it's time to learn about guns

[2005jettatdi]

First purchase should be a bolt action .22 rifle. I recommend a Remington 511 with iron sights.

Second purchase would be a .22 pistol. Having gotten used to shooting with the rifle, you can go either revolver or semi auto.

After being familiar with shooting both rifle and pistol, now you can choose heavier pistol that you are comfortable handling and shooting. A good choice will be one where the sights line up almost automatically with you raise to to shooting position.

Always recommend the basic rules: Never point a firearm at someone unless you intend to shoot them. Never shoot someone unless you intend to kiII them. At all other times, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction. And finally, there is no such thing as an unloaded firearm.

 

[Spring Break '92]

A pistol to keep at home - either a Browing Hi-Power or clone, or some type of 1911. A pistol to carry - I find the M&P Shield 9 or something like an S&W Airweight to be the best for me.

 

[k1xv]

For someone new to firearms, I would recommend .22 long rifle, single/double action revolver.

Revolvers are inherently safer than semi automatics, and more reliable. I would look at a Smith & Wesson 617. 10 shot cylinder, all stainless steel. And with ,22 long rifle, recoil is minimal, and ammo is cheap.

Some will say .22LR has no stopping power. You really do not want to kill an intruder unless you want to be prosecuted. You just want to scare them away by being armed and ready to fire. No rational person wants to get shot, and you just want them to leave.

 

[Ws6]

Some of you might be surprised that I’ve never owned a gun. A friend let me try one once, but that was about ten years ago.

It’s similar to when I got into motorcycles. I wanted to learn properly, so I signed up for the MSF course, passed it, got my license, bought full riding gear, and then purchased my first motorcycle — a 2025 Honda Rebel 300.

Now I’m ready to learn about firearms. I want to take a course to understand safety, proper handling, and operation before buying my first gun. My main goal is to have something for home protection.

In the next week or so, I plan to sign up for a gun safety class and start looking for my first handgun. I’m interested in something light, small, beginner‑friendly, and I only want one gun.

What would you recommend for a first handgun and a safe storage case?

Here in Texas, you don’t need a license to buy a gun, but I want to follow the full process from A to Z.

Good on you. For home defense, I would probably not pick a handgun. Otherwise, sounds great!

 

[Hall]

You really do not want to kill an intruder unless you want to be prosecuted.

What kind of state do you live in ?

 

[UNC196]

For home defense you will be much better off prioritizing deterrence.

Focus on good exterior lighting, solid doors and windows including the locks, exterior cameras, a security system, backup power, and a German Shepherd.

Forget about the firearm until the above is in place.

This is valid. Good deterrence via hardened doors, lights, cameras that are overt, and an alarm, are arguably as important as a gun.

The same is true outside the home. Guns are like an ejection seat in an airplane…a last ditch way to get out of a catastrophic emergency, not a primary course of action. Having a reliable car, maintaining good awareness, having plans to deal with common emergencies involving wrecks, isolation, injury, loss of communication, and similar…are a basis. The gun comes in later.

 

[Pew]

Some will say .22LR has no stopping power. You really do not want to kill an intruder unless you want to be prosecuted. You just want to scare them away by being armed and ready to fire. No rational person wants to get shot, and you just want them to leave.

Playing devil's advocate for a moment; a pistol does the same thing. If your intent is to maim instead of kill then you did not fear for your life enough in the first place to justify use of a firearm.

As a new user, any pistol mentioned in the thread imo will work great. When it's time to buy, it will boil down to what you're most comfortable with. It's great that you're starting with beginner classes that focuses on safety and proper handling; you don't want to end up as another statistic, as they say.

Just remember to never ever point the barrel at someone you do not intend to kill. Even when hot brass gets stuck in your collar. Don't be an Alec Baldwin lol.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Playing devil's advocate for a moment; a pistol does the same thing. If your intent is to maim instead of kill then you did not fear for your life enough in the first place to justify use of a firearm.

Exactly. Guns in a self-defense scenario are not for brandishing to scare someone off nor are they for shooting someone in the leg to slow them down. If either is someone's goal then they need to re-asses what they are doing and why. There are too many unserious gun owners out there nowadays.

