Firearms Section

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by MaRoFreK

I thought it was the .38 and .357 Cause i know with dads 357 we use 38+p rounds. And the 9mm is close to the .380 but there is a slight difference to were you can't use them in the same gun. And I know you can use a 38 round in a .357 but can't use a .357 round in a .38 cause the difference in lenght.

In a revolver yes.... but a .357 Magnum and a .357 are totally different. You need to check also, because not all .38 spl can handle the +P loadings.

Originally Posted by Lawdog1911

Mossberg 590 and the knife is from Ebay. I like this one cause it looks really aggressive.

thought that looked familiar, one of these days I need me a 590... and I'll agree with the aggressive part .

[MaRoFreK]

[QUOTE=helmincamaro;2737294]In a revolver yes.... but a .357 Magnum and a .357 are totally different. You need to check also, because not all .38 spl can handle the +P loadings.


Yea we us the 38+ps in the .357 we use regular 38spl rounds in the 38. What the difference in the 357 and 357 magnum?

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by MaRoFreK

Yea we us the 38+ps in the .357 we use regular 38spl rounds in the 38. What the difference in the 357 and 357 magnum?

.357 is most commonly referred to as .357 SIG. This is just a .40 S&W shell necked down to a smaller caliber.

.357 Mag rounds is almost identical to 38 special except .357 Mag is longer and is a more hotter round.

[MaRoFreK]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

.357 is most commonly referred to as .357 SIG. This is just a .40 S&W shell necked down to a smaller caliber.

.357 Mag rounds is almost identical to 38 special except .357 Mag is longer and is a more hotter round.

OK so Its the .357 SIG and .40 S&W that are the same. Not the .357 Magnum and 40 S&W. That makes since. Yea i know the .357 and 38spl were close. I was saying we used 38+p rounds in or 357 cause there is not as much muzzle flash ect.

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by MaRoFreK

OK so Its the .357 SIG and .40 S&W that are the same. Not the .357 Magnum and 40 S&W. That makes since. Yea i know the .357 and 38spl were close. I was saying we used 38+p rounds in or 357 cause there is not as much muzzle flash ect.

well, its not really that .40 and .357 sig are the same.... you can't shoot one in another... you can swap parts between the two for the most part. You need to look sometime at the two and see, the back of the shell is the same between, they just squished down the front end and put a smaller caliber bullet. (not the technical terms). Same principle as putting the same sized engine in a smaller car.... its gonna go faster. Another interesting fact, .40S&W was originally made from the 10mm auto. The 10mm was made for the FBI, but it was so powerful that a lot of agents had trouble managing the recoil, so they made a shorter and less powerful version, the .40S&W (which is why some call it the .40Slow&Weak)

[SirMike]

Originally Posted by 11BEE

Congratulations on deciding to buy your first gun. You will enjoy this hobby. You are right that everyone will give you a different answer and a different preference. Guns are like cars, you will not get a Volvo if you want to run a 1/4 mile, but you don't get a Camaro if you have 5 kids and no other vehicle.

Before you buy any gun, you need to determine what you need if for. Is it for handgun hunting, self defense at home, concealed carry, plinking, just for fun or maybe competition such as IDPA? Each of these will require a different type of gun.

I have many different guns for many different purposes. Here is a partial list:

-Ruger LCP for deep Concealment.
-Glock 26 and 19 for self defense and concealed carry.
-Glock 34 for competition shooting with IDPA. It is also a fun range gun.
-Colt Police Positive .38 Special for home defense. A revolver is the easiest gun to operate especially when you are woken up to an intruder.
-Beretta Neos .22LR for plinking and just having a blast with in the woods or at the range.
-Kimber and Llama 1911's for range fun and they enable me to customize the guns with many different parts. You can call me an amateur gun smith.

As you can see each has a different purpose. I do not like to shoot the Ruger at the range often. It is small and light and kicks like a pissed off mule.



Now for my advice.

First, don't fall into the macho bravado of buying the biggest baddest gun first. I have never met a person that does not get hooked by this hobby. If you buy the best first, there is noting left to grow into or buy later.

Second, remember that ammunition costs money and you will need to buy a lot of it. You can get a box of 500 rounds of .22 LR for about $17. I just bought a lot of 50 round boxes of 9 mm Luger for $9.99 a box. it starts getting expensive when you move to .40 or .45 ACP where a box of 50 will set you back $18-$20. I would personally buy a gun in 9 mm that has a conversion kit of .22 LR for my first gun. This is what I did and it enabled me to shoot 100 rounds of 9 mm then another 200 rounds of .22 every time I went to the range. This is how you get good quick, putting a lot of lead down range.

Third, buy what fits your hand. Every gun is different. I would suggest you go to a gun show and pick up every gun you can. This will give you an idea of what feels right.

Fourth, I would get a full size gun like the Glock 19 or S&W M&P 9mm. The plastic guns are very reliable. The longer barrel will give you more control and they are easier to aim. I have never had a Glock fail, this is why I am partial to them. I would avoid a 1911 for the first gun. They usually take a lot of time to break in will jam in the first 500 rounds a number of times. As a newbie, you don't want to have to clear jams. The plastic guns are usually better for first time or new shooters. Any of the big name newer guns will be just fine for you.

Finally, always remember the 4 rules of guns. Print this out and keep it with your gun until you can recite them by memory.

The 1st Law - The Gun Is Always Loaded!

So EVERY TIME you pick up or draw a gun, inspect it in a safe manner (control your muzzle) and always treat it as a loaded gun. Alway check to see if it is loaded. Even if someone hands you a gun and they checked it, assume there is a bullet in the chamber and check yourself.

The 2nd Law - Never Point The Gun At Something You Are Not Prepared To Destroy!

