yagt: dear atot, pick a pistol out for me

[Colt45]

I usually carry one of these.

 

[boomhower]

You don't have much experience and don't plan on spending much time gaining experience so get a revolver. A Smith 637 or 638 gives you choices between a hammer or not. In a Ruger an SP101 is a tried and trued gun. Although I am not a fan of lasers a Smith Bodyguard 38 is an option with a built in laser. Considering your lack of experience, training, and lack of desire to get training but a desire to carry then it may benefit you.

 

[Scotteq]

Serious answer for the OP:

(1) Call some Ranges in your area, many of them should have firearms on site for customers to use.

(2) Go to those, pay for the time/ammo/instruction and try as many as you can or might be interested in.

(3) While you're doing this, keep in mind that you're looking for something you can carry all day which is still in an effective caliber.
(3a) "Effective Caliber" often means different things to different people.
- To me, it means "9mm, .40, or .45". Because on the small likelihood you ever have to pull the trigger, you want Hostilities to cease with the fewest rounds fired.


Also - If you're considering carrying a firearm, also consider alternatives - like a can of Pepper Spray.

 

[alienb]

It may have been said, not reading through the different retarded, (and few informative) posts.


Basically, if you have to ask this question, you have not done the proper research and do not have the training.

First, you cite your reason to purchase one is for self defense. While I support your desire to protect yourself, and your right to carry a weapon, please understand that 98% of the time you can use your interpersonal negotiation skills to get you out of ALMOST ANY situation, or at the very least de-escalate a situation enough for you to make an exit.

So many people have the attitude, "I got mugged, I need a gun" or something similar and get into way, way too much trouble with illegal posession, lack of training or proper mindset for carrying a deadly weapon.

Try to resist the urge to go to your local gun shop or outdoor store and picking up the first black and polymer pistol you see.

My suggestions:

1: Go to a handgun safety course. More than likely you will not have to own a weapon prior to taking it, (some states will make you take one BEFORE you own one..)

2: Go to a local gun club/range. Look around, find a place that will rent you a few different weapons and calibers, buy some ammo, and find something that you feel you can shoot comfortably, are not 'scared' of, and feels 'right'. You will know what feels "right". Don't let anyone tell you what's comfortable and fits you.

3: RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH. Read. AT is NOT a gun forum and you're more than likely going to get some hair-brained airsoft kiddie or some gangster who has absolutely no idea what the hell they're talking about try to give you advice<edit, see below edit>. Pick up some gun magazines, ask some folks at the range, (usually older gentlemen are a decent source of knowledge)

4: Chose a concealable handgun, and customize it to YOUR liking. Purchase said handgun. Practice, get some range time. Go over failure drills with your new weapon. GET A FEEL FOR IT. You need to be comfortable, and the weapon needs to feel natural in your hand. I'd reccomend a range every weekend with ~100 rounds if you can afford it. Check online for customized grips, backstraps, and holsters that will fit and make it comfortable for you.

5: Enroll yourself in a Concealed Carry certification course. Even if your state does not require the course, TAKE IT. Chances are you will learn a lot, and hopefully you will get a good instructor that will help you get into the proper mindset of owning, carrying, and operating your weapon to you're maximum capacity.

6: Go to the range some more.

7: More range time. By now you should be able to handle weapon malfunctions without even looking at the weapon. Close, quick defensive draws and good shooting form and time.



PLEASE DO NOT skip the courses. The fact that you're asking this question here means you need them. I'm not trying to insult you, trying to make you a responsible weapon owner. Consider membership to your local gun/hunting club. NRA is fine to if you're into that sort of thing.

I have to go to work, if you need help finding some resources, please PM. Do not take owning a deadly weapon lightly. The courts will not go any easier on you if you say, "I didn't know" if you have to use it and screw shit up.

 

[dawp]

this is what you need, OP:

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

It may have been said, not reading through the different retarded, (and few informative) posts.


Basically, if you have to ask this question, you have not done the proper research and do not have the training.

First, you cite your reason to purchase one is for self defense. While I support your desire to protect yourself, and your right to carry a weapon, please understand that 98% of the time you can use your interpersonal negotiation skills to get you out of ALMOST ANY situation, or at the very least de-escalate a situation enough for you to make an exit.

So many people have the attitude, "I got mugged, I need a gun" or something similar and get into way, way too much trouble with illegal posession, lack of training or proper mindset for carrying a deadly weapon.

