I am considering purchasing a hand gun.

[beam me up scottie]

I am neither pro nor anti gun, I am familiar with weapons but would like some advice.

Long story short, bad neighborhood in a bad town, neighbors are scarce and I am alone several nights a week. Burglaries have always been common but lately thieves are getting desperate enough to break into occupied homes. Some even seem to think they need to beat up and/or shoot their victims after robbing them.

I prefer a hand gun, bf has left me his hunting rifle in the past and it's too damned big and heavy for me to use if I need it in a hurry. No kids in the house.

[rl6214]

1. Try any or as many different models you can

Before actually purchasing one. Make sure it fits you properly and that you are comfortable shooting it. Don't let your bf pick one for you and tell you that a certain one is best for you. He may pick what he likes to shoot but it may be too large, too powerful and something you may not enjoy shooting. My wife dosen't like my .45, my .40 or my compact 9mm but she does like my full size 9mm. Then practice. Alot.

[beam me up scottie]

3. Thank you.

Very good advice, I plan on being able to use it effectively in my sleep.

[azurnoir]

2. Me too- same reasons

except I do have a 12 year old in the house, he does have some gun safety training and has his own BB gun, I my self have never fired a gun

[beam me up scottie]

5. I didn't want the responsibility before, you know?

I understand what deadly force means but I have reached a point where I no longer feel safe in my home.

[old mark]

14. If you think of gun ownership as a responsibility, you are in the right

frame of mind. It is a big responsibility, but in a lot of places in the US, it is a necessity.
My wife and I are older and retired, and we seem to present targets for some people. We have had armed home invasions in our town over the last months -we have had a drug house on our block over the last year or so - you know the dangers better than I can list them.

I recommend you go to a gun shop and find out all you can about various handguns, try to handle several and learn how they work. The main thing is to find a type that you can handle comfortably without thinking about it and without fear. FWIW, my wife hated guns till I taught her to shoot. She now has an old Smith & Wesson police revolver, 4" barrel, in .38 special. It's an old school gun, but very safe, very easy to use well and as reliable as can be.

I have been shooting handguns for over 40 years - it requires practice and actually is enjoyable when you get over your apprehension. If you have shot the rifle you mentioned, you are ahead of the game.

Just find something you are comfortable with that feels "right" to your hand, and practice!!! Many shooting ranges offer safety instruction and basic shooting instruction to new shooters, and it might be wise to take some time to do this.
Good luck - please post what you get.

mark

[depakid]

86. You might also consider non-lethal force

I for one woundn't want to be in the way of this stuff:

http://www.safetygearhq.com/bearspray.htm

It sprays a cone of the nastiest stinging stuff 20+ feet. Doesn't take much aim. More or less just point and shoot.

[TPaine7]

87. This is smaller

http://www.pepperblaster.com/

It's also easier to carry and deploy outside the home, which can be good even for someone who carries concealed weapons and meets up with a non-lethal situation.

Check your state's laws--some states prefer their citizens to be as helpless as possible and forbid pepper spray.

[Thirtieschild]

4. You need to try them all and a lot depends on your own strength

Mr. Thirties has lots of guns, built his own shooting range on the back four. What you shoot is personal. I shoot as little as possible but prefer a revolver, find it much easier to use; racking the slide on a semi-automatic is difficult for me. I'm sure in a panic situation I'd never remember whether to push it forward or pull it back. In our early years when he worked the overnight and I was terrified, he gave me - after teaching me to use - a .38 police special (revolver) with the first slot empty. He sold the gun when the children came along, came back to shooting when the nest was empty.

[beam me up scottie]

6. Thank you, that's it exactly.

It has to be something I can feel comfortable handling when I'm bed in the middle of the night.

Leaving the first chamber empty in a revolver is a wise decision.

[rl6214]

8. If you are going to do this

You just need to remember to keep pulling the trigger until the threat is no longer a threat and make sure every shot counts. With that first chamber empty, that is one less opportunity to stop the threat.

[beam me up scottie]

9. That's also why I don't think a small caliber will do.

If they are close, every shot must count. And I will not hesitate.

[krispos42]

48. Old revovlers with the firing pin mounted on the hammer needed an empty chamber for safety

New ones have the firing pin mounted in the frame, in a recess. The hammer can't hit the firing pin directly. There's a separate piece, called a "transfer bar" that is tied to the trigger. When the trigger is pulled all the way back, the transfer bar moves into position over the firing pin, filling the recess with steel. When the hammer drops, the transfer bar is in position. Hammer hits the transfer bar, transfer bar hits the firing pin, firing pin detonates cartridge. Bang.


However, if the gun is dropped, the hammer can't hit the firing pin because the trigger isn't pulled back and, therefore, the transfer bar is not in place to transfer the impact. No accidental discharge.

[Callisto32]

33. Modern revolvers do not generally require the first chamber to be

empty. This is a safety precaution on an old revolver where the firing pin was attached directly to the hammer, and if the hammer was down, the pin was sitting against the primer of the cartridge under it. If the revolver was dropped or struck on the hammer, it could ignite the primer, and set the round off. Modern revolvers generally have what is called a "transfer bar" system that negates the need for this and allows you to not have to let a chamber empty for safety sake.

ANYWAY


The best advice is to try out whatever you can get your hands on until you find something you like and with which you will be competent and confident. however, this advice is not much use without some concrete examples, so here is my short list of "check these out" weapons.

CZ-83
These little automatics are great if you don't mind a small caliber. They are accurate, ergonomic, have simple controls and strip for cleaning very easily
CZ-75/b Family
These are large autos, best suited and designed for 9mm. They will handle a diet of powerful self-defense loads well, as they are all steel and the added weight helps to mitigate recoil. The full size is a large weapon, and can be a bit big for people with smaller hands, but the compacts can be more manageable, though the trigger reach (distance between your finger and the face of the trigger) will be long if fired from hammer-down. I personally use one of these as a carry weapon and would whole-heartedly recommend it if you find it to your liking.

Smith and Wesson Model 10
.38 special caliber, revolver. Point gun, pull trigger simplicity, and best of all usually available in good shape, used, at a reasonable price.

Glock Family of firarms
All of these are pretty much identical in function, mechanism and operation. If you like one you need only choose a size and caliber. I don't personally like the examples I have shot, but I have some friends that love their Glocks.

Perhaps Most importantly:

whatever you choose, the best investment you can make is a .22 long rifle caliber rimfire that approximates it. If you go with an auto, try a Ruger Mk. 2/3 or Browning Buckmark. If a revolver, get a similarly sized rimfire to match it. This little rimfire will allow you to get out and shoot much more than if you only bought the defensive arm. .22 is super cheap (at least it used to be) and you can shoot it all day without recoil, though ear protection is required out of handguns. What you learn from easy range time with the .22 about gunhandling and marksmanship will be translated to the larger arm, allowing you to focus more on things like drawing or acquiring the weapon from where it will be stored, learning what to do if it malfunctions in a stress situations, practicing reloads (especially important with a revolver) rather than having to spend a lot of money putting lead downrange for the sake of basic proficiency. If you have it available, take some classes. The (GASP!) NRA usually has some programs for various skill levels.
I know they aren't particularly liked around here, but the NRA proper (as distinct from the NRA/ILA) has some good resources for people interested in learning how to use a firearm properly.

Best of luck, and Practice, Practice, Practice!

