Help choosing a gun

[zopperman]

So i know we definitely have a few firearm owners on the forum here... my birthday just passed and I think, now since i'm a little richer I'd like to invest in a gun. I've been shooting a few times over the last 2 years and I'm just not sure what to get. My price cap is about 600. I'm limited to rifles and shotguns by NJ state law -- that being said, I can't decide between the two. I want something to keep in my closet, God forbid i need it, but also somehtign taht I can take to the range and have fun with. I can't decide if it's worth getting a shotgun and getting into trap shooting. I'd liek to try it, but the trap clubs here, you have to have your own gun. I was considering a .22 rifle too, but it's just like a BB gun and i don't really enjoy shooting them. I saw a remington combo kit shotgun with an 18 and 26" barrel and I know thats a bit short for trap shooting, but I think I could get away with it. By the same token, I think it owuld be fun to have a rifle that I could shoot for distance, maybe a 30 aught 6 or something... Ideas???

PS if you can't tell i'm relatively not knowledgeable about guns. that's why I'm asking for help

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help choosing a gun

well your kinda all over the place as far as guns are concerned, First thing I would tell you is to move out of a communist state! You say you want something to keep in your closet, do you mean for home protection? If so then you want a shotgun, the combo kit would be a good setup, short barrel for home protection and longer barrel for skeet shooting and small animal hunting. Sounds like a good all around entry level gun to get you started. Don't even think about a 30-06 for home protection because after you shoot the burglar in your house the same bullet will travel through the next two houses behind the burglar, A shotgun on the other hand does not have the kinetic energy past 30' to bust through multiple walls, but is devastating to the human body at close range.

The nation's deadliest caliber is .22 so don't sell that round short, not by a long shot, probably the nations most popular caliber, and just as deadly as any other round in the hands of a capable shooter.

But I would still get the heck out of New Jersey.........By New Jersey standards I'm probably a one man Army! What a joke....

If you can swing it get the shotgun combo and a ruger 10-22, it would serve most all of your issues, plus get you on the path to some real distance shooting, I have plenty of guns and I still enjoy shooting my 22, plus its dirt cheap to shoot, once you have the basics down with the 22 then get a bigger gun, the basics will stay with you forever, but learning with a 30-06, 270, 300 etc etc you will go broke feeding the gun and that will determine how often you shoot, not a good situation at all...

 

[zopperman]

Re: Help choosing a gun

LOL! It took me almost a year to get my rifle permit. I have a buddy who was ex military and still couldn't get a carry permit.

Yeah, I meant in my closet for home protection... but at the same time, will I be able to really target shoot with that?

I don't really plan on hunting, just really something to target shoot (or trap -- some form of aiming at something)

And Yeah, I am REALLY all over the place, that's why I'm looking for help :redface:

The thing about the shotgun is well, exactly what you said -- it won't go much past 30 feet...

This is just an entry level gun though. IDK!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Well the Gun Culture believes in training throughout your lifetime, nearly all children get a 22 for their first gun(BB guns don't really count) and they get passed down to the next generation, my 10-22 was my Grandfathers and someday I will give it to one of my Grandchildren. The reason why this is important is that we start small, even though your older then my kids were the fact remains start small, then grow yourself through training(shooting), I can't tell you what round to get, any Rifle other then a 22 will become expensive to feed. By getting the Combo your satisfying your needs at home, as well as getting yourself into skeet/trap with the longer barrel. Like a boat your getting into the culture knowing your going to get twofootitis, or that your going to upgrade to something more appropriate to what you enjoy, meanwhile your shotgun can stay at home in the closet....

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Help choosing a gun

You tell me which is better, apples or oranges, and I will tell you which gun to get. Sorry, kinda in a smart-arse mood today...

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Smart arse yes, but very appropriate also, there is no long distance in a shotgun, just doesn't happen, but getting a big rifle like a 30-06 could get you in a whole bunch of trouble after you shoot the home invader! so there's your apples and oranges! Even the Police utilize a pistol, shotgun or a pistol caliber(9mm, .40/.45 cal) rifle for any urban situations, the only time a Rifle Caliber weapon is brought into the mix is when distance is involved or the area has been properly evacuated, In your case a pistol is out, ironically it doesn't change your solution in the least, far and away the most popular home protection gun is a short barrel shotgun, so the combo kit solves this issue, the longer barrel combo just makes your home defense weapon a gun you can have fun with too.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Yeah that really seems to be the best option. I do always appreciate some good sarcasm Expense is something I didn't really consider -- shooting a 30-06 would get PRICEY, FAST. What's shooting a deer slug like? I've only really shot bird shot before. Would it be weird to shoot like 30-40 ft targets with a deer slug? Has anyone had experience with remington shotguns/mossberg? Those were the two kits I was looking at. I like the mossberg because it also has a pistol grip and comes in the tactical black which I really like.

