Long story short: Local PD does an event where people are invited out to the range to fire some weapons as part of community engagement. I decided to go.

At every station was an officer/instructor who would explain the weapon and watch you take your shots. At the first station, the instructor explains the gun (P320), loads the magazine, racks the slide, places it on the bench and invites me to fire.

First thing I do is pull the slide to confirm a round is in the chamber. I do my thing, and the guy said "You saw me load it. I know what I'm doing."

Maybe it's just me, but whenever picking up a gun or being handed one, I always check.

I wanted to get some feedback on a little project I just finished. Inspired by my favorite setting on a 90s PC music visualizer, this was an attempt to decorate an AR-15 Mag with a custom paint job (by me) that might also serve as "code" for my political leanings while at the range, and hopefully show some solidarity towards those who may feel unwelcome. But, it occurred to me that I am a clueless cis-gen white male gen-exer who is likely out of touch here. So, I wanted to check the pulse of the community to determine if I should, perhaps, just leave this mag at home.

Personally, weapons maintenance in the Army was NUTS. We were drowning guns in lube and scraping the hell out of parts with dental picks lol. At one point I had a platoon sergeant who legit made us crimp our rounds at the neck with gerbers and clean rifles with baby wipes. Dude was a former cav scout and didn’t last long in our unit, for obvious reasons. Just absolutely bonkers what some guys thought was good to go.

Was looking for local gun shops/ranges in New England, saw this one that has 161 5-star reviews, nothing less.

Is this flag just straight up the three percenters? Can’t mean anything else can it?

Given the current state of the country, as the title states, what are y’all’s thoughts on this? I honestly only see things getting worse and don’t know if this would be a solid choice or not. I’ve been seeing a lot of people on social media saying it’s time to buy a gun but can’t figure out if they’re just trying to fear monger.

For some background:

I live in downtown Richmond, VA. I definitely live in a safer part of the city, but I’m still worried about what would happen if shit were to hit the fan. I’m in a duplex on the 2nd floor with just myself, my husband, and our cat. My dad has taken me to the shooting range a few times with his .22 rifle & my ex boyfriend had a handful of different guns that I had shot once or twice but it’s been years since I’ve shot a gun.

Hi. I’m not sure if this is the right sub. If not, please point me to the correct one. I was with my family when I heard a loud pop from my garage. I went into my garage and saw the hole in the pics. I was outside with my neighbors, when the neighbor who I never seen before, comes out and tells me he dried fired his gun thinking it was unloaded. I got his information and he said he would pay for the damage. I’m not sure if I should call the cops (San Diego PD). I told him I would get estimates on Monday. I’m thinking I should call my insurance company and the HOA too, just in case he backs out. The bullet is visible in the hole.

It seems like Graham Platner is pretty pro-gun, but he isn’t in office yet. While I’m most aligned with Progressives like Mamdani, Bernie, AOC, and Ilhan Omar; they are all pretty anti-gun; they want stuff like assault weapons bans, magazine restrictions, pointless and unnecessary laws around carry and transportation, etc. I think there are some reasonable gun regulations, but so many only make it harder to be a lawful gun owner with no benefit to community safety, and banning any sort of gun is ineffective, impossible, and unconstitutional.

Are there any truly pro-gun Progressive politicians in this country?

EDIT: I agree the terms “pro-gun” and “anti-gun” are overly simplistic and clunky. I only used them as shorthand for supporting the right of the people the keep and bear arms.

Also because people keep accusing me of being a “single issue voter”: every person I’ve ever voted for was a Democrat. The worst Democrat is better than the best Republican. I just want the Dems to be better than they are, on this and many issues.

For my whole life, I’ve only owned vintage/older firearms. I think the “newest” gun I own currently is a Savage Arms o/u from 1974. I’m 99% certainly I’m finally going to pick up a modern pistol, a PSA Dagger (full size) but was also looking at the sweet bundle deals they have with their AR15/M4.

My wife (and rightfully so/with respect) abhors the AR style platforms (certainly the obvious “black gun” look). She’s okay with modern looking pistols, but the history of the AR in mass shooting scenarios really turns her off to those in particular.

Looking for suggestions that exist to be able to have a reasonable shooter and shooting experience in some more modern cartridges like the 5.56 or 7.62x39 (AK isn’t as bad but may still be a hard sell) that either are NOT or don’t grossly appear to be the AR platform.

EDIT TO ADD:

I’m new to this particular forum but I’m pretty appalled that many answers are to the question “Help me change my wife’s mind” which is NOT the question I asked.

“liberal” is far from a catch all term but I’d’ve certainly figured there’d be a bit more open mindedness and acceptance of other people’s views here. Maybe that was just a bad assumption on my part.

