Pretend To Imagine
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2024
Mega Rad Gun Thread
- Thread starter The Hunter
- Start date
-
Want to keep track of this thread?
Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
Create account
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2021
My #1 recommendation for a semiautomatic handgun, for a firearm novice, for self defense within the home, outside of California (California has an approved list of handguns and it's extremely gay and no new designs are ever approved), is the Smith & Wesson M&P EZ in 9mm. I have recommended this gun to multiple firearm novices who went to buy it and really liked it, and have practiced with it with great results. It is affordable, easy to use in all aspects of the scenario, and fully modern when it comes to features and compatibility with accessories such as a light and/or laser. Every gun store in the country sells these (except CA), if you go to a gun show you can find about 15 dealers selling them, they're super popular for a reason. This gun is easy to cycle, easy to load, and shoots like any other full-ish size 9mm, AKA even your mom can shoot it without issues. 9mm is readily available and cheap, and defensive ammo isn't a crapshoot of will it work or won't it. This gun retails for around $400-$500 street price for the base model, and it just works.
The above was the concise reply. The below is related sperging but not strictly necessary for your stream.
If you have to recommend a firearm to someone that means they're a novice, and a novice-friendly gun is your best bet as that will get them actually excited to shoot it and make the experience much more enjoyable. This gun was designed from the ground up with new shooters in mind and I can tell you from experience it does a good job. If someone doesn't have a lot of money I would simply recommend saving up because you can buy a cheap piece of shit or you can buy something that works.
Many gun autists will recommend guns that work for them without consideration for the actual human being purchasing and using the firearm. Not everyone is exactly like them though. I've taken firearm novices to gun shows and let them get their hands on the types of handguns I enjoy, only for them to scrunch their faces once they try working the action on a Glock 19. Then they get their hands on the S&W M&P EZ and their eyes open wide and they say "wow, I really like this!"
Another piece of general advice for a first-time buyer is to get your hands on as many guns as possible and see what feels right for you.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2022
Use gun.deals to price shop, ammoseek.com for ammo, guns.com as a decent retail price reference. If you can only afford one gun get a pistol you can conceal carry. Get a 9mm so it's cheaper to practice and easier to find ammo. Don't be a shitbird and get a 5.7 or 10mm because /k/ told you 9mm is useless. Arm yourself and learn first, then sperg about cartridges.
Poorfag mode:
You can get adequate but not too desirable used guns like the SD9, XD9, first gen M&P 9 Shield for around $250-300. My favorite among these cheaper guns is the M&P 9 shield for its concealability. The shield is also 10 round state legal (7+1). Yes, you can get a hi-point for like $100, but they're huge so I don't recommend it.
Can afford whatever:
Just start with a Glock 19. They're the Camry of guns. Boring, not good looking, but affordable, long lasting, durable. If on the cheap side of this get a LEO trade in for $350-400 or a CZ P-10C. Glocks are pretty easy to shoot but don't point "naturally" for some people. If you can shoot one well you'll shoot other guns well. If not the Glock 19 get an M&P 9 M2.0 compact, it's a little slimmer and has a better trigger.
Deeper concealment:
Shield Plus, Hellcat, CSX-E. These tiny 9s are big capacity (10+1 or more) in the smallest package and I've tried so many of them and boiled the choice down to those. The CSX-E is hammer fired and single action if that's what you learned on with Pa and his 1911. The Hellcat has a much better manual safety than the Shield Plus so if you want one with a safety get the Hellcat.
Richfag mode:
Wilson Combat SFX9
First rifles:
Find a used M&P 15 or build your own AR if you like doing that stuff. What makes a good AR build is beyond the scope of this post but PSA stripped receivers + better quality BCG, barrel, and trigger, makes a legit good gun for pretty cheap.
Last edited:
Polock
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2022
Bottom line up front: I don't fucking care what you get as long as you TRAIN WITH IT. Gun consoomer culture is retarded. Most guns are just fine. Spend $400-600 on a gun and then spend $400-600 on ammo for it.
Before you buy a gun for the first time, figure out why you're buying a gun.
Is it because you want to start learning the basics of gun safety and marksmanship?
Ruger 10/22 - reliable, cheap gun, cheap ammo, wide aftermarket, fundamental skills transfer over to other weapons.
