Gun Appreciation and Advice Thread

[MichiGator2002]

This seemed topical, and figured go ahead and start it in Too Hot to save moving it here later

I am looking at purchasing my first gun. I would like something that is suitable for self-defense, but I am not sure what I should look at in terms of size or style because I have pretty big hands and I am skeptical of being comfortable holding a lot of the compact models. I don't have any definite preference between a revolver and a pistol, or in terms of caliber, just want something reliable and (relatively, since it is a gun after all) fairly beginner friendly.

I will admit up front part of me wants to get something that I know takes high capacity magazines (Glock 19 9mm is one I saw, for instance), but mostly for the passive aggressive delight of being able to tell people that it would annoy that I own one. Other than that minor factor, I would consider anything.

I read some review sites, i.e. the truth about guns, but the bottom line is, I don't know enough. And until I take some classes and maybe find a range that rents, I still won't know. But I also trust the experience of our gunowning community.

A couple things that caught my eye in research were the Walther P99, the Sig 226 or 229, the SW M&P among the pistols, and any number of S&W or Taurus revolvers (I think the Judge sounds/looks awesome, but doesn't seem to review well in what I have seen?).

Anyway, figured both for my own advice but also anybody else that wants any or for our gunowners to talk about what they have and like and why, here is a thread.

[wygator]

I'm not a fan of compacts because they are harder to shoot accurately. A mid-size (4 to 4.5" barrel) will help absorb recoil and fit better in your hand. As a man, carry .38 auto, 9mm, .40, .44 or .45.

Disadvantages of revolvers are only 6 shots and no true safety.

All the brands you mentioned are good...we own two of those. Also check out the Bersa "Thunder" series. Great balance and handling.

A few online shopping sites I found recently:

http://grabagun.com/

http://www.centerfireguns.com/

http://glockstore.glockstore.com/

[gator7_5]

Originally Posted by wygator

Disadvantages of revolvers are only 6 shots and no true safety.

Although you are technically correct about the revolver not having a "true safety" I Absolutely disagree about it being a less safe option. Especially for a novice. It would be extremely difficult to accidentally discharge my S&W .357 revolver. It's double action and its definitely no hair trigger..

That's not the case for my glock 27. Although it has a trigger safety, it's easy to disengage, and its got a single action hair trigger.

For home protection, especially for a first time gun owner, I'd highly recommend a revolver for safety, ease of use, and I believe accuracy. Anyone can fire it. I'd hate to see my panicked wife trying to chamber and fire my glock. I keep it chambered at the office, but wouldn't at the house probably.

Just my .02.

[wygator]

Originally Posted by gator7_5

Although you are technically correct about the revolver not having a "true safety" I Absolutely disagree about it being a less safe option. Especially for a novice. It would be extremely difficult to accidentally discharge my S&W .357 revolver. It's double action and its definitely no hair trigger..

That's not the case for my glock 27. Although it has a trigger safety, it's easy to disengage, and its got a single action hair trigger.

For home protection, especially for a first time gun owner, I'd highly recommend a revolver for safety, ease of use, and I believe accuracy. Anyone can fire it. I'd hate to see my panicked wife trying to chamber and fire my glock. I keep it chambered at the office, but wouldn't at the house probably.

Just my .02.

You make good points about the revolver...just my .02 as well. I commonly carry one.

As far as your wife is concerned, with some practice she should be fine with your Glock. Here in Wyoming, LOTS of ladies carry semi-automatics.

[wargunfan]

I own a Sig 229 .40 cal and keep it on the night table. It holds 12 rounds. A revolver would be a good option for a novice but every pistol requires regular practice. You should try out both types. Whichever you choose I would go no smaller than .357 magnum in a revolver and no less than 9 mm in a semiautomatic. Another good option for home defense is a shotgun. I keep a 12 gauge Beretta semiauto in the bedroom. Some folks prefer a pump shotgun for reliability. A shotgun is more likely to find its target in a dark room and a couple of rounds of 00 buckshot is devastating.

[PITBOSS]

do you have children at home - boys? If so, be careful. Lesser chance of needing the gun for home protection than there are for accidents, theft, etc.

if not - .38 revolver. 6 shots are plenty and no fussing around with clips/jamming when the crips kick in your door.

[MichiGator2002]

Honestly, I think I might buy a revolver for actual purpose and then buy an automatic with a 12+ round capacity magazine just to keep in a safe on general principle until such time as I want to master it. I wasn't kidding when I said I was at least partly motivated by the chance to offend someone ).

