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What gun to purchase for home protection?

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phucheneh said:
Still easier to grab a pistol out of the nightstand.

That said, my only gun that doesn't stay cased sits across the room on a shelf, with the loaded mag separate. If the three seconds it takes to grab the gun/mag and chamber a round is what results in my death, someone must've really, really wanted to kill me and I probably deserved it.
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We have no children, and the wife is very gun savvy, so they stay in my nightstand.

Just have to worry the Mega Cats learn how to fire one I guess.
 
MongGrel said:
We have no children, and the wife is very gun savvy, so they stay in my nightstand.

Just have to worry the Mega Cats learn how to fire one I guess.
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I hope you have security and/or a safe when you are not home.

Too many guns end up in thieves hands.

It's extra effort but my gun is locked up (a locked case, with a gun lock, inside a safe) and hidden when I am not home.
 
My $0.02..

OP: if you don't plan on practicing at the range reasonably regularly, then I recommend against any guns in your home. A gun is a weapon, not an appliance. I can understand not reading the manual or practicing using your toaster, but you should know your guns inside an out if you expect to keep yourself, and everyone else around you, safe.

That being said, I recently got into guns and it started with the same reason: home defense. I ended up with a Glock 19 pistol and a Mossberg 500 shotgun. These are some of the most reliable, simple, no-frills guns on the market. I've been quite happy. If you were in Tampa, I'd welcome you to check them out. 🙂
 
Oh and As for securing your gun in your hidden location, magnets can be a really good choice! 😉
 
alkemyst said:
I hope you have security and/or a safe when you are not home.

Too many guns end up in thieves hands.

It's extra effort but my gun is locked up (a locked case, with a gun lock, inside a safe) and hidden when I am not home.
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While I do agree with you in principle (keeping guns out of criminals hands), what good is a gun that you can't get to when you need it? Furthermore, if you have a small safe that you can "hide," what are the additional locks for? Anyone that is able to get into a safe is going to be able to defeat a case and a trigger lock pretty easily. Hiding your gun (in or outside your safe), and having a fast police response (alarm system) to limit the amount of time criminals have to look around will do a lot. If they can break in while you are at work and just walk around they have a huge advantage.

Now if you start getting into actually gun safes in the $3000+ range that are bolted to the floor and designed to protect your collection of guns it's a bit different. They all can be defeated by a determined criminal; however, it can simply take too long to defeat them inside the home or to get them out of the home (again with a fast police response). You can also "hide" them to some extent (and a bit more creativity).

Note: not saying not to use a safe. Just questioning the safe + locked case + trigger lock
 
I want to think everyone for their opinions. The wife and I spent the last 2 days in gun shops handling and shooting many guns. We decided that for our purposes a Glock 17 (Generation 4) would serve our purposes perfectly.

We have seen prices all over with a high of $650. Being that we know exactly what gun we want; Where is the cheapest place to purchase this gun? We don’t care if we must wait a week or two via mail order to save a few dollars. Anyone know of a gun seller who works on quantity?

What is the cheapest price I should be able to find on this gun?
 
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^^As long as their HD gun doesn't need to be used for its purpose right off. 😛 Wouldn't be able to get a suppressor until well into next year, I think 9 months is the current wait time for Form 4 applications.
 
Wuzup101 said:
While I do agree with you in principle (keeping guns out of criminals hands), what good is a gun that you can't get to when you need it? Furthermore, if you have a small safe that you can "hide," what are the additional locks for? Anyone that is able to get into a safe is going to be able to defeat a case and a trigger lock pretty easily. Hiding your gun (in or outside your safe), and having a fast police response (alarm system) to limit the amount of time criminals have to look around will do a lot. If they can break in while you are at work and just walk around they have a huge advantage.

Now if you start getting into actually gun safes in the $3000+ range that are bolted to the floor and designed to protect your collection of guns it's a bit different. They all can be defeated by a determined criminal; however, it can simply take too long to defeat them inside the home or to get them out of the home (again with a fast police response). You can also "hide" them to some extent (and a bit more creativity).