That is a load of BS. 98% my @ss. Some thug starts crap with you are you going to hope you can talk him down or are you going to put as many rounds into his chest the 1st opportunity you get and stop the threat?
Some of us don't like being victims and laying over for someone to do with us as they please.

 

[alienb]

That is a load of BS. 98% my @ss. Some thug starts crap with you are you going to hope you can talk him down or are you going to put as many rounds into his chest the 1st opportunity you get and stop the threat?
Some of us don't like being victims and laying over for someone to do with us as they please.

In no way am I saying that if you're in a situation where deadly force is needed, to avoid it. I'm saying that (possibly you?) the general public are way too quick to whip out a weapon whenever they see something going down, instead of considering all of their options, and the consequences of their presentation, and use, of deadly force.


1% huh. I think that may be part of the motivation for your response, if you are indeed the 1% I am thinking of.

 

[Texashiker]

Personally, I like the Springfield XD series

Springfield Armory XD 5.25 Competition Series

Awhile back a got to fire off a few rounds from a XD in 45acp, the think shot like a dream.

 

[mnewsham]

That is a load of BS. 98% my @ss. Some thug starts crap with you are you going to hope you can talk him down or are you going to put as many rounds into his chest the 1st opportunity you get and stop the threat?
Some of us don't like being victims and laying over for someone to do with us as they please.

If you pull that shit you are so going to get fucked by the law. You have to pretty much be either threatened or in imminent danger. (if possible call 911) If you go into court because you shot a guy who asked to use your cellphone and you flipped a shit and put 4 bullets in his chest? Yeah that ain't gonna fly. Most times any situation can be taken care of by talking or walking away without any physical action being taken. I have never had to threaten anyone nor have I ever had to use a weapon (I usually carry a knife). If you find you need to use a weapon at any point i'm going to say 90% of the time YOU fucked up somewhere. Now are there times when you may need a weapon? YES. But you make it sound like every 5th person on the block is out to get you. (which they aren't)
I would like to know what neighborhood you live in where "some thug" is going to walk up to you and force you to use a weapon...

 

[Jeeebus]

If you find you need to use a weapon at any point i'm going to say 90% of the time YOU fucked up somewhere.

Did you know that 73.6% of all statistics are made up?

 

[highland145]

Did you know that 73.6% of all statistics are made up?

Not around here.:whiste:

 

[mnewsham]

Did you know that 73.6% of all statistics are made up?

Did you know 100% of the time not a single fuck is given?

 

[FDF12389]

Felons can't have guns OP.

 

[olds]

<--- hates DAO.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

In no way am I saying that if you're in a situation where deadly force is needed, to avoid it. I'm saying that (possibly you?) the general public are way too quick to whip out a weapon whenever they see something going down, instead of considering all of their options, and the consequences of their presentation, and use, of deadly force.


1% huh. I think that may be part of the motivation for your response, if you are indeed the 1% I am thinking of.

That 1% is the population (that makes up more than 1%) that doesn't agree with the idiotic OWS 99%ers.
Having been in a life and death situation, I can tell you thugs, criminals, people out to do you harm, don't give a crap if you plead or tell them you have a family or you'll give them your wallet. They don't want you to be able to point them out to the police.
In my case, I was confronted and assaulted, the guys accomplise then tried to run me over. I was very lucky to get out of that alive, and that's when I decided it's time to improve my odds.
Shooting someone can change your life, but you'll still be alive. Fearing for your life or safety or the life and safety of your family and making sure you (your family) comes out alive and unhurt is worth it in my opinion.
I have no compassion or sympathy for anyone that would try to do harm to me.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

If you pull that shit you are so going to get fucked by the law. You have to pretty much be either threatened or in imminent danger. (if possible call 911) If you go into court because you shot a guy who asked to use your cellphone and you flipped a shit and put 4 bullets in his chest? Yeah that ain't gonna fly. Most times any situation can be taken care of by talking or walking away without any physical action being taken. I have never had to threaten anyone nor have I ever had to use a weapon (I usually carry a knife). If you find you need to use a weapon at any point i'm going to say 90% of the time YOU fucked up somewhere. Now are there times when you may need a weapon? YES. But you make it sound like every 5th person on the block is out to get you. (which they aren't)
I would like to know what neighborhood you live in where "some thug" is going to walk up to you and force you to use a weapon...

