What gun(s) to purchase & other gun questions.

[Carol Roberts]

My wife and I just obtained our Basic Firearm Safety Certificates. At the range we rented a Glock 9mm, S&W 38, and Sig Sauer 45. I found the recoil almost identical on each gun we tested (the wife didn't shoot the .45). About 25 years ago I shot a S&W 357 with magnum rounds and I remember the recoil was much more noticeable.

My wife is comfortable with the S&W 38 revolver and the Glock 9mm, but she only used the .38 in single action mode as she wasn't used to pulling the trigger all the way back, so the Glock 9mm will probably be best for her. She's not that strong so I'm a little concerned with her sliding the 9mm in a "situation". We'll be shooting our guns weekly for a while, but feel an urgency to make a purchase now. Comments/suggesions?

I'm interested in something bigger, perhaps Glock 10mm/357/.40/.45. According to glock the .40 caliber (Glock 23) "are so impressive that the FBI recently adopted them for issue".

From what we're told, it's not that difficult to get a concealed weapons permit where we live. So that raises the question of getting the smaller versions for concealment. Which raises accuracy, firepower, etc issues. Comments/suggesions?

BTW, when referring to Glock guns, is it best to refer to their model number or caliber?

For home protection I was also thinking of getting a 12 gauge shotgun (just gotta get close). The Winchester 1300 looks good. What's your opinion for using the 12 gauge for home protection?

My gut feel for my myself (not my wife's weapon) is the Glock 10mm and some .38 or .357 revolver for an ankle strapped backup, although I'm not too sure on brands for the revolver... Suggestions? Between the Glock 10mm, .356, .40 & .45, is the bigger the bore really the better? I guess that all depends, but what's your pick and why?

Of course there's my favorite from high school days/daze, the AR15, which I haven't really thought about since high school but always thought it would be a great weapon to help protect the neighborhood, such as in a "Red Dawn" situation.

Throwing knives are another issue... Suggestions?

Is there someplace to discuss firearm questions/issues on the net? Here?

[mfulstone]

Forget the throwing knives. That's almost like throwing a loaded gun at your enemy.

Throwing knives take lots of practice to learn and are seldom if ever used effectively in a tense situation. They are more likely to just piss someone off than to seriously injure them.

If you want something quiet but deadly, check out a pistol-type crossbow.

[riverrunner]

I would go with the glocks in 9mm if your going to the small one easy to control better to hit you target then to miss it if your afraid of the recoil the S@W 38 is a good gun and well get the job done. With good ammo that is a high end jacketed hollow pt they all work about the same .

[Carol Roberts]

If you want something quiet but deadly, check out a pistol-type crossbow.

Now that's something I hadn't even considered. Thanks.

[Swingj]

Why do you need a 10mm ? the Glock .40 is a beautiful gun and if you put a crimson trace laser site on it, you can't go wrong. I have several friends who swear by this gun... if the 10mm is so good why didn't the feds adopt it. Remember... Bigger is not always better
PS also think about a baretta

[elhombrelibre]

I like my Glock model 19 a lot. A women can work the slide too if you teach them to hold it with both hands sort of cross ways across the chest. Just be sure it's pointed in the right direction. The .40 cal might be nice for more power and the Sig .357 adjustment kits make the model 19 as powerful as the .357 Magnum.

[DKM]

I shoot the 40 cal. Glock on the 27 frame. Pretty small frame, so the grip/feel takes a little getting used to, but it is easy to conceal. All and all, very happy with it.

[Green Knight]

*pulls out his notebook and takes copious notes*

[wjcsux]

The main reason the Feds didn't adopt the 10mm is they claimed the recoil was too much. A 10mm is a very powerful round. It has comparable muzzle energy to a .41 magnum. I would take the .45 Sig or the .40 Glock. I am not a big fan of recent Beretta pistols.

[harpseal]

My comments.

I almost never tell anyone what they should purchase as a firearm becuase everyone is different. For a sidearm the best purchase is usually one that is relatively inexpensive to shoot. This gives the biggest advantage to the 9mm. It should be comfortable for both you and your wife. It must be reliable and easy to do the routine maintenence. For caliber any of the calibers mentioned will provide good emergency self defense protection. There are many compact easier to conceal variants in all the above callibers.