Note: not saying not to use a safe. Just questioning the safe + locked case + trigger lock
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They aren't that expensive. I have a small gun safe that is bolted to the floor in my house and almost all my guns are stored in it. I paid a bit less than $1k for it over 15 years ago. It will hold 6 long guns and it has a few shelves you can store handguns and ammo on.

I have a $250 wall mounted safe hidden in the house that I keep a loaded handgun. It is a push button combo and it is bolted to the studs in the wall so it isn't going anywhere and it is easy for me to get access to even in the dark.

You're an idiot if you don't secure your guns.
 
phucheneh said:
...I'd go for the threaded barrel version at Bud's. What's a HD gun if you can't suppress it? :sneaky: Always nice to be able to shoot an intruder in the face without going deaf.
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You bring up a great point. I like the idea of a threaded barrel, but know nothing of supressors. Are the threading for supressors all pretty much the same? Is that the only reason you would need a threaded barrel? Where can supressors be purchased? Or do you just make your own? To my understanding, they are only illegal if attached to a gun? Or is that incorrect? Will it affect the warranty?
 
Raizinman said:
You bring up a great point. I like the idea of a threaded barrel, but know nothing of supressors. Are the threading for supressors all pretty much the same? Is that the only reason you would need a threaded barrel? Where can supressors be purchased? Or do you just make your own? To my understanding, they are only illegal if attached to a gun? Or is that incorrect? Will it affect the warranty?
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Check your state laws.

If you're worried about warranty don't buy cheap crappy guns. Unless there is some design flaw you most likely won't have any issues with it. Guns are pretty simple. I've never had one that didn't work perfectly right out of the box. A friend of mine had a Taurus that was a complete pile of crap though and he ended up sending it back to them a couple of times.
 
Raizinman said:
You bring up a great point. I like the idea of a threaded barrel, but know nothing of supressors. Are the threading for supressors all pretty much the same? Is that the only reason you would need a threaded barrel? Where can supressors be purchased? Or do you just make your own? To my understanding, they are only illegal if attached to a gun? Or is that incorrect? Will it affect the warranty?
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Assuming they are legal in your state, you pay a $200 tax stamp and wait a number of months to obtain a suppressor, which itself tends to cost in the $400-600 range (at minimum) for pistol calibers.

If it weren't for the substantial cost and hassle, I would totally have a suppressor on an HD gun. But as it stands, I wasn't being terribly serious. Just noticed that the threaded barrel version was among the cheaper options. Threaded barrels can always be installed later, typically at a cost of around $100-150.
 
JulesMaximus said:
Check your state laws.

If you're worried about warranty don't buy cheap crappy guns. Unless there is some design flaw you most likely won't have any issues with it. Guns are pretty simple. I've never had one that didn't work perfectly right out of the box. A friend of mine had a Taurus that was a complete pile of crap though and he ended up sending it back to them a couple of times.
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I have know a couple people even with higher end guns like Sig and H&K having to send them back, mostly due to jams or failure to feed.
 
Are the threading for supressors all pretty much the same? Is that the only reason you would need a threaded barrel?

Threaded barrels allow you to mount suppressors, though a separate adapter may be needed depending on the screw dimensions. The barrel has to be so wide to allow the bullet to exit. Movies tend to show internally-threaded barrels, this is much less common in reality with centerfire pistols.

Where can supressors be purchased? Or do you just make your own?

The short answer is that suppressors can be purchased through a Class III FFL. They can also sell short-barreled rifles/shotguns, full-auto weapons, etc. As mentioned, you need to send a form to the ATF and pay a $200 tax stamp.

Apparently you can make your own in Kansas. The state passed SB 102 last year that offers legal protection for private manufacturing (only inside the state), and there are DIY guides out there. But purchased suppressors are of much higher quality.

To my understanding, they are only illegal if attached to a gun?

This question doesn't even make sense.

Will it affect the warranty?

Most likely not, but I'd look at Glock's warranty terms. If you go the purchase route, you would likely only have a few months as Glock only has a 1-year limited warranty.

