*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?

[JenB]

Go to a gun show and pick up a lot of guns to see what feels good. Then try to rent the couple you liked best if you have a local range that does that and try them.

I really like the XD series from Springfield - my XD 9mm is my favorite gun. It fits my hands really well. Glocks are too big and blocky. I want to get a S&W MP in 9mm as well.

Caliber is important - a lot of people will say, stopping power is the only thing that matters, but if you don’t shoot the gun because the caliber is too big that does no good. I hate shooting .45 and hope I never have to use one of my husband’s 1911s defensively because I just don’t practice with them.

[woollyone]

good advice!

[pinkpanther111]

Thanks Jen! The XD and the S&W MP are on my list.

UPDATE: I took all the gun recommendations and wonderful tips and pasted them into an email and sent them to my husband. He has already found a gun show at the end of the month that we will be going to.

We have also found a training class that will provide you with different guns to use in the class based on what guns you are considering buying. This is very helpful, I don’t have to rent each gun to try. They will let me try each during training to see which one I REALLY like.

We are currently collecting information on each gun mentioned here or that friends recommended and attempting to whittle down the list to a few that I really want to try. Then we will sign up for classes with that list.

One thing in Texas, if I am understanding correctly, if you certify with a semi-auto the certificate is good for both the SA AND the revolver. A certificate for a revolver is ONLY good for a revolver. So that adds another element to consider.

Thanks again everyone!

[CodeToad]

45ACP you can get even a Taurus for it. The 45 Colt is the cowboy 45, sometimes referred to as a 45 Long Colt or 45 Long.

[CodeToad]

I also have the Kimber Ultra Carry in basic black:

The Raptor costs about $200 more but I think it has a finer fit and finish than the basic black. Both shoot really nice. Even the recoil is modest.

[hiredhand]

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.

Somebody told me once that IF you could get your finger far enough into the barrel of a pistol, that you could keep it from doing you lethal harm. The guy told me you'd lose your finger and probably *KB* the pistol. I'm not so sure I'll go along with this theory, and I'm certainly not going to try it out!

I did see a video once of a sabotaged WW-II German tank being fired AFTER a bayonet had been slid down the barrel! Needless to say, the gun on the tank wasn't usable afterwards! :-)

[TADSLOS]

When my daughter and I went to the Sheriff’s Department for a handgun purchase license...

Sigh...

[hiredhand]

This friend of mine showed us that CQB and reactive shooting is a lot like dancing. If you're a right handed shooter and you're shooting WITH your right hand, you always want to turn to the left to shoot and flank targets to the right. He made us practice this over, and over, and OVER...until it was "muscle memory" that we turned to the left to shoot. Think about it...try it out! If you're right handed...pretend that a "target" is anywhere in a 270 degree area behind you. Which is more expedient?...to turn to the right to fire?...or to the left? You'll probably notice that you can literally fire to the rear from the left without moving your feet. If you try this while shooting to the right, you end up swinging your arm far and wide, and having it stuck way out in front of you...time consuming and very unstable at the conclusion. Now try running or simply moving quickly and doing this from the left...then the right. You'll see what I'm talking about. He also taught us to put rounds on target while running away from the target! Keeping hostile heads down during a retreat is pretty important too....Remember Chesty Puller! :-)

We also practice least dominant hand/eye shooting...and probably more important is the ability to actually retrieve the weapon using least dominant hand! I've seen people carry pistols in shoulder holsters, all locked up and safe...easy to retrieve with their most dominant hand, but impossible to retrieve with least dominant!

I'll tell you some more about it later...I've got some stuff going on at work and I'll be back later. :-)

[pinkpanther111]

Why Sigh?

[Cosmo]

Love my Kimber Pro Crimson Carry. Great weight, amazing lack of recoil for its size and weight. Just a shame that .45 ACP is so hard to get...and so damned expensive. But you can always get the the .22 retrofit for target practice.

[TADSLOS]

Exasperation that you, your daughter or anyone else should be required to obtain a license to purchase a firearm.

[usmcobra]

How about a .357 Mag?

I knew this was coming, If the 357 magnum was such a great round why has it been the standard for forever?

I mean why isn't it the undeniable favorite of those that carry a gun as a self defence tool, like cops or soldiers?

