*Vanity* Handgun Recommendation

me ^ | 6-17-09 | pinkpanther111

[pinkpanther111]

My husband recently purchased a Semi-automatic rifle for home protection. He and I discussed whether we should get a second one for me. I said I would be more comfortable with a handgun. I shoot more consistently with a handgun. So the obvious next question he asked is which one would you like?

I am not sure which one would be the best for me. I know I want semi-automatic beyond that I am not sure which features I should look for.

So I thought I would ask here; if you were to purchase a handgun for your wife, what type would you get? or Which features do you think is important for me to consider?

[absolootezer0]

Bs. Mine pushed revolvers then sigs he HATED glocks

[Squantos]

Good point as well....... I don’t like checkered grips, crimson trace or not for CHL carry with light summer clothing. As I stated the checkering seems to cling to the shirt as ya bend and move about and can crawl up and expose the firearm which brings potential brandishment charge into play per our 2nd amendment rental agreement with the state.......:o)

[appleseed]

Excellent info. especially about the rubber checkered grip for concealed carry. Only thing I would like to add is, those who take the advice of going to a firearm instructor for training, if they don’t mention it, ask about weapon retention especially in the case of an attempted gun grab. Keeping your weapon in your hands only if you ever have to draw it is a good thing. In fact that goes for any defensive weapon.

[Squantos]

Agree 100% !!

I am retired military now, no longer a sheriffs deputy and carry for self defense only , aside from my contractor work so I pack a chamber empty, magazine loaded, Glock 31 most of the time just Mexican or cavalry carry inside my waistband with a spare mag in the ruler pocket of my carpenter jeans. I got to attend some schools when active duty with the IDF and really like the way they carry and present their handguns from a chamber empty condition. My choice as my primary self defense is awareness of my surroundings and willing to use a Cummins 2500 Dodge 4x4 to run away from or run down an aggressor before I shoot one if possible. Insurance covers vehicle accident much easier......:o)

as always my sidearm is a last resort when all else has failed me ......!!!

Stay safe Sir !

[hiredhand]

You’re RIGHT about those grips and clothing! I got rid of a set of Hogue grips for that very reason. I’ve been lugging around the 1911 (Series 80) in a shoulder holster for the past couple of years. I did finally get a good mag keeper opposite the pistol that holds 4 spares. I’ve often thought about picking up something like a Para-Ord Hi-Cap, or Springfield XD, but I like my Colt. It’s been very reliable and it’s very, very accurate! :-)

[El Gato]

Home defense? Why did he get a semi-auto rifle?

Maybe he just likes rifles. If you only have one gun, a light semi-auto carbine is not that bad a choice. Maybe it's one in a pistol caliber, or something like the M1 Carbine.

Now I have rifles, but don't shoot them much very much. The M1 Carbine is fun to shoot, but still not as much fun as either of my .45 ACP handguns. And whale of a lot more fun than my "Serious social purposes" 12 guage. :)

[Squantos]

Keep it ! Key is you have 4 spare 8 rounders I presume for yer 1911A1. Plus the one in the weapon. That’s just shy of a box of ammo......:o) More is not always better and you know that. I do not like the bulk of para’s for the very reason your bring up.

Stick with comfort and shoot-ability and reliability as you have done with that 1911A1. Keep it is my suggestion. Tried and true is a good thing.

[Kevmo]

For the SHTF scenario, ammunition supply will be key, so it would make to prioritize buying a gun that could use the same ammo as the rifle. I learned here on FR that this is where the definition of a carbine comes from.

[Last Dakotan]

A rifle is the worst choice for home defense.

Worked for him.

[Last Dakotan]

Smith & Wesson Sigma 40VE.

Best bang for the buck.

[ChocChipCookie]

Do you have any theories as to why I shoot with more accuracy w/ our .375 revolver than any of our pistols (Sig/Glock/Walther)? It really bugs me.

[hiredhand]

Retaining the weapon is important, and more difficult than people would like to think. Most people think they're going to draw and point the weapon and the badguy at the other end is going to wither in fear. But what if he doesn't?! I've got a friend about an hour from where I live who's a former USN/SEAL who trains HRT/SRT shooters and he showed us how to effectively keep somebody from taking a weapon from you. A lot of it is simply in keeping the weapon CLOSE. But he had us practice trying to take the weapon from each other. One of the things he had us do was this...

Designate an aggressor and a defender. The defender should have his/her preferred PDW carried as usual but UNLOADED.

The aggressor positions himself 20 feet behind the defender and both defender and aggressor start walking in the same direction. But at some point, the aggressor is going to move quickly toward the defender.

