For those that do take a firearm with you...

[highdesertranger]

a word on ammo in California. it has gotten a lot better since last year. prices have come down somewhat and supplies are more plentiful. not back to normal but a whole lot better. a store with great prices and plenty of inventory is LAX Firing Range. they have 3 stores one by LAX, another in Orange County, and one in San Diego. they also do mail order. they have the name brands as well as their own brand. even during the panic they were well stocked.

http://www.laxrange.com/

highdesertranger

oh yeah they rent guns and have classes also.

 

[user 423]

Ruger Security-Six .357 that I've owned since '81. Simple,rugged. I don't carry, it just stays under the bed. Used to have SW Model 39 that I carried when a security guard. Would like to find a nice example to buy now. I also plan to buy a Maverick 12ga. with the 18.5" barrel for when I pass thru Canada on the way to Alaska next summer.

 

[Charlotte's Web]

a word on ammo in California.  it has gotten a lot better since last year.     a store with great prices and plenty of inventory is LAX Firing Range.   they also do mail order. 

http://www.laxrange.com/

Good news re ammo, Stranger.  I'll check out your above link.  I am way north, a helluva way from LA.  There's a private gun club an hour from here.  When time comes, maybe I can get in on a guest pass for a day for instruction with my new revolver, if needed. 

I need to buy some paper targets.  Haven't used a revolver since my college days when my boyfriend gave me a Ruger (Bearcat?) for a birthday present.  I enjoyed target practice back then.

I'll go to YouTube tonight, as per suggestions. 
Charlotte

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

I should mention that there is a Blue Book of Gun Prices, sometimes just called Fjested's (sp?) After it's author.  You can often find a copy at a Barnes & Nobles.  I used to look over guns in a store, then head over to B&N, have a coffee, and check the prices in their copy.

I see now that they have a subscription service on their website that let's you log on and check prices on line.

Only problem is they'll list prices, for excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor conditions, and it can be hard for a newbie to tell the difference between, say, fair and good, or good and very good.  Only experience tells you stuff like that.

 

[Charlotte's Web]

...there is a Blue Book of Gun Prices...they'll list prices, for excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor conditions, and it can be hard for a newbie to tell the difference.

Only experience tells you stuff like that.

Too bad I can't take you with me to the gun shop!

I've got no $$$ for a new gun now, so am in no danger of an impulse buy.  Plenty of research time.  I've been reading several reviews of the Ruger SP101 .357 magnum 4 inch barrel.   This revolver comes very highly recommended.  I like its looks, & even tho not traditional CC size, it CAN serve that function--so long as I don't plan on a night on the town salsa dancing!

It ain't cheap.  But it looks to be worth it.  Now:  I found many for sale online by private sellers, some used, some new in the box with paperwork, here:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Ruger-SP101/Browse.aspx?Keywords=Ruger+SP101

What do you think of using this buying system?  BTW, women gave rave reviews & found the grip size perfect for small hands, which I have.

Charlotte

 

[Ballenxj]

  (A little "Tank Gun" reputation, eh?) 

Here Hickok45 talks about the attributes of the Lil Tank Gun, and if you don't have the bandwidth you can skip to approx 6:40 were he calls it one.


I really like mine. 

 

[Charlotte's Web]

Here Hickok45 talks about the attributes of the Lil Tank Gun...

I really like mine. 

Hey, if Hickok likes it it HAS to be good.  I've seen his videos!  Thanks,

  Charlotte

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

What do you think of using this buying system?  BTW, women gave rave reviews & found the grip size perfect for small hands, which I have.

Ruger simply doesn't make any bad guns.

I like them better than the S&W and Tauruses because they don't have an internal lock, which I simply don't trust.

You have to have the gun shipped to a local gun dealer with an FFL.  If you buy a new gun on Gunbroker, between the shipping fees and his handling fees, you might end up spending as much, or more, than if you just bought it from him directly.  For a used, or custom gun, you might be able to save some money doing this.

Of course, if he doesn't have, or can't get the gun you want . . . 

I bought a used Ruger Redhawk from somebody at GunBroker.  It had been Mag-Na-Ported and worked over by a nationally known pistolsmith, Hamilton Bowen, so I ended up saving several hundred dollars over buying a new Redhawk and paying to have the same work done myself, so I was ecstatic.

 

[Ballenxj]

  I like its looks, & even tho not traditional CC size, it CAN serve that function--so long as I don't plan on a night on the town salsa dancing!

You can split the difference and go with the 3" barrel. I really like the 3 inchers. 
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/688803188

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Charlotte:

Here is an article from the September, 2017 American Rifleman (NRA monthly), 35 women evaluate 18 handguns:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/8/21/the-american-rifleman-ladies-pistol-project/

Since you have time, I strongly suggest you try out as many guns as you can before you buy.  Not only will you learn what guns feel good in your hand and are most accurate for you (and are fun to shoot ... or not), you will learn what guns you don't want; eliminating an expensive mistake.

 -- Spiff

 

[Charlotte's Web]

Ruger simply doesn't make any bad guns.

