If you had 0 guns and were just starting out, which two would you buy and why?
If you had 0 guns and were just starting out, which two would you buy and why?
Hitting the gym to become a swoletariat, looking to arm myself as well.
I've gone shooting before, and my Dad just bought a couple guns himself because of all the pogroms he's been seeing against Muslims in ingerland.
I'm based in the United States of Amerikkka, mods please let me know if this isn't allowed!
If you just want to learn to shoot and not worried about self defense at the moment, Ruger 10/22. 22 lr ammo is so cheap.
I have a 1022 and it's so bad. More unreliable than the musket I built myself. Jams basically every mag.
That sucks. Could maybe be the barrel is misaligned? I used to have one that was amazing and I was thinking about getting one again. Seems like other people have similar issues when they use cheaper ammo too, which is why I want a 22 lmao
Follow up question: if le arms of flame are verboten in a certain living location, what would SWIY suggest doing for SWIM
The very first thing you should build should be an IFAK. Need to have a TQ and be able to stop bleeding, so take atleast a stop the bleed class.
Glock 19 is going to be the standard due to abundance of parts and they shoot good. HM are glock 17 and 43, some people prefer those especially the 43 for concealed carry. If you’re going to CC then i suggest getting a Philster Enigma, they are the best purchase you can make after buying the gun.
For rifle get an AR15. Other than legally not being able to get one, they’re is very little reason to go with something else as your first. Brand doesn’t matter too much, Palmetto State Armory is probably the lowest quality i would recommend going with but you really shouldn’t spend a crazy amount, 450 to 750 will get you something good.
After you buy your guns, throw a red dot on them get some ammo and start shooting. You’ll next want to look into holsters, slings, and other fun parts of the hobby.
IFAK is underrated advice. Unless you’re living in gangland, then statistically you’re more likely to shoot yourself than you are to shoot someone in self defense. Some community events may even offer first aid/stop the bleed classes for free. Knowing how to patch someone up will make you a better defender than a majority of American gun owners.
Should disclaim that red dot advice does not apply if you have astigmatism. TRY a red dot before you BUY a red dot. 1-8x scopes and prism sights are both valid alternatives.
a .22 so you have something to shoot on the cheap
What are you looking to do? Are you interested in doing a shooting activity regularly? Just looking to own one?
Like the default loadout that gets recommended is going to be a Glock (17 or 19) and an AR-15.
Not looking to start any safety struggle sessions, but if you're a new gun owner who likes the idea of safeties (or just an old gun owner who prefers safeties) I would suggest the S&W M&P pistols as a good Glock alternative that offers thumb safeties.
I think DA/SA with a decocker is a good middle ground. You don’t need to worry about turning off the safety like a striker fire, but the trigger will be heavy and you can thumb the hammer which makes it impossible for the gun to go off.
But M&P 2.0 is very good as well. The models with thumb safeties are usually cheaper as well since they’re not as popular as just the trigger safety.
Primarily for self defense, would look to get my CC eventually
Ok. My recommendation will be to try a couple different handguns out at the range, from the ones that have been recommended here. See which ones fit comfortably in your hands. Try a lot of them and take your time, don't rush.
For conceal carry, focus on size. A gun that is too big or uncomfortable to carry doesn't get carried. It may be a little less comfortable to shoot, but that's the tradeoff. The big brands are the way to go (Glock, Sig, S&W)
If you're looking to CC then aim for the micro compact segment. They have a good round count while being slimmer and easier to conceal than "compact" guns like the Glock 19. There are a ton of models in this space but there aren't a ton that have safeties that many of us would recommend to a newer shooter. If you're budget minded I would recommend the Taurus G3C, which can easily be had for under $300. But definitely put hands on it and try to get range time with it before your purchase.
Consider the S&W Shield 2.0 with or without thumb safety depending on your preference, very small but shoots great in the hand for extended range sessions. I have a 1.0 with an Apex trigger and aftermarket mag feeders/plates so that I can get 10+1. It's a great gun with the same footprint as the 2.0, shoots great, feels great in the hand, conceals great. The 2.0 makes all the shit I did to my early 1.0 unnecessary - the 2.0 has a better trigger than the 1.0 and greater magazine capacity. Fantastic guns that shoot nicer than their pricepoint.
Another thing, I would avoid Glock.
They are 100% reliable. They’re the Toyota/Honda of pistols - reliable and parts are ubiquitous. However the prices don’t reflect that. New ones are usually $400-600 even after sales. Meanwhile, other models with Glock inspired/copied designs go for the same price while having higher quality improvements out the box, potentially saving you hundreds in aftermarket parts. CZ P10 series and M&P 2.0 series can frequently be found at sub $300.