[Lasher]

11. Best advice so far, Thirties.

I got my wife a .38 special revolver and now it's our primary house gun. Everything else stays locked up in the gun safe. And the hammer rests on an empty cylinder just like you say. It is also my first choice if I decide I want to carry a concealed weapon. When I took bigger pistols I started feeling like I was trying to hide a cinder block on my person.

[shireen]

7. if you're purchasing a gun for home protection, two recommendations.

1) purchase a gun that's very simple to use. Revolvers are mechanically simple to use and very reliable in an emergency situation. I ended up getting a Smith & Wesson 686, and purchased a smaller hand grip that fits more comfortably in my hands.

2) take the NRA home firearms safety class. It's outstanding! They teach you shooting techniques, best kinds of bullets to get for home defense, how to anticipate dealing with different home invasion scenarios, and about gun laws. Best of all, they teach you how to do everything possible NOT to have to use the gun unless you have absolutely no choice.

[beam me up scottie]

10. Good advice, thanks.

I have prior training but it was a long time ago, a firearms course is a very good idea.

[Tim01]

26. Wrong place.

[shireen]

34. are you referring to the NRA?

I don't like their politics either and would not join them.

But they have EXCELLENT education programs about firearms that i would recommend to anyone who is serious about using guns responsibly. The instructors are fanatical about gun safety and handling skills, which are reiterated over and over again till it's hardwired in our brains. They drill into us that shooting a person is the very very last option, after all other alternatives are exhausted. They never tried to impose their political views during the classes. (From private conversations, i figured out that many were conservatives, and i was quite vocal about being a tree-hugging leftie liberal which hopefully destroyed any stereotypes they've had about liberals.)

This classes are very good. Don't let the fact that it's run by the NRA keep you away from excellent and potentially life-saving gun education.

[Tim01]

40. I made a reply in the "wrong place". So I deleted it. Then posted in the right place.

[safeinOhio]

12. The best thing to go along

with that gun is a yappy little dog. The barking gives you enough time to get your weapon and be ready. You'll even feel safer.

Check gun ranges in your area. Many will let you rent and try different types of pistols.

[beam me up scottie]

13. I like it, although a medium sized not-too-yappy dog would be better.

I'm mean when I get woken up for no reason, ask my boyfriend, I'd probably shoot the yappy little dog for barking at the resident porch cats. :D

The only ranges close to us are in another state, a day trip might be in order.

The last time I went to a range was in a different decade in a different life. I do remember their crappy .45 Colt revolver almost broke my thumb and the 9mm Glock was incredibly easy to fire. We even rented a Desert Eagle just to see what it was like.

[shireen]

36. the spring in new guns can be a bit stiff

It takes a while to break it in. Another option is to get a good used refurbished gun from a reputable dealer.

Also, cleaning the gun is VERY important for easy operation.

I bought a brand new S&W 686 and added a smaller grip. My hands are not strong (I had trouble with some of the range guns) and was surprised at how easy it was to use that brand new 686. I still cannot pull the trigger from the fingerpad of my 2nd finger but am OK with using the 2nd joint of that finger. If hand strength is an issue, you may want to consider a semi-automatic where you'd pull the hammer only for the first shot.

[shireen]

37. didn't work for one lady

One of my instructors told us a story about something that happened to his wife before he met her. Her dog usually sleeps with her in bed and is good at warning her about suspicious sounds. But one morning, she came downstairs to find the house ransacked. Her dog had slept through the robbery! Turns out that her dog had a ear infection and was unable to hear the thieves that night.

[pipoman]

15. If you are thinking revolvers

remember that you can shoot .38 special ammo in any .357 magnum handgun (you cannot shoot .357 mag in a .38 special). If you buy a medium sized frame .357 magnum (like a Smith & Wesson 686 4" or even 6" barrel), then shoot a good quality hollow point defensive round through it, it is very easy to handle. The heavier frame absorbs much of the recoil and actually makes shooting easier than a light weight, short barrel revolver. Also if you are going to leave the first chamber empty be sure to get a 6 shot revolver, many of the smaller frame revolvers are 5 shots. Maybe after you are familiar with your revolver you will feel more comfortable with rounds in all chambers. Another good investment with a revolver would be a couple of speed loaders made for use with your gun. My wife isn't a large woman and she has always liked shooting a heavier weight handgun, her weapon of choice is a solid stainless steel .45 semiauto. It is a heavy gun but shoots with very light recoil.

I agree with above, choose your own gun. Attend beginner firearms training, then followup with a solid defensive firearms training class. Then practice as much as possible. We have been shooting for years, carried firearms for years as part of our chosen profession, attended numerous defensive classes and workshops. And raised 2 boys (now both are 18) in our home. We included them in the sport and age appropriate training. Neither are gun enthusiasts, both respect them and can use them properly if needed. Good luck, and shoot safe!

[patriotvoice]

18. Agreed: .357 mag hollow point.

Easily controlled, definite stopping power. Store unloaded but accessible, with charged speed loaders.

For example, the S&W 686+ has a 7 round capacity, and works with the HKS 587 speed loader. Comparable arms include the S&W 620, Taurus 66, and Ruger GP-100. Try before you buy!

All said and done, after the firearm, speed loaders, holster or box, ammo, training, and range fees you'll be in for about a grand.

[mcdonl]

51. .357 for HD

The biggest thing to consider with a magnum load for HD is the muzzle flash and noise. You may want to consider trying a few rounds at night to get the idea.

.38 specials will work in the same gun, and are just as effective and alot less money to practice with... because... afterall being proficient is the most important thing.

[patriotvoice]

57. Yep, cannot say it enough: train and practice.

A weapon is only as useful as your training allows it to be!

(Welcome to DU, too.)

On edit:
Training comes before practice... had them switched in my subject.

[Strong Atheist]

84. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[moez]

16. If it's for protection inside of the house

I'd go for a shotgun hands-down. Aiming, shooting and actually hitting your target when you're scared in the middle of the night is difficult. With a shotgun, you aim in the general direction and.... boom. You're bound to hit a piece of them - plus it looks much more intimidating.

We've had a couple of people here in my town recently that successfully fended off home invaders with this approach. They just blasted toward the group, hit a couple in the leg and all of the bad guys scattered.

[pipoman]

17. I think the utility of a shotgun in home defense

is often over simplified. At 20' or less which is the most likely distance inside of the home, you will have only around a 2" pattern depending on the choke and barrel length. The barrel length on most shotguns make them cumbersome to wield quickly and gives the intruder less distance before they can grab your weapon. Most intruders will flee with the sound of a gunshot, a gunshot inside of a house is deafening.

[Recursion]

65. The sound of a pump action being cycled is universally known

IMO that's the chief value of the shotgun as a home defense weapon.

[lazer47]

19. 9mm Browning, or Glock,,and a good class on handling, and carrying

[benEzra]

20. I'd recommend a 9mm of some sort, and not a compact model.

9mm is a good compromise between power and light recoil. I personally like the Springfield XD and XD(m), but my wife likes Glocks. Both the Springfield and the Glock give you good capacity and reliability, and are easy to use and maintain. The full- and intermediate-sized models (regular XD/XD(m) 9mm, or the Glock 17 or 19) are easier to shoot than the compact models.

I would strongly suggest renting various models at a shooting range before you actually purchase one, to find out what you like. If you prefer a gun with a manual safety, I believe Smith & Wesson and Ruger make manual-safety models, and Springfield may have a manual-safety XD(m) coming out at some point.

Do invest in a decent holster as well, to give you the option of having the gun safely secured on your person if you feel the need to. I believe the XD(m) comes with a holster, BTW.

