Each type of Firearm has its place and purpose, if you know of a single weapon that can be used for all types of large and small game, defense and concealed carry with equal efficiency, without lacking in any area; let me know because I haven’t found it yet.
It is best to understand the limitations of a handgun before you put too much faith in its abilities. A rifle or shotgun beats a handgun when things turn bad, but unfortunately the handgun is likely what you will have on you at the time.
There has much debate over the years about stopping power of the various handgun rounds. The usual contention sported by most “experts” is that size matters and this is true to a point, but it is not the only objective to be considered in the stopping power debate.
Shot placement and penetration are of more importance than the size of the round being used. The bullet must hit a vital target area and have enough penetration to reach the vital organs in that area to achieve any chance of a one shot stop.
There are many handguns available that will serve the purpose of a portable, easy to carry concealable weapon. The four calibers to look for include the 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and the .357 magnum. Beretta, Browning, Colt, Ruger, SIG Arms, Glock, Taurus, Smith & Wesson and several other manufacturers make weapons that will serve you well. It all comes down to your skill level, needs and budget.
I have carried a stainless steel Ruger Mark II with a 5-1/2-inch bull barrel for years while tending my trap line. One cold December morning as I topped a small hill, I spotted a large bobcat caught in one of my dirt hole sets about 45 yards from my position.
I quickly took aim with the aid of a large oak tree, and squeezed off a round, the Winchester Power Point struck the cat right behind the front shoulder-blade, he jumped into the air with a twitch and was dead before hitting the ground. A good quality .22 caliber pistol is a most useful survival tool, and every home/retreat should have at least one.
1. Is the gun just for recreational target practice? If so, I recommend a .22 Long Rifle caliber in a handgun or rifle. Go with a popular and longstanding manufacturer such as Sturm-Ruger, Winchester, Marlin or Remington. The Sturm-Ruger 10-.22 rifle is a perfect choice.
2. Is the gun for home defense? I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun with a 20" barrel, or a .38 Special revolver. Semi-automatics should be considered for defense after you have become proficient with a firearm. I personally have both. I own a Mossberg 590 A1 with their marine-coat finish. It's a nine-shot 12 gauge shotgun with just a twenty inch barrel. In addition, both my wife and I have a Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum revolver and a Ruger SP-101 also in .357 magnum.
3. Is the gun for concealed carry? I recommend revolvers or semi-automatics with a 4.5" barrel or less. Most barrels of longer length are harder to conceal. For concealed carry, I could recommend hundreds of models of quality firearms. However, if I was to settle on a single caliber and model, it would be one of the Sig Sauer semi-automatics in .40 S&W caliber, perhaps the Sig Sauer P 226.
4. Which gun is right for my body? People of slight build should not consider the most powerful firearms in each category. Large shotguns and rifles might have to be cut down to properly fit those of small stature or small hands.
5. Will the gun be diligently cared for? Stainless steel will not corrode and oxidize as readily as "blued" steel. You should make sure that you keep your firearms in top condition. Do not allow them to corrode and degrade to the point where their reliability may be in question. Plus, it is EMBARRASSING to take out a firearm to show to an interested dinner guest and have it be all dusty, filthy or rusty. :-)
Interesting Fact:
How you answer these questions, will determine the direction your purchase should go.
Rifle, shotgun or handgun? Do you know which type of firearm you want? As a first gun for a child, I always recommend a single shot .22 cal rimfire rifle. A single shot .22 bolt-action rimfire is easy to learn and will not be too overpowering for a child. The child should be made completely aware of all the safety rules and loading/unloading procedures.
Make sure the child knows the manual for his/her new gun and keeps it in good condition. He/she should also be taught to keep the firearm and ammo locked up and secure until it is time to head out to the range.
The importance of safety can never be overstated.
I have published the single largest and most comprehensive page of gun safety rules and tips found anywhere in the world. I have come up with more than fifty gun safety rules and tips and my "Safety Rules" page has garnered top search engine rankings in the world for years for the search terms of "gun safety rules" and "gun safety rules for kids".
Firearms Licensing
If paying at a police station you may pay by cash, cheque or postal-order.
