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Old 01-23-2016, 06:15 PM
HoleCarder HoleCarder is offline
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Default Help me spend $30,000

Greetings! Straight to the point- I have $30,000 to spend. Help me spend it.

Some background: I’m 49 years old, and live in the suburbs. I do not own any firearms, and have NEVER even fired one. I do not want to be a hunter. I want to learn to shoot.

I’m not going to spend all $30k at once, but I’m ready to start now. I’ll probably spend it gradually over the next 3-5 years as my experience and skills develop.

I plan to start with something simple like an M&P 22 Compact, plus some training just so I can learn to shoot and get comfortable at the range.

Over time, I plan to acquire several QUALITY firearms and learn to shoot them. Maybe when I’m done it will look something like this:

M&P 22 Compact
M&P 9
Wilson Combat CQB
AR-15
Revolver (or 2, maybe 3)
Shotgun (home defense)
And 2-3 pistols that I intend to carry, when I’m ready for that. Perhaps a pocket pistol, an M&P Shield, and a commander size Wilson Combat.

Plus, dollars allocated for training, practice, ammo, a quality safe, accessories, misc. gear, supplies, and everything else.

I want to learn from you, revise my list based on your recommendations and develop a plan of action. Thanks.

Last edited by HoleCarder; 01-23-2016 at 06:27 PM. Reason: spelling error
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:24 PM
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Howdy from South Carolina, and welcome to the forum.

Just start getting and shooting the things on you list and you will figure out what floats your boat.
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:31 PM
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I would quickly focus on items that you think you might want that may be banned in the near future.

Join the NRA.
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:35 PM
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Default Help me spend $30,000

Study up on collectable firearms,but get a few shooters for fun.You can double your money if you're smart about it Help me spend ,000

Last edited by arjay; 01-23-2016 at 06:54 PM.
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:37 PM
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Your ideas about a .22 pistol or revolver and training are excellent starting points. If you are in a state in which you can take a concealed carry permit course that is a good introduction to laws you will need to know, and NRA authorized Hunter Safety and basic marksmanship (pistol and rifle) courses would be good for learning the mechanics of shooting. Buying some introductory books on firearms and shooting is also an excellent idea - it has been a few years since I needed these but others will be along with recommendations.

Finally, along the way you will run into other gun owners with opinions (and guns of theirs to try), and once you have some familiarity with yours a trip to a range that rents guns are good ways to find out what works for you. After this "homework" you may not need our help to spend your $30K .

Good luck in your education and welcome to the wonderful world of responsible firearms ownership!
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:38 PM
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First, invest in a good gun safety course. You need to be exposed to the right knowledge, skills and attitude before you get on the trigger. It is far easier to learn the correct skills than to later un-learn bad habits. It is especially important because guns are dumb; they don't know the difference in a target and a Thomas.
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:42 PM
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I see nothing wrong with your plan. I would recommend buying an AR15 as soon as you can. Due to the uncertainty with the upcoming election, I think AR15 type rifles are about as cheap as they will ever be right now. I would buy one, even if you waited to shoot it later after your training. Good luck and welcome to the gun owning community!
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HoleCarder View Post
I plan to start with something simple like an M&P 22 Compact, plus some training just so I can learn to shoot and get comfortable at the range.
IMNHO, this is exactly how you should get started. A 22 and some training will help you decide if the rest of your plans make sense. A lot of us started with a 22, often when we were kids. I'd venture that very few people jumped in with such a complete plan having never fired a gun before.

Start with the 22. Get involved with a range where you can get training and rent a few different guns. Your course will probably change as you get more involved. Interests vary with time and experience. You may find you don't really like shooting after all. Or you may spend more than your budget in less time than you forecast.

Have you considered handloading?

Last edited by Krogen; 01-23-2016 at 06:51 PM.
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Old 01-23-2016, 06:52 PM
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I see nothing wrong with your plan. I would recommend buying an AR15 as soon as you can. Due to the uncertainty with the upcoming election, I think AR15 type rifles are about as cheap as they will ever be right now. I would buy one, even if you waited to shoot it later after your training. Good luck and welcome to the gun owning community!
I agree, but do your homework and get a decent one. There is a large difference in quality and some are much better values.
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Old 01-23-2016, 07:53 PM
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A good place to start is a simple semi-auto .22 rifle . Ruger makes the 10/22 , and in many different configurations . That will let you get an idea for shooting and sight use , and while not as cheap as they used to be, are still a great way to start . Take your time and remember , it takes practice and patience . Once you get accustomed to a long gun , then move on to a pistol .

