Vanity - What Type of Hangun Would You/Do You Own For Personal Protection?

Vanity Question | January 31, 2004 | GreatOne

[GreatOne]

I am a prosecutor in a small, rural area. My state has a conceal and carry law. I recently convicted a person who has subsequently made veiled threats against me. Nothing specific enough to charge him with assault or terroristic threats, but enough to take note. He has a drug (meth) background, and is in the process of being civilly committed for his overdosing and engagin in violent behavior after the conviction (misdemeanor charge, requiring him to do 90 days in jail starting in February).

So, I am now seriously thinking about obtaining a handgun. What type of handgun would anyone out there recommend? I have a family with small kids, so would obviously keep this unloaded and up high when at home.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

[Tijeras_Slim]

A lot of it depends on how familiar you are with firearms and how much you can practice. For simplicity, the revolver is hard to beat, and my preference is a Smith K-frame .357 (which will also shoot .38 Special ammo for practice). If you have the time to learn how to safely use an auto (although some are as simple as revolvers), I recommend a small .45 in the 1911 style, such as by Kimber or Springfield.

Of course, just about any gun is better than nothing if you need it.

[Joe Brower]

Tijeras_Slim wrote: "Could you ping the usual suspects to help this FReeper out?"

Done. I would advise all concerned, however, not to divulge any personal details of what they might individually own on a public forum such as this.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Thanks Joe.... you know all our advice is based on what we see in the movies. :)

[Pharmboy]

The gentleman who suggested the S&W .40 is, of course, correct. Big bang, relatively small frame. I like my 9mm Taurus but it helps to have larger hands for this baby.

[TroutStalker]

I have a .45 cal Glock 30, and my wife has a S&W .38 special revolver, my daughter has a .45 colt, son-in-law .40 S&W. My carry holster is a shoulder rig, the women have purses with a gun compartment.

I had a CC permit for ten years in my former state of residence, but Kansas doesn't permit. That, however, doesn't stop me. You will have to catch me first to prosecute me.

[TC Rider]

Oh, well, if I could use anything, I'd choose a pistol that fires buckshot. I'm not too interested in long range accuracy, only big holes...

I'm hoping your meant 'shotgun' instead of 'pistol'. The only pistols that fire buckshot are .32 caliber.

A load of buckshot in a 12 guage will send 9 .32 caliber pellets at +p+ velocities all at once. Very effective.

There are 'shot shells' for pistols and revolvers, only good for snakes. (the at your feet kind)

[Double Tap]

A few questions first.

Are you female or male?

If female, how strong are your hands? How large are your hands?

And one comment. Keeping the gun unloaded and up out of reach sounds like a good idea, until you need it. Better to keep the gun where you can get at it and use it. Education of the children is the way to prevent accidents, not hiding it away where it is useless.

[TC Rider]

What Type of Handgun Would You/Do You Own For Personal Protection?

I always carry a snub-nosed .38 in my pocket loaded with +p Federal Nyclad hollow points.

When weather permits, I carry a S&W 625 revolver in .45 acp.

Images are not to scale, trust me the .45 is bigger than the .38

Both are utterly, absolutely reliable. If I thought I might have an encounter with a pissed off meth head, I might feel the .38 was not enough gun. But then, if I knew I was going to a gunfight, I'd take the shotgun.

Home defense? Shotgun loaded with 00 buck. A Remington 870 or Mossberg 590 with a Surefire fore-end will do the job nicely. Then buy yourself a Second chance vest. Keep the pockets loaded with reloads, a light, a handgun and a cell phone. Keep the straps open on one side so you can slip it on quickly and stash it under the bed. As previously noted by another poster, have a plan and safe room and make sure your family knows the plan.

Go to a range and rent them all. Once you decide on armament be sure to get some training. FWIW, I recently took a tactical shotgun class, I was amazed how little I knew and how wrongheaded I was with what I thought I knew.

[Centurion2000]

I will recommend two .... Taurus 605 5 shot 38/357 double action revolver (very concealable) and a Baby Eagle in .45ACP.

use the Taurus until you are comfortable carrying every day around your kids.

then kick it up to the Baby Eagle.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

A good and inexpensive first handgun would be a 2 or 3 inch barrel .357.

A used sp101 from ruger should be easy to find around two hundred bucks.
A fairly stiff trigger so you don't fire by accident.
A .357 in hydrashocks or glazers or jacketed hollow points are all good rounds. .38 wadcutters for practice, practice, practice.

Pretty concealable. Don't lock it up at home, keep it loaded and on your person and on your nightstand when you sleep. The family will get used to it.


Don't hide it from the kids. They will find it.

[TC Rider]

I have a .45 cal Glock 30, and my wife has a S&W .38 special revolver, my daughter has a .45 colt, son-in-law .40 S&W. My carry holster is a shoulder rig, the women have purses with a gun compartment.

