Newby with guns

[mstng86]

OK, I admit, I know absolutely nothing about guns. I didn't grow up with them and no one really took the time to teach me about them. I feel like I am vulnerable at home since I don't have a way to protect my family, so this has been weighing on my mind.

All I know is to point and shoot. Types of bullets, guns, ammo, cartridges etc. That is all foreign to me. But I want to learn enough to understand what is right for me and what I want to accomplish. Which is having the ability to handle a break in or emergency of some sort.

Now, I do have a 9mm that my stepfather gave to me. For all I know, it is just a cheap little gun. I have never shot it, and I have only really held it a couple of times. I guess this would work for my home defense, but I really don't feel comfortable with it in my hand. I honestly don't even know what 9mm really means but I am assuming it is just a small caliber.

What should I do to learn this stuff? I don't like to just read up on things. I like to have first hand experience when learning something.

Is this 9mm worth practicing with or do I need to start looking at other avenues? Is there another gun I should really be looking at?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Also, I think I really need to get my wife involved. I really think she needs to understand it all and defend herself.

[LANTIRN]

OK, I admit, I know absolutely nothing about guns. I didn't grow up with them and no one really took the time to teach me about them. I feel like I am vulnerable at home since I don't have a way to protect my family, so this has been weighing on my mind.

All I know is to point and shoot. Types of bullets, guns, ammo, cartridges etc. That is all foreign to me. But I want to learn enough to understand what is right for me and what I want to accomplish. Which is having the ability to handle a break in or emergency of some sort.

Now, I do have a 9mm that my stepfather gave to me. For all I know, it is just a cheap little gun. I have never shot it, and I have only really held it a couple of times. I guess this would work for my home defense, but I really don't feel comfortable with it in my hand. I honestly don't even know what 9mm really means but I am assuming it is just a small caliber.

What should I do to learn this stuff? I don't like to just read up on things. I like to have first hand experience when learning something.

Is this 9mm worth practicing with or do I need to start looking at other avenues? Is there another gun I should really be looking at?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Also, I think I really need to get my wife involved. I really think she needs to understand it all and defend herself.

9mm is a good round, cheap to practice with, but the make and model of gun would determine if you should trust your life with it. You need to find someone to go shooting with to teach you. I'd be up for it but I live in West Texas.

As for reliable home defense, a pump action 12 or 20 guage shotgun is what you want. Mossberg or Remington are my preferences. 20 guage is best if your wife is small and you want her to use it.

Do not rely on a pistol for home defense you have never shot, and do not rely on a pistol for home defense if you are not familiar with it. That goes for the shotgun, too. Remember a pistol round will go through drywall. Certain shotgun loads will not.

[mstng86]

I really don't know the make and model of the 9 mm. I will have to look at it later when I get home.

I was thinking of a shotgun, but didn't know if that was too overboard for what the purpose would be. I have shot one before, but I don't know what gauge it was. How do you know the difference? It is good to know about the shotgun loads not going through dry wall though. I didn't know that.

I don't really have anyone I know that shoots. I just feel like a complete idiot and get nervous around guns in general.

[Reefer Rae]

Every one that lives in the house needs to be familiar with all the firearms in the house . They do no good if you pull the trigger on a empty chamber or forget the safety . That 9 mil may be a cheap hand gun but if it's safe its a great gun to use to get familiar with pistols . I would suggest going to a gun range with somebody that can help you with the operations of that gun and shoot all the ammo you can afford . Nothing is better than trigger time to make it instinctive . I agree a home defense shotgun is the best option for next to the bed. 20 ga or light load 12ga would be fine. You and the wife should both be able to handle them with practice . There are plenty of home defense shotguns out there so pick one that is comfortable for the wife . If you go with 12 gauge I suggest you avoid the urge to get a pistol grip as for a smaller frame woman it's a hand full . And if there are kids in the house they NEED to be educated on proper gun safety . My daughters at 13 can field strip my ar-15 but also understand that it is a tool of last defense should , god forbid they ever need it . Even my 2 and a half yr old son will tell you he is allowed to play with his guns ( toys ofcourse ) but not daddy's guns . He even goes and gets his hearing protection and glasses when he sees me get them out . Education is key ! So go shoot and have fun !!!

[futant]

if the 9mm isn't a total POS i would say practice with it a little and see what you think.
whether or not a shotgun or a pistol is better for YOU for home defense is a big question you probably can't even really answer yet.

I would suggest you shoot more , then ask questions later.
Shoot lots of pistols of different types if possible (like mentioned, find a shooting buddy)
then shoot some shottys and see what you think.

Pistols are invariably harder to shoot well than any rifle/shotgun.
however I prefer a pistol indoors for defensive purposes. anything will work though.

BE SAFE!

[GhostTX]

Call up some local ranges and see what courses they offer to get yourself familiar with handling and using a gun. There's NRA and similar course out there for "introduction" type of stuff.

[mstng86]

So gun ranges do have classes. I only know of one anywhere near me and it is a little place in the country.

What kind of ammo do I get for this 9mm? I am thinking once I learn what I can, then I will show the wife.

[clevelandkid]

Go to the Range GTG....

http://www.dfwmustangs.net/forums/sh...414#post224414

[mstng86]

I thought about jumping in on that. But I think I would be a real hindrance for people.

[KBScobravert]

I thought about jumping in on that. But I think I would be a real hindrance for people.

This sport is about educating others. I am sure there are a few people that would be willing to let you punch paper and give you some basic instruction.

Always remember this and you will be okay.
1. All guns are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. (Always inspect to ensure the firearm is in the condition you left it if it is out of your control for even a second.)
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target. (This is the Golden Rule.)
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

Those first 3 are the biggest sings of a newb.

[ELVIS]

mstng86 where do you live?

also jsut go get a couple of 100pk's of WWB (winchester white box) and head to the range. 9mm is fine for home defense.

god bless.

[mstng86]

mstng86 where do you live?

also jsut go get a couple of 100pk's of WWB (winchester white box) and head to the range. 9mm is fine for home defense.

god bless.

I live in Forney. There is a little outdoor range in Mesquite I can go to on a regular basis. I think I am going to go to the gtg that Chili posted to get some help on what to do.

[Chili]

I live in Forney. There is a little outdoor range in Mesquite I can go to on a regular basis. I think I am going to go to the gtg that Chili posted to get some help on what to do.

Go for it. I'm sure everyone would be happy to help you out.

[ELVIS]

I live in Forney. There is a little outdoor range in Mesquite I can go to on a regular basis. I think I am going to go to the gtg that Chili posted to get some help on what to do.

cool, post up the brand and model and we will all give you a ton of different opinions how good/bad it is.

be forewarned i will tell you its a piece of crap then offer you a 1/4 of its worth

god bless.

[mstng86]

cool, post up the brand and model and we will all give you a ton of different opinions how good/bad it is.

be forewarned i will tell you its a piece of crap then offer you a 1/4 of its worth

god bless.

You may only have to offer $5.