What gun(s) to purchase & other gun questions.

[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?

[donozark]

Shotguns:Before you buy, check out Mossberg. Specifically 590. Has passed Military Specifications, torture tests, etc. Holds 13 rounds including 4 in the speedfeed stock.

Pistols:Check out CZ-75B. Takes hi-cap mags. 9MM. Dependable weapon. GLOCKS are good but $$. I stay with 9MM. Ammo plentiful. Federal or Corbon gives an added boost. 10MM rather hard to find ammo.

.Rifle:Nothing wrong with ARs. I have a Colt MT6700. Best one I have ever owned. A real tack driver. Also consider an AK. An "all weather weapon." Buy NIB.Stick with better models, avoid those that have seen inside of "Cousin Earl's" gun shop. SLR-95 is best AK I have owned. Very accurate out of box-for an AK. Ammo cheap-1K rounds for $65. I rather like the thumbhole stock. Fits a hoghead like me better. Ballistically close to .30-.30. Magazines cheap. $5-10. Check the gun boards and manufacturers websites for further info. TONS of stuff out there! Good luck!

[ScreamingFist]

It should always come down to what YOU/Wife are comfortable with. A weapon is useless if you are afraid to use it in a "situation". Myself, I've own/owned many handguns, but I've used and carried the Glock 19 (9mm) since 1991 and still love it. Some prefer larger calibers, I love a .45, but they can be a handful for some people. I believe that the 10mm tends to over penetrate in an urban setting. When all else fails look at what the professionals carry, the FBI has recently issued the SA .45 as their carry weapons.

[ScreamingFist]

"You might want to consider a Marlin lever action carbine rifle. They are pretty short(18 to 20 in barel) and come in .38 and .357 models."

And the Winchester Trapper (18 inch barrel) comes in .44 Mag. :)

[my trusty sig]

Sorry, "DA if you prefer to pull the trigger (with hammer down) for the first shot."

[LibertyGirl77]

Ping for later.

[Destructor]

One word- Penetration! All of the guns that you mentioned are NOT good for home defense, because those firearms are too powerful. An ideal home defense weapon is a pump action .410 shotgun. There are 000 buckshot rounds available in .410 caliber. Each round contains three 000 buck pellets. Each pellet is the equivalent of a .25 caliber round. The 000 buckshot will stop an intruder, but won't shoot through the walls of your house- so you won't be hitting your kids in the next room.

Besides, the slide action of chambering a round (a.k.a. "racking" the slide) is enough to send most intruders running! THAT is ideal!!!

[ctdonath2]

Pistol: Glock (best combo of durability, reliability, ease of use, and parts/repair)
Caliber: the largest caliber both of you are comfortable with (fewer ammo types rolling around the house the better)
Size: the smallest model you're comfortable with (easier to conceal than big models). Note that the larger calibers (.45) are wider than the other models.

Shotgun: Mossberg 590 with ghost-ring sights and parkerized or marinecote finish. High capacity (8+1 rounds), tough (one of very few military-approved models), built for defense, no room for confusion.

Throwing knives: ...you're going to give the bad guy your knife? uh...no.

[Destructor]

Question: Why would anybody in their right mind throw away a perfectly good knife?

[Swingj]

Also... never under estimate the bark of a dog. Even the smallest dog barking is usually enough to ward off an intruder.

[ctdonath2]

Don't forget TRAINING. Both of you go spend a week at Lethal Force Institute (best for beginners), Gunsite, or Thunder Ranch. Don't let cost stop you - not getting serious training will cost you more.

[Destructor]

Another plus for a .410 pump shotgun is that it is not too powerful for a woman to shoot. A woman can shoot it from the hip. So that is another advantage to a .410!

[samuel_adams_us]

I notice that everyone is saying .40 or higher for caliber when a nice little .22 Ruger MKII Auto would more than do the trick. The bigger calibers will give you more knock down power but dead is dead whether it's a .22, .45ACP or 10 Gauge.