The 357 Magnum is an awesome display of hand held fire power and I won't deny that but then again so is a LAWS rocket launcher.

The LAWS even makes a bigger hole.

[Melas]

Yeah, but he had a script.

[Tax-chick]

Yeah, I know, but it could be much worse. We don’t have to register or report the gun, just pay $5 for the criminal background check and the purchase permit, which is good for several years.

[Little Ray]

The Ruger LCR is a light weight revolver in .38 special. Its designed for concealed carry and double action use. I have not had a chance to use one. I have fired a snubbie on the range, and the work great and are easy for women and people with small hands to use. My wife liked it.

I use some Ruger Vaqueros and Redhawk. Ruger makes a good revolver.

[TalonDJ]

Get a glock, I have a glock. Only get a .45, I have small pen*s.

Hah! Nice! You for got: "Stick with a revolver, autos confuse me" among others. Just about any absolute statement about firearms os a load of c7@P

[TalonDJ]

I've seen people carry pistols in shoulder holsters, all locked up and safe...easy to retrieve with their most dominant hand, but impossible to retrieve with least dominant!

Do you carry your's horizontal? I guess that would be grabbable off handed. I mostly carry strong side IWB so it is not too hard to reach around my back and grab with the off hand. As long as I don't eat any more pie...

Having a small child makes it critically important to carry fully loaded. I often will not have both hands free to work the slide.

[hiredhand]

Do you carry your's horizontal? I guess that would be grabbable off handed. I mostly carry strong side IWB so it is not too hard to reach around my back and grab with the off hand. As long as I don't eat any more pie...

Having a small child makes it critically important to carry fully loaded. I often will not have both hands free to work the slide.

I had a vertical shoulder holster but couldn't easily use it left handed (my least dominant hand). So I've got a horizontal now and with the way the snap-lock is situated I can retrieve it with either hand. I take criticism every time I tell the truth about this... but I carry cocked, locked and with a live round in the chamber. If I retrieve it, there's only a few things I have to remember, and that is dropping the lock (safety) and getting on target to fire. Any more than about two things to remember under stress are too many things to remember! :-)

If I happen to be in a hurry and the weapon wasn't with me for starters, I'll carry it IWB as you've mentioned.

You've brought up a very good point about small children and having hands full. I had a similar thought with my wife one night when we took a late trip to the store across town. It was dark and I had both hands full coming out of the store and there were a bunch of saggy-baggy pants, "backwards hat boyz" malingering in the parking lot. At one point, they got a little too close for comfort which IMHO is about 50 feet and it made me think about actually having to use the weapon....with both hands full. It goes without saying that I would have had to just drop the bags. But from running CQB drills, I know that it can be a significant time saver to NOT have to cycle the weapon.

[cva66snipe]

Exasperation that you, your daughter or anyone else should be required to obtain a license to purchase a firearm.

Or the need of Big Brothers permit to carry it afterward. Over two decades now of carrying without permission. At one point I carried mine to work every night and even the cops knew I was doing so. I worked as a night clerk for a while in a bad part of town. I've never been searched or asked if I carried. Age has some advantage in that respect and a clean locals and NCIC check. Added to that a very cluttered vehicle with things like like coke cans potato chip bags etc. :>}

Conceal Carry should be allowed for everyone without need of permit who is not a convicted violent felon or has mental conditions making them a danger. I know a man right now who's Manic, has made death threats, and carries daily. No CCW laws has ever stopped him and I had to take his weapons once. One reason I usually carry is due to him. A simple computer check now available in most patrol cars gives such information to the officer that should make CW permits a non issue.

[TalonDJ]

Yup, but with as 6 weekold baby dropping is just not an option. It forces me to think about what hand I hold her in too. I am about as good either handed but holding a baby on one arm, one whose neck is not yet up to a rapid arm swap, means I can’t draw off handed. Doubly so if I am carrying in a cargo pocket.

No point in having an unloaded gun. I only carry fully loaded. I keep all guns I am carrying in holsters that fully cover the trigger andI never carry without one. You are suppose to treat every gun as loaded so why should it matter that it IS loaded? There are some guns not designed to be carried with one in the chanmber. I don’t carry those guns :P