Recommend a pistol for me

[speedster]

For women with small hands:

Glock 26 w/Hollow Points.
For limited clothing concealed - Colt Mustang Pocketlite 380.
For real small concealed needs - Kel-Tec .32.

[speedster]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I have not yet gotten a chance to read the entire thread yet. However, there's a growing number of officers whom I work with that are carrying the Kahr arms pistols. I carry a PM4043 off duty. Yes, it has a 3" barrel. However, I have shot a perfect score with this pistol the past two years at my qualifications (I have to qualify with this gun to carry it off duty per my regs w/ the city). Even from 25 yards, the pistol is VERY accurate. One of the range instructors was surprised at the accuracy of such a small pistol.

Again, I HIGHLY recommend this gun. I carry the .40 caliber. GREAT GUN.

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_40sw_pm.html

Tag - That Kahr looks pretty cool. I'll have to check that one out. Do you think a female (wife) with small hands could be accurate with it ?
Thanks.

[ShnOmac]

SIG P226 X-Five Tactical in 40...... good stuff right there

[Dukeboy01]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. Different tactical situations call for different guns. It's hard to say what the perfect all- around gun is. My recommendation to family members and friends who are looking to buy their first pistol has always been the Glock 19. It's the perfect all around handgun IMO. It's small enough to conceal, but has more than enough capacity when used with standard capacity magazines. Unfortunately, you'll be limited to 10 round mags in Commiefornia, so I guess that's less of a consideration.

Glocks are relatively simple and easy to maintain. I've owned and daily carried them (both 9mm and .40) for over 13 years and I've never had one break on me or fail to fire for some reason that wasn't due to "operator error." They're practically indestructible. Their quality is great. You can spend a lot more money to get a better quality handgun, but there is no way you'll be able to spend less and get a better quality gun.

We can let this devolve into a caliber flame war a la www.glocktalk.com, but if you or the missus are new shooters then I recommend a 9mm handgun primarily for one reason: 9mm ammo is relatively cheap compared to other calibers. If you're going to get a gun you need to know how to use it and you're going to need to put a lot of rounds through it to get proficient. If you go with a larger caliber, the ammo will cost more and that might cause you to put off getting in range time.

Another reason I recommend 9mm to new shooters is that the felt recoil is relatively low compared to other calibers. If your first gun feels like it's going to break your wrist every time you pull the trigger, you'll start making excuses not to practice. Learn with a 9mm and then move up into bigger calibers if you decide you want to become a gun nut.

Load it up for self- defense with 147 grain hollow points from Federal or Speer and you'll have plenty of power to throw at the bad guys. Get cheap stuff to practice with, but don't skimp when it comes to what you have it loaded with for self- defense purposes.

Good luck. Hope this helps. I will end with some gun porn from my personal stash. This is my 1993 Glock 19:

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I have not yet gotten a chance to read the entire thread yet. However, there's a growing number of officers whom I work with that are carrying the Kahr arms pistols. I carry a PM4043 off duty. Yes, it has a 3" barrel. However, I have shot a perfect score with this pistol the past two years at my qualifications (I have to qualify with this gun to carry it off duty per my regs w/ the city). Even from 25 yards, the pistol is VERY accurate. One of the range instructors was surprised at the accuracy of such a small pistol.

Again, I HIGHLY recommend this gun. I carry the .40 caliber. GREAT GUN.

http://www.kahr.com/PA-1_40sw_pm.html

WHOA those little buggers are expensive.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

WHOA those little buggers are expensive.

kyle... clean out your pm's

[SScattergunSS]

The thing is, if it's for HOME DEFENSE, and if you're only going to buy one gun, it has to be a quality double action revolver! The main reason is because there is so much less that can go wrong with a double action revolver as opposed to a semi automatic handgun. For example, if you pull the trigger and it goes click instead of bang, all you have to do is pull the trigger again. If you do that with an auto, you will have to take that little extra amount of time to clear it to get it back in action. With practice, you can do it very quickly, but it still takes time, and that may not be something you'll have the luxury of. Also, if one of your hands is out of action, for any multitude of reasons, such as a broken arm, having just been wounded yourself, having ahold of the bad guy, or simply being covered in blood (regardless of who's it is), you will be very hard pressed to clear any malfunction should one occur.

