Gun question

[LTC8K6]

Speedloaders for revolvers are very quick. If 6 or 8 shots didn't solve your intruder problem then you have other issues.

 

[amddude]

Glock 19. Can't be simpler, parts are plentiful and cheap, very reliable.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: Unheard
You could always go with an H&K G3

I actually use a PTR-91 right now

Was in the middle of moving some stuff and that's all I have hanging around.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Speedloaders for revolvers are very quick. If 6 or 8 shots didn't solve your intruder problem then you have other issues.

Just having an intruder that one would have to shoot at pretty much sets the course for anything can happen.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Speedloaders for revolvers are very quick. If 6 or 8 shots didn't solve your intruder problem then you have other issues.

Just having an intruder that one would have to shoot at pretty much sets the course for anything can happen.

Well then, why not just buy an M16 with grenade launcher?

 

[Possessed Freak]

Pish, what happened to the motto: Get the one that feels right?

Glocks feel like bricks in my hands, a 1911 style is too narrow for my hands, and the springfield XD is perfect. Thus, I went with the Springfield.

I truly recommend going into the store with the GF and having her try to hold some of the pistols. She will prefer one over others. As long as it is a reputable brand, pay the money and get the gun she feels most comfortable holding.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Speedloaders for revolvers are very quick. If 6 or 8 shots didn't solve your intruder problem then you have other issues.

Just having an intruder that one would have to shoot at pretty much sets the course for anything can happen.

Well then, why not just buy an M16 with grenade launcher?

You original UZI reply would be the best...except they are banned.

Grenade launcher would be too much collateral damage.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Speedloaders for revolvers are very quick. If 6 or 8 shots didn't solve your intruder problem then you have other issues.

Just having an intruder that one would have to shoot at pretty much sets the course for anything can happen.

Well then, why not just buy an M16 with grenade launcher?

You original UZI reply would be the best...except they are banned.

Grenade launcher would be too much collateral damage.

I thought that a fully automatic assault rifle with grenade launcher attachment would be a better choice. That way you could blow huge holes in the walls to clear a path to the intruder and then pepper him with multiple rounds of .223.

 

[LTC8K6]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

You just gotta tune up your wheelgun and practice.

I dare say that Jerry reloads his revolver faster than most people reload their semi...

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

You just gotta tune up your wheelgun and practice.

I dare say that Jerry reloads his revolver faster than most people reload their semi...

Jesus.. that was ridiculous.

 

[rstove02]

One thing I have not seen mentioned yet in this thread is to check on the availability of ammo in your local area before making a purchase. It should be one of the considerations of what you get since it is hard to use a weapon for home defense or for practice if you can not feed it.

For the last year or so, various caliber types have become pretty hard to find with 9mm and 380 topping the rarity list, at least in my area. S&W .40 are still pretty easy to find, and shotgun shells 12 or 20 gauge are still common as dirt.

 

[thepd7]

xD-9 is a really sweet gun that comes with everything you need for ~$500. I got mine at a gun show with night sights for $510, they had them w/o for $425.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

You just gotta tune up your wheelgun and practice.

I dare say that Jerry reloads his revolver faster than most people reload their semi...

why not just call the damn thing a revolver?

Like I said before the counterstrike kiddies came in....a revolver is harder than an automatic to reload.

Reliability goes with cost. Cheaper revolvers are more reliable than cheap autos.

Most are not banking on their guns to ever save their lives though, they seem to just like to collect them.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
I'd go for a .22 revolver. Sure, it isn't all that powerful but it will get the job done. Revolvers are much more reliable than regular pistols and a smaller caliber would kick less (and thus be more tolerable to use/practice with). Also, have you noted the cost of bullets lately? Go for something that is cheap to buy in bulk.

Please stop posting in gun threads. a .22 can kill but is unlikely to do so. You want something that will create the biggest hole and the deepest wound channel as possible without over penetration.
9mm, .38special would be the minimum caliber i would recommend.

Being in Illionois, you really need to go to a shop and see what is legal in your area. If you are in Chicago, give up now.

As far as recoil goes, it's subjective. 9mm will recoil differently than .40SW or .45ACP a 9mm is easily manageable, and is a slight "pop" .40SW has more muzzle flip, and .45ACP seems to push back more than flip the gun up.

For home defense a shotgun is a good choice, and she doesn't have to go with a 12G. She can go with a 20G and buck shot from a 20G will make someone just as dead.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Baked
If she's scared of intruders, there's a good chance she'll shoot herself if a rapist sneaks into the house. She's better off with a taser or a dog.

so she can shoot herself with a taser??? And a dog is not going to do squat. 9 times out of 10 if someone breaks into a house with a dog, the dog will bolt. Never, EVER put your safety on the line believing that an animal will protect you.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: Baked
If she's scared of intruders, there's a good chance she'll shoot herself if a rapist sneaks into the house. She's better off with a taser or a dog.

so she can shoot herself with a taser??? And a dog is not going to do squat. 9 times out of 10 if someone breaks into a house with a dog, the dog will bolt. Never, EVER put your safety on the line believing that an animal will protect you.

