Everytime I get a co-worker, friend, relative, stranger,... whoever out on the range that is the consensus...That is what they tell me. What they all have in common is most of them have never shot firearms...and when they do, they realize the fun, the power, and the responsibility. It is often a political jeered topic in the media, and it's sad because 99 times out of 100 the reasoning or rationale for disdain is false and misleading... As of right now, I have again consolidated what I keep...I have focused and studied and read on what works, what doesn't and why one would choose one over this one or that one...It is part of the fun. I factor the decision making on what to buy with target shooting, but I also demand that they are proven combat firearms for defense if needed... I have concluded that while you could buy everything from a .22 rifle to a .50 BMG rifle or .500 magnum handgun...I want to share my top 3 and only 3... What matters most is does the firearm pass the test of time? Is it useful for various factors? Is it a combat proven design...i.e. reliable, accurate, durable, power? There are so many factors, I could go on and on about the factors regarding buying one over another...but one factor is most crucial: customizing to your own desire... This one factor is what does it for me. For the pistol it is the 1911 in .45 acp. Guns & Ammo recently had a cover mag. titled: "the greatest handgun ever"...why? Once you delve into it there are about 100 different choices on parts or grips that you can choose to customize your sidearm. full length or GI guide rod? Ambidex safeties or one? night sight or white dot? rail or no rail? Front checkering or none? 5# trigger or 3.5#? Rich cocobolo grips or G10 Kimber warrior laminate grips? All you have to do is check out custom manufacturer, Wilson Combat to see the choices...We still haven't talked about magazine choices... For me, the .45 is the most accurate round I have ever shot!...There is something about the feel of the steel, which the Glock cannot duplicate...What makes the .45 such a legendary manstopper is not it's power...In fact, it is one of the slowest pistol rounds in existance...The near 1/2 inch hole combined with the heavyweight (230 grains) going at the optimum speed 850 fps does the magic. It may be less effective if it zipped at magnum speeds due to overpenetration and energy loss. Another thing, if it did go faster, it would slow follow up shots badly...One reason I wouldn't use the .44 magnum for defense...In fact, the .45 acp, along with the .357 magnum has the best one shot stop records, and I wouldn't use the .357 for combined increased noise and flash...The .45 is as loud as a wimpy 9mm, and even less flash. It is the one round that you can get away with ball ammo for defense (maybe)...It is also a joy to shoot a good quality 1911 at the range... My personal choice: The Kimber Warrior...as is...I don't miss the front strap checkering I had in the past and the sights are the best surprise for me so far...If you want a pistol that is mimicked after the SOCOM M1911 Marine pistol, this is it. Guns & Ammo also had a cover mag. 2 months ago...It was "America's rifle: the AR-15"...Just like the 1911, there are more choices than you can shake a stick at...The 20" is the best performing, but it isn't as customizable as the 14.5 or 16" barrels. Now it isn't just getting a telestock...It's about getting an upgraded telestock from magpul...20 and 30 rd. mags. are great, and I actually prefer the 20 rounders in most cases for range or defense use...bayonet lug? no real use, but it is a great trophy against the antigunners. The .223 round is cheap, and lethal...In fact, I just read an article which stated from a highly regarded source that the .223 round is King for CQB...I still put the 12 gauge as the number 1 choice, but IMO, the .223 round is the ultimate. Of course, the .308 can better it beyond 200 meters, but much data suggests the .223 is just as effective inside 200 meters! The round acts crazy by twisting, tumbling, and preferably fragmenting in human enemy targets. It is less of a overpenetrator than 00 buck, 9 mm .45, or even .40...For this reason, I put the 14.5 inch, or 16 inch carbines as the best overall, and especially if one uses it for home defense... My personal choice: Bushmaster M4 with 14.5 inch barrel with additions to enhance such as A.R.M.S. SIR system, Magpul M93B stock, ergogrip, and Eotech holosight... The shotgun is my choice for number 1 home defense...If I knew 3 or 4 BG's was what I would be up against (such as what can happen, and has happened in the paper the other day) then the M4 carbine...Otherwise buckshot at close range is it...It can smash bone and chunks of meat across the room with one shot...and if your range allows, target shooting is not so bad...It is a weapon made for 20 yards and closer... My personal choice is the Wilson Combat Scattergun standard model (although it has all the options already)with light attached. If 3 is all you need, I believe this is it, because imho, these 3 transcends all others when you look at the big picture...plus you get all the looks at the range ...
