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first handgun purchase
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If your first priority is home defense a pistol is not your best option, a shotgun with a couple boxes of 00 buck are far more practical in this application. Something like this... http://www.mossberg.com/images...Guns/930/New/50663.jpg ... (Mossberg 590 special purpose 12 gauge pump shotgun w/ ghost ring sights and an 8 + 1 magazine capacity) gives you a whole lot of chances to get it right even if you are a lousy shot. It's also ideal in highly populated areas since over penetration is much less likely into neighboring homes or rooms unless you decide to start using slugs... which would be dumb unless you're trying to stop a car or blow the hinges off of a locked door, etc...
That said, my first carry/range gun was a 9mm CZ-75 P01 Compact which is still the pistol I shoot the most often and qualified for my CC permit with. It's inexpensive to shoot, comfortable in the hand, exceedingly accurate and will hold up to 14 rounds in a very compact frame. The only other pistol I use regularly is a Ruger GP100 357 magnum revolver with a 6" barrel which I bring hunting for whitetail. In the woods it's a lot easier to lug around than my shotgun and inside of 35 yards (assuming a clean shot) every bit as lethal.
If this is your pistol, ever - I'd actually suggest you go with a .22. Early on you are far better off developing good shooting skills on a cheap to shoot caliber and then move up to something larger. Remember the .44 Magnum scene in Pulp Fiction? You don't want to be that guy...
That said, my first carry/range gun was a 9mm CZ-75 P01 Compact which is still the pistol I shoot the most often and qualified for my CC permit with. It's inexpensive to shoot, comfortable in the hand, exceedingly accurate and will hold up to 14 rounds in a very compact frame. The only other pistol I use regularly is a Ruger GP100 357 magnum revolver with a 6" barrel which I bring hunting for whitetail. In the woods it's a lot easier to lug around than my shotgun and inside of 35 yards (assuming a clean shot) every bit as lethal.
If this is your pistol, ever - I'd actually suggest you go with a .22. Early on you are far better off developing good shooting skills on a cheap to shoot caliber and then move up to something larger. Remember the .44 Magnum scene in Pulp Fiction? You don't want to be that guy...
CallMeJoe
Diamond Member
I agree with yuppiejr that a nice 20" 12 gauge is very good for semi-trained home defense. If you are set on a pistol, however, you should check out the Smith & Wesson M&P series or the Beretta PX4 Storm. Both are available in 9mm or .40 S&W. You might also consider a revolver for its simplicity of operation, which can be good for an inexperienced pistoleer in times of stress (such as a home invasion). The Ruger .357 magnums are very solidly built, and can fire .38 special rounds for reduced recoil and for more economical practice time at the range.
PrinceofWands
Lifer
As I'm sure many have already said (haven't read the thread yet) if it's going to stay at home a shotgun is better overall for defense. If you really 'want' a handgun then my advice is to look into .40's and .45s. HK and Glock make various models of both that are very nice for full size. If you want something smaller/concealable I also recommend checking out the Taurus Millenium III PT140 or PT145. If you want to stick with 9 then the Beretta, Sig, and Springfield are probably about the best you'll find.
PrinceofWands
Lifer
I was just offering my preferences, not making an exhaustive list. 😎
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
You can't beat a good revolver for home defense IMO. There is no safety to fumble with, they are dead reliable, they are easy to hide/conceal, they aren't as expensive as semi-automatic handguns and a revolver chambered in .357 Magnum is a very very good man stopper.
Plus, with a .357 Magnum revolver you can practice at the range using cheaper .38 Special ammo.
Plus, with a .357 Magnum revolver you can practice at the range using cheaper .38 Special ammo.
Sureshot324
Diamond Member
I love that quote!
soydios
Platinum Member
and that's easy to do under pressure, when an intruder is invading your home at 3am, the adrenaline woke you up in about a quarter-second, and you can barely see down the hallway.
10-gauge shotgun. go big or go home.
or, if you don't want 6-8 small holes, the DE point-five-ought will do for stopping power. 🙂
alkemyst
No Lifer
The problem with a shotgun as home defense is sort of twofold. One it's harder to keep them locked (like you should with any firearm) and convenient. There are pistol safes that are biometric that you can keep right next to your bed.
A shotgun is good should you have the 'jump' on someone...once they are in your house though it's harder to navigate with a longer weapon. Also chances are you probably aren't going to make your first shot, or there may be two guys. A pistol can fire faster and recover better for most people. A revolver though is 100% reliable...biggest fear in any gun user's life is jamming on the shot that makes or breaks the situation.
A shotgun is good should you have the 'jump' on someone...once they are in your house though it's harder to navigate with a longer weapon. Also chances are you probably aren't going to make your first shot, or there may be two guys. A pistol can fire faster and recover better for most people. A revolver though is 100% reliable...biggest fear in any gun user's life is jamming on the shot that makes or breaks the situation.
alkemyst
No Lifer
10 guage going big...
Big starts at four gauge...they make 2 gauge too.
4 gauge shell next to a 12 gauge.
I think there is larger guns they use on rowboat to get ducks.
I'm looking to buy a compact 9mm. Does anyone own this Taurus?
http://www.impactguns.com/store/725327603412.html
I've heard that the PT111 is hit or miss.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/725327603412.html
I've heard that the PT111 is hit or miss.
wolverineI
Junior Member
In order The Sig 229,H+K usp,Taurus 92,Makarov 9x18 for concealed if experienced.For a
NEW gun owner S+W 357 or 44 in the 586 size.Both the 38 and 44 special are good low recoil stoppers.357 and 44 mag for serious problems.The Makarov is a da/sa steel version
of the walther using the 9x18 russian round
NEW gun owner S+W 357 or 44 in the 586 size.Both the 38 and 44 special are good low recoil stoppers.357 and 44 mag for serious problems.The Makarov is a da/sa steel version
of the walther using the 9x18 russian round
PrinceofWands
Lifer
Damn nice gun. I absolutely love Kahrs. Kimber has some nice stuff too.
PrinceofWands
Lifer
The early millennium (all of series 1 and some of series 2) were very bad. The 3rd series has it all worked out finally though, and I haven't heard of any problems with them. Unfortunately the screw ups on the first two versions gave the millennium series a bad name. I own the .40 version (PT140) and a friend has the .45 (PT145). It's the best concealable handgun I've ever owned or fired. Accurate, comfortable, smooth...I can't say enough good about them. It's what I carry daily.
alkemyst
No Lifer
I would define that as you know something bad could likely happen during that period.
While you may be ok carrying a .380 normally, if you absolutely know you are going to see or highly have a chance of using the weapon you may want to carry a larger weapon in stopping power or capacity or both.
Normally the people I know that carry guns choose them mainly to lie flat under clothing. Guns make people uncomfortable, the mood changes at a party when someone finds out Phil is packing (hugs usually give guns away).
If I knew I'd need to possibly use a gun I wouldn't mind if it was more exposed vs tightly concealed.
For home use the slate is really open. I believe in locking guns though, many I know don't unless they have kids...even a couple cops just have their gun right on their nightstand at home, usually clip out though.
My concern would always be the group of kids that decide to break in a house on a lark. They grab the gun and it goes off hitting on of them. That would be a lawsuit I would not want to be in for my own financial concerns as well as the blow it sends out on gun ownership.
People are really chomping at the bit to lock down weapons in the US.
edit...I would have to do some research to make a choice on what gun I would want to carry in a case like that even possibly choosing an illegal weapon. It's the difference of being outside and just keeping an umbrella handy in case it rains vs a full set of rain gear when you know it's going to be raining sheets.
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