In the department of a 22 pistol , a less expensive , small plastic 22 might seem like the way to go, but my advice would be to look at something a little bit more quality. A Ruger MK II or MK III with a bit longer barrel would be more accurate,and would probably give you more use over time as you start to challenge yourself with longer ranges. A S&W Model 41 would also fit that niche, and over time they generally hold value very well. They're more expensive than a M&P22, but are more accurate and either all steel or steel/alloy framed. Also consider a S&W Model 17 or 18 .Both 22 revolvers, but would give you a great gun to learn on.

Another thing to think about is hearing protection. Even with the lowly .22, you can do damage over time. A good set of electronic earmuffs will let you be able to hear instructions and still keep your hearing intact.
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Last edited by F75gunslinger; 01-23-2016 at 07:56 PM.
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Old 01-23-2016, 08:00 PM
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Get yourself a Ruger MKii slabside or Government Target pistol
Get yourself a Ruger 10-22 or a S&W 15-22
Get a S&W 686 6" or a model 14 6"
GP100's and Buckmarks are reasonable alternatives
Shoot .22's and 38s for a while, in a year or so you will know what you want.
Each of those guns can be had used in good condition between $400 and $800
Set aside 1k to get your reloading setup for 38's
Join a local club and volunteer to help with shoots and such
You will meet great people who are happy to help you learn safety and basic skills.
Sit on the rest of the funds until your knowledge level gets up to speed.
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Old 01-23-2016, 08:01 PM
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While you are doing your homework on which AR15 to purchase, take a look at the AK-47 choices available.
"Black guns matter" .... before the next election changes your choices.
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Old 01-23-2016, 08:50 PM
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I haven't heard anybody mention ear and eye protection. They probably assumed you already knew this, but just in case.....
Get some good quality foam earplugs, AND good quality over-the-head ear muffs. They are rated by "db" reduction. The bigger the number, the better. I wear both plugs and muffs when shooting at the indoor ranges. You don't need the electronic muffs right now.
Get some good quality eye protection. I have had many empty cases fly right back and hit my glasses.

You don't need to spend a fortune on ear and eye pro, but get a step up from the cheapie junk. It is money well-spent.
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:18 PM
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First, you'll be retiring in another 15 to 20 years and it might be wiser to take 25 of that 30K and invest it. You would be very surprised at what 25K can yield over a 15 or 20 year span, a LOT more than a small firearms collection.

Second, it sounds like you've come up with a pretty good plan. However I would suggest that to spend some time renting various firearms that interest you before purchasing one. Because at some point you'll probably find that something on your current list just isn't your cup of tea. I would also suggest that you spend time researching what the ammo costs are for a caliber that you find interesting. For example the 44 Magnum sounds like it would be a lot of fun until you find that range ammo in this caliber is both difficult to find and expensive. Note, when I had an itch to try out the 500 Magnum all it took to cool that itch was that the only local gun shop that had this caliber in stock and a rental revolver wanted 6 dollars per round for the ammunition. Yeah, 60 dollars for 1 box of 10 rounds.

Finally, if you want to get serious about shooting revolvers then you should plan on taking up reloading your own ammunition. Because the 38 special costs about 12 cents per round to reload which is just about exactly what it costs to reload a 9mm parabellum. However 38 special commercial range ammo typically costs about 24 dollars per box of 50 while the 9mm costs as little as 11 dollars. Reloading won't really save you any money but it will enable you do shoot a LOT more.
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:28 PM
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A six-pack of Registered Magnums will probably get you close...
Or head over to Rock Island Auctions and see what they've got. You'll have accomplished your goal in no time there!
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:28 PM
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Welcome to the Forum. The idea of starting with a .22 cal pistol or revolver is a very good idea. Quality hearing and eye protection is highly recommended along with patience and determination. Quality instruction and perseverance. You will get there. Weapon choices will come as you find your way. Good luck, be safe and have fun.
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:32 PM
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30k is not enuff....
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:54 PM
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Invest the Money.....
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Old 01-23-2016, 09:57 PM
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OP here. Thanks for all the responses so far. Great stuff. Much appreciated. I will reread them many times in the coming days. I'm eager to learn. Thanks for helping.