[toddst]

Most of the "what gun is best" threads bring out a wide array of preferences for one make, model, cartridge. I will go a different direction and recommend you invest in quality training, then make your gun selections. My suggestion is contact Gunsite (Paulden, Arizona.) Their website is a good place to start (www.gunsite.com)

I have taken three week-long courses there and recommend them without any hesitation. However there are other schools with good reputations (Thunder Ranch in Texas, for example.) Mental and physical training are more important than specific weapon selection IMHO.

I will be happy to make weapon recommendations, but only via freepmail. I don't have interest in all the uproar that results from such exchanges on threads.

[NC_Libertarian]

Well, I'm a relative amatuer but my opinion is that a revolver is the way to go. Simple, reliable, easy to operate.

Semi-Automatics can jam, though rare. They've also got safety's and such that you could screw up at a bad moment. Shotguns require two hands and you can't be prone. If you are injured or in an ackward position it might be difficult to use.

I got my first gun two years ago (a pump action shot gun), but after much discussion and reading on the topic, I'm convinced that a good revolver is the way to go.

Also I've found that I'm much more acurate with a revolver over a semi-auto.

I have a Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum in Stainless Steel with 4" barrel and adjustable sights. You can also use .38 special rounds in the .357 if you are concerned with recoil, but I think it's a matter of practice, the recoil is really no big deal at all.

I've found that in addition to being a practical means of security and peace of mind, it's actually a bunch of fun too. Good luck!

[45Auto]

If you had to get the Basic Firearms Safety Certificate, I assume you are living in California. If so, you have until Jan 1, 2003 to get your pistols/revolvers. After that, the BSFC will be useless and you will have to go through a lot more senseless red tape to obtain the New, Improved California "Safety"/Gun License. Never mind that its unconstitutional; the Governor and the wonderful Cal commie legislature want to be sure that those who buy guns are "safe"; what they really want to do is ban/confiscate all privately held arms. (They will play/pay hell trying to do that.)

I am a big fan of the Model 1911 A1 .45 auto; however, if you can indeed obtain a CCW in California, and you really intend to carry often, then something that doesn't weigh so much, or bulge so much under a light coat/shirt/jacket is just the ticket. The weight consideration is probably the reason that THE cop pistol is the Glock Model 22 (or the smaller version the Glock 23) (the .40 Smith and Wesson cartridge.)The Glock Model 21 in .45 ACP or the Model 20 in 10 mm is quite a bit larger than the the other Glocks.

If I was going to carry, the Model 22 (or 23) would be my choice. However, if your previous experience with (I loathe to use the word) "handguns" is limited or non-existent, and you are not going to commit a lot of time to training (preferably with a qualified combat pistol instructor) and practice, then a short-barreled revolver (like the Smith and Wesson J-frame .357's) is just right. The revolver is a lot simpler to use and a lot safer in many respects.

As far as the AR 15 is concerned, unless you already owned one prior to Jan 1 2000, you are out of luck if you live in California. They have simply been banned (again, unconstitutionally in my mind, but the corrupt Cal SC has said its just fine). The Winchester 12 ga is good; I prefer the Remington 870 pump. Its probably the "work horse" shotgun in the US.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Considering your inexperience I would suggest that both of you stick with a double action .357 magnum revolver. It is simple (no safeties, no magazines), reliable, and when you use .38 special cartriges cheap to practice with, and when you use .357 mag Hydrashock cartriges, has excellent stopping power.

If the primary purpose of the pistol is concealed carry, make sure it is hammerless (to prevent snagging when drawn) and light (do you REALLY want a 37 oz., 6 in. barrrel pistol to carry around everywhere?)

If the primayr purpose is target and home protection, go ahead and get the larger framed model.

However, I NEVER recommend a semi auto to a novice.

P.S. stay away from the traitor gun mfr S&W. However, it is okay to buy used guns as S&W makes nothing from the sale.

[DrNo]

The bigger calibers will give you more knock down power but dead is dead whether it's a .22, .45ACP or 10 Gauge.

Killing is not the issue.

Stopping the attacker is.

A small caliber well-placed may kill an assailant, but it may not stop him from killing you first.

His dying on the lawn six hours later, or the next day in a hospital does you little good.

[samuel_adams_us]

One shot in the head will stop him his tracks, not on the lawn for 6 hours but dead on the floor. Personally I don't aim the pistol unless I plan on killing what is front of it.