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a good modern 9mm is a good start I would also recommend a quality shotgun 20 or 12 ga (hunting and home defense) and a 22lr rifle for (small game hunting, fun and pests). be aware that gun collections tend to grow over time

I agree with Randy i, but would add this. If you might be hunting deer or living in an area with large predators, wolves and bears, I would suggest getting at least a .30-30 lever action or a .45-70 lever action. These hold a fair amount in the magazine and offer good terminal ballistics.

If budget is limited, to buy one other firearm, personally I'd buy a shotgun. Why? U can buy shotgun shells almost anywhere! Plus they generally are not too expensive. With a shotgun and the right ammo, u can blow anything Back out the door for defense purposes without shooting through the outside walls, and can hunt duck, deer rabbit, squirrels, etc. just my 2 cents!

The heading (not your text) says you're a "first time gun owner." Choosing a handgun for self-defense is a very personal issue. When I'm asked "What kind of gun should I get..." my response is that we have to start with a whole series of questions involving your current skills, physical abilities, finances, needs, purposes, home environment, willingness to train AND practice, etc. - more than we can possibly go into satisfactorily in this format. A good start would be the NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting Course. Visit the Education and Training page of the NRA Website to locate a local instructor. The course can be a conventional classroom plus range time or a combination of "at your speed" online training covering the classroom aspects followed by a range session with a certified instructor. Note: NRA will charge you $60 for the online course while a certified instructor can purchase the necessary access code for $25. This course will not turn you into a gunfighting whiz. It wil

The simpler the better for a novice gun buyer. Semi-automatics have buttons and levers that take time and practice before becoming efficient . A revolver, on the other hand, simply requires pulling the trigger. A big factor when under duress. If the 9mm, usually found in semi-autos, is considered a calibre of choice then a 38 Special/357 Magnum in a revolver certainly satisfies the requirement. The 357 Magnum is the 38 Special but a bit longer to hold more powder. The combination works for practice [ 38 Special ], or defense [357 Magnum]. For outdoor or indoor work, a 12 gauge pump shotgun fits all manners of threats, either from four legged or two. Also, the shotgun can be used to harvest the smallest creatures, to the larger fur bearers, for sustenance. A pump action is easy to learn and must be considered the premier home defense weapon available..

I am in agreement with both you and Randy that a 9MM is a good handgun for your intended purposes. Another consideration, if you are not an experienced shooter for the purposes of self-defense, and might not actually get to shoot as often as you might aspire to, a revolver might offer a simpler alternative, however. Functionally they offer point-and-shoot logistics, without challenging a newbie to practice practice, practice, practice to be knowing at all times - especially hi-intensity times - safety on or off, one in chamber or not, etc. . Also they are way easier to keep clean and ready. A 357 like a S&W or Ruger LCRx or SP101 would work well, or even a Taurus or Charter Arms if you want to spend less for a decent 357. Ammo-wise, 375's also are great for shooting milder 38's and 38 +P ammo. For defense, a 20 gauge any ammo. Back to 357 and 38 rounds for a moment - in the event you were to want to expand your arsenal, Henry and others offer long rifles that will shoot 357 and 38 ammo

A good pump action shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge loaded with buckshot is great for home defense and can be used for hunting. A Mossberg 500 would be a good choice but there are many others that would do the job well. Just racking the action of a pump shotgun will make a would be intruder think twice about breaking in.

9mm firearms are urban and close quarter caliber, Not knowing what kind of rural environment you are in, poses questions. Will you be hunting for meat? Will you be protecting garden or crops? Are Possum , Venison, Squirrel, Rabbit on the menu? An inexpensive 22LR carbine would be my first choice! If you have a bear or Zombie problem, then buy larger caliber like a 357 magnum! The point is. if you feel threatened, get what will neutralize the threat!

Taurus G2C for the truck, Glock 17 with a light for the night stand, Mossberg 12 gauge for chicken thieves, Ruger mod.10-22 for squirrel gravy 😋

Sdve 9mm by Smith and Wesson is good 1sth timer gun or if you a 1sth time shooter the ria 38spc. Is good also. Riffles 22 is also good

A good 12 gauge shotgun can do everything. You can shoot slugs that will take down any big game in the United States. With different sizes of birdshot, you can hunt everything from quail to geese. I prefer to have one barrel about 20 inches long with iron sights, either rifled or smooth bore. That covers home defense as well as big game hunting. A second barrel about 28 inches long, smooth bore, with an assortment of choke tubes, and you have everything else covered. It might be overkill for a small, garden marauding gopher, but a good pellet gun can take care of that, or just use the shotgun! I suggest a pump action like a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500, as they are proven models, and accessories and extra barrels are readily available. Neither will set you back big money. It is a lot easier for a beginning shooter to learn quickly than a handgun. Welcome to the country!

for a first time shooter/gun owner I would recommend finding a reputable shooting range with pistols for rent. try several different ones to find out which you're most comfortable with. a good range will have knowledgeable people to help you and show you how to operate the guns.for rifle i would start with an inexpensive 22 or 22 magnum and work your way up.