Also, the "invest the money" suggestions are excellent. That's something I say all the time. Indeed, I'm an avid investor and retired at age 42.

Last edited by HoleCarder; 01-23-2016 at 10:00 PM.
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Old 01-23-2016, 10:25 PM
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If you really want to you can pay off my mortgage. That'd spend that 30000. But I guess you probly won't. Just kidding. Buy a few and see what you like. Buy a good safe too. If you want that kind of money in arms. Definitely buy a safe.
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Old 01-23-2016, 10:28 PM
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An old police trade in 38 special would be a good starter gun too.
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Old 01-23-2016, 10:54 PM
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And a Hound Dawg Howdy to you from SC.

First WE ARE REALLY glad that you want to get into guns and shooting. Hold on! This a huge world for that hobby and it would really benefit to study and think about what you want and NEED. Coming out and saying you want to learn is a good start.

Yes, there is a mind boggling array of guns. I'd start a dialogue here with members that can help. One thing I can say about revolvers is that they are simple, rugged and dependable. There is more emphasis on making each shot count than a semi auto anything. I started with a model 10 .38 special that I wish I still had, but not having a lot of money had to trade it in for my grail gun, the mod 686 .357 magnum. I like being able to reload mouse poot target loads to some real barn burners. Old West style guns are single action (cock and pull trigger). Modern guns are usually double/single action meaning you can just pull the trigger or cock and shoot. I'd start out with a modern style gun, but Cowboy shooting is very popular now.

Rifles can be bolt action, lever action or semi auto (full auto is obtainable with special licenses in some states). The type of shooting you do will tell you what style you need. Very generally speaking bolt actions are good for slow, easy distant shooting, semis are better at close in fun.

Are good shooting ranges available to you? Outdoor/indoor? If you are limited to indoors a sniper rifle probably isn't top priority.

Light recoiling, smaller caliber guns are the easiest to learn on. The venerable .22 is a great gun to start with in any style pistol or rifle. Ammo was scarce for a while but I believe it's more available now.

I have a hunting style Browning shotgun, but I don't hunt, so I'm going to trade it for a home defense style gun. Even if I don't have to blast intruders, it will still be fun to practice with at close range.

I would study reloading, get a good reloading manual and watch some videos on youtube to see if you want to get into it.
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:00 PM
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As others have said, get an AR or AK now. Also buy ammo and" high capacity" magazines. Gotta feeling next year may be too late.
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:19 PM
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Quote:
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You don't need the electronic muffs right now.
I don't think that's necessarily true. I bought a pair of Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs for less than $40. If he's going to go spend the $20-25 for a set of decent earmuffs, why not spend a bit more and get something a bit better ?
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Old 01-23-2016, 11:45 PM
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Hi:

Welcome to the Forum - you're going to love it here. Bobby-Sixkiller beat me to it, I'd recommend buying a really good safe to start with. I wish I had followed the advice from some of the Forum members here and bought a larger safe than I thought I needed. I know buying a safe is probably low on your list of priorities, but the thought of someone getting hold of one of my guns and hurting or killing someone because of me really bothers me a lot.

I think you are wise to do your research. Take your time and be selective.

Best of luck,

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Old 01-23-2016, 11:51 PM
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Buy a Glock 19 or 17. Funny advice from a S&W forum huh. They are easy to take down and great beginner guns.
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Old 01-24-2016, 12:19 AM
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Quote:
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Straight to the point- I have $30,000 to spend. Help me spend it.
Go buy a new Harley.
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Old 01-24-2016, 12:23 AM
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Greetings from the Oregon Coast!

I like your list, and I like your plan.

You'll like this forum. It's very civil, and everyone is eager to share what they know.
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Old 01-24-2016, 03:23 AM
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If you are starting out with 30k to spend I would start with a good reloading press.

