Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

To those who followed my adventures of trying to buy a gun.. Today I finally got one.
It was a challenge right up to the end. Even the State Police got it wrong and I had to correct them. All credit to them, they went back, checked and agreed with me..

However, the issue I could not resolve is the requirements that I prove residency in the state for 90 days. They insisted that I show 3 months continuous utility bills. The reg is that I am a resident for at least 90 days. A VA drivers license issued 18 months ago should have been enough. When I said I could not resolve it, I mean I can't get a reason why everyone is insisting on 90 days worth of utility bills.

Anyway, finally, I'm done.. got it home..
Smith & Wesson Model 637 Airweight.

Managed to get some Ammo for it even though the shelves are empty.

Congrats !!!!!!!!! If you'd like to order ammo online check these guys out. They almost always have whatever I'm looking for. I just ordered .380 from them - imagine that. And no, I dont work for or get anything from these folks even though I plug for them frequently. Its just that I dont frequent stores for ammo and tend to order it online.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... istol-ammo

Silly question.. but I order online and it just arrives in my mailbox?

Took a look at the site.. Lots of different choices and I have no idea what I am reading

Can you point me to the ammo I would use on the firing range.. nothing special, just something that will reach 25 yards..

.. and what I would used for home defense.. again, nothing ultra special. It is just for home defense at max 30 feet. I obviously want to hurt them, but not looking to spend 2 weeks cleaning their brain matter off the ceiling..

If they are the same bullet, then great, but someone was telling me I use different stuff at the range..

bzybee08 wrote:Silly question.. but I order online and it just arrives in my mailbox?

Unless you want to send it to my mailbox!

Seriously, for home defense you probably want hollow point.

For the range, you ought to check with the range first. Some may require jacketed ammo only. In that case, get FMJ (full metal jacket).

Also, check that your handgun can handle +P or +P+ before you buy that.

Another site you can check is http://www.luckygunner.com/

DK I checked that site and see they are mighty proud of their .380 ammo. Guess I'll have to teach Sherri how to reload. Nevr mind, she said it was boring.

bzybee08 wrote:Took a look at the site.. Lots of different choices and I have no idea what I am reading

Can you point me to the ammo I would use on the firing range.. nothing special, just something that will reach 25 yards..

.. and what I would used for home defense.. again, nothing ultra special. It is just for home defense at max 30 feet. I obviously want to hurt them, but not looking to spend 2 weeks cleaning their brain matter off the ceiling..

If they are the same bullet, then great, but someone was telling me I use different stuff at the range..

If your 'range' is between 30 feet and 25 yards it really doesn't matter what loads you use for home defense, someone else said check with the range , always check with the range if you're unsure.

Good choice for a first handgun. Solid and reliable. I have an old S&W Chief's Special in 38sp. I don't shoot it much as its a bit small for my hand. Am thinking about making this a backup gun to be carried in an ankle holster.

So why did you decide on a revolver instead of a semi-auto?

Here is another good site for online ammo sales:
http://www.ammoengine.com

Could be good self defense round:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... point-ammo

Could be good target round assuming range does not require full metal jacketing:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... ts_id/3989

I was just at the Dick's Sporting Good here locally and I had to pick up some 38sp. The target round they were selling was Remington for $18.95/50

When buying online make sure you are checking shipping costs as sometimes those push the cost above what you can buy locally. Walmart is a good source (when they have it) of inexpensive ammo.

LFS wrote:

bzybee08 wrote:Silly question.. but I order online and it just arrives in my mailbox?

Unless you want to send it to my mailbox!

Funny I was reading about buying guns online and realized they send it to a local store. Was just curious about ammo.

This is what I brought at the store.. only box left..
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... point-ammo

and then I got a box of
Winchester 38spl 130 gr. USA Full Metal
http://www.oneclickshooting.com/proddet ... prod=65466

bzybee08 wrote:

LFS wrote:

bzybee08 wrote:Silly question.. but I order online and it just arrives in my mailbox?