Youtube has literally all the info you need to get started. Otherwise take a class at a reputable place.
Are you worried about self defense?
Get a 9mm compact (not subcompact) pistol from any of the brands mentioned in here (S&W, CZ, Beretta, Glock, etc). Modern pistols from name brand manufacturers are basically all pretty good.
Ideally, shoot the gun before you buy it. Many ranges have gun rentals with a wide selection - try out stuff to see what you like.
If possible, get a pistol that is optics ready. Red dots are great.
Don't break the bank with your red dot. I have a cheapo $100 Viridian that came with my gun. It works.
Get a holster, get a lot of ammo, practice with both a lot.
Get a couple boxes of defensive ammo (Luckygunner is pretty useful here) and shoot it through your gun to make sure it doesn't have any issues with it.
CARRY YOUR GUN WITH YOU.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2019
Every week there's another "first gun" discourse with different answers that nobody wants to agree on with too much information for a new buyer to digest. You can't dumb it down enough, realize that Null is the one relaying this information, don't expound on options, preferences or detailed options.
List good brands, say that any of them that feel good in your hand is your best bet. Do not confound the new gun owner with opinions beyond their understanding.
Realize that, the more complicated your explanation, the more likely the new buyer is to get fleeced by the salesman who desperately needs to sell overpriced garbage or shit that doesn't sell and the guy you're advocating to just walks out with the most rattly, Indian-smelling SIG P320 because you weren't clear and concise enough. No this is not an invitation to wax poetic about getting into the nuance of bad products.
GLOCK GOOD.
SMITH & WESSON GOOD.
BERETTA GOOD.
TAURUS NOT VERY GOOD.
CANIK VERY BAD.
BUY FACTORY NEW AMMO. HORNADY VERY GOOD, FEDERAL GOOD. REMINGTON GOOD.
And buy a holster.
UNCLE MIKES VERY BAD
Shotguns are difficult to use without training whereas a even child can use an AR-15 somewhat competently. Your AR doesn't have to be perfect, your local gun store will probably have some.
SMITH & WESSON GOOD.
RUGER GOOD.
RADICAL BAD.
BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE VERY BAD.
List good brands, say that any of them that feel good in your hand is your best bet. Do not confound the new gun owner with opinions beyond their understanding.
Realize that, the more complicated your explanation, the more likely the new buyer is to get fleeced by the salesman who desperately needs to sell overpriced garbage or shit that doesn't sell and the guy you're advocating to just walks out with the most rattly, Indian-smelling SIG P320 because you weren't clear and concise enough. No this is not an invitation to wax poetic about getting into the nuance of bad products.
GLOCK GOOD.
SMITH & WESSON GOOD.
BERETTA GOOD.
TAURUS NOT VERY GOOD.
CANIK VERY BAD.
BUY FACTORY NEW AMMO. HORNADY VERY GOOD, FEDERAL GOOD. REMINGTON GOOD.
And buy a holster.
UNCLE MIKES VERY BAD
Shotguns are difficult to use without training whereas a even child can use an AR-15 somewhat competently. Your AR doesn't have to be perfect, your local gun store will probably have some.
SMITH & WESSON GOOD.
RUGER GOOD.
RADICAL BAD.
BLACK RAIN ORDNANCE VERY BAD.
Boney
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2024
I wrote a guide.
Protract to the next step of having your audience buy guns, learning to use them. The community will benefit from a reliable platform that can be used as a template.
People who know what they are doing gravitate towards the same tools for a reason.
I know its boring and you don't like being dogpiled with the same answer, but please stick to the "Glock and quality AR-15" script. Its true for the rural Texan and urban Californian alike.
Protract to the next step of having your audience buy guns, learning to use them. The community will benefit from a reliable platform that can be used as a template.
People who know what they are doing gravitate towards the same tools for a reason.
Too read articles
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2024
Invest in ear protection, even the cheap foam earplugs are better than nothing. You'll lose a lot of the higher frequencies really fast if you don't and they never come back.
The first gun I bought with my own money was a 1911. It won't ever be a good concealed carry but for a gun that is beautiful in aesthetic and design I can't think of anything better to make you really appreciate guns.
Learning how to completely disassemble and reassemble it is very easy and is a great way to really learn how all the moving parts of a gun actually work together.
