Vaga,

Here is what we did when it came time to get my fiance' a handgun. We went to a gun club/range that had a large selection of firearms to rent. Some places rent many many different types while others only have a few. My number one choice, and this would make gun lovers drool, is http://www.scottsdalegunclub.com/index.php. If you never make it down to Arizona, try and find one in the Seattle area.

The main point is to try and figure out what feels comfortable in your hands and what type of caliber you can accurately shoot and manage the recoil. But before you even chose that you need to decide if you plan on carrying it concealed or just having it by your bedside?

Sure is a small world!! I lived out in scottsdale 4 years ago.
I did flight instructions at Sawyer Aviation!

God I miss that place!

"N-XXXX, please report pinnacle peak "

:):)

The only thing keeping me there is that it's the only job I could find. Clothing has a pretty good discount, but firearms and ammo discounts are pretty much worthless. Just bought a case of Estate 12ga game loads for $40. It depends quite greatly based on the profit margin of the item. Nobody likes it and employees aren't buying much as a result. I've bluesheeted a few things but there are only so many pairs of boots, shoes and waders you can try in the footwear department where I work.

I'd love to get a new bow, however I'd be better off waiting until I go back to the airlines and waiting for one on clearance.

Vagabond,

For somebody just getting into it, the advice above is great. If you're looking for personal defense I think the best way to go is a revolver. If you're ever in a situation where you pull the trigger, and nothing happens when you want it to, you're only another trigger pull from it doing what it's supposed to.

Vaga, I am not a defense expert but I don't think you will want to do concealed carrying. That is for professionals in law enforcement and those who live in high crime areas such as those in major cities. I suppose those who represent high profile targets want them also. I lived in the dump called north broad street in Philadelphia for a while doing charity work and had to carry a gun for that but I came to the conclusion it was not worth it since crooks had better guns and were better at using them too!

The idea about trying guns at the local range is good. I would add you need to take someone with you as a guide the first time and take a safety course first. Most ranges will not rent a weapon unless you claim to know how to use it safely, even with a guide. Rent a variety of calibers and see what feels the best. .45's and magnums kick a little bit, so you may want to try 9mm and 38's. Many police forces issue smaller caliber (.40 or 9mm) weapons to their personnel for this reason.

Also, Massad Ayoob is a wonderful gun writer. You may want to check his articles and books out.

AHHHHH The good ole' blue sheet. I lucked out and worked in the hunting department. I tried out 2 treestands, 2 different goose blinds, and a few others including a new sight for my bow. (Which I ended up purchasing anyway)

Cubdriver,

I respectfully disagree with a couple of you statements and it might have to do with some of my experiences. I have been in two different situations where guns were pulled on me, through no fault of my own. I was not armed and luckily they resulted in no one hurt. I believe that concealed carry is a GREAT option for anyone who wants to feel that they are safe in any situation. The standard crooks RARELY have better guns and in almost all cases when an upstanding citizen with a concealed weapon and some low life come to ahead, the citizen is the one that took the responsibility of carrying the weapon seriously and makes sure they are accurate and keep themselves proficient. In the end it normally ends with the "bad guy" dead and others safe.

I would suggest that anyone who is willing to take the responsibility of carrying a concealed weapon to do it. Just one thought. Remember that you are making a conscious decision to not only protect yourself but that you will also have the responsibility to protect anyone, friend or stranger, if a dangerous situation should arise. 3 years ago was the only time I have ever had to pull my firearm and it was against a man who had pulled a gun on a Vietnam vet and his 5 year old grand daughter for denting his car when the wind caught the little girls door. I just happened to be walking by.

Nicely said, and in the case of those who take adequate care to get training I absolutely agree.

I too had a gun pulled on me and was close to death on one occasion, had things not gone my way. I came to the conclusion that leaving the area was the best option based on my purpose in being there in the first place, which was to do charity work. It is a good question to ask that if you end up killing petty crooks in order to do some charity work in their neighborhood how much good are you really doing? I opted to leave instead of kill a few crooks in the name of such work.

-Cub

Not really regarding the guns subject, but this story from 60 min (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4564161n), was really interesting to watch. What is your thought on mr bill, behavior. I actually think he did a good job, but with so many left wing liberals, your government will probably spend millions of dollars to crocks, for “civil injustice” or whatnot.

What your thought on this one?

This guy is a loon and a con artist. It's what happens in this country when you are out of work for to long and decide that "you" are going to take the law into your own hands. Another failed reject in America.

When it comes down to it our country has a horrible crime problem and my personal opinion is that 80%-90% of it is caused by the uncontrollable drug problem we face. Our revolving door justice system is sickening. Third time drug offenders can get probation. The United States spends billions a year overseas fighting a drug problem that it could stop in a matter of 2 years back at home if appropriate steps were taken. First time drug offenders should get to go to rehab. If they are arrested again they should be executed. It’s plain and simple way to end a majority of crime in the US. I know that it will never happen in my life time and most people say that this is wayyy to extreme, but countries like Singapore have some of the lowest crime rates in the world due to the fact that they don't have a drug problem.

Glock 23 great gun

Glock 26 (9mm)
WASR-10 (Romanian AKM-47 7.62mm)