*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?

[LoneStarC]

Go to a good range and try several different weapons.

Before you decide on Glock, as some here recommend, do some research on the accident rates.

Include a Sig 239 .40 S&W in your trials. Costs a little more than some, but worth it. After all, this is your life you are considering.

Chose the one that “feels right” and then practice as much as you feel you need.

Whether or not you get a carry permit, money paid to a good instructor, not just shooting, but also the mental attitude — thinking — involved, is money well spent.

[CodeToad]

“Every CCW instructor you meet will sneer at anything else.”

Becasue they are booger eating morons in most cases.

[TalonDJ]

You asked for advice. Here's mine. Don't let anybody ... not even the clueless dorks infallible experts on this forum ... tell you which gun you should buy. They don't know.

Go to a commercial range. Many of them offer pistols for rent to use on their premises. Try several; some will feel better in your hands than others. Find one or more that you like, that you're comfortable with, and that you can shoot well.

Then ... ask the "infallible experts" for their experiences regarding manufacturing quality, longevity, etc of the ones you like. This information can be useful in selecting which of the pistols that you like would be the best to buy first.

Out standing advice. Now here is my version. Go to a gun show. Handle every gun you get get your mits on. Make a list of the top 3 to 5 that fit your hands the best. Get on the internet and read up on those specific guns. Take everything you read with a grain of salt though. Next, find a range that rents, or just some shooting friends that have those guns and try them out.

At that point decide based on whatever YOU prefer and don't let anyone talk you out of it.

No two people have the same hands, or perceive recoil the same. What one woman/man loves the next will hate.

Whatever you get take it out and shoot 200 to 400 rounds through it. Not all at once but try to get that much shooting in on that gun. If you have not shot much take a class.

On a side note keep in mind that a model of gun might come in several calibers. If you pick up one in on caliber and it feels wrong in your hand don't forget to try the handling of the other flavors it comes in.

You say you are already more consistent with a handgun. If you already have a type you know how to shoot start with that.

[texmexis best]

When you practice, concentrate on getting the first shot in the heart area. Lay the gun down and walk away after each shot.

Lots of pistol shooters fall into the habit of hollowing out the target with a lot of shots. Treat the pistol as if each shot were the only shot you had.

[Melas]

A rifle is the worst choice for home defense. #1 is always the trusty shotgun, and right behind it would be a handgun. A shotgun or a handgun can be accurately fired short distances from a non-sighted firing position. Not so much for the rifle.

[texmexis best]

Ultimately it all comes down to how the gun feels in your hand.

[Red in Blue PA]

If you decide to go with a semi-auto, 9mm is the caliber and Taurus is your manufacturer

I would make a argument for the CZ75B in 9mm, one of the best selling guns of all time.

[Spok]

“I would not be afraid to stake my life on the Model 10.”

Good advice. I have a couple model 10’s, model 13, model 14, model 67 and some Colts, all DA .38’s, but when my wife has my model 36, I carry a Pug .44 special. I prefer a gun that will fit in my pocket and won’t leave home without it.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

You said you can’t go wrong with one. My anecdotal evidence is contrary to that.

You're a trial lawyer, aren't you?

[wolfcreek]

Here’s another spot to check.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/

[texmexis best]

You might also ask the salesman to show you how to break down a semi-auto to clean and reassemble and then a revolver.

You do all the work, he should only point and tell you how to do it.

[pinkpanther111]

Very good! Thank you.

[pallis]

A semi-auto rifle is fun to have, but as a home defense weapon, it would be my last pick, back in line behind a shotgun or a dependable handgun. I guess a lot depends on whether or not the bullets are going to do any harm when they go beyond the walls. That said, you should find a gun store where you can try out different handguns, and get the one that feels best to you, that shoots best for you, and that will do the job you want it to do. Do consider getting a good Remington or Mossberg pump gun from 20 to 12 gauge for those times late at night when you don’t want to worry about killing someone or something besides an intruder.

[wolfcreek]

I agree. Just trying to cover the bases since I don’t know anything about this person. (My friggin 2 cents)

[Lurker]

if you were to purchase a handgun for your wife, what type would you get?

A .357 magnum revolver with a 6 inch barrel, preferably in stainless steel.

I know you said you prefer a semi-auto, but a revolver will be much less expensive, simpler to operate, easier to train on, and in .357 you can fire two different calibers of ammunition. (.38 special and .357 magnum)

IMO it's nearly the ideal choice for a first handgun.

Just my two cents. YMMV.

[pinkpanther111]

AH, that is a good point to consider as well.

A revolver is sounding better and better in this thread.

[texmexis best]

I hate cleaning semi-autos and will probably go with a revolver this year for that reason.

I despise it. Too many parts.

[E.Allen]

ParaOrdnance makes a lot of Double action .45s Some are also high capacity (Make sure the grip isn’t too big around for your hands)

[esoteric]

Before I purchased my handgun, I tried out most makes and models. Some were just too big for my hand. I am more accurate with my husband’s 1911 but chose a Beretta 92FS because it just felt more comfortable. If I need to use my gun under stress it won’t be for range target shooting. Comfortable grip is a must in that situation.

[ArrogantBustard]

Threads like this one crop up periodically on this forum.

It would seem, perhaps, that one possible useful answer to the question would be for folks to identify their own favourite pistol, and offer a few words on why they like it so much.

In that vein I offer:

The Browning Hi-Power. I like it because:

1) It fits my hands, almost perfectly. Like they designed it for me. Except I wasn't alive in 1935. Spooky.

2) I can shoot it very well.

3) Well made, solid, excellent fit-n-finish, feeds almost anything.

4) 13+1 rounds 9mm hollow points should resolve any social problems I might reasonably expect to encounter.

5) For a "full size" pistol, it's remarkably easy to conceal.

6) Did I mention how well it fits my hands?

YMMV.

Mrs. Bustard doesn't care for it much at all. She's a Glockophile.