Posted on 09/08/2013 2:59:43 PM PDT by sauropod
I do confess to being something of a neophyte. Have gone to the range once with my revolver. Plan to increase that once I locate a shooting range that is not too far from me here.
I figure that if the State of Maryland General Assembly thinks I don’t need something w/o a lot of hassle, I must really need it.
That, and I don’t live in the best neighborhood...
Same with wife liked the gun style wise but did like the fit, compared to other guns.
Thanks for all your advice. I have much to consider.
You guys are the best.
‘Pod.
But did NOT like the fit...My bad.
I have a Ruger 38 special revolver with red laser. It’s light, easy to hide, and it’s filled with hollow points. You want “knock down for sure” hollow point cartridges. The laser lets you know where that bullet is going to hit. If you had to fire it, you would be nervous so depend on the laser to get you on the target - fast and no hesitation pulling the trigger. If you have a handgun you better have already decided you will fire it when necessary, so do it. Hesitate and you won’t be able to fire it.
My personal opinion is that home safety should start with a shotgun. A pump 12g is a relatively cheap. A high capacity semi-auto rifle is the best all around self defense weapon but requires a larger investment. A pistol is a compromise weapon, giving up accuracy and stopping power for ease of carry. As such it home defense capabilities are limited.
Whatever you get save your empties, and make your next project handloading.
CZ 97B
Yessir, that’s my baby! In glossy blue. Only things I’ve changed are the plastic guide rod w/ SS and a Wolff recoil spring
No criticism here, just wondering why you are fixated on a .45?
Control is the key to surviving an event. Hitting your target is all about control.
If you have a very powerful hand grip, go for it. If not, don’t.
Try this: take a double action revolver, (a model 19 is what the FBI used to use for this test.) put spring caps in it.
Pull the trigger in double action for one full minute. If you can’t fire that weapon more than 60 cycles in that minute, your hand isn’t strong enough for good weapon control.
If you play tennis, or use a spring hand exerciser, you may be able to control a .45.
If not, bigger is NOT always better, hitting your target is way more important.
Thanks Durus.
I have a Mossberg 12-gage pump.
I have plans to look into a semi-auto rifle as well. Not sure how the upcoming restrictions will affect them, but I definitely have to look into it.
‘Pod.
One, practice with it. Under stress your brains turn to liquid and run out your ears. Operating the firearm should be second nature. You're not going to be thinking about stance or grip or sight picture or breathing. You're going to be thinking "holy ****!" or "that bas*****!" or some such.
Two, maintain it. Some manufacturers have excellent reputations for quality and reliability. Some less so. If you're going to trust your life to this piece of equipment, learn to maintain it in top working order. Even good firearms will only stand up to so much abuse. More economical firearms, properly maintained, can still operate reliably.
Three (bonus advice). Get some training. Like so many things, using a firearm in the real-world is not like what you see on TV. When it is life and death, do you want to think you know what you're doing, or do you want to know that you know what you're doing?
Ping!
Fire power ideas...
I need to look into a couple of revolvers just for the simplistic design ,less parts easy to unjam etc.
Recently purchase a Mossberg 12 Ga very well priced and i live in CA gunhell....
More stopping power than a .357? I am not sure, not being a shooter or a hunter. I just read the news everyday and fear what is coming.
Your point about hand strength is a good one. That is definitely an issue for me. I have had hand operations in both hands.
My 1911 was on the other side of the truck.
Any port in a storm.
/johnny
Excellent advice and I will take it to heart.
Thank you!!!
Ditto, GTSU. The best piece of advice on this thread was given by the poster who advised you to try as many .45's as you need to find one that's right for you.
Many of the gunshops around where I live have ranges and have rentals available for many of the weapons they sell just for the purpose of "finding the gun that's right for you."
I've been a handgun owner since 1990 and I'll tell you that handguns, rifles, shotguns, weapons in general are as "personal" in comfort and fit as a good pair of jeans or boots. You have to be comfortable with what you shoot. It has to feel right in your hand(s), you have to be able to aim it easily, the trigger must feel right, etc.. It's about the whole experience when shooting a gun.
I've already said I'm an HnK bigot because their handguns feel right in my hands. I'm a big guy, I have big hands. I like my handguns to have substantial grips on them, I don't like a heavy weapon and "feedback" from the gun for me is important.
My wife (5'4") has small hands, she cannot shoot my HnK's because the grips don't feel right for her, thus her Glock.
Oldest son (God help me for this...) is in love with a Beretta M92. We've rented one at the range and put a few hundred rounds through it. He was deadly accurate with it. I couldn't stand the grip. Frankly, everything about that weapon I hated. Conversely, oldest son can also shoot any of my HnK's and be as accurate as he was with the Beretta M92. The kid can shoot anything well which is kinda scary. He also wants to get into law enforcement.
God help us all if that happens! Can't be from my side of the family, lawbreaker that I am. ;-)
Check Academy Sports & Outdoors. Frequently their price is better than Cheaper Than Dirt.
As to brands: Ruger, Taurus, Glock, are all good. Look at Bersa as well. Really consider a revolver if you aren’t going to spend regular range time. Most importantly, try several guns at the range and get what you like best.
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