# Please help me find a gun to get my dad for Chanukah this year. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 15, 2008, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998 "2008-10-15T02:48:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bambro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@Bambro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bambro)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/21 "2008-10-15T20:01:36Z")
I bought my very first firearm about 4 weeks ago. I was following the recommendations of a gun aficionado at work. He recommended the Glock 19 as a first gun. The are very durable and reliable. I must say that I love it. I have taken it to the range at least twice a week since getting it. I paid $450 brand new from a local firing range. It came with cleaning tools, 2 clips, a speed loaded (to save your thumbs) and a case. I also got a safe to keep it in. The kind with the 4 finger buttons, not a number pad. The salesman also covered disassembling and cleaning with me, though that is covered in detail in the manual. [Someone torture testing a Glock 21 showing how durable the gun is.](http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90) ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/22 "2008-10-15T20:07:20Z")
And here I was going to post a Harmonica Gun. Can’t find a decent picture at work, though. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/23 "2008-10-15T20:14:14Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I have never seen a Menorah shaped firearm. 😉 > > How about a [Cowboy Rifle](http://www.gunshopfinder.com/marlin/marlin1894cowboy.asp)? This is the model I have, in .357 magnum (also handles 38 special!). Really nice gun, easy to shoot, almost no recoil, very quiet. I like having a rifle that shoots the same caliber as one of my pistols. > > It’s also legal to use for Deer hunting here in Minnesota. I tried to do a little research about NY laws on the subject, but it’s not well organized on-line. Thanks. I’m going to go by a local walmart or something just so I can have them point me in the right direction to find out about all this stuff and hunting rules and such. I think I’ll end up getting **Lunar** a 22 but that .357 rifle does sound fun to shoot. > [@Scumpup](#): > > T Due to weight and the way it balances, it doesn’t lend itself to be fired offhand like a conventional handgun. So, what you have is a sort-of pistol that is best fired from a bench using its little bipod; and that’s how the guys who have them are seen firing them. > I’d rather have either a regular 10/22 or a MkIII if I was going to buy a Ruger .22 autoloader right now. Yeah, that sounds like it sucks… any idea about the feasibility of putting on new furniture that’s got a decent stock on it? Hell, I could even custom build something as mah woman works with a heck of a lot of carpenters and she used to work a lot with wood herself. (That sounds wrong…) Oh, and, yes **Jack** , he’s thinking cans 😉 And I appreciate the suggestion **Bambro** , but I don’t think he’d prefer a glock to the P38 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/24 "2008-10-15T20:48:52Z")
You can buy the cheapest 10/22 you can find, or even just the receiver, and mod the hell out of it. You can add new stocks, extended magazines, even make it a mini [AK-74](http://www.krinkerplinker.com/). ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/25 "2008-10-15T21:22:21Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > You can buy the cheapest 10/22 you can find, or even just the receiver, and mod the hell out of it. You can add new stocks, extended magazines, even make it a mini [AK-74](http://www.krinkerplinker.com/). To be honest, while I’d be curious as to how the modified versions would work in terms of ease of use and transportation and all that… I’m not sure I’d be happy to be in possession of a weapon almost deliberately designed to trip the “ayieee, a dangerous gun!” reaction in the minds of not a few police officers and/or onlookers. Doesn’t seem to be worth the possible hassle. But point taken, customization is very high. Quick edit: By the way, can anybody give me a list of what should come with a gun that’s packaged with its original material? I assume a manual at least, do cleaning supplies need to be purchased separately? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/26 "2008-10-15T21:47:58Z")
