[ARCHIVED THREAD] - First firearm, need advice! (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 1/2/2008 11:35:20 PM EDT
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Okay, I've mentioned before that I first signed up here for handgun advice. I know, weird to sign up to an ar15 forum only to request handgun advice, but my friend recommended this place. He said you guys were very knowledgeable and I actually did get great advice. Anyways, I settled on what handgun I wanted (CZ-75b), but while browsing the forums, you bastards talking about and showing off your ar15s put crazy ideas in my head. At this moment, I can't afford both. I did the math, it will cost me about $800 to build a CA legal ar15. That is slightly out of my budget, but if I built it over time it is doable. Here is the thing, I feel sorta stupid having an ar15 as my first gun. Should I just pick up a pistol, become familiar with it, then in the somewhat distant future start up on an ar15 project? Or should I say screw it to the handgun and go straight for the rifle? Input appreciated! |
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Get the handgun. A CA legal AR isn't exactly an ideal situation anyway. When you really need a gun, 9 times out of ten a good handgun you're familiar with is the gun that will fill the need the best. In many parts of the world full auto AKs are plentiful, and people really want handguns. There are just too many situations where it's nice to have some protection but you can't be carrying a rifle with you. That's a decent choice on the handgun too, although I'm a 1911 guy myself. If you really want a CA legal rifle later just get an SKS or something. |
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If it makes you feel any better, my first firearm purchase was an M44. First time shooting, I shot 20 rds and left. I would like to know what your intended use for your first firearm is. A .22 rifle is never a bad choice when starting out, especially with the ammo prices these days. ETA: If you have any questions on any legalities, you can visit the CA HTF (hometown forum), as well as calguns! CALGUNS |
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As K2QB3 and Billmanweh said, get the handgun first. As sexy as they are, Evil Black Rifles are specialized tools - and handguns are the Vise-Grips of the firearms world: For every situation where an AR, AK or FAL might be the best choice, there will be thousands of situations where a handgun will be better. Anyway, you'll own both (plus several dozen others), eventually.  (BTW, the CZ-75B is a superb choice - Unbeatable quality and ergonomics for the money.) |
There's your answer right there. What do you like at the range? Sounds like you may be in the market for a good 9mm (cheap ammo) and the CZ you've mentioned. You can always get trick as hell with a race gun later. Just get started. 
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While we are on the topic of first firearm, how would a Sigma 9mm do? I've heard horrible things about their trigger, but I can get one new with 4 magazines for $250. (SW rebate + local sale) For a first gun, would that be a better investment? That would allow me to save for better bigger things down the road. |
May as well, even though they're garbage. You're going to go through alot of guns at first. Everyone does. Buy used it hurts less. It took me alot of handguns before I settled on GLOCK. Forever. |
Go with your first inclination, it's a better choice. Buy the CZ and don't look back, I've never met anyone who regretted buying one. Glocks on the other hand, can be hard to warm up to. |
I've still got a couple of the old style "F" models that everyone else groans about. I picked them up cheap, and they run just as good or better than my Glocks. Never a problem with them, not even once. The trigger sux equally on both. |
What he said ^^^ |
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You need a Ruger Mark III or a Ruger 10/22 for your first firearm. A rifle should come first until you develop safe gun handling habits. It is very easy to inadvertently point a pistol in an unsafe direction, including your own soft pink body. A long arm is a little more unwieldy, so you'll mostly point it other things besides yourself. Get a centerfire firearm next year. |
Agreed. This is the perfect starting point and these are firearms that will last a lifetime. Do not be fooled into thinking that bigger is always better. First learn to shoot it, then get something larger if you feel the need. I've owned firearms that I could call my own for over 30 years and still I shoot my .22s more than anything else. |
No, though it is higher on the list than a sharp stick. My advice before you buy any gun is to try out a few at your local range, or borrow a friend's. Once you find a gun that fits you, buy it. Handguns, unlike rifles, are a highly personal choice. What works for you may not work for someone else. |
+1 Get the CZ handgun. 9mm Luger is everywhere. I prefer Glocks but you can try one out later. |
| My vote would be a Ruger 10/22. Plenty of fun to be had and ammo is a lot cheaper. Hone your marksmanship skills while saving for an AR15 or handgun. Look for a used CZ or other handgun. You would be amazed at the quality you can find used if you are willing to wait. |
 I'm sorry, no, that is not true. A handgun gets its usefulness in its ablity to be concealed easily. That is all. When it comes to squeezing the trigger, a center fire rifle wins over the pistols. When the poopy hits the blades, I want a rifle in my hands. Barring that, I want a pistol so I can get back to my rifle. IMHO, your first firearm should be a small bore rifle, say a .22lr to learn fundamentals on. After that, move up to center fire and proceed forward in the direction you choose. |
No way would I buy a Sigma. A buddy of mine in college had one and you could turn the front sight all the way around in the slide. Cheap. I am sure you could find a Series I Glock for around $300 if you really want to go that route. Seriously, buy a nice target .22lr and shoot that for awhile, then move on to something bigger. If money is an issue, wait for a good deal on the .22 and trade it or sell it when you feel that you want to move up. I have quite a few handguns and I love shooting my Browning Buckmark (5.5" Bull bbl). Very accurate, cheap to shoot, no recoil (keeps you from starting off with bad shooting habits) and pretty rugged. 
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Buy the handgun (The CZ is fine, I'm personally a Glock guy), and buy a stripped AR-15 receiver at the same time. Then build up the AR-15 as funds allow, since you already have the controlled part, so it's easy to just order parts of the internet. Shop the EE here. Rainier Arms has Stag Arms lowers (which are offlist) for $109. |
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Alright guys, think I'm going to buy this gun from this site: www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/13149 |
What do you guys think? Good first gun? |
I would recommend renting any gun before you buy. 
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I also recommend a .22 as a first firearm. The one you are looking at is not a bad choice at all. Since you admittedly have little experience around guns it's more important that you learn how to shoot first. A .22 will let you do that cheaply with there being less of a likelyhood of developing bad habits such as a flinch due to recoil you are not accustomed to. No, it would not be a good choice for self defense but like martial arts, you don't start as a black belt. Find someone to teach you if possible. Check to see if there are any NRA classes near you or something similar. If that is not available do some research. There is an older book called "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury" by Gil Hebard that is a collection of writings from past masters. Not sure about the availability anymore. |
About as well as a brick, and the brick is quieter. Think of it this way if you shoot somebody with a .22 in the same place that a well thrown brick would hurt them, then it will probably slow them down or stop them allowing follow on shots. They are better than nothing, but a .22 is NOT even close to a guaranteed stop. You can't even guarantee enough penetration to cause an eventually serious wound. That said, a hell of a lot of people get killed by .22s, but a hell of a lot don't. If you get trained in defense with a firearm, you will be trained to shoot at the center of mass, and to shoot until the threat is stopped. (Hang around somebdoy will add in why you aren't shooting for another reason, although CA has the Richardson Laws. Another topic) Center of Mass is the center of the torso. Lets assume you hit the dead center COM and the guy is wearing a leather jacket with a heavy duty metal zipper. You stand a good chance of not even breaking the zipper. And if you are a relatively new shooter, shooting for more beneficial areas , under pressure is a fair bet you will miss the target altogether, look at how many good shooters fail to stop assailants. So while a .22 MIGHT do the job, in reality, 9mm or stout .38 Specials are usually considered the minimum practical pistol. In rifles just about any centerfire rifle will do the job. In shotguns, #4 or larger shot, usually buck or slugs. Birdshot might not do the job reliably |
I like this one better...  Bud's Ruger |