[Graves]

I have some extra cash. I want to buy a gun. I have previous experience shooting, but not in the actual purchasing of one.

J, Tim, JR.... anyone else, speak up!

[03 R Code]

Kimber!!!!

That's my favorite, but I've only owned 1 other brand of pistol... If your looking for home defense I'd say a 20 gauge shotgun. They have them with pistol grips and short barrels very light weight and plenty of knockdown power, I think the shortest barrel by state law is something like 18" but don't quote me on that.

[aguilarf]

Primary purpose concealed carry, home defense? It will help narrow down your choices. Glock, Sig, and HK are always a good choice, accurate and reliable.

[Graves]

I think a pistol will be good..

[Graves]

Home/possible concealed carry.

I want to be able to grab n' go.

[YZF Voltage]

i really like my pops 9mm firestar... im gonna get one when i hit 21.

[timpryor]

Graves ignore anyone who tells you what gun to buy PERIOD

a handgun loaded with quality hollow points is your best bet for home defense NOT a shotgun

go to sportmans warehouse to LOOK at guns, feel how they fit in your hands see if it feels comfortable then leave that place is way over priced, go to GunBroker.com Online Gun Auction and find what you liked and find it online much cheaper and have it shipped to an FFL i have one i like to use. i love my glock(sold) and my dads Taurus 24/7 pro those are what fit MY hands well but are not necessarily for you. check out the handgun forums at AR15.COM theres a pleathora of good info there

in fact you may want to head over to bullet hole and test fire several different models before you buy in differnt calibers. remember that ammo is expensive thats why i like 9mm for supersonic shooting and .45 for subsonic. ammo is something you want to price before you buy especially if you will be shooting alot.

[Stang6uy]

glock, kimber is high dollar but very nice, sig is ok also.......I am saving to purchase a kimber right now also in the middle of building an AR15

[Graves]

I'll take a look.

[BigJnSA]

id go to academy. they are the cheapest. .40 seems to be the most popular, but i prefer a .45 or 9mm. i beleve the AF/army standard sidearm is the baretta 9mm, which academy sells, and you may already be familar with it.

BERETTA 92FS 9 MM HANDGUN

but, if you are gonna spend that kinda cash, most would say get a glock or XD. price ammo too. 9mm is like $8 a box and .45 is like $17. id also consider a revolver in .357 for several reasons. you can use .38 or .357 ammo and those are simple to use. just point and shoot, no saftey to worry about.

[timpryor]

Originally Posted by BigJnSA

id go to academy. they are the cheapest. .40 seems to be the most popular, but i prefer a .45 or 9mm. i beleve the AF/army standard sidearm is the baretta 9mm, which academy sells, and you may already be familar with it.

BERETTA 92FS 9 MM HANDGUN

but, if you are gonna spend that kinda cash, most would say get a glock or XD. price ammo too. 9mm is like $8 a box and .45 is like $17. id also consider a revolver in .357 for several reasons. you can use .38 or .357 ammo and those are simple to use. just point and shoot, no saftey to worry about.

all great points but academy doesn't have the selection sportsmans wharehouse does and they are about equally priced. i really agree with you on the not liking the .40 issue though

glocks don't have safety's either

[aguilarf]

Tim's right, try different ones and choose something you like and is comfortable for you to hold. Some guns feel awkward, and therefore make them harder to shoot accurately. I know the Walther P99 had interchangeable backstraps to fit different size hands. You always have to see whats behind your intended target, in case you miss or your round becomes a through and through.

Also, just as an FYI if you get a gun that has a rail mount system I would get a rail mount light for attachment when you are home at night. If you ever needed your gun in the dark, it would save you from hunting for a light to see what you are shooting at. Also helps blind the prick who's trying to harm you. I have a Glock 22 with the M3 Tactical illuminator (laser/light) you are welcome to check out.

[CHips]

Originally Posted by timpryor

...

Listen to Tim!



If you like, we can set a time to go out to the range. You're welcome to use any of my firearms.


As has already been said, you'll want to handle several firearms to get a feel for what you want/need. If it is a handgun you want, think about what your primary use for it will be. What features do you want? Once you have an idea for what you're looking for, you can begin to narrow down the choices.

There are thousands of options out there, it's all a matter of finding what works best for you. I've heard it said that handguns are the most personal of all firearms, and this statement continues to prove itself true.

[MrsBigJnSA]

You should go to the next gun show with Jason and I. We'll let you know when we go next if you want. Even I think they are pretty fun to go to!!

[Graves]

I appreciate the info and offers, everyone. I'll keep them in mind, and let ya'll know.

Ash, I'll probably take you up on that sometime.

[TRM8ER]

Whatever pistol you decide to get, just make sure iy fits real well. You don't wanna have to repostion your grip on the pistol to eject the clip, it should just be a simple move with the thumb and no repostioning needed. I myself love my glock .40 cal..

[TheBocSez]

Dunno bout a shotgun not being a great home defense weapon. I just bought a 12ga just for that purpose. Dont have to accurate and EVERYONE know what the sound of a shotgun racking sounds like and you cant beat the 1 shot knock down power.

Of course I have the perfect cover and concealment nook at the top of my stairs. I told the wife not to go down stairs if someone breaks in, thats what insurance is for and not worth going down and "looking" for the guy. As far as Im concerned, once they start upstairs they are fair game, thats where the family is and theft is no longer the primary reason for entry. Soon as they round the 90* turn in the stairs, blast em.

Plus living in the city I work in, I know that PD response is fast.....even faster when its my house and Im on duty!

[timpryor]

^my question is why isn't the shotgun already racked? 12ga tends to over penetrate quite a bit and its much harder to get around corners in a smaller houses.

[TheBocSez]

I keep the tube loaded but because of the kids, I prefer not to keep one in the chamber. Between the slide lock and safety, I believe it provides adaquate safety.

No doubt it has great penetration. When we take them to the range, we are putting holes in the target with the wadding from 25 yds. But regarding penetration of the body, I dont think its as big an issue as you would have with a handgun that over penetrates (ball point ammo) in that the size of the hole the shotgun leaves would be fatal by itself.

In my situation, Im not worried about penetration beyond the target in that where I told my wife to position herself, if it penetrated the target, it would then have to penetrate the walls of the house and the brick exterior. So i guess I should have said in my situation or home defense plan, a shotgun is a great choice.

[Graves]

How bad is the recoil on a shotgun?