What do I need to do to own a gun?

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alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
most of the stories involving a pump shotgun and people running are due to them being kids or just a simple smash and grab type crime.

If you have someone armed inside your home (and esp when it's more than one perp), they are already facing 10 years mandatory. Chances are they may think escalation is more important than fleeing.

And with your slide, you have just pinpointed your exact location.

Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: alkemyst
most of the stories involving a pump shotgun and people running are due to them being kids or just a simple smash and grab type crime.

If you have someone armed inside your home (and esp when it's more than one perp), they are already facing 10 years mandatory. Chances are they may think escalation is more important than fleeing.

And with your slide, you have just pinpointed your exact location.

Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Agreed, which is why I suggested the .357 Magnum revolver for home defense. It's a good, reliable gun that you could trust your life with. It is also far less unwieldy than a shotgun...also less punishing to shoot. There is no way I'd ever give a 12 gauge to my wife for home defense.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: lokiju
As others have mentioned already, one reason to maybe get a 12ga shotgun over a hand gun is the fact that you can almost not ever find ammo for a hand gun now days. But 12ga ammo is everywhere and pretty affordable.

You can get a pistol grip for most shotguns to make them more manageable in a home setting also.

Also there's usually no wait for a shotgun if that's a bonus for you...

Have you ever fired a shotgun with a pistol grip? Not exactly the easiest weapon to shoot accurately. I've shot at objects the size of a medium pumpkin at 12' and missed it completely using a shotgun with a pistol grip.
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: alkemyst
most of the stories involving a pump shotgun and people running are due to them being kids or just a simple smash and grab type crime.

If you have someone armed inside your home (and esp when it's more than one perp), they are already facing 10 years mandatory. Chances are they may think escalation is more important than fleeing.

And with your slide, you have just pinpointed your exact location.

Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Agreed, which is why I suggested the .357 Magnum revolver for home defense. It's a good, reliable gun that you could trust your life with. It is also far less unwieldy than a shotgun...also less punishing to shoot. There is no way I'd ever give a 12 gauge to my wife for home defense.

I only shot a .357 one time in Ohio, damn thing almost took my arm off. I want something small and something the little lady can use. If someone invades my home, I am not going to shoot once, I am going to shoot until I see brains on the wall.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: buck
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: alkemyst
most of the stories involving a pump shotgun and people running are due to them being kids or just a simple smash and grab type crime.

If you have someone armed inside your home (and esp when it's more than one perp), they are already facing 10 years mandatory. Chances are they may think escalation is more important than fleeing.

And with your slide, you have just pinpointed your exact location.

Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Agreed, which is why I suggested the .357 Magnum revolver for home defense. It's a good, reliable gun that you could trust your life with. It is also far less unwieldy than a shotgun...also less punishing to shoot. There is no way I'd ever give a 12 gauge to my wife for home defense.

I only shot a .357 one time in Ohio, damn thing almost took my arm off. I want something small and something the little lady can use. If someone invades my home, I am not going to shoot once, I am going to shoot until I see brains on the wall.

Depends on the frame. If you're shooting hot loads in on one of their small frame revolvers then yeah, it's going to be punishing to shoot. If you're shooting decent home defense loads through one of their medium frame revolvers it's not bad at all (I've shot +P .38 special through some of the Airweight Smiths and those were more punishing than the model 686 with 6" barrel with .357 Magnum loads). Plus you can shoot .38 special through it for range duty as it is more cost effective.

If your wife is going to use it for defense you could always load it with +P .38 Special loads.

Chances are you'll never have to splatter someone's brains anyway. All this talk of self defense is fine for being prepared but in reality it's a pretty slim possibility.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Body armor or not, a serving of 12-gauge 00 buck is going to take the fight out of someone. If you're really concerned, go for a 12-gauge slug.

