Indians For Guns

Guys, Happy to see strong firearm community from India. I live in US and an often go target practice with my wife. I currently own Two handguns and planning to get a shotgun for home defense.

1. Ruger Mark III .22LR rim fired target pistol. (Mainly Wife's gun)
2. Ruger SR9c 9mm compact pistol.

However down the lane in an year or Two I plan to relocate back to India (Bangalore). After spending quite bit of time on this forum and reading many posts from experienced members, I have realized that getting a gun from US to India is not easy and one has to circle around the pillars of Government offices and restrictions on type of gun/ammo etc. Also I figured out that the Gun has to be owned in the residing country for over an year to be qualified. Since we can bring 2 guns (My wife is into shooting as well . I think I might be good with my Ruger .22LR but bringing SR9C is out of question.

So I'm planning to get couple of nice guns which meets Indian firearm policy but still a quality piece which I can wear on me (Concealed carry). While I don't do a Concealed carry here in US (Since the area where I live is pretty safe). I want some suggestions from members on what are my options. Below are my criteria. Strictly in the order of precedence.

1. Fully complaint with Indian Law when it comes to Caliber and PB/NPB.

2. Good Stopping power, mainly to protect my me and my family. (The house where I will live in Bangalore lies in the suburbs and is notorious for chain snatching (broad day light crimes)and mugging (Mostly during night time). Also the gun should provide some home defense.

3. Pistol or Revolver. I mostly prefer a pistol for the flexibility it provides. But I am open to Revolver as well.

4. Availability of Ammo. I would like to use IOF manufactured Ammo. Which I think will be of decent quality since IOF ammo is used by our brave Indian Armed force. But if it helps I can even buy imported ammo provided they don't cost like $5 per round. Here in US I just use Walmart brand (Mainly Federal) ammo and my SR9c eats everything I throw. There are very few failed ammo on .22LR since its rim fired.

Chime in and pour your thoughts friends. I am glad I found a place to chit chat about firearms in India. I have asked a question on how to join NAGRI when residing outside India.

In my opinion in order of preference:

1) .327 Federal Magnum because its ballistics are nearly as good as .357 magnum. It can also fire .32 revolver cartridges manufactured by IOF.

2) .357 magnum for its obvious stopping power. It can also fire .38 Special cartridges.

3) .22LR because of cheap ammunition.

Try a Glock(I'm not sure about the model number or nomenclature) with interchangeable barrels in two or three calibres. It's possible under our law, wherein the weapon is classified as pistol but endorsement is made with multiple calibres. However, do check for indepth details.

Ruger makes three different models in .327 Federal Magnum. Of the three, the SP101 is the most concealable.





http://www.ruger.com/micros/327Federal/index.html?r=y

-- Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:24 pm --

Katana wrote:Try a Glock(I'm not sure about the model number or nomenclature) with interchangeable barrels in two or three calibres. It's possible under our law, wherein the weapon is classified as pistol but endorsement is made with multiple calibres. However, do check for indepth details.

The problem with bringing a Glock to india is as follows:
1. It is offered in 9X19, .40 S&W, 10mm, .45 ACP, 45 GAP, .380 ACP, .357 SIG.
The .380 version is only sold to law enforcement in the US so he can't buy it. 9mm and .45ACP are PB India. 10mm, 45GAP and .357 SIG are going to be next to impossible to purchase in India. So that leaves .40 S&W which is not that commonly available either.
So basically you have one caliber choice when bringing a Glock from the US to India. If you can get a ready supply of .40 S&W in India, then it might not be a problem.

Thanks for the responses folks.

So is it legal to get a gun with center fired cartridge? I was under assumption that civilians can only own rim fired guns. If yes I would love get a Glock 27 (.40 SW sub compact) with conversion kit to .22LR. Also I am looking at S&W

Any idea on how much Imported Ammo costs per around in India? if I get one those models. Say .40 SW Glock 27.

Also I was thinking about S&W 632 which can shoot .327 Magnum along with .32 from IOF.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y

The 632 is nice. See if you can rent one to try out before you buy it.

40 S&W caliber ammo is not easily available in India, you will have to import it whenever you go abroad, with the attendant hassles. Although having a conversion kit in .22 will allow you to practice using Indian as well as easily available imported ammo.

The easiest thing would be to get your self a good revolver in .327 Mag, and just buy Indian IOF for practice and save the imported ammo for self defense situations as mentioned above.

The one thing you could do is have the revolver etched or marked to show that .32 S&W Long can be fired in it.That can easily be done by most gunsmiths just add .32 S&W L under the existing caliber markings. I say this because it may not be common knowledge with the Babus and they may just enter the revolver in your license as a ".327 NPB Revolver" and our dealers then may not sell you Indian .32 ammo for it.

