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Welcome to Fairfax Underground, a project site designed to improve communication among residents of Fairfax County, VA. Feel free to post anything Northern Virginia residents would find interesting.
Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Future_Gun_Owner ()
Date: September 21, 2009 03:33PM

I am looking to purchase a firearm. This will be my first and I do not know very much about them, so my plan is to shop around and ask questions at as many places as I can.

Unfortunately my family and almost everyone I know does not have gun culture, so I was hoping to find some internet people. I've been trying to look up gun stores and other gun resources on the internet but nothing has been too successful. I was hoping for some store recommendations and reading material. The stores don't have to be in Fairfax and the materials don't have to be books.

So how about it? Anyone out there exercising their 2nd amendment?

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 21, 2009 03:36PM

For gun store:

Virginia Arms in Manassas. It is by the Prince William court house.

http://www.virginiaarms.com/

For resources:

http://www.nrapublications.org/index.asp



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2009 03:38PM by eesh.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 21, 2009 04:27PM

Gilbert's Small Arms Range is my go-to. The staff are very knowledgeable, they have stuff you can rent (to feel out the different weapons before you commit to one), etc. They'll show you how the gun works, but I recommend reading a Wikipedia article or two on handguns in general so you have a vague notion of what does what when you go in.

DUE DILIGENCE:

I highly, highly recommend taking a handgun safety course, even if you don't intend on going for a concealed carry permit.

If you follow even two of these three rules 100% of the time, you'll never have an accident: http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp

My three basic rules of handgun safety:

1. Always keep the weapon pointed in a safe direction
2. Never put your finger on the trigger unless ready to fire
3. Never give or receive a weapon unless it has been unloaded and taken out of battery.

If you have kids or roommates or whatever, extra precautions are obviously necessary.

Good luck. If you have specific questions, ask, and I'll answer them as best I can.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: pgens ()
Date: September 21, 2009 06:28PM

In my handgun safety course the three rules they gave were #1 and #2 above plus don't load ammunition until you are ready to shoot or must be prepared to shoot.

#3 above is a great rule too... follow all four plus other ancillary rules (lock up guns when not needed for immediate access, store firearms and ammunition separately, etc) and you will be in good shape in terms of firearm safety.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 21, 2009 07:25PM

pgens Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> In my handgun safety course the three rules they
> gave were #1 and #2 above plus don't load
> ammunition until you are ready to shoot or must be
> prepared to shoot.
>
> #3 above is a great rule too... follow all four
> plus other ancillary rules (lock up guns when not
> needed for immediate access, store firearms and
> ammunition separately, etc) and you will be in
> good shape in terms of firearm safety.

I live by myself, so "don't keep it loaded" is impractical for me. I have a full magazine loaded into my shotgun and handgun, but I don't chamber the rounds. I unload them and hide the ammunition when I'm throwing a party, unless I'm really good friends with the attendees.

If I had kids or roommates, I would definitely take extra precautions (locks, etc).

All it really comes down to is this: you are holding something that will kill you or people around you if you are stupid or careless. Respect that.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: erik ()
Date: September 21, 2009 07:37PM

I'm exercising my 2nd amendment by thrusting a yellowed scroll of the bill of rights back and forth on the barrel of an AR-15.

Okay, I'm thrusting it on the end of a tennis racket. Still, without gun culture, internet people are by far the best resource for non-book material. Good luck!

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 21, 2009 07:46PM

erik Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm exercising my 2nd amendment by thrusting a
> yellowed scroll of the bill of rights back and
> forth on the barrel of an AR-15.
>
> Okay, I'm thrusting it on the end of a tennis
> racket. Still, without gun culture, internet
> people are by far the best resource for non-book
> material. Good luck!

Is it just me, or is this post really confusing?

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: bloody blisters ()
Date: September 21, 2009 08:21PM

erik Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm exercising my 2nd amendment by thrusting a
> yellowed scroll of the bill of rights back and
> forth on the barrel of an AR-15.
>
> Okay, I'm thrusting it on the end of a tennis
> racket. Still, without gun culture, internet
> people are by far the best resource for non-book
> material. Good luck!


um? who uses scrolls anyways? arent they a little out of date?

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Numbers ()
Date: September 21, 2009 08:51PM

I have no kids in my house, so I keep all my guns clean and loaded with various other weapons in convenient and strategic places.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: fairfaxdude ()
Date: September 21, 2009 09:52PM

My weapon is ready to fire.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, this is about guns.

Never mind.

