About to buy my first gun... ever! Help! :)

I just wanted to chime in, again. I agree 100% with Avery11 about NOT getting a .22 first! Personally, I had a "baptism by fire" and LEARNED to shoot a .38 Chief's Special before anything else. IMHO it made learning other pistols ALOT easier.

That said, I think a .38special service revolver or 9mm polymer semiauto is the best gun for a beginner. It allows you to experience recoil, noise, muzzle flash and get used to shooting a "real" gun. The ".22 first" method is fine for recreational only and children learning to shoot BUT for defensive shooting, it is best to get in there and do it right from the start.
 
Boy there's a lot of opinions here. I think what I'm seeing, though, is that there is no *right* gun for the job, so I'm going to fire whatever I can during my class, and go from there. :D

As far as easy access to my gun while sleeping, I'll have to think on it some more. I don't have a bedroom door I can lock. My house is a completely open floor plan. It's a town home with three floors. The ground floor is just an office/entry way, and then up to the kitchen/living room/dining room area, and then up again to the upstairs office/bedroom. There are ZERO doors to get to my bedroom once you get through the front door.

THIS is why I would feel safer with Mr Smith and Mr Wesson watching over me and my wife.

Anyway, I'll see how the class goes...!

BTW, I have absolutely no room in my tiny house for a huge gun safe, so that idea is out of the question..!
 
magnagrips.jpg


This is my 686 no dash, 1984 vintage. I bought this about 2 years ago for $490.

It is very accurate, very reliable and it has no stupid lock.

Shop around and welcome to America.
 
See, the infernal, I mean.. internal lock doesn't bother me one bit. I'm not sure why all the hatred, really...

And that gun doesn't do anything for me, for any amount of money. I guess I really am in it for the looks, too. :D :D
 
WilliamG said:
Hey everyone!

Just registered a few minutes ago! Yay!

So quick background:

I'm from London originally, Land of the No Guns, and moved to the USA, and currently reside in Seattle, WA. I want to get a revolver for home defense and range/target practice for myself and my wife. She can NOT use a semi-auto, as she has weak wrists and cannot pull the slide back. :(

So, everyone seems to recommend the S&W 686 line!

Anyway, after much play, but no firing of (yet), I've settled on the 686 SSR line. I love the 4" barrel, and comparing a "base" 686 with the SSR model, the SSR's trigger is leagues (I mean literally night and day) better than the regular 686 when I fired them both (not actual rounds - just in the store). I also think the SSR is borderline pornography with how good it looks. :D

Anyway, I'm THIS close to purchasing:

1.) 686 SSR (best price I could find locally is $768.95 new, which I think is a good price?)
2.) Crimson Trace grip - I'm not sure the difference between the 306 and the 308 "Hoghunter" grips..., and I came across this thread that scares me. Will I have trouble with the CT Sights on my SSR?

S&W 686 SSR + LG-308 + CTC Customer Service = Winner! (pics) - Crimson Trace Forums

3.) Some .38 special hollow-point for home use.
4.) Barska biometric safe.

What are people's thoughts on this? Any tips or advice you can offer is super appreciated. I'm trying to be as informed as I can be, and I'm taking a handgun class next week before purchasing anything!

Thanks, all!
Click to expand...

There are a lot of comments in here, some of them negative. I'm gonna try and give you positive ones. It sounds like you want not just a defense gun but one you will enjoy owning. That's great! A gun you truly enjoy will get shot more, enjoyed more, maintained better, etc. You are thinking about recoil management which is great. You are thinking about a quick access safe which is excellent. Honestly some people will say you should get this or you should get that, but if what you plan to purchase makes you happy then go for it! You are leaps and bounds above the average person in creating a home defense plan.

I will say, shoot a 686 before hand on a range with both 38 special, 38 special +P, and 357 rounds if you can. Buy or borrow a speedloader and take it with you. Make sure both you and your wife will be comfortable with the gun and willing to shoot if the situation comes. Make sure both you, and especially your wife with weak wrists, can shoot a full cylinder, RELOAD, and shoot another full cylinder with no breaks or extreme fatigue. All 12 rounds should be on target at a reasonable self defense range.

Shop around for the best price, buy good SD ammo, practice as much as you can, and enjoy your new gun when you get it! :D
 
Dragon88, thank you for your positive comments!

I meant to add several Safariland speedloader comp II to my list of *potential* purchases, so thanks for reminding me. :D People tend to prefer that to the HKS speedloaders.

And you're absolutely right. I would simply not *enjoy* owning any old gun. A used 686 whatever would be absolutely fine for home defense, but looking at it doesn't bring a thrill to my... err.. loins (?), whereas the SSR does. It's that simple.

I am, however, fully prepared to hate firing a 686 when I do fire it next week, so we'll see how that goes!
 
WilliamG

I started shooting a long time ago. I did some reading at the time and one of the pundits said that I would need to put 5,000 rounds down range before I would be comfortable and resonably compitent.

