Transfer of Residence from US which Gun ?

[dr.jayakumar]

bring them from US,i am not sure how.in case you do kindly post the guns you own.good luck.

[HSharief]

+1 on Navi's idea for a shotgun and a revolver. The 870 would be my choice, VERY easy to maintain and you can build it up into a full fighting tool with all the doo-dads.

Also, I understand about the area your house is in. Maybe after you move in and who knows in the next year that place will be totally transformed and safer than you know it now. When we bought our plot house in 1999 in Hyderabad, it was at the edge of the city, now the city has expanded another 20 kms. My Dad and a couple of neighbors got together and hired local "security" to keep the riff-raff out. I know of quite a few scenarios like this. I wish you the best.

[mamamia]

Thanks for all the suggestion guys, I will think about either a shotgun or pistol. Attached here my ruger plinker.

[vvandemataram]

@ Mamamia - I would suggests you to buy a Ruger .327 federal Magnum as its powerful and also easy for concealed carry when compared to .357 which is more bulkier.

And to add, the best thing about .327 fed mag is you can use .327, .32 H & R, .32 S & W, and the .32 S & W Long cartridge. These ammo are easily available in INDIA when compared to .357 which only uses the same caliber.

I own a .327 fed mag and couple other guns... I exclusively bought this gun so that i can import it to INDIA.

[ribaalber]

Look for a good beretta 81fs.. used or new...

32 calibre and owning one is like driving a BMW in India..

Or a Colt Python since you are going to own only one gun...
You can practice with a nice Air Pistol (don't forget to bring a good airpistol.. break barrel 600fps is my choice)

Don't worry too much about stopping power...
A gun should just be a deterrent, specially in India.
You don't want to kill someone even in self defence..
And a 32 can surely maime or stop someone on his tracks

[Kumar_Virginia]

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.

This is my first posting on this forum and I truly appreciate the detailed advice, especially on the intricacies of Indian firearm laws. I immigrated to the US in late 90s and am also planning to move back permanently within in the next few years.
I was at a gun show in Virginia this weekend and decided to try out your advice when I came across a used Smith & Wesson .357 magnum highway patrol. I have never bought used guns before and I stick with new Glocks and XDMs but it felt like a solid gun and is in pretty good shape. I couldn't see any scratches and much wear on it. Seller assured me that it had no issues and asked for $450 but we finally settled for $400 cash. It was $400 leap of faith on a 50 year old gun with no means to verify if it had any issues. This could have ended up reflecting poorly on my UP Baniya credentials. LOL
The place was so crowded and it was just few hours before closing time so I decided to get it quickly and go straight to the range and try it out right away. If I had any issues with it, at least I could take it back before they closed up.
I fired a full 50 box of Magtech 158 grain rounds on it and got nice groupings at 15 yards. I think I will make some upgrades like a new rubber grip and may be a viridian laser if I can find one for this old model.
Overall I am happy with this purchase. Given the choice of only one gun during transfer of residence, my Glock 29SF will go with me.
Please see the pictures attached with this post and send me your comments and suggestions.
Best regards,

-Kumar

[Bhargav]

Mamamia,

I am in the same boat. I like pistols more than revolvers so I have narrowed down on CZ 83 in 32acp. I still have to fire it at the range if it is available but lookswise I like it.

I also planning to get into small bore compititions and then a 22lr rifle would be a good choice too. Ahhh so many guns and we can carry only one

[xl_target]

If that group was shot at 15 yards with that pistol, don't change a thing (not even the grips). You got a helluva deal for $400! Congratulations! If you take care of it, that 50 year old Smith will last you a lifetime.
If you want a laser, I think Crimson Trace is your only option. They make laser grips for Smith J, K, L and N frame revolvers. If that is a Model 28, they were made all the way up to 1986. Have a gunsmith go over it and replace any worn parts (if any) before you bring it over and you should be set for a long time.
Don't bother with the Glock, you'll have a really hard time finding 10mm ammo in India.

[Kumar_Virginia]

@xl_target,
Thank you for your kind comment on my purchase and the valuable suggestions. I checked on the ammo situation in India and have been informed that it is difficult to get any calibers except IOF 32 & 22, which are of poor quality.
I understand that its not a practical choice but it will be hard to give up the Glock. I have had it for a few years and gotten used to its light weight in an iwb holster.
I am thinking of taking along 22LR conversion kit for the Glock so i may practice with 22s and save the 10mm rounds for any undesirable social service events. I already have a crimson trace for the g29 so i should only need a few rounds of Buffalo Bore if ever needed.
I will be visiting US routinely after the TR so there will be opportunities for replenishing stock.

[Sakobav]

Kumar

Glock will be an issue even with conversion kit its tagged as NPB - unless you want to gift it to Indian Govt shall never get out of customs. 357 could work if you will be travelling back to US then one can take extra ammo from here to India

best

[captrakshitsharma]

I would recommend a S&W 686 plus in .357 Mag snub nose and a good shotgun or .22lr Rifle. Buy the best gun for your money's worth cause after you come back to india you will regret when you compare prices in indian scenario. If you are pistol fan get a decent .380(colt mustang pocketlite) or any good .32 acp

[winnie_the_pooh]

Kumar_virginia,

1.You can bring in only ONE firearm on TL.IF you and your wife claim TL,then also it is ONE firearm.If you bring in two or more,you will be allowed to take out only one and the others will be confiscated.You can also bring in 50 cartridges along with the firearm.