Revolver owners in particular, am I right that S&W, Ruger, Colt, these are the names in revolvers?

[wargunfan]

Originally Posted by PITBOSS

do you have young children at home - boys? If so, be careful. Lesser chance of needing the gun for home protection than there are for accidents, theft, etc.

if not - .38 revolver. 6 shots are plenty and no fussing around with clips/jamming when the crips kick in your door.

No kids in the house. Once again, one should practice regularly with any firearm on which you might stake your life. You must always guard against "limp wristing" a semiauto or a "stovepipe" round could result (a round which fails to properly eject). A revolver won't do that but I prefer not to try to reload a revolver in the dark. I'll stick with one 12 round magazine and my shotgun and pray it never happens.

[Lawdog88]

It does matter what type of self-defense you are anticipating, based on the threats to your home / family / property / person you perceive. Home invaders in the night bent on burglary might require one type of firearm defense in a suburban setting, where gang-type home invasion in an urban environment might suggest another.

If you carry a briefcase full of diamonds for a living, that might dictate what weapon you employ, but the concealed carry crowd could give you advice on that.

A weapon in a vehicle might be a different choice than the one you might employ at home, and in Florida, it must be securely encased to avoid being considered concealed.

And of course, doomsday preppers have a different view of self-defense than typical homeowners, and resultantly, their choice of weapon(s) vary significantly.

[brainstorm]

If you're only going to purchase one gun and have no plans to conceal carry then you'll want to stay with a larger handgun. They are easier to shoot.

Revolvers. They can be a good choice and you don't have to worry about jams. If the round doesn't fire then just pull the trigger again. I think a .357 is the best option since the .38 is pretty inept as a round. The Ruger GP100 and the Taurus 608 are good choices. The Smith and Wesson models are good as well but cost a good bit more.

To me, the big downside is the limitation in the number of rounds. Usually 6. While the experts will tell you that most gun fights in home defense situations are limited to a few shots that doesn't really make me feel comfortable.

Semi-automatics. There are numerous options. I like to start with the caliber first. I prefer the .45ACP for home defense situations. But, 9mm, .40S&W and .357SIG are good choices as well.


.45ACP

Many people say the 1911 is the best gun out there but they can be quite expensive. And they usually have 8 or less in a clip. Take a look at Dan Wesson, Remington, Colt, Kimber, Para Ordinance and Springfield.

For non-1911 .45 I prefer the Glock 21. Shoots great, handles recoil well and holds 13 in a clip. It is reasonably priced as well. Others to consider: Sig 220, FNP 45, Springfield XP.

9mm/.40S&W/.357SIG

The 9mm doesn't have the stopping power that other two have but is still a strong caliber. I prefer Glocks, like the 17 or 22. However, the Beretta ninety-two, CZ 75, SIG 229 and S&W M&P are good choices as well.

Ruger and Taurus are good names to remember. They make solid guns (semi-automatic and revolvers) at good prices.

I would recommend you go to a gun shop and hold some of the models to make sure they fit your hand properly.

[brainstorm]

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

Honestly, I think I might buy a revolver for actual purpose and then buy an automatic with a 12+ round capacity magazine just to keep in a safe on general principle until such time as I want to master it. I wasn't kidding when I said I was at least partly motivated by the chance to offend someone ).

Revolver owners in particular, am I right that S&W, Ruger, Colt, these are the names in revolvers?

Colt doesn't make revolvers anymore. Well, other than a few cowboy guns. The big three in my mind are S&W, Ruger and Taurus. All three are good. Smith is the priciest. Other names are Charter Arms and Rossi. Rossi used to be average quality. Charter seems to specialize in snub nose (small barrels) which don't shoot as accurately as longer barrels.

[brainstorm]

The 12 GA shotgun is probably the best home defense weapon you can buy. If I had the $$$ I would buy the Benelli M4.

[MichiGator2002]

I am interested in concealed carry, it just isn't something I plan on doing immediately until my confidence was substantially higher. But I would want a gun suitable to it. The fee times I have held any pistol or revolver hand comfort has been... a concern. I just measured and my palm is about 4.5 inches wide, and most "concealed"/"carry"/"compact" labelled guns I see on the webs all seem to be about 5 inches tall give or take, so that makes me wonder if carry will even be plausible unless it is manageable to conceal a medium frame revolver or a full-size automatic.

I am single and have no kids, for whatever it is worth.

