I'm Thinking of Buying a Handgun --- Suggestions???

[Don Myers]

bttt

[FlyVet]

For home protection a 12 guage shotgun is outstanding. Riot configuration with an eighteen inch barrel and an extension magazine gives you seven rounds. Number 4 buckshot is ideal for the load.

Actually that is the best choice in the home, assuming you don't want something to carry along too. I keep mine loaded with #7 1/2 birdshot though, so I don't kill the neighbors. I figure an ounce of birdshot to the face at point-blank range should be very discouraging.

[AmericanCheeseFood]

GLock model 38 .

A .22 is nice, probably something to keep in a location you can get it near where you can get of need . Put the money to getting a laser sight and if it comes up, aim for the head and make some cottage cheese in a coconut . The only mess from that would be from the scums' hair after he's dead or labotomized on the carpet .

Cheese .

[DubyaDubyaDubya.Com]

In the army we used beretta 9mm which I really like but my new beretta 45 rocks. 8 round mag in the 45 versus 17 in the 9mm but if you can put steel on target 8 rounds of 45 is enough. If you live close to a range you can sometimes rent a weapon and try out a few types to see if you like one better than another. I grew up in farm country and have had lots of weapons training, if you haven't please please for your own safety get some training from a qualified source.

[alfie]

if you have never used a handgun, get a pump shotgun, 12 gauge with #4 shot. makes an awesome noise in the dark. i have #4 and oo buck staggered in mine. also have a .45 auto nearby. i never really liked anything smaller, although a 9mm browning with a 13 rd mag would be interesting with a second mag handy.

[Parmy]

Also, the .22 will not leave a big mess to clean up in your house after an incident like a shotgun or large caliber pistol.

[Parmy]

Also, the .22 will not leave a big mess to clean up in your house after an incident like a shotgun or large caliber pistol.

[DubyaDubyaDubya.Com]

sorry didn,t see that you said you were a hunter. still be safe. Had a good friends brother shoot himself in the head because he was fooling around with a handgun he thought was unloaded because he had the mag out. No one told him there is allways one left in the pipe.

[tx4guns]

I'm a little partial to Kimber 45's or any other quality 1911 b/c I own one, but you have a lot of options.

For home defense, Bommer is right. The shotgun is the most effective and safest firearm you can own. A 12 guage shotgun loaded up with large birdshot or small buckshot is more potent than any handgun. A cylinder or improved cylinder choked barrel is recommended, and if you can get a short barrel (must be 18+inches by law) it throws a nice wide pattern. The Mossberg 500 is cheap, very reliable, and there are tons of parts available to turn it into a tricked-out street sweeper. Any Academy or Oshmans should have them at a fair price, and if you have gun shows in your area, I'd start there and look for a used one.

If you are set on getting a pistol, there are lots of models that are in your price range. You will need to decide if you want a semi-auto or a revolver. Revolvers are usually more reliable, but they have a lower ammo capacity and slower rate of fire. For a revolver a 38 Special or .357 would be the smallest and cheapest available. Taurus, Smith and Wesson, Ruger and Rossi make some good guns in your price range, but the S&W and Rugers will probably be used for that price. For the semi-autos, I would not go any smaller than a 9mm, and I would recommend at least a .40. Taurus also makes some nice semi-autos, but if you really want quality and reliability, I'd go spend a little more money and get a Colt, Kimber, Beretta, Glock, or Springfield. Most of these come in a 45ACP. It is the most field proven round for defense, and many police are handing in their 40's and 9mm's for the old tried-and-true 45. It has a little more recoil than other pistol rounds, but if you practice you will only need 1 shot. ;)

As a final bit of advice, don't get in a hurry to buy one. Take the time to do your research (the internet has a lot of info), and pick the one that is right for you. Local gun stores are usually more than happy to help out if you tell them you don't know what you want, and you need help picking the right gun. Good luck.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

If you want it for HOME protection, get a 12-gauge pump shotgun. Much more effective than a handgun. The only reason handguns exist is because they are more convenient to carry than long guns.

If you really want a handgun, though, get a .45. My Ruger P90 is in the $300 range, and it is an excellent gun.

The only reason you would ever shoot someone is because you want them to stop what they are doing THIS INSTANT, and in a handgun, a .45 gives you the best chance of doing that.

[Space Wrangler]

You should be able to find a nice Taurus revolver in the $300 range. I would suggest a 357 with a 4" bbl for home protection. Just my $.02 for what little I know about your needs.

[RightWinger]

A short barrel shotgun (pistol grip - #6 shot) for home protection.
Mosberg should be within your price range.

Back that up with a revolver, 38 or 357.

[pke]

40 cal. Accurate, knock-down power, can be small. Look at a KAHR with night illumination.

[Lurker]

A used S & W Model 19.

L

[Standing Wolf]

The first thing you need to do is join the N.R.A. and G.O.A. It doesn't do any good to buy a gun you can't keep.

[Arkinsaw]

I agree, 1911 .45ACP

The .45 has plenty of stopping power and won't penetrate six of your neighbors houses like a 9mm will. Plus you get the American history that goes with it and it has a hole in the end of it the size of a basketball for an intruder to look at and consider.

[TEXASPROUD]

Actually #4 doesn't penetrate too much through walls, causes all sorts of disruption to the body, and gives you a chance to live another day. It is a great load and approved by the Southwest Forensics Institute. I realise the individual asked about a handgun, but for home defense a shotgun is #1.

For handguns, there are so many to choose from.

[Dick Bachert]

Bommer's right. The sound of a scattergun being racked in the next room is a MAJOR attention-getter. If the wife is intimidated by a 12 Ga, a 20 or .410 can still reorder a bad guy's priorities in a hurry.

If you DO opt for the handgun, go .40 cal (more stopping power than a 9mm) and -- especially if you have KIDS -- go SEMI-AUTO in something with a separate SAFETY (Glocks have none). While they're easier for the ladies to use, a REVOLVER is ALWAYS "ON" and if a kid gets ahold of it...

A semi with a full mag in the butt and an empty chamber and the safety latched is tough for a kid to operate. The slide spring on a .40 is probably too hard for a youngster to snap to chamber a round.

Whatever you get, EVERYONE who may someday have to use it MUST spend enough time at the range to become comfortable with it.

I DRILLED the FIRST RULE OF FIREARM SAFETY into my kids and grandkids: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN UNLOADED WEAPON! If they don't learn anything else (but they DID), that one could keep them out of trouble.

Be safe -- and we all hope you NEVER need it.

[RightWhale]

Buy a handgun of your choice. Then become proficient with it. That means practice. Go to the range often, learn to use the weapon.

Most people go out and buy a 45 or whatever and throw it in the drawer. Don't do that. Practice.

[tx4guns]

AMEN BROTHER!!! My dad taught us that rule as kids, and it works. Don't want to get off track, but we need to teach kids this rule in school, and we'll have lots less problems.