Also, I'd have loved to have gotten a baretta storm 9mm rifle, but it's just too damn expensive. After tax and such it came out to like 1000 and the combo kits were like 600, including delivery from PA

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Remington, and Mossberg are both quality firearms so it would most llikely come down to personal preference and value so if you prefer the Mossberg you should feel safe knowing that you have bought a quality Firearm. Firearms are like anything else, boats, cars or beer everyone has a make they prefer but I can assure you that Mossberg and Remington are quality Firearms. Keep in mind that nearly all firearms manufacturers sell entry level firearms, but like a car or a boat you can modify your firearm to what you want, the exception being the caliber your kind of stuck there! Just wait if you get into AR-15's you can purchase a long rifle and wind up with a Short Barrel Assault Rifle!!


I have 3, I can't decide what I want do with them

Also if your flinching at a $1000 Firearm, let me tell you, my dream gun prices out at over $10,000....Welcome to my world!!

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Help choosing a gun

For $600 you can probably get an AR15 if you shop around. I don't know what the laws are in NJ for those but I am pretty sure you can even get a neutered one. They are not expensive to shoot, and you can def shoot for distance with one. Great for home defense if you are looking for kind of an all-around gun. If you have never fired a weapon they are not difficult to learn on, and have little if any recoil. I teach alot of friends how to shoot and start off with 10-22's and then to AR15s and both are great guns. The girls I teach always love the AR and the 10-22

 

[JRJ]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Join a trap/skeet club. Some rent or loan guns. There will be many used guns for sale, and the owner's will expect you to shoot before you buy. Lots of us let others shoot our guns, just to try them out, all they have to do is ask. Shoot a few guns before you buy one. Have fun.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Ok On a more serious note... JRJ has a great idea .. I personally shoot an a trap league 8 months a year once a week at The West End Gun Club... Its just like a bowling or volleyball or any other funsy competitive league. Its great fun[ its a handicap league, so ya dont have to be a ace shot to be in competition. A box of shells and 25 clays at the club cost about $16.. Its my nite out w da boys...
A deer rifle... IE 30.06 Is more for hunting, Its alot harder to find a place to shoot em , as they are dangerous for like 3 miles. And [IMHO] they arent that much fun to shoot, as they kick like a mule. Much more technical. ya try to get a small group on a piece of paper, boring, shooting clays is way more fun, things blow up, moving targets etc Deer rifles Not good for home defense either as stated earlier Ya pull the trigger on that, the bullet can go thru the intruder, 4 walls and into the bedroom of a neighbor. Shotgun for home defense over a rifle anyday[ Handgun the best, but ONLY for self def really, Just a few thoughts 4 ya...

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Sell your home, move to Northeast Pennsylvania and commute to work. Use the money you save every year in taxes to buy a decent semi revolver, a rifle, and a shotgun. Then enjoy all the shooting sports.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Help choosing a gun

For a decent gun that is accurate and versatile I would recommend you look at a H&R (Aka NEF) and get some extra barrels to vary the caliber's. I have one in .223 that I am very comfortable out to 250 yards ......... you can turn it into a 45-70 or a 30-06 many many caliber's to choose from.

There is a good forum to read here http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php

I am old school and like to see people master the single shot and then move on from there.

 

[hrdwrkingacguy]

Re: Help choosing a gun

I only have 1000 words on the subject...


PS. A FN-FAL .308 is pretty awesome second choice...

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Ok On a more serious note... JRJ has a great idea .. I personally shoot an a trap league 8 months a year once a week at The West End Gun Club... Its just like a bowling or volleyball or any other funsy competitive league. Its great fun[ its a handicap league, so ya dont have to be a ace shot to be in competition. A box of shells and 25 clays at the club cost about $16.. Its my nite out w da boys...
A deer rifle... IE 30.06 Is more for hunting, Its alot harder to find a place to shoot em , as they are dangerous for like 3 miles. And [IMHO] they arent that much fun to shoot, as they kick like a mule. Much more technical. ya try to get a small group on a piece of paper, boring, shooting clays is way more fun, things blow up, moving targets etc Deer rifles Not good for home defense either as stated earlier Ya pull the trigger on that, the bullet can go thru the intruder, 4 walls and into the bedroom of a neighbor. Shotgun for home defense over a rifle anyday[ Handgun the best, but ONLY for self def really, Just a few thoughts 4 ya...

