Advice needed : WTB first gun
 

I am not a gun person nor have ever owned a gun but figure it's time. I just want something for basic home protection and to scare off the occasional nosey neighbor :p The only other thing that I might use it for is to blast snapping turtles out of my pond as the seems to be the preferred method out here. I was thinking some kind of shot gun but am open to any ideas.

A shot gun doesn't seem very sporting for turtle hunting, but load it up with buckshot and you may be able to deter Hunt from nosing around outside your house late at night :lol:

FWIW, I don't own any guns, but I have been shooting a few times over the years with people who do. Pistol shooting is okay. Rifle shooting is pretty boring. But skeet/ trap are pretty fun, and both use shotguns. My favorite to use is a Remington 870 pump-action -- it's a blast (literally and figuratively) shooting at the doubles with a pump gun! Plus an 870 is pretty cheap, and decent quality. Then if you get hooked, you can venture into the world of $10k Berretas...

:D I'd recommend this one for a first time shooter like yourself
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Be sure to have hunt come by to share the good times!!

You haven't seen my turtles :lol:

was the soup good...

Soup was Ok. The neck meat tastes similar to crabmeat.

For home defense.....we have a 12 Gauge pump. There's not a person alive that
doesn't recognize the sound of a round being racked in. I think it's genetic.

The best part is that you don't need to aim well.....just point in
the general direction of the bad guy and pull the trigger.

Ok here you go. I'd recommend .22 cal pistol. Big enough for turtles or snakes (2 legged ones too). Lots of loads including "shot", which I like. Two target pistols stand out:
I like the Ruger Bull
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But lots like the Colt Woodsman
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Here's an alternative I have and like a lot
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It was inexpensive and had a replaceable .22 Mag cylinder. Under $100 when I bought it 20 years ago.

BTW most .22 are sub sonic.... :p

It doesn't sound like a .22 will stop an intruder.

I just bought one yesterday