[ScottA]

If you want to go with a revolver, I'd recommend planning on a .357. It is by far the most flexible caliber... revolver or semi-auto. You can shoot cheap .38's for practice and plinking, and carry .357 or .38+P.

For semi auto, I'm partial to the .40 myself, but I'll eventually pick up a 9mm. The cost of shooting 9 is about as inexpensive as you can get this side of .22.

[skullcrusher]

Originally Posted by dunerunner

You will spend all of $300, perhaps more. By all means, get some formal weapons training if you're this unfamiliar with handguns before you hurt yourself or someone else.

But, but, those $20 guns that guy on another forum got are working just fine for him. Why should I spend more than that?

[dunerunner]

Skully........Now I have snot to clean off the keyboard!!


Damn, you couldn't find a BB gun for $20!!

[Old_sweetpea]

There's Don's Guns,"I don't wanna make any money, I just love to sell guns!" I know that they have indoor ranges where you can fire any of their firearms for a rental fee. But, that's in Indianapolis. I'm definitely going to need some "training" in cleaning and maintaining the firearm once I have it. Like I've said, I've shot other people's guns before, know how to shoot, just don't have any experience with buying, cleaning, all that shiz. Who wants to chance their weapon malfunctioning on them when they may need it most? Who would offer safety courses and such? The Police? Conservation clubs?

[Pat-inCO]

Originally Posted by Old_sweetpea

There's Don's Guns,"I don't wanna make any money, I just love to sell guns!"

Yea, right.

I'll bet you can find guns for $20, if the guy just finished his tenth armed robbery with it, having left shell casings and spent slugs at each robbery location, after he acquired the gun by theft. - - The other alternative is to find a time machine so you can go back about one hundred years.



You still - have not - indicated what type of gun you want. Some options are:

1) Rifle, shotgun or handgun
For rifle:
2) Bolt action, lever action or semi-auto.
For handgun:
2) Revolver, single shot (Thompson Center) or semi-auto.
For shotgun:
2) Semi-auto, pump, double barrel, or single shot

What is your intended use? Punching holes in paper, breaking clay targets, punching holes in aluminum cans, or what?

As mentioned above, sounds like a troll.

[JoeB1987]

Originally Posted by skullcrusher

But, but, those $20 guns that guy on another forum got are working just fine for him. Why should I spend more than that?

But but... Is everything you read on the internet true? I understand you could probably buy one for $20 of a crackhead on the corner, but that's as close as you'd get.

My advice, try many different handguns first to get a feel for the correct caliber for your needs and price restraints. Remember you'll need to run 300-500 rounds in it before being 'familiar' with it. Try using friends or renting from the range.

Also, forget anything that takes a 22LR or 22MAG round, you'll just piss the attacker off.

Can't think of anything else right now...

[skullcrusher]

Originally Posted by Old_sweetpea

What about buying from swap meets and such? Is that illegal or what?

Another big time troll question. Face to face sales of guns are legal as long as they are in the same state as your residence. *DISCLAIMER* Know your state laws as they vary. If you don't like your state laws, then that is what the voting process is for.

Look, sweetpea, there is a ton and a half of information to be had on this site that is offered by those in the know. Heed the advice or not, it is up to you.

Personally, the last swap meet I went to, I could not find the MG40 I was looking for.

[Old_sweetpea]

Originally Posted by Pat-inCO

Yea, right.

I'll bet you can find guns for $20, if the guy just finished his tenth armed robbery with it, having left shell casings and spent slugs at each robbery location, after he acquired the gun by theft. - - The other alternative is to find a time machine so you can go back about one hundred years.



You still - have not - indicated what type of gun you want. Some options are:

1) Rifle, shotgun or handgun
For rifle:
2) Bolt action, lever action or semi-auto.
For handgun:
2) Revolver, single shot (Thompson Center) or semi-auto.
For shotgun:
2) Semi-auto, pump, double barrel, or single shot

What is your intended use? Punching holes in paper, breaking clay targets, punching holes in aluminum cans, or what?

As mentioned above, sounds like a troll.

A few of my posts ago I had said that I like the idea of a revolver because it's like a classic, and at the end of that post I'd said I think I'm more of a revolver guy. The title of this thread is looking to purchase my first handgun. Therefore I'm probably looking to get a handgun. Intended use ranges from self defense to target practice.

[Old_sweetpea]

Originally Posted by JoeB1987

But but... Is everything you read on the internet true? I understand you could probably buy one for $20 of a crackhead on the corner, but that's as close as you'd get.

My advice, try many different handguns first to get a feel for the correct caliber for your needs and price restraints. Remember you'll need to run 300-500 rounds in it before being 'familiar' with it. Try using friends or renting from the range.

Also, forget anything that takes a 22LR or 22MAG round, you'll just piss the attacker off.

Can't think of anything else right now...

I could get a gun of a crack head no problem I'm sure, but I feel like I should go about this the right way, by that I mean the legal way.

[NGIB]

Search the pawn shops and local gun forums. Brands to avoid are:

Jennings, Bryco, Lorcin, RG, and any other "Saturday night special". Be prepared to spend at least $200 for any reasonable quality used gun...