Best of luck,
Anand

Beretta 87 is great pistol in .22lr, but I would go for those pistol which for sure can cycle Indian amo and do not have reported issues with it.

It is not that .40 S&W ammo is not 'easily available' it is 'not' available at all.If you get one,you will have to get the ammo every time you need some,from USA.You can bring in 50 cartridges with you at one time or the max. allowed if it is less than 50.

KF only makes .22lr,.32 ACP and .32 S&W Long ammo. .357 mag ammo is very expensive,when you can find it. .380 and .30 Tokarev ammo is also readily available. Get a .380 ACP pistol.I do not think any one makes a .30 Tok. pistol anymore other than the Chinese unless you want to buy a milsurp. You can get a CZ 52 and have it worked on by a competent gunsmith who has experience working on these.

A .380 ACP Skorpion semi-auto perhaps?

Handgun calibers available in India, that I am aware of : Obviously some are more difficult to obtain than others,

.22LR;.25 ACP(6.35mm),.30 Mauser;7.62x25 Tokarev; 32 ACP;32 S&W;.32 S&W Long; .32 H&R Mag.; .357Mag.;.380 ACP(9mm Kurz);.38 ACP;.44-40;

Other members can add to these if its helpful to you in making a decision,
Anand

If u like revolvers go for a nice S&W in .357
If preference is pistol u can get the beretta cheetah in.32

For firearms, my recommendation would be similar to the others as above, except I would only recommend taking revolvers for ease of use, repair and reliability. One in .22 (convertibles for .22lr and .22wmr) and one in .357/.38. Ruger, S&W or Colt.

Please take this next line FWIW and I don't mean any offense or disrespect as I don't know all of your situation. If your house in Bangalore is not in a good area, I would suggest moving to a better area. Avoiding crime is a MAJOR part of self defense and actively planning your life/lifestyle around safe situations is good self defense too, as important if not more as packing/picking the right gun/ammo/training. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for responses guys.

I've made up my mind on getting one revolver for sure. I would probably sell my SR9c and get .327 Feb magnum or .357 Revolvers.

But reading here difficulty in getting .40 ammo, I'm thinking if getting Glock would make sense or not. I have found some good .22lr conversion kits for Glocks which I can use with IOF .22LR.AFAIK Glocks have no trouble eating any Ammo thrown at them in US. Any body has idea if these Gun will eat IOF/Indian made ammo?

@Sharief

I understand the context of your suggestion mate. So in Bangalore it is prohibitantly expensive to find plot/house in good locality. The one where I have build the house is roughly 15Km from city center and in 2006 I had to shell out 23Lacs to buy the plot. For ordinary civilians like me (without political or bureaucrat influence) or with lots of moolah stashed somewhere, its a inconceivable thought to get residence in some great locality. My locality is still coming up few number of houses, but gradually I think it will get populated and I wish I don't have to use my weapon at all. But till then it is better to be ready and safe then be sorry.

MM

My advise sell both guns .22 and 9mm purchase the Ruger .327 because .32 ammo is available in India and take some .327 with you (2) and a nice shotgun
Why did I recommend selling .22 is because pistols are very finicky to ammo quality hence you will always need imported ammo in India - I own a Browning Buckmark and know it first hand. Dont get me wrong Ruger is a great pistol ...
(A) Pump action either

http://www.mossberg.com/products/defaul ... n=products

This has two barrels

(B) venerable Remington 870
http://www.remington.com/products/firea ... press.aspx

( C) Depending on your budget a good o/U

http://www.franchiusa.com/ or beretta White Onyx or Browning
Another great and sturdy option is Baikal Over under or CZ USA shotguns below

another option for plinking always is CZ USA 452 .22 rifle
(D) http://cz-usa.com/products/by-category/rifles/


( E) If you like .22 a lot for Handgun then check out Charter arms

Pathfinder
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products ... 62240.html

They also have patriot in .327
http://www.charterfirearms.com/products ... 73274.html

And good old .32 HR

http://www.charterfirearms.com/products ... 73220.html

To summarize I would recommend a concealed carry gun and shotgun/rifle - cover all of your bases. You cant get a decent shotty in India hence the recommendation for O/U or Pump action.

Off course purchase as many accessories possible for the guns pins etc and even bring a scope for your rifle in India ( down the road..)

Good luck and keep us posted

best

+1 a revolver and a 12 ga shotgun.Revolver for the simple reason that in case you get a dud(considering the availability of ammo. there is a high possibility that it is going to be old) it will not jam your gun.

In case of a shotty make sure the barrel length is at least 20"