Stay away from Taurus revolvers. I've had one shear off it's hammer pivot pin and the replacement they sent was out of time and blew up straight out of the box.
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2022
For a non-gun thing to buy ear-pro is essential. Even a lot of suppressed firearms aren't hearing safe, anything bigger than a handgun/.22LR really. The electronic earmuff style is my personal favorite and worth the money as they can not only protect your hearing but enhance it, making it easier to hear sticks and leaves crunching in the distance or just someone skulking around in the dark, not to mention you can be the cool guy at the range who doesn't have to say "DO WHAT NOW?" every time someone tries to talk to you
For cheap-but-good-enough accessories I like Primary Arms, Holosun, and Olight (I'll probably get roasted for liking Olight lol)
I didn't really see anything I disagreed with in previous posts as far as what the good beginner guns are so I think I'll mostly mention things to avoid
Turkshit: There are some ok turkish guns, mostly clones of german stuff where turkish factories have picked up older tooling, but you kinda need to know what you're looking for (as well as be willing to put it through its paces to be sure the QC for that particular unit was up to snuff) so it's not a beginner friendly market
Sig SAAR P320: These are basically on fire sale and tempting to pick up but just not worth it at the end of the day
1911: Beautiful guns and a joy to shoot but a lot of them aren't drop safe. On top of that the capacity on them just isn't there, you can get 3x as many rounds of 9mm in a smaller gun and twice as many in a compact. I'd recommend a 6-shot revolver over a 7+1 1911 pretty much any day and a glock 17/19 (or clone) over both
AK-47/74/SKS: These were nice to have when ammo was fifteen cents a round (and SKS's were under $250) but you can get quality 5.56 ammo for about the same as 7.62x39 most of the time now and 5.45 is basically unobtanium. You can get AKs in 5.56 pretty easily now but an AR-15 will give you more features at a lower weight
I'd also say just stay away from shotguns for the most part unless you're wanting to hunt birds (I assume the segment is about self-defense). Unless you want to go through the trouble of registering an SBS they're just really big and cumbersome and probably not as easy to shoot as most people imagine
And I guess to add one thing to buy beyond a glock (clone)/AR-15 if someone is so inclined, I like the Ruger American and American Ranch bolt rifles as entry level hunting rifles. I especially like the American Ranch in 5.56/300blk since they accept standard AR15 magazines and are threaded for suppressors. Not ideal as hunting cartridges but they'll get the job done if that's what you've got
For cheap-but-good-enough accessories I like Primary Arms, Holosun, and Olight (I'll probably get roasted for liking Olight lol)
I didn't really see anything I disagreed with in previous posts as far as what the good beginner guns are so I think I'll mostly mention things to avoid
Turkshit: There are some ok turkish guns, mostly clones of german stuff where turkish factories have picked up older tooling, but you kinda need to know what you're looking for (as well as be willing to put it through its paces to be sure the QC for that particular unit was up to snuff) so it's not a beginner friendly market
Sig SAAR P320: These are basically on fire sale and tempting to pick up but just not worth it at the end of the day
1911: Beautiful guns and a joy to shoot but a lot of them aren't drop safe. On top of that the capacity on them just isn't there, you can get 3x as many rounds of 9mm in a smaller gun and twice as many in a compact. I'd recommend a 6-shot revolver over a 7+1 1911 pretty much any day and a glock 17/19 (or clone) over both
AK-47/74/SKS: These were nice to have when ammo was fifteen cents a round (and SKS's were under $250) but you can get quality 5.56 ammo for about the same as 7.62x39 most of the time now and 5.45 is basically unobtanium. You can get AKs in 5.56 pretty easily now but an AR-15 will give you more features at a lower weight
I'd also say just stay away from shotguns for the most part unless you're wanting to hunt birds (I assume the segment is about self-defense). Unless you want to go through the trouble of registering an SBS they're just really big and cumbersome and probably not as easy to shoot as most people imagine
And I guess to add one thing to buy beyond a glock (clone)/AR-15 if someone is so inclined, I like the Ruger American and American Ranch bolt rifles as entry level hunting rifles. I especially like the American Ranch in 5.56/300blk since they accept standard AR15 magazines and are threaded for suppressors. Not ideal as hunting cartridges but they'll get the job done if that's what you've got
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2021
The very vast majority of firearms available for purchase in the US today are similar or identical to designs that were first Introduced 50-125 years ago.