Another choice, if you are not very mechanically inclined, is a revolver. Avoid the very small and light ones, though, as they recoil much worse. The main downside of a revolver is very low capacity.

[jeepnstein]

21. What you need is a plan.

Buying a gun will make you no safer than buying a new blender. It's just a tool that is very handy at times.

Work out a plan for home safety. Things like door and window locks, window films, even landscaping can help provide a layer of security. You also need to consider how you are going to use the gun if things go really bad. Are you going to retreat to a safe area and barricade or are you just going to walk around waving your pistol like some kind of talisman? A firearm is just a very small part of a home defense plan, and the tool of last resort.

You also need to learn how to use the gun. I'm not talking about like they do in the movies but rather how to fight with a handgun. Seek out someone who can teach you how to safely use the thing to your advantage.

As far as advice on which gun to buy or how to use it I won't even go there over the internet. You'll get all sorts of absolutely insane advice from folks who have no clue about the topic. Some of the things you've been told in this thread are classic examples. Make, model, caliber, none of that is as important as knowing how and where to fight with the thing.

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign." - Sun Tzu, the Art of War

[safeinOhio]

24. good place for all that other stuff

http://www.robaughproducts.com/

[Statistical]

22. Lots of good tips so far.

1) find something that fits. find something that fits. find something that fits.
everyone's hand size, shape, grip is different. If it doesn't feel right in the store it likely won't at the range and certainly won't when you need it. if it hammers your wrist, hand at the range plain and simple you won't practice. handgun w/o practice is of very little value.

2) Keep it simple. Go with something that has manageable recoil. Heavier guns are better (less felt recoil) so for home defense I would recommend a full-sized firearm. 9mm semi-auto, .38 special or .357 loaded w/ .38 special is good places to start.

3) It would be good idea to go w/ a friend/family who knows firearms (moral support) and go to a store that also has a range.
make sure you "firearm friend" doesn't drive the conversation though. goal is for you to find something you like that fits you not something you friend thinks is cool.

4) shooting rental guns at a range is very good idea. you can cheaply try out numerous weapons. if you go on a slow day they likely will let you switch out weapons a lot. shooting 10-20 rounds on 5 weapons can go a long way towards narrowing your choices. some guns look nice but don't shoot well for you.

5) once you find & buy a handgun you want to run 500+ rounds through it. firearms tend to break when new or very old. if maintained they will last a lifetime. putting 500 rounds through the weapon will give you familiarity with weapon and ensures you catch any defect that would cause personal weapon to fail.

6) JHP (Jacketed Hollow Points) from a reliable American made ammo company is a must. Don't buy exotic junk just a good quality JHP. Federal HST is one of the best out now.

7) In a semi-automatic pistol shoot at least a box of the exact JHP ammo you plan to use for personal defense. I would say shoot 100-200 but at least shoot a box. You want to make sure that JHP you choose is a good fit for the firearm. That is loads, fires, cycles, and ejects cleanly without malfunction.

8) Once you get the firearm home make sure you know how to load, unload, clear, disassemble, clean & lubricate the weapon.

My wife purchased a firearm (after being anti-gun her entire life) when I deployed to Iraq. She initially wanted to not learn anything about firearms just keep one of my handguns in a drawer without any knowledge or practice "just in case". I told her no, I strongly believe a firearm w/o training is dangerous and does not provide real protection. We did the 7 steps above. She picked out a full sized 9mm Springfield XD. She liked the grip safety (weapon can not be fired). Initially she looked at a Glock 9mm but the grip was too wide and she didn't feel in control when holding it.

We go to the range about once every 3 months or so because shooting is a perishable skill.

[shireen]

38. thanks for your service, Statistical! nt

[Euromutt]

63. I second the above

Statistical makes a bunch of excellent recommendations. However, to perhaps ease the process slightly, let me recommend a few specific models you might want to look at first:

1. http://www.teamglock.com/Glock-Buyers-Guide/Glock-19.htm>Glock 19;
2. http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?model=3>Springfield Armory XD, in 9x19mm with 4" barrel ("Service" model);
3. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&productId=45932&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15711&isFirearm=Y>Smith & Wesson M&P, in 9x19mm with 4.25" barrel;
4. http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5719>Ruger SP101, in .357 Magnum with 3" barrel;
5. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14798&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15705>S&W 686, in .357 Magnum with 4" barrel.

The Glock, XD and M&P are all "striker-fired" pistols, simple to use and maintain, and available in a variety of calibers (9x19mm, .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45 ACP). Of these, 9x19mm is the most controllable for a novice shooter, while still having adequate incapacitating effects with the right ammunition. Speer Gold Dot, Federal Hydra-Shok, and Remington Golden Sabre are all good choices, preferably in 115-grain bullet weight (though 124-grain will do, but avoid 147-grain); moreover, all these manufacturers also produce a cheap FMJ round (suitable for practice) that has the same ballistics as their defensive ammo (Speer "Lawman", Federal "American Eagle", Remington "UMC").

With the revolvers, it should be pointed out that, because the .357 Magnum cartridge is essentially a lengthened and more powerful version of the .38 Special, revolvers chambered for .357M can safely accept and fire .38Spl cartridges (but not vice-versa). And because such guns are made to handle the more powerful .357M, the felt recoil of a .38Spl is much less than in a gun specifically chambered for .38Spl. So a viable option, if .357M is too powerful for you, at least initially, is to load your .357M revolver with .38Spl (or .38Spl+P) loads. The only downside to this method is that you will have to clean out the chambers of the cylinder.

An advantage of all these models is that you can get http://www.crimsontrace.com/>Crimson Trace laser grips for all of them. Laser grips provide a laser sight that is activated simply by squeezing on the grip. If you can afford them, get them.

Also, I thoroughly recommend you read http://www.corneredcat.com>"Cornered Cat", a site aimed especially at women looking to acquire a handgun for home/personal defense.

[aikoaiko]

23. Two suggestions: Handgun safety course, go to a range with rentals and shoot several before buying

Others have said these suggestions, but I wanted to plug them again.

A basic handgun safety course is really useful for learning good rules and avoiding some bad habits.

Shooting at a range where you can rent guns will save you a lot of money in the long run. Revolvers are great guns. I have one in a push button lock box on the piano in my living room. I also have a 9mm pistol (i.e., semi-auto) in the kitchen.

My wife who knows how to shoot but doesn't practice often keeps a .357 2-inch revolver in the car or purse.

In general I suggest to people who aren't going to go to the range regularly to purchase a revolver because there is less of a chance of malfunction. Clearing malfunctions is something that takes practice.

I suppose my third suggestion is to get a quick-access lock box of some type. I know you said you have no kids, but I almost learned the hard way that sometimes kids come to you. When I was a bachelor, a lady friend and her 4-year old boy came to visit. While I was all googly eyed for the woman, her son was running around looking into things, and even ran into my bedroom where he started to open drawers. I panicked when I heard the jingle of my dresser handle pulls because I realized he might have been in my nightstand where I kept a loaded revolver. I ran in and secured the weapon before he got to it.

Like I said, I have a mechanical push button lock box.

This is a stock pic of an AMSEC push button lock box with S&W styling.


My actual no-frills AMSEC lock box with my revolver.


But a lot of people like the electronic quick access gun vault. It plugs into the way and runs on batteries. Great for a nightstand.