[helix139]

I have a sig p229 and a p239, both in 40. I am thinking my next gun will likely be a 9mm sig p226 or p229 with a threaded barrel, though, with a primary purpose of home defense. The thinking is going 9mm allows for quicker follow up shots and higher capacity, allowing an easier time throwing a wall of lead down range quickly. Also, the threaded barrel will allow me to add a suppressor, which will mean I won't blow out my ears after 1 shot if I have to fire indoors.

Originally Posted by MichiGator2002

I am interested in concealed carry, it just isn't something I plan on doing immediately until my confidence was substantially higher. But I would want a gun suitable to it. The fee times I have held any pistol or revolver hand comfort has been... a concern. I just measured and my palm is about 4.5 inches wide, and most "concealed"/"carry"/"compact" labelled guns I see on the webs all seem to be about 5 inches tall give or take, so that makes me wonder if carry will even be plausible unless it is manageable to conceal a medium frame revolver or a full-size automatic.

I am single and have no kids, for whatever it is worth.

Check out the p239. I carry mine even in light Florida summer clothing. Just get a decent IWB holster and a good belt. The p239 is doable also, but the thicker grip to accommodate double stack mags makes it more likely to print in the grip area.

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by gator7_5

Although you are technically correct about the revolver not having a "true safety" I Absolutely disagree about it being a less safe option. Especially for a novice. It would be extremely difficult to accidentally discharge my S&W .357 revolver. It's double action and its definitely no hair trigger..

That's not the case for my glock 27. Although it has a trigger safety, it's easy to disengage, and its got a single action hair trigger.

For home protection, especially for a first time gun owner, I'd highly recommend a revolver for safety, ease of use, and I believe accuracy. Anyone can fire it. I'd hate to see my panicked wife trying to chamber and fire my glock. I keep it chambered at the office, but wouldn't at the house probably.

Just my .02.

100% concur.

.357 mag is the most effective man stopper anyway, get a 4 1/2" barrel at least.

[Tasselhoff]

Pay for a membership to a gun range. Whatever you buy you will need practice. Most gun ranges will allow you to rent a variety of guns to try out on their range. This allows you to find a gun that "fits".
The membership will also likely get you discounted gun safety classes as well as discounted ccw, defensive shooting etc classes.
I love shooting. I own several guns. I believe in being properly trained before purchasing a gun.

[rpmGator]

Count me in on the .357 also. Lot's to learn about safety at first, and for a first time owner, just safer to shoot and carry.

It can use .38's also which is a much cheaper round, so you can practice with those and shoot more for less until you are ready to shoot the more powerful .357.

It is also easier to find ammo when you can shoot two different types.

At some point, you may run into a Biden rule on clip size, and revolvers won't be as much hassle down the road without any clip rules.

I am thinking a .12 guage double barrel coach gun for my next buy.

[g8orbill]

I love my browning sweet 16- if the first shot doesn't dust them as they intrude the next 2 certainly will

[MichaelJoeWilliamson]

One of the best and affordable semi--automatic's on the market is a Sig Sauer SP2022. You can get them at Palmetto State Armory for about $400 delivered. (not counting the FFL dealer background check fee). I own one and it is the best handgun I have ever, ever shot.

That said, I have gotten to the point that except for very tight places, I think the perfect home defense weapon is a shotgun. They can be deadly, but often are not. They will deter any intruder. The shooter does not have to be accurate to be effective. Very few people will stare down a shotgun without giving up. But if you are required to shoot and if the some of the shots hits the wall, ceiling or floor, unless buckshot is used, the shot will probably not penetrate with enough force to cause significant to damage to someone in another room that happens to be in the line of fire. Plus, using it for sport, like shooting clay pigeons is a LOT of fun.

Of course, one cannot carry it for car defense easily. Not is it useful for concealed carry.

I personally own three shotguns, three handguns and two rifles.

Also, when I am not target shooting, I load my handguns with hollow points. More stopping power plus the bullet spends itself more quickly in a wall, floor or ceiling in case of a miss.

[MichiGator2002]

I had looked at the SP2022 as well. "Looked at" is still at the "reading manufacturer information and reviews" stage. I am trying to make a manageable list of weapons I would like to handle instead of standing in a gun store like an insomniac night at Hollywood video or Blockbuster trying to find something to watch. Like 5 or 6 semiautomatics and revolvers each.

Anyone have any experience with the Steyr M9A1? Something about hoe it looks like it would sit in my hand is appealing. I am finding that any discussion about polymer semiautomatics on these sites all turn into unhelpful crossflaming between Glock lovers and Glock haters.