http://www.armsmounts.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=46 http://cgi.ebay.com/Eotech-holosigh...ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting http://www.ergogrips.net/ http://www.impactguns.com/store/669278301259.html http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/bcwa3f14m4iz.asp http://www.magpul.com/ ...these are some links to pics...
If you don't have a Class III license, and something fully automatic, preferably belt-fed like the following then I've lost all respect for you Roxran. Either that or I might be able to accept you if you've got something that'll fire the 700 Nitro Express
I'm no expert on firearms at all. I went to a range with a friend of mine. I shot his Beretta 9 mm and his Springfield Armory .357. I liked the power of the .357, but I liked the feel and safety features of the Beretta. I think my conclusion is, I would like to try shooting a Beretta .357. ..just my two cents.
With the reduced muzzle velocity using the shorter barrels the rounds are not likely to fragment outside of 50-100 meters. With the 20 inch barrel, you will get the bullet to fragment at longer ranges. Of course, for non-military purposes, you are not likely to engage targets outside of 50 meters anyway, so it's not too important. Anyway, if you are going to have multiple guns, you might as well have a .22LR for target shooting, just because ammo is soooo cheap, letting you shot a whole lot for less dough.
I've fired friend's handguns and rifles before, but never had the opportunity to fire shotguns. Where do you guys go to do that? My favorite of the handguns I've fired so far was the SIG P229 in 357SIG.
i know absolutely nothing about guns, probably because i'm canadian. hell, the only guy i've held is my dad's hunting rifle that he used maybe 5 times in his life. i've never shot a gun before. but...i would love to own a handgun to take to the range (if there are target ranges in canada). would like a automatic handgun, cuz it sounds, well, automatic. what would you guys recommend? what's the price range on these things (colts? i think i've heard that word associated to this kind of thing)?
Wow, I didn't know you could legally buy an M3! That is my favorite gun to use when I'm playing Counter Strike. Another favorite of mine is the Desert Eagle .50. Roxran - Is that considered a great pistol in real life? If I ever buy a pistol it has to be the desert eagle.
Sorry dude, I have shot both the .50 verison and the .44 mag--they are for pimps and John Woo movies. They have a definite cool factor and are impressive but I wouldn't want one for concealed or close-in work. Get an HK, a servicable Glock or a Kimber. What you should really do, is go to an indoor range that allows you to rent handguns and try different models for fit, feel, accuracy and ease of use....go with what suits you and don't listen to anyone who is a one manufacture zealot, little "skewed"
Do y'all have any shooting ranges you'd recommend, either in Houston or Austin area? I have been meaning to go to a shooting range to get the feel of it...
I don't know anything about guns either...but I like skeet shooting. Did it a lot when I was a kid in Michigan. I have to say, archery is more fun for me though. I'm looking forward to getting back out in the country and littering the area around me with practice arrows and unfortunate rodents. Dude, that's just weird.
Don't know about any indoor ranges in Houston that I prefer--I shoot outdoors in Montgomery County at the "Gun Emporium"...
Target shooting is fun for 24 minutes then it becomes quite boring ~ I prefer skeet shooting or monkey hunting.