You have to have the gun shipped to a local gun dealer with an FFL.  For a used, or custom gun, you might be able to save some money doing this...I ended up saving several hundred dollars over buying a new Redhawk and paying to have the same work done myself, so I was ecstatic.

Got it.  Those damn FFL rules...I was hoping to save on sales tax too, but maybe the FFL deal nixes that.  But used, if they had exactly what I wanted & seller's shipping charges weren't too high.  I'll ask about the FFL fees here in my county.

CA may not be firearm friendly in general, but up north here is a different matter.  Our local sheriff encourages people to get their CC permit.  You've got to be able to *protect yourself* here.   Lately feral pigs have been giving lots of people trouble & they are not to be messed with.  Good eating, tho

If I had an armed home invasion the nearest sheriffs deputy, even if he were dressed & behind the wheel of his squad car when my call came, is an hours drive away.  Cougars are aggressive here, taking dogs off porches & even stalking toddlers in play yards. 

My neighbors came home after a weekend away, opened the door to their house & discovered a black bear & her cub still tearing the kitchen apart! 

I'm feeling like this Ruger is right for me.  It will make the third Ruger I've owned.  Bound to be a charm...

Charlotte

 

[Charlotte's Web]

Charlotte:
Here is an article from the September, 2017 American Rifleman (NRA monthly), 35 women evaluate 18 handguns:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2017/8/21/the-american-rifleman-ladies-pistol-project/

Good article, Spiff, I've read it & saved it to read again.  Thanks, from one shunpiker to another.

Charlotte

 

[WalkaboutTed]

I had a Glock 19 and a 38 special (I don't remember the brand) and they were both comandeered by #4 son. He had given me his old .22, but now that he's out of the Army, he's requested that one back. Mum's the chump. So now I have a baby Glock 26. I like the smaller one as it prints less on me. I have a shotgun, though my shoulder complains with it. Hubby will be taking that one in his van.

Since you all are talking about this subject, how about some suggestions for a reasonably priced replacement for the shotgun and appropriate ammo. Anything that wouldn't kill my old shoulder so much? I, too am more concerned for the two legged predators.
Thanks,
Ted

 

[Scott7022]

Moving from the position that you never want to use it.
That you will be amped on adrenaline when you do.
This is why I carry the 870. For years it had a tactical light attached to the Mag Cap. Came on when the safety came off. That rack sound is intimidating. Motivated a few camp thieves from thief to lost hiker. The bright light says it go boom when trigger is jerked. Yes, I know you squeeze, but this is real world Dorthy and you going to yank that sucker and bend it straight when a 800 pound Grizz is performing. I like the heavy walnut stock as heavy guns recoil less with the same load. Only ever fired a blank once, sonic loud (think 4 gauge punt gun loud). Bear dropped from his challenge and ran. Probably only a 500 pound Grizzley but to me he looked like a thousand and change. Figured in a startled exchange Draw and fire, five rounds in five seconds by the time I get the BRI round off (the only round capable of perhaps stopping him) barrel will be pushed into fur. Heavy real 870's rarely split barrels, even when abused. Heavy long guns work well as clubs. But my choice is influenced by Canadian law. Can't carry pistols in the bush in reality. Trappers/prospectors are only exception and before another Canuck chimes in... Blah Blah. They check claim and trap lines and sales so if you ain't real you go to jail. Now if I do decide to do some prospecting, it is a desire of mine. I'd carry a S&W 500 ES 2 3/4. I fired one once (five rounds) and I have small hands. It hurt, but it will stop anything coming forward even a Jeep. Small on the waist, but heavy.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Got it.  Those damn FFL rules...I was hoping to save on sales tax too, but maybe the FFL deal nixes that.  But used, if they had exactly what I wanted & seller's shipping charges weren't too high.  I'll ask about the FFL fees here in my county.

I just sent a pistol off to Robar to have some work done.  Legally, you can't send a handgun through the US Mail.  You must use UPS or FedEx, and they will only ship them via overnight.  The shipping for this last gun was almost a hundred dollars . . .

 

[lenny flank]

Reading the comments here is shameful.

 

[GypsySpirit]

Nothing shameful in exercising our 2nd amendment rights. If you don't like guns, don't own one. I also have a bow and arrows, but not as first line of defense.

 

[Ballenxj]

Reading the comments here is shameful.

I have had multiple burglar attempts while I was at home minding my own business, and a couple more strong arm robbery attempts. (I guess I looked like a pushover) The thoughts going through my head at each and every one of those moments about those people were not exactly nice, especially in the heat of the moment. I knew in my Heart they were not the Sugar Plum Fairy. What was I thinking? I must be a bad person for thinking those thoughts.

 

[highdesertranger]

Lenny if you don't like the subject and think it's shameful don't read this thread and STOP POSTING ON IT.

ok everyone stay on topic.

Charlotte, State of Jefferson? oops now I am off topic. highdesertranger

 

[SoulRaven]

Fees to receive a weapon are usually $15.00 to $25.00. Shipping is noted on each and every weapon for sale on Gunbroker. I've bought and sold from members there for years.

Do a google search for FFL dealers and you will find many individuals who are licensed. Taxes are explained by the seller. It is not rocket science to buy a weapon.