New House ~ New Handgun ... any advice?

February 27, 2007 | Vanity

[Elle Bee]

I'm 90 miles from Cuba and I'm going to purchase a new handgun for a new house.

I'm thinking .45 ... Kimber

I'm open to all opinion and option.

I'm still holding out the thought of a revolver over an automatic for ease of maintenance in the subtropics

These threads are always informative and I would appreaciate your input before I make a final decision.

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[Elle Bee]

Great minds think alike. Check out my post #7.

I think the round too light

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[Little Ray]

IMHO:
Unless the Kimber is for concealed carry, too, or you have a kid who needs to be able to use the home gun, get a shotgun instead - pump action, 20" barrel, no choke. If other people are in the house, use #1 or #2 shot - its less likely to go through the house long ways. If you don't have to worry about anybody else in the house or down-range, use 00 buck and rifled slugs. Even if they're wearin' vests the blunt trauma from the slugs will hurt 'em.
Buy lots of shells and practice a lot. Its fun, and you'll want to get used to the kick. Especially practice pulling the stock into the shoulder - otherwise you get nasty bruises... I keep forgettin'...
Shotguns are better than pistols for home defense - just the sound of the action being racked will usually change the perp's mind... They're good for snakes, too. And frequently cheaper than a good pistol.

[gridlock]

If you are not absolutely sure you are going to keep up with maintenance, I would go for something like the Ruger GP-100 revolver. Millions of security guards can't be wrong!

[Recon Dad]

Elle Bee, a Glock 22 is NOT a .22 cal it is a .40 cal. The .40 cal is just a hair below the .45 cal.

The.40 cal packs a bunch of pop.

[Cuttnhorse]

Mine is the 4-inch barrel. I bought it at a gun show with the after-factory night sights, case, 3 15-round magazines, lock, and plastic holster for $600. It had about 10-rounds fired through it, so it was essentially brand new.

[EEDUDE]

If you are not going to carry the weapon, and are going to use it for home defense only, then my choice would be a short barreled shotgun loaded with some thing like #4 shot.

Handguns are not really the best choice for home defense.
They are difficult to shoot accurately under stress, and even the best of them do not have the stopping power of a shotgun.

If you decide on a shotgun, look at the Mossberg "Defender".

Just my two cents worth.

[Elle Bee]

Shotguns are good for room-to-room...

I was going to ask for opinions on a pump for a second line

We've had more and more dry feet hitting and when the fearless leader finally goes there could be another wave ...... an elderly Cuban family was just broken into bound and brutalized here

the police are basically bar bouncers and otherwise there to take after-action reports

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[Elle Bee]

GLOCK 23. It can double as your concealed carry weapon since you live in a nice free state like Florida.

why Glock over Kimber?

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[Recon Dad]

Elle, you can apologize whenever you want, the 23 is a .45 cal and the 22 is .40 cal. Neither is for sissy's.

[Elle Bee]

Since you're in the sub-tropics, I'd recommend a stainless steel model. That doesn't mean it will never rust, just that it won't rust as badly as quickly as blued steel will.

cost wasn't a first issue ... what do you think of plating over Stainless?

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[Elle Bee]

.50

I thought about a Desert Eagle ..... but the control and the penetration .... my ears hurt thinking about the last time

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[Farmer Dean]

The HK passed the Navy SEAL torture test,and is double action----

[Elle Bee]

I'm wearing a Panerai 220 ... as they say ... size DOES matter ... LOL

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[txroadhawg]

I haven't read through all the replies but have you considered the

Taurus M410? Revolver that shoots 410 shotgun shells, great for home defense and snake killing

[Elle Bee]

In the first floor wall safe we have a HK P2000SK and in the upstairs bedroom wall safe we have a Sig P239, both in .40S&W. These are guns that I also use for concealed carry, plus my wife can handle either weapon with ease.

this is just for me

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[BobinIL]

A Kimber 45 is a fine choice. It will hold its value well. I currently own a Glock 21 in 45. It is a simpler design and has the 13+1 capacity.

[Elle Bee]

A Kimber 45 is a very nice gun.

any preference?

I like the fact that some models have no guard to snag below the hammer

>

[Elle Bee]

I'm partial to the revolver myself. I would recommend a Taurus .357. I find mine reliable and very accurate. Back it up with a Remington 3 shot pump shotgun with a load of .00 buckshot and you have an inexpensive but more than adequate home arsenal. By the way, take the barrel down on that shotgun, and the stock as well.

Keep both weapons clean and oiled in that climate. Use them as often as possible. Two reasons: first, you need the practice, second, a tool used is a better tool. Then clean and oil after use.

Cleaned and oiled isn't a problem ... practice on dry land is an issue .... I like the grip on the Taurus ... a pump would be my next question

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[Sax]

You can also score hits on more than one target simultaneously Not true. What it the pattern dispersion at 10 feet (typical indoor distance to target)?

Is absolutely true. If you have two folks bunched together in a doorway or narrow hallway and you are aiming at their combined center mass, you can certainly hit both.

you always have the option of just racking it (using the fore grip on a pump to chamber a round) and/or putting a round in the floor Read - you always have the option of letting intruders know exactly where you are, so when they open fire on you they have a better chance of hitting you. Oh and suppose you're wounded in one arm how do you work that shotgun now?

Yes, of course that let's the intruders know where you are - that's the point, you're there and are armed & firing - and why it calls for a read of that specific situation. Chances are that this isn't a para-military assault on your home. If you're not a strong individual, or have already crapped your pants in fear, trying to scare intruders off is a viable option. Not everyone is Charles Bronson. Not many (minus drug addled folks) are going to charge into shotgun blasts.

[from occupied ga]

IF

you can afford it nothing beats an UZI for home defense $200 xfer tax + $4000? I don't know what they're going for these days I paid $2700 for mine.