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

[mn-bush-man]

I have been a hunter for years, but now that I'm out of the folks' house and have a family of my own, I am serious about acquiring a handgun for my home protection. I don't know a lot about handguns, so I am curious if any of you have any suggestions. I'm on a bit of a budget, so try to keep it in the $300ish range. Thanks!

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Taurus Millenium PT145. .45 cal, compact enough to wear inside the waistband, and 10+1 rounds very light for a .45 at 23 oz. and the double stack mag necks down to a single stack at the feed point for no feed problems.

For all those guys out there like myself who bought .40 (in my case a SW-99 which is a flawless weapon and a Keltec .40 for very small carry in the summertime.) to split the difference between 9mm (extra rounds) and .45 knock down power, why split the difference between my 10 round .40 when I can have a 10 round .45 that weighs the same and is shorter for better IWB carry?

[B4Ranch]

Click on "Latest Posts" then "Archives". Then type in the word "Handgun" select "Articles" and you will get all the information you can stand about Handguns.

[FlyVet]

Thanks, I'll have to check that out.

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

Only problem with the Taurus PT-45 is that horrid trigger. That is an inherent problem with all of Taurus' guns, crappy triggers. Takes a talented 'smith and a hundred bucks to get them right.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Only problem with the Taurus PT-45

Are you sure we are talking about the same gun? This is the Millenium PT145. I was told it was completely redesigned and not a straight knock off of the pt140 or the 9mm.

The PT45 is an earlier model I believe.

Here is a pic. of the new weapon.

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

I'm talking about the PT45. Horrible trigger on the one I handled. I didn't realize they'd redesigned it into the PT145. Maybe they cured the trigger (I would certainly hope so). I've never had a Taurus I liked, so I stopped buying them. Good luck with yours. They have a good warranty.

You can learn more about them over at the Firing Line. Doesn't take but a minute to register and choose a screen name. Ask people that own 'em. I seen a conversation on the new Taurus in the semiauto forum just this morning, as a matter of fact. I didn't click on it, but definately seen it. Regards.

[185JHP]

You can buy a high-quality .38 Special revolver for around $300.00, and you can start with mid-range target loads that won't have a lot of recoil and muzzle blast. 110 grain bullet ammo will give you less recoil. Then you might upgrade to a .357 Magnum. Handguns can take a while to get used to, and the hotter the load, the more skill you need. Have fun and remember the 3 rules of firearms safety.

[sailor4321]

I suggest you think really hard about getting a pump shotgun; a "riot gun", actually (Remington 870, Winchester Camp Defender or there are a number of other perfectly fine makes/models). Shotguns are real stoppers, and with #1 buckshot you get the penetration the FBI recommends (13-16 inches) but without too much risk of overpenetration. Shotguns are easy to use. You can get a taclight built into the pump grip, which means ease of use in night situations (plus you can fire from the hip --- just aim the light and "blewey"). At the ranges you are likely to encounter in a home defense scenario, buckshot is fine; you can use slugs if you need to engage at longer range (Camp Defender comes with rifle sites). If you are "jumped", a shotgun is a fine club: poke in the belley followed by a butt-stroke. Finally, it is a bit harder for youngsters to pick up and handle a shotgun than a pistol.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Thanks for the info. I dry fired it at the shop. New kid at the counter didn't know any better ha ha. Trigger pull was pretty darn smooth. More smooth than my SW/Walther collaboration SW99 and I am real happy with that. My Keltec P40 is only good for carry in warm weather when clothes are smaller and lighter. Any muzzle flip or elbow break while firing causes the last round to misfeed.

The first frosty morning I see I switch back to the SW99, or better yet upgrade to a .45.

[jude24]

I see you're from MN. When I was asking a cop the same question (when I'm old enough to legally procure a handgun), what should I get? His answer was that it had to be a higher calibre, but didnt have to be too high.

You don't want a .22 for self-defense, especially in the Northern US. In the northern US, it gets really cold-- so we dress in layers. Now, kevlar vests work because of interlocking fabric layers. With lower calibres, you can see a minor "kevlar" effect from the heavy jackets, etc. we have to wear.