I keep a Sig 228 w/ crimson trace laser grips loaded with Speer gold dot +p 9mm, and a 10" PS90 w/ flashlight, laser & eotech on the rails loaded with SS190 AP rounds. I've never been a big shotgun fan. Having taken a lot of handgun, rifle, and room clearing courses (civilian, police & military) I value the maneuverability, controllability, and retention advantages of a shorter weapon.
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: buck
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: alkemyst
most of the stories involving a pump shotgun and people running are due to them being kids or just a simple smash and grab type crime.

If you have someone armed inside your home (and esp when it's more than one perp), they are already facing 10 years mandatory. Chances are they may think escalation is more important than fleeing.

And with your slide, you have just pinpointed your exact location.

Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Agreed, which is why I suggested the .357 Magnum revolver for home defense. It's a good, reliable gun that you could trust your life with. It is also far less unwieldy than a shotgun...also less punishing to shoot. There is no way I'd ever give a 12 gauge to my wife for home defense.

I only shot a .357 one time in Ohio, damn thing almost took my arm off. I want something small and something the little lady can use. If someone invades my home, I am not going to shoot once, I am going to shoot until I see brains on the wall.

Depends on the frame. If you're shooting hot loads in on one of their small frame revolvers then yeah, it's going to be punishing to shoot. If you're shooting decent home defense loads through one of their medium frame revolvers it's not bad at all (I've shot +P .38 special through some of the Airweight Smiths and those were more punishing than the model 686 with 6" barrel with .357 Magnum loads). Plus you can shoot .38 special through it for range duty as it is more cost effective.

If your wife is going to use it for defense you could always load it with +P .38 Special loads.

Chances are you'll never have to splatter someone's brains anyway. All this talk of self defense is fine for being prepared but in reality it's a pretty slim possibility.

I hope to keep it this way, I prefer not to own a gun, but this is the world we live in. I am mentally prepared to react to the situation though.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Also the prevailence with crooks wearing body armor for home invasions/robberies your buckshot is even less effective.

Body armor or not, a serving of 12-gauge 00 buck is going to take the fight out of someone. If you're really concerned, go for a 12-gauge slug.

I keep a Sig 228 w/ crimson trace laser grips loaded with Speer gold dot +p 9mm, and a 10" PS90 w/ flashlight, laser & eotech on the rails loaded with SS190 AP rounds. I've never been a big shotgun fan. Having taken a lot of handgun, rifle, and room clearing courses (civilian, police & military) I value the maneuverability, controllability, and retention advantages of a shorter weapon.

That reminds me of the time I put a few rounds of 3" magnum slugs though my 12 gauge. Holy crap, talk about punishing...Two maybe three rounds was all I could manage to fire that thing before my shoulder was in pain. Shooting from the hip wasn't much better as the checkering in the grip was practically tearing my hands up.

I'm with you though. The handgun is my home defense weapon of choice.
 

spacejamz

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
10,961
1,661
126
Originally posted by: buck
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

All this talk of self defense is fine for being prepared but in reality it's a pretty slim possibility.

I hope to keep it this way, I prefer not to own a gun, but this is the world we live in. I am mentally prepared to react to the situation though.

Better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it...;)
 

MedicBob

Diamond Member
Nov 29, 2001
4,151
1
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervoltsnip


2.5 to 3.5 inches using 00 buck is still a lot wider then 9mm or .45. I never said you didn't have to aim or that it would sweep a hallway.

Also, Buck is not the only round for home defense. If I hit you with a load of bird shot from 15 feet I seriously doubt you are going to continue on your business.

As far as leaving any gun lying around the house loaded and unsecured with children is irresponsible and in many states criminal if discharged by them.

Revolvers are the least complicated. Point and shoot. Most have no safeties with a downside of a long trigger pull.

Semi Autos are more complicated. Most have at least 1 safety, some have several. Depending on the model they can be single action only, double action only, or a combo of the 2.

Shotguns are long and unwieldy in CQB. Unless you are clearing your house, it is not a problem. Just point and wait in a defensible spot. Can be locked just as a pistol or anything with a trigger can be.