[guardian]

25. A couple of ideas

Lots of good ideas in this post already...just adding my 2 cents

* Keep it simple. I'd say go with a revolver if you want a hand gun. Try different makes/models to see what fits your hand well. Personally I'd recommend a Ruger SP101 357 with a 3" barrel (lighter/smaller) or the Ruger GP100 (bigger/heavier) with a 4" barrel. I don't know your size/strength or proficiency; but until you are able to practice a lot I'd say load it with 38 caliber rounds and not the more powerful 357 which may be more than you can comfortably handle.

* Consider a shotgun. They are simple to operate and a long gun is generally easier for a novice to aim. And depending on which state you live it may be simpler/faster to buy a shotgun over waiting for handgun permits. You mentioned you found a hunting rifle was "too damned big and heavy." I recommend you consider something like a Remington Model 870 Express Youth 20-gauge with the 21" barrel. This is a nice short, lightweight, fast-handling gun for the smaller shooter. It will be easy to maneuver inside a home. Also a 20-gauge has much less recoil than the 12-gauge and is very controllable even for smaller shooters. And a 20 GA will still put a big hole in a bad guy.

Another consideration is the current ammo shortage. You can still find shotgun shells fairly easily and cheaply. You may find it hard to buy the more popular handgun calibers these days. Most store shelves are bare of handgun ammo.

[Tim01]

27. 38 revolver

[TheWraith]

28. May I suggest a .45 revolver?

Obviously, the exact model is going to vary depending on what's comfortable to you. But the larger the caliber, the more stopping power you're going to have. You don't need a "magnum" loading like some revolvers have, not at the short distances you'd be dealing with in home defense. So the recoil would be more managable. A revolver is simpler than a semi-auto and slightly safer to keep loaded. They usually don't have safeties, so you just pick it up and fire.

[Xela]

31. S&W

Two nice models are the 25 in .45 ACP and the 625 in .45 ACP.

But one is becoming rather collectible and the other is a Performance Center model, which I think makes them a little hard to find depending on the area one lives at.

Xela

[TheWraith]

39. There's the Taurus Judge in .45 Long Colt.

I know some people think the quality is inferior, but a lot of people swear by them.

[yay]

42. I think you've got that backwords.

A lot of people think the quality is inferior, but some people swear by them....

Remember what they say, If you buy quality you only cry once.

[TheWraith]

45. Shrug. All I know for sure is I've heard a lot more people in favor than opposed.

Besides, it's one of the few widely available .45 revolvers on the market that I'm aware of.

[Israfel4]

29. Some great advice so far. Here's mine:

1. Call the gun ranges first and see what kind of selection they have to rent. Also ask if its ok to bring your own ammo or if you have to use "their" ammo when shooting their rental firearms.

2. DO consider a shotgun. Either in 20 gauge, which might be more preferable for women, or a 12 gauge. A Remington 870, 12/20 gauge, with a collapsible AR stock would be perfect for you. There are Reduced/Managed recoil shells out there for HD(Home Defense) use. The recoil for those kind of shells feels like you're shooting bird shot when you are actually shooting buckshot!

3. Whatever you choose be sure to buy "snap caps", A-Zoom have the best IMO, and practice, practice, practice!!!!

4. I agree that if you do get a revolver get one that primarily shoots 357 Magnum rounds. That way you can shoot 38 spcl +P first and have the option of going to 357 magnum rounds when you're comfortable shooting them.

[gorfle]

30. Consider a shotgun.

I also prefer a pistol for home defense, but I consider myself highly proficient with pistols.

If you are not a person who shoots regularly, I recommend a shotgun.

The Ithaca model 37 is inexpensive, and has just been rated the best of defensive shotguns tested in the latest issue of Gun Test magazine.

http://www.ithacagun.com/defense37s.html

No matter what kind of firearm you buy, good training is more important than the firearm. First of all, you need to be properly trained so that you can safely operate a firearm. Secondly, if you do not get training and regular use of the firearm you will be unable to effectively use it in a crisis.

My home defense pistol is an automatic (Ruger P90), but if I were recommending a pistol to a newcomer to firearms I would recommend a revolver. Revolvers will continue to cycle through all available chambers even if a bullet in one of them does not go off for some reason - the revolver simply skips the bad round and continues on to the next one. With a semi-automatic pistol, if a round does not go off for some reason you must manually cycle the action to eject the bad round and feed a fresh one into the chamber.

[quiller4]

32. Visit an indoor range that rents guns to shoot. Try out a variety.

Because of arthritis, I can no longer rack the slide on most automatics so my handgun is a revolver. I tried several weights before I found a S & W 38 revolver that felt comfortable in my hand. Others have recommended a 357. I disagree. A 38 that is strong enough to shoot +P ammunition is a fine self defense weapon and it doesn't bark or shoot flame like a 357.

Whatever you buy, spend range time getting comfortable with the use.

A shotgun is also a good home defense choice. The shotgun I have is lightweight. It functions simply. A blast from a shotgun won't penetrate your walls which is a real consideration for apartment dwellers.

I've shot rifles most of my life. I still needed significant instruction from my husband before I was comfortable with a pistol. My husband is a good and patient teacher. Still, I recommend seeking professional instruction. Many ranges offer classes. Seriously consider enrolling.

[RamboLiberal]

35. I agree on the going and renting guns

To OP of this thread:

I personally prefer semi-auto pistols. Hold more rounds and the trigger pull is much better than a revolver on most semi-autos.

I like the S&W M&P, Glocks, Springfield XDs though there are also others out there. I'm female and I can easily rack the slide of any of the brands I mentioned.

I own a S&W 38 lightweight revolver as a pocket gun, but if I want to shoot for accuracy I'd grab my Glock or M&P.

On modern revolvers there's no reason to keep an empty chamber. That was done with older revolvers cause they'd go off if dropped. With a modern revolver when you usually only have 5-6 rounds why limit yourself to 1 less round you might need?

Shotguns are also a good house weapon.

Make sure you go to a basic gun class if you can. Also a class on defensive use of a gun would be great. There's also some good DVDs and books out there as well as gun magazines.

Keep a good flashlight near your gun. And your cell phone.

Buy what you like and can shoot well - not what the male gun store clerk or some other male tells you is best for women.

[krispos42]

41. Your best bet is a long gun

They are more powerful and easier to control and hit things with, and in a pinch make a decent impact weapon. Especially if you get one that can take a bayonet. If you want I'll elaborate, but for now I'll move onto handguns.

You want something that you can easily operate in a rush. An attack might occur suddenly, or when you're sleeping. It is likely you'll have to get this gun out when you are emotionally charged and highly stressed. Fine motor skills will likely be diminshed.


Your two basic options are a revolver or a semiautomatic handgun. In either case, you probably want the following features:

• Get something steel or stainless steel. You're not going to carry this thing in your purse or on your belt, so paying lots extra for a titanium-alloy gun that will kick more and control recoil less doesn't make any sense. It's doing to be sitting in a drawer or in a quick-access safe, not digging into your hip 9 hours a day.
  
  
• Get something with about 4" of barrel length. Not less than 3", not more than 5".
  
  
• Don't get something small, designed for concealed-carry, unless you have really tiny hands. Small guns can be hard to hold and often have limited ammunition capacity.
  
  
• Get something without a separate manual safety. You don't want to forget to take it off at a critical time. Revolvers don't have manual safeties, and there are several kinds of automatic handguns that don't have them either. Both types of guns have (in newer models) safety features that prevent a dropped gun from going off accidently.
  
