Please recommend a good handgun

[Charlotte M. Corday]

I need the advice of an expert. Two nights ago, in nearby community, a high school football coach and his teenage son were murdered by a home invader. In the wake of this, I have finally decided to buy a gun and take a class in how to use it.

Here's what I am looking for in a handgun:

1. Easy to use, but not easy to discharge accidentally.

2. Powerful enough to stop an attacker, but not difficult for a small woman to handle.

What would you suggest?

[vetvetdoug]

Aston .54 caliber single shot horse pistol. Easy to load, requires cap and ball, accidental discharge difficult, has stopping power and doesn't overshoot, and is loud and smelly. Intimidation factor is great.

[in the Arena]

B4, Sounds like you've got a keeper, see archy's comments in post #200...

I bought that Airweight for my wife (at the time) to use as a CCW. Turned out no matter what I did I couldn't get her to consistently carry it. Ended up using it while riding my m/c with her on the back. A 1911 in a holster interfered with her riding comfort if you can imagine (it's not called the B-Seat for nothing)...and I don't like shoulder holsters. The Airweight fit a J-frame Bianchi holster and was able to tuck right in between us. I sometimes carried it just shoved in my right rear jeans pocket or one of the zippered pockets on my jacket...it was quite accurate for a snubbie...I had nowhere near 1000 rounds through it before I sold it so can't attest to the strength.

[GigaDittos]

Hey, size matters.

[Shooter 2.5]

Not necessarily what she has in mind but it's pretty.

And yes, I should have had the safety on.

[B4Ranch]

"You could always try using what Ann Coulter uses "

Brains and legs?

[B4Ranch]

"Also, a laser sight is really nice for improved accuracy in close quarters like a home. Would need to check if laser sights are legal."

In your home why wouldn't they be? In Nevada they are legal anywhere the gun is legal.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Go to a range, ask for advice, shoot some of their guns and see what feels best to you. My Kimber 1911A1 .45cal ACP isn't what you probably should be carrying, but I prefer it.

[B4Ranch]

Would you care to give us a rough, real rough number of the number of rounds you've shot in your lifetime?

[GigaDittos]

Where's your photo?

[GigaDittos]

How come so many folks around here don't put anything on their "About" page?

[archy]

Would you care to give us a rough, real rough number of the number of rounds you've shot in your lifetime?

I've been an instructor at several points and spent some time as a small arms evaluator during my first four hitch, as well as having been a tank gunner notorious for being particularly promiscuous with my M73 co-axial machinegun. Later I worked as a small-arms repairman and test-fired everything we'd worked on, notably the Remington 870 shotgun [about 150 guns in the morning, 150 more in the afternoon, 4 shots each, 8 in those with magazine tube extensions] the M1911 pistol, M14, M1 Garand M60 machinegun and M8 flare pistol. I've been an amnmunition tester for a couple of companies, and have been involved in at least a dozen 5000 or 10,000 round endurance tests, including one of 10,000 rounds of .25 automatic ammo.

Certainly in the hundreds of thousands, probably a million-plus something. I once cleared out a semitrailer load of 9mm Parabellum with three other guys in a bit over a week. 64 rounds to the box, 20 boxes per ammo can, two cans per crate, 48 crates per pallet, 40 pallets to the truckload.

36 rounds to the magazine, four seconds per magazine to empty one. Change magazine, repeat.

Lots of ammo. Lots and lots.

-archy-/-

[GigaDittos]

But are you any good?

[yarddog]

There are a couple of things which keep getting repeated on this thread which everyone knows but in fact are not true.

First of all, a double action revolver does not go bang every time you pull the trigger. There are a lot of things which can jam a revolver. If I had to choose which were more reliable, auto's or revolvers, I would say, all other things being equal, that revolvers are more reliable.

On the other hand, I think some of the best quality automatics such as the SIG, Browning HP, and Beretta model 92 are more reliable than revolvers. I am not so sure that I would argue the point tho.

Another thing is that inside a house, a shotgun is supposed to be much easier to hit with. As a matter of fact I keep a 7 shot short barrelled pump in the bedroom loaded with buckshot. Sometimes I change my mind and put in high brass BB shot. Then other times I use #4 Buck.

The fact is tho that they are about as easy to miss with as with a rifle at close range. Also they can be hard to manage in real close quarters. Still they are incredibly effective.

[GigaDittos]

Beretta sucks.

[Shooter 2.5]

That's either a pellet rifle or a Mossberg. I'm not sure which one.

[archy]

Wouldn't a .38 revolver with +P ammo be better for a woman?

I don't know about that. When Buford Pusser shot Louise Hatrhcock on the McNairy County Tennessee state line, he used a .41 Magnum, and was glad he had it. Her .38 Chief's Special misfired, and when it went *click,* his went *Boom.* Three times. He said that *click* from her pistol sounded like a stick of dynamite exploding in his ears.

According to the sworn testimony of the three there at the scene, she was still moving with the gun still in her hand after taking the first two shots, though she'd dropped to the floor. The third one did it.

-archy-/-

[wardaddy]

Stick with a revolver for now. Just point and pull the trigger (several times at least btw) and you get from 5-8 shots depending on model.

I would opt for .357 magnum which will shoot the various .38 calibers as well and has ample killing power.

Another choice is .44 Special, large grain (heavy) bullet and fairly low recoil.

Be sure to buy mankiller ammo, your gun shop can advise but remember the names Corbon and Black Hills.

Gun Makes include Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Charter Arms, Rossi, and Taurus and some other specialty brands which you really don't need.

Good Luck....all the ladies in my family are armed....exactly as I just suggested including my 72 year old mom.

PS: Get some training from your dealer. Rudimentary revolver basics don't take much time and practice as often as you can and get your ammo yearly fresh.

[archy]

That's either a pellet rifle or a Mossberg. I'm not sure which one.

The probable clue is the hinge for the barrel cocking lever in front of the foreend. Air rifle.

But who's looking at the rifle.

-archy-/-

[yarddog]

Why do you think Beretta sucks?

[Shooter 2.5]

My photo isn't coming up for you? Right click and hit view image. That's my carry pistol. It's not legal for IDPA because of the vents but I don't really care. They disqualify me as soon as I show up with it.