Advice/Guidance Solicited

[Guest gunhunter]

I'm new to this organization and I was directed here by a friend and colleague who's opinion I value. When I was younger I owned guns (mostly shotguns) for bird and deer hunting. As I got older and my interests changed and I traded my firearms for golf clubs. In light of recent changes in the leadership of this country (and the threat to civil liberties that go along with that change), and a changing environment in which we live, my interests in firearms has been renewed. I am interested in purchasing a handgun and a rifle for protection/self defense. I've seen a few ads posted in local papers for second hand firearms (namely a Ruger mini 14 rifle and a browning s/s 12 shot 9mm handgun). Fortunately, I consulted my friend before jumping out and buying either of the two. He has shared that the prices may be a bit high (950$ for the mini 14 which has been shot 20 times and has four 30 rnd clips included, and 400$ for the 9 mil) but has suggested that I ask a few questions first. The questions he suggested that I ask were a) how old are the guns, and is the mini 14 tapped for a scope. He also strongly recommended that I look at a Springfield XD45 or 45acp. On his advice I've begun to look, but the more I look, the more confused I am about what gun would be best for me. I'm only interested self preservation should an intruder enter my house or any other scenario that may pose a threat to me or my family outside the house. Any advice or guidance that anyone can provide would be valued and appreciated.

[Guest EasilyObsessed]

Id pass on that Mini14. You can get a good quality AR15 for the same price or less and not only will it be more versatile, it will also be more accurate.

If you are looking for a 9mm, the big three polymer guns are the Springfield XD9, Glock 17/19/26, and Smith & Wesson M&P9. There are of course tons of other choices but you cant go wrong with any of those three. $450 used for any of those is reasonable.

Have you been to a gunstore and tried handling some of the guns you might be interested in? If not, that is your first step.

[BrandonTN]

First of all...welcome!

IMO, that is a bit high for the Mini-14. One of the vendors here is currently selling new Mini-14 Tacticals for around $720. Also, as far as home protection goes, I don't think you can go wrong with a 12 gauge shotgun with a short barrel (18.5" or so). You should be able to pick up a new Mossberg 500, Remington pump or any other pump for well under $300. I have a field/HD Mossberg 500 that I got new for $275 and it came with a 28" and 18.5" interchangeable barrel. Great for sporting and then it works well for HD after a quick barel swap. As far as the handgun goes, I first think you need a budget and then go from there. Do you want something you can carry everywhere and easily conceal or just something that spends most of its time in your vehicle, etc?

[Guest Revelator]

Welcome. I know what you mean about being new to guns and not knowing which way to go. Two years ago at this time I'd never fired a gun in my life, now I'm a TGO moderator and everything! There are so many different ways to go with buying guns, but you've got a good start by narrowing it down to a specific purpose, namely self-defense. In terms of what particular gun, there are just so many choices. Do some reading around, here and at other sites. Decide on a price range you're comfortable with. $950 for a Mini 14? That seems high, but I guess that's what you get these days. I think it is essential that any home-defense/survival prep arsenal have a semi-auto rifle, but the prices of those just keep going up. A lot of people are going to say a 12 gauge shotgun, and that's a great choice, but I'd give a slight edge to any 5.56mm semi-auto rifle. You could get an AR-15 for around the price of that Ruger.

[Guest gunhunter]

Thank you all for the advice - I have many many questions... it seems the more I learn the more I realize that I don't know. First, I thought that they outlawed AR-15's years ago. A friend of mine bought one a couple years after we graduated from high school for hunting (I thought he was nuts because that thing would flat spit some lead out in short order!). Maybe his is fully automatic and now the authorities only allow semi-autos? Where would I get one? I am only interested in 2nd hand guns from individuals because I figure what Obama and company don't know I got, Obama and company can't take away. How have the laws changed in past years regarding the freedom to carry a weapon - I can remember in school on any given day you could stroll through the parking lot and find several pickups with a shotgun or rifle hanging resting on the gunrack in the rear window... and most times the trucks weren't locked either. We can all imagine what kind of a stir that would cause today. I'm reluctant to apply for a permit to carry a concealed weapon because if I do that, I feel like I'm identifying myself as one who would possess a gun should the gov't decide to try to take them away. But, in the same breath I would submit that I would like to be able to carry a handgun in the sidepocket of my vehicle (legally).

[BrandonTN]

I think the application for carry permit process in AL is fairly easy. Basically, get a piece of paper and have the sheriff sign off on it. No class or test required from what I gather.

[Guest nj.piney]

welcome

[tnroadrunner]

Welcome and enjoy.

[Guest Revelator]

Gunhunter, check your state's laws on gun ownership, purchasing, and carrying. This forum is dedicated almost exclusively to Tennessee laws and issues, and while you're certainly welcome here I just don't know how much info you'll find here about your state's laws. But I'm sure we've got some ex-Alabamians here who could chime in. For instance, you talk about private, face-to-face gun sales. That's legal in Tennessee, and if I had to guess I'd say they are in your state also but I don't know for sure.

AR-15s are still very legal, and this is unfortunate because they truly do represent all that is evil and bad in this universe. I sincerely hope that our wise representatives in Washington hurry up and ban them forever because they frighten me with their evil blackness.

You could even legally buy a full-auto gun but expect to pay five figures, and the first figure may not be a 1.

If you want to buy a gun privately, it's really just going to come down to someone willing to sell it to you. You may be able to find someone at a gun show.

[Oh Shoot]

Welcome to ya down there, Gunhunter...

Hey, you'll do well to ask your various questions in various actual forum topic groups that relate, rather then here in the new member place...

Lots of folks don't even frequent here...I try to some, but just can't keep up...just happened to notice your topic which of course won't show here for long...

best,

- OS

[Guest tnmale46]

welcome

[VERO1]

To much for the Ruger, but the Browning sounds like a decent price depending on its condition.

[TK47]

I am a recent addition to this board as well. I think you will find it a good place to educate yourself on firearms, and get soem good advice. Make sure youcheck out some of the older threads. Tons of good info there.

TK47