What Gun Should I Buy?
That's a loaded question
It really is a “loaded” question. I’ve been asked it any number of times by newbie shooters and shooters with a fair amount of experience. When other people know you are a firearms enthusiast, former combat arms soldier, and a range safety officer, they hope you can help them with this question.
I’m a serious Second Amendment supporter and “gun nut”. Not to mention that I’ve been shooting for 40 years now. As I mentioned in another edition of Security n Cigars, I’ve shot everything from micro pistols to M-16’s, Browning M2 .50 cal machine-guns, and tank main guns. And more or less everything in between.
So, I want to help these folks. Especially the brand new folks. But it’s just not as simple as “here’s what I like, so you should buy it, too”.
The last thing I want is for someone to spend a fair amount of money on a pistol or rifle that they won’t shoot well, won’t enjoy, and then it sits around collecting dust. That is a serious lost opportunity to build the ranks of Americans enjoying their constitutionally protected right to keep and bear arms.
This article has been written a million times, but a million and one isn’t going to hurt and it may help.
What Should The Experienced Shooter Do?
First things first, don’t just automatically recommend a firearm for your friend, neighbor, or family member. Take them through a process to find the right firearm and then get them to the range with an instructor. Most of us are well meaning, but not particularly competent on the instruction front. So, the last step (and maybe the first step) is competent instruction.
But First ….
What is the interest in the firearm? To have a gun at home or self-defense? To carry a gun daily? For the Zombie Apocalypse? Go to the range and have an expensive hobby? Maybe all of the above.
Find that out, because it makes a difference. Are we going to recommend an AR-15 style rifle? Or a decent compact pistol that can be carried every day?
Go to a range that has firearms for rent with your friend and have them try several different pistols. A pistol is where most people are going to start and it’s a good introduction to firearms. It’s also a humbling experience when they discover that you can’t just pick up a pistol and shoot like John Wick. This is where you get to talk about training and practice and just how important it is.
Whether they are male or female, big or small, old or young, DO NOT start them out with smaller pistols, the micro’s and compacts. Full size pistols are easier to manage the recoil and shoot. A Sig-Sauer P320 or a Kimber 1911 is going to be much easier to manage than a little pocket pistol like a Ruger LCP.
If you aren’t comfortable demonstrating and coaching proper pistol grip, then this step is not for you. Instead, you should be guiding your friend to a class for newbies. Likewise if you can’t explain the mechanics of a trigger pull, including slack, wall, break, creep, and reset.
Then They Can Think About Buying
Remember: The Gun Store salesperson is there to sell a gun. But not necessarily the right gun.
Now your friend can actually think about buying. Or maybe not. Maybe they would benefit from a newbie class first. There are many of these out there for the absolute beginner and they often include instructor help in selecting an appropriate pistol. These classes usually are not overly expensive, $100-150, and are a good way for the newbie firearm owner or shooter to get the basics under control.
What Do I Normally Recommend?
A Glock 17 or a Sig P320. These are good quality pistols that can be had for a reasonable price and are pretty ubiquitous. I personally love my 1911’s, but a quality 1911 is about twice the price of a Glock or P320. This isn’t where a brand new shooter should start at. And they definitely don’t need the cheaper “mil spec” 1911 experience. I started with the M1911A1 and M3A1 “Grease Gun” in 1985, but why do it that way if you don’t have to?
The great thing, if you are in the position of answering the “what gun should I buy” question is that you are helping to bring another person into the firearms and second amendment community. That’s an awesome thing and a great privilege!
What unit in the Yakima picture? I had to have an attached tank crew to my company take down their pirate flag; not very stealthy. E Co, 3/161 Inf, 81st Bde.