I live in TN. now, but a range I used often in the North Houston area that I would recommend is Carter's Country...I could shoot half the day, and wouldn't get bored.... Ammo cost is a factor to many who target shoot. I buy factory ammo....Reloading is not for me...I'd rather shoot. Also when choosing a firearm, I often use the Wal-mart rule...If you can buy it there (preferably in 100 rd. & 250rd. value packs) , then it is a go. Even the fairly new .357 SIG. is now available there. If you want to shoot a .454 casull pistol, that is entirely up to you, but ammo will cost. Practice will cease, and the less practice, the less you can rely on it for home defense... Of course, the cheapest way to go as has been said is .22lr... It's cheap, but I don't get my kicks...9mm is fine. Don't get me wrong from the first post...$6 per 50 rounds...CHEAP!, 9mm in a good premium round is fine for defense as well, but I have more confidence for a .45 Talking about the 9mm,... I have been eyeballing a Springfield Armory "tactical" XD-9 in 9mm (15 round mags)...It has night sights and a rail for $600.oo - not bad! I have shot many makes, and models of guns, but not this one...Everything I have heard or read about it says it is really good for the money, and above average quality-wise...If anyone has experience with the XD-9, let me know? It just might sway me to waste more money...
Oh Roxran...our politics differ, but I need to show you the world of collecting and shooting Surplus and Classic military firearms. I can buy and own several Mausers: German/Nazi, Yugoslavian, Czech, Turkish...etc with my FFL for less than 200 a pop and get ammo by the truck load. 6 bucks for fifty rounds cheap?? I buy 70 round bandoleers of Turkish 8mm mauser ammo on stripper clips for $4.30! Now, it was manufactured in 1939 or 1942, commonly, but is sure fire and readily available. I can but Mosin-Nagants, the Russian developed infantry rifle first designed in 1890, starting at 59-79 bucks for a model M-91/30 with the bayonet! See "Enemy at The Gates" and take a look at ole Sergey's fire-stick and that is a typical 91/30(minus the turned down bolt and PU Sniper Scope). There are sooooooo many variants of this rifle that can be had in excellent condition, pre, post and during WWII production. I have 7-8 of them and all are in incredible shape, historic, DEADLY accurate, and cheap to own and shoot. My M-39, a beautiful model of the standard Mosin-Nagant made in Finland from war-captured Russian inventory, will easily hold 3 shot groups that are touching or within 2 inches MOA at 100 yards, open sights with surplus, cold-war era ammunition. I LOVE showing up rednecks that think they invented firearms, telling me that my ole' rifle isn't much better than a farm implement or is a damn "Commie" gun that couldn't EVER outperform their pappy's Remington 700 or Winchester. Best thing about Mosin-Nagants besides being plentiful, cheap, historical and accurate? The round, 7.62 x 54r, is still used by Russia as their heavy machine gun ammo and for the SVD Dragonov Sniper rifle--not to mention the BILLIONS of rounds that are available from all the Com-Bloc countries combined with the former USSR. I routinely get 800 round cases of 7.62 x 54r for 59-79 bucks. Take one of the carbine variants like my Russian, 1944 dated M-38, squeeze off a shot down-range and watch your neighbors on the firing line flinch from the percussion and visible fire-ball that erupts from your shortened muzzle....awesome
I've done a lot of shotgun shooting while bird hunting (geese, ducks, murrs, etc..) and became intimately familiar with the C7 rifle when I was in the military. It's a neat hobby if everything is done safely and responsibly. But, I have no respect for people who do not take every safety precaution (ie: shoot while drunk, improper storage, etc..).
I'm into guns of the old west myself. IMO nothing beats a nice single action colt in 44, a lever action winchester 1873 in matching 44, and a double barrel shotgun with external hammers... I'll even stoop to using an winchester 1897 pump 12 gauge if the feeling strikes... best close quarters firearm of all time and perfect for home defense.
In an interesting side note, at the battle of little bighorn the 7th Calvery had the trapdoor 1873 (not the repeater) while quite a bit of the Soux were using much superior Henry repeaters, or various models of Sharps or Spencers that were as good at long range as the 1873's. Not exactly the bows and arrows against modern weapons that popular history depicts.