As others have said I would also focus on items that are or may be subject to a ban in the future. I'd pick up at a minimum 12 magazines for every gun I bought with a standard capacity over 10 rounds.

I'd also make a point of picking up a good purpose designed gun belt and a quality fitted holster for any gun I intended to carry.

Finally I'd concentrate on uniformity, for instance if I bought a .357 revolver I'd also get a Henry Lever action in .357 or at least I wouldn't get one in .44. If I were looking at Glocks I'd stay in one caliber like I'd buy a Glock 26/19/17 before I'd get a Glock 27/19/37. So I'd only have to stock the one kind of magazine.
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Old 01-24-2016, 06:08 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HoleCarder View Post
OP here. Thanks for all the responses so far. Great stuff. Much appreciated. I will reread them many times in the coming days. I'm eager to learn. Thanks for helping.

Also, the "invest the money" suggestions are excellent. That's something I say all the time. Indeed, I'm an avid investor and retired at age 42.
Ok, you're 49, an avid investor and have been retired for 7 yrs
now? If this is true you're obviously very financially secure.
And you have $30,000 burning a hole in your pocket that you
feel the need to spend on guns. Why?? You've never even
fired any gun before in your whole life? If you feel insecure in
your current location, move. Take your 30 grand plus your
current home value and relocate to a peaceful rural location
and acquire a few basic firearms like 22 rifles and shotguns
and a few handguns and get some instruction in safe usage
and kick back and enjoy life in the slow lane.
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Old 01-24-2016, 08:00 AM
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The first dollar needs to go to the NRA!
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Old 01-24-2016, 09:08 AM
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First is safety. Many of us on this forum always had firearms on our homes and were shooting in the woods with our dads before we can remember. We might take things for granted that people who have not been around firearms do not already have instilled in their brain.

For someone who has not fired a gun, I very much recommend training. With your bank account, you can afford quality formal training. Until you are comfortable shooting in a controlled environment, a rule to follow is that you should never load a firearm indoors (except at a range). Another rule is that unless disassembled or open, a firearm should be treated as if it is loaded. The firearm loaded part will come into play at a range and you will need to train yourself safety and etiquette as to always be aware of where the barrel is pointing and always have it pointed in a safe direction, loaded or not. Reading online pet peeves of range behavior will give you an idea of what is expected. The rule loosens up slightly when as to the obvious condition of the firearm (obvious and visible open action/cylinder or plastic chamber flag) and your experience increases.

You will also need to think about a storage method for ammo and firearms. Kids in the house? If you are set on getting into firearms a full-size safe might be an early purchase.

You have a lot of fun "work" ahead of you - don't rush the training and learning part.

As for the grocery list, my advice would be to begin slow to see what you like and avoid buying a lot of stuff that you don't yet know if you'll really want or use. For the actual firearms themselves, I recommend buying "keepers".

The first two purchases for me would be a quality .22 bolt-action repeating rifle and a quality .22 revolver. Get your initial instruction on these two firearms. Become proficient at using iron sights on the rifle and maybe later you can put a scope on it. Shooting with irons skillfully is important. I love being able to hit with iron sights. Don't think of these .22 firearms as "beginner guns". In a real world, they do have a purpose. You will never regret or want to sell a nice wooden-stock full-size bolt-action .22 or a .22 revolver. Learn to safely hit the bullseye every time with these - it will be a foundation for everything else.

Some have mentioning getting some sort of semiautomatic rifle or carbine that uses detachable magazines like an AR or AK type firearm. I don't disagree. But it is real easy to give into the urge to jump into this end of the swimming pool and buy every accessory under the sun.

Which? AK or AR? It's what you prefer and you probably don't know what you prefer yet. You many end up wanting both. A good range will let you rent and offer instruction on their operation. Learn what's good and bad about each type. There's really no hurry at the present moment but I can foresee a distant future where firearms of this type might be heavily regulated. After you gain a bit of experience, deciding what you want, maybe buying the semiautomatic firearm and some quality magazines to put back for later after you have mastered the .22.