I have put lots of lead down range, well in excess of 5,000 by now. I would advise a 22 long rifle built as close to your desired gun as possible. Then start practicing on a regular basis. If you can find classes they will help you move ahead much faster than I did. If you find the right 22 you will use it for years, even after you buy your favorite big bore.

I have worked with new shooters in our club and I was able to give them some pointers that shrank their groups at 25 yds from all over the paper to keeping them in the black on our targets. If I can do that for shooters so can any good trainer.

Hope this helps.
 
Thank you for posting! I take all your suggestions to heart, believe you me. :) I really want to be as informed as possible. I'm not afraid to admit I don't know enough.

That said, I kick ass at clay shooting with an over/under. :D
 
WilliamG

First Welcome to the USA, Englander...

[I have several English friends].

Your choice of a S&W in 357 is a good one. Crimson Trace grips are well worth the money.

Later on when you and the wife get your CHL, just get the 5 shot S&W's in 357 Mag. You will most likely carry 38's in them, but in a pinch ALL of your handguns can shoot 38 or 357 ammo, not a bad plan.
 
Sounds like a good plan. I do have a soft spot for S&W revolvers. I really don't know why. There's just something about them...
 
WilliamG said:
I am, however, fully prepared to hate firing a 686 when I do fire it next week, so we'll see how that goes!
Click to expand...

A 686 is a beast of a gun with full power 357 rounds. Fire that at least once to see what it feels like, and know what the gun is capable of. HOWEVER a 686 with 38 special rounds becomes a pleasure to shoot. Much less noise, plenty of weight in the gun to reduce felt recoil, and a great trigger. I went shooting with a friend last year, he took his two sisters who were completely afraid of guns and had never shot. With plenty of coaching they worked their way from 22lr to full power 357 out of the 686. Afterward when asked, they said they liked "the big one" the best. :D A 686 can be a great gun for many people.
 
I like that kind of positive talk about it. I'm feeling pretty confident I'm going to like the 686, but it's a shame I can't actually fire the SSR model until I buy it. :( But I guess I'll know Monday night when I take that class if I like the basic 686 frame! :)
 
The SSR was built specifically to meet IDPA's specs for the Stock Service Revolver division. It was designed for competition with a lightened trigger,
which MIGHT make it easier to fire unintentionally in a high-stress situation. Hopefully that's not why you thought the SSR's trigger was 'night and day'
better than the standard 686. E.g., A stock 686's trigger can be worked by a knowledgeable gunsmith to make it smoother... without being lightened.
 
I have to say that I completely understand the looks thing. I've got one of the first 686's ever made (because it was my dads) and I have just never really thought it was all that pleasing to look at. I definitely like the looks of the SSR better.

That said, I'm just curious if you have looked at the 627 Pro-Series? Its hard to go wrong with the notion having 8 rounds of .357 if self-defense is your primary purpose. If carrying isnt in your near future, then the small size gain will make no difference.

I absolutely love mine, and I actually bought it with the intenion of using it for CCW.

DSC00106.jpg
 
nebmike said:
I have to say that I completely understand the looks thing. I've got one of the first 686's ever made (because it was my dads) and I have just never really thought it was all that pleasing to look at. I definitely like the looks of the SSR better.

That said, I'm just curious if you have looked at the 627 Pro-Series? Its hard to go wrong with the notion having 8 rounds of .357 if self-defense is your primary purpose. If carrying isnt in your near future, then the small size gain will make no difference.

I absolutely love mine, and I actually bought it with the intenion of using it for CCW.

DSC00106.jpg
Click to expand...

That's a great-looking gun. I can definitely see myself adding one to the collection in the future, but for now carrying isn't on the agenda!

InkEd said:
It's no shock that you like American revolvers. Look at them compared to the ones back in England.
USA:
http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson/upload/images/firearms/178012_large.jpg

UK:
http://www.deactivated-guns.co.uk/images/uploads/webley_38_2/webley_38-2.jpg

-InkEd
P.S. It's not just guns either.
USA:
http://trouble.philadelphiaweekly.com/archives/jessica-simpson-flag.jpg

UK:
http://www.ticketdirekt.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/amy-winehouse1.jpg
Click to expand...

LOL! Very funny! :) At least be fair! Kelly Brook anyone?

kelly-brook8.jpg


See? Now it's turned into babes and guns. I'm becoming an American! Run awaaaay!
 
WilliamG said:
That's a great-looking gun. I can definitely see myself adding one to the collection in the future, but for now carrying isn't on the agenda!
Click to expand...

Thats precisely why I mentioned it... since you weren't wanting it for carry purposes. The additional capacity would be a plus for home defense.

Sounds like you've pretty much got your mind set on the SSR. :cool:
 
nebmike said:
Thats precisely why I mentioned it... since you weren't wanting it for carry purposes. The additional capacity would be a plus for home defense.

Sounds like you've pretty much got your mind set on the SSR. :cool:
Click to expand...

Right yes. Is there any benefit to the 627 model other than the extra two rounds?
 
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