The dog is to warn you to get the gun. A good dog will only bark at night if there is somebody in or around the house.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: rgwalt
I would try going to a few gun stores to try holding different pistols. If you have one or more gun ranges in the area, go there and rent some different pistols to see what you enjoy shooting. A decent range should have a good selection of pistols for rent, including Glocks, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, Sig, etc.

For pure home defense, I would recommend a revolver in .38 special (which should also take .357 magnum rounds). Smith & Wesson makes a very good model (the 686), but it is out of your price range. I would also say that a 12 ga is good for home defense, but to those who say that the best defense is the "sound of a 12 gauge", don't buy it. I'd rather silently confront and shoot an intruder than tip them off as to my location and intentions, thereby allowing them to prepare for the encounter by drawing a weapon.

If you want semi-auto pistols for the fun/cool factor, then I would try and take a look at a Springfield XD in 9mm. You should be able to pick one up sub-$500 if you shop around. Another good choice would be the Smith & Wesson M&P series or the Sig Sauer 2022. Both can be had at www.budsgunshop.com in 9mm for $500 shipped (the Sig comes with night sights!).

I fully support your choice of 9mm for home defense. A full sized 9mm pistol with a double stack mag will hold ~15 rounds. If you can't deal with a problem with 15 rounds of jacketed hollow points

Never look at it is most .38's should take .357, because all .38's can have a .357 shell put in them, it's not safe unless the gun specifically states it is a .357

You don't need a full size pistol to get 15 rounds. My Glock 19 (9mm) is a compact and it holds 15+1 (33 with the glock 18 mag), my Glock 23 (.40sw) holds 13+1

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsLx5ISBXw4

You just gotta tune up your wheelgun and practice.

I dare say that Jerry reloads his revolver faster than most people reload their semi...

why not just call the damn thing a revolver?

Like I said before the counterstrike kiddies came in....a revolver is harder than an automatic to reload.

Reliability goes with cost. Cheaper revolvers are more reliable than cheap autos.

Most are not banking on their guns to ever save their lives though, they seem to just like to collect them.

1) Nothing wrong with calling it a wheelgun. It's normal jargon and no different from someone calling a "manual transmission" a "stick shift".

2) Assuming that you have a full magazine handy, otherwise reloading the revolver is faster. Also, if you need more than 5-6 shots, something has gone past normal self-defense scenarios and well into the realm of "horribly, horribly wrong".

3) And expensive revolvers are more reliable than expensive semi-autos. There is absolutely no question that "bang" is faster, by orders of magnitude, than "tap - rack - bang".

4) The OP explicitly stated that the firearm was for home defense.

ZV

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: OogyWaWa
there are tons of good 9mms, so do your research. i think 9mm is great for hobbying, but i dunno how much i would trust it for home defense. a .45 or shotgun would be better...

With modern hollow points there is no reason to question the effectiveness of 9mm. I'm 100% confident with my G19 when I carry it. I use Hornaday TAP hollowpoints in it now since I can't Find Ranger SXT hollow points right now.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: CallMeJoe

Originally posted by: rgwalt

Originally posted by: CallMeJoe

Originally posted by: rgwalt
...For pure home defense, I would recommend a revolver in .38 special (which should also take .357 magnum rounds)...

A .357 magnum will chamber .38 special rounds, but a .38 special will not chamber a .357.

Consider a 20 gauge shotgun in an 18" or 20" barrel for your GF. She won't get recoil shy (as she might with a 12 gauge), and the shorter barrel will be reasonably easy to handle indoors. Even a 20 gauge shotgun firing heavy birdshot is easily more effective than any pistol round - at least any pistol round your GF would be willing to fire a second time. Do Not listen to anyone who says you don't need to aim a shotgun. Even fired from the shortest legal barrel, shot doesn't spread that much at the ranges you would encounter in indoor self defense. Practice is required.

Sorry, that is what I meant. Thanks for the correction.

Agreed on the necessity to aim the shotgun. However, I do not agree on the effectiveness of birdshot against an invader. Unless you are in very close quarters (under 5 yards) bird shot is going to spread and begin to lose penetrating power. Why go with bird shot when you can get 00 buckshot loads? (for the OP, pronounced "double ought").

I should have stated that better; I was not recommending birdshot as an ultimate self defense round. I just said that heavy birdshot (BBB and larger) would be more effective than most "comfortable" handgun rounds at typical indoor self defense ranges, which are 5 yards or less. Buckshot obviously would be even more effective.

Birdshot is NOT an effective round against a human target. Even at point blank ranges it's not powerful enough to kill effectively. I read a coronors report of a guy that shot himself 4 times with birdshoot and finally died of blood loss.
1st shot was under the chin. It took his jaw off and knocked him out, he came to, put the barrel to his chest and blew off some skin. He walked 30 yards to sit at a tree and tried again and flinched and shot himself in the gut. The last shot was in the chest again and he past out. The final cause of death was due to blood loss from the wounds. If point blank in the face won't kill then it isn't a good choice for self defence.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
For home defense a shotgun is #1 and a wheelgun is #2. Especially for inexperienced shooters a revolver is far more idiotproof than an automatic.