Only get a blue or black finish...stay away from stainless steel, and most especially nickel plated finishes. You don't want anything that's could shine if you can avoid it. A slight glint of light bouncing off the gun (although very rarely) could effect your own eyesight for a split second. It also could give your position away if you're either trying to hide or trying to gain a positional advantage.

There is a great combat revolver Smith & Wesson made awhile back. It was a remake of their Model 27, but this time they gave it an eight round cylinder. It's a .357 Magnum, with your choice of either a four, or six inch barrel. The 4" would probable be your best bet...but if you can afford it, buy 'em both!!!

There are some other ones to consider as well, but to get the RIGHT one, you mave have to buy one of the older ones. Even though they will be "used", don't worry about it! A good gunsmith will let you know if it's still in good shape. The calibers to look at are, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and the .45 Long Colt. If you go with one of the Magnums, you really don't want to be using full power loads. If you keep the velocity down around 1100 feet per second, (maybe closer to 1200 for the .357), that will give you more than enough power. If you go with the .45 Long Colt, (not to be confused with the .45 ACP round used in the auto's) you can get some loads from 975-1050 feet per second, while still throwing a very heavy bullet out there, which would be very effective.

Now, if you're willing to buy more that one gun, get a good shotgun. A shotgun should be your first choice in any situation, that allows the use of a shotgun. You're revolver will be right there on you should you need it, but let the scattergun do most if not all the work.

One other thing, don't underestimate the value of top quality knife no matter what gun you buy! In you find yourself in real close with a bad guy, it will be alot more valuable than ANY GUN!!!

If you want to, send me a private message with you phone number. I'll call you back on my dime...I don't care. I can convey more info interacting with you, rather than just typing.

On a final note, remember, Murphy's Law always applies! If it can go wrong, it will! Always have not only a second backup plan, but a thrid and fourth one as well.

[roadtripper]

I like a model 1911 (.45).
Springfield Armory has a good variety, from the GI .45 to customs.

[KILLER74Z28]

Originally Posted by roadtripper

I like a model 1911 (.45).
Springfield Armory has a good variety, from the GI .45 to customs.

I'm a rifle man but if I had to get a hand gun the 1911 it the one for me...

[Jamie Mac]

I carry a Ruger LCP 380. Its not the most comfortable gun to shoot if you have carpeltunnel like I do but with the pocket holster it just looks like I have my wallet in my front pocket and it fits comfortably even while sitting. Not much bigger than a .22 or .25. My only issue with it is the very long trigger pull. Its almost impossible to just use your finger pad to shoot. With the finger extension magazine it is much better to hold on to. I have been pretty accurate with it. (for me anyway!) Certainly not the most stopping power by any means but like I said it fits right in my pocket. So far my average is 18 rounds shot and then my Carple kicks in and I shake all over. If I'm ever in a situation where I need to shoot 18 rounds then I'm probably toast anyway! I know a few cops that wear one on their ankle.

[Jamie Mac]

Originally Posted by TJTKSDMJ8

Beretta is a good service weapon. I guess we are in a world of lighter, less complicated weapons now. And for the black talons, those freaking things are scary on our side of the badge..

Well if your on the good side of the badge then you have nothing to worry about from the black talons in my 9mm. Come uninvited into my house in the night and then your not going to like me.

[Matster]

Walther P99 http://www.waltherpistols.com/catego..._Handguns.aspx

[Kyle2k]

How about this, the best mix for home defense

[Camaroman_99]

You definitely cant go wrong with Sig Sauer ... I've got a 220,228 and 225 (P6) A Colt Detective Special (.38) is my "truck gun". A Remington 870 for home defense! I like S&W revolvers also I would check out California gun laws for sure.