Posted on 01/11/2010 8:43:57 PM PST by Rose Commander
Hi, everybody. I got a question. I am in the market for a new pistol. I was recommended a Hi-Point .45 ACP pistol for a home defense weapon. I am curious as what do you all recommend. Please state a pistol that is at least a .40 or larger and it is $400 or less.
Thank you.
I really like the 1911. That will stop anyone in their tracks.
i paid $400 for my p220 (used, but certified)
Why a $400 limit?
I am sure you are on a budget, like most everyone else.
However, you do not want your surgeon using low-cost scaples, IV components etc do you?
It is best to buy to the highest standard you can, once, rather than buying an el cheapo and then having to upgrade once you realize it is not what you really want or need. I won’t go into the quality arguments of the High Point, but for around $350, you can buy a new S&W Sigma in 9 or 40 and be done with it. A couple of extra mags, a few boxes of ammo and you are just above your $400 threshold.
The next and maybe most important part of the elf-defense equation, is obtaining professional training on home and outside the home self defense. You can pay thousands and travel across the country, or you can contact the NRA, search for an NRA instructor in your area, and pay a very reasonable fee for good, comprehensive and up to date training.
Owning a firearms does not in and of itself make you “defended”, the knowledge and ability (through practice and conscious thought) of HOW to apply the tool in a reasonable set of scenarios does that. Dry practice involving presentation, firing, reloading, malfunction clearing drills and basic tactics (enabling you to be more protected, while enbaling you to be able to use your tools to better effect) are the essence of self defense.
Best;
I got a Rock Island SC for around $450 and I love it.
Mrs. Knitebane has the Rock Island Government model on her shopping list.
Nice!!
A few points in no particular order of importance.
1. A .45 Acp or .45 long colt round is better than a .40 or 9mm. 9mm required four shots to bring down Nidal Hassan, a .45 would have been quicker. The last shot nicked his spinal cord. I find this lack of shock power very troubling.
2. The most important question is does the pistol fit your hand.
3. I have never handled a revolver that did not fit my hand but I have handled many semis that just didn’t feel right.
4. Semis need to be maintained. A revolver can be loaded and stored in a drawer for 20 years and when taken out, will shoot. Semis may or may not shoot.
5. Hi-point appears to be a good pistol.It may be service issue for some countries.
6. Glocks and Kimbers have value to the owners as male jewelry, just like a Nikon camera in the eighties.
7. Springfield, Taurus and many others produce fine pistols.
8. Training-The best pistol shooters that I know have all trained at 50 and 100 yards and can hit at that distance. their accuracy at shorter distances is astonishing. Train at long distances as if you are countering rifle fire.
9. Semis have a lot of problems using reloads, revolvers love them. There are many different bullets available to reload, some of them quite weird. More fun.
10. Buy a pistol that is fun to shoot.
11. Put a semi and a revolver on the counter and ask the salesman to show you how to strip down both. His hands should not touch either pistol, but should be limited to pointing. I don’t like to clean semis and will be switching over to a revolver this year because I shoot my semis less than I should.
12. Revolvers don’t jam, semis do. Very scary the first time it happens. 100% utility (in a tight spot) comes from a revolver, not a semi.
13. A semi can jam because the magazine lips are not correct. Irrelevant for a revolver.
I would suggest a revolver for you as it will be a lifetime pistol.
Don’t know if you’ve been on this thread yet......
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2426562/posts
If not, why not? Everyone else has been.
Seems like everyone has serious opinions on the Top Ten Handguns.
Hope this helps.
It appears the prices have gone up since I bought mine.
I still see some new Gov models for $400.
The 1911 was never designed to fire anything but hardball.
Mine shoots JHP just fine. Some ramp polishing may have to be done as with any 1911.
For concealed carry or just home defense?
A revolver or semi auto?
A Glock 30 in 45 ACP, or a 45 ACP Springfield Armory XD or a Smith and Wesson 45 acp military and police.
Or a used Ruger P-97 45 auto or a used Rock Island 45 auto
You can afford to practice more with a 9mm. Id just get a glock 19 or a Springfield Armory XDM.
“I live in an apartment and I have a Mossberg 500 12 guage shotgun with a pistol grip. All of the shot will remain within my walls of my apartment.”
You must be using # 7 or smaller bird shot at least 10 feet from your walls. Great for your neighbors, horrible for self defense. A winter coat will stop birdshot at less than 5 feet. If it won't go through a wall, it won't go through a perp. Minimum shot size you should be using is #4 buck.
“You also do not have to be so careful with your aim.”
This is the biggest problem with your entire statement. Try patterning you shotgun at distances you find in your home. You will find that that maximum spread at these distances is less than 4 inches. You MUST aim a shotgun like a rifle at these distances something almost impossible with only a pistol grip. Counting on shot spread will get you dead real quick.
“Another nice thing about this shotgun or any pump shotgun is the noise it makes when you jack one in to the pipe. Makes a perp think twice before proceeding any further.”
Another old wives tale and very tactically unsound, why in gods name would you warn someone who wants to kill you where you are. The first thing someone who breaks into my home will hear (if he has time) is the sound of 00 buck or a slug hitting his/her body, then the sound of the blast if they are still alive.
REALLY! I invite you to break into my house some night and find out!
Absolutely spot on! Training is critical. The better trained the safer and more accurate. The NRA is here to help and they/we do a fine job of keeping people safe. Become a life member and get involved today!
I got a stupendous deal on a barely fired remington - seller (friend) had an itch for a long barrel pistol and was in a selling mood....
CZ 40 Pistol .40 S&W Limited edition
Code: 095
Price: $349.95
"Limited availability. 4.37"" barrel, 10 shot mags, Light alloy frame, black polymer finish, Novak style three dot sights, firing pin block safety, low trigger pull weight. Guns & Ammo nominee for ""Gun of the Year"". Stainless barrel and trigger. Factory new in box.
Mark.
I’d highly recommend Ruger P90 .45 acp. Big, solid, accurate, mild recoil, and I’ve experienced no jams, all types of ammo +p, etc. Under $400.
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