We like BBQ. We like fishing. What about guns?

[RG]

This is good, thanks for all of the info fellas I'll snap a pic of it and post it up here to show her off. It's nothing fancy, certainly not an AR-15 but it feels well made and balanced. It's a starting point. I am too lazy to read if I posted this already but my Dad tried to give me this gun a year ago and I told him no. This time I took it and glad I did!

 

[RG]

Here the little sucker is! It's never been fired, can't wait to try it out.

 

[old sarge]

Something else to consider.  For home defense, get some blank ammo for your favorite weapon of choice, or have a competent gun smith pull the bullet and seal it. Now, in the privacy of your own home, with everyone safe and behind you or out of the house altogether (no infants), and the lights out, fire a round or two provided you can do so without violating laws and scaring the neighbors. What you experience on a range, and what you will experience inside 4 walls at night will be quite different. Noise and flash are amplified.

 

[elkins20]

You will love the Beretta as they shoot very well. I have the M9-Beretta same as what is issued to the military, that I wore as a security guard to pick up a little extra money. To boost the retirement from uncle sam. I also have a Colt Mark IV Series 70 Government Model 45. Which was the same gun we were trained with in the Navy & Marines for SP/MP duty. I have put 300 rounds thru the Beretta and not a single complaint. As a guard was trained to shoot for the chest and second to the throat or head. But, first is always in the chest, all the instructors taught to fire 2 shots back to back. First always in the chest. Have not really tried the 45 at a range. As the others have said take a good course. And take the wife along as well. Would not hurt for her to get trained. Really the 9mm would be a good gun for her as they do not have much recole. Good luck.

 

[RG]

Thanks Bill. I am going to get us both enrolled in a course and I am going to get her a Pink Nano. That way we can share mags. Later down the road I may buy something else for myself, we'll see.

Here's what hers will look like, I may add the grip extender to one of the mags as well as get her a laser also.

 

[mizzoufan]

Your opinion of the NRA might vary, but the constant practice is very good advice.  As annoying as some people at them can be, I prefer the unmonitored outdoor ranges at conservation areas here for the simple reason that very few indoor ranges allow draw and fire or double taps...essentially nothing that you would use in real life, should the need arise.

Another thing that was alluded to, but not said outright is that you can practice that carry/deployment stuff all the time at home.  I typically carry at home (easiest way to ensure you have a weapon in the room you're in is to carry it) and sometimes while watching TV will practice drawing, flicking the safety and pointing (then checking aim to see how close I was)...after unloading it, of course.

As for ammo for all that practice, you can get some decent deals at various online stores if you're willing to buy in bulk.  That's not an issue for me as it's a fun hobby and I try to shoot at least pistols 2-4 times a month to keep muscle memory. 

 

[elkins20]

Good Point Steven, I totally forgot about the practice draw. But, had mine down to 2 sec. when was doing the security guard duty. I also wanted to share ammo I use the Winchester Ranger, Law Enforcement Ammunition for the 9MM. This is for home protection and not plunking. And for the 45 full metal jacket, I know will go thru bricks. Also I usually just buy something at the range to practice.

 

[RG]

I just pulled the trigger (no pun intended) and ordered my wife a Nano in pink. It should be at the FFL (licensed firearm dealer located up the road from me) by the end of the week. Now she's got her one and I have one. I am actually trying to talk my son into buying a pistol instead of a $600.00 exhaust for his Mustang. That car is probably going to win the battle

 

[BedouinBob]

I highly encourage NRA Membership as they do a great job of actively protecting our rights to carry and hunting as well. I have had a CC permit for quite a while and am an avid hunter. I carry a Kahr CW9 that is a nice size of CC. I hated the original sights so I changed them out for Tritium sights so they glow in the dark.

 

[RG]

I highly encourage NRA Membership as they do a great job of actively protecting our rights to carry and hunting as well. I have had a CC permit for quite a while and am an avid hunter. I carry a Kahr CW9 that is a nice size of CC. I hated the original sights so I changed them out for Tritium sights so they glow in the dark.

