Im thinking of going to my first Gun Show this weekend.

[Hootmon]

What should I be looking for?

I havent shot a gun since I was in Rifle Club back in Junior High in the mid-70's.

I think I want some sort of shotgun for home defense and maybe some kind of handgun, but I have to admit that Im essentially clueless.

I guess what I would like is some kind of 'starter kit'.

[Hootmon]

I also just signed up for the NRA free membership offer.

http://www.nrahq.org/nrabonus/

[living4JC]

Yep....I did the same with the free NRA membership. Trying to figure a way to come up with $300 for the lifetime membership (special the NRA is offering through current members).

As far as the shotgun is concerned, I have some no-name 12 gauge with birdshot in it. As a backup I have my Springfield .40, my Winchester .243, and a few others. Let us know what you end up finding. I personally think any shotgun it pretty good, as just racking a round will likely scare off any intruder from your home!

[WalkTheLine]

For a Shotgun for home defense I would say a Remington 870 Tactical or something like it. It is short and easy to use in tight spaces like in the home. Bird shot is good as it dos not go through the walls very well. I use a progressive loading. I start with #7 bird shot, tells the intruder I know where you are and you should leave now, then 0 or 00 buck shot, tells the intruder I am upset you woke me up and wont go away, then a 1 oz deer slug, tells the intruder they are going to the morgue, seeing that you wont leave quickly and quietly.

I enjoy my pistols and revolvers but like my son says, nothing says get out of my house like the sound of a shotgun being racked.

[Hootmon]

As a backup I have my Springfield .40, my Winchester .243, and a few others. Sorry to sound ignorant, but those are rifles right?



I personally think any shotgun it pretty good, as just racking a round will likely scare off any intruder from your home!Yeah. Pump action may be a deterrent all on its own.

[Hootmon]

For a Shotgun for home defense I would say a Remington 870 Tactical or something like it. It is short and easy to use in tight spaces like in the home. Ill keep that in mind.



Bird shot is good as it dos not go through the walls very well. I use a progressive loading. I start with #7 bird shot, tells the intruder I know where you are and you should leave now, then 0 or 00 buck shot, tells the intruder I am upset you woke me up and wont go away, then a 1 oz deer slug, tells the intruder they are going to the morgue, seeing that you wont leave quickly and quietly.Excellent idea. How many rounds would a 'Remington 870 Tactical or something like it' hold?



I enjoy my pistols and revolvers but like my son says, nothing says get out of my house like the sound of a shotgun being racked.Sort of a 'Go ahead and make my day' thing, eh?

[Hootmon]

A higher number means smaller shot, I think. That makes '00' buckshot the biggest thing before a slug, right?

[frodo82801]

Just go look around and ask questions.

It's also a great place to people-watch.

Are you looking to buy, or just browse?

Pistol vs revolver? Pluses and minuses with both. Revolver is pretty much fool-proof in operation. Pistol is easier to load when your magazines are ready.

If you get the Outdoor Channel, watch "Best Defense" on Wednesdays. They cover it all. Shotguns, handguns, hand-to-hand, home safe room, exercises, parking lot situations, etc. etc. etc. Very well done.

Interesting comment about the sound of a shotgun breech closing. There is no sound like that. I believed the same thing about the deterrence of that sound. But, on the show they warned not a rely on that sound alone as bad guys have their minds elsewhere. So if you have the shotgun, be ready to use it.

[Hootmon]

Are you looking to buy, or just browse?At least browse. Maybe both.



If you get the Outdoor Channel, watch "Best Defense" on Wednesdays. They cover it all. Shotguns, handguns, hand-to-hand, home safe room, exercises, parking lot situations, etc. etc. etc. Very well done.I thinhk I do get that channel. Ill have to set up a recording.



So if you have the shotgun, be ready to use it.:sad

[Haus]

What should I be looking for?

I havent shot a gun since I was in Rifle Club back in Junior High in the mid-70's.

I think I want some sort of shotgun for home defense and maybe some kind of handgun, but I have to admit that Im essentially clueless.

I guess what I would like is some kind of 'starter kit'.

As mentioned, the Remington 870 is a great basic shotgun. The Mossberg 500 is another one. You can't go wrong with either of those.

For a handgun, what you want to do is hold all of them and see what feels like a good fit in your hand. I have a Glock 19 and I love it.

After you buy whatever you are going to buy, go to a range and shoot shoot shoot.