Regarding aftermarkets, it’s one of the most common reason for why people like glocks. But I personally advise against aftermarket parts for self defense purposes outside of grip tape, lights, sights, optics. Internals should be kept stock at all times for maximum reliability. And if you maintain this philosophy, then nearly every other pistol has the same accessories available.
However, if you must get a glock, find a used/barely used police trade in. These can be found for around $300-$400 with extra mags and upgrades and be just as reliable as brand new ones. Because glocks are so ubiquitous, magazines and spare OEM parts will be easy to find. Magazines can be as little as $10 whereas other brands will be in the $30s.
Thank you! Will go to a range and check them out!
AR-15. It is the most popular gun for a reason. Any compact 9mm for concealed carry if you want to do that. Anything else is only if you want it for fun/reasons other than self defense.
PS90.
I just like stargate SG-1. It's a terrible first gun, I just really want one.
Forget buying "good" guns as your first. Go with only the most practical self defense options: A Lady's Home Companion and a homemade punt gun
Stargate SG-1 was the first show I watched to completion and I could barely watch an episode now, it just reeks of a libs idea of what the US military is (or should be) :(
I like the P90 from a "let's do it different to see what's up" sense
You're absolutely right, it's the liberal star trek.
FWIW, 5.7x28mm is a very good round for penetrating kevlar vests and is very controllable and has pretty good ballistics out to the ranges you'd practically use a handgun or PDW for
Hopefully you're never in a situation where that would be a useful advantage
It's also expensive as hell per round for its size and a handgun chambered in it is going to have a chunkier grip due to the length of the magwell
(I still kinda want a Keltec P50 though)
The 16in barrel just makes it so fugly. Truly the worst crime of the NFA
Absolutely
Want want want want want
some cz pistol just so i could show my grandma it
Classic short rail cz-75
a .22 pistol. you can take it to the range for cheap, and carry it if you need to.
if you are buying two guns, I would say a .22 rifle, and a centerfire pistol in the caliber of your choosing (stick with 9 mm, .40, or .45). Glock is reliable, and probably has the largest aftermarket market if you ever feel like customizing it. Ruger is inexpensive and reliable.
I personally can't shoot very well with Glocks, but otherwise agree with the other comments. Get a 9mm pistol, and an AR rifle in .556 or .223 Wylde. This is mainly about the ubiquity and relative cost of those ammo types, as well as the parts for the AR.
Relevant but old posts and comments: https://hexbear.net/post/2830
https://hexbear.net/comment/2565959
https://hexbear.net/post/204709
My answer from a previous time this was asked
I'd go to a gun range, rent several double-stack polymer 9mm pistols one after another, and buy the one that feels right. I'd also buy a Ruger 10/22.
Then an AR, a shotgun, and a 22 pistol, in no particular order.
I bought the double barreled shotgun from bugs bunny and a Colt revolver.
I want a side by side shotty. No practical use for it, but, they are pretty.
And I figure it's easier to hit something with a shotgun, as long as it's not a wascally wabit.
- DA/SA: CZ75 75D Compact/ CZ P-01
This has a decocker, so it provides the benefit of not having to fiddle with a manual safety like a striker fire, while providing more control for extra safety (e.g. heavier first trigger pull (with light follow up trigger) and thumbing the hammer so it can’t go off even if the trigger is snagged accidentally). CZ is also one of the few manufacturers that still makes carry sized DA/SA pistols, but their classic full sized pistols are also good if you plan on just leaving it as a home gun; you’ll also find more DA/SA if you look for full sized. People tend to exaggerate the difficulty of DA/SA because of the two trigger pulls, but honestly just think of it as stepping on the pedal to accelerate to a certain speed then letting go and lightly tapping to cruise at the speed. 75D compact = classic cz75 design; P-01 = has a rail for light but no classic ‘ridge’
- DA/SA alternative: P07/P09
CZ is stupid with its naming conventions so I don’t remember what’s what, but these are basically the polymer versions of the CZ75. They come in decocker versions too. These will be very light since the frame is plastic.
- .22 pistol: Taurus TX22 or Ruger MK IV
Even when .22 is expensive, it’s still cheaper compared to 9mm. You’ll get more shots off with these which will help you be more comfortable with the explosions and practice fundamentals. You’ll likely be using this a lot when times are bad and ammo prices are ass. It won’t make you a pro with your primary weapon, but it’ll reinforce the fundamentals which transfers to most pistols. Alternatively, think of it as fitness conditioning. You won’t gain a lot of muscles from just cardio, but cardio will help you endure strength training a lot more.