______________________________________________
I have had to change the addresses to my retaliatory blogs over half a dozen times.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/21/2009 09:53PM by fairfaxdude.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: highschool sports lover ()
Date: September 21, 2009 09:54PM

fairfaxdude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My weapon is ready to fire.
>
> Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, this is about guns.
>
> Never mind.

gay

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Future_Gun_Owner ()
Date: September 23, 2009 04:12PM

Thanks for the feedback all.

I checked out Gilbert's Small Arms range recently. It may be a good place to try out the firearms. Ammunition is expensive though. I'm wondering if the basic course at the Blue Ridge Arsenal might be a more cost-effective way to get acquainted with the different handguns. Does anyone know of a place which would let one shoot multiple different guns for under $100?

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:00PM

That's a tough one. Ammo is expensive everywhere, thanks to the black Democrat president and paranoid rednecks.

You can get that cheap, shitty Wolf ammo online, but that's a bad idea, because Wolf ammo is cheap and shitty. It's a really good idea if you're trying to ruin your weapon, though. Seriously, don't get Wolf ammo.

9/10 times, if you're firing next to someone who has a weapon you're interested in and you ask to try a couple rounds, they'll let you.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Ratshot ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:05PM

What ammo do you use to shoot rats Mephisto?

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:22PM

Ratshot Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What ammo do you use to shoot rats Mephisto?

Birdshot. Anything else is a waste of money.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: bloody blisters ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:28PM

turkey load is always a nice touch. 3in magnum shot. that would definitely make him pay his debts

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:30PM

BB, I seriously doubt you could handle a 12 gauge.


Stick with this:

naa09.jpg

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: bloody blisters ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:36PM

ha, you're dumb. i got a stoeger semi-auto 12ga. stupid chuckles da klown thinks he knows what he's talking about.


i have the cammo baby.


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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Genevieve ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:38PM

bloody blisters Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> i have the cammo baby.
>
> http://www.shooterschoice.com/stoeger/stoeger2000.
> jpg


I think that is the ugliest weapon I've ever seen.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:39PM

Genevieve Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
>
> I think that is the ugliest weapon I've ever seen.


+1 Camo finish on a weapon is very redneckish, especially the "mossy oak" ones.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2009 06:41PM by eesh.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 23, 2009 06:46PM

Yeah... can't say I'm a fan of the forest finish. Then again, what it looks like is pretty irrelevant as long as it works.

Maybe for hunters...

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: PistolPete ()
Date: September 23, 2009 07:00PM

eesh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BB, I seriously doubt you could handle a 12
> gauge.
>
>
> Stick with this:
>
>

Don't knock the NAA mini's. At close range, it's fine. My wife has one and she
prefers it because her hands are tiny. I prefer my Walther P-38.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 23, 2009 07:04PM

PistolPete Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Don't knock the NAA mini's. At close range, it's
> fine. My wife has one and she
> prefers it because her hands are tiny. I prefer my
> Walther P-38.


A 22 LR out of that short of a barrel will be lucky just to break through someone's skin. It's a novelty item, nothing more.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Radiophile ()
Date: September 23, 2009 07:36PM

MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> 9/10 times, if you're firing next to someone who
> has a weapon you're interested in and you ask to
> try a couple rounds, they'll let you.

Handing your loaded gun over to a complete stranger...What could possibly go wrong?

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: bloody blisters ()
Date: September 23, 2009 07:54PM

Genevieve Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
>
> I think that is the ugliest weapon I've ever seen.


shut up. i hate you

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 23, 2009 08:41PM

Radiophile Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MrMephisto Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > 9/10 times, if you're firing next to someone
> who
> > has a weapon you're interested in and you ask
> to
> > try a couple rounds, they'll let you.
>
> Handing your loaded gun over to a complete
> stranger...What could possibly go wrong?

It's generally safe to assume that the person in the next lane of the shooting range doesn't have murderous intent. Otherwise, they'd just use their own weapon.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Genevieve ()
Date: September 23, 2009 10:28PM

bloody blisters Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> shut up. i hate you


INSERT INANE RETORT

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Pistol Pete ()
Date: September 23, 2009 10:45PM

eesh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PistolPete Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > Don't knock the NAA mini's. At close range,
> it's
> > fine. My wife has one and she
> > prefers it because her hands are tiny. I prefer
> my
> > Walther P-38.
>
>
> A 22 LR out of that short of a barrel will be
> lucky just to break through someone's skin. It's
> a novelty item, nothing more.