I'll look into BB. As for the glow-in-the-dark sights. I see the attraction there but the laser sight should do the job too I would think. I can already tell that this is going to be an expensive hobby, lol. It's way overdue. I've been meaning to do this for a while and I decided to do it while I still can. There may be a day soon that Big Brother limits what we can do, I feel it may not be far off under the current administration. I don't want this to turn into a political debate so I'll quit while I'm ahead, lol.

 

[Limey]

One of the great things about laser sights is that they can teach you intuitive pointing skills. With an unloaded gun, not looking at the sights and maybe even holding the gun off to your side, point it at an object and then press the laser activation button to see how accurate you were. This may save your life in a combat situation, shooting round a wall for example. Most of my handguns have lasers on them. BTW I'm a life member of the NRA and strongly believe in supporting them. I have seen first hand the "salami principle" of gun control in the UK. First handguns were tightly legislated and then subsequently totally banned. Then shotguns were tightly controlled and then essentially banned. Now all you can get in the UK is a pellet gun. Let's work hard to preserve our 2nd Amendment rights. Sorry, didn't mean to get political but RG is a bit of a rabble rouser (briskets AND guns)!!

 

[RG]

Uh oh! You said brisket!  Lol

 

[DivotMaker]

Sounds like you're on the right track, Jason, and also becoming consumed by a new and exciting hobby!

 

[RG]

Tony, it seems that way! I am excited for my wife to be in on it with me as she is on the smoking. Makes things much easier that way

The local Sheriff's office offers a free gun course that lasts 8 hours, I need to see when the next one is and get my wife and I on the list. They just had one back in March, I don't know how often they do it though. I can't find any info on the net, I'll have to call down there soon.

 

[DivotMaker]

Jason,

The nano-weapons you have are fantastic for easy concealed carry (even what we call "deep" concealment).  If you plan to carry, pick a method of carry and practice drawing and dry-firing from your concealed holster, in the place you will carry it.  I recommend getting some "snap caps" for dry-fire drills, so you don't damage your firing pin (dry fire is very hard on it).

With that being said, I want to add that you will eventually want to get a bigger pistol.  While the nanos are great for a concealed backup, you will soon find that they are very limited at the range, and the "fun factor" will also be limited.  They are good at very close ranges - 10 yards is really reaching out for very short-barreled nanos).  This weapon is for very close-in, self-defense encounters; no time to draw and aim, just react and fire.  As you learn to shoot, you will long for a little more "oomph!"  Being able to accurately shoot farther is important, and much more fun!  When you get the bug, and the desire for a little more, hit us up for recommendations!  (You likely will, by the way).

On the flip side - if you learn the fundamentals of pistol shooting with a very short barrel nano, and get good, transitioning to a full-frame will be a piece of cake!

 

[RG]

Good info. As I said earlier, the gun was a gift so it'll have to suffice. I got my wife one as she likes mine, not too big for her hands. Finding one in pink just pushed it over the top and that also lets us use the same mags and ammo. Down the line, we'll see what I end up with

 

[elkins20]

Hey RG, just realized something, your Dad being an ex-Marine can teach you to fire the hand gun. Especially if he was a Recon Marine, but all Marines know their weapons. Worked really close with them in the work I did in the Navy.

 

[RG]

Hey RG, just realized something, your Dad being an ex-Marine can teach you to fire the hand gun. Especially if he was a Recon Marine, but all Marines know their weapons. Worked really close with them in the work I did in the Navy.

Yep, he's an expert shooter. Even at 72 he's dead eye dick!

 

[RG]

The Wife's plinker came in today. We are going next week one day to get a conceal permit. Now I just need to find time to make it to the Firing Range to get familiar with it.

 

[elkins20]

Not sure where I picked this up at. But, rotate the bullets in the clip once per month. That way you don't have excess pressure on the bullet at the top of the clip.. Since I keep 10 rounds in the M9 I usually half them and then back in the clip. Also this give you practice in loading a clip as those springs have some heft to them. In the 45 I keep 5 rounds but still rotate them.