Posted on 11/23/2010 4:41:59 PM PST by pepsi_junkie
I've never posted a vanity before so I'm ready for the scolding I'll get for doing it, but I need help. My wife and I are considering buying a handgun and while I've fired a variety of guns previously at a range with friends, I've never bought or owned one. I know FR is full of 2nd amendment advocates and was hoping I could get some help as to what to buy.
It would be for both my wife and I for occasional use at a range and, in the unlikely event of a home invasion, self defense.
I don't want something too powerful for my wife to easily handle but at the same time I don't want something that would be ineffective in a self defense situation. Any suggestions?
This should be fun.
My vote goes to the .45 acp with hollow points. Get a good one. My wife is tiny and can handle it well. Great one shot stop capability.
.38s and 9mm are easier to handle but have less of a chance of putting an intruder down fast.
.357 and .44s are too powerful for home defense unless you want to shoot your neighbor at the same time.
a 12 gauge shotgun is also a good home defense weapon.
If your wife is going to be using it also, I would recommend some type of 9 mm, as the recoil is minimal and the damage to a perp is maximum.
Properly posted in “bloggers and personal” and noted as a “vanity”. No idea why anyone would complain.
You are about to be inundated.
Another consideration is how much range time you will get. Revolvers are simpler for people who do not shoot often.
Of course the proper answer is to go to the range and practice.
I love these threads, they always make me want to buy a gun.
Anything is better than nothing and bury some cheap stuff with ammo as insurance.
TT
These threads are always fun.
You will get a lot of good advice and a tiny bit of bad. I personally would get a nice .22 either auto or revolver and enjoy shooting it a lot. I noticed CDNN has the Walther .22 target model for under $300.
Once you get proficient with the .22, you can get something more powerful. In the mean time, the .22 will do for protection tho obviously not the best choice.
Start by choosing the correct ammunition that fits your needs...defensive or offensive. Choose an ammunition that is readily available and purchase a fire arm that fits your hand(s) comfortably.
A rifle is easier to shoot well and is much more effective for HD than a handgun. The Ruger Mini-14 in .223 or the Mini-30 in 7.62X39 (the same round fired by the AK-47) are both low-recoil rifles. I also mentioned these because the ammo for practice is still much less expensive than other calibers. In a handgun I would go with at least a 9mm or 38 Special.
Get something that leaves a contrail.
What do you think of the Ruger Mk III for target practice?
A good rule of thumb with handguns is use the largest caliber you can shoot accurately. My thoughts are that if you are not a gun enthusiast, then you probably should look at a medium size .38 Special revolver. It doesn’t have any fancy bells and whistles to get out of order, fires when the trigger is pulled, and hits hard enough to defend yourself with, although in my opinion it is marginal. I think also, if you are going to have only one gun between you and your wife, it makes a good compromise- you probably can handle a larger gun than your wife. All the same, I think having only one gun between the two of you is an error- his and hers do not have to be restricted to bathroom towels.
Just my opinion, but the best weapon for home defense is not a handgun but a shotgun: Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Winchester Defender. 2-3 #6 birdshot rounds followed by 00 buck. Primary advantage: rounds will not penetrate walls and the sound of a racking slide will scare the piss out of most intruders. For a pistol, as backup, .45 ACP, classic 1911 model. Get yourself some defense training and practice, practice, practice. Plan for all contingencies; as examples: weapons storage and availability; who will call 911, creation of a “safe zone” for those who will not engage intruders; child safety. Know what you will do in advance, and in what order. There’s a lot to this business and I’m only providing an outline.
A .38 special medium frame revolver by S&W or Ruger. /thread
A double-action, .45 calibre, pistol is (in my opinion) the best, close-quarters, self-defense handgun in the world. Few moving parts, easy to operate, easy to maintain. What more could you ask for? I like the Sig-Sauer myself.
I want a kimber :(
And hollow points make a good "point".
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