Wow, too bad your daughter and I are both married, I think I could fall for a woman who carries .45 Colt. In the unlikely event it ever failed to fire, she could knock em cold throwing ammo at the bad guys.

[umgud]

Go to http://www.thehighroad.org or http://www.packing.org You'll see this asked & answered in their forums and learn almost everything you need to know about handguns and CCW issues, both legal and practical.

[Kadric]

Mine is a 1911 .45, My wife has a Hi-power and my mother in law has a S&W M-19. If you are not familiar with handguns and don't plan on spending the time and money to build experience with a semi-auto then you best bet is a good double action revolver with a couple speed loaders.

[Hat-Trick]

Because you mentioned that your state has CCW provisions, I assume you are going to carry this weapon. I won't give you my opinion as to the best choice of firearm - beyond telling you try b4 you buy, and get comfortable by practicing with it (lots).

I will tell you that if you plan on carrying concealed, it is well worth your time, money (approx $7.00), and effort to obtain and memorize:

Klein's CCW Handbook

Lots of good stuff and things that maybe not everyone thinks about prior to strapping on the holster. Best wishes in your decision making.

[Puppage]

Kimber TLE II .45ACP

[toddst]

See post # 28 for good ideas on weapons & some tactics.

Based on your concern about a scumbucket you prosecuted, the danger is very real. Not long ago we had a prosecutor killed at home by a bad guy he put away who carried a grudge. Actually, the prosecutor succeeded in defending his family, killed the bad guy before he himself died from gunshot wounds.

Per keeping the gun secure at home, get a gun-vault unit (the actual brand-name may be somewhat different - will freepmail you with the name and sources.) This unit can be bolted to your nightstand and will allow you quick access to the gun by touch (in the dark) but keep it secured from unauthorized persons (youngsters and adults.)

The gun needs to be kept loaded so you can respond to a possible intruder without trying to fumble through loading the gun while under stress.

Beyond this, I recommend hardening your home against forced intrusion and training your family about proper responses to "strangers, etc.

Happy to answer any questions you have that might help you to stay safe.

[Shooter 2.5]

This will take a couple of steps to accomplish and it will lead to a life change if done correctly.
You should get your wife involved with this. If the person is seeking revenge, your wife could also be the target. Go to a well stocked gun shop and take a course with the NRA or involve yourself with a gun club that has IDPA matches. I wouldn't buy anything at the moment, but if events are critical right now, buy a .357 magnum with a four inch barrel and a 12 gauge shotgun with a 18 inch barrel from reputable companies.

If you have a month or so before things get dicey, go through the course with the understanding that the first gun may not be the one you're going to be really comfortable with. When you take the course, you not only have to learn to shoot but you will also have to learn to carry the gun and how to take it out quickly. Let me repeat that. If you're trying to learn to use a gun in an emergency away from the house, the course you take should include drawing the weapon. You're not taking a hunter safety course. If you can't find such a course, find a IDPA club and go to their competitions. They can help you with all of your questions.

My choice of guns is a small .45 auto from Springfield Armory, Colt or Kimber. For the beginner, a small .357 from Smith and Wesson or Taurus.
Shotguns are Mossberg 500 or 590 or a Remington 870.

Don't forget protection when you first start to train. Do not forget quality ear protection and glasses. Nothing stops the first signs of flinching than not hearing the gunshot. Wear a brimmed hat and shooting gloves are available from a company called PAST.

Ignore the poster that says anything about chambering a round in the shotgun will scare the guy.

[Cobra64]

Yup. The ole "alley-sweeper." Just the sound of chambering a 12 ga shell is enough to make the perp think again.

[B4Ranch]

"Sorry for the vanity, but don't want to ask local officials, and I don't know anyone else knowledgeable in handguns. "

Are you saying that you haven't made friends with any detectives or investigators who carry concealed weapons. These are the guys I would talk to first because they will know more about the criminal than what came out in court.

They'll know whether he is likely to come at you with a shotgun, a handgun or a club. They'll also know who his friends are. Could they be coming after you?

Ask for help and you will be able to get pictures of them and their vehicles.

Now you have the worst question of all in front of you. "Will I be able to shoot to kill someone attacking me?" If the answer is No, then forget about carrying a handgun, shotgun or even a knife.

Talk with the local LEO's and ask that they do a few extra runs by your office at quitting time, by your home in the evening. The extra police patrols will mean that the criminals will know you are a hot target to be attacking.

I'll let the other guys advise you on what to carry. LOL

[TC Rider]

See post # 28 for good ideas on weapons & some tactics.

Would you mind if I forwarded this to my wife? She says I haven't had a good idea in 20 years.