Firearms Section

[mikeb27]

Looking for a recommendation for a pistol for general home security. It would be for both myself and my fiancée, mostly for her. She doesn't like being home alone with her son when I am working overtime/over night.

[11BEE]

Originally Posted by mikeb27

Looking for a recommendation for a pistol for general home security. It would be for both myself and my fiancée, mostly for her. She doesn't like being home alone with her son when I am working overtime/over night.

Personally I would recommend a Mossberg 500 or Mavrick 88 in 12 gauge. Make sure it has the 18.5 inch barrel. Then get a Shot Lock wall mount safe (small mount with a lock). Leave it loaded with 5 rounds, unlocked and none in the chamber this way you can chamber a round. Nothing says get the F$#% out of my home like the sound of a shot gun being chambered.

You should keep it in a safe room. Ours is in the master bathroom (nice iron tub to sit in as extra shot protection). We also have the same rig in the garage.

If you are hell bent on a hand gun, get a S&W air weight or a Judge. Make sure you have it in a safe since there are kids in the house.

[11BEE]

Originally Posted by Dtrimpi87

An 18" barrel shotgun would be a good choice but may be more difficult for your fiance to maneuver in a tight spot or handle comfortably in an emergency situation.

I would recommend a Springfield XDM pistol in whatever caliber she is the most comfortable with and the most accurate with. Doesn't matter if it's 9mm or .45acp, if she can't handle .45 it's useless to her. Remember shot placement is key when dealing with such an issue. Couple the XDM with some good hollow points in your chosen caliber and your golden. I recommend Winchester PDX1's.

I agree the XDM is a great gun. I have one my self. I however disagree in the use of a Semi-Auto for people that do not regularly train. If all those that intend to use it are trained, including how to quickly clear a jam or stove pipe, the weapon can be limiting in the number of rounds. This is not a man vs woman comment, this is a active shooter vs. passive shooter conversation. You need to be proficient in the use of a semi in order for them to be reliable. I typically only carry a Glock. They rarely ever jam, but when they do it can be very confusing. I shoot IDPA at least twice a month, and still get flustered with a jam. A person with a limp wrist, that is shaking and nervous is far more prone to a jam than at the range. This is why I suggest a revolver for most people who will not train regularly, especially with adrenaline pumping.

[mikeb27]

We would both prefer a hand gun as it would be easier to hide/store in our bedroom. She has a 6 year old plus we'll have another child within the next 2 years. She has actually shot both pistols and shotguns before, and I have not shot either. We are both wanting to spend time at the range to make sure we're comfortable with whatever we choose. But I agree that the range is completely different than an actual situation at home.

[Mr_Draco]

Originally Posted by mikeb27

Looking for a recommendation for a pistol for general home security. It would be for both myself and my fiancée, mostly for her. She doesn't like being home alone with her son when I am working overtime/over night.

Personally I hate giving out buying advice to people who almost have never shot or handle guns on a regular basis. Everyone is different and everyone's hands are different. What's comfortable to me may not be comfortable to you or your wife and I can almost guarantee you when the two of you go shopping you won't agree on a pistol you both like and feel comfortable with.

I will however give you three pieces of advice.
- You and your wife go to a local gun show. Here both of you can handle hundreds of different guns. Take some paper and a pencil/pen and write down 10-15 guns you like and feel comfortable with in your hands. While here don't ask the vendors for advice as they will try to push a sale on their favorite pistol.
- Take this list and find a gun range or a gun shop that rents out pistols and both of you shoot the guns on the list. Just because a gun is comfortable when you are just holding it, doesn't mean you will like shooting it.
- With your new information and a list of pistols you want, then come back here and ask for advice but instead of "what should I buy" you will be asking "which should I buy." Here we can now help you out and help pick the right pistol for you and your wife.

[blake-b]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

Personally I hate giving out buying advice to people who almost have never shot or handle guns on a regular basis. Everyone is different and everyone's hands are different. What's comfortable to me may not be comfortable to you or your wife and I can almost guarantee you when the two of you go shopping you won't agree on a pistol you both like and feel comfortable with.