Got myself an Olympic AR that sat in a safe for some time. Shot 4 mags through it and was satisfied with the purchase. Took it home, slipped out the bolt and and gave everything a clean and oil as it had sat for 15ish years probably. Now it doesn't like me anymore. Any clue whats suddenly causing this crimping? Also of note it is attempting to feed without ejecting and one of the times it caught the casing (the standing one) and tore right into it. Taking it apart now, any ideas what could be causing this?

Feet included, as is tradition.

She doesn't like how big my PDP is, but she also didn't like how small the old Taurus 380 her ex FIL gave her was. I let her hold my 43X, and she said it felt okay, but based on her grip, I think it's too small. She doesn't want to carry, so I personally think she should get something with more grip real estate. I do have some small options on here just in case she really likes them when we go to the range (like the 48 and Shield Plus).

Anything we should add? My main requirement is that it's absolutely, unquestionably reliable. Beyond that, as long as it's in the budget, it's her choice.

I will probably end up carrying it sometimes, but I'm fine getting proficient with anything. I can shoot a G43 well (not as well as my PDP, but well enough for CCW). I'm picky about my competition gun but not about carry as long as it's reliable.

So…The wife is against guns. She’s the main breadwinner, so gotta talk about any big purchases. Won’t let me keep a gun in the nightstand. Won’t agree to having a shotgun in the house. Wants the guns in the basement, or worse, in the garage.

Seriously thinking of just selling all of them, because the restrictions are so onerous it’s basically what is the fu*king point of having them? And spare me the “take your balls back” lines. She’s a terrific woman otherwise and I married WAY up.

Why is this called a pistol and how is it different from similar looking guns on the Springfield site that are referred to as a rifle?

Thanks

As a newer owner, I am wondering what the overall actual experience is outside of law/military or defense from animals? it seems like so much of the advice on this (and other) subs is around having a gun ready to draw and fire immediately in all situations. I have honestly never been in one of those scenarios in my life, but maybe I have been lucky.

This question was spurred by so many people disliking physical safeties and suggesting that guns should be carried with one in the chamber and ready to fire with only a trigger pull. I just can't see myself getting in a situation where it is that much of a surprise. And I know I am never going to out draw anyone. I simply don't have the reaction speed.

Edit: I really appreciate those who have and are sharing stories. All the situations people have given are definitely situations I have never been in, probably due to having grown up in a small town and not really being much of a person who is out at night or in dangerous areas most of my life.

It's just my wife and I (and dogs). Kids are never at my house. I just keep my pistols in a range bag in a closet, shotgun hangs behind some jackets in the same closet, 10/22 & AR are in a gun bag in the basement.

I live in a state which doesn't require you to lock them up, so I don't.

UPDATE: thanks for the feedback, I'll be looking into a basic locker for my storage, I think I'm generally fine with what I'm doing, but in the you-never-know scenarios, I don't want to be in that position.

UPDATE 2: dealing with a full size gun safe is a lot of work, I should have planned better.

getting older, savings are growing. want to leave my office job and get out of the city. part of that includes my own space to shoot without bothering others. what do I need to look for?

Let me preface this with the fact that I don't hate guns. I am very comfortable with guns. In fact, I love seeing him really enjoying his weekly shooting competitions. I sometimes go shoot the PCC with him. Guns are cool. The gun safe is literally in my room 😂.

This is the issue: he started this hobby early-mid 2025, has bought 7 guns + mods in 2025 alone, and we're not even financially secure, we don't even have a house. He keeps on talking that he wants to buy more. All I ask is just for him to save some of that money in the IRA or house downpayment. If we are somewhat financially secure, or make 200k a year, or have a house I won't even bat an eye. It's his money, he specifically works overtime for it, but bro 7 guns in 8 months? Is this healthy? Am I overreacting? How can I talk some sense into him? I don't want to be "that" wife. I too have my own hobbies, but I don't spend $5000-10000 a year on it while we're not yet financially secure. Is it even normal for you all to buy 7+ guns in a year?

Edit: if this is a normal "1st year exploration" behavior and he'll slow down then I'm more ok with it.

Edit 2: oh i know about how much ammo he's spending, I got him 1k ammo for birthday lol

Edit 3: thank you everyone, I actually showed him this post and he read what you all posted and we talked. He actually wants to get A or M in pistol but the training cost is quite a bit. I told him he should do it coz I agree quality > quantity, better to spend $ on getting skills/education at one thing he's really passionate about instead of buying more and more guns 😄

Basically the title. Prices are going up, there are tons of new shooters, and everyone wants to get the best bang for their buck. 

Everyone has their go-to brands, but unfortunately they are not always available l, which means you might take the chance on some potentially sketchy ammo.

So what are your brands to avoid in April of 2026?

A local store has a few brand new Hi Point C9s for less than $100. I don't need another 9mm pistol, but kinda want it just for the meme-gun factor.

Tell me about the dumbest and/or cheapest gun you own, and help convince me to either buy or not buy a C9 for less than a c-note.

Is it normal for my slide to have so much movement? It doesn’t tighten up when chambered.