(As always, double-check laws and info for yourself)
 
So it seems pretty much assumed to not get a rifle because a stray round could go through the walls and hurt a neighbor much more easily than rounds from handguns and shotguns already mentioned. I don't have any guns although I'm former US Army. But that's what I heard about rifles that they are a no no for in the home defense if neighbors live near. I'm not against the revolvers and shotguns for it so don't worry about that issue coming from me.
 
I checked with Buds Firearms and they want to send the gun I purchase to a FFL gun store locally. That will raise the price about $75 dollars. That kills that deal.

Can you negotiate at gun stores? When they list the price at $575, would they take $540?

They tell me that if I was LE (Law Enforcement) that they can lower the price to $535. Does that mean they make less on the gun or does it mean that the Glock Company will rebate them back some money? I'm guessing that LE cuts their profit to only $30 or $40 bucks per gun, but I'm only guessing.

What have others paid for a Glock 17? Should I call around to various gun shops and see if they will compete with each other? Is the end of the month a better time to make this purchase? I’m only looking for a Glock 17 Generation 4 gun.
 
Raizinman said:
I checked with Buds Firearms and they want to send the gun I purchase to a FFL gun store locally. That will raise the price about $75 dollars. That kills that deal.

Can you negotiate at gun stores? When they list the price at $575, would they take $540?

They tell me that if I was LE (Law Enforcement) that they can lower the price to $535. Does that mean they make less on the gun or does it mean that the Glock Company will rebate them back some money? I'm guessing that LE cuts their profit to only $30 or $40 bucks per gun, but I'm only guessing.

What have others paid for a Glock 17? Should I call around to various gun shops and see if they will compete with each other? Is the end of the month a better time to make this purchase? I’m only looking for a Glock 17 Generation 4 gun.
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You can always negotiate, most fail at it or are trying to lowball.

Your local gun store may have a range, gun shop and inventory they support.

Transfer to a FFL is standard. Not all FFL's charge the same. Google the cheapest one in your area and go with that.

LE have deals from gun manufacturers. There is a trade in program for "M16/M4" at a police range that is a client for a P90 for nearly free sponsored by FN.
 
Assuming you don't live in Kentucky, Bud's has no sales tax.

TN sales tax is almost 10%. I can get FFL transfers at multiple places for $25. $75 is a fucking joke- look through the FFL finder on Bud's website.

No Academy Sports where you live?
 
phucheneh said:
Assuming you don't live in Kentucky, Bud's has no sales tax.

TN sales tax is almost 10%. I can get FFL transfers at multiple places for $25. $75 is a fucking joke- look through the FFL finder on Bud's website.

No Academy Sports where you live?
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QFT...my CZ-P01 was hard to find...I can't remember the shop people recommended here (it wasn't Buds). I called 100+ dealers and no one had it and the shop recommended doesn't show up on Google easy.

It was the cheapest price actually, I paid $25 to my local FFL that tried really hard to find me one too.

They made their profit in my range time and their cheap ammo.
 
JulesMaximus said:
They aren't that expensive. I have a small gun safe that is bolted to the floor in my house and almost all my guns are stored in it. I paid a bit less than $1k for it over 15 years ago. It will hold 6 long guns and it has a few shelves you can store handguns and ammo on.

I have a $250 wall mounted safe hidden in the house that I keep a loaded handgun. It is a push button combo and it is bolted to the studs in the wall so it isn't going anywhere and it is easy for me to get access to even in the dark.

You're an idiot if you don't secure your guns.
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Your right, a smaller safe like that will be cheaper. I never considered anything that small for my collection. But good point.

"Secured" is relative. I consider anything in my locked / alarmed home secured. That being said, a safe adds an extra layer of security that will prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands (and can be used to protect other valuables). Trigger locks and locked cases do nothing other than to slow you down from deploying your weapon OR prevent children/stupids from using them accidentally. If you don't have children/stupids living with you (and no I'm not calling children stupid), than they do very little. A criminal can grab a locked gun case or gun with a trigger lock just as easily as they can if the weapon wasn't "secured" in this manner.
 
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