Unless you want to send it to my mailbox!

Funny I was reading about buying guns online and realized they send it to a local store. Was just curious about ammo.

This is what I brought at the store.. only box left..
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/ ... point-ammo

and then I got a box of
Winchester 38spl 130 gr. USA Full Metal
http://www.oneclickshooting.com/proddet ... prod=65466

Looks like you made some good choices. Happy shooting!

Vahunter wrote:DK I checked that site and see they are mighty proud of their .380 ammo. Guess I'll have to teach Sherri how to reload. Nevr mind, she said it was boring.

You should have hit them over Thanksgiving. They had 50 round boxes of FMJ for about $18. I bought Young one of the Bersa Thunders for Christmas and ordered some. I got a pretty good deal and hope she likes it...

bzybee08 wrote:Silly question.. but I order online and it just arrives in my mailbox?

Yup. Some sites require that you fax them a copy of your DL so they know you're of age. Also, some will require adult signature on delivery. Neither ammo to go, Cabelas, or USA Midway require those. When you order if you can leave a comment for the deliverer I always put "please leave box on the porch." If you cant find ammo in the stores ordering online is the best way to go. Here are some sites easily found by google that usually have what you want.

Ammo engine - finds ammo for you
Cabelas
Ammo to Go
Midway USA

I've never had anyone ask me for proof of age, and the box of ammo is always sitting on the front porch when I get home.

When I am home, the UPS guy asks "Why do you need this much ammo?". I just tell him, "family reunion next week"

OakRidgeStars wrote:
When I am home, the UPS guy asks "Why do you need this much ammo?". I just tell him, "family reunion next week"

That's pretty good.

Though, isn't it how the Branch Davidians got the attention of the ATF?

When they have it Cabelas has good prices on all calibers.
Best prices right now including 380 is Natchez Shooters Supplies.

I think a really good site to use is http://MilitaryShooters.com. Ammunition To Go usually has a good selection but Military Shooters has much better prices.

bzybee08 wrote:Took a look at the site.. Lots of different choices and I have no idea what I am reading

Can you point me to the ammo I would use on the firing range.. nothing special, just something that will reach 25 yards..

.. and what I would used for home defense.. again, nothing ultra special. It is just for home defense at max 30 feet. I obviously want to hurt them, but not looking to spend 2 weeks cleaning their brain matter off the ceiling..

If they are the same bullet, then great, but someone was telling me I use different stuff at the range..

Congratulations for taking the step from subject to citizen by buying your first gun! Many have died to secure and maintain that right.

You sound (gun) nutty. You will thrive here.

The brain matter (and there is surprisingly little of it inside most criminals ) clean up is what the insurance company is paid to take care of. There are actually entire businesses that specialize in post crime scene restoration. It's the old scenes that get especially hideous. Read about it in Maxim years back. I hear they have noice photos in there too.

Tweaker wrote:

bzybee08 wrote:Took a look at the site.. Lots of different choices and I have no idea what I am reading

Can you point me to the ammo I would use on the firing range.. nothing special, just something that will reach 25 yards..

.. and what I would used for home defense.. again, nothing ultra special. It is just for home defense at max 30 feet. I obviously want to hurt them, but not looking to spend 2 weeks cleaning their brain matter off the ceiling..

If they are the same bullet, then great, but someone was telling me I use different stuff at the range..

Congratulations for taking the step from subject to citizen by buying your first gun! Many have died to secure and maintain that right.

You sound (gun) nutty. You will thrive here.

The brain matter (and there is surprisingly little of it inside most criminals ) clean up is what the insurance company is paid to take care of. There are actually entire businesses that specialize in post crime scene restoration. It's the old scenes that get especially hideous. Read about it in Maxim years back. I hear they have noice photos in there too.

Wow, Mike! He hasn't visited since Christmas '09...

Thriving here? - Not so much...

We are very scary, Glen. Hell, I'm a zealot and I suspect you to be an extremist.

I'm glad he has more than his toe in the water!