Thats not saying a .22 shot in the chest or abdomen with a thick jacket wouldnt kill the target. A .22 in the center of mass, even slowed by a jacket, will ruin a bad guy's day-- but it might not kill him right away. Someone earlier said that when you're using a firearm in self-defense, and especially a handgun, it better be because you want the guy to stop whatever he's doing RIGHT NOW. A .22 slowed by a down parka, vest, sweater, and a couple of shirts might not stop him right away. So, soon as I turn 21, I myself am going to register for a permit, and probably get a .38 or 9mm. Its the duty of every American man to protect himself and his family.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

We have a thirty day wait between handguns in Virginia.

What?!?! Since when did you guys start tripping over your own Johnsons in the statehouse? Geez.

Even with a CCW you've got to wait out the period.

Besides if they are trying to have a cooling off period for handgun purchases why 30 days? By the time the cooling off period is up she is menstruating again and you're seeing red again.

By the way my friend Marty has a good definition of PMS. Pack Marty's Shit.

[mn-bush-man]

Jude,
I was looking at the Minnesota laws regarding obtaining a permit to carry. It seems like it is almost impossible to acquire one! (No big surprise here!) Did the officer you talked with indicate how 'liberally' they are given out?

[keta]

I keep a 44 mag carbine handy. Not any mention about carbines here, but they are easy to use.

[Lester Moore]

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. Mossberg, Remington, H&K, pump, or semi-auto are the other options you have.

This is good advice that I've followed for more than 20 years.

Go shooting with a friend that has a handgun, any caliber will do. Have a safe backstop behind your target, take a card table & set it up about 15 ft in front of your target. Carefully lay the loaded handgun on the table, now get back 100 yards. Sprint to the table running hard as you can. Immediately pick up the handgun and shoot the target.

This kinda sorta duplicates the adrenlin rush you get when in a dangerous situation, complete with heavy rapid breathing. It's harder than you might think.

I remember in the late '80s in Dallas, I think, when a perp pointed a shotgun at a group of 4 or 5 cops, ranging from 15 to 20 feet away, that had been chasing him (car chase). They all already had their guns drawn when he did this and they commenced to unload on him. More than 40 shots fired. Seems like they hit him 2 or 3 times and he dropped the shotgun without firing. They then had to call an ambulance to take him to ER.

It can be difficult to hit with a handgun when under pressure.

I say choose the shotgun and use bird shot. It is very effective at home defense ranges(10-30 ft) and makes a hamburger hole an inch or two in diameter that a doctor cannot put back together, but is less likely to penetrate your walls and endanger your kids than buckshot.

[real saxophonist]

Obviously, your only choice is the HellGlock:

[Aztech]

Nuthin' beats the sound of a pump shotgun chambering a shell in the darkness.

Everyday I carry a Keltec P32 in the pocket. Packed with CORBON +P Hollow Points.

When I am out with the family I carry a Colt Officers 45 strapped to the waist with a hidden elastic belt, again with CORBON +P Hollow Points.

[MissAmericanPie]

This is none of my business and you can tell me to shove off, but since you are asking for suggestions, I thought I would throw this in.

If you have children in your home, please take them to a shooting range and let them hear the boom and see the damage a gun can do, they are much less likely to ever touch or try to find your weapon. It separates for eternity in their little minds between a toy and a weapon.

[Aztech]

"If you have children in your home, please take them to a shooting range and let them hear the boom and see the damage a gun can do"

ABSODAMNLUTLEY!

[Mobilemitter]

I agree with the comments recommending the shotgun, especially if you (through your hunting experience) are already proficient with it. If you still feel you have need of a pistol for personal defense for $300 then you might look at Ruger's 9mm. I have found them to be very affordable,durable and accurate.
While I cannot argue with the .40 or .45 fans, I concluded that the 9mm ammo is more affordable for me and therefore allows me to practice, practice, practice. No matter the caliber, if it does not hit the mark then you might as well be blowing on bagpipes.
When I tested for my CHL there were a couple of guys there with nice 1911's costing $800 or more who did not qualify simply because they hadn't practiced. I advocate buying a handgun just like you would a car. One suited to fit your particular needs, within your budget, which you can afford to drive (practice to master) and insure (keep practicing with). Also, for inside the house I highly recommend Glaser Safety Slugs. They won't travel through rooms (or loved ones in other rooms) like some bullets will.

[mn-bush-man]

I thank you for the advice - very sound! I have an extremely curious 5 year old, and a 3 year old who copies everything the older one does, so caution and fatherly education will be of paramount importance. Instilling 'respect' for the piece is probably one of the most valuable tools. Safety! Safety!! Safety!!!