Before you start using your gun you need to know how to stay safe.
The following are basic principles:- The minimum age at which firearms and ammunition can be purchased or hired is 18 years old.
- Keep your gun locked up in a cabinet, preferably hidden within a larger storage area. This prevents curious children, house guests or even burglars from accidentally mishandling your gun.
- Keep your ammunition safe in a secured cupboard or out of reach of children. Firearms ammunition must be locked in a separate container to the gun.
- Never point a gun at anybody, even if you know it is not loaded. It will scare somebody if you point any gun at them. Can you be absolutely sure that the gun is not loaded?
- Don't leave bits of oily rag in the bores of the gun with the intent of preventing rust. If your gun is properly cleaned and stored, this won't help and you could forget the rag is there.
- Never trust a safety catch - treat it only as a second line of defence because it could be faulty. No-one was ever shot by an open, empty gun.
- Transport your gun safely and lock it in the boot or place it in the back of an estate car under a cover like travel rugs or coats.
What else can you buy:
Survival Handguns
Handguns were created to arm those who needed their hands free for other purposes. Handguns are useful as backup weapons and for concealed carry but for the most part they are of limited use.
It is best to understand the limitations of a handgun before you put too much faith in its abilities. A rifle or shotgun beats a handgun when things turn bad, but unfortunately the handgun is likely what you will have on you at the time.
There has much debate over the years about stopping power of the various handgun rounds. The usual contention sported by most “experts” is that size matters and this is true to a point, but it is not the only objective to be considered in the stopping power debate.
There are many handguns available that will serve the purpose of a portable, easy to carry concealable weapon. The four calibers to look for include the 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP and the .357 magnum. Beretta, Browning, Colt, Ruger, SIG Arms, Glock, Taurus, Smith & Wesson and several other manufacturers make weapons that will serve you well. It all comes down to your skill level, needs and budget.
I have carried a stainless steel Ruger Mark II with a 5-1/2-inch bull barrel for years while tending my trap line. One cold December morning as I topped a small hill, I spotted a large bobcat caught in one of my dirt hole sets about 45 yards from my position.
I quickly took aim with the aid of a large oak tree, and squeezed off a round, the Winchester Power Point struck the cat right behind the front shoulder-blade, he jumped into the air with a twitch and was dead before hitting the ground. A good quality .22 caliber pistol is a most useful survival tool, and every home/retreat should have at least one.
How to Choose a firearm.
Whether you are buying your very first gun or just adding to a large collection, there are many things to consider. The MOST important thing to consider before I get into everything else, is that the firearm fits your hands and body. Hands that are too small for a particular handgun or hands that are too large for a smaller handgun will likely require the readjustment of your grip in between rounds, which is unacceptable. Fingers that are too short to reach the trigger or too long, beyond the trigger will pull the barrel's direction one way or the other during the trigger squeeze. Rifles, shotguns or some larger handguns that are too heavy or hard to use will likely shorten your practice sessions etc.. So, first you must purchase a gun that fits your physical characteristics.1. Is the gun just for recreational target practice? If so, I recommend a .22 Long Rifle caliber in a handgun or rifle. Go with a popular and longstanding manufacturer such as Sturm-Ruger, Winchester, Marlin or Remington. The Sturm-Ruger 10-.22 rifle is a perfect choice.
2. Is the gun for home defense? I recommend a 12 gauge shotgun with a 20" barrel, or a .38 Special revolver. Semi-automatics should be considered for defense after you have become proficient with a firearm. I personally have both. I own a Mossberg 590 A1 with their marine-coat finish. It's a nine-shot 12 gauge shotgun with just a twenty inch barrel. In addition, both my wife and I have a Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum revolver and a Ruger SP-101 also in .357 magnum.
I don't usually recommend semi-autos for "first-timers". For a home defense shotgun, I recommend models from Mossberg, Winchester and Remington. For a revolver, I recommend models from Sturm-Ruger, Dan Wesson and Taurus International. Semi-autos are okay for first time shooters, IF you are going to take the time to know the pistol inside AND out and practice with it regularly to the point where operating it is instinctive.
