Posted on 03/15/2008 5:12:16 PM PDT by ExpatCanuck
What is the best handgun for personal defense? I need reliability (it had better work when I need it), and safety - I don't want it blowing my b*lls off if I need to pull it out of the holster or waistband fast. I am 5'7", 150 lbs, very fit, and small framed so I am looking for something that won't break my wrist or throw off the aim of shot #2 if I have to fire it. I own property in some unsavoury parts of town and have actually witnessed 2 gunfights up close and personal. Although I have a property manager (he is also well armed) that makes the rounds I do so myself sometimes as well. I'm looking for a CCW that will also double as a good home defense weapon. I would appreciate any advice fellow Freepers can offer.
Sounds like a 9mm.
Check my profile. FReep mail me if you have questions.
I’m still a revolver fan. They can’t really goof-up on you, but if they do, pull the trigger again. Taurus makes some good guns that are similar to Smith & Weson, with a lower price. .357 is good because one may use .38 specials as well, and they’re cheaper for target practice.
What kind of experience do you have with firearms?
Springfield XD40 here, but you need get whatever you are most comfortable with expat.
I think the best choice for a novice, or a non-enthusiast who doesn’t spend a lot of time shooting is a double action revolver. They are inherently simpler and safer to learn to handle and shoot effectively. A four inch .357, will permit the use of lighter .38 Special loads, and it’s barrel is a practical compromise between ease of shooting and ease of carry.
Why a semi-auto? You want to CCW, and you live in a sketchy area, and a gun battle is a reality. Because of that, I suggest the higher capacity of the double-stack 9mm, holding 16+ bullets. Otherwise, I'd recommend a revolver, for its simplicity and shorter learning curve, but then you are limited (in general) to six shots.
The three semi-autos I mentioned are all like a revolver in that you just pull the trigger to shoot them: the safety is on the trigger. Keep them holstered at all times, until you are ready to shoot.
I might recommend a .40 or .45 caliber version of the same 3 pistols, but you don't sound like you want to deal with a lot of recoil. Plus, the 9mm will be slimmer, for better concealment. WIth modern high velocity "+P" jacketed hollow point bullets, 9mm is plenty effective, with much less recoil.
Just my opinion. Go to any large gun store and ask to handle a wide variety of pistols. Fit and feel is also very important. The one that fits your hand the best and just feels right, may be the one for you. All 3 of the pistols I mentioned will be extremely reliable right out of the box, and will set you back between 500 and 600 bucks.
Cute......do yourself a favor and search using the same topic you posted.......You'll find thousands of replies.......
My handgun of choice is the Glock 19:
It's a 9mm, and a smaller version of the Glock 17, also 9mm.
We're about the same size, so a nice fanny holster, (my choice), or something similiar would hold this 15 round semi-automatic pistol just fine.
Good Luck!
A good wheelgun is ultra reliable/safe, but capacity is limited obviously.
anything at least 9mm/.357 [bigger holes are better] imo for human sized varmints, but it must be comfortable to carry and fire... which ultimatley means 'trying on' a bunch to find a good fit...
Be safe and familiar with it and shoot enough to be comfortable as second nature...
not much help, sorry...
LFOD...
Yep, I agree. This plus a 12ga pump with pretty much handle any social situation. Include a .22 rifle and your set for TEOTWAKI.
If you are "mechanically inclined" and plan to spend some time at the range getting familiar with shooting, I'd get a 9mm semi auto, probably either a Glock 19, Springfield XD-9, or S&W M&P 9mm...
+1. I'm looking at the Springfield XD 3" sub-compact in 9 mm myself.
Whatever you get, make sure it has multiple safetys like the M1911 45 cal. That is one reason I have that as my personal sidearm. Can’t really beat it on knockdown power either.
Disagree, to much gun for a newbie, plus expensive ammo. Stick with the .357/38 revolver, 4 inch barrel. Taurus, Ruger, Smith, etc,
I’ve sent a mail your way.
You can’t go wrong with a Glock 19. Just keep that sucker in a holster, and keep the finger out of the trigger guard until you want it to go bang. (Comment directed to the thread author, not you.)
The XD and M&P do have loaded chamber indicators though, and that is a nice feature the Glock doesn’t have. That is, when a round is chambered and the gun is armed and ready, a little nipple pops out that you can actually feel in the dark. This lets you know she’s loaded, without having to pull the slide back and check. This is a nice feature if you might not remember in the middle of the night, or after a long period of time.
But otherwise, the Glock 19 is a superb choice, and many shooters could not give a hoot about the chamber indicator anyway.
Just noticed you said CCW. I carry a KelTec PF9 and happy with it. It will take more practice that a revolver though. PS, less than 300 dollars.
That’s cool!
But hardly a candidate for concealed carry!
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