As far as these weapons systems and accessories, I personally prefer a keep-it-simple approach. Opinions and tastes differ. Anything you want to hang on these is available, scopes, red dots, flashlights, flare launchers, bipods, magazine pouches, cigarette holders, coffee makers, you name it. My own favorite rifle for decades of this type is a 90's Colt with built-in carry handle (iron sights) and sliding stock. No optic, no flashlight, no rails, no nothin'.

As for other firearms - 9mm/.40/.45 pistols, .38/.357/.44 revolvers, concealed-carry pieces, holsters - there will be time for all of that. They will be available after you learn to handle, shoot, and hit with your .22's.

This is just my take and my initial advice. Enjoy this! Go slow and be safe.

Last edited by tcon; 01-24-2016 at 09:43 AM.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:24 AM
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First, find a gun savvy and knowledgable friend to help you select a pistol to train with.....shoot with him for a while to get the feel of shooting, see if you really like it. You will!

Next purchase a holster, mag pouch, extra mags, a good belt, good ear and eye protection and sign up for a basic course at a reputable range. This should give you the basics about gun handling, drawing from a holster, malfunctions, etc.

After this sign up for a more "advanced" training course....you're in Ohio so I would highly recommend TDI, they offer a 3 day course and a more advanced 4 day course. I believe the 3 day also meets the requirements for an Ohio CCW....I have taken these courses and they are well worth the money. Book well in advance as these courses fill up quickly.

The 8 hour course required for the Ohio CCW is not really adequate training for a beginner, if you're serious about becoming proficient advanc d training is a must.

I'm also in Ohio and am an NRA certified instructor. Feel free to contact me if I can provide any direction or answer your questions. I won't help you spend your $$$, my advice is free.

Good luck with your new undertaking.
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Old 01-24-2016, 10:49 AM
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49 years old with $30K in ready cash? Never owned a gun before but want to learn to shoot?

Not that hard:

1. Select a good quality .22 rifle. Expect to pay about $400 or so. Pick up 1000 rounds of .22LR ammo, about $400 or so. Join a club with range and instructors. Take the NRA basic firearms course. Pay an instructor for a couple of hours of his time once or twice a week for a couple of months. By then you should know whether or not you like shooting a rifle, and you will have learned some good basic safety and gun handling skills. So far you have spent around $1200.

2. Select a good quality .22 pistol. Expect to pay about $600 or so. Pick up another 1000 rounds of .22LR. Head back to the range for instruction and tutoring. In a couple of months you will know whether or not you like shooting a handgun, and you will have developed pretty good safety and handling skills. So far you have spent about $2500 or so.

3. Select a good quality shotgun (I like Remington 870's, which will set you back about $500 or so). 1000 rounds of target ammo will set you back about $800. Go back to the range for instruction and tutoring. In a couple of months you will know whether or not you like shooting a shotgun. You will then have spent about $3800 or so.

4. I would expect by this time you have developed a strong preference for a particular type of shooting, and have probably set your eyes on the "perfect gun" for what you want to do. Go ahead and blow another $1200 and get after it.

5. You are now down about $5000, leaving you with $25,000 on hand. Hook up with a good financial advisor and get that money invested in some good tax-deferred retirement savings, then watch it grow over the next 12 or 15 years. This will make retirement a lot better and easier, and will probably provide a little income stream in retirement to spend on guns and ammo.

Best regards.
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Old 01-24-2016, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by alwslate View Post
Ok, you're 49, an avid investor and have been retired for 7 yrs
now? If this is true you're obviously very financially secure.
And you have $30,000 burning a hole in your pocket that you
feel the need to spend on guns. Why??
I'm a lifelong golfer and unable to play due to recurring golf injury. I need something to occupy my time. I always wanted to own guns and learn to shoot but never had the time. Until now.
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Old 01-24-2016, 01:25 PM
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Add a few more grand to it and get a Challenger R/T
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Old 01-24-2016, 04:00 PM
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Buy a nice .22 to get started and invest the rest. Don't be stupid.
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Old 01-24-2016, 04:01 PM
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?.... Indeed, I'm an avid investor and retired at age 42.
I will teach you everything I know about shooting and reloading, if you teach me about investing.

