New to guns, looking for advice

**bluetrane2028** · July 25th, 2013, 12:48 PM

For new shooters, it's hard to beat a .22 revolver for familiarity, and a .357 magnum revolver for defense.

I like the Smith and Wesson 586/686 (same gun in different finishes). Load it with .38 specials for home defense, and .357 if you're carrying it in public (with proper licensing and with respect to all laws). Recoil is very light with .38s.

Revolvers are the simplest guns in the world to use. Pull the trigger and it goes bang. No safeties to remember or slides to rack. My wife prefers the .357 out of all the choices I have. She is definitely a "new shooter." Reloading a revolver is not a problem if you practice with speed loaders. The only reason why my .357 is not my every day carry is barrel length. Mine has a 6" barrel, it's just too long to strap on my side and sit in a car. If it were 4" or less, it would never leave my side. Someday I'll pick up another .357, but for now I'll go with my .40 cal semi.

**Posit** · July 25th, 2013, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by danZ

My wife and I were interested in buying a gun for home protection. Neither of us know much about guns, so excuse our ignorance. I am former military, but have only handled a 9mm in boot camp.

I wanted to get your suggestions on what type of gun you recommend for home protection.

I am in the Pittsburgh area(North Hills) and would also welcome any suggestions on where to buy as well as if there are any gun ranges in the area.

Thanks.

Dan

You've come to the right place. What branch of the military were you in where you only handled a 9mm and only in basic??

**Pilot321** · July 25th, 2013, 03:53 PM

If this is for home defense, a full size, high capacity (standard cap actually) 9MM is a great choice. Here is a list of some to look for when you hit the gun shops or internet for info.

Browning Hi Power
CZ-75B or other CZ-75 variant
Beretta 92FS
Sig P226 or P229
HK P30, or USP 9
Glock 17 or 19
Springfield XD
Walther P99 or PPQ
FN FNX, FNS

**internet troll** · July 25th, 2013, 04:01 PM

The following has a lot of info that might help you with some questions you have since you are new to gun ownership.

This is a very basic outline for someone new to guns and considering getting a firearm in Pa. I thought it might be helpful based on a recent thread I read here and a conversation I had last night with someone thinking about getting a gun. I did a search and did not find a post dedicated to just this topic but my googlefu might be off. I figure anyone doing a search might come across this and hopefully it will give some helpful info. There are great sources on this site that have more info. (a couple which I listed below) While I do address some of the info in those sources, I am trying to focus on the difference between the process of buying a gun and getting a LTCF.

I am not an expert, lawyer or lawmaker, just a gun owner who was once new to the processes and topics below. This list is for beginners and not complete. It omits a lot of in depth things that you will learn about if you choose to get more involved with firearms.

General Info

1.* In Pa you can own guns for in home/property use or carry for protection. 2.* Both the U.S Constitution and Pa Constitution have sections pertaining to peoples right to bear arms. 3.* Gun laws vary from state to state. What works in Pa will not work in NJ. 4.* In Pa you can own a gun as long as you are not a prohibited person.* Your criminal or mental background would determine if you are prohibited. 5.* You do NOT need a LTCF just to own a gun in Pa. You do need a LTCF if you intend to conceal carry in Pa.

Process to obtain a gun

To buy a handgun or new long gun in Pa, you will: 1.* You will buy it from a seller who has a Federal Firearms License (FFL) or they will send it/sell it through a person with a FFL. 2.* The FFL will charge you a fee above the price of your gun to transfer the gun to you. The price varies depending upon the person with the FFL.*Generally $30-50 from what I've seen. 3. You will be required to fill out paperwork when purchasing the gun. The paperwork will ask various questions to determine if you are prohibited. 4.* After you have finished the paperwork, the FFL will make a phone call to Pa Instant Check System (PICS) which is linked to the National Instant Criminal Background check System (NICS) run by the FBI. 5.* The PICS check is the final word at that moment if you are a prohibited person or not.

If you are found to be a prohibited person, you will not be allowed to take the gun with you. You will then have to determine why you are prohibited.

If you are not a prohibited person you will be allowed to have the gun and take it home right then.* You are allowed to take the gun home in your car without a LTCF if you go straight home. It is important to note that passing a NICS check does not mean you now have a LTCF or even that you will be approved to have a LTCF. That is a different process

Carrying a gun

There are basically two types of carry, open (OC) or concealed (CC).

A. Open Carry: Carrying a gun in public where everyone can see it. There are laws that you need to know if you do this. See the links below.

B.* Concealed Carry: In Pa you may get a License to Carry a Firearm (LTCF) This allows you to CC which means carry a handgun on your person while hidden. (the gun, not you ) It can be hidden in an Inside the Waistband holster (IWB), ankle holster, shoulder holster, pocket carry and so on. You may OC if you have a LTCF. You may NOT CC if you do not have a LTCF. It also allows you to carry in a car and during a state of emergency.

