Choice of handgun for the non-shooter.

[Heritagefan]

I remember it being said that 80% of people who buy handguns put them in a drawer or closet and forget about them.  (I'm not sure how true that is.)

But, for fun, what gun would you suggest to someone that is going to shoot maybe 10 to 25 rounds and then throw it in a closet without ever cleaning the thing.

*  Figure that you already tried to get this person to train to no avail and they have their mind set on getting a gun.

[lee n. field]

Seriously,

Used.  .38spl revolver.  $300

Yup.  That.

[Rick]

I'd agree on the revolver if you knew that would be the case.

But what about letting them pick out something. Maybe they would find something that they really liked, and become a shooter.

[BikerRN]

While I agree with the Revolver, and most would be put off by the cost of the Wilson, many can be steered to a Glock 19 if they aren't liking the Revolver.

Those of us that are shooters know that the Revolver would be a better choice. Those that aren't shooters don't know what they don't know, and often want something "modern". As much as I hate Glocks they do have their place, and this would be one of the few appropriate places for a Glock 19. I do think the Revolver is the best choice, however many non-shooters don't want one.

Biker

[Heritagefan]

Letting them choose their own is a valid point.  I sugested a revolver to my dad (who would fall into this exercise) and he said he just didn't like them.  I suggested a Glock for it's ubiquity ,just like Biker Rn suggested, and he did look at one... a year ago. 

But I don't want to make this about one person.  More of a group of people.  Sort of the car owner that only puts in gas and waits three months after the change oil light comes on to get it serviced at the cheapy oil change.

I'm personally figuring in that they will only buy new because "That used gun could've been owned by a criminal."    (Never mind that all legitimate gun stores send in the serial numbers to the police to see if they were stolen or anything else.)  Plus they are shiny and have that pretty box.

I'd go with a HiPoint, Sigma, or P-11 for a semi-auto given that they will probably forget where they keep it, let alone where they put the key for the trigger lock.  ("Oh yeah.  that's what that key is on the key ring on the other side of the house.")

[penguinofdoom]

Have them get whatever feels best in their hand. When I was a noob I picked the xd because it was most comfortable and easiest to shoot when I tried stuff out. The glock didn't feel good and wasn't as accurate. I know now that I can pick up a glock and train a little bit and get used to it and I'll be accurate. The glock is durable but god forbid they use it and can't shoot it. It'll be a personal choice for what feels good and most accurate without training.

[Rick]

After re-reading and re-thinking this. For the person that is never going to practice and never going to carry a handgun. The perfect handgun is a shotgun. Not even a Remmy 870 or Mossy 500. Whatever double barrel 12 gauge (or 20) that can be had at the local pawn shop for $150. 

[BikerRN]

After re-reading and re-thinking this. For the person that is never going to practice and never going to carry a handgun. The perfect handgun is a shotgun. Not even a Remmy 870 or Mossy 500. Whatever double barrel 12 gauge (or 20) that can be had at the local pawn shop for $150. 

While I agree with you many new shooters don't want that.

I've found that a lot of new to guns people already have an idea in their mind about what they think they need. All I can do is offer them the choices, with some education, and hope that they take some of it to heart. It will be their choice after all, and they will have to live with their decisions.

Biker

[Rick]

I spent about three months this last summer working part time at a gun shop. It really opened my eyes as to what "Joe Blow non gun guy" really thought about things. You are right, lots of people will go into purchasing a gun based on info from tv, internet, or uncle Fred.

 

[Rick]

While I agree with the Revolver, and most would be put off by the cost of the Wilson, many can be steered to a Glock 19 if they aren't liking the Revolver.

Those of us that are shooters know that the Revolver would be a better choice. Those that aren't shooters don't know what they don't know, and often want something "modern". As much as I hate Glocks they do have their place, and this would be one of the few appropriate places for a Glock 19. I do think the Revolver is the best choice, however many non-shooters don't want one.

Biker

I guess I missed this the first time.

The Glock 19 is the perfect handgun for those that will only own one.

[BikerRN]

I guess I missed this the first time.

The Glock 19 is the perfect handgun for those that will only own one.
[/quote]

I didn't go that far.

The Revolver would be the perfect handgun for such a person.

The problem is getting them to accept that. The Glock 19 would be a distant second choice that may work after sitting on a shelf, or in a drawer, for thirty years. I will stress the word "may". I have had revolvers work after sitting for that amount of time.

Biker

[Rick]

Oh, come on. you know the revolver would be rusted shut after 6 months, the Glock would be good to go forever.

he he.

OK, perfect firearm for newbie shooter that will never practice. Shotgun.

Perfect handgun for the same newbie, revolver. ??

[penguinofdoom]

The simple fact is that all guns require some amount of maintenance and anyone who wants to be a decent shot or to run a gun competently needs to have some training. Any noob needs to understand and accept this. Guns are like cars, if you buy even an easy maintenance and easy to drive car, if you park it for 30 years and never drive anything, the car will be rusty when you go back and your driving ability will be dubious.

[hunterman652]

After re-reading and re-thinking this. For the person that is never going to practice and never going to carry a handgun. The perfect handgun is a shotgun. Not even a Remmy 870 or Mossy 500. Whatever double barrel 12 gauge (or 20) that can be had at the local pawn shop for $150. 

While I agree with you many new shooters don't want that.

I've found that a lot of new to guns people already have an idea in their mind about what they think they need. All I can do is offer them the choices, with some education, and hope that they take some of it to heart. It will be their choice after all, and they will have to live with their decisions.

Biker

I've found most people are pretty set about thinking they need a handgun for home defense, even after you try to prove why a shotgun is a better choice.

If you are gonna get them something or help them pick something out a Glock, Sigma or SD, or a XD would be better in my opinion than a revolver. Semi's tend to be easier to shoot well than a revolver and if you can get them out shooting the smaller groups will help them to enjoy the experience more. 9mm ammo tends to be cheaper than 38's anyways.

If it's not a defense issue what about a MKIII or a Buckmark? Cheap and fun.

[Chris]

You can clean a revolver... load it with nickle plated rounds... toss it into the sock drawer... grab it ten years later... and expect all six rounds to fire. I can't say that about any semi-auto.
Chris Christian

[hunterman652]

You can clean a revolver... load it with nickle plated rounds... toss it into the sock drawer... grab it ten years later... and expect all six rounds to fire. I can't say that about any semi-auto.
Chris Christian

Why not? Not trying to pick a fight I just don't know. Is it the mag springs or the slide to frame fit or something else?

[Devereaux]

Fully loaded mag springs are toast in 1-2 years. You carry regularly an auto, you should probably be replacing your mag springs every 6 months to insure proper function WTSHTF.

[hunterman652]

Thanks. A little off topic maybe but other than mag springs, would it be a good idea to periodically change out other springs in a gun? Mainsprings and the like?

[Devereaux]

Coil springs all die within finite time limits. Replacing recoil springs is likewise a good idea. Usually a round count will get you the time frame as they are cycle dependent. Haven't had to replace hammer springs, but ask NS2 as he shoots enough to keep a factory running full time.

[Magoo541]

Fully loaded mag springs are toast in 1-2 years. You carry regularly an auto, you should probably be replacing your mag springs every 6 months to insure proper function WTSHTF.

Depends on the spring material.  I remember an interview with someone associated with Wilson where she recounted a couple of testimonies where their magazines had been loaded for 10+ years and functioned like new.  In fact my shotgun has been loaded for 3 years and it's magazine spring is fully compressed, yet functions fine.

I'd like to someone do a study or even find one that some magazine manufacturer has done.