60 yr old rookie with first gun permit needs advice - Page 3

leadcounsel · March 27, 2014, 07:15 PM

Yep, MA laws are among the worst in the nation, and most people don't even know it there.

The guns you are looking at will be fine.

I've found that at ranges most gun owners are quite friendly and if you offer the ammo, they'll let you shoot/try their gun.

Welcome to the world of the 2nd Amendment!

pedro45 · March 29, 2014, 10:14 AM

Folks, this has been a wonderful resource, I'm putting some of the suggestions right into action at MFS, etc.
But I need to go the well once more"
Which is a great shotgun for home protection?? Without paying a 1000 bucks.. and what kind of shells for same purpose? My brother says have the first one be birdshot and the next ones mean business, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks

leadcounsel · March 31, 2014, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Which is a great shotgun for home protection?? Without paying a 1000 bucks.. and what kind of shells for same purpose? My brother says have the first one be birdshot and the next ones mean business, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks

As for which shotgun, there are a million threads on this.

In summary, drop about $400 +/- on a Remington 870 Express or Mossberg 500/590. Use 00 or 04 buckshot. Forget the birdshot, which is what 99/100 people will tell you.

Now that you have the hardware, you need to develop the software (eg. training).

pedro45 · March 31, 2014, 10:10 AM

Thanks, I'm on it, joined two local gun clubs, getting some private lessons, and will even be driving out to places like MFS to take the Utah LTC license class and rent as many handguns as possible.

Colt46 · March 31, 2014, 05:04 PM

I've got the Ruger SP-101 in .38
It is a heavy, stainless steel, snub nose that is really easy to shoot well. That extra heft(26 oz empty)is twice the weight of many ultralite snubs. It makes a huge difference.
Modern .38 ammo is quite effective as a defensive load.
I just took my 75 year old aunt out to the range and she was able to shoot it quite well at 5-10 yards.

March 31, 2014, 05:04 PM	#55
Colt46 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2002 Location: Campbell Ca Posts: 1,090	What works for me I've got the Ruger SP-101 in .38 It is a heavy, stainless steel, snub nose that is really easy to shoot well. That extra heft(26 oz empty)is twice the weight of many ultralite snubs. It makes a huge difference. Modern .38 ammo is quite effective as a defensive load. I just took my 75 year old aunt out to the range and she was able to shoot it quite well at 5-10 yards.

March 27, 2014, 07:15 PM	#51
leadcounsel Junior member Join Date: September 8, 2005 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 2,119	Yep, MA laws are among the worst in the nation, and most people don't even know it there. The guns you are looking at will be fine. I've found that at ranges most gun owners are quite friendly and if you offer the ammo, they'll let you shoot/try their gun. Welcome to the world of the 2nd Amendment!

March 29, 2014, 10:14 AM	#52
pedro45 Member Join Date: March 12, 2014 Posts: 26	Folks, this has been a wonderful resource, I'm putting some of the suggestions right into action at MFS, etc. But I need to go the well once more" Which is a great shotgun for home protection?? Without paying a 1000 bucks.. and what kind of shells for same purpose? My brother says have the first one be birdshot and the next ones mean business, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, thanks

March 31, 2014, 10:10 AM	#54
pedro45 Member Join Date: March 12, 2014 Posts: 26	Thanks, I'm on it, joined two local gun clubs, getting some private lessons, and will even be driving out to places like MFS to take the Utah LTC license class and rent as many handguns as possible.