The only safe way to operate is to assume the Worst Case Scenario: Pretend that your "empty" gun is loaded and that it's going to function perfectly. When you press the trigger it will FIRE! Since you are prepared for that, you only point the gun in a Safe Direction. This way, when Brainfade does result in an AD, it will be into a safe impact area and there won't be a tragedy.

The 3rd Law - Always Be Sure Of Your Target And What Is Behind It!

Bullets can penetrate lots of things, and ricochet off lots of things many of which will surprise you. Identify your target before firing - even before dry-firing at home. If you are not sure, DON'T FIRE! Even though you have checked and double-checked your gun, you should still treat your gun as though it is loaded.

The 4th Law - Keep Your Finger Off The Trigger Until Your Sights Are On The Target!

Almost all of the ADs are caused by a finger on the trigger when you were not ready to fire.

Good Luck.

11BEE, this is by far one of the best, most complete, and most usefull posts I have seen in a long time. You do the OP and everyone else a great service with your concise write up. Very good advice.

The only addition I would have to the 3rd law. I would simply add "and ricochet off lots of things"

If you added a 5th law I would put something along the lines of educate yourself on gun laws, especially in states like CA. Laws are ever changing and most times do not make much sense. If in doubt, verify.

If you added a 6th law I would put something about safe storage that depends on a number of factors. i.e. children in the house, local laws etc.

Having added these things I don't mean to take away from your post above. Even without my additions, your write up was very accurate and it covered what I consider the MOST important things to know. I am sure you could add pages of additional advice but you wanted to keep it concise. Thanks again for that great post.

[ELA205]

Anyone planning on ordering one of the 720 anniversary Colts?

[11BEE]

Originally Posted by SirMike

11BEE, this is by far one of the best, most complete, and most usefull posts I have seen in a long time. You do the OP and everyone else a great service with your concise write up. Very good advice.

The only addition I would have to the 3rd law. I would simply add "and ricochet off lots of things"

If you added a 5th law I would put something along the lines of educate yourself on gun laws, especially in states like CA. Laws are ever changing and most times do not make much sense. If in doubt, verify.

If you added a 6th law I would put something about safe storage that depends on a number of factors. i.e. children in the house, local laws etc.

Having added these things I don't mean to take away from your post above. Even without my additions, your write up was very accurate and it covered what I consider the MOST important things to know. I am sure you could add pages of additional advice but you wanted to keep it concise. Thanks again for that great post.

Thank you for your comments. This is one of the best compliments I have received in a long time! I am honored that you found this useful. Thank You.

I only started shooting in the last 3 years, but have found it to be a very enjoyable and rewarding hobby. I have even given this advice to my elderly and disabled parents. This helped them to obtain their first two pistols and their Concealed Handgun Licenses. Mom a S&W 642 Airweight and Dad a S&W M&P 9mm. I am so proud of them.

I like your rule additions. I have many more rules that I could incorporate and have shared before. In this case, as with any new shooter I like to keep it VERY simple. These four are the golden rules. I think I might write them all up and post them here, but this will take a while. LOL

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by 11BEE

Thank you for your comments. This is one of the best compliments I have received in a long time! I am honored that you found this useful. Thank You.

I only started shooting in the last 3 years, but have found it to be a very enjoyable and rewarding hobby. I have even given this advice to my elderly and disabled parents. This helped them to obtain their first two pistols and their Concealed Handgun Licenses. Mom a S&W 642 Airweight and Dad a S&W M&P 9mm. I am so proud of them.

I like your rule additions. I have many more rules that I could incorporate and have shared before. In this case, as with any new shooter I like to keep it VERY simple. These four are the golden rules. I think I might write them all up and post them here, but this will take a while. LOL

#1 rule in my books...... don't be stupid.


that's what I was told when I started, I laughed at first... but think about it.... if your gonna do something, think of what stupid stuff could happen.... then don't do those things.


Also, I say learn what can go wrong and how to detect it before you even pick up a firearm. Learn what types of jams occur, how to fix them etc. I was shooting with a friend up at his farm a few years back shooting 12 gauge slugs.... some were reloads... he fired one that sounded really weak.... went to pump it to fire the next one.... luckily I stopped him before he fired it.... the slug was still in the barrel . That wouldn't have been good!

[CC Performance]

How much are SKS selling for these days? I have one and would like to trade it for a 12 gage semi auto folding stock type of home protection.. Its a sweet little gun I deer hunted with it, its only seen maybe 20 rounds through it but I'd like a big boom stick for the home instead. No shot would ever be more than 20 feet away and at that distance I think a 12 gage will knock a person down better, the sks will make a few holes.

[outlaw2]

Just coming home from the range with my Gun toting daughter and my 42 Harley with M-1 .30 cal Carbine

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by CC Performance

How much are SKS selling for these days? I have one and would like to trade it for a 12 gage semi auto folding stock type of home protection.. Its a sweet little gun I deer hunted with it, its only seen maybe 20 rounds through it but I'd like a big boom stick for the home instead. No shot would ever be more than 20 feet away and at that distance I think a 12 gage will knock a person down better, the sks will make a few holes.

How old/where was your SKS made? That makes a big difference in price. I've seen some for $150 and some (overpriced) at $500-600. Just depends on where you are.

[CC Performance]

How can you tell? sn 004108 and something in chineese. says made in china by norinco

[helmincamaro]

Originally Posted by CC Performance

How can you tell? sn 004108 and something in chineese. says made in china by norinco

they're pretty good, a lot depends on the stock/accessories. Typically one with a synthetic stock is worth a bit more, I've seen some wood ones lately for $250-300.... just depends on your location. You should check around at some of the local gun shops and see what they're going for (if one's nearby).