  
• Get something that doesn't require cocking the hammer manually to shoot them. For revolvers, this means double-action. For semiautos, this means either "traditional double action", safe-action, or double-action-only.
  
  
• Avoid target-type sights. You're not getting the gun to make tiny clusters of holes in a paper target. Get something with easily-visible sights that line up quickly.

Revolvers have the advantage of simplicity. Easy to load, easy to check, doesn't misfeed, and duds are cleared by simply pulling the trigger again. However, they hold fewer rounds and take longer to reload.

Semiautos have the advantage of capacity and ease of reloading. 15 or more rounds of 9mm are common in a handgun, twice or thrice that of a revolver. And because you do the loading of extra magazines BEFORE there's a crisis, reloading is a matter of a couple of seconds. Of course, the larger capacity of the magazine means the odds of needing a reload drops way down.


For revolvers your best bet is likely a .357 Magnum (which can also fire less-powerful .38 Specials). Both Smith & Wesson and Ruger make good-quality medium-sized steel double-action revolvers in .357 Magnum with capacities of six or seven shots and that have old-fashioned fixed sights on them. Or you can replace the stock target sights with something like XS express-style sights, Novak 3-dot combat sights, or Heine "Straight-Eight" sights.

Taurus also makes a wide variety of revolvers, but from what I've read their assembly quality tends to be hit-or-miss. Either it will work fine, or there will be something minor but debilitating wrong with it. They have a good warranty, though.


For semiautomatics, the equation is a bit more complex. A lot depends on the size of your hands. If your hands are small, then you'll probably want to get a single-stack gun, as they have narrower grips than guns that have double-stack magazines. Kahr Arms makes single-stack double-action-only guns in a variety of calibers and materials. Their T9 pistol is a 9mm pistol made of steel and has a 8-round magazine and a 4-inch barrel. They make similar pistols in more-powerful .40 S&W and .45 ACP, both with 7-round magazines. Ruger also made it's P345 .45 ACP handgun with a decock-only option. I've shot that one and enjoyed it very much.

On the other hand, if you can comfortably handle a gun that uses double-stack magazines, the field opens up quite a bit more. Glock models 17 and 19 are 9mm hammerless "safe action" handguns with no separate manual safeties that have 17- and 15-round capacities, respectively, and also come in .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers, plus a couple of more-obscure ones. They are all made with polymer (plastic) frames which, although makes the gun lighter, also flex and absorb recoil. Plus, the use of polymer makes possible ergonomic grip shapes. Glock are very popular among the police forces due to their ease of use and reliability.

The Springfield Armory XD and XD^M pistols are similar to the Glock in that they are hammerless "safe action" handguns with no separate manual safety. They also come in a variety of calibers, and have ergonomic polymer frames. I've personally shot an XD in 9mm, and found it very very comfortable AND it naturally shot where I was aiming at. The grip of an XD is a bit smaller than the Glock because the XD has stainless-steel magazines while Glocks have polymer magazines that are a bit bigger around.


Both the Glock and the XD have what's called a "safe-action system". The guns are both carried with the striker partially cocked. There is a trigger-mounted safety lever on both guns. This prevents the trigger from moving unless your finger pushes the little safety lever in first. The natural motion of shooting pushes the trigger safety in. There is also a block that prevents the striker from hitting the cartridge unless the trigger is pulled all the way back. So the trigger can't move unless it's pulled by a finger (so dropping the gun won't move the trigger) and the striker block won't move unless the trigger is pulled all the way back (so even if the striker slips, it can't hit the cartridge). This system is very safe, very intuitive, and very ergonomic, and the trigger pull for each shot is consistant.




Other semiautomatic guns use either the traditional double-action system or a revolver-like double-action-only system. With TDA, there is an external hammer. The gun can fire with the hammer either relaxed or cocked, but after the first shot is fired the gun's mechanism automatically recocked the gun. Firing from the hammer-relaxed (or down) position requires a longer, heavier trigger pull, but firing from the hammer-cocked position uses takes lighter, shorter strokes. These kinds of guns are typically carried with the hammer down.

TDA guns have either a separate manual safety with decocking function or a decock-only lever. With the former, activating the safety not only locks the firing mechanism against accidental discharge but also safely drops the hammer to the "down" position. This is a carryover from older handguns that didn't have trigger-activaged firing-pin blocks. With these older guns, dropping a decocked gun might result in a shock discharge. New guns have firing-pin blocks that prevent the hammer from setting off a cartridge unless the trigger is pulled all the way to the rear, which makes this feature kind of redundant.

With the latter, manipulating the lever safely decocks the gun, but then the lever springs back up, leaving the gun in the uncocked-but-unlocked state. This method of carrying is safe for newer guns that have firing-pin blocks.

Double-action-only guns have the cocking feature of the gun removed and no manual safety. Each trigger pull is like the one on a revolver, heavy and long, and consistant from shot-to-shot.


Gun companies like Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Walther, Heckler & Koch, Sig-Sauer, Para-Ordnance, and Taurus make a variety of semi-automatic pistols with manual-safety TDA, decock-only TDA, and DAO. For example, with Beretta you can get the Model 92 or Px4 full-size pistols in the "F" version (manual-safety TDA), "G" version (decock-only TDA) or "D" version (double-action-only). I've shot a Model 92F; frankly, I wasn't impressed. The polymer-framed, more-ergonomic Px4 probably would have felt better than the 92.

I would recommend getting a safe-action or decock-only gun if possible. It's not possible to forget to take off the safety in a crisis, and the fact that the first shot would take a heavier trigger pull than subsequent shots makes an accidental stress-induced discharge less likely. Studies have shown that people tend to subconsiously put their fingers on their gun's triggers during a confrontation, even trained and experienced law enforcement officers. Having the extra pull needed to discharge the gun helps to prevent accidents.



You'll probably find the .38 Special (or the somewhat more powerful .38 Special +P) best to use in a revolver. Full-power .357 Magnum rounds may simply be too powerful for easy practice and fast shooting. For the semiautomatics, you're probably best off with a 9mm. Both the .38s and the 9mm are reasonably powerful, have modest recoil, and will allow you to quickly put a couple of accurate shots in an attacker. Thundering .45s and potent .40s might be too much to start with.

Use a high-quality expanding bullet. This is your life here; don't skimp. Use the cheap stuff to practice with, keep the good stuff ready for an emergency. Winchester Silvertip or SXT, Federal Hydra-Shock, Speer Gold Dot, and Hornady TAP are all self-defense-orientated ammunition.

[tortoise1956]

43. Lot of choices to go with...

I would recommend a revolver, simply because there is less chance of screwing up when the s**t hits the fan. Don't get me wrong, I like automatic pistols, and I own 2 Springfield XD .40 cals. However, a revolver is less moving parts, and all you have to do is point and pull the trigger.

As to what type of revolver, you will need to do some research of your own to find out what feels best to you. A good starting point is the Ruger SP-101. It comes in several calibers, including .357, .38 Special, .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum. Some other good frames are the Ruger GP-100 and S&W K-frame revolvers. Also, don't forget to look at manufacturers such as Taurus And Rossi. They make good weapons at very reasonable prices.

Don't go any smaller than .380 or 32 ACP, and even both of those calibers aren't really strong. The .32 H&R Magnum and .327 Federal Magnum loads might be just the trick for you, but don't take my word. Try them out yourself. If you can handle it safely, I would recommend buying a .357 Magnum and using .38 Special loads if necessary.

