guns

A cleaning set. For a handgun, some handgun sized disposable barrel swabs, some oil (I prefer Hoppes 9 for general purpose), rags, and some q-tips are usually enough. For some guns like Glocks, a little bit of metal polish applied to the trigger mechanism can make them a bit smoother overall for not much investment.

A roll of painter's tape is good to have for a range bag to help plug up targets while you're shooting to make the targets usable a bit longer. Sharpies also work, I just prefer tape. It also works to put up targets if the range's staple gun or target clips aren;t working.

Targets. You can go from buying a fancy set of splatter targets to just printing off some on normal paper.

For handguns I have not really ever used speed loaders for the magazines. I just haven't felt hindered by putting rounds in manually, but if you want a little help it's out there.

You may want some way to adjust the sights. This can be a set of small precision screwdrivers, or for factory Glock sights- a tap and mallet. Eventually with the optics you'll probably want allen keys or star keys to make adjustments.

The investment that is you should learn both good shooting and responsible habits. Ranges tend to have introduction to shooting either as group classes or one on one, and getting those basics down may seem boring but fundamentals are important for everything else. I'd even soft suggest looking at a CCW course, even though you don't intend to carry, since the CCW courses do focus more on crash courses of legal and storage responsibilities. It can't be bad to have those things in your head.

After that point, regular practice is just something to keep the rust off your abilities and familiarity with handling. I have a habit of sharpie marking targets with dates/distances/drills/gun used and taking photos so that I can record long term. It helps identify certain trends where I need to work on them.

A book covering your local gun laws. :)

Classes, practice, cleaning kit + associated fluids and lubricants, and eye protection.

Consider getting some Howard Leight Impact Sport earmuffs. I like to throw some surefire ep3s with the plugs open under them and I can talk easily with others.

A range bag is really nice to have, better to go oversize to your needs because you will probably need a larger one down the road. Speed loaders are nice to have but not essential if you don't have trouble loading mags.

Work out a detailed defense plan. If you're woken up by someone kicking in your door in the middle of the night you are not going to make good decisions. So make them in advance. Figure out where you and your family need to go and what cover is available. Work out ways to minimize how much you have to expose yourself. (Don't go looking for an intruder.) Think about whether you want to turn on house lights or use something else. One way or another you never want to shoot at a target you have not positively identified.

It's also important to think about what you are willing to do in various situations. Are you prepared to kill someone to defend yourself and your family? The answer is almost certainly yes, but give it some thought in advance. Are you willing to kill someone to protect your property? Does any intrusion warrant lethal force or only if they approach you or your family? The questions are simple and the answers may be obvious to you, but make them in advance when you are not under threat and can take the time to think them through.

Talk through your plans and decisions with anyone else in the house. Everyone should know what they are supposed to do.

Stay safe.

After the basics like a safe and some ear protection with sound amplification, I’d get some dummy rounds to practice loading and unloading the gun so you’re really comfortable with it and don’t need to use real bullets, which can be nerve-racking at first. You can also use the dummy rounds more safely at home, whereas, when you’re new, you don’t usually want to be loading or unloading real bullets unless you’re at the range. Others also use dummy rounds at the range mixed in with real rounds to try to figure out what they’re doing wrong with grip and trigger pull.

Also, I’d suggest getting a dry fire trainer, basically a laser bullet and target. This will help you learn how to aim and pull the trigger without needing to waste bullets. You can also use this at home. They sell these on Amazon pretty cheap. They are awesome for getting comfortable with the iron sights and understanding how your trigger pull is fucking up your shot.

Finally, once you’re good with the iron sights, see if you want to modify the gun in any way like swapping to night sights, putting on a red dot, and attaching a light.

As always, safety first. Treat every gun as if it is loaded. Check and clear it every time you use it. Keep the damn thing locked up whenever you’re not using it. You want to build some comfort with it, but never get too comfortable.

Lots of great posts in here! I'll add bit:

Hard disagree with the poster about red dots and lights. Red dots are practically aim bots. Got one on my AR and one on a shotgun. They're so easy to get on target it's like cheating, actually takes some fun out of shooting. :) But if violence comes to your home, there's no such thing as cheating. Unfortunately, a good one that won't fall apart costs a fair bit. Holosun sounds like a great product, never had one. Saw an interview with the owner of this company, and he was refreshingly honest! No, they're not the best of the best, not for Navy SEALS, but they do what you and I want. That's my next purchase.

I hike in some wild woods at night and doing a little practice on drawing and getting on target sold me on weapon lights. I've got a .45 with tritium (radioactive, permanently glowing) sights. And still, that just doesn't hold a candle (heh) to a flashlight. Bonus! The light is a weapon in itself. Going from a dark room to getting 800-1,000 lumens in the face is more than a little disorienting. Yes, it'll give up your position, and yes, it'll blow your night vision, but still... You're not going to pull the trigger on anything you haven't 100% identified, right? Get a light.

BTW, dummy rounds are called "snap caps". That'll be easier to search for. Another thing a poster called for is called a laser "bore sight".

If you're interested in the education aspect, give Paul Harrell a shot. He's universally respected and gives great talks, see for yourself. Paul's close to the end of his journey, so the newer videos are his brother. Seems expert, but it's not nearly the same.

Safe and locks. I don't like guns, but the friend who does has both of these in a house full of children. If they can get to them, you're doing it wrong.

Ammunition! Nothing beats practice to build comfort and confidence.

Other than getting your pistol and ensuring that it is secure, you need time to practice.

I always suggest any new shooter to purchase their gun and then spend around half as much again on ammunition.

Use ammoseek.com to get the best deals!

Okay so I am going to tell you something unpopular but true. A gun will not make you safer. If you truly just want home defence options there are other better things than a gun. Home defense is a close quarters encounter a gun is a range weapon. Unless you are very well trained, a gun will not be your best option and seriously well trained not just Gravy SEAL trained.

If you still decide to get a home defense gun. You don't need a lot of shit hanging off it or something fancy. Truly the best defense hand gun is a 4in DAO 38 special. But they are just not cool enough so people always have to get something fancy. A revolver is more reliable, needs less cleaning and can cycle a misfire. Getting in DAO will mean every trigger pull has the same feel every time.

Things you don't need is really anything hanging off your gun. Red dots, lights, lasers, ect are pretty useless. You're better off spending time and money learning how to point shoot. I get it is fun to accessorize. Everyone wants Barbie's Dream House. If that is what you want for it, have fun. But if you truly want a home defense gun. Do it the right way not the Gravy SEAL way.

Also please know that in home defense you are much more likely to shoot a loved one or be killed with your own gun then to successfully defend your home. Learning unarmed combat is safer and likely to serve you better.