gun choice

[tiigra 0]

I want a gun for self-defense. But what kind of gun would be the best for me? What do I have to think about when choosing a gun?

[turtlespeed 220]

Glocks are real Nice.

they have an informative website.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[Darius11 12]

There are many people on this site that are much more knowledgably then me about guns.

But here is a few questions first.

Have you ever fired a fire arm before.

If not are you planning to take a class.

Is it only for self defense

Are you planning on carrying it on your self or just in house.

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain

[gary350 0]

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I want a gun for self-defense. But what kind of gun would be the best for me? What do I have to think about when choosing a gun?

That's like saying "I need a parachute for skydiving - which one is best?"

More information is needed. . .

[Alaura 0]

My suggestion to you is go to the shooting range, try out the guns that they have there and see which gun(s) you like the best.

[pleifer 0]

.50 cal would do the trick nicely....

seriously If you are posting and you honestly don't know... you should be taking a class that actually has you shooting.... then you can figure out prefrences by actually experiance

_________________________________________
The Angel of Duh has spoke

[peacefuljeffrey 0]

Go to a local gun shop, ask to be put in touch with a local NRA-certified instructor, and take a few sessions with that person. (If you are a woman, there are women who give instruction, also.)

Tell the person that you want help selecting and learning to use a defensive handgun. They'll probably ask you if you plan to either carry it or keep it at home or both.

The best thing you can do is get the help of an NRA-certified instructor. Do not just go to the gun shop and pick out what looks cool. If you do it that way, it may take you two, three, four gun purchases to finally get what's right for you.

Your questions cannot be answered by those reading them here without knowing far more about you -- everything from how big your hands are to how much shooting experience you might have. Get your assistance in person from an actual instructor.

And trust people who tell you they don't know and that you should go to someone who's more likely to know. Those people are far more honest than those who don't know but will continue to tell you anyway.

-Jeffrey
"With tha thoughts of a militant mind... Hard line, hard line after hard line!"

[freeflir29 0]

I have carried guns professionally for the last 16 years or so. Jeffry is all over it. Good advice.

[turtlespeed 220]

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I have carried guns professionally for the last 16 years or so. Jeffry is all over it. Good advice.

Hey, just a thought - my answer was quick and off the hip. . .yes,
But I wanted to find out what this was - profile - Registered today - already starting a gun thread - Me smellum one troll.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[freeflir29 0]

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- profile - Registered today - already starting a gun thread - Me smellum one troll.

Didn't bother to look. Don't they know it's APRIL 1ST...not March.

[slug 1]

Quote

Quote

I have carried guns professionally for the last 16 years or so. Jeffry is all over it. Good advice.

Hey, just a thought - my answer was quick and off the hip. . .yes,
But I wanted to find out what this was - profile - Registered today - already starting a gun thread - Me smellum one troll.

Thanks turtle

[PhillyKev 0]

What are you smoking...they registered 2/19 and have 10 posts.

[turtlespeed 220]

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What are you smoking...they registered 2/19 and have 10 posts.

Actually 2/20/04
5AM


Like I said I was seeing where it would go.
No offence meant - (Since i no longer have a viable Sig line)
Just looked suspicious.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[tiigra 0]

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Have you ever fired a fire arm before.

Yes.

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If not are you planning to take a class.

Yes I´m going to take class

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Are you planning on carrying it on your self or just in house.

Both carry on and have in the house.

[quade 4]

Hey, even -I- can agree with this advice.

Good deal.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[jlmiracle 7]

I've only shot 3 guns in my life and I would choose the AR15. It was lighter than the hand guns, and i was a better shot with it than the hand guns.

But seriously, go to the gun safety shooting range place, learn to shoot and find out what you want after you know how.

Good luck.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

[tiigra 0]

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- profile - Registered today -

I´m new, but not that new. Check your facts before posting.

[freeflir29 0]

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I would choose the AR15.

No no......an M2-.50 is much better. Once it's up on the tripod it's very easy to traverse and has enough stopping power for light armored vehicles. Of course......you need an ammo bearer.

[JohnRich 4]

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I want a gun for self-defense. But what kind of gun would be the best for me? What do I have to think about when choosing a gun?

Before following through on Jeffery's advice, review some of the many knowledgeable articles written on this subject on the web. That way you'll go informed, and have some idea of what the different options are, and what questions to ask.

http://gunchicks.com/your1stgun.html

http://www.krtraining.com/KRTraining/Archive/firstgun.html

www.craigcentral.com/handguns.pdf

www.massgunlaw.com/how_to_buy_your_first_gun.htm

www.berettausa.com/communities/home_prot/feature.htm

www.tincher.to/hgfaq.htm

[crzjp20 0]

the .40 is a nice choice but may be to much to handle if you are not trained properly....

--------------------------------------------------
Fear is not a confession of weakness, it is an oportunity for courage.

[Kennedy 0]

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I´m new, but not that new. Check your facts before posting.

Oh, I think I'm gonna like her.

---

The best (written) advice I've ever seen comes from Mossad Ayoob himself. Unfortunately I can't find the link to it now.

His conclusions (for everyone) for a first carry piece were:

(1) Get a revolver
(2) Purchase a .357 magnum [allows practice/use of .38 Special]
(3) Go with a 5 round cylinder
(4) Get a short barrel, 2 inches recommended
(5) I wish I could remember them all

(6) get help from an instructor

How and when you carry are the most difficult questions to answer. You will need more help than he could put into one article and far more than I can put into one post.

