[The_Graygator]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

Oh, I'm not purchasing anything until after I have done at the very least basic gun instruction, defensive training, etc -- every place seems to have their own curriculum they offer, obviously. In fact, if anyone knows a range with good instruction and ideally gun rental so I can try several options, in the Jacksonville area, I'd be all for it.

My position on the automatic is that I know I do want one, and therefore may buy one, but walk-before-we-run, and it would probably stay in its box, in a safe, until I've put several hundred rounds through it, as much as possible of which under instruction. I mean, the only point of this would be if myself and others would be safer for me having a gun, not in more danger.

As for a revolver, I have actually shot a .38 a few times before, but it's been years. That's the sort of thing I know I could refamiliarize myself with in fairly short order and rely on or even carry pretty quickly.

In a perfect world, I'd like to buy two guns, a revolver and an automatic, both suitable for personal/home defense and reasonably concealable for a big guy. The trick would be finding suitable quality and be out the door with both for $1000-$1200.

Good plan, but also having a longer ranged weapon like a 12 ga shotgun or a rifle (various calibers), gives you options, depending on where you live. I think everyone should own a shotgun for sheer stopping power.