I would recommend finding a firearms dealer who is both honest and forthright asl arround at the range and where you got your course and purchase a good used first sidearm, the twelve gauge shotgun is one of the best home defense weapons ever devised and has been used in combat alongside many of the battle rifles. The Winchester is exellent and if you are comfortable with it that is what counts.

As to a rifle the AR15 variants are exellent and it is hard to really go wrong with that route. Here again a reliable gun dealer with used weapons is probably the most economical route.

In the final analysis you must choose what feels best to you.

Stay well - stay safe - Stay armed - yorktown

[elhombrelibre]

I own a .41 magnum, and it is too much recoil for a quick shooting situation. The recoil can be quite a long stretch.

[FreeTally]

You cant go wrong with any of the .40 Glocks(23/27).

You mentioned the 12 gauge for home defense - always a good choice. Winchester or Moss. are always good and not too expensive.

You might want to consider a Marlin lever action carbine rifle. They are pretty short(18 to 20 in barel) and come in .38 and .357 models. These hold 8 to 10 rounds. You can conceal these even in a vehicle pretty easily.

[Swingj]

As far as a shotgun goes, a pump action shotgun is the best. The sound of the action is aenough to scare off most people. You don't have to overspend. A remmington 870 combo is inexpensive and with the short barrel, would be great for home defense. besides, OO Buck works wonders in the dark... just aim in the general direction and you are guaranteed to take out at least 4 feet of sheet rock along with your target.

[conway]

I would suggest a .357 "Body Guard" there's no hammer to get caught on your cothing. I would suggest "Glazer Safety Rounds" as your ammo. No riccochet and won't go through drywall to hit the kids in the event of missing an intruder. It is a deadly round to humans.

[samuel_adams_us]

Wow, the certificate in firearms use is a great way to go! I am trying to get my wife enrolled now. Anyway, if you are looking for something big in a pistol, check out the .50 cal Desert Eagle. As for the wife, why not try the .380 auto as it is a little lighter than the standard 9mm and it still packs a wallop!

[hd5574]

I am a small woman with small hands and I prefer a colt 45 with a short barrel(officer's) and short trigger. I find I have less recoil with the shorter barrel length in 45 than with a 9mm. A trick I learned about racking the slide. I hold the slide steady with my left hand and push the gun forward with my right hand. I find is much easier and quicker than pulling the slide back. I am a right handed shooter so a left hander would need to reverse the above. Try it and I think you will find that is easier to rack the gun rather than the slide.

Good luck to your wife and I welcome another woman shooter. If possible before you decide let her try a short barrel Colt 45 or something built on that frame with the short trigger and I think that you will find that it will be a great fit for a small hand. I can even manager a double stack para-ordance 45. Hope this helps.

[the bottle let me down]

ditto that

[JRandomFreeper]

Mossberg 88 12 gauge shotgun is inexpensive and effective. Don't let the term "scattergun" fool you though. You need to practice with it also, to be effective at hitting targets. Of course, the roar and the flash by themselves can be effective at making a bad guy skeedaddle.

/john

[my trusty sig]

Renting guns at a range can give a skewed idea of performance, because to ensure the longevity of the pieces, the range generally requires that you use THEIR ammo, which they reload at more modest powder levels and pressure than standard store bought stuff. Thus, I have to figure, the reason that recoil on the 9mm feels virtually identical to the .45ACP.

If you review data results for penetration/killing power on ordnance gel/goat tests, .45ACP and .357mag are right up there, but the .40's no slouch either. The Sig 220P is a great piece (I love Sigs.) Federal HydraShok is a nice cartridge in 45, I'm partial to Remington Golden Saber in .357 (have a nice Ruger SP101.)

The Sig, whether in 9mm or .45ACP is DA/SA; DA if you prefer to pull the hammer on the first shot, then SA thereafter, or cock first and be SA all the way.

You won't go wrong with the major calibers... don't be thrown off by the "locked and cocked" set who insist that 1911 .45 is the ONLY way to go. But whatever you guys choose, endeavor to fully master it (remember: better 1 hit with a .22 than 7 misses with a .45)

[Swingj]

Correct... the recoil effects your second and third ect rounds. The .40 with hollow points does wonders