Bought a .357 magnum today

[TAW122]

yep, but they stopped selling handguns and ARs

Yeah ever since a few years ago, every Walmart I've been to only ever sold pump action shotguns and bolt-action rifles, basically only two types of long guns. :( Personally, I wouldn't buy firearms from them since there are better choices (do support your local FFL's and local gun stores) and when it comes to guns, I'm quite picky with the reliability, the price, and specs (especially when I got my shotgun for ctb). I did however, purchase some shotgun ammo from them.

Plus when it comes to big box stores, there is often another layer of bs to deal with and it's store policy and corporate mess, whereas mom and pop stores and small stores are often more straightforward and more friendlier (at least my experiences have been so far).

 

[Jai]

Today I picked up a handgun. I already had a 12 guage shotgun but don't want to completely blow my head off. Bud Dwyer used this caliber I believe and left most of his head intact. Now to write some notes and overcome the survival instinct. Thanks to tiredhorse and threads for the good info on firearms.

Good for you mate, whatever you decide hope it's swift painless and successful Godspeed and good luck

 

[Roadkill]

I going to try and buy a gun today, but I am sure they will know that I am suicidal... they will probably refuse me the sale... plus, I have no experience with guns, so I know this isn't going to work.. but I am going to try anyway

 

[Jai]

I going to try and buy a gun today, but I am sure they will know that I am suicidal... they will probably refuse me the sale... plus, I have no experience with guns, so I know this isn't going to work.. but I am going to try anyway

If you've committed no crime have no court orders saying you can't own a gun you'll have no problem

 

[dysfunctional]

I going to try and buy a gun today, but I am sure they will know that I am suicidal... they will probably refuse me the sale... plus, I have no experience with guns, so I know this isn't going to work.. but I am going to try anyway

Just tell them you're new to handguns and want something for home defense and target shooting.

 

[Retched]

I going to try and buy a gun today, but I am sure they will know that I am suicidal... they will probably refuse me the sale... plus, I have no experience with guns, so I know this isn't going to work.. but I am going to try anyway

I'm going today too. I have my purchase permit. Unless I can be convinced sn works...at least I'll have this for something. Feels weird though. Freeing but weird.

 

[Retched]

In this regard I genuinely envy you Americans. :(

Don't be jealous. It is a hard decision to make and still chance of failure.

 

[LiveSlowDieFast]

Don't be jealous. It is a hard decision to make and still chance of failure.

Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I think what I said was inappropriate.

 

[Retched]

Yeah, you're right. I'm sorry, I think what I said was inappropriate.

I don't think it was inappropriate.

 

[Roadkill]

I going to try and buy a gun today, but I am sure they will know that I am suicidal... they will probably refuse me the sale... plus, I have no experience with guns, so I know this isn't going to work.. but I am going to try anyway

Well, I chickened out.. I went to the gun store and looked around but no one was even paying attention to me, so I walked out like the hopeless coward that I am.. but I plan to go back when there aren't so many people there, I really need to do this soon

 

[Jai]

I'm going today too. I have my purchase permit. Unless I can be convinced sn works...at least I'll have this for something. Feels weird though. Freeing but weird.

Good drills I wished I still had mine I'd be long free of this existence

 

[Retched]

Well, I chickened out.. I went to the gun store and looked around but no one was even paying attention to me, so I walked out like the hopeless coward that I am.. but I plan to go back when there aren't so many people there, I really need to do this soon

I didn't chicken out but got overwhelmed because every guy there had something to say, one gave me his pen, for keeps, to write details down, it's such a small place that the long time customers are welcome behind the counter, guys were handing me guns left and right... gave me names of women's groups... I felt a little bad, I like I'll have to go somewhere bigger to buy one.... sigh. I was going to buy one but left an hour later with my ear talked off and no gun.

 

[dysfunctional]

I didn't chicken out but got overwhelmed because every guy there had something to say, one gave me his pen, for keeps, to write details down, it's such a small place that the long time customers are welcome behind the counter, guys were handing me guns left and right... gave me names of women's groups... I felt a little bad, I like I'll have to go somewhere bigger to buy one.... sigh. I was going to buy one but left an hour later with my ear talked off and no gun.

Yeah gun people are very stoked on guns and want to share it with everyone else, especially a female i think.

 

[TiredHorse]

I didn't chicken out but got overwhelmed because every guy there had something to say, one gave me his pen, for keeps, to write details down, it's such a small place that the long time customers are welcome behind the counter, guys were handing me guns left and right... gave me names of women's groups... I felt a little bad, I like I'll have to go somewhere bigger to buy one.... sigh. I was going to buy one but left an hour later with my ear talked off and no gun.

I'm only laughing because I can SO picture this scenario! We gun-nuts lo-o-o-ove to talk guns. Especially with women.

I'm sorry your shopping mission failed, though. That doesn't make life any easier.

 

[Retched]

Yeah gun people are very stoked on guns and want to share it with everyone else, especially a female i think.

Truth. And the owner is so dang nice. I think I'd feel really bad if I made the news or something. Not that I plan that public of an exit, but there is always a chance. As much as I like his price range, I may have to go somewhere else.

 

[Retched]

I'm only laughing because I can SO picture this scenario! We gun-nuts lo-o-o-ove to talk guns. Especially with women.

I'm sorry your shopping mission failed, though. That doesn't make life any easier.

I thought of you the whole time because he said I can call and talk to my friend (you) because he knows it would be fine and with a purpose. Expect a pm from me soon. lol, they all were very happy to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. Wish I'd known this earlier in my life, what a great place to go pick up guys. lol.