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Old 01-24-2016, 04:55 PM
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I think you're on the right track with Wilson Combat.

AR15
Wilson SBR Tactical - $2450 with tax stamp.
Wilson Whisper Supressor - $1450 with tax stamp
Aimpoint red dot $750. Or Nightforce 1-4x scope $1500.

1911
Wilson CQB - $2865

Shotgun
Wilson Border Patrol - $1135

-------

Add slings, holsters, extra magazines and ammo. $1000-$1500.

Of course you'll need a safe. A good Liberty safe of medium size with be $3500 on up.

-----

For inexpensive plinking a .22 pistol and rifle are always a fine addition.

Here are two of mine.

Savage FV-SR and Ruger Mark III. About $3000 outfitted.
A couple cases of standard velocity ammo - About $1000.



-----------------

That will run through about half your funds. Need more help?

Last edited by ChattanoogaPhil; 01-24-2016 at 05:09 PM.
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Old 01-24-2016, 07:08 PM
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Some good answers from other here. My selections would be:
1 join NRA
2 take a "good" safety course
3 buy eye and hearing protection
4 a 22 cal either Ruger 10-22 or Mark 3 pistol
5 read and understand responsibilities of gun ownership
6 don't belief all you read or are told by "gun experts"
7 Being a revolver man get a 38 or 357 model 10 or 19 and learn and enjoy then make a decision what next.
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Old 01-24-2016, 08:02 PM
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No reason to spend more than 10k and end up with quality firearms/accessories/safe that suit you (unless you are going the suppressor route).

I would recommend either renting or buying a few lower priced firearms to find out what you want. Spending 3k on a firearm and finding out you can't stand it is a hard lesson to learn
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Old 01-24-2016, 08:49 PM
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I'd buy a quality gun or two and invest the rest.
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Old 01-24-2016, 09:18 PM
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I too echo getting plenty of quality training. No one ever got to be a good marksman by buying lots of guns. OP, you seem like you have the right mentality.

I'm a firm proponent of working your way up to the most gun you can confidently handle. The citizen-rifleman concept holds that you're almost never going to go on long campaigns or road marches with your weapon, so favor weight and all of its advantages. The SOG guys use short barrel carbines because they're carrying 100lb+ of other gear and typically hoof it for long distances. You're not going to do that. You have the luxury of getting a heavier, more powerful rifle.

So if you can work your way up to a .308 semi, do so. If you cannot work up the strength to handle one with steady off-hand shooting, it's not for you. I have personally shot a 16" AR-10 .308 that was lighter than my 20" AR-15 in 5.56, and it had a muzzle brake that reduced the the recoil to almost nothing. If I didn't already have (and was comfortable with) a longer barreled, heavier .308 I would have built one of these myself!

At least in my neck of the woods there are lots of very good intro and intermediate level courses to take. I'd earmark about a third of that budget for training. Another third for ammo (both to get expended in training and for long term storage...who knows what our likely Presidential candidates will decide to pull in the next couple years). The last third for the hardware.

Ten grand goes surprisingly quickly when buying quality firearms. That Wilson Combat is almost a third of that I don't necessarily agree with one as a concealed carry piece. If you have to use it, that $3k investment might sit in an evidence locker for years, if not forever. A good AR plus a quality optic could be two or three grand, easy e.g. a Rainier Arms RUC + an Aimpoint red dot = over $2k.

My pick for 3 revolvers (knowing zero about your *future* level of comfort with recoil and hand strength/size):

S&W K-frame .22LR (K-22, 17, or 617)
S&W 627 PC 5" or 327 5" .357 Magnum.
S&W J-frame that best fits as a BUG (back up gun)

I'm from the school that says you start with a pump shotgun and move up to a semi later, but this seems to date me as a lot of new shooters are going straight for a Benelli or Mossberg 930.

