This is it GLP. Going to buy my first firearm.

This is great info thanks. Just imagining this Difficulty with aim, recoil, etc, maybe the rifle is smarter in a bad situation. What kind is good for a starter?

All of your posts are really..great perspective thanks

Not going anywhere unless I have to start hunting for food and that should be a while!

Judge public defender, a pistol that also shoots .410 shotgun shells. and an ar15

Aren't you too late already?

Regardless, make sure you have a way of locking that thing away from your kids and don't keep it lying around loaded with one in the chamber.


I'd go for a Colt 1911 ACP or a Browning HP given its price, sturdiness, caliber and reliability. If you want something dead-simple to use and clean, go with a revolver, like a Taurus. A shotgun is always nice ...

Too late? I think it’s a 3 hour wait near me at the moment and a waiting period, who knows. I’m going to try and will report back.

If OP is a lady than recoil may need to be taken into consideration for this particular sidearm. If OP is a man than please disregard, and by all means a nice choice!

Look into hi point's carbine line. Go for ts if you can find one. I feel like everyone just learned about them.. scarce around these parts.

Low recoil, long gun.. accurate out of box. Low jam probability. Easy to remove if jammed. Get some redball 20 round clips. TS = last round chamber open = you know it's time to switch mags

I bought my first weapon from a sales guy who was a former cop at a gun shop. Here's what he said.

Get a shotgun for home defense because...

* Don't need to be a crack shot, just point and shoot

* Variety of ammo, bird shot, various sizes of buck shot and slugs makes a shotgun more versatile than any other weapon

* The ominous sound of racking a shotgun offers a warning that others weapons don't offer

* If you miss (assuming you did not shoot a slug) it won't go through several walls and kill an innocent next door

Get a shock absorbing stock with a pistol grip and you will be set for anything!

Make sure to get a variety of shot shells

Handgun AND shotgun. Make it a pink one so the perps get to see that they're about to be blown away by a pink shotgun.

That being the case, I recommend the Hi-Point 995TS Carbine. My store sells them for $265.00. It is a 9 mm firearm; 9 mm is the second most manufactured caliber, so it is not all that expensive.

Whatever you do, DO NOT GET A 1911. They require a lot more skill and are NOT good for a beginner.
Five things have to happen to get a 1911 to fire:
*) Round in chamber
*) Grip Safety - OFF
*) Thumb Safety - OFF
*) Hammer back
*) Trigger press

A Glock only requires TWO THINGS to fire
*) Round in chamber
*) Trigger Press.

Glock 19

AR-15 16” lightweight carbine


That is all anyone ever needs imho

I’ll see your .38 special and raise you .357 mag

.... which also shoots .38 special
(For any non gun nuts in the room)



Get a smith n Wesson 686
Goes bang every time, no fancy parts, fire fine without being lubed or if dirty. Perfect gun for a new shooter.

Disregard this post.A 20 gauge is easier for a beginner and does similar damage as a 12.

Lots of misleading/bad info here, sorry.


1- False, the spread on a shotgun at the range of most confrontations which is 10-20 feet is minimal, a few inches tops. You most definitely have to aim.

2- Variety of ammo is a plus.

3- This is a myth. I wouldn’t bet my life on it. If someone is attempting to harm others or break in, they may be on heavy drugs or not thinking clearly,
Maybe they leave for an easier target, maybe they don’t. Don’t bet your life on it.

4- A slug will go through walls as will buckshot. Not a brick wall but definitely through drywall. Be careful what is in line with your shot.

+1 for the 20 gauge.


The kick on a 12 gauge is a DOOZY. You will be far off frame if you need to shoot a second shot.

20 guage will be more manageable. Still plenty deadly.

If you choose a shotgun, OP, the above advice is spot on. The sound of racking a shotgun could very well cause an intruder to choose to find a softer target. If you choose a shotgun, my store sells the Mossberg Maverick for $230.00. Since you're a lady, I recommend acquiring a 20 gauge version of the shotgun. I truly hope that you can find a defense tool with which you are comfortable.

Highly advise you not to get a gun, you are clueless.

If you have no firearms, your first should be an AR15.

5.56 ammunition will more common in SHTF scenario.

Next firearm should be any quality semiauto 9mm pistol - 9mm is far more common than other pistol rounds.

Have 200-500 rounds for each.

Get a 9mm Smith Wesson MP is a good gun with good capacity magazines and is affordable don’t forget to get a safe to keep it away from your children. If you don’t like that gun then try Springfield armory Xd affordable or a small subcompact beretta. Try to stay on 9mm caliber because the abundance of it in a shtf case.

It depends on how you think and process. If you are primarily logical you will do the research and pick that way. If you are a group thinker, you will wind up with a 12 gauge shotgun. That will be the most popular suggestion. If you are most influenced by perceived experts you will likely get one suggested by the salesperson at the store. If you are really networked you can probably borrow one from a friend "until this is over".

If you are emotional go with the one you feel you will without a doubt fire at your target if you need it for defense. If you can't find one like that, just get a baseball bat.

I just bought one of these for my wife.
[link to sofrep.com (secure)]
Paid $150 for it.

Please let us know what you finally got. Congratulations with your decision of getting your first gun.

you're 12 days late and $600 short.

.

Glocks are a solid gun and rarely sell for a premium.

they're a good choice, overall, although I personally
dislike their grip angle and don't own one.

If you know nothing about firearms, a revolver may be
a better choice, particularly for a woman. autos
are more complex and require more physical strength
to operate.

.

if you know nothing about firearms,
a 357 revolver loaded with 38 special
is probably the best fit overall.

it's the simplest and easiest to shoot.

.

background checks have been stopped in a few States.

and you'll almost certainly have a waiting period
for a handgun.

still need to cycle the slide.

many women have a problem with this.

also, their grip tends to be weak,
which creates short stroke jams in autos.

.

definitely 20 gauge for a shotgun.

I'd go with a revolver for a entry-level woman.

I assume your primary concern is security inside your home. In that case there is no real choice--a pump action shotgun that can give 5 shells if need be. The shotgun is the hands down winner because you don't have to worry about killing your own kids in another room or a neighbor 5 houses away--which could easily occur with a larger handgun or a rifle.

Outside the home, as mentioned before, a 38 is a very good choice. It is smaller and lighter--easier to hide, recover, and handle.

A nice advantage of the 38 revolver over some semi auto handguns is that not only is it cheaper but if you do have to wax someone in public you don't have to waste time picking up round casings--just get outa dodge-if there is further danger :).

Buy a few hundred rounds--practice makes perfect.