If the aggressor overtakes the defender before he/she can retrieve the weapon and simulate shooting him twice, then the defender loses and the aggressor wins! If 20 feet is too close (and it usually IS for starters!), then increase it to 30 feet or more. In my case, I thought I was going to be a hotshot and ended up having the aggressor at 45 feet before I was successful! I SUCKED! :-)

The first day we practiced this, I ended up in the dirt most of the time with the aggressor and me both trying to gain control of the weapon. But after some practice I was able to retrieve the weapon and show that I could have used it before the aggressor actually "touched" me.... even though he was practically in my lap when I pulled the trigger!

We had a couple of guys one day who went with us and thought it was going to be easy. My 14 year old disarmed each one of them three times in a row!...starting at 20 feet. Finally, when one of them did manage to retrieve the weapon and point it before my son had him on the ground, my son reached out with his left hand and grabbed the top of the slide of the semi-auto pistol (a Glock) and just leaned into him....pushing the slide back enough to take the pistol out of battery. The guy wasn't thinking and didn't have the presence of mind to just fall back and shoot on the way down. He panicked and simply continued trying to pull the trigger!...but it simply was not going "snap"!...because the pistol was held out of battery by my son's hand! As he panicked, my son reached down to the side of his pocket and opened a Kershaw assisted-opening knife just to "illustrate" what could happen. ...and that was the end of that drill! Of course nobody was hurt, and we all had fun!...but it's a good reminder of our own imagined skills, in contrast with REALITY. :-)

When the defender thinks he's doing pretty good, you add TWO aggressors! :-) I have a tactic that works really well in that instance....RUN!!!...stop/turn and SHOOT....the closest one first. Or stop and drop quickly and cause the aggressor to just trip over you...then "shoot" them as they're getting back up! We practice this on grass. I would imagine that you'd get fairly skinned up if you practiced on concrete or asphalt!

These are good ways to practice things that most people don't give a lot of thought to. Too many people think that they're invincible just because they're armed, and it's just not true. :-)

BTW - that "trick" with pushing a pistol out of battery can be effective against a 1911 type pistol because you don't have to grab the slide at all to move the action out of battery, but merely push on the end of the barrel. It's a good reason to have a spring set over the 17-18lb stock recoil spring. Then again, if somebody is that close and you haven't fired yet, I guess you're kind of screwed anyway. :-)

[hiredhand]

Keep it ! Key is you have 4 spare 8 rounders I presume for yer 1911A1. Plus the one in the weapon. That’s just shy of a box of ammo......:o)

Wow...I didn't think about it until you put it that way, but you're right! That plus the one in the stack is just 4 shy of a box! I'll tell you this much...it sure feels like it! I need to do some work on that shoulder holster rig. It's started to rub me in all the wrong places over the past couple of months.

[Lockbar]

I own over 40 handguns. I have a strong love affair with John Browning designed handguns, the US 1911 and Belgium Browning High Power. I can shoot very accurately with both, and made Army expert with the .45 cal 1911. But if I had to pick just one gun to take to a shooting contest, I would pick my well used World War 2 Manufacture Smith and Wesson Victory in .38 spl with a 4 inch barrel. It is pretty much the exact gun as the Model 10, but not as well machined or finished as a commercial gun. I have more confidence in accuracy with that gun then all my others. I think revolvers shoot more accurately because the barrel is fixed to the frame, and there are less moving parts when the gun is fired like a slide going back and forth. These are just my opinions, but they come from experience.

[hiredhand]

What sort of wheel gun would you recommend that would shoot the .45ACP?... I’m assuming with half moon clips. Any ideas?

[Squantos]

As well the web of you hand can be jammed into the space between the hammer and firing pin or a good grip on a revolvers cylinder will give you time as well and keep it from firing double action.

[appleseed]

That’s almost a full course right there. Exactly why it’s good to practice over and over again to gain speed when drawing from a holster and bringing up on target.

When faced with an aggressor body position is important too. Keeping the side you have your weapon on away from the aggressor. Even something as simple as resting your forearm on your weapon in your holster while backing up to create distance. A level 3 holster can buy some time to strike a nerve point if he attempts a grab at your holster, keeping it close is excellent advice when it’s out, etc.

Gun control is key, hitting what you shoot at because you may only get one chance.

[Centurion2000]

But a 22 pistol first as a plinker and to learn marskmanship on. Typical 22 semi auto handgun is around 300 and the ammo is relatively cheap and makes a good plinker.

THEN go to a range that rents and try them out to your heart's content .... that's when you make your mind up to get what you like.

9mm,38,357,40,45 .... get what works for YOU. Shot placement counts for more than the caliber.

[Red in Blue PA]

Sweet......The 5 inch Raptor is actually on my wish list.

[scramjet]

I also recommend your first handgun purchase be a .22.
You should also take a gun safety course. Get one that’s easy to strip and clean so you won’t dread practicing with it often. After mastering basic skills such as sight alignment, grip, stance, and breath control, you should be able to move up to the defensive calibers.