It really depends, but most come with a manual, trigger lock, and _possibly_ extra magazines if applicable. It really depends on the manufacturer. They don’t ever come with cleaning supplies but a simple kit to clean multiple calibers is rather cheap. A SIG I bought came with lubricating oil but for the most part you also would have to but Hoppe’s or similar yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/27 "2008-10-16T07:26:36Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > It is my understanding that guns can be purchased and gifted to a family member and this is not a straw purchase. My googling is failing me but links seem to agree. If the OP bought the gun using his father’s money, intending to give it to his father afterwards, then it would be a straw purchase. State law may be more restrictive, NYS especially in this case. Yes, this is my understanding too. Under federal law, it is only a “straw purchase” if you are not the _actual purchaser_ of the firearm, i.e., somebody else gave you money to go buy a gun for them. If you buy the gun yourself, you’re then free to transfer it to anyone else, provided there is no state or local law against private transfers, which, in most places, there is not. You would of course have to check your local laws, though. > [@FinnAgain](#): > > To be honest, while I’d be curious as to how the modified versions would work in terms of ease of use and transportation and all that… I’m not sure I’d be happy to be in possession of a weapon almost deliberately designed to trip the “ayieee, a dangerous gun!” reaction in the minds of not a few police officers and/or onlookers. Doesn’t seem to be worth the possible hassle. That’s why I cut out the middle step and just buy the guns that are _already_ “ayieee, dangerous!” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/28 "2008-10-16T15:33:52Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Yeah, that sounds like it sucks… any idea about the feasibility of putting on new furniture that’s got a decent stock on it? Hell, I could even custom build something as mah woman works with a heck of a lot of carpenters and she used to work a lot with wood herself. The 10/22 is probably the most easily customized rifle available. There is a wide range of different styles of stocks, different lengths and diameters of barrels, match trigger parts, different kinds of iron sights and optical sights, magazines of varying capacities, and so on. None of it requires more skill than being able to use a screwdriver and allen wrench. A quick Google search of “10/22 parts” will get you started on seeing what’s out there. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/29 "2008-10-16T18:01:06Z")
> [@FinnAgain](#): > > Awesome… only I haven’t deposited the checks I’ve got into my account, and this ends before I get back home to my bank. Turns out it didn’t sell. [It’s been relisted](http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=113351324). But if you look around on the site a little bit you can probably find one for about the same price or not much more that comes with the box. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/30 "2008-10-16T20:47:40Z")
Funny enough but, i was out with my dad for a drive earlier today and he asked if I’d like to go to some of the local gun stores with him so he can see if any of them have P-38’s. Hopefully I can save on shipping, at least. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/31 "2008-10-17T00:46:05Z")
Hey Finn, Perhaps the Rugar [Mark III.](http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=55&variation=Target&bct=Yes&type=Pistol) It’s a well known .22 semi auto target pistol. I think that the Rugar Charger might get you some strange looks. Personally, I’d feel a little silly shooting it. Then, I never did like a scope on a handgun. If you need a scope, you need an honest to god rifle. I have a Mark II with a bull barrel. It’s a very comfortable gun. Other than that, a .357 is also a good choice since you can also fire .38 special. My other handgun is a Rugar GP100 .357 6" with Rosewood handles (looks like that grip is no longer available). ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2008, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998/32 "2008-10-17T01:10:18Z")
I have to admit, I think that I’ll probably have to settle for a rifle that **lunar** or I could use interchangeably. We’d like to get informed and registered for next year’s hunting season. So, any advice along those lines would be very helpful, from you or anybody else who can at least point me in the right direction. For instance, I’d like to ensure that we get a rifle that’s accurate at range, could mount a decent scope, had enough stopping power to quickly and cleanly put down a large buck. And ideally both rugged and light enough to handle being lugged along on a weekend long camping/hiking trip. Cheap would be good… but I feel at that point that I might as well as that it also be made out of candy. I’m not sure what type of ammunition I should be looking for. I’ve got a hazy memory of a review some hunting magazine ran, which found that certain manufacturer’s rounds deformed in a manner that made them more effective than others. Is this a major factor in choosing the right bullet to take down a dear, for instance? Other than that ,I need to get to work on finding out some information about the local laws and businesses and such, so I’ll do that on my end. But at least if I’m better informed, I’ll know what kind of questions to ask. Thanks for the help. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-find-a-gun-to-get-my-dad-for-chanukah-this-year/467998.md?page=1)