I recommend that you use the "pistol grip only" shotguns just for "showing off" at the club and not for serious home defense. I recommend full shoulder stocked shotguns for home defense with a barrel not longer than 20".
Guns used for defensive purposes should be able to reliably cycle at least 500 cartridges without a single malfunction. Your life may well depend upon it.
3. Is the gun for concealed carry? I recommend revolvers or semi-automatics with a 4.5" barrel or less. Most barrels of longer length are harder to conceal. For concealed carry, I could recommend hundreds of models of quality firearms. However, if I was to settle on a single caliber and model, it would be one of the Sig Sauer semi-automatics in .40 S&W caliber, perhaps the Sig Sauer P 226.
4. Which gun is right for my body? People of slight build should not consider the most powerful firearms in each category. Large shotguns and rifles might have to be cut down to properly fit those of small stature or small hands.
5. Will the gun be diligently cared for? Stainless steel will not corrode and oxidize as readily as "blued" steel. You should make sure that you keep your firearms in top condition. Do not allow them to corrode and degrade to the point where their reliability may be in question. Plus, it is EMBARRASSING to take out a firearm to show to an interested dinner guest and have it be all dusty, filthy or rusty. :-)
Interesting Fact:
**According to at least one study I've read about 11% of all privately owned firearms in the United States have never been fired. Practicing with a self-defense firearm is an important aspect of gun ownership that has been neglected in most families.6. How much are you prepared to spend? An inexpensive bargain firearm may not function properly and reliably. You usually get what you pay for when it comes to a gun purchase. Be prepared to spend between $300 and $1200 for a quality firearm. If you spend under $100.00 for a small .25 ACP, you may be compromising too much!!!
How you answer these questions, will determine the direction your purchase should go.
Rifle, shotgun or handgun? Do you know which type of firearm you want? As a first gun for a child, I always recommend a single shot .22 cal rimfire rifle. A single shot .22 bolt-action rimfire is easy to learn and will not be too overpowering for a child. The child should be made completely aware of all the safety rules and loading/unloading procedures.
Make sure the child knows the manual for his/her new gun and keeps it in good condition. He/she should also be taught to keep the firearm and ammo locked up and secure until it is time to head out to the range.
The importance of safety can never be overstated.
I have published the single largest and most comprehensive page of gun safety rules and tips found anywhere in the world. I have come up with more than fifty gun safety rules and tips and my "Safety Rules" page has garnered top search engine rankings in the world for years for the search terms of "gun safety rules" and "gun safety rules for kids".
Firearms Licensing
FEES AND CHARGES
All cheques and postal orders should be made payable to: "The Chief Constable"
Shotguns | Firearms | |||||||
Grant of Certificate | £50.00 (Where no other current shotgun certificate already exists in the name of the applicant, and it is the only certificate being applied for.) | £50.00 (Where no other current firearm certificate already exists in the name of the applicant.) | ||||||
£40.00 (Where the application is for the renewal of a Current Existing Certificate in the holder's name and address. Please note that if your old certificate has already expired prior to your date of application for renewal, then you may be required to pay for a grant.) | £40.00 (Where the application is for the renewal of a current existing certificate in the holder's name and address.) | |||||||
Replacement Certificate | £8.00 (Where a shotgun certificate is lost or stolen, it must be reported to your local police, before applying for a replacement.) | £9.00 (Where a firearm certificate is lost or stolen, it must be reported to your local police, before applying for a replacement.) | ||||||
Coterminous Certificate | £10.00 (Where a shotgun certificate is granted or renewed at the same time as a firearm certificate, and they both expire on the same date) | Not applicable | ||||||
Not applicable | £26.00 (Where an increase in the number of weapons held on the current certificate results. Note: "one for one" variations, where anexisting weapon or authority on a certificate, is changed for a different weapon, do not attract a fee.) | |||||||
General | ||||||||
Visitor's Permit | £12.00 (per applicant up to maximum of 5 ) £60.00 (for a group of 6 up to a maximum of 20) (Where a resident in Great Britain sponsors an applicant or group of applicants from abroad.) | |||||||
Firearms Dealers |
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