I really wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing the results of your training and purchasing decisions!
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Old 01-24-2016, 09:39 PM
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As an NRA pistol instructor I can tell you that training should be first on your list. Take an NRA course then graduate to a concealed carry course.
Don't buy anything first! After your training go to a range that rents guns and rent every gun you can. I can't tell you how many people show up for a course with a firearm that either they have never fired or one that doesn't fit them! Especially the 100 lb woman who shows up with her husband's 357 MAG!! I keep a supply of 22s just for them.
I know its not manly but learn to shoot with a 22. That way you won't learn a flinch.
After you learn to shoot and take as many courses as you can then buy the guns that you like to shoot! Many first time firearms buyers trade in their guns because they can't or won't use them. This keeps the gun stores happy!!
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Old 01-24-2016, 09:52 PM
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Check out three autoloaders:

S&W 645

S&W 6906

S&W 3913

These may be a little harder to find than your average

plastic, striker fired ***, but they shoot really well.
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Old 01-25-2016, 01:54 AM
V0OBWxZS16 V0OBWxZS16 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HoleCarder View Post
I plan to start with something simple like an M&P 22 Compact, plus some training just so I can learn to shoot and get comfortable at the range.
...
Plus, dollars allocated for training, practice, ammo, a quality safe, accessories, misc. gear, supplies, and everything else.
These two statements indicate a good mindset. My first two instincts were to remind you set aside some of your budget for training, ammo, and accessories and to start small.

The problem is that "I want to learn to shoot" is a hugely open-ended statement. Are you interested in plinking, benchrest, bullseye, trap, USPSA, 3-gun, cowboy action shooting, military surplus, steel challenge, self-defense, or the zombie apocalypse? Are you willing to get into NFA (suppressors, short barreled rifles and shotguns, and full-auto)? Are you interested in reloading?


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Go buy a new Harley.
Ugh, no. Aprillia, Triumph, BMW, Ducati, MV Augusta, ...
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Old 01-25-2016, 02:37 AM
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I added up all my for sale guns and it comes up to $30,000 on the nose.

Charlie
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Old 01-25-2016, 02:39 AM
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I like chocolate chip cookies. If you will buy $1000
dollars of chocolate cookies for me, I will meet with you anywhere of your choosing and help you shoot any firearm of your choosing and help you decide what to get.
Of course, the firearms and ammo will have to be supplied by you, but my advice will be free.
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Old 01-25-2016, 08:05 PM
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Hmm. Lots of good advice already. Look at what's been said and come up with a general plan. Think about:
1) What might not be available in the near future based on the winds of politics. With an election approaching this might need to be near the top.
2) What is fun to shoot. That you will have to determine as you shoot. And will change over time. Rent, borrow, shoot before buying.
3)Collecting for investment or fun. As an accomplished investor, you already understand this idea.
4) Train. Train. Train. Get your CC permit.
5) Most important. Support organizations that support the 2nd Amendment. If we don't do that, the first 4 don't matter.
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Old 01-25-2016, 08:56 PM
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Quote:
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OP here. Thanks for all the responses so far. Great stuff. Much appreciated. I will reread them many times in the coming days. I'm eager to learn. Thanks for helping.

Also, the "invest the money" suggestions are excellent. That's something I say all the time. Indeed, I'm an avid investor and retired at age 42.
Are you looking to adopt an adult male? If so, let me know where to submit my application.

Okay, in all seriousness. If I wanted to purchase some quality firearms (after you learn the basics and safety of shooting)...

1) AR-15, I'd get a Colt or Daniel Defense
2) 9mm, double action pistol - Check out the HK P30 and/or Sig Sauer P226 Legion
3) 9mm, striker pistol - HK VP9, Sig Sauer P320, and/or Glock 19
4) .45ACP 1911 style - Les Baer, Ed Brown, and/or Wilson Combat
5) 12 gauge shotgun (auto) - Benelli M4 Tactical
6) 12 gauge shotgun (pump) - Mossberg 590A1 or Remington 870P Magnum
7) Additional rifle - Springfield Armory M1A
8) AK type rifle - Anything from Arsenal
9) Bolt action rifles - I can't help you on that. I'm not really up to date on quality bolt action rifles.
10) Revolvers - Generally anything Smith and Wesson are always great. I can't really quote specific models, but I am partial to the Model 66.

There are also a ton of historical firearms out there. Anything from WWII and prior is always nice to add to any collection.

Last edited by Philadelphia Patriot; 01-25-2016 at 10:06 PM.
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