Pro tip: the only American made pistol worth having from a self defense standpoint is the M&P 2.0.
Pretty much all the true and tested pistols are European.
- Glock
- CZ
- Walther
- HK
- German/Austrian Sig Sauer (I don’t think anyone has ever questioned the quality of Sig until the Americans acquired, designed, and manufactured the guns)
Springfield has the XD, Hellcat, and Echelon, but these are imported from Croatia. They’re G2G.
As for ARs, you’ll find quality in US and EU. Quality AKs will usually be from Balkans, Romania, Poland, and if you can find them, Russia and China.
Only posting to echo how good the CZ-P01 is. I owned a subcompact Glock and hated it; sold it to a guy who worked at a donut shop and got a CZ and it is just so good in every way (except it's not especially small or light, but that makes it good in other ways)
Check out the Protos M holster from BlackArch. Very comfortable and I barely feel the weight.
My first gun was a Glock 19X and I love the hell out of that thing
It is both allowed and encouraged
Coming in with a suggestion that I'm surprised isn't more common: get yourself a revolver.
All guns are "in case of emergency" items (if you aren't a hunter or a plinker). So if you want something that you can leave in a safe/nightstand for 5 years, and then feel completely confident it's going to fire if/when you need it, you need a piece with the fewest possible moving/degradable/high-maintenance parts, which is a wheelgun. If you aren't looking to disassemble and maintain it regularly (or go out to a commercial range/shop and pay to have them do it for you every year or more), it's really the only option you can feel confident in 10 years down the line.
It's also a great first because if you do end up collecting more, you'll still always have a near failproof backup.
you need a piece with the fewest possible moving/degradable/high-maintenance parts, which is a wheelgun.
This isn't really correct. Revolvers have quite a few moving parts and they can absolutely break and their timing can go out or just straight up fail. A striker fired gun that you can tear down yourself and re-assemble is a much simpler and easier to diagnose and fix weapon than any revolver.
Shooting a revolver is a skill. I don't think it's a good recommendation for a new gun owner
I don't know that I agree 100%. Shooting any type of gun ought to be practiced if the idea is to be able to defend yourself in the case you ever have to, and a revolver isn't so much more complicated than a pistol that it's going to take much longer to get used to. What do you see as being the most difficult differences?
Revolvers are way more complicated than pistols.
Keeping a Colt Single Action Army with a comically long barrel as your everyday carry in your pinstripe dress pants is a life goal of mine.
Or it would be if I was misfortunate enough to be American.
For to learn: a 22lr. 10/22 if you like rifle, Ruger mkiv or browning buckmark for pistol. Very little recoil, cheap to shoot, good fun guns.
For defense: a 9mm pistol if you want to conceal (biggest one you can reasonably conceal. Small guns are harder to shoot), or an AR-15 for home/community defense. There is a reason right wingers love this gun - it's great and easy to maintain.
Get a good light for your defense implement of choice, and a sling as well if it's a rifle.
idk but I want a handgun that shoots FN 5.7
but with a shredder insteadlol. But they have kinetic energy on par with 9mm and very high magazine capacity!
The Keltec P50 looks stupid as hell and I love it
Cyberpunk goon gun
How's the PSA rock coming along? Almost impulse bought it when it was on sale for like 250
I'll second the Taurus tx22 for training, although it probably wouldn't be one of only two guns unless you're only interested in handguns.
Mine was a tack driver and ate anything. At one point I tested it with 20 different brands of ammo and the cheapest I could find was still grouping sub 3 inches at 20 yards (interestingly grouped much better than with any of the Eley). Obviously 22 isn't gonna be your carry, but it's a cheap gun with cheap ammo and great for learning fundamentals. It's fun to shoot and it'll work for defense in a pinch. No one's gonna laugh with 20 small holes center mass.
I'd probably say if budget is a concern don't get a Ruger 10/22 unless you can get it on steep discount. It's not the value it used to be. Most big box stores will have a cheap semi automatic 22 rifle for like 70-100. Rossi or Maverick or something along those lines, look up reviews to make sure it's not an absolute lemon.
There's an argument for taking the money you'd spend on range toys and just paying for classes and skipping straight to real guns. If you don't enjoy shooting at all this may be the way to go.
I once rented a Ruger LCR 38 from a local range and fell in love with it. Been wanting one since.
I also have a few buddies who own and love the Mossberg Maverick 88 (because of how cheap it is compared to other Mossbergs).
I've shot more expensive pumps and tbh I can't even tell the difference between them and Maverick 88.
