Thinking about a new purchase

[pandemic]

So, I'll be back in the states sometime in March/April. I'm really thinking about buying another firearm of some sort. My Fiance doesn't like handguns (still... will take some time till I get that privilege ) so I'm thinking about a rifle or SMG platform. Budget is about $1000. Any suggestions?

Post any suggestion and why.

Thanks!

[nijwnfi]

(still... will take some time till I get that privilege )

It troubles me when people say things like this. Protection is not a privilege you should have to convince someone to give you permission to do. Tell your fiance you have issues with her buying something like cosmetics, see where it gets you.
Point is, cosmetics may be important to her, as a handgun is important to you. Now, is this an issue you have always known about? Has she always known of your interest in guns, or is this new for you? Nobody knows the situation better than you, good luck.
Sorry to hijack, are you an AK, or AR guy?

[Xringshooter]

Jeez, that a tough one, so many variables. Do you want something for:
Hunting
Standard Target Shooting
Long Range Target Shooting
Plinking
Home Defense
SHTF Defense
?
What platform do you like:
Semi-Auto
Bolt Action
Pump Action
Single Shot
?
What Cartridge do you like:
Large center fire caliber (.300 Remington Ultra Mag)
Medium center fire caliber (.243)
Small center fire caliber (.204 Ruger, .22-250)
Rimfire
?
What type of stock and finish:
Wood
Synthetic
Blued
Stainless Steel
?

You say a SMG platform, to me SMG means Sub Machine Gun. It that case you are talking NFA guns (full auto, burst, etc.) and $1000 won't even get close. If you meant a semi-automatic rifle that resembles a military rifle, then $1000 can get you well started with something in the AR platform or the AK platform.

For a rifle, you need to answer the questions above.

As for fiance, you need to have a long talk with her about why she doesn't like handguns (what are her thoughts about firearms in general?). There are several things here on the forum that you can print out to have her read, maybe that will help.

[pandemic]

Thanks. Yeah she's known about it. If I mention the cosmetics she'll reply with something about how cosmetics cant kill people. She's not really grown up with firearms so I think she's a bit nervous. I'll have to actually figure out her key points as to why she doesn't like them. I mean, she doesn't have to LIKE them... she should just not care about them.

Anyway.

I was thinking about SMG platform ie semi auto MP5 or something of the sort. I'd like something semi auto, fun to shoot, that can also serve as home defense.

I dont hunt. I'm interested in long range but not right now - standard I'd say for this buy.

Standard which can double for home defense. What is SHTF defense?

Cal, I'm thinking either pistol rounds (9mm, .40, etc) or 7.62 or 5.56.

Finish, well... synthetic for this I think. not too important.

[ChrisF4i]

Thanks. Yeah she's known about it. If I mention the cosmetics she'll reply with something about how cosmetics cant kill people. She's not really grown up with firearms so I think she's a bit nervous. I'll have to actually figure out her key points as to why she doesn't like them. I mean, she doesn't have to LIKE them... she should just not care about them...

[Pro2A]

Well crap if you are looking at handguns and have a grand to spend, get the cream of the crop. Go for a 1911 of some sort. Can't fail with one of those babies.

[DaveM55]

If I mention the cosmetics she'll reply with something about how cosmetics cant kill people.

Yeah, and cosmetics never saved anyones life either.

[JoeWilliams]

Take her shooting, maybe you'll get a shooting partner. If that doesn't work, tell her you are buying a handgun. If she doesn't like it, she doesn't have to touch it.

If that doesn't work, try hitting her.

Beretta makes a cool 9mm carbine, btw.

[Xringshooter]

You need to explain that guns are inanimate objects, just like cosmetics, they cannot do anything by themselves. Just as I have never seen cosmetics just fly out of the bottle, jar, compact, etc., and land on the exact perfect place on someones face, I have never seen a gun start firing by itself. In fact when that happens (guns shooting people all by themselves), that's when I take a torch to mine.

Ask her that since cars kill many more people in a year than guns do, should we not have cars any more? What about knives, baseball bats, etc, etc. Explain that it is person behind the inanimate object that either uses it correctly or not. Then you can go into how guns can save lives, equate them with selt belt usage, owning a fire extinguisher, etc. (rather have and not need than need and not have)

And you could also bring up that cosmetics are tested on poor little defenseless animals, how does she deal with that? (Although that will probably get you into a lot of hot water).

[pandemic]

lol. Yeah, I have a lot of work to do. We cant go shooting for a long while because we're living in Japan at the moment. I'll be back for a month or so so I might make a new buy... maybe, who knows. Just looking for advice.

I did see that beretta carbine... pretty sweet

Have any ideas for a nice non-handgun purchase? I've got my handgun want list already

Thanks