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?

[dhs12345]

Its not how big it is but how you use it. :)

[crude77]

"just leave one chamber empty...."

Be sure that the hammer is resting on the empty chamber.

[Hammerhead]

Trouble is, your friend seems to enjoy shooting guns.

This lady just wants one for home defense.

[punster]

My personal carry weapon is a Glock 17 in 9mm. A Glock is a very good defensive firearm. However, you must remember to keep your finger off the trigger until you are sure you must shoot (this is a good rule for all firearms). The reason I like the Glock is that it is simple, good for a high stress situation, but it is important to follow good safety practices.

For those that prefer a revolver, I would suggest the Ruger GP-100 in .357 Mag, because you can shoot .38 Specials for practice.

I am also a believer in shotguns. I prefer 12 gauge, but recognize the recoil can be heavy. I prefer a Remington 11-87, because a gas-operated self-loader makes the recoil more tolerable.

Most of all, I recommend practice. Join a gun club, and get some of the competitive shooters to coach you. They are quite willing to be helpful.

[Phredd23]

I carry a variety of pistols, but for home protection & if you're inexperienced - Mossberg Maverick 12 Gauge pump shotgun- 18.5 inch barrel - pistol grip - 5 rounds, 1 Quart of Spackle & Spackle knife,Sheetrock tape, and a gallon of paint in your favorite color.

If you want to get a handgun, take a handgun safety course and then decide.

And practice,practice practice.....

[11Bush]

Hate to be depending on a mouse gun in any confrontation. Period. It is at best a backup. Most confrontations that require a show of force are settled by the show of force. A a mouse gun is not much of a show.

I did not say that you could empty the magazine in the perp and leave him laughing. However, I will stand by the fact that the Keltec in not a personal defense weapon for more reasons that it's pathetic caliber.

My opinion, nothing more. Don't take offense.

[Squantos]

Charlotte I will suggest that you pick up a Smith and Wesson 340 TiLite Scandium 357 magnum based on the following.

One: It is very light weight thus will be carried a lot and hopefully never used to take a life just practice and proper training. A heavy , large handgun is just something that most including me don't like to pack most days for whatever reasons. The S&W 340 is a magnum but you can evolve with this firearm slowly from light recoiling 38 special ammunition up to and including the magnum ammunition at your own pace.

Two: Most ladies have longer fingernails and a automatic pistol comes with it's own problems such as simply pulling the slide to the rear to chamber a round. A revolver is one simple step of opening the cylinder, loading each chamber and closing the cylinder. No bells , whistles or levers or buttons to manipulate or fumble with. Simplicity is a key factor to consider for all self defense issues. KISS it's called. When fear and panic are involved the brain and reactionary muscle memory seems to lock up with some folks until they have lots of training and experience. The revolver reduces that a little bit but not completely. You should seek the advice of a trainer but keep in mind that the gun shop commandos are trying to SELL firearms and will do the car salesman thang on ya if nobody is watching out for you and taking into accout your inexperience.

Find a friend that has such a revolver and a few pistols also and try before ya buy. Borrow the firearms from your friend and while in your home UNLOAD and wear or carry em around all evening. Learn that the hammer digs into your waist, or catches on the arm rest of your favorite chair or tears a hole in clothing and furniture etc etc... Is it so uncomfortable to have upon your person that you wont carry it or have it available ? Key little things that will become serious later.

Key to a revolver is a story bout my Girl Friday. She ain't no martial artist (Albeit I'm afraid of her :o) or WWF star so we considered she may have the revolver taken from her before she could use it. For that reason we had her revolver modified with a magna trigger . This modification is undetectable and will prevent all but the user from firing the weapon. The secret is a ring that you wear that has a magnet in it. If the firearm is not in your hand the firearm will not fire. The company sells a standard ring or allows for custom rings to be made at your jewelry shop per your own tastes.

Three: I suggest that you have a few means of carrying the firearm and one of the best is a grip called the barimi that precludes the need for a holster or a belt. My lady is able to tuck the revolver into the waistband of her dresses and such with the lip or edge of the grip keeping it on her waist band. The grips are smooth and come in many colors (styling). She has a white set of grips that keeps the firearm grip from shadowing thru a light blouse....kinda like a black bra visable thru a white shirt thang ! (Which is OK for bras but not for revolvers IMO) The other form of carry is a purse from Mitch Rosen that has a pocket for the firearm. Only time she uses the purse is if it's really cold and wearing a coat that wont allow a draw from her waistband where she normally carries it. A pocket is fine also and the light weight of the S&W 340 is what makes this a very fine self defense revolver.

Go to a gun shop , peek at one , look and ask questions and then come back here and ask em again ..........Hope I gave ya some ideas. Trying to be fair and honest. My choices aside I know what works and for reasons I base on personal experience......

Stay Safe !

[wardaddy]

It had to be the Walker at full charge (60 grains).

I have 2 Ruger Old Army BPs and one Pietta .44 as well. The conventional BPs shooting conicals and with a 30gr charge are about like a hard load .38 special in my view with a bit slower recoil.