2.10 mm is an NPB firearm.So you will be able to own it here on a license issued by the local licensing authority.

3.A multi calibre firearm is possible only if it is sold as such by the company.

[Kumar_Virginia]

I thank you all for your feedback.
I understand that I will be moving from the most gun friendly state in US to a very restrictive environment in India. Also that shooting 200-500 rounds every week will not be an option after I have moved to India due to acute scarcity of quantity and variety.
Shooting is my only hobby. There is already a sense of approaching loss, as if I am about to bury an old dog

For fellow gun enthusiasts in India, here is a description of the greener pastures i will leave behind soon...

I presently live in Virginia which is a free second amendment state, so I am able to purchase any firearms available to civilians in US without a license.
Firearm licenses are not required for open carry in VA, getting a concealed permit takes a maximum of 45 days. If the state police don’t approve an application within 45 days, the applicant can start carrying concealed after 45 days without written approval unless it is denied at a later date
There are no restrictions on calibers. Full autos require additional permit with approx $300 tax stamp, which is rarely denied with a clean background.
VA residents can walk into a local gun store, pick from available inventory and make a purchase with cash or credit card. If a particular make/model is not available, the store can order online and usually receive overnight delivery for extra $35.
All firearm purchases require a criminal background check but the process is as simple as activating a new sim-card in India. No criminal record means almost guaranteed approval in hours.
I have a concealed handgun permit to carry in VA and 33 other US states, so electronic background checks for purchases have instant approvals and the firearm can be picked up same day. Additional advantage of CHP is that the holders can buy multiple guns on the same day, otherwise one has to wait a month between purchases.
Average price for 100 rounds of most popular ammo is under $40, hollow points average about $10 extra. 22LR is about $8 for box for 100
Enough already, right?

Moving on, I have active firearm licenses for a shot gun and handgun in India with no arms currently registered there, the licenses were approved in Feb2012 so I have another 3 years on them before renewal comes up.

Is there a possibility that I can bring a handgun AND a pump action shotgun in this TR move?
I would love to hear from members who have been through the entire importation process.
Its very hard to hurt my feelings so please dont hold back your blunt ones

[Bhargav]

I thank you all for your feedback.
I understand that I will be moving from the most gun friendly state in US to a very restrictive environment in India. Also that shooting 200-500 rounds every week will not be an option after I have moved to India due to acute scarcity of quantity and variety.
Shooting is my only hobby. There is already a sense of approaching loss, as if I am about to bury an old dog

For fellow gun enthusiasts in India, here is a description of the greener pastures i will leave behind soon...

I presently live in Virginia which is a free second amendment state, so I am able to purchase any firearms available to civilians in US without a license.
Firearm licenses are not required for open carry in VA, getting a concealed permit takes a maximum of 45 days. If the state police don’t approve an application within 45 days, the applicant can start carrying concealed after 45 days without written approval unless it is denied at a later date
There are no restrictions on calibers. Full autos require additional permit with approx $300 tax stamp, which is rarely denied with a clean background.
VA residents can walk into a local gun store, pick from available inventory and make a purchase with cash or credit card. If a particular make/model is not available, the store can order online and usually receive overnight delivery for extra $35.
All firearm purchases require a criminal background check but the process is as simple as activating a new sim-card in India. No criminal record means almost guaranteed approval in hours.
I have a concealed handgun permit to carry in VA and 33 other US states, so electronic background checks for purchases have instant approvals and the firearm can be picked up same day. Additional advantage of CHP is that the holders can buy multiple guns on the same day, otherwise one has to wait a month between purchases.
Average price for 100 rounds of most popular ammo is under $40, hollow points average about $10 extra. 22LR is about $8 for box for 100
Enough already, right?

Moving on, I have active firearm licenses for a shot gun and handgun in India with no arms currently registered there, the licenses were approved in Feb2012 so I have another 3 years on them before renewal comes up.

Is there a possibility that I can bring a handgun AND a pump action shotgun in this TR move?
I would love to hear from members who have been through the entire importation process.
Its very hard to hurt my feelings so please dont hold back your blunt ones

Kumar, pretty much its the same scenario you described, everywhere in the US except DC I think and NY state. Very nicely written post. Would love to understand how you plan to carry firearm from the US to India ? are you planning to apply for an export permit with the dept. of defense ? Which part of India will you be moving ? You said your license was approved in Feb2012 in india, did you apply from here ? Do you fall in special category since you are a US citizen, back in india ?

sorry for lots of questions but would love to hear the answers.

I should be in the same boat around 2ish years from now

Thanks.

[Priyan]

How about a Desert Eagle chambered in .357 Magnum?
For me nothing beats the deage brand deagle, especially in a country where most cartridges are restricted.