The LTCF will allow you to CC or OC anywhere legal in Pa. Here is a resource that is well worth the time to read.

http://forum.pafoa.org/allegheny-27/...nsylvania.html (READ FIRST: Where you CAN and CANNOT Carry weapons in the State of Pennsylvania) (READ FIRST: Where you CAN and CANNOT Carry weapons in the State of Pennsylvania)

and another great resource: http://forum.pafoa.org/allegheny-27/...carry-you.html (Your Pennsylvania Gun Rights ~Handy flyer to carry with you.) (Your Pennsylvania Gun Rights ~Handy flyer to carry with you.)

* To apply for a LTCF: (Note:this is suppose to be uniform across the state but there still seem to be variations, especially in Philadelphia. Hopefully someone who understands Philly better than I can do will add to this)

1.* You must be 21. 2. * You go to your Sheriffs Office at yo0ur county courthouse and fill out an application. (or print one out and fill it in ahead of time). Take a photo ID with you. 3.* You should only have to pay a $20 fee and they will process your application. 4.* They ask you for 2 references. You can use anyone who is not a family member. 5.* They will do a background check. They use (PICS) run by the Pa State Police. 6.* They have up to 45 days to process the application.* Each county is different, some do it the same day, others take the entire time. 7.* Pa is a "Shall Issue" state which basically means they need a good legal reason to not issue you a LTCF. 8.* If you have been found to be an acceptable person to have a LTCF, you will receive a letter telling you that you have been approved. They will either send you your LTCF or you then take the letter to the Sheriffs office and they will issue your LTCF. 9.* If they deny your application there is a process to find out why and challenge it.* Don't waste time, get to it once you get your denial letter. There can be reasons that simple challenge will overcome.

Couple of facts/things worth further research:

There are different laws that apply to handguns and Long guns. You should know the laws for whichever you have.

You can't just lend/give a gun to whomever you want. Look up info or ask questions before lending/giving a gun to someone. -----------------------------------------------------------------------Remember, you might currently have the right to own guns, not knowing the Pa gun laws could easily lose you that right once you have a gun.

btw....... those links I posted earlier, here they are again in case you ignored them for some reason. My info is basically procedural info for someone wondering how to go about getting a gun. The links are really worth your time to read and may save your rights, the information is that valuable.

http://forum.pafoa.org/allegheny-27/...nsylvania.html (READ FIRST: Where you CAN and CANNOT Carry weapons in the State of Pennsylvania) (READ FIRST: Where you CAN and CANNOT Carry weapons in the State of Pennsylvania)

http://forum.pafoa.org/allegheny-27/...carry-you.html (Your Pennsylvania Gun Rights ~Handy flyer to carry with you.) (Your Pennsylvania Gun Rights ~Handy flyer to carry with you.)

**cwhirlow** · July 25th, 2013, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by scruff

I don't think it's a good idea to tell people it's hard to miss with a shotgun. Shooting at close range, that pattern is pretty darn small. Couple that with a "can't miss" attitude, and you've got a recipe for disaster.

I practice at the range with my judge at 12 feet and shoot my shot gun
at 25 to 30 feet. I would never say that they can't miss. I would say practice is key. You will know what pattern you are going to put out. I feel pretty safe for home defense with those two firearms.

**danZ** · August 27th, 2013, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by Posit

You've come to the right place. What branch of the military were you in where you only handled a 9mm and only in basic??

I was in the Navy. My job was an IT. Only had to fire a 9mm and a 12 gauge shotgun in basic.

**Posit** · August 27th, 2013, 05:09 PM

Interesting. Didn't know any service required firing a 12 gauge in basic. Or that any service didn't require some type of familiarization, if not qualification, other than in basic.

**Frenchy** · August 27th, 2013, 07:32 PM

Best bet, get a plinker (.22) and a carry.. I loved my cz9mm but will say, don't hurry, get to the club a few times,, try friends guns till you see one you feel comfy with. Buying by looks is always deceiving.

**Boyd Sponaugle** · August 27th, 2013, 08:50 PM

I agree with those who say to purchase a .22LR pistol first and learn to shoot it. Shoot it as much as you can. I have an old Colt Huntsman that is a great shooter but those old Colt's are all now pretty much going to collectors. My favorite currently manufactured handgun in .22LR is the Ruger Mark III (the Luger style pistol grip not the US military 45 style grip). Look for something with less than a 6" barrel. Going on from there I would consider something in 9mm. Then you can think about a long gun. Best wishes.

**johnydavid** · August 27th, 2013, 09:02 PM

For home security in my opinion I would acquire a 9mm or 40cal semi auto that can hold at least 14 rounds as well as a 12 guage. Practice practice practice and get familiar with your guns. I prefer a semi without a safety so I'm not caught pulling a dead trigger but this is me and I'm very familiar with my guns.