 

[TiredHorse]

I thought of you the whole time because he said I can call and talk to my friend (you) because he knows it would be fine and with a purpose. Expect a pm from me soon. lol, they all were very happy to talk and talk and talk and talk and talk. Wish I'd known this earlier in my life, what a great place to go pick up guys. lol.

You know, if you're up for it, you could do worse than asking, "who here wants to take me to the range and show me how to make one of these things go 'bang'?" You might make some good friends!

I actually met one of my all-time best friends at the range where he was a rangemaster. As a competitive shooter, he also turned into my shooting guru --improved my shooting skills 3000%. Three years after we met, he died of cancer: three months from diagnosis to gone. I still miss him.

 

[Retched]

You know, if you're up for it, you could do worse than asking, "who here wants to take me to the range and show me how to make one of these things go 'bang'?" You might make some good friends!

I actually met one of my all-time best friends at the range where he was a rangemaster. As a competitive shooter, he also turned into my shooting guru --improved my shooting skills 3000%. Three years after we met, he died of cancer: three months from diagnosis to gone. I still miss him.

Sorry about your loss. Sounds like you guys had a good time while he was around. All these guys were married (brought up their wives a bit) so yeah, don't think it would bode well asking who was going to take me to the shooting range....

 

[Jai]

I didn't chicken out but got overwhelmed because every guy there had something to say, one gave me his pen, for keeps, to write details down, it's such a small place that the long time customers are welcome behind the counter, guys were handing me guns left and right... gave me names of women's groups... I felt a little bad, I like I'll have to go somewhere bigger to buy one.... sigh. I was going to buy one but left an hour later with my ear talked off and no gun.

Go to a bass pro shop less then the atmosphere you encountered or go back to the sAme one again be more relaxed now the ice is broken you can say you'd been there earlier and don't need the full speil just straight to purchase did you remember any of the weapons you liked?

 

[Retched]

Go to a bass pro shop less then the atmosphere you encountered or go back to the sAme one again be more relaxed now the ice is broken you can say you'd been there earlier and don't need the full speil just straight to purchase did you remember any of the weapons you liked?

Yes. I really like a Rossi snub nose (689) .38 (like the price range too) and Smith & Wesson (19-3 ).357 mag (not beautifully finished though, very matte but good price) and a Rock Island (206) .38 (would have to order the 4 inch) But he warned me that gun enthusiasts aren't very hip on Rock Islands and I don't like the grip on that one. I don't like the Rossi is a snub nose but I love how it fits in my hand and I do like the Smith & Wesson though it looks really rough...but that doesn't really matter, now does it? If I buy from him, it will probably end up being the Smith & Wesson .357....it is over my price point but I like how it feels. I've been in there a few times now, so who knows. I may end up going to another shop though because I feel sort of like they are all almost friends there in the little shop.

 

[TAW122]

@Roadkill I hope you have better luck in the future. If one gunshop decides to turn you down, go to another one and like @Jai said, if you have no criminal record, no involuntary commitment or adjudication of mentally defective, no other prohibiting factors (alien, dishonorable discharge, illicit drug usage, etc.) then you have a constitutional right to own and bear arms. As far as another reason other than self-defense/home defense, you could say you are going to go target shooting at a range.

@Retched I'm sorry that your gun shopping expedition didn't go well. Good luck in finding the gun that you want. If possible, maybe you could tell them the exact gun you want and if they don't have it, maybe they could show you an alternative one.

 

[Retched]

@Roadkill I hope you have better luck in the future. If one gunshop decides to turn you down, go to another one and like @Jai said, if you have no criminal record, no involuntary commitment or adjudication of mentally defective, no other prohibiting factors (alien, dishonorable discharge, illicit drug usage, etc.) then you have a constitutional right to own and bear arms. As far as another reason other than self-defense/home defense, you could say you are going to go target shooting at a range.

@Retched I'm sorry that your gun shopping expedition didn't go well. Good luck in finding the gun that you want. If possible, maybe you could tell them the exact gun you want and if they don't have it, maybe they could show you an alternative one.

Thanks! They've actually helped me narrow things down. So I'm getting closer to what I exactly want. They are super nice there, probably too nice.

 

[lifeisbutadream]

Sorry about your loss. Sounds like you guys had a good time while he was around. All these guys were married (brought up their wives a bit) so yeah, don't think it would bode well asking who was going to take me to the shooting range....

If you're really up to it just go to the range and act clueless - but NOT dangerous like pointing your "unloaded" gun at people while you talk. Then you'll be thrown out. But if you're nice and just inecperienced chances are you'll meet some very nice people. But then, sadly, this isn't a firearm instruction forum ...

 

[Jai]

Yes. I really like a Rossi snub nose (689) .38 (like the price range too) and Smith & Wesson (19-3 ).357 mag (not beautifully finished though, very matte but good price) and a Rock Island (206) .38 (would have to order the 4 inch) But he warned me that gun enthusiasts aren't very hip on Rock Islands and I don't like the grip on that one. I don't like the Rossi is a snub nose but I love how it fits in my hand and I do like the Smith & Wesson though it looks really rough...but that doesn't really matter, now does it? If I buy from him, it will probably end up being the Smith & Wesson .357....it is over my price point but I like how it feels. I've been in there a few times now, so who knows. I may end up going to another shop though because I feel sort of like they are all almost friends there in the little shop.

The .357 is a good choice just go in and finally buy then absolutely no obligation to ever go back and you'll have the piece of mind you need if you ever decide too use this method good luck mate Godspeed

 

[bte]

Is it better, or does it make a difference, in ease and accuracy, to get a .357 with a short or long barrel?