Best advice so far! :thumbsup:

This is what any gun shop owner will advise for a first-time gun buyer.

Really? When I bought my 1st gun the guy at the store said I should get a Semi-auto because it holds more rounds???

A Glock or an XD are fine guns that can be used under duress. There are no manual safety switches( except the XD45 w/safety). Point and shoot. With the lighter trigger pull of the semi auto's you'll be able to get more shots off in a shorter amount of time, and if she has weak fingers it's easierto manipulate a lighter trigger.

The talk of accidental discharge is dumb, it's not accidental, it's negligent. The gun will only go off if your booger hook is on the trigger.
Guns don't just go off by themselves. Something or someone has to make it happen.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: Possessed Freak
Pish, what happened to the motto: Get the one that feels right?

Glocks feel like bricks in my hands, a 1911 style is too narrow for my hands, and the springfield XD is perfect. Thus, I went with the Springfield.

I truly recommend going into the store with the GF and having her try to hold some of the pistols. She will prefer one over others. As long as it is a reputable brand, pay the money and get the gun she feels most comfortable holding.

I used to subscribe to this belief, but the reality of it is what can you shoot better. I have had 3 XD's, 2 in .40SW and 1 in 45ACP. I love the feel of the XD in my hand, it fits perfectly and I was a good shoot with it. I for years hated the way Glocks felt in my hand. Swore up and down that I would never own one because they are for wannabe's and posers. I then shot one. 1st shot dead center. Couldn't be closer to a bullseye with a laser. subsequent follow up shots were all grouped tighter than anything I got out of my XD's. Got rid of the XD's and am all glock for my compacts now, my sub is still a Kel-tec PF-9.

A gun feeling good in the hand is important, but what is most important is how good you shoot it. Some guns, Like Sig, feel ok, but the higher bore axis throws me off and I can't shoot them for shit, even after a week of using one in the police academy training and putting 2,500-3,000 rounds down range, I still didn't like it.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: Baked
If she's scared of intruders, there's a good chance she'll shoot herself if a rapist sneaks into the house. She's better off with a taser or a dog.

so she can shoot herself with a taser??? And a dog is not going to do squat. 9 times out of 10 if someone breaks into a house with a dog, the dog will bolt. Never, EVER put your safety on the line believing that an animal will protect you.

The dog is to warn you to get the gun. A good dog will only bark at night if there is somebody in or around the house.

There in lies the trick, you have to get a good dog. My dogs are worthless. They'd jump the guy and lick him and not make a sound.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: JeffreyLebowski

Originally posted by: Mojoed

Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
For home defense a shotgun is #1 and a wheelgun is #2. Especially for inexperienced shooters a revolver is far more idiotproof than an automatic.

Best advice so far! :thumbsup:

This is what any gun shop owner will advise for a first-time gun buyer.

Really? When I bought my 1st gun the guy at the store said I should get a Semi-auto because it holds more rounds???

A Glock or an XD are fine guns that can be used under duress. There are no manual safety switches( except the XD45 w/safety). Point and shoot. With the lighter trigger pull of the semi auto's you'll be able to get more shots off in a shorter amount of time, and if she has weak fingers it's easierto manipulate a lighter trigger.

The talk of accidental discharge is dumb, it's not accidental, it's negligent. The gun will only go off if your booger hook is on the trigger.
Guns don't just go off by themselves. Something or someone has to make it happen.

i'm with the other guys. you can't go wrong with a short-barreled shotgun for home defense. anyone that tells you a pistol is better is just trying to sell you something.

shotgun advantages:
incredible stopping power
wide shot pattern = accuracy is not an issue
won't really penetrate through walls = good thing

revolver advantages over a pistol:
more reliable
if you need more than 6 shots, buy a shotgun


personally, i have a glock 23 (.40) as my carry/home defense weapon only because a shotgun is a little too awkward to lug around as a carry weapon and a pistol is a little too fat to conceal easily.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: bababooey
My glock 17 has not malfunctioned once in the 3000 rds I have put down range and has 17rd mags and if you are a bit twisted like me they also have 33rd mags from the full auto glock 18 that work in the 17 ...

Also a good tactical light is a very handy tool,a blinded perp is a good perp,I picked up a nice fenix TA30 and it would also double as a fine hand to hand weapon,it has almost blade like fins on front and rear that will hurt when slammed into ones head / groin.

X2

I love my Surefire's (The A2 Aviator was my fav light, until it got "lost" with my gf's purse), the E1B Backup and E2DL Defender (with F04 diffuser that works on both). A good pistol+properly used tatical light=win.

If you can splurge get a weaponlight of some sort (the Surefire X300/400 look awesome). Just my $.02