Here's the scenario: A friend who is a brand new gunowner approaches you for advise. Their budget is $1,000, can you give them some advice on what firearms to get as a new gunowner. Assume for the sake of argument that they have a separate budget for ammo (i.e. the $1,000 is earmarked for guns only; no "A .38 Special and 2,000 rounds of ammunition" for this exercise).My advice would be to get three guns:
1. A mid-sized 9mm polymer-framed semi-automatic. Glock 19, Smith & Wesson M&P compact, Ruger SR9c, etc. Something that can be concealed, but not so small as to be difficult to shoot (i.e. P3AT). Should be able to find used examples around $400.
2. A 12 gauge pump-action shotgun. They're versatile, offer good stopping power for a home defense gun, are simple to maintain and operate, and are inexpensive. Expect to pay around $300 for a decent used 12 gauge Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.
3. A .22LR semi-automatic rifle. I'm thinking specifically of the Ruger 10/22, simply because of all the aftermarket accessories that are available for it. Pick up a few high capacity magazines as well as extra 10-rounders, and you're set for an inexpensive, fun day at the range. Should run ~ $200 - $250 new or new/used; with any remaining cash dedicated to extra magazines for guns #1 and #3.
So, which gun or guns would you advocate your new gunnie friend acquire with their $1,000?
That is all.
18 comments:
Can't disagree! Good idea on all counts...
I should have asked you that question 11 months ago...would have been helpful.
Buy all the guns Used when possible, and they should have enugh bread leftover for a .22 Pistol as well.
Also I might sub over the 12 ga for maybe an SKS, or a used Lever-gun, or a Bolt-action, just because I think rifles are better.
Also skip the .22 and a bare-bones AR-15 would probably fit in there someplace, maybe.
Agree with you 100%. Excellent advice for anyone.
It all depends on what kind of shooting the new gunnie wants to do. If it's a "what three guns would you want, beginner's edition" question, than I can't fault your list. All of them are cheap to shoot.
If the new person wanted to hunt in a rifle-friendly state, or wanted to reach out and nail targets up close and at a distance, I'd stick with your 9mm suggestion and swap the shotgun and .22 for something like a Remington 700. (Good glass would break the budget, but it can come later.)
If he wanted something with a better rate of fire than the bolt gun and more punch than the .22, I'd suggest a newer Mini-14 (or a good used AR-15 if he's okay with a black rifle).
Thanks NFO!
agirlandhergun,
You know, it's never too late to ask questions! :)
Weerd,
For someone just getting started, I think a shotgun is more useful than a rifle - unless they really want to get into hunting, and at that, only in certain areas (as you well know, it's shotgun-only here in MA, so my suggestion still stands).
Getting a decent rifle should be one of the very next things they get - as is a .22 pistol of some sort, absolutely.
Thanks SGB!
Dave H.,
Absolutely. If the new shooter has something specific in mind - like long(er) distance hunting - then the list may need tweaking. They might want to, as Weerd suggests, swap out the shotgun for a lever action rifle or an entry level bolt gun like a Savage Model 10.
For someone interested in an EBR, Smith & Wesson's M&P15 line is hard to beat. They've got entry-level ARs running a little over 6 bills new, and those are with the S&W warranty! You could buy a new AR-pattern rifle and still have enough left over for a police trade in Glock 17...
This is exactly the advice for which I have been looking. I got a decent bonus this year, and I earmarked $1000 for my first guns. Good to know my mental checklist matches a respected voice in the MA gun community.
That is just about perfect! I have just one small nit...don't recommend sub-compacts for new shooters and would stick with Compacts or Full sized guns.
A word of caution if recommending a lever gun. I just bought a new Marlin 1895 .45-70 (hardly a cartridge for a new shooter, but still) and the build quality is very disappointing. Cracked stock, loose front sight, erratic carrier operation. If you know someone who's dead set on getting one, steer them toward a used one from pre-2005 or so.
$1000 budget?
A quality used what ever and the rest on good training.
Gerry
Hard to argue with what you've got there, Jay.
But I will. :)
I'd go with a Mossberg Maverick over the used 500/870 and drop the extra hundred or so into an NRA Basic Pistol or Rifle class to make sure you know the basics of good gun safety.
I know this is nit picking, but let's not forget to recommend they spend a substantial amount on training! I like most of the gun recommendations already made.
My first and so far only gun has been the $200 Winchester Wildcat .22. I've been tremendously pleased with it.
Buy all used and get four:
1. Ruger p95 or P97, or Taurus PT92 - all under $300.00 if you shop around.
2. Mossberg ATR, Remington Sportsman 78, or old Winchester Ranger 70 in caliber of choice (.243, 270, .308, .30-06) can be had used for less than $300.00
3. Remington 870 or Mossberg 500, 20 or 12 gauge, can be had for less than $300.00 easily.
4. Remington 514 single-shot .22 can be found in pristine shape for less than $100.00 or a beater Marlin, Savage or Stevens bolt repeater .22 for around $65.00
In those categories, I still have the P95, P97, Mossberg ATR, and Remington 870 all used for less than the above prices, and a Savage 64/65 style bolt .22 repeater (store-branded "Springfield 234" with detachable magazines, 5 & 10 rounders) for $65.00.
All within the past four years.
Nailed it:
- Springfield XD9
- Remington 870
- Ruger 10/22
Actually I take that back, it right the first time:
- 1 1911
/sarcasm
Which is not to say that I don't love my 1911, just not a good first gun.
Yeah, that's pretty much it... though I have a multi-thousand word post on the topic if you're interested:
http://anarchangel.blogspot.com/2011/06/basic-3-or-5-or-6-or-7-or-8-gun-armory.html
1 - Ruger single six .22LR Revolver with conversion for .22 Mag, used around $400. Can be used for target, training, plinking, small game hunting.
2 - Mossberg 535 Waterfowl / Turkey combo. It comes with a 28" barrel for waterfowl hunting or skeet and a 22" barrel for turkey. Screw in chokes, comes with IC, M, and F. $300 dollars brand new at Dick's sporting goods (I have this). If you remove the 3 shell stop in the mag tube, you can fit (5) 2.75" shells in there, if you wanted to re-purpose as home defense. The shotgun can also handle 2.75 through 3.5" magnum loads. By far the most versatile shotgun package available.
3 - The most fun I have at the range is with my $310 Henry lever action .22LR, so I'd at that to the list. It's shockingly accurate.
Another benefit to these three is that they are stupid simple to take apart and clean, which is important for the starting gunny. I think the Ruger Mark 2/3 is a phenominal platform but I'd never recommend it to someone starting out....
Here's the scenario: A friend who is a brand new gunowner approaches you for advise. Their budget is $1,000, can you give them some advice on what firearms to get as a new gunowner. Assume for the sake of argument that they have a separate budget for ammo (i.e. the $1,000 is earmarked for guns only; no "A .38 Special and 2,000 rounds of ammunition" for this exercise).
Always fun to play that game.
I'm not a big rifle or shotgun guy, so here's how I'd answer:
Glock 19 (or equivalent, say, an XD), Ruger Mark i/ii/iii or 22/45 .22. You should be able to squeak in under $1K with a Mosin 91/30. Buy used on any or all of these.
That gets you a self defense centerfire pistol, a cheap shooting plinking/target .22 pistol, and a fun cannon that could certainly take deer if need be. (Though my preference would be an Enfield, their price has risen quite a bit.)
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