Posted on 01/15/2004 6:59:37 AM PST by 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?
This is just under 5 million rounds. Roughly your share would be 1, 650, 000 rounds
Next question that comes to mind........I know it's rude to ask but how's your hearing? LOL
It was more often a question of whether the mechanical devices I was function testing, or the lots of ammo expended worked as advertised. Most did, some didn't. A lot of the ammo I've expended was fired off just to see if it'd all go *bang* to check tracer test dates, or for other function/reliability tests.
Twice in the military I had to use a handgun, twice more in nonmilitary civilian world circumstances. I've used submachineguns in pistol calibers a few times as well, and I'm still around to give it another go if it comes to that, so I'm at least that good.
It's doubtful if the equipment and techniques I used would be those I'd try with others in my immediate life to protect. As a solitary individual, I can accept results that eliminate an adversary at the cost of my own life; a spouse or parent has additional responsibilities that make that end result not good enough.
But I'm certainly not as good as some I've known.
-archy-/-
On the other hand the rear sight is in the wrong place for the vast majority of sporter type air rifles.
Completely gone on the right side, okay on the left. The unmuffled aircraft engines didn't help a bit either [I knew enough to wear serious hearing protectors by that point in my life] and neither did the time I've spent as a tank gunner, when sound waves popped off a steel wal a couple of inches from my right ear, CVC helmet or intercom headphones notwithstanding.
No, it's not rude. If somebody learns from my example and saves their own hearing when they're first starting out by buying the best eye and ear protection they can get for use in practice, it's not rude at all.
-archy-/-
With a long gun I would not have been able to keep it aimed where I had chosen to with the handgun. The other thing with a long gun that I don't like is corners. You must expose to much for my comfort in order to aim properly.
With a long gun I would not have been able to keep it aimed where I had chosen to with the handgun. The other thing with a long gun that I don't like is corners. You must expose to much for my comfort in order to aim properly.
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.
I can use a vertical-carry shoulder rig with a full-size M1911 or Browning GP, or a PPK/Makarov. I'm less fond of them for revolvers, but have successfully used ankle rigs while on a motorcycle [illegal in Georgia, though] and back when I was a motorcycle cop. Note that I carried my Browning in a full-flap military holster for protection from the elements and security, and it still required daily cleaning. I sometimes changed uniform trousers three times a day when road grime was prevalent or it was dusty. That stuff is hard on a weapon, too, and even one carried concealed requires daily inspection.
-archy-/-
Depends entirely on the handgun. But in general, you're right.
Yep. And two other very useful tools at such times, a flashlight and a cellphone, are also much easier to use in conjunction with a handgun rather than a shotgun.
There are combinations of the various devices, of course, and there are one-hand-usable rifles and shotguns, but in general, the handgun is a better pick if your other hand is going to be occupied carrying something else useful. Like the light, cellphone- or shotgun.
-archy-/-
Okay the two cents of a certified instructor (ME). You have taken the most important first step that you possibly can. There is another step to take and that is not which gun. There are tons of informed opinions here about that. MY suggestion to you is to go to a gun show and....ahem...."fondle" as many as you can. Pick them up, hold them in your hand. Take a sight picture. Imagine carrying it either on your person in a holster or in your purse. Can you access it quickly? Can your trigger finger easily reach the trigger? Ask permission to "dry fire" the gun at the table. Is the trigger firm enough that you KNOW it's being pulled but not so heavy as to disturb the sight picture? Even a .22 can have an excessively heavy "pull" and using a gunsmith to alter the pull weight might not play well in court. Better to find a factory trigger you can use well.
I would recommend nothing smaller than a 9mm in semi auto or a 38sp in a revolver (even .380 is too small IMHO), but YOU must decide. Nobody ever died of a loud noise. You should get the biggest caliber you can shoot and hit with, consistently. Everything, in the final analysis is shot placement anyway. If you must use a .22, you must be able to consistently hit the eyeball under stress. Remember that standard in relation to caliber size. Israeli MOSSAD uses .22's but they hit the eyeball...and it's instantly "lights out."
I let my clients for the Florida concealed weapons permit pick out their gun, then I teach them to use and carry it well. When you find your gun, you'll know it. It will just feel right. Like "Excalibur" fit the boy King. To my wife, a Colt Combat Commander .45 "felt" right. I taught her to use THAT gun. Now she has her very own and loves it. For my daughter it was a Ruger SP101 in .357 magnum with a 3 inch barrel. That was her graduation present a couple of years ago when she got her degree. Now, she's getting married and I have to make sure her husband is as good at handling the gun as she. Choice of weapon and caliber is all secondary. Getting the certified instructor to teach you is the first step. Here is the next:
Join an IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Assoc) shooting club and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE! This group uses real life street scenarios to instill proper mindset and use of good tactical doctrine. Being able to punch holes in a paper target is not the same as self defense! IDPA will teach you to use cover; draw properly; shoot from uncomfortable and odd positions; shoot and reload on the move....and it will let you do so with safety officers and some very experienced folks (people who have often "been there and done it" for real) helping. AND it's TONS of fun!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.