Gun owners and shooters, may I ask your opinions, please

[Mandalina]

I have a .22 handgun and it is ok.It doesnt kick and it came with a lazer light on it so I cant miss LOL.

 

[Elite Silkies]

My favorite was (my DH sold it) my Double Barrel 12 ga. It was an over and under. The kick wasn't too bad. As far as hand guns I loved my Stepfathers 38 special.

I have my Grandpa's Pump 22 Rifle. It's really easy to shoot. But, the bullets do carry for a long ways.

I would check around and see what your family and friends have and ask them to let you shoot them. That is the only way you will really know what suits you best.

 

[ivan3]

For close-in pred. suppression I've had good luck with the old Remington Nylon 66 semi rimfire .22LR. It weighs 4.5lb loaded with 15 rounds and will put all those rounds downrange in about 5 seconds (slow motion shotgun). Remington replaced the Nylon with the model 597 (weighs 5.5.lb unloaded - has problems). If one is retiring a coon from the roof of the coop in the middle of the night something easy to handle and a bit precise is useful. Any semi .22 that is easy to load and grab up will do (not so heavy that one can't learn to fire accurately one-handed).

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

The 2 most used guns in our house are both .22's. A bolt action rifle and a ruger MKII bull barrel pistol. The pistol used for a coup de grace for trapped animals, the rifle for any longer shots.

A Colt HBAR, .223 does a number on foxes.

and mid sized criters

Sharon uses a .243 for deer and I use either a .308 or 7mm-08

For pistols and somebody not used to them I would recommend a .357 or a .44. The reason being is you can practice with .38 specials in a 357 and .44 specials in a .44. Both the specials have alot less kick than a magnum round.

Home defense a 12 gauge pump shotgun can't be beat.


Steve

 

[eggcited2]

This is my own personal preference for my handgun: I like a nice auto 25 cal. The one I have will actually fit in the palm of my hand, so it is pretty much un-noticeable. Great for concealment and for fitting it into places (handbag, purse, pocket). I know a 25 cal. is not a heavy duty shot, but a couple police friends explained to me that the bullet will enter the body and instead of through the body shot (exit the other side), this is light enough that it sort of bounces around inside the body ( bouncing off of ribs, bones, etc, causing damage to what it hits during it's bouncing around).

For varmint shooting: take into account of what you are going to be shooting at and your ability or marksmanship. With a rifle, you have a much more narrow field of scope for hitting the animal. Imagine throwing a singe rock at something and hitting the object. Are you good enough to hit it with only one projectile? Now imagine throwing a handful of rocks at something. You are a lot more likely that at least one of those rocks it going to hit the target. But another thing to take into account; with a single projectile (from a rifle), you have a smaller area of dispersal and less likely to hit something that may also be in the area of the predator (say a chicken, pet or anything else) than something that is going to spread out in a larger pattern (shotgun). You are going to have to figure out on your own of how good of a shot you are: can you hit something with just one projectile or do you need the spreading pattern of a shotgun to hit your target? And figure in how much room do you have for your shot: narrow (rifle that is not going to spread out), cause of other animals and such around or plenty of room (so you could use the shotgun and not hit something else)

 

[booker81]

Quote:
I think thus far good advise has been given.

I for one have had training, including CCW classes. I think they were fantastic, but even basic hunter safety is good to attend, and most folks who hunt have attended them.

Even the "hillbillies" I hunt with on occasion had the ruled drilled in by pappy, and I would trust my life with their gun handling skills.

(Now when I worked in Flint, MI, not really. That was scary. I hope those "type" of people are the ones you are referring to as under-trained)

 

[WalkingWolf]

Like already said you are going to find a lot of different replies, and suggestions. I grew up around guns and we all started with bb guns, and were taught safety and attended NRA safety classes. Since you are just starting out without the years of practice and the built in safety instincts I would suggest getting a pellet rifle and pistol to practice often. Then move from them to a 22 rifle and a shotgun, revolvers are a good choice for a novice for handgun, and they can be found for reasonable.

Another consideration for practice and safety skills is airsoft guns that look and feel exactly as the real deal. Many police depts are now using them to augment their firearm training. A airsoft is a good way to hone point shooting skills which for self defense should be a mandatory. Police found out years ago that sight picture goes out the window under duress, and is not there at all in dimly lit situations. You can find a good airsoft for around $40. Good pellet rifles start at around $100.

 

[Junior]

i would recommend a .357 revolver.like has been previously mentioned a revolver is easier for someone new with guns to operate.sometimes under stress you might forget to take the safety off with an autoloader.also,if you get a .357 you can shoot .38 special loads in it too.
Junior

 

[Funky Feathers]

We use a .22 LR for small varmints, and an SKS (semi-auto AK-47 assault rifle) for large predators. Those are my 2 fave rifles. As for hand guns, I loved my ol' Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver. I used hollow point bullets in it, they do more damage.

Gotta be careful with an SKS though, it is pretty powerful. I shot a hole in my horse's water tub with it once (aiming at a fox).

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

Fattie, my dad just bought an SKS from a friend of his - and he didn't like it (he traded out for it) so gave it to me - so the other week was the first time I was shooting the thing out in the pasture where theres a 'neighborhood shooting gallery' set out there for everyone to use. SO long story short I was surprised by that sucker! I agree it has some power and it isn't something to fool with, but it doesn't have nearly the kick as some of the other rifles I've shot. I've been out there 3 times so far practicing with it - and I have to say I have a feeling its going to become one my favorite rifles