Man has been making complex firearms since about 1600 onwards (in small, artisinall quantities for wealthy persons) and the first machinegun was built in 1884 with hand cranked gatling guns being made 20 years before that.
Firearms are not particularly hard goods to manufacture and the only reason many of them are priced the way they are is because of
1. Branding
2. Profit motive
3. Quality Control
4. Proprietary technology/features.
5. Government regulation
One of America's biggest firearms manufacturers and retailers, Palmetto State Armory, sells a Glock clone called a Dagger for less than $300 on a regular basis. Turks are able to import pump action shotguns at like $40 per unit with a sales price of $120.
The Army might be doing something even dumber in relation to the NGSW Program
This is said to be a product improved version of the XM-7 at the recent DSEI Arms show
-Fixed Stock
-10.5in barrel
-Lightened BCG and Barrel
-Side charging handle is retained but now made out of polymer
-Empty weight 7.5lbs
SLX Suppressors now also have heat shield options (and the suppressor is sad to have been shortened, unclear if it has been fattened any to gain back volume)
They were showing off a variant with a fixed stock at IDEX
But now for something really interesting
Here's a similar rifle at Fort Benning equipped with a MFMD Suppressor and what looks to be the rare and obscure Vortex "Elanor" LPVO (Same one for the UKSF KS-1 Contract). Where's the XM-157?
If we refer to this post I made
We'll be reminded that the XM-7 probably can't penetrate any half decent armor at any considerable distance, but by chopping 2.5in off the barrel you're only lessening the velocity (and increasing flash and sound signature but more on that in a minute) thus further lessening armor penetration capabilities, especially at distance.
So we have a rifle that initially had a short barrel and a high pressure cartridge that looks to chew through barrels and suppressors that weighs more and carries less ammo that may or may not be getting replaced with a variant of said rifle that is going to have an even shorter barrel, presumably the same high pressure cartridge that will chew through suppressors faster due to increased muzzle blast no matter how thick they make the blast baffle, that weighs less (at the cost of ballistic performance), whose barrel will heat up faster playing hell with accuracy and reducing lifespan that has the same ammunition capacity and loadout reductions but now with more flash and sound signature.
Bravo, Army.
For the same price (and be honest here, probably less) than all the money spent on the NGSW program they could have issued every Rifleman an URGI or similar premium AR Upper with the Army's choice of optics and suppressor and loaded it with an advanced ammunition solution from True Velocity, FN, Shell Shock or Federal.
Or they could have invested the money in literally anything else (small arms are largely irrelevant in terms of actually killing people in war)
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2015
Null tell everyone to get a bottle of vodka a hack saw and a mosin.
Comrade is we miss target we have much of fire to be setting them on.
It literally is a good idea .
Comrade is we miss target we have much of fire to be setting them on.
It literally is a good idea .
DuckofDoom
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2020
For handguns, the most basic affordable option would be a Glock 17 or 19.
For a little extra money, I'm partial towards Double-Action/Single-Action hammer fired pistols like the Sig 226 (if you're wanting something full size), or the HK USP Compact or P2000 (for a lighter DA/SA carry pistol)
For rifles, a good midrange AR-15 is a must-have. BCM makes really solid rifles that won't break the bank.
- Joined
- May 18, 2020
Ahaha yeah that are good although tbh I don't like how slender and close to the barrel Bravo Company (BCM) handguards are.
There are dozens of options for great m lok AR handguards out there.
I personally love CMT or Geisslee
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2021
I work in a position that allows me to see first hand results of self defense ammo from all the major ammo manufacturers. Hornady critical defense, Winchester Defender and Federal HST are the top of the line. Remington has expansion issues made worse by their QC. Speer has had issues with G2.”
For practice ammo anything factory by Winchester, Federal, Remington will be fine.
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2022
Based on my guntube e-daddies' results I am partial to Critical Defense myself. Less so for overall terminal performance and more that it doesn't seem like any of them have ever been able to get it to over-penetrate while still meeting the minimum performance I want, even on clear gel which seems softer than real gel.