Yeah sorry but if the intruder is close by my family or has my wife as a target I am much more accurate with a rifle. NO way I am going to be shooting close by family with the pattern of a shotgun. And ballistically, a 30-06 round penetrating a perps body is very unlikely to penetrate through 8 sheets of drywall and 2x4s and into a neighbors house. You are assuming the bullet does not fragment or anything.

Either way, it is his choice, and shotguns are definitely fun weapons, but don't place limitations on weapons as only good for one thing or another. Anyone with some skill can defend themselves with what they have at hand and can target shoot with what they have.

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Mossburg makes a deer-shot combo. It comes with changeble choke tubes, 12 ga so once you have shot some empty you can reload with 38 round ball (00 buck) works great against an intruder, 12 38 rounds popping his chest stops a man dead. As far as a rifle have you considered a mussle loader? Black powder is cheep to shoot, and can make for family fun at the range. The best gun I have is a marble game getter shotgun 12 3/4 inch barrel, swinging butt stock, so can be shot as a pistol, 410 gauge so sweet to shoot. The 20 gauges I have are all full choke so can drop a goose at fair range, 3 22's 2 semi autos and an old marlin toe shooter, will never go on to a grandchild but to the father. As far as bb guns have one that shoots a pellet at over 1200 fps not a toy. Have a 270 that works as my hp riffle, can load with 90 grain hollow points with full mettle jackets for ground hogs, 130 grin lead NJ for well target, and 180-200 grain full mettle jackets for large game. The National riffle matches are going on next door they have some very impresive fire power.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Help choosing a gun

I would buy two....one for sport and one for protection. For the closet a .410 shotgun is hard to beat for home protection....it will scare off an intruder at long range without killing (but painful) and if they get close enough to be a threat it is more than enough to kill. It is also the least likely to penetrate walls and injure some innocent person. Women find the .410 less intimidating to shoot and easier to handle.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Remington, and Mossberg are both quality firearms so it would most llikely come down to personal preference and value so if you prefer the Mossberg you should feel safe knowing that you have bought a quality Firearm. Firearms are like anything else, boats, cars or beer everyone has a make they prefer but I can assure you that Mossberg and Remington are quality Firearms. Keep in mind that nearly all firearms manufacturers sell entry level firearms, but like a car or a boat you can modify your firearm to what you want, the exception being the caliber your kind of stuck there! Just wait if you get into AR-15's you can purchase a long rifle and wind up with a Short Barrel Assault Rifle!!


I have 3, I can't decide what I want do with them

Also if your flinching at a $1000 Firearm, let me tell you, my dream gun prices out at over $10,000....Welcome to my world!!

What kind of gun is that!?!?

I looked into an ar-15 but they've all been pretty expensive. I'm really leaning towards the remington or mossberg combo shotgun.. or I like Bob's idea ofmaybe a an H R -- they're pretty cheap so I'd have money left for shooting (and boating of course) I knew you guys would have a lot to say about this, thank for th great ideas and keep 'em coming!!

I wish the trap clubs out here were that friendly.. they look at you funny if you go anywhere near them without a gun

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Help choosing a gun

M82A3 SASR Special Application Scoped Rifle, general issue for the Marine Snipers
View attachment 106932

Semi Automatic 50 Caliber, shoots multiple types of bullets including Tungsten carbide penetrating rounds, High Explosive and Armored Piercing rounds, has a lethal range of about 2 or 3 miles, effective range of 1800 meters and longest confirmed kill at just under 1.5 miles.

Here is a spread pic of rounds for you..
View attachment 106933

50 is on the left, 22 is on the right

this gun is about $9000 you then have to add another $2000 for the scope and sighting system, I don't think this gun is legal in New Jersey though

 

[yabuoy]

Re: Help choosing a gun

Here are a couple of links for guns:

http://www.aimsurplus.com/ They have good prices on new and surplus firearms

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php Great prices on just about everything, including shotguns

http://www.atlanticfirearms.com/storecategory89.aspx
Great prices and service

I can give you more links if you want. Good luck