i wanna learn about guns

[bowlofturtle]

I live in chicago, which seems to be one of the WORST places to be if you want to own a handgun. I got my FOID card which is required to shoot and own any firearm in my state. To own a handgun i need to go to a 12 hour course or something like that.

I dont know anything about guns, I do like a rifle with a tactical look. Overall i just want to buy something so i can go out and shoot. So low cost bullets/maintence would be great. I want the civic/corolla of guns. Googling around it seems to be the 870 remy and 590 Moss. I read one of the cheaper guns to own are 22LR but i dont know what that is.

I dont have close friends who are into this. So its just me solo. The guys at the local gun shop just wants to sell me the $500-900 rifles that they have. I read i can find them in the $250 range.

I also dont know the laws of chicago, so maybe the cheapest thing i can own is $500.

 

[RiceCake]

.22LR is a 22, 22 long rifle, they're ultra common, dirt cheap to run guns just to plink away at cans and targets and stuff like that. If you really want a first gun to just fire away with and have a good time, a Ruger 10-22 is basically the Cadillac of 22's right now. Highly customiseable too to whatever look you want. Optics, rails, pistol grips, etc.

Bigger firearms then that are centerfire rifles, like AR-15's and AK-47's. They cost more in ammo, usually, and are bigger, heavier, more recoil, etc. You'd more go that route if you want a "real" rifle that can be used for more then just shooting small game and target practice.

YouTube is your friend in regards to this, as is other gun owners. It could be worth visiting a range or a gun shop to ask for advice. Tons of it is down to personal choice, really, but I think if you haven't shot before and you just want to shoot, you seriously can never go wrong with a good 22. Up here in Canada you can get 500 rounds for a 22 for maybe 40 bucks or so. I like shooting a cannon now and again but its nice knowing I'm not going broke as I hose down targets on the farm.

 

[JavierG]

You'll shoot your eye out.

 

[DuckRyder]

There is a Cabela in Indiana (Hammond?) and one west of Chicago. IIRC they both have ranges but I don't know if they rent firearms. That would be my first advice to you is try to find some place that will rent you couple of things and offers an NRA course.

I would not pick a shotgun for recreational shooting unless you know of a range/clays field and thats what you want to get into. Most ranges prohibit shotguns.

A .22 is a .22 Long Rifle (AKA: 22LR) caliber in most cases - ammunition is cheap for them. Available in rifles and pistols. My personal favorite is the CZ453 Series of bolt action rifle. (Also there is a 452 series and a 455 series). The Ruger 10/22 is another very popular .22 rifle.

Rimfire Central is a good place to read up on some of it.

http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums/

Sorry, can't help with Chicago laws, I do believe what county and village you live in make a difference.

 

[mrsilv04]

Step one: Learn about the laws that apply to you in Chicago.

When you've accomplished that, then let us know.

I'm really sorry, I'm really sick of that cesspool up there that makes everyone else's lives in this state a nightmare.

I'm sure that many of the folks who live in New York state, but not in New York City, feel the same way.

 

[HerrStig]

I am sure the NRA has a list of gun clubs in your area. Don't be in a big hurry, most of the "take the guns away" stuff is chattering skull media driven. I'm looking at a bolt action .223 as my next purchase, but I already have a "selection".

 

[carwreck]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Step one: Learn about the laws that apply to you in Chicago.

Illinois state law on state website
isp.state.il.us docs ptfire.pdf

Local ordinances can ban guns that are legal by state law.

Chicago city gun laws on Chicago police website
portal chicagopolice org

Note-- Recent Us Court of Appleals ruling No 12-1269, 12-1788 on 12-11-12 may cause changes to the Chicago carry laws.

 

[mrsilv04]

Originally Posted By: carwreck

Note-- Recent Us Court of Appleals ruling No 12-1269, 12-1788 on 12-11-12 may cause changes to the Chicago carry laws.


Our esteemed State's Attorney General, who also calls the Speaker of our state House of Representatives by the name "Daddy", has filed an appeal that decision.

Apparently, she knows better than all of us.

Thanks again, Chicago.

 

[Falken]

Best advice I can give is get a subscription to Guns & Ammo.

Treat yourself to some thick books at the bookstore and leave them in the washroom. Read all the stuff that interests you first.

Try and get a Ruger 10/22 with some sassy accessories like a Butler Creek folding stock and some peep sights and get good at shooting it then use that as a stepping stone.

Next gun to get would be a handgun. Start with a Ruger Mark III Target. The accuracy won't bore you and the ammo is vast and cheap. And, yes, you can defend yourself really well with it for the time being.

Now would be the tricky part: getting a handgun that naturally fits you that you love. Some people may never find it so you may as well start looking after you can shoot well.

For starters:

http://www.ruger.com/products/markIII/index.html

 

[dnewton3]

Pretty good advice from those above.

I would add this; try to find a trusted source that can take you shooting a few times. Perhaps either a BITOG member or someone from some other reputable source. Get some time in on various options, and only then make a decision.

Few folks would buy a house or car without a few "test drives"; a gun should be no different.

 

[jjjxlr8]

Great advice above.

The Ruger 10/22 or even an inexpensive bolt action .22 would be a great place to start.

I would hold off for a few months on any purchases, however. Now is NOT the time to buy. The market is absolutely crazy right now and prices are very high, even for your basic .22 rifles. Also, .22LR ammo is in very short supply right now.

 

[Fleetmon]

The High Road (THR) and Texas Gun Talk are worthy of visiting on the web too and they have forums directed at beginners looking to learn. Just like in here, you have some that will take the time to help you and others that will condemn any firearm you want to buy unless you are buying what they like. Gun shows are a good place to handle a multitude of different firearms to see what fits you and what you like although gun shows right now are probably crazy busy and prices are probably unrealistically high.

Any local, small gun shop, if you explain you are a newb, will probably take the time to fit you with what you want, what you need, and most importantly, what you can handle. All to often a person new to the hobby will select, or have selected for them, a hand cannon that is way too powerful to ever be comfortable with let alone be proficient with.

You've been given some very good advice in here....22's are the best to start out with and inexpensive ammo allows you to practice so you become more proficient. BB and pellet guns are good learning tools too.

The internet will give you good guidelines on gun safety...watch where the muzzle is pointed at all times, finger off of the trigger until on target, only shoot at something you are willing to destroy, and ASSUME ALL GUNS ARE LOADED ALL OF THE TIME!

I've collected firearms for 50 years and when I unload one or check to make sure it's empty before cleaning, I check it again, and again, and again....and then repeat several times. Once I'm POSITIVE the firearm is empty and unloaded, I still control the muzzle, keep my finger off of the trigger, and still treat it as a loaded firearm. It's one thing to take out a television with an "unloaded" firearm, it's a completely different thing when you take out your family pet, a child, a neighbor, etc, etc.

I had (and I mean had) a friend who was showing me how his cat loved to chase the red dot from his CT grips on his new j-frame....disgusting since most of the time the dot was on or too near his beloved pet. They make cat toys like that but firearms with a laser aren't one of them.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Originally Posted By: dnewton3

Few folks would buy a house or car without a few "test drives"; a gun should be no different.


Yep. I'm one of those people to start slow and see from there. I like the common stuff but i wanna go a little off as well.

Like learning motorcycle riding, i took my MSF and then got a 500cc and then a SV650. Rather then just jump on to a 600cc SS

Most likely i'll get a .22 of some type. Someone told me about a couple gun places in Hammond i should hit up. I'll be doing that. Right now i wanna get a feel and if there is a low cost beginner guns for dummies course i'll take that.