The Walker at double that charge is a hoss....a big game killer up close and sure enough to knock a man off a horse or disable said horse when shot from a dismounted calvaryman (like Bedford Forrest) as they were designed.

They have a bad tendency for the extraction rod to loosen after firing.

I prefer stainless BP wheelguns....remove grips and throw them in the dishwasher.

I wish someone made a BP wheelgun with muzzle cap nipples or an in-line fire....#11s are prone to dryfire even if extreme care is taken.

You can buy a conventional cylinder and clip to convert all of these pistols from BP to regular ammo with no BATFAG cover.....R&D cylinders on the web.

[Squantos]

I just picked up the "new" ...Old Army Ruger 5.5 incher about three months ago WD...... Suggest the best load data for me if ya have time ! One for plinking and one for Javalina size game !

Stay Safe !

[B4Ranch]

The barrel flash will also do bad things to your nightsight. LOL

[wardaddy]

I am lazy Squant....I shoot 30 grain FFF pyrodex pellets and T/C or DGW conicals although for close range (likely)....roundball is fine...the cones are a bit snug.

I always nipple pick like a dog and if I am in the mood, I throw some maybe 2-3 grains of FFFFg in first or nipple charge likewise.

Bore butter on the cylinders to prevent chainfire or moisture does not work well for me. The butter will contaminate the pyrodex.

Using straight Elephant powder....and given the Ruger's sturdiness, I would load as high as I can fit a ball in....maybe 40 grains. The Walker cylinders are much longer than the Old or New Army various models.

I can charge my in-line Winchester and shoot it 6 months or even a year later...no kidding. All BP wheelguns have in my experience gotten dryfire prone in a few weeks.

Cleaning the blued wheelguns is a pain. I wish someone made the Walker in stainless.

As a comparison, my daughter's Pedersoli .45 Kentucky Cub shoots maybe 70 grains FFFg tops as a longarm. The Walker can shoot 60 from cylinder....not a Howdah but a big fella nonetheless.

I can bounce cans at 25 yards all day long with anyone of these pistols. Never buy a brass BP pistola...especially the topstrap.

Pedersoli and Ruger are best of the commonly sold brands. Pietta and Uberti are just below that quality wise....actually in my view...some Pedersolis are heirloom quality.

The rest of the cheap Itali-Spanish jobs are cheap. Those sold as Colts are really Ubertis or Piettas.

[wardaddy]

Buy a male Doberman too hon.

[Highway Kind]

.40 Cal. Berretta, 1911 Frames, and a G-29.

[Squantos]

Kewl....I have 2 muzzle loaders, aside from the new Ruger. A 6 pounder repro made by a guy in Cedar Crest NM and a old long tang TC Hawken in 54. Great rigs for Anvil Tossin days !

Everyone I have spoken to has said NOT to use a wonder wad etc as the ball will seal and prevent chainfire .......??? Y/N ??

Stay Safe !

[Mulder]

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

First, congratulations on your decision to purchase a firearm for self defense.

If you want the simplest gun, I would suggest a .357 revolver. (If you find the .357 has too much recoil, you can always just use .38 ammo instead).

Revolvers are easy to use, but the disadvantage is you only get 6 rounds typically, and reloading is much tougher than with a semi-automatic pistol.

I prefer semi-autos because they are also easy to use and easier to reload than revolvers.

If you're worried about an accidental discharge, I would look at the DA/SA guns.... that is, guns that are double action on the first trigger pull, and single action on subsequent pulls.

So the first trigger pull is heavy, but following ones are light.

I would recommend the Sig P239 in 9mm, as it is small, easy to shoot, and the recoil is very manageable.

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

9mm.

But before you choose, get someone who is knowledgable to take you shooting so you can try different guns.

Also, the correct stance and grip will do a lot to reduce the perceived recoil.

[wardaddy]

I don't mind wads and would use them on smaller .36 pocket models for sure or the vaunted LeMat but on the others no, you don't need them really.

Usually when you "home" the projectile, you will notice some shaving anyhow indicating a tight fit.

Older BPs that have some wear and tear may be different.

[Bigun]

Don't know if anyone has already suggested it or not and I'm not going to read the thread to find out but THIS is the one IMHO!

It's called the Thunder5 and is the best personal defense handgun made if'n ya ask me!

[Squantos]

LeMat........Awesome ! On Squantos's Want list !! I think my next buy is gonna be one of the R&D cylinders for the Old Army.

Stay Safe !

[Vinnie]

I know next to nothing about BP guns.
The one and only time I fired one a friend let me shoot his .50 cal rifle.
He loaded what he said was a light load, HAH.
We were at an indoor 25 yd range.

I can still see the patch going downrange thru the target. The thing almost knocked me down.

So much for the 'black powder doesn't kick, it pushes' thing.

The range officer came through the door and asked "What are you guys shooting in here, a howitzer?"

[BooBoo1000]

Good to see the HiPower get the credit it deserves. It is a really great pistol, and has stood the test of time. Mine is in the drawer by my bed.