I will however give you three pieces of advice.
- You and your wife go to a local gun show. Here both of you can handle hundreds of different guns. Take some paper and a pencil/pen and write down 10-15 guns you like and feel comfortable with in your hands. While here don't ask the vendors for advice as they will try to push a sale on their favorite pistol.
- Take this list and find a gun range or a gun shop that rents out pistols and both of you shoot the guns on the list. Just because a gun is comfortable when you are just holding it, doesn't mean you will like shooting it.
- With your new information and a list of pistols you want, then come back here and ask for advice but instead of "what should I buy" you will be asking "which should I buy." Here we can now help you out and help pick the right pistol for you and your wife.

+eleventy billion

[kalimus]

Originally Posted by mikeb27

Looking for a recommendation for a pistol for general home security. It would be for both myself and my fiancée, mostly for her. She doesn't like being home alone with her son when I am working overtime/over night.

Nothing beats going to a range and renting a couple different pistols to see what your (and her) preference is. Whatever feels the most comfortable to shoot is what you should be getting. Consider beginner's pistol class too if you or she is unfamiliar. Even for someone that is familiar, it can be pretty beneficial.

The next best thing you can do, is shoot regularly. Even if it's only 50 rounds a week. Being familiar with your go-to gun > all.

Revolvers have an advantage of being very unlikely to jam, but good semi-autos with good ammo very rarely jam anyway, assuming you've been maintaining them like they should.

And don't skimp on the HD ammo quality. Cheaping out is for when your life won't depends on it.

[KeepItShut]

Originally Posted by Denis

Anyone know of a good place to get a leg holster for a baretta M9? I've been looking at Blackhawk stuff on opsgear and cheeperthandirt. Just wondering If there's anywhere else I should look.

Condor

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by mikeb27

Looking for a recommendation for a pistol for general home security. It would be for both myself and my fiancée, mostly for her. She doesn't like being home alone with her son when I am working overtime/over night.

I would look for a nice M1 Carbine for home defense. The .30 Carbine is a nice round for short to medium range and the rifle is light with little recoil. Plus, being a rifle, it will be easier to aim when stressed.

[Redemption]

Shot.gun. (Period)

[blake-b]

Another thing to consider is storage. Where will it be when not in use.

Overall, a shotgun is probably the best for home defense but how big is she? If you go 12g and she is smaller, she won't want to ever practice shooting it after the first session.

A small .380 or 9mm might be just the ticket. She can carry it around the house with her. Think about it, she is somewhere in the house and hears a strange noise. Instead of having to go get the gun and then find the source, if she is already armed she can go straight to the source. That eliminates a lot of unknowns as in she finally gets to the source, notices a broken in front door and now she has to figure out where the person is - are they inside and where inside? Also, if already armed, she has eliminated the step of arming herself and can focus on getting to her son or getting themselves out of the house safely.

Carrying it with her around the house will mean she knows where it is all the time.

I actually have a friend who runs drills just like these for his family using airsoft guns, etc. He has opened my eyes a bit about things I never considered regarding a home invasion and I have been a cop for 17 years...

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

I would look for a nice M1 Carbine for home defense. The .30 Carbine is a nice round for short to medium range and the rifle is light with little recoil. Plus, being a rifle, it will be easier to aim when stressed.

I feel a USGI M1 carbine is just about the perfect small rifle. Home defense...never considered it.

However I would advise a real USGI example if anyone's in the market. These were only ever made during WWII. My own '43 Inland doesn't even really need to be lubricated much. Very accurate out to 100 yards, too. For home defense, I'd suggest making sure to get a rotary safety instead of the original type push safety.

I realize that commercial M1 carbines are not as bad as they used to be and some are good but I still don't get a warm fuzzy from them. The originals are still workhorse rifles and USGI ammo was never corrosive type. I wish ammo was cheaper and more available for them. The M1 carbine sights are just about perfect for me. I love my M1 rifle and the 1903A4gery I built, but the M1 carbine is a lot of fun to shoot and easy to become proficient with

[Scrappy Doo]

A shorter barreled pump 20 gauge or even .410 would make great home defense. Gotta think that you will be point-blank to 20 feet or so from target..... Either of those will do just fine at that range, plus be more manageable.

[KeepItShut]

So... Anybody buy anything cool lately??