firearm for first time owner

[rfan2020]

I just got my license, in my state, but may be moving to a state I could eventually have concealed carry.

I want something I could potentially carry, and most importantly keep at home for self defense. Something practical as im not a gun guy and don't plan to spend alot of time becoming an excellent shooter and hopefully never have to use it.

Price is a main consideration because I am frugal.

Any suggestions?

 

[MisterSuperGod]

Oh, you said practical. i retract my suggestion.

 

[4Figgy]

Don’t buy a cheap pistol. You do get what you pay for for the most part. Your best option is to go to a range that has rentals and try a bunch out.

What’s your budget?

 

[Meterman05]

So you plan to conceal carry but don't want to take the time to become an excellent shooter in addition to buying the cheapest gun you can? Maybe we have a different view of "excellent" is but if your going to conceal carry you should be proficient with how to draw and shoot somewhat accurately. I would recommend going out with it at least every other month to shoot a box of rounds through it just to keep in practice. Also with buying a cheap gun it might not be the most comfortable in your hands.

I would go with a sub-compact like a Glock . I know you want to be frugal but if your conceal carry you want something you know is going to be comfortable, reliable, safe and accurate. You buy a cheap pistol and if you need it in the moment things could go bad.

Also even with a sub-compact you can use that for home defense and depending on if you have kids or not can keep it in a number of easily accessible places.

 

[J DUGIN]

You may not want to become an excellent shooter but definitely spend sometime becoming comfortable handling and shooting guns. A little training will be worth the time.
I would look at the S&W Shield 9MM. The right size for conceal carry and fits nicely for inside waist the band appendix carry. You can get this gun with a manual safety mechanism and now this is also available without the manual safety. Being new to guns there is a degree of comfort having the manual safety when conceal carrying.
Lots of options to choose from and Personal preference will vary. Find a gun range that has a good variety of rental pistols and try as many as you can.

 

[hammerfist2]

I just got my license, in my state, but may be moving to a state I could eventually have concealed carry.

I want something I could potentially carry, and most importantly keep at home for self defense. Something practical as im not a gun guy and don't plan to spend alot of time becoming an excellent shooter and hopefully never have to use it.

Price is a main consideration because I am frugal.

Any suggestions?

Taurus G3C is around $300. Better than Highpoint if you're being "frugal"

 

[Demondosage]

Smith and Wesson shield, 289-

 

[Rival]

Smith and Wesson shield, 289-

that’s what I would EDC if my state didn’t suck. S&W m&p 45 shield m2.0

that or my Glock 19

 

[Whopperflopper]

 

[BigBaldBeardGuy]

Get a Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.

Best gun ever!

 

[Demondosage]

that’s what I would EDC if my state didn’t suck. S&W m&p 45 shield m2.0

that or my Glock 19

I like that gun a lot, but heavy for carry with the double stack mag. If I'm not mistaken I think you can get a single or double stack?

 

[flenser]

If you're not planning on spending the time to be proficient, don't get a carry weapon. You're more likely to shoot your dick off handing it than need it to protect yourself. You're even more likely to hate carrying it so much you end up leaving it home unsafe on your night stand most days.

For home defense, get a 20g, load it with buck shot and put it somewhere you or your wife can get it, and not your kids. You don't need to be proficient, and you won't accidentally shoot your neighbor through the wall. Best of all, it's cheap and extremely reliable, even if you never clean it.

 

[Oldschool]

If you're not planning on spending the time to be proficient, don't get a carry weapon. You're more likely to shoot your dick off handing it than need it to protect yourself. You're even more likely to hate carrying it so much you end up leaving it home unsafe on your night stand most days.

For home defense, get a 20g, load it with buck shot and put it somewhere you or your wife can get it, and not your kids. You don't need to be proficient, and you won't accidentally shoot your neighbor through the wall. Best of all, it's cheap and extremely reliable, even if you never clean it.

Birdshot works well in households with family members in adjacent rooms.

 

[Demondosage]

1st shot is birdshot to at least catch em with something, next shell if buckshot to ensure serious damage they'll probably die from, 3rd shell is a deer slug for blowing their fucking brains out at point blank range, execution style.

That's IF they make it past my 170 lb bullmastiff and 85 lb pit.

Btw, good luck finding buckshot rt now at a decent price. It's currently around 60$ a box

 

[Demondosage]

Also, in home defense situation your line of focus becomes that of looking down a paper towel tube. Someone who is not a regular shooter or highly experienced pistol owner might miss, but a shotgun ensures a hit despite shaking, nervousness, or being a bad shot. Bird shot at living room range has more knock down power than .40 pistol

 

[Oldschool]

Also, in home defense situation your line of focus becomes that of looking down a paper towel tube. Someone who is not a regular shooter or highly experienced pistol owner might miss, but a shotgun ensures a hit despite shaking, nervousness, or being a bad shot. Bird shot at living room range has more knock down power than .40 pistol

Birdshot at close range is gruesome and very lethal. Shot through a full choke one shot is game over. Kinda messy though.

 

[Sp2.0]

I just got my license, in my state, but may be moving to a state I could eventually have concealed carry.

I want something I could potentially carry, and most importantly keep at home for self defense. Something practical as im not a gun guy and don't plan to spend alot of time becoming an excellent shooter and hopefully never have to use it.

Price is a main consideration because I am frugal.

Any suggestions?

There's a mental aspect to owning a gun. Most gun owners don't want to use it in a defensive situation but all should train to. Frugal and lack of desire to put range time in are red flags. Everyone should have the right to own a gun but not everyone should. Maybe I misread your post but if I didn't maybe adjust your mindset before deciding to purchase a gun so you don't put yourself in a bad situation.

 

[Oldschool]

There's a mental aspect to owning a gun. Most gun owners don't want to use it in a defensive situation but all should train to. Frugal and lack of desire to put range time in are red flags. Everyone should have the right to own a gun but not everyone should. Maybe I misread your post but if I didn't maybe adjust your mindset before deciding to purchase a gun so you don't put yourself in a bad situation.

So many things happen when you actually use a gun for personal defense. Especially if you fire a round or two. It can literally ruin your life even if you are perfectly legal and it’s a righteous shoot. If I remember correctly you know someone that has been there and done that? I do as well. It wasn’t any fun for my friend.

 

[Sp2.0]

So many things happen when you actually use a gun for personal defense. Especially if you fire a round or two. It can literally ruin your life even if you are perfectly legal and it’s a righteous shoot. If I remember correctly you know someone that has been there and done that? I do as well. It wasn’t any fun for my friend.

Best case it's a major inconvenience

 

[flenser]

Birdshot works well in households with family members in adjacent rooms.

You mean if they are making too much noise? I like it..