As far as ammunition, don't skimp. Glaser safety slugs are good for not penetrating through multiple walls, but there are many other choices for personal defense. Hone your accuracy with cheapo stuff, but put only the best in the chamber when you need them the most.

Most importantly, be sure to shoot the one that feels best BEFORE you buy. I once bought a Glock that felt right in my hands in the gun shop. When I actually took it to the range, I was very disappointed. (I ended up trading it in for my first XD, so it wasn't a total loss!)

Also, as one poster said, you might consider a shotgun, such as a 20 gauge or even a .410. I guarantee that a .410 shot load in the gut will slow anybody down...

Good luck, and let us know how it went if you can.

[beam me up scottie]

44. Thank you all for your advice and words of wisdom.

This is not an easy decision and I haven't made up my mind but I am saving this thread for reference.

Thank you again, this thread is an example of the best of DU and posts like yours keep me coming back.

[TheWraith]

46. One more thing: You should seriously consider an aiming laser as well.

In a high stress situation, it would really take the uncertainty out of aiming, and might help discourage someone from actually making you pull the trigger. Most semi-autos have a rail below the barrel for attaching one, but if you get a revolver you might have to look at one of the "Crimson Trace" style laser grips.

[RamboLiberal]

47. I second getting the laser

Great addition especially if needing to aim in lowlight conditions and less than ideal shooting positions. And from TV/movies bad guys recognize that red dot and may just choose to leave. Crimson Trace has a free DVD you can ask for online that has known shooters/instructors showing the value of a laser.

Also if you get a revolver IMHO the sights aren't the best, especially if a snubbie. The laser grip really helps. My lightweight S&W has a Crimson Trace laser grip.

On a semiauto you can mount a laser a light or a laser/light on a rail or for many get a grip laser. One caution is don't use a weapons mounted light to search unless you're sure no loved ones in the house cause when you point the light at someone you're also pointing the business end of the pistol. Something known firearm instructor Massad Ayoob stresses.

[lazer47]

49. Forget the laser,, Learn to shoot. Develope better control.

[RamboLiberal]

50. Lasers are great tools in lowlight situations

Also good for when you're in a position that is not an ideal shooting stance which is probably the case in a SD situation.

I've watched shooters like Todd Jarrett demonstate the laser's advantage from awkward shooting positions from behind cover. In a SD situation you're probably going to end up point shooting anyway and not be seeing the front sights. You probably will see the laser dot.

Also for training. Good visual of what shooter is doing as they pull the trigger. There are a lot of instructors who have come around and seen the value of lasers.

You remind me of users I had to drag kicking and screaming from DOS to GUI.

[Recursion]

66. I hope you mean to X11

But yeah, your point about tracking a trigger jerk or anticipation is a good one; we used them to "debug" our stances back when I was shooting competitively.

[tortoise1956]

54. Second the motion!

The most important rule to gun ownership is familiarity with your weapons. Learn to shoot, and I don't mean going down to the range once or twice and then putting it in the drawer. You need to KNOW what to do if you ever, God forbid, have to use it for self-protection.

Oh, and one last thing-don't EVER point a weapon at something you don't intend to shoot...

[jeepnstein]

73. Here's where you start...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_shooting

I was taught to visualize a box in front of me. That box is where I want my shots to be placed. You stick the pistol in the box and fire. Muscle memory is quite important but once you start doing it this way you'll never go back. At fighting distances it doesn't matter what gun you're shooting, just stuff it into the box and fire.

I also used to shoot the little disks with a BB gun. Later, I got to the point where I could hit a thrown saltine cracker with a .45. I'm a wee bit rusty these days and need to get out the Daisy again.

True story. I qualified during my Police Academy with a .45 with no front sight. It blew off within the first six rounds or so of a 500 round day. My instructor went ballistic since I was shooting well into the 90% range that first day.

Laser aimers are a OK for training. They do help develop the visualization of a point of impact but I don't know that relying on one to get you on target is such a hot idea. A BB gun would be money better spent.

[gorfle]

52. $$$

The only problem I have with lasers is they cost nearly as much as the pistol you are putting them on.

[TheWraith]

53. If you get a Crimson Trace, it's true they're expensive.

A rail-mounted laser for a semi-auto is a LOT cheaper (you can get a decent one for under $20) but if you've got a revolver your options are limited.

[Euromutt]

72. But CTCs have many advantages

Sure, you can go for a rail-mounted laser, but then your gun will no longer fit in its holster. More importantly, rail-mounted lasers, or those LaserMax ones that replace the guide rod, have to be switched on with a conscious effort, and a certain amount of fumbling. CTC grips are activated simply by squeezing the grip of the weapon, and that alone is worth the added cost.

Word to the wise: do not buy CTC grips directly from the manufacturer; instead, if possible, buy them from the manufacturer of your handgun. More often than not, your gun manufacturer can get a better price on CTC laser grips (volume, volume, volume) and sell them for less than CTC will charge you as an individual customer. Yes, it's ridiculous that you can cut out the middleman and still be worse off, but there it is.

[beam me up scottie]

55. Okay, now I've got no choice, I'm going to need to keep at least one of his guns here.

I don't have time to raise the money or shop around, bf is leaving for Colorado in 3 weeks, I'll be alone for 2.

There have been 3 murders in the major city 30 miles south of where I live in the past 2 days and numerous home invasions here, there and in between. In one of them, they broke in while the family was there, beat them up, shot one kid several times and STOLE THE GUNS that belonged to the people in the house. Add in a few dozen muggings, a rape or two and lots of gang related incidents and ... you get the idea.

M has several hunting rifles and shotguns, I will try to get you all a list so you can weigh in. Whatever one or two I choose to keep here, I plan to practice with until my knuckles bleed.

I do not believe I will be in any real danger when he leaves, but this is still a bad part of town, the alley behind us is called Crack Alley for a reason, and since there are no homeless shelters we have vagrants camping in our sheds and in the woods just east of here. I have tried to keep a low profile since I moved here but I have been followed home several times by curious males, you know the type, they talk shit at you as you walk by but it's all hot air.

I have never been scared to stay here alone and I am not going to be scared when he leaves, he would never do so if he thought I was. I do plan on being prepared to defend myself if I need to.


Thank you DUers, for all of your help, I will get an inventory of his guns some time tomorrow.

[Endangered Specie]

56. Dont bother with the hunting rifles...

those are terrible for home defense, as they will quite literally cut through your wall and your neighbors wall like it was cardboard.

Shotguns are far more capable as home defense tools than the hunting rifle is.

[TheWraith]

58. Agreed with Endangered Specie, go with a shotgun.

Some other notes:

Assuming he's got more than one, pick either a semi-automatic or a pump action. The last thing that you want to have to deal with is manually reloading.

A smaller gauge, like 20, would probably be easier for you to handle and take the recoil from than a big 12.

If you have to take a 12, you can do other things to deal with it. Some stores sell reduced-recoil home defense rounds, or you could use birdshot. A lot of people will tell you that birdshot is worthless for home defense, but at short to medium ranges it WILL shred whatever you fire it at.

[Tim01]

59. Shotgun.

[jeepnstein]

60. Shotgun...

Get the shortest barrel you can find. Most folks call that a slug barrel or a riot gun. A slug barrel with rifle sights is really handy. Use Federal 00 reduced recoil "Tactical" buckshot. Keep a few slugs on hand as well. You will be well-armed. Learn how to shoot the thing, load it on the move, and work out a barricade scenario. Bird shot is wonderful in theory but there's a reason why it's not issued to police departments.

