Recommendations for someone who isn't a "serious shooter."

[grizzlyblake]

I realize most members here shoot weekly, and shoot multiple thousands of rounds of ammo each year. I've gathered most guys here are current LE or some other profession that requires daily "serious" carry of guns in some form.

What about the average Joe who does not work in LE, but who wants to equip himself to best protect his family in the face of the coming election and all the talk of tighter firearms restrictions in the government?

The reality is that most guys don't have the time, money, or desire to go to any kind of tactical training classes. Most guys are going to buy something and go shoot it some at an indoor range, maybe every month or two if they're trying to stay relatively fresh.

What sort of shopping list would be smart for guys in that situation, which is to say the majority of non-LE guys?

[gaijin]

Recommendations for someone who isn't a "serious shooter.": Become one.

An expectation of superior, or above average performance, without putting in the effort/trigger time, is doomed to failure.
Dry fire is hugely beneficial, but requires verification with live fire.

FYI, because one is active LE is NO guarantee of firearms ability or excellence.
Those that exhibit superior skills do so because of their effort at honing those skills. Like everyone else.

[Firefly]

A Glock 17/19 or an HK P2000 LEM

10 mags minimum.

I disagree with the whole "become one" per people who dont shoot or really care about guns. That is a bit of a turn off.

Most people just want a handgun "just in case".
Because some people are normies who may only shoot once in a blue moon but want to have a gun....you cannot top my two suggestions. They just work. Require little attention. And esp for Glock have a good logistics train.

I try to steer people away from revolvers because they are more involved than people realize.

That said, a solid pistol that instills confidence leads to branching interests in guns. But if not...they have something covering 80% of their bases.

In times past, I would have forwarded a shotgun but times are different now with criminality that a shotgun simply isnt good for anything but hunting and social familiarization has removed a lot of the skeumorphic intuity people used to have for them.

An AR is nice but....start with a pistol.

Just my 2 cents. If you arent recommending a good basic class and are unwilling to lend help beyond suggestions; dont discuss guns with people.

IRL I am no longer "the gun guy" and have not been for a long, long time

[grizzlyblake]

I had a buddy over recently and he was talking about how he thinks he may want an AR because of all the talk in the news. I was showing him one of mine and he asked how many magazines I had for it. When I answered he looked at me like I had said something in a foreign language. He then asked how much the red dot (T2) cost. When I answered he kind of chuckled, shook his head and handed the gun back to me.

I appreciate the whole "buy a 6920, Aimpoint, 20 Pmags, and a few cases of M193" but that just isn't something that a non gun guy is going to digest.

The Glock 19, mags, holster, ammo, is smart and an easy answer. At the same time the news cycle has everybody thinking they should buy an AR.

[mack7.62]

I had a buddy over recently and he was talking about how he thinks he may want an AR because of all the talk in the news. I was showing him one of mine and he asked how many magazines I had for it. When I answered he looked at me like I had said something in a foreign language. He then asked how much the red dot (T2) cost. When I answered he kind of chuckled, shook his head and handed the gun back to me.

I appreciate the whole "buy a 6920, Aimpoint, 20 Pmags, and a few cases of M193" but that just isn't something that a non gun guy is going to digest.

The Glock 19, mags, holster, ammo, is smart and an easy answer. At the same time the news cycle has everybody thinking they should buy an AR.

You did your buddy a disservice, were you trying to talk him out of getting an AR? Any non gun guy looking to get into the game needs to be steered to a decent entry level AR, a decent budget RDS, and a few good mags. The rest will come later naturally or if not he will still have a serviceable rifle.

[markm]

Not sure what "LE" status has to do with anything. Most cops aren't like the LE guys who are members here, and in tune with good gear and stuff.

I'd guess that many non-LE guys here run a gun harder than many cops. That said... there's no excuse to buy cheap junk just because you're not a cop.

We know a kid who bought a S&W Sport AR. He doesn't shoot much at all, and we've had to fix a lot of broken stuff on that POS. Mag catch busted (crippling the gun)... I mean.. WTF? You can't save your life with a worthless gun.

[Averageman]

We know a kid who bought a S&W Sport AR. He doesn't shoot much at all, and we've had to fix a lot of broken stuff on that POS. Mag catch busted (crippling the gun)... I mean.. WTF? You can't save your life with a worthless gun.

It's hard sometimes to explain that to people, they need a first hand experience to understand just how crappy a rifle they get trying to save nickles and dimes along the way. Optics are the same way, but you have to prove it to people all the time.
I don't talk to many people about guns anymore, but when I do I say "This is what I have, this is why I bought it."
Explaining subtle nuances? You might as well talk to the dog.

[BoringGuy45]

Not sure what "LE" status has to do with anything. Most cops aren't like the LE guys who are members here, and in tune with good gear and stuff.

I'd guess that many non-LE guys here run a gun harder than many cops. That said... there's no excuse to buy cheap junk just because you're not a cop.

We know a kid who bought a S&W Sport AR. He doesn't shoot much at all, and we've had to fix a lot of broken stuff on that POS. Mag catch busted (crippling the gun)... I mean.. WTF? You can't save your life with a worthless gun.

You'd probably find that about 9 out of 10 cops really couldn't care less about their guns. That's not to say that most cops are anti-gun or wish they could work unarmed like British Bobbies. Simply that they don't give their gun, or any of their gear, much thought until they have to use it. I can say with almost absolute certainty, based on personal experience as a police officer, that your average civilian gun enthusiast spends probably 10 times the amount of time and ammo on the range every year that your average LEO does. Where your average cop has an advantage is that he at least had formal training in the academy. Your average enthusiast likely taught himself to shoot and is fraught with bad habits that he's too stubborn to admit he has. But for a trained civilian who has actually attended classes and practices continually, I can guarantee they are more proficient shooters than most cops.

I always told people that cops were the last people to ask firearms advice (other than, you know, liberal politicians). Even among the ones who are into guns, most aren't any better informed than your average Joe Blow gun store customer. When it comes to getting firearms advice, I always find that the best people to ask are reputable civilian trainers, because it's their mission to know gear, techniques, and laws. For cops, the gun makes up less than 1% of their job.

[TomMcC]

You did your buddy a disservice, were you trying to talk him out of getting an AR? Any non gun guy looking to get into the game needs to be steered to a decent entry level AR, a decent budget RDS, and a few good mags. The rest will come later naturally or if not he will still have a serviceable rifle.

This is basically what I did with a friend who likes to shoot a little but wasnt a real gun guy. He went a head and bought an AR on his own, one I wouldnt have recommended, but I didnt say anything...didnt want to dampen his budding enthusiasm. Steered him to a PA budget RDS to get him started and some good 10 rounders (CA.). I think I'm going to gift him some even better mags if you know what I mean. He's probably got $900 into it all and his rig is just fine with him at this point.

[SteyrAUG]

I appreciate the whole "buy a 6920, Aimpoint, 20 Pmags, and a few cases of M193" but that just isn't something that a non gun guy is going to digest.

6920s are hardly the most expensive AR, in fact they are cheaper than some crap ARs. He can probably get by with the two mags Colt sends with the rifle and iron sights. But honestly if he can't afford a basic stock rifle, he shouldn't even bother.