Before you go spouting how profecient you are not in the law, remember, different states have different laws.
Where did I say I'd shoot someone for asking to use my cell phone? Seems like you are just projecting your own irrationalities.
If you were at say a gas station minding your own business and someone came up to you and asked for a dollar because they ran out of gas, ect, the same story we all get from time to time, you tell them no and they flip out and tell you they're going to take it anyways you're just going to let them do that???
In the state I live in it's called robbery, and that is a defense to prosecution if I have to shoot someone.

 

[boomhower]

If you were at say a gas station minding your own business and someone came up to you and asked for a dollar because they ran out of gas, ect, the same story we all get from time to time, you tell them no and they flip out and tell you they're going to take it anyways you're just going to let them do that???
In the state I live in it's called robbery, and that is a defense to prosecution if I have to shoot someone.

That is going to depend on your state laws. Not many are going to give you the right to use deadly force unless you can show that you faced imminent harm. Bringing a gun to a fist fight is going to be costly. It's all in how you can show it. Such as I was getting my ass whipped, felt I was starting to lose consciousness, and I was going to suffer permanent harm etc.

Dude snatches your wallet and you put a bullet in him is going to land you in the slammer in most states.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Woo hoo! Now we're arguing about hypothetical situations! A more worthless debate there never was...

 

[alienb]

That 1% is the population (that makes up more than 1%) that doesn't agree with the idiotic OWS 99%ers.
Having been in a life and death situation, I can tell you thugs, criminals, people out to do you harm, don't give a crap if you plead or tell them you have a family or you'll give them your wallet. They don't want you to be able to point them out to the police.
In my case, I was confronted and assaulted, the guys accomplise then tried to run me over. I was very lucky to get out of that alive, and that's when I decided it's time to improve my odds.
Shooting someone can change your life, but you'll still be alive. Fearing for your life or safety or the life and safety of your family and making sure you (your family) comes out alive and unhurt is worth it in my opinion.
I have no compassion or sympathy for anyone that would try to do harm to me.

My last post responding to you..but.

Our points of view are not mutually exclusive. I'm merely asking and suggesting that the OP learn what it is to carry a weapon. I'm sincerely sorry that the incident happened to you, believe me, I know what a helpless feeling it is. I'm just trying to encourage you, and the OP to take the PROPER steps to obtain personal protection, and use the appropriate level of force responding to a situation, however likely or unlikely it is.

 

[irishScott]

Before you go spouting how profecient you are not in the law, remember, different states have different laws.
Where did I say I'd shoot someone for asking to use my cell phone? Seems like you are just projecting your own irrationalities.
If you were at say a gas station minding your own business and someone came up to you and asked for a dollar because they ran out of gas, ect, the same story we all get from time to time, you tell them no and they flip out and tell you they're going to take it anyways you're just going to let them do that???
In the state I live in it's called robbery, and that is a defense to prosecution if I have to shoot someone.

And more than a few states have a "duty to retreat". The point everyone else is trying to make is that there are levels of response to various threats. You don't go straight to lethal and expect to get away from it unless you can definitively prove a lethal/maiming threat.

To use your own hypothetical as an example: Some lone bum demands my wallet, I'll reach into my right front pocket, and pull out my Sig P238 pointed at the ground. In most cases said bum will get the message and walk away. If I just pulled one out and popped him I'd land in jail for manslaughter or worse.

 

[Merad]

See if a range in your area offers the NRA basic pistol course. That will teach you the basics of safely shooting a pistol, and I also believe they usually have a good selection of guns on hand for you to try at the end of the course.

 

[shortylickens]

Was going to comment on guns, then saw who the OP was.

 

[shortylickens]

And more than a few states have a "duty to retreat". The point everyone else is trying to make is that there are levels of response to various threats. You don't go straight to lethal and expect to get away from it unless you can definitively prove a lethal/maiming threat.

To use your own hypothetical as an example: Some lone bum demands my wallet, I'll reach into my right front pocket, and pull out my Sig P238 pointed at the ground. In most cases said bum will get the message and walk away. If I just pulled one out and popped him I'd land in jail for manslaughter or worse.

I have a P238 and its nice but I still prefer to carry my LCP. Dont like having to worry about a hammer and safety. Also its got too many edges on the outside which perpetually get caught, even if I use a DeSantis pocket holster.

 

[BudAshes]

we need a gun forum. i don't ever want to have to know which of you retards is armed.

 

[shortylickens]

we need a gun forum. i don't ever want to have to know which of you retards is armed.

Which puts you at an even greater disadvantage.
Ignorance of ANYTHING, is not something to be proud of. Dangerous ignorance is even more disgusting.