Posted on 11/05/2001 12:11:09 PM PST by 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?
Here's a simple rule for starting out:
In a revolver, get a 357 - 4 inch barrel is a good comprimise (no new S&W!!!)
In a semi: get a 9mm
Why? Cost of ammo. 9mm is the cheapest to shoot in a semi besides 22. The more you practice, the better you will be when you need it. Missing 5 times with a .40 s&w (more recoil than a 9mm) isn't better than 1 hit with a 9mm.
a 357 is a good revolver load- you can shoot cheaper 38 specials in it, and use .357 for defense, or even a .38+p load and still have very good stopping power.
The FBI went with a 10mm initially after a shootout in which some agents died. They found that many couldn't handle the recoil, and some agents couldn't hold the gun properly. They went with 40 as a comprimise. Many people even say the recoil of a 40 is sharper than gold ole' 45 acp.
BTW, did I mention not to get a new S&W??????
As far as shotguns go, the Mossberg 590 is, as far as I can tell, indestructable, but you have to ask yourself if you need to cough up that kind of money for a home defense weapon. The Remington 870 is a couple of hundred dollars cheaper, and probably more than adequate.
As far as edged weapons go, I'd suggest extensive training before you go that route. That's got to be anyone's last resort. Really.
Gotta disagree. I own a couple of long barreled .22 pistols, and while I certainly wouldn't feel naked armed with one, and they might be a reasonable choice for someone with arthritis, they are a lousy choice overall- ALL HANDGUNS ARE UNDERPOWERED- that includes your 357, your .45, your .40, what have you. Compared to center fire rifle rounds, handguns are weak, anemic little things. "Knockdown" power is a myth- I had a 9mm Triton +P go through my groin, down my hamstring, and out the back of my leg. I didn't even know I'd been hit- the muzzle blast of the gun stung my testicles so much I didn't even know I was bleeding until I saw the blood on the ground.
It didn't knock me down, it didn't stun me, I was still functional for a while. A .22, unless it hits dead on in the heart/head would be much less persuasive.
A .22 would be better than nothing, but certainly not much of a first choice.
Shotgun: Remington 870, 18" barrel, pistol-grip buttstock, 7-rd capacity; "00" buckshot. I carry it in my truck, on the floorboard or under the back seat, and at night, it's by the bed.
Rifle: British Lee/Enfield .303 Mark I No. 5 paratrooper's carbine, with original peep sights.
My pistol of choice would be a Kimber 1911 .45 ACP, with 10-round magazine. That'll be after I acquire my CCW.
I bought my wife a Kel-Tec 9MM. I had problems at first with this unit, where it had a nose-dive jam every time it was down to the last three rounds in the clip. New clip solved that one; hammerless double action, so no snags in purse or pocket.
Next, the Rossi stainless .22 revolver w/6 inch barrel. She put a few hundred rounds thru it without incidence. Too big for a carry weapon, too small for defense caliber.
Recoil and muzzle blast has never been an issue, she has shot a Colt .45 1911 as well as a .50 BMG rifle no flinching.
The solution was a Taurus model 85 Total Titanium .38 spl. 13 oz, compensated barrel.
Remember, if it is cumbersome to carry, it won't do any good in the drawer, glove box or the box it came in.
Be sure that you go thru the complete drill, set the empty gun down, safety on, next to a box of ammo and instruct her to fire the entire box of ammo then return the gun to the open action, safe condition. If she can do that without your intervention, then she will be comfortable with the gun. Also, be sure that you go to the gun range monthly to maintain the skills. Gun skills to be reliable and effective and unintimidating must become as natural as driving a car. ABOVE ALL, instill SAFETY habits like a religion! muzzle down range, finger off trigger until on target, open action when presenting arms, safe storage according to your household particulars. Finally, check out Lethal Force Institute at www.ayoob.com and invest in the training to accompany the responsibility.
Also, put her thru the drill of making the purchase herself, filling out the 4473, the waiting period etc. It makes the gun control issue more understandable.
Normal is what's normal for you.
Y'all are trying before you buy- that's good.
Don't buy it because the guy at the gun store/your significant other/somebody on Free Republic says it's the gun for you.
If you can hit what you aim at and it doesn't make you lean over when you walk, then it's probably good for you.
Click on my screen name and you'll find bookmarks to lots of Second Amendment-related threads, including some LONG ones discussing the relative merits of various firearms.
There's also Glocktalk, and the Usenet groups rec.guns and talk.politics.guns
About the question on caliber: the .45 and .357 have got the most "stopping-power", but also "kick like a mule" (unless you take the Desert Eagle)
When your shopping for some 12 gauge, also look at the Remmington 870. The Winchester is a nice gun, but the barrel is far to long for use in thight spaces. The long barrel is more accurate on long distance, but useless in home-defence. So when you want a Winchester, go for the Short Defender versions. A short barrel will "spray" the buckshot more for maximum short range effect (quick aim). 12 gauge is good for the short range, dirty work. You just hit everything even when you don't aim very good.
Yeah, the AR-15 series are nice guns too, when you show up somewhere with one, people are directly intimidated. There are some nice AR-15 clones form Bushmaster (XM-15 E2 HBAR, looks like an M-16A2) and Colt sells nice "sporter" versions (also some looking like an M-4 Commando).
My kinda gal.
Carol, leave the 9mms alone and get the .45 ACP model of whatever you prefer. The Sig you tested is going to be hard to beat, I think. Sigs have the best stock sight-picture and natural 'pointability' out of the box over any other pistol.
Like hd5574, I have a M1911-A1 Government clone. It's a 1990-vintage Springfield Armory with no modifications on it except for a 3.5 pound trigger and the 1911 original-style (straight-backed) mainspring housing.
However, if I were to buy another pistol now to *replace* my 1911-A1, it would certainly be a Sig-Sauer .45 ACP.
As far as throwing knives are concerned, I can't recommend them. I *do* have some well-balanced throwing bricks for sale that are quite a lot more effective.
Become and expert with them, and 'one-shot-stops' are commonplace, particularly from behind.
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