Wow! I wasn't expecting such a large reply! Thank you all for taking the time to give me your opinions. I will look into going to one of the ranges that allow one to rent different types of guns. I've been doing a bit of extra reading and found a few 9mm that look like something I might enjoy. My husband would like to get a 9mm for himself soon, so he'll enjoy the experience as well.
Whatever I choose, I will say that I plan to practice with it often. I would feel uncomfortable carrying anything that I didn't have a full knowledge of using. So I plan to shoot it as often as I can, Ha. I still need a lot of practice, but I am happy to say that I've got the bug.
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Return to “Greetings and questions.”
- Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:13 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Greetings and questions.
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3736
- Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:47 am
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: Greetings and questions.
- Replies: 27
- Views: 3736
Greetings and questions.
Hello everyone! I'm new around here, and well, kind-of new to guns in general. I was raised around guns, but in a "always be afraid" type of way. So most of my shooting experiences were basically, getting handed the gun, shooting and handing it back. About two or three months ago my husband decided that he and I should get concealed carry permits. We live on the northern side of Houston, and while it's a nice-ish area...there are a lot of shady characters around...and well, let's just say that we'd prefer to have a last line of defense that is more than a baseball bat.
I am perfectly fine with the idea of learning to shoot properly (and have been doing a great deal of researching and reading regarding it.) And I don't mind the idea of concealed carrying either. The other day he even took me to the gun range down the road and taught me to shoot his Ruger .380. It's an older model, that his father gave him. (Who received it while in the military.) I admit that I was afraid of it, but after putting a full box through it most of my fears were extinguished. That said, the little sucker had quite a bark when firing. (I've always had a thing about loud noises...but its a gun, what are you doing to do?) While the recoil wasn't horrible, my hands did ache afterwards and the area between my thumb and palm is still sore. (And racking the slide was a chore, but fairly easily accomplished.)
I know I'm writing a bit of a novel here, but I wanted to come here and ask a few questions, so some background is required.
I did like the .380, however I'm not sure if I'd like one as my own personal gun. Before we went to the range, I had been reading a lot about the Ruger sr .22. From what I've read, it sounds easy to handle, easy to aim (short distance) and easy to maintain. However, it seems to be a very popular opinion that a .22 cal is not for self defense. While even I agree, it does lack some of the power the larger cals have, it beats not having anything at all. My husband insists that I get nothing less than a .380, but honestly I'm hesitant to handle it unless we are at the range. I feel that will get better with time and practice, but still.
So far everyone I've talked to has said that the .22 would be a bad choice, even if I would feel more confident in handling it. Most of the gun store guys recommend the Walther pk .380 and it seems to be fairly well promoted online as well. So I've come here to ask for oppinions, which would be a better gun for a beginner to learn with? Ruger sr .22 or Walther pk .380.
I am extremely hesitant to try the Walther, I greatly dislike the fact that you have to PULL THE TRIGGER to decock it when the safety is on, and with my inexperience I am afraid that I would fire it by accident. The Ruger seems better adapted to prevent gun morons (such as myself) from accidentally using it. But then again it's "too small" to be a defensive gun. I'm at my wits end arguing about it. So please just tell me what gun I should get!
P.S I am a lady, if you hadn't managed to figure it out yet.
Thank you if you managed to read this whole thing.
P.P.S -- I really would like reccomendations for other types of guns as well, but honestly the larger the cal, the more nervous about using it I would be. I am far more confident using rifles. (30.30 is my favorite by far.) And anything near the range of a .45 handgun is out of the question. I shot my grandpa's .45 revolver once and it dang near made me pee myself. Too loud, too big. No thanks. I'd like to get used to the smaller stuff first.
I am perfectly fine with the idea of learning to shoot properly (and have been doing a great deal of researching and reading regarding it.) And I don't mind the idea of concealed carrying either. The other day he even took me to the gun range down the road and taught me to shoot his Ruger .380. It's an older model, that his father gave him. (Who received it while in the military.) I admit that I was afraid of it, but after putting a full box through it most of my fears were extinguished. That said, the little sucker had quite a bark when firing. (I've always had a thing about loud noises...but its a gun, what are you doing to do?) While the recoil wasn't horrible, my hands did ache afterwards and the area between my thumb and palm is still sore. (And racking the slide was a chore, but fairly easily accomplished.)
I know I'm writing a bit of a novel here, but I wanted to come here and ask a few questions, so some background is required.
I did like the .380, however I'm not sure if I'd like one as my own personal gun. Before we went to the range, I had been reading a lot about the Ruger sr .22. From what I've read, it sounds easy to handle, easy to aim (short distance) and easy to maintain. However, it seems to be a very popular opinion that a .22 cal is not for self defense. While even I agree, it does lack some of the power the larger cals have, it beats not having anything at all. My husband insists that I get nothing less than a .380, but honestly I'm hesitant to handle it unless we are at the range. I feel that will get better with time and practice, but still.
So far everyone I've talked to has said that the .22 would be a bad choice, even if I would feel more confident in handling it. Most of the gun store guys recommend the Walther pk .380 and it seems to be fairly well promoted online as well. So I've come here to ask for oppinions, which would be a better gun for a beginner to learn with? Ruger sr .22 or Walther pk .380.
I am extremely hesitant to try the Walther, I greatly dislike the fact that you have to PULL THE TRIGGER to decock it when the safety is on, and with my inexperience I am afraid that I would fire it by accident. The Ruger seems better adapted to prevent gun morons (such as myself) from accidentally using it. But then again it's "too small" to be a defensive gun. I'm at my wits end arguing about it. So please just tell me what gun I should get!
P.S I am a lady, if you hadn't managed to figure it out yet.Thank you if you managed to read this whole thing.
P.P.S -- I really would like reccomendations for other types of guns as well, but honestly the larger the cal, the more nervous about using it I would be. I am far more confident using rifles. (30.30 is my favorite by far.) And anything near the range of a .45 handgun is out of the question. I shot my grandpa's .45 revolver once and it dang near made me pee myself. Too loud, too big. No thanks. I'd like to get used to the smaller stuff first.