Learn me buying a gun

So I am thinking about buying my girlfriend a gun for her birthday. Is there anything I have to do as far as paperwork to buy a gun as a present (I have never bought a gun before)? My friend told me the best place to buy one is at a gun show. I was looking at .22. Any suggestions?

Pistol or rifle? What's she going to use it for? She's not mad at you is she?

Just shooting targets. And no she isn't mad at me.

First question is does she already know how to shoot? If she does, take her to a range that has rental guns and let her try them til she finds one SHE likes. Just because she's a girl, don't assume she'll like a "girl" gun (.22, .32, .38). Then buy her that gun. Now if she doesn't, that's another can of worms.

She teaches shooting at a camp for girls and she is a pretty damn good shot. But she would prefer a chick gun. She just hasn't had anywhere to store a gun until now.

I love .22s. Cheap, fun. The Miata of things that go boom.

If you're the buyer, you'll have to fill out Form 4473. While surprising her is nice, I'd take her to the gun show and let her pick. What feels good in your hand may be totally unsuitable to hers. Each manufacturer has a different feel and balance to them, just like car companies. For instance, I have fairly large hands and most pistols feel good when I pick them up. However, I cannot stand the way a Sig or a 1911 with a flat main spring cover on the grip (make it arched and I'm good) feels in my hands. A gun is a very personal choice, let her make it.

lewbud wrote: ... A gun is a very personal choice, let her make it.

QFT. If it doesn't feel natural in her hand, she will not enjoy shooting with it. If it really fits her poorly, she won't be able to hit the broad side of a barn with it.

You romantic devil, you..

Don't piss her off.

Laws vary depending on where you live. You can find yourself in some interestingly hot water being charged for making a proverbial straw purchase. Caveat emptor!

Womens hands are smaller than mens hands, what feels comfortable in yours will be big heavy and awkward in hers. As others have said, the gun as to fit. The wrong one is a lousy gun to shoot with and absolutely no fun.

p.s. Maybe a picture of a gun in the card envelope saying "this is yours"? Then you two go together to the store and let her pick one out.

As a rule, I generally avoid buying guns for girlfriends.

I've never bought one for my wife, either.

My last words will be: "Honey, put that thing down. It's loaded."

96DXCivic wrote: She teaches shooting at a camp for girls and she is a pretty damn good shot. But she would prefer a chick gun. She just hasn't had anywhere to store a gun until now.

What the hell is a "Chick gun"? Pink grips? Ribbed for her pleasure?

And in an attempt to actually be helpful, my sister carries a Walther PPK because it fits in her small hands nicely.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: What the hell is a "Chick gun"? Pink grips? Ribbed for her pleasure?

i think it's like "chick car." real men only like the biggest, loudest, most powerful thing available. everything else is clearly for wimps and girls.

or at least that's what i've been led to believe.

My dad bought me a Beretta U22 Neos for x-mas one year. Its pretty nice and simple. Lots to customize on it too.

Buzz Killington wrote:

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: What the hell is a "Chick gun"? Pink grips? Ribbed for her pleasure?

i think it's like "chick car." real men only like the biggest, loudest, most powerful thing available. everything else is clearly for wimps and girls. or at least that's what i've been led to believe.

I have an 88 Magnum. It shoots thru schools.

Basically, if she's a resident of the same state as you, and you have no reason to think she's not qualified to purchase a firearm, you can transfer (give or sell) to her under federal law. State and local laws may apply.

ATF FAQ

Unless she's made it clear exactly what she wants, let her see and handle them. Fit is a very personal thing. Would you buy her shoes without her trying them on?

I was kind of planning on taking her to a gun show so she could pick it out. I meant chick guns as in something that won't put you in your ass. I personally love .22s because they are cheap. What is going to be the price difference between a 22 handgun and a 22 rifle? Also does anyone have experience with the .32 ACP round?

My U22 Neos looks like this.

32 ACP is for small, semi-auto pistols. Hard to imagine a firearm more different than a .22 rifle. Perhaps the two of you should talk about what kind of shooting she would enjoy.

The price for a handgun tends to be more. If you want a great handgun get a Ruger MkII. I have had one since 1994, the 5.5" bull barrel and adjustable sights. It has never broken and has shot around 100,000 rounds of ammo.

.32 is pretty much useless. At least it's expensive. .380 is slightly less useless, and both are better than .25, but not all that much better'n .22.

She likes shooting both .22 rifles and pistols. I should have said the .32 was more out of interest and possibly for me because I have seen a good deal on several.

Jay_W wrote: .32 is pretty much useless. At least it's expensive. .380 is slightly less useless, and both are better than .25, but not all that much better'n .22.

I've heard that said before, but why?

I inherited a .32 and a .38. I've never fired them but I can't see how they'd be worse than a .22.

The .25 and .32 should be banned. Pretty much worthless and favorites of gangs. They kill a lot of people who seem to linger for a long time before they die.

The .22 is what you want right now because you can shoot thousands of rounds for what a few hundred centerfire rounds would cost. Then, if she she really likes it, step up.

I have a Browning Challenger (first model) that I love. It fits nicely in your ahnd and I have small hands. Its quite accurate for a 4 inch barrel. You will have to find one used and they are bringing some nice prices now.

You can get a nice rifle for less than a pistol. Marlin and Mossberg make nicer plinkers in auto and bolt action. Ruger has the 10/22 which EVERYBODY has love affair with. One of the sweetest auto rifles I've ever shot is a small Browning that was chambered in 22 short. My favorite 22 is a Winchester model 61 pump my dad bought for $10 in the 1960s from a coon hunting buddy.