It's a 22 Mag. More power, but like I said, her hands are tiny and the NAA has
very little recoil. She's a city girl who had never fired a gun and has come a long way now having fired .22 LR's and magnums, .223's (Mini-14), 7.62x39 (AK) and even my Ruger Blackhawk (.38 convertible to .357 Mag) and also, the P-38 (9mm). I don't think she will ever feel comfortable with the Mosin Nagant's or an '06, but at least its something. She feels most comfortable with the NAA. I guess it's all a matter of personal preference. What really matters is being able to consistently hit your targets, know the limitations of your firearm, and
react appropriately.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: eesh ()
Date: September 23, 2009 11:16PM

LOL It's still rimfire dude. I don't care if it's LR or magnum. If you want a compact pistol with little recoil, get a .32 ACP. At least it has some stopping power.

Blessed are the murderous.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: ThePackLeader ()
Date: September 23, 2009 11:36PM

MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gilbert's Small Arms Range is my go-to. The staff
> are very knowledgeable, they have stuff you can
> rent (to feel out the different weapons before you
> commit to one), etc. They'll show you how the gun
> works, but I recommend reading a Wikipedia article
> or two on handguns in general so you have a vague
> notion of what does what when you go in.
>
> DUE DILIGENCE:
>
> I highly, highly recommend taking a handgun safety
> course, even if you don't intend on going for a
> concealed carry permit.
>
> If you follow even two of these three rules 100%
> of the time, you'll never have an accident:
> http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
>
> My three basic rules of handgun safety:
>
> 1. Always keep the weapon pointed in a safe
> direction
> 2. Never put your finger on the trigger unless
> ready to fire
> 3. Never give or receive a weapon unless it has
> been unloaded and taken out of battery.
>
> If you have kids or roommates or whatever, extra
> precautions are obviously necessary.
>
> Good luck. If you have specific questions, ask,
> and I'll answer them as best I can.


If you follow all of the rules, everyone will most likely still be safe even if an accident occurs, or if one rule is forgotten in a moment of error.

I remember watching a soldier run out of a house in Iraq, and as he jumped over a crumbled brick wall, his rifle fired. I don't know if it was his own doing, or a malfunction, but since he properly had the rifle aimed in a safe direction (the ground) as he ran (Since he was not engaged at the moment), no one was injured. Even if he forgot the general rule of not having your finger on the trigger until you intend to fire at an established target, he still obeyed rule number one of pointing his firearm in a safe direction, and as a result of such, everyone was alright despite the round going off.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: ThePackLeader ()
Date: September 23, 2009 11:38PM

eesh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL It's still rimfire dude. I don't care if it's
> LR or magnum. If you want a compact pistol with
> little recoil, get a .32 ACP. At least it has some
> stopping power.

Sure, I wouldn't prefer a .22 in a shootout, but it will stop someone when necessary.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Radiophile ()
Date: September 24, 2009 06:27AM

MrMephisto Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Radiophile Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > MrMephisto Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> >
> > > 9/10 times, if you're firing next to someone
> > who
> > > has a weapon you're interested in and you ask
> > to
> > > try a couple rounds, they'll let you.
> >
> > Handing your loaded gun over to a complete
> > stranger...What could possibly go wrong?
>
> It's generally safe to assume that the person in
> the next lane of the shooting range doesn't have
> murderous intent. Otherwise, they'd just use
> their own weapon.


By generally you mean 60%, 70%, 95% (?) that the person you are handing the loaded gun to is not going to carve the word"fed" in your chest and take you to the woods?

If the gun in for your personal protection - as so many claim - do not go around handing it over to people with unknown motives. I am just saying....

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: Harry Tuttle ()
Date: September 24, 2009 07:03AM

Mephisto makes a good point though. If they really wanted to kill you at the shooting range, why wouldn't they just use their own weapon?

Radiophile Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> By generally you mean 60%, 70%, 95% (?) that the
> person you are handing the loaded gun to is not
> going to carve the word"fed" in your chest and
> take you to the woods?
>
> If the gun in for your personal protection - as so
> many claim - do not go around handing it over to
> people with unknown motives. I am just saying....

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: MrMephisto ()
Date: September 24, 2009 07:30AM

Radiophile Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> By generally you mean 60%, 70%, 95% (?) that the
> person you are handing the loaded gun to is not
> going to carve the word"fed" in your chest and
> take you to the woods?
>
> If the gun in for your personal protection - as so
> many claim - do not go around handing it over to
> people with unknown motives. I am just saying....

I'm talking about target shooting in a legitimate shooting range, not hunting in the woods or anything.

--------------------------------------------------------------
13 4826 0948 82695 25847. Yes.

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Re: Firearms in Northern Virginia?
Posted by: TefD187 ()
Date: September 24, 2009 08:09AM

haha


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