Gun question

[nick1985]

Hey guys... I'm hanging in there! (I'll update my other thread here soon, big day friday)


Anyways...

The GF and I were talking and we both want to buy pistols. She lives alone and is scared of an intruder, and we both thought it might be a nice hobby to share as well (2 birds, 1 stone!). I was thinking 9mm, just for the sake of cost on the weapon itself and ammo. I dont want to go crazy here, I'd like to keep the budget 300-500 per gun. Any recommendations for good, reliable, 9mm pistols for that price range?

We are in Illinois if that matters.


2nd Amendment haters, p&n is that way --------------->

 

[tfinch2]

Ruger P95 is a reliable 9mm on the low end of your budget.

 

[MotF Bane]

Well, for Second Amendment haters, wouldn't it be...
<-----------P&N?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Well, for Second Amendment haters, wouldn't it be...
<-----------P&N?

|
|
|
|
|
|
V


I think its that way actually :laugh:

 

[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.

 

[nick1985]

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.

How do you figure?

 

[Auggie]

I'd recommend a Glock 9mm, great gun, probably the most reliable of all the semi-auto pistols. You can get a new one for ~500 depending on prices in your area. Glocks are also one of the few guns that I'd buy used, simply because they have so few parts and they are cheap and easy to replace.

Hope you're doing well, friend.

 

[Pepsei]

home defense? nothing works better than the sound of cocking a shotgun.... so get one. and at close range, you don't even have to be a good shot.

 

[tfinch2]

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.

WTF :laugh:

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Pepsei
home defense? nothing works better than the sound of cocking a shotgun.... so get one. and at close range, you don't even have to be a good shot.

Yeah I agree with ya... but she weighs 105 pounds. I think if she tried shooting a shotgun she would quickly find herself stuck in the drywall. Plus, a couple of pistols are fun to take out to the range

 

[spidey07]

I'd recommend a 12 gauge with reduced recoil 00 buck and a 9mm, that way you guys can learn to operate both. Nobody can choose a handgun for you as it depends on what fits your hands and what's good for you might not be good for her.

Pepsei - home defense they will never hear it pumping, it's already hot. Just pull the trigger.

 

[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.

 

[Unheard]

For home defense, I have to agree, a shotty is best. A 12g isn't going to send her through the wall. I've seen a 95lbs girl shoot one just fine. But as far as pistols go, I have a few. I have a Kel-Tec 9mm (wouldn't recommend it unless you are using it as an HCP weapon... just not comfortable to shoot.), a S&W M&P 9mm Compact... This one is a bit more comfortable, but it's still a CCW, and not an every day/home defense gun, and a Ruger P94... The ruger P-series would be what I would recommend. Good solid gun, with a nice size grip for better accuracy. I use the ruger for IDPA matches.

Then there is glock... It's the fanboi gun.

In the end, I have to say:

AK-47 the very best there is. When you absolutely, positively, have to kill every mother fucker in the room! Accept no substitutes.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Unheard


AK-47 the very best there is. When you absolutely, positively, have to kill every mother fucker in the room! Accept no substitutes.

meh, semi-auto shotgun with 30 rounds.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I'm not certain about a 9mm version, but the newest revision of the Taurus Millenium PT series is INCREDIBLE. It's about $300, super reliable, super accurate...just basically the best gun I've ever owned (I have the .40 version).

One other selling point on it is that it's a fairly small grip, so women tend to be able to use it fairly well. Give it a feel at a shop and see how you both like it.

 

[Soybomb]

http://www.summitgunbroker.com/S_W_5906_SH.html is a cheap rock solid 9mm gun that would fit your budget and leave you some money for training and ammo.

For defense though a 12ga or 20ga shotgun with a youth stock and 00 buck would be great as would an ar15 with good defensive ammo.

 

[AstroManLuca]

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.

.22s might be nice, but only for practice. They're not really practical for defense, especially a revolver since most .22 revolvers are single-action and require you to cock the hammer for every shot.

Even a 10-shot semiautomatic .22 pistol is almost useless for home defense... sure, some people might go down, but enough won't that it's not worth the risk. You can go for a .22 for plinking or whatever, but you should get at least a 9mm for self defense (.38 special for a revolver).

 

[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

 

[Gothgar]

try out a Springfield XD9

awesome gun

get a shotgun also

 

[Zenmervolt]

I'm a fan of the Smith & Wesson M&P line of handguns. I have an M&P in .40 calibre and the 9mm variants are quite nice as well. I have well over 2,000 rounds through my M&P .40 without any failures so far.

I'm also a fan of a .357 Magnum revolver as a home defense handgun. You can fire .38 special out of it for lower recoil, but you have the option of full-bore .357 Magnum through it if you ever want that option. With a 6" barrel the recoil is calmed a lot and the sights are usually quite good.

ZV

 

[*kjm]

12ga with #4 buckshot for HD. I shot one when I was 10 without a problem and I was not even close to 100lbs. Thats why you have to learn to shoot..... Main thing, get to a gunshop with a range and shoot some of the guns they have for rent.

I have a 40cal handgun with a 16 round clip but in the dark, in my house he/she/they are going to hear the 12ga.

 

[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.

 

[jamesbond007]

I bought a FNP-45 (.45 ACP) a couple months ago and absolutely love it! Thus, I must make a plug and suggest the FNP-9. Night sights are available, too. The thing that I enjoyed the most about the FN series is that it fit my hands the best and, for me, had the best ergonomics among the other .45 ACP pistols I tried. This is essential to finding a suitable gun for you and your girlfriend. Just because one person likes a Glock doesn't mean it will fit right in your hands!

As suggested previously, go to a few gun stores, feel the guns and bring them up to a point aiming and see how it feels. I agree - the 9mm is an excellent caliber for low recoil and should easily hold enough rounds to take down several people or at least scare the living shit out of them and make them leave.

Before I forget, the Sig P226 (9mm) has the absolute best ergonomics and feel that I've experienced from a 9mm handgun. The bad part is that they will run you around $800+ for a new piece. My FNP-45 (with shooter's pack) was $630 and came with (3) 14 round magazines! I bought it on the spot.

 

[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...

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Unheard


AK-47 the very best there is. When you absolutely, positively, have to kill every mother fucker in the room! Accept no substitutes.

meh, semi-auto shotgun with 30 rounds.

This, if you enjoy an AK-47 style weapon and still want a shotgun, might I suggest the Saiga 12, the mainstream semi-auto is ~$600 IIRC at gun shows.

An AK-47 (AKM) could go through the walls into your neighbor's house.