 

[ATex7239]

Good on you for getting a firearm and also seeking training on it.

My wife and I each have a Gen 3 Glock 9mm (mine the 19, hers the 17) on our respective sides of the bed in GunVault safes. So these get my endorsement for a first time owner.

 

[ATex7239]

For home defense you will be much better off prioritizing deterrence.

Focus on good exterior lighting, solid doors and windows including the locks, exterior cameras, a security system, backup power, and a German Shepherd.

Forget about the firearm until the above is in place.

Somewhat disagree. Get these if you can. But what about those without the means? Back up generators, 360 degree exterior cameras, full security systems, and big dogs aren’t cheap. Self protection should be available to even the poorest.

 

[AZjeff]

If you are looking at a pistol, the best handgun for self defense is the HK VP9 series.

You forgot to say "in my opinion."

Not you CD, but so much nonsense is offered in these "what gun" threads to a person who has never owned a firearm. Never changes.

 

[trd1zz]

Somewhat disagree. Get these if you can. But what about those without the means? Back up generators, 360 degree exterior cameras, full security systems, and big dogs aren’t cheap. Self protection should be available to even the poorest.

Guns, ammo, proper continuous training, range time, aren't cheap either.

I saw a Glock 19 recommended by many here. For the price of this item you could buy 4 or 5 very high quality exterior cameras covering all main points of entry to your home, or, have a security system professionally installed with a year or so of professional 24/7 monitoring included (varies by provider).

 

[Hall]

I saw a Glock 19 recommended by many here. For the price of this item you could buy 4 or 5 very high quality exterior cameras covering all main points of entry to your home, or, have a security system professionally installed with a year or so of professional 24/7 monitoring included (varies by provider).

What does that accomplish ? So you see someone coming and then what ? Call the police and wait who-knows-how-long for them to arrive ? You can get a used (LEO trade-in) Glock 19 for $400 too. If you bought inexpensive Ring cameras, those are $80-100/each, while their better ones are $150-200/each.

 

[dubber09]

When I mentioned legal scenarios after the altercation, regardless what state you're in and whether they will not charge you for shooting someone in self-defense, if the assailant survives they may sue you for either a lump sum or to make you pay medical bills and monthly. Their family may sue you due to loss of 'provider'. Afaik, most CCW classes include legal aspects in study subjects, consider taking such a class regardless whether you need CCW license or not and whether you can get such a license without taking the classes.

 

[ATex7239]

Guns, ammo, proper continuous training, range time, aren't cheap either.

I saw a Glock 19 recommended by many here. For the price of this item you could buy 4 or 5 very high quality exterior cameras covering all main points of entry to your home, or, have a security system professionally installed with a year or so of professional 24/7 monitoring included (varies by provider).

I’d rather have the Glock.

 

[trd1zz]

What does that accomplish ? So you see someone coming and then what ? Call the police and wait who-knows-how-long for them to arrive ? You can get a used (LEO trade-in) Glock 19 for $400 too. If you bought inexpensive Ring cameras, those are $80-100/each, while their better ones are $150-200/each.

The topic was deterrence. What does the Glock accomplish? You won't see someone coming and then what? Take who-knows-how-long to go "get your gun". That's if you don't wake up to a gun already pointed at your face, because you were snoring. Funny how folks think they are going to be as effective as a Navy SEAL in these hypothetical scenarios.

 

[trd1zz]

I’d rather have the Glock.

For overall home defense, if I had to pick, I'd rather have the security system and cameras. Because the intruder is more than likely going to instead hit a house that doesn't have those.

 

[ripcord]

For overall home defense, if I had to pick, I'd rather have the security system and cameras. Because the intruder is more than likely going to instead hit a house that doesn't have those.

I wish you the best with your choices.

 

[ATex7239]

For overall home defense, if I had to pick, I'd rather have the security system and cameras. Because the intruder is more than likely going to instead hit a house that doesn't have those.

I’d say the big dog is more of a deterrent. The reason we see home videos of invasions is because the cameras didn’t stop it.

 

[trd1zz]

I’d say the big dog is more of a deterrent. The reason we see home videos of invasions is because the cameras didn’t stop it.

The more deterrents the better, hence my original post