Good luck.

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[PhillyKev 0]

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The best (written) advice I've ever seen comes from Mossad Ayoob himself.

I've seen a lot of questionable info coming from this guy...including what you posted.

[Kennedy 0]

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I've seen a lot of questionable info coming from this guy...including what you posted.

He provides sound reasons in his advice, but also puts up the usual "I'm not there, get someone who is" disclaimer.

Revolver
requires less maintenance
requires fewer actions
has fewer modes of failure
upon failure to fire, press trigger again [nearly auomatic human reflex; when something doesn't work, we try it again before fixing it]

Double Action (one I left out)
pull it, point it, shoot it. period.

.357
umpteen available loads/manufacturers
allows down grading to .38 special
strong enough to get the job done

5 round cylinder
smaller and lighter than six

2" short barrel
lighter
easier draw stroke from most concealments
we're not in a bullseye contest, so about three inches is plenty of sight radius

my personal suggestions
get a completely concealed hammer, not just one that's flush to the frame (it prevents snaggin on draw and jamming with clothing gets under an external hammer)

consider crimson trace grips

Get help from an NRA instructor. Scratch that. Get help from a bunch of different NRA instructors at different times.

Kev, what do you think is questionable about that?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[PhillyKev 0]

Revolver
requires less maintenance
requires fewer actions
has fewer modes of failure
upon failure to fire, press trigger again [nearly auomatic human reflex; when something doesn't work, we try it again before fixing it]

My glock has less maintenance and easier to clean than a revolver. Fewer actions...ok. Fewer modes of failure...ok. Pull trigger again on FTF....maybe, what if it was a light strike and there's a round in the barrel?

Double Action (one I left out)
pull it, point it, shoot it. period.

Same as my Glock, or DA autos.

357
umpteen available loads/manufacturers
allows down grading to .38 special
strong enough to get the job done

9mm is cheaper and you can practice with what you carry for cheaper

5 round cylinder
smaller and lighter than six
Kahr PM9...7 rounds, smaller and lighter than 6 round revolver. Or Glock 17, thinner than a revolver, and 18 rounds available. Also quicker reloading with an auto, and it's easy to carry a spare loaded mag as opposed to loose rounds or a load strip

2" short barrel
lighter
easier draw stroke from most concealments
we're not in a bullseye contest, so about three inches is plenty of sight radius

auto is easier draw than a bulky revolver, and easier to conceal

Other issues with revolvers? Longer heavier trigger pull can effect accuracy if you don't get enough range time, especially in a panic situation.

There are probably a lot of people for whom his suggestions make sense. But there are a lot of poeple for whom it doesn't. That's what I find questionable about his advice. He says they are general good practices for new shooters. I just don't agree with that. They may be for some, but not all.

For instance, I can say that new skydivers should start out with lightly loaded, non-elliptical, docile parachutes. That advice is pretty much universal. But his advice is not universal, it's a good idea for some, but not others.

[AggieDave 6]

You've been told some really really good advice thus far by some folks, so I'm going to diverge for a bit and talk about what to look for in a "carry" weapon.

You want something that's easy to use. For instance, if you're not familar operating a 1911 based handgun, then don't buy one. Or buy one and spend a LOT of time on the range.

You want something that fits your hands well. I had a Glock 36 for a bit, but it was so small I couldn't get more then 2rds off without the dame thing coming just about out of my hand, so I stick to my nice Glock 17. Sure its bulky, but it fits my hands just right.

That brings up the next poing, how are you going to carry it? You *can* conceal a fullsized handgun, it just take practice and you have to dress around it (or wear a fanny pack that SCREAMS "I have a gun"). So, you should consider size and bulk of a weapon as well.

Now the biggy!

Revolver vs. Automatic.

Here's why a revolver is good: If you have a mal, you just keep pulling the trigger, the cylinder will keep moving to a new round.

Here's the bad: On the large majority of revolvers sold for carry now, they're small, snub nose, hammerless, 5rd weapons. That's fine, but try to get accuracy with one...also, they have a really long draw, so in a stress situation, people tend to pull the away from their hand as they pull a long trigger pull. Never mind that you only have 5 shots. What if one mals? You only have 4. What if you miss? Now you're down to 3. Run out of ammo and its going to take you MUCH longer to reload then an automatic.

Here's why an automatic is good:

Easy to carry, less bulky, easier to load, quicker to load, easy and quick to clear a malfunction, usually 10+1 carry capacity. (some more, some less, depends on a lot of things).

Ok, here's whats bad about an automatic:

The only thing that even remotely comes to mind is clear a jam/malfunction, but if you train for that you can do it just about as fast as it takes someone to pull the trigger again on a revolver. So its no biggy, you just have to train for it.


Some really good gun brands to look at for carry.

Kimber
Glock
Sig

To stay away from:

Berretta
Ruger

Oh, as a side note, I'm a HUGE Glock fan, I've fired around 14,000 rounds through my G17 and I've had 1 and only 1 mal. I stove piped a casing once right when I first got it. I don't even keep it very clean and it still works perfect basically every single time. Never mind that its pretty damn accurate.


Oh, big time side note:

Stay the hell away from ported barrels for carry use. If you have to fire the weapon in the ready position (weapon level, held in both hands, in line, against the hip) you will severely burn yourself.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."