And Yes, Even More Letters!

Okay, folks, this is just too cool. I received another e-mail earlier this week, this time with one of my all-time favorite gun-related thought exercises...

Here's the request:

Hi Jay,

I've been a reader of your blog for a little while now (year? year and a half?). I think I may have come via Bruce in NH (just before he moved there). Love the site. Especially entertaining are your um... commutes to work. Being a lifelong MA resident, I can totally relate! My blood pressure rises just thinking about the landscaper trailers....

I just picked up my LTC-A from the [Name of MA town redacted] Police this morning, and I'm trying to decide what to buy for my first gun. I did a little bit of shooting as a kid. Dad was an Aux. Cop in my hometown and I followed my skeet shooting friend around a lot in high school. I'm (sort of) coming back to shooting in my middle age; much to my wife's chagrin. I've read that that the first gun to buy is a pump action shot gun. It's great from home defense and maybe I can use it to shoot at cute flying things. I've also heard that that the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500 are the ones to look at. I guess they're fairly inexpensive and are reliable? Any preferences, advice, or other suggestions? I'm looking to spend in the $300 range.

Eventually, I'd also like to get a 22 rifle to slowly bring my wife (and daughter who would jump at it) into shooting. Oh crap! Here we go... Gun Acquisition Syndrome (GAS)! My wife is still probably sore at me for my old GAS (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome).Anyway, I would appreciate any help you could give me.

Thanks,

Sean [redacted] (also stuck in MA, and a lapsed Star Trek (and sci fi) geek)

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Ah. The age-old "What should I get for my first gun?" question. I love it.

Here's my (rather long-winded) response:

Good morning Sean,

And thanks for reading MArooned, and writing to me!

Let's see... I hope you've got a comfy chair, because "What should I get for my first gun" is one of my very favorite thought questions...

IMHO, there are three guns every gunowner simply must have: A home defense shotgun, a sturdy pistol, and a .22LR rifle. You've asked for guidance on two out of three; I'll toss in the third for free. :)

For a shotgun, there's really two main players in the game: The Mossberg 500, and the Remington 870. The good news is that both are available new for around $300. The even better news is that they're available used for even less, and it's quite difficult to break a pump-action shotgun. My advice here would be to look around for a used Rem 870 around the $200-$250 mark. Four Seasons in Woburn has the 870 HD version (extended mag tube) for something like $330 (new), so keep that in mind. Look for a shorter barrel (18-20") and that's all you need out the door. Goodies like extended magazine tubes and folding/telescoping stocks can be purchased on the aftermarket.

As for alternates, there's a wide world of shotguns out there. For home defense, I'm a big fan of the pump-action - it's reliable, doesn't require a lot of maintenance, and doesn't run afoul of the Assault Weapons Ban if you put on an extended magazine tube or folding/telescoping stock. There's a lot of shotties out there, like old JC Higgings, Stevens, Ithaca Arms, as well as new imports from Turkey, China, and Russia; however the Remington and Mossbergs are so cheap even brand new that I just don't see a reason to buy an off-brand or out-of-business brand. Stick with the 500 or the 870 and you'll do well.

For the .22LR rifle, I'll refer you to my post earlier this week where I endorse the Ruger 10/22. I've seen these going, brand new, for under $200 from Bass Pro or Dick's Sporting Goods. Used isn't a heckuva lot cheaper as a rule, although you're likely to find one with a scope, sling, extra magazines, etc. on the used market. Magazines run between $15 and $20 on sale (for factory 10-round magazines); if you want more than 10-round capacity, though, you'll need the magazines to be "pre-ban", meaning made before the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 was enacted. It's stupid, but it's the law.

Alternates would be a Marlin Model 60, which I've seen on sale for around $125 NEW @ Bass Pro, or a Henry lever-action (~$250 new) if you've got a hankerin' to let your inner cowboy roam the range on a plinkin' budget... There's also fine lever-action .22s available from Mossberg and Marlin; and pump-action rifles from Remington and Rossi. No, the alliteration isn't part of the business, it just seems that way... :)

The third gun, a sturdy pistol, is very well represented by something like a Smith & Wesson 686 or 620. They're stainless (easier to care for), built for the long haul, and can handle hot .357 Magnum loads for defense or light .38 special rounds for plinking. Get one with a 4" barrel and you can carry it if you need to (although it's really too heavy and bulky for much carrying, especially in MA where you really want it hidden!). The 686 (full lug under the barrel) is available as a 6- or 7- shot model; the 620 (ejector shroud only) comes as a 7 shot.

Worthy alternates here are the Ruger GP-100 or Security Six. There's also the S&W model 19, if you can find one; there's the Colt Python if you've got a grand and a half to spend (and worth every penny); after that the choices fall off dramatically. What comes into play here is the stupid Approved Firearms Roster {spit} which limits what you can buy from a dealer - IOW, you can't get a $150 Charter Arms revolver or a $250 Taurus S&W knock-off.

I think that's it in a nutshell; I'd be happy to expound on any of the above points if you'd like. Also, if you don't mind I'd like to post this at MArooned - I'm SURE that folks will have plenty to say and offer their own words of wisdom. Obviously I won't use your last name or town. Let me know if this is okay with you.

Best regards,

Jay G.
MArooned

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So there are my recommendations in a nutshell. If pushed to limit it to only one gun, I'd offer the .357 Magnum revolver as the "must-have". While I prefer a shotgun for home defense, it's not a plinking or recreational gun by any means. And the 10/22, while much fun at the range and very economical to shoot, is a less-than-optimal poor home defense weapon. The .357 Magnum revolver offers plenty of stopping power with the full-bore .357 Magnum loads while also being more than capable of fun days at the range with low-powered .38 Special rounds.

So what did I forget?

That is all.