BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS
Posted on 09/08/2013 2:59:43 PM PDT by sauropod
Hello all,
I need some advice on purchasing a handgun. I live in the People’s Republic of MD and the new gun control laws are about to take effect (Oct 1st).
I am in the market for a .45. I was looking at cheaper than dirt at several models and would appreciate any hints you can give regarding a purchase.
Have you dealt with buying guns from cheaper than dirt? Do you have a better source/way to do this?
What is the proper procedure for completing this purchase from an on-line retailer?
I would also like recommendations for handguns in the $500 class. Will consider going to $700 if there is a really good reason to do so.
This purchase is for home defense.
Oh come on. You don’t miss the crevo threads?
.
Experience
Instinct
Practice
Speed
I carry a .44-40
Sometimes with a backup .44-40
By the time anyone has a handgun in a 2-hand grip I will have 2-3 in their upper body using my old point & shoot
You need a handgun you are comfortable with and lots of regular practice
If you hesitate you are likely to encounter someone who is much faster than you can ever be or who already has handgun in his hand - say a professional thief or even a door kicker
For home defense I doubt you will be carrying in a pocket - but if you go that route plan on shooting thru your pocket
One of the fastest revolvers I had was an old breaktop S&W .38
While you look for a large caliber do not plan on a accurate lightweight handgun with a short overall length
If anyone enters my residence they will quickly see a row of various handguns hanging in holsters
By that time they will quickly backing out the door they came in thru
Or on the floor
There is always someone bigger or faster or with more experience that shoots instinctively
Blue Glasers are good cartridge for inside work
It sounds like you needed to already have many years of experience
Get a dog
Get two dogs
Anyone stupid enough to break in your house will be scared stiff of dog(s)
Life is not a movie
He will not shoot your dog - in any case not two dogs
2-3 in the upper body
Strengthen your hand and fingers
Have the action checked and you might lighten the pull
I tune my own Colts but I can handle any handgun ever made
Adapt
Get proficient
As far as cost goes - you know how much your life is worth
Saving $200-$300 or more is not worth dying for
I suggest you find someone that can teach you how to shoot properly
Then you will/should have the skill and the confidence that is needed
Time is a’wastin’
.
The gun you choose should have a big enough caliber to do the job (9mm is near bottom end, although .380 is still acceptable), should have recoil that you can handle, should have a trigger pull that doesn't disturb your accuracy (3 to 5 pounds is considered good), and should fit your hand. I'm partial to 1911 and derivatives. I don't like Glocks, but that's a personal thing. They don't fit my hand. My daughter loves her Glock 17. I've never found a revolver that fits my hand, but my wife's house gun is a Ruger .357 Magnum revolver. She has big hands.
Go to a gun store that will let you handle a variety of guns to see what fits your hand, and has acceptable trigger pull. If possible, try a variety of guns at a range. Some gun training courses supply guns (possibly at a fee). Take one of those and try several guns.
As others have pointed out, you will have to buy from a FFL, even if you buy mail-order from out of state. Talk to one near you and see if they'll let you handle several guns.
Not since I sold my soul to Miley Cyrus.
Don't waste your money. If you purchase on line, you will have to wast time in finding a local FFL dealer to provide his license to the on-line dealer, pay the on-line dealer shipping costs and then have to pay your local FFL dealer to take receipt of the firearm before he transfers it to you.........
When my dad died in Arizona, he had several handguns which were willed to me. I had to first have the local FFL dealer fax his license to the dealer in AZ who then charged $$$$ to Fedex overnight the handguns to the local dealer. The local dealer then charged me about $35 per handgun just to receive them and transfer them to me.......It was a rip off.
Absolutely. A couple of ranges have been suggested to me - I'm looking for ranges closer to home but will travel to do this.
I suggest you find someone that can teach you how to shoot properly...
In process. I've been contacted FReepmail...
Just bought a Beretta PX4 in .45,it’s my wife’s carry gun.Very nice weapon,I would recommend looking at one to see if you like it.
Good advice and I am in the process of setting up to follow it.
Finding a gun that feels right is important. I’ve had hand operations in both hands, so that will be an issue.
I’m looking into an FFL that will accept the purchase.
Thanks and Cheers! ‘Pod.
Nothing wrong with a Smiley Virus as long as you’ve had your shots :-)
Will do!
My wife has had both wrists fused. I know your problem.
Stopping power shouldn’t be your key concern. Hitting the target accurately, in your condition, is far more important.
One only needs “stopping power” against pitt bulls and meth heads. And then the .357 mag can and will do the job, and the weapon won’t “jump” out your hand on the first shot.
The average street monkey is a coward and runs and hides at the first flash and bang. (A Beretta .22 barks like a bastard and shoots flames out about 2 -3 feet. Scares the HELL out of everybody. You wanna see street monkeys duck and cover?) And if they feel a hit, they start to cry and whine.
I understand why you are concerned about what you read in the news. OTH, stay with what YOU are comfortable with. When you are comfortable with your piece, it will be the most effective weapon you have. Don’t be influenced by the news or the howitzer crowd.
Heh. That sounds like fun!
My wrists aren't fuzed. I have the misfortune to have Dupuytrens (sp?) Contracture. Latest hand op was end of March. Hand is *still* swelling up, here it is September already. I am finding that I tend to drop things much more than I used to.
When you are comfortable with your piece, it will be the most effective weapon you have.
Wise advice. This is what I'm going for.
As FFL’s go: Check Atlantic Guns (http://atlanticguns.com/) Bill Schneider may still work there (I knew him in High School) or possibly Larry Inscoe (we used to cruise in his ‘68 Chevy Bicsayne). Transfer fees are high in MD, probably because the State Police do a secondary check that likely takes forever now (it was always more than the 10 days they said, even back in the ‘80s).
:-)
I have heard that they have hired on more people for the background checks due to the high demand. Used to have ~30 people, now have more than ~75 people.
Damn Martin OweMalley all to hell!
One more reason to love NM, I bought 4 handguns one afternoon at 2 different shops and the transactions couldn’t have taken more that 20 minutes total.
Find me a job at my current income and someone to by my house and I’m there!
If you’re in Maryland isn’t CCW off the table?
But ok, if we’re talking semis then I definitely stand by the try before you buy advice. The grips and triggers on those are all over the map, and given the cost, it’s really best if you know well what you’re getting into. My first handgun purchase was a POS done with insufficient research. I have learned since.
I wish I could, I’d love to have you as neighbors!
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