Do you have any thoughts on Critical Duty vs Critical Defense @Smoke Manmuscle? From the best I've been able to tell Critical Duty seems wasted without a 4"+ barrel while Defense is optimized for somewhere in the 3" range
Do you have any thoughts on Critical Duty vs Critical Defense @Smoke Manmuscle? From the best I've been able to tell Critical Duty seems wasted without a 4"+ barrel while Defense is optimized for somewhere in the 3" range
Pretend To Imagine
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2024
I love how he is resting the can on that block.But now for something really interesting
Here's a similar rifle at Fort Benning equipped with a MFMD Suppressor and what looks to be the rare and obscure Vortex "Elanor" LPVO (Same one for the UKSF KS-1 Contract). Where's the XM-157?
- Joined
- Jan 19, 2021
Everyone else has covered the Glock/AR15 thing, so I'll skip those. I think that the most important thing when buying your first handgun is to actually handle one and try shooting it before buying. Way too many people buy something like a Ruger LCP and then discover that a gun that small and light can be unpleasant to shoot even in .380.
Sig as a company has deservedly poor reputation after the 320 thing, but I do like the P365 as a carry option. It can be had in a range of sizes depending on how you weigh concealability, capacity, and controllability (I usually carry a P365XL). It can be had with or without a manual safety, red dot, compensator, etc. depending on your preferences. It also has pretty good capacity for the size, and its modularity lets you change out parts easily if you want to.
- Joined
- Jan 28, 2021
1. Nothing Turkish for the love of God
2. Nothing from Sig for the love of God
3. From roughly lowest to roughly highest price/quality: Smith and Wesson (M&P 2.0 series, shield series, revolvers), Glock (17, 47, 19, 43, 43x), Walther (PDP series, PDP-F series, PPK in .32 ACP, not the .380 PPK for the love of God), Beretta (APX, PX4, 92 series), HK (CC9, VP9 series, P30 series, HK45, USP if you’re a gun autist like me), $2000+ 1911/2011 if you really like to waste money.
Don’t flag people and hold your gun like you’re not a fag. I promise you can conceal a regular size gun, you don’t have to have the smallest 9mm ever made.
Edit: oh Yeah CZ is cool and fine too.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Aug 7, 2024
Joined the gun owner's club after considering it for a long time. I woke up to a new America today, so it only seemed fitting.
I purchased a 3" S&W CSX E-Series, and its big brother the 3.6". I wanted one for CC and one for home defense. Don't have room for shotgun storage here. And I live in a constitutional carry state. Yay.
3.6"
3"
The owner stood by the fact that the 3" was his absolute favorite and most reliable concealed carry. He also said he was considering to buy both like I did, as he loves them so much. The gun feels great in my hand, like it belongs there.
I bought civil defense 9mm +P rounds and practice rounds for the range. Bought a fort knox pistol safe as well. Was wondering if any kiwis knew of a custom or one size fits all flashlight I could attach to the 3.6". Paul Harrell always said a super bright flashlight was a must have. Gotta see in the dark.
Going to practice un-holstering, my cop friend let me know about snap caps. I'm going to get a custom Kydex in waistband holster for the concealed carry.
Feels nice to be a complete American now.
I purchased a 3" S&W CSX E-Series, and its big brother the 3.6". I wanted one for CC and one for home defense. Don't have room for shotgun storage here. And I live in a constitutional carry state. Yay.
The owner stood by the fact that the 3" was his absolute favorite and most reliable concealed carry. He also said he was considering to buy both like I did, as he loves them so much. The gun feels great in my hand, like it belongs there.
I bought civil defense 9mm +P rounds and practice rounds for the range. Bought a fort knox pistol safe as well. Was wondering if any kiwis knew of a custom or one size fits all flashlight I could attach to the 3.6". Paul Harrell always said a super bright flashlight was a must have. Gotta see in the dark.
Going to practice un-holstering, my cop friend let me know about snap caps. I'm going to get a custom Kydex in waistband holster for the concealed carry.
Feels nice to be a complete American now.
Polock
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2022
If you're getting a mounted flashlight you need to account for that with the holster fyi.
However it doesn't look like your gun has an accessory rail so you're going to have to EDC a flashlight, which isn't a huge deal tbh, there are upsides to having them separate. I dont know of any kind of universal attaching flashlight, unless you wanna nigger rig something to your gun with gaffers tape. Maybe some other kiwis have more insight.
I personally like Streamlight, have both the TLR-7 and the 7X and they both hit the performance::price ratio I'm looking for since I'm not made of money.