoot one?
If she has trouble shooting an AK, a shotty is bigger and has more recoil.

Yes, she shot around 80 shells of bird and a few of buck. Loved every minute of it.

The AK weighed about 10 pounds probably because it was a milled gun, was wood stocked and had a 10/30.

[Ed_Hazard]

10/22. Seriously. Everyone's first gun should be a 22.

She likes likes shotguns, but has she actually shoot one?
If she has trouble shooting an AK, a *shotgun* is bigger and has more recoil.

*My edit*

That's why it's important to remember that it is not a one size fits all world. The great thing about a shotgun is you can tailor the loads to the shooter. No need to start off a novice w/3" turkey loads. start light and work up. Also you can change stocks on most modern HD shotguns fairly easy now a days.

[surplus-addict]

*My edit*

That's why it's important to remember that it is not a one size fits all world. The great thing about a shotgun is you can tailor the loads to the shooter. No need to start off a novice w/3" turkey loads. start light and work up. Also you can change stocks on most modern HD shotguns fairly easy now a days.

Exactly. That's why I was thinking of a Maverick 88. It's 7 pounds as is which is pretty light for a 12, and if she wanted to shoot something heavy she could get a Knoxx recoiled reducing stock later on.
She was fine with the recoil of the 12 actually, she's like maybe 10% of the women I've taken shooting: they love recoil

[Ed_Hazard]

Yes, she shot around 80 shells of bird and a few of buck. Loved every minute of it.

The AK weighed about 10 pounds probably because it was a milled gun, was wood stocked and had a 10/30.

Well theirs your answer. You might want to take her to try her hand at some sporting clays.

[Germz]

I'll gladly argue til my dying breath that .22 is just fine for SD. 3 hits from a .22 and 3 hits from a 45 will still put 3 holes in you. whether you want them to knock someone on their *** or not is a different story. Whats the difference between a .22lr from 20 feet and a .223 at 500yrds?

3 holes in the face or chest is still gonna kill you.

Last I remember, one can own whatever they wish. She could hold up the rifle on her own and quite safely, but for extended periods of time (3-4 mags worth) she could not hold it up without a bit of a struggle.

you're absolutely right. she could also buy a manual but if she doesn't know how to drive stick and gets on the highway...she gonna have a bad time. I'm just trying to think of this specifically from a SD tool point of view; the use should be effortless. no struggle...even for extended periods of time.

its your friend. up to you. we can only suggest based on how you describe her anyway.

[Germz]

Exactly. That's why I was thinking of a Maverick 88. It's 7 pounds as is which is pretty light for a 12, and if she wanted to shoot something heavy she could get a Knoxx recoiled reducing stock later on.

have you used that stock before? its...bad. at best.