If you are alone there is no good way to confront multiple attackers unless you absolutely have to. Work out a plan that involves retreating to a safe area of the house and digging in hard. Make them earn it.

[Statistical]

61. As others have said.... go with the shotgun

1) use 20 gauge is available if not go w/ 12 gauge.
2) I would recommend a pump shotgun. They are simple, easy to learn, and generally very reliable
3) Use buckshot. Forget about birdshot (unless you fear an attack by birds), forget about slugs unless you get substantial training/practice.
4) Go w/ 00 or 000 buckshot from top ammo company like Federal or Winchester. They make reduced recoil shells to make handling 12 gauge easier.

[DonP]

62. My wife stole my .38 spcl.

I took my wife to the range a few years back and let her try several of my and my father's guns to see: 1. if she was comfortable using a gun at all (no prior exposure) and 2. which, if any, gun she was most comfortable with and accurate with.

I let her try everything from my 1911 .45 to some carbines I had. (She was too damn good with the carbine and put 5 rounds in a half dollar size group at 50 yards offhand.)

She shot five rounds with an old Charter Arms .38 Special - and I never saw the gun again. It holds five rounds and will shoot +P ammo for a little more stopping power

In her smaller hand it pointed naturally to point of aim and the .38 had a controllable recoil for her. If she ever needs it when I'm away, it's enough gun for the job.

I bought it used for about $125 and added two "Speedloaders" for another $15 or so.

The ultimate answer, if you have the time to evaluate, is to try a few rentals or borrowed guns until you find one that rests comfortably in your hand and hits where you aim it.

As previously pointed out in this thread, you need something you can handle and won't be afraid of practicing with.

Everyone on this board, and anywhere that shoots for sport for that matter, hopes to God you never have to fire it in anger and you just practice with it a few times every year.

Be well and be safe.

[aikoaiko]

64. Shotgun w buckshot.

Buckshot refers to a range of sizes of projectiles in shotgun ammunition. Its generally the largest type (except for slugs). The bottom row is buckshot. Almost everyone agrees that 00 to No.1 buck are very effective, but any buckshot will do the job. See the chart below (almost lifesize). Do NOT use birdshot. As the experts say, birdshot is for birds and may not stop a motivated human attacker.




Shotguns have been saving humanity for a long time. Good ammo, careful usage will serve you well.

[AlinPA]

67. A short barreled/sawed off shotgun w/ buckshot is suggested.

[ManiacJoe]

68. You are joking, right?

Short barreled shotguns, if legal in your state, are not worth the federal paperwork and fees, if home defense is your goal.

[happyslug]

69. Street legal i.e. Barrels are 18 inches, 26 inches over all, no Federal ban

Shotguns below 18 inches are ineffective in the first place, so the ban is NOT that severe. This is the type of shotgun I believe he is referring to.
I also recommend bird-shot, you do NOT want the shot to go through any walls (if you can help it, for you do NOT know who is on the other side) and bird-shot with a light load will NOT penetrate any walls, but will stop almost anybody coming after you.

From what I have read, the best choice is an 18 inch double barreled shotgun, shorter then a pump and easy to see if loaded, and simple to use. Reloading is over rated in most fire fights (The average fire fight is two rounds by any one person).

A double barrel, side by side shotgun, does NOT look as dangerous as a pump, especially at trial (and you want to look the least dangerous when it comes to trial).

The downside is you only have two rounds, but most criminals will see the shotgun and realize they have an important appointment some place else (The working of a pump shotgun has the same effect).

As to gauge, I go with a 12 gauge. You can get a light load with that gage in a relatively heavy weapon (Which gives you less felt recoil and makes it easier to hit your target).

Remember, your first choice is to avoid having to shot anyone, but if you do so, you want to hit that person and take him out. The double is good enough for that. You do not want to get into a fire fight with anyone, and in a fire fight the pump and automatic shotguns come into their own.

[Statistical]

76. Insufficent power to punch through a wall = insufficent power to stop a mansized target.

Man is aproximately same size as a deer. Vitals are equally deep behind a wall of muscle, fat, and bone.

How many deer hunters you know use birdshot when hunting deer?

If birdshot had sufficent stopping power to take down an intruder it would have sufficent stopping power to take down a deer. There would be no buckshot we simply would call it shot.

However birdshot is simply too light. There are countless studies and reports on the inneffectiveness of birdshot.

Birdshot is going to penetrate maybe 4-5 inches. So what happens in the intruder is wearing heavy clothing (like in the winter). You going to keep shooting w/ rounds to stop a bird while he shoots at you with something more lethal.

Can you kill someone with birdshot? Sure. People have also died from blanks or by putting a pencil in a compressed airgun.

There are two types of shot for a reason.

Birds or bucks.... which is closer to man sized?

[HALO141]

70. General guidelines

I agree with the others who've said to try a bunch of different models and pick one that fits your hand and isn't unpleasant to shoot. A couple other things to keep in mind. There's no such thing as the "perfect gun." Like everything else, gun design is an exercise in compromise.

A longer sight radius is easier to shoot accurately than an short sight radius. In plain English, I mean that the longer the barrel is the easier it is to aim... to a point. Stay away from very small or very long guns. You will probably have the best luck with average "service" type revolvers or pistols with barrels in the 4" - 5" range.

Stick with standard combat sights or night sights. Novak is a brand name but other manufacturers have similar offerings. Ask your gun dealer to show them to you. I would suggest you stay away from target / adjustable sights. When it comes to defensive hanguns, they can be quite user-hostile as they stick up and have edges on them that can scrape or cut your hands.

Several handgun manufacturers have newer models that have interchangeable grip panels so it's possible to customize the gun to your hand to some degree. With other polymer frame guns it's possible to have the grip reduced to make it more comfortable. (Google grip reductions for examples)

[Pogue.Mahone]

71. A Lot of Good Info!

Personally, I recommend the Saiga12 with a 20-round drum magazine loaded with 00 buck magnums but, hey, that's just me. I don't wanna die for lack of shootin'...:rofl:



Seriously though, for a tyro I think the .357 firing .38+P is the best suggestion. When you hit the range maybe start off with .38 Spl wadcutters until you're comfortable with the piece then work up to the +P's or even the .357 magnum rounds. Consider Glaser Safety Slugs and also PMC Starfire rounds.

Might also want to think about getting a piece with tritium night sights since your concern is a break-in during the night. Keeping a powerful flashlight like a SureFire by the bed is recommended. You'll need to learn how to shoot with the light.

Also, get some Safariland speedloaders. Hopefully, what you have in the piece will be enough, but just in case...get dummy rounds or snap caps and practice drawing and dry firing in various situations around your house, especially from the bed.

One important thing...you HAVE to be able to pull the trigger. Don't think you're going to just scare him off or shoot him in the leg. If there's no other choice you have to be ready to aim center mass and kill another human being. If you can't, don't buy a firearm, get mace or a taser or a phone with 911 on speed dial! :D

Oh yeah, last item to consider is a trigger lock if there are potentially kids around the house. NOT a keyed lock, that will get you killed; get one of those squeeze ones with the adjustable tension or one of those plastic ones that fit behind the trigger and you push out with your trigger finger.

Anyway, even though you have the right to bear arms, it comes with some serious responsibilities. You seem to know that though! Good luck and have fun!

[Big Ugly Tall Texan]

74. For beginners, keep it simple

I haven't read all the threads, and don't know if the following bits of advice have been offered, but here they are.

If you are a total novice with handguns, it is a good idea to go to a local range and try out a variety of the standard self-defense handguns.

A DA revolver or DA/SA semi is usually the best choice for a beginner. I hate DAO semis because the trigger feels like lead.

Find something that feels good in your hand and that you can shoot well - don't worry about all the hype about one-shot stops. If you can't hit an assailant, the most powerful handgun on Earth won't do you any good. I prefer a 1911 .45ACP, and carried a .44 mag when I was a cop, but I have been shooting since I was about five, and I am WAY older than that now. Some folks simply cannot handle anything more than a 9mm, and with the right ammo, that is a perfectly good SD choice.

When you figure out what you want, follow that old saw about how do you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice, practice, practice.

Also, don't forget the psychological aspects of this whole deal. Even pointing a loaded gun at someone - separate from the idea of shooting them - is a MAJOR thing. If you are not prepared to used deadly force to defend yourself or others from an attacker, you are better off screaming for help and crossing the street.

Also remember, you car is a very large steel weapon. If you can, just drive away.

[benEzra]

75. Please see this post re: one essential resource.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=118&topic_id=223756&mesg_id=224032

It's a book, not a gun, but one which will allow you to make informed decisions on the topic. It covers not only guns and shooting, but also self-defense law.

[gdy52150]

77. time to arm yourself

I think its time all liberals arm themself

[Strong Atheist]

85. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Shagbark Hickory]

78. A gun will just add more danger and risk to your situation. Some alternatives:

Tazer, CS spray, move.
Dogs are good deterents too but a huge responsibility in and of itself.

Guns are a huge liability and more often than not people end up dead trying to protect their "stuff".

[Taitertots]

79. Since estimates put defensive uses of firearms over 1,000,000 annually...

You are clearly wrong.

Get a saiga 12 with some 20 round magazines. It is going to cost comparable to a good pistol. It is also good for hunting just about anything in America.

[spin]

80. Three videos on the Saiga 12...WOW!

Saiga 12 with 20 round mag being fired:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gESLOmz-4sc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te91g9Yr5g8&NR=1


Saiga 12 review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLny6R4Gzl0

[Taitertots]

81. It is probably going to be my next firearms purchase

Nothing says stop like 120 9mm pellets.

[Statistical]

82. I tend not to like AK derivatives but that is nice. Would be a geat backup home defense weapon.

What is the ballpark price for the firearm & are the drum magazines commonly available?

[X_Digger]

83. $550-$600 here in TX..

Drum mags are available, but don't always feed well.

[depakid]

92. Since actual peer reviewed science- as in epidemiology shows that you increase your risk of harm

substantially by having a gun in the house, you are pretty obviously mistaken. Me, I'll go with science over "estimates" by some internet poster any day.

[benEzra]

94. The peer-reviewed science in this field is primarily in the criminological journals.

Doctors dabbling in criminology are worthy of about as much credibility as criminologists dabbling in medicine.

The peer review in medical-journal gun articles is atrocious, if it exists at all. The J. Trauma article claiming that AK's are unusually high velocity rifles that cause more severe wounds than "traditional" firearms is a case in point, since even five minutes of peer review against the literature or published specifications would have shown they had it backwards.

The Kellerman et al puff pieces in JAMA are another case in point, although in fairness to Kellerman, he did not actually say what most media and gun-ban activists suggest he said.

[votingupstart]

96. i would be interested in reading the publication(s) could you post them or link nt

[votingupstart]

95. right because you proved that in your other threads where you left

the arguments after getting beat down with the facts - stop derailing the OP, and go troll somewhere else

[vincna]

88. How about a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm

It's a nice pistol and I think it's easy to shoot. If you're only thinking of home defense, you might consider a shotgun

[Statistical]

89. At first glance I thought you wrote HighPoint not Hi-Power.

While cheap I wouldn't call a HighPoint C-9 a "nice pistol".

[vincna]

90. See attached link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi-Power#Models

Mine is stainless with a rubberized grip. I paid $500 for it in '94 and my wife sure didn't think it was cheap. She broke my chops about it for a year, until our security system went off at 4 am. Turned out to be a mis-operation of the system, but we didn't know that until the police came and checked things out. She hasn't complained since.

[Union Yes]

91. Be sure to join the NRA so you can lobby against Progressive Pols.

And help Rethugs win.

:sarcasm:

[benEzra]

93. It's mostly Third Way/DLC types that push the bans...

but keep on propping up the myth that banning the most popular guns in U.S. homes is a "progressive" viewpoint. Karl Rove will thank you.

[beam me up scottie]

97. To all the gun "nuts" in this forum, thank you.

You are a credit to DU and have helped me more than you will ever know.

Bf has been gone two weeks, due to return in a few days, I kept his Mossberg 12 gauge double barreled pump-action and his son's 410 single shot here with me. I keep two #4 buckshot shells in the 12 ga magazine and the rest of the ammo in my kit bag by the bed. I have practiced enough to be familiar with handling them in the dark and confident enough to use them effectively if necessary.

To the posters who think I am a bigger danger to myself if I have weapons in my house, don't kid yourself. I realize that some people get jumpy having guns in the house and can very easily end up hurting or killing innocent people. Others develop a false sense of security and take stupid chances (my younger brother fits into that category but he's always been an idiot). If it is known that you have guns in your house, you can also become a target for thieves, I made sure that the only people who know I am armed are bf's family and best friend. I do not feel safer because I have firearms in the house, but I no longer feel as vulnerable when I'm alone. I have been attacked (more than once) and successfully fought off my assailants without using guns, but the fact remains I am a female with a slight build and I would have to be stupid to not recognize my physical limitations.

To the poster who suggested I move or purchase less lethal forms of self defense, pm me so that I can tell you where to mail the check and stuff your advice. I understand the responsibility of gun ownership and I would never use deadly force to protect my "stuff".

This house is old and falling apart, a toddler could kick their way inside, obviously I have a plan if and when an intruder breaks in but my bed is located within 20 feet of both doors and barricading myself inside a heavily fortified "safe room" is not an option.
I also do not have the luxury of pondering the intentions of an intruder, I will consider them to be an immediate threat and I will not hesitate to use whatever weapons available to protect my life.

We do have plans to visit a local range soon and will probably purchase a handgun once I can make a more informed decision, thank you for all of the advice and info, this thread is invaluable and I will continue to use it as a source of reference.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

98. Happy to have helped.

[beam me up scottie]

100. How are you, Dave?

I haven't been around lately, I miss you and hope you're well. :hug:

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

102. Things are tough right now.

My dad had a stroke in April and my mom's dementia has gotten worse. Dad was in the hospital for 7 weeks, I had to stay with him at night for about 5 weeks of that. He's home now though and he and mom are coping. He has surgery this week to work on his carotid artery. Fortunately my wife is very understanding and very independent. I hope all is well with you, you are always very kind.

David

[beam me up scottie]

103. I'm sorry to hear that, your wife sounds like a wonderful woman.

Your parents and your wife are lucky to have you, life is hard enough- I can't imagine having to go it alone.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

104. Amen to that.

I am lucky to have them and friends like you. :hug:

David

[iverglas]

101. omg, all that sounds just awful

Old insecure house, no way to barricade yourself, etc. etc.

Did you successfully fend off the multiple dangerous thugs who kicked in your doors while the man of the house was off out???

I guess if you're here to tell the tale, that gun must have worked its magic.

[Name removed]

99. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.