Firearms Section

[D Day Dog]

Originally Posted by WYKOFF69Z

I would talk to my friend.
Just noticed you live in P-cola. You should find a nice gun for under $500.
This is what my wife carries.

A Berreta 9mm or .40 cal. is a nice pistol and easy for anyone to handle. My wifes shoots a 9mm version and she is quite good with it. Very reliable firearm. Can be found for around $500.

[blake-b]

Have your friend take you to a range where you can rent various guns. Gun suggestions are about as useful as car suggestions. Unless you have tried one, you might be cheating yourself. You might see one you really like the looks of but the ergonomics might not be for you. You can also compare the kick between different calibers (9mm, 40s&w, etc). There is no one best caliber for everything. If there were, all police entities would be using it. Shot placement is far more important than the caliber of the bullet. When you do get one, sure you practice at least monthly at the range, at least weekly at home practicing dry firing and clearing malfunctions. Keep some spent brass around for the malfunction clearing. Never ever practice dry firing or malfunction clearing with live ammunition in the room. Also practice reloading in the dark. If you don't have a small bedside flashlight you need one. If you can afford a pistol mounted light, get one of those so you can keep both hands on the gun.

If it just to keep at home, get a shotgun. There is nothing as distinctive as the sound of a shotgun being racked. Get a shotgun and a handgun if you can. Carry the handgun and hide the shotgun somewhere easily accessible to you.

I gave my wife a glock 19 (9mm). She loved it but after taking a CCW class, she decided it was a little too big for daily CCW. I then got her a glock 26 (also 9mm). She loves that thing. I am partial to glocks though as I have carried one on duty for the last 14 years. If you talk to another person, they might be a fan of Sigs, therefore they will recommend Sigs. So on and so forth...

Originally Posted by UFN Wish

I have 3 room mates and 3 of the 4 are bartenders so we work all hours of the night. On new years eve we were all at work and got home at 5am and someone used a pry bar to try and break into our house. They were unsuccessful thank god but now I want some protection. I have never shot a gun. Just paintball guns and a bow. I have a friend who is a firearms instructor who is going to make sure we know how to use a gun. What is the recommended gun for a female these days? I dont want some crazy ass gun. And nothing over $500.

[Moriartii]

I took a look at a Glock 27 G4 and a XDm .40 sub compact yesterday. Really like the Glock (and have experience with these). The Xd was a bit too clunky and plastic feeling for me.

I am now curious about a S&W M&P .40c I believe as I came home an began research those.

Any insight on those compared to the Glocks? As I am going to pursue my CCL I would like to qualify on the weapon that I am ultimately going to carry.

Also I am having a hard time getting around the lack of a manual safety since I "came up" on the 1911 in the military and it has two integrated manual safeties plus the sear disconnect. Am having a hard time getting over old habit so that is why the S&W appeals to me, you can get it with a thumb safety. At the end of the day is that really a big of a deal for those who use these weapons day in and day out?

Cheers
K

[blake-b]

Rules for Safe Gun Handling
Rule # 1: All firearms are always loaded. Even if they are not, treat them as if they are. (The first words usually spoken after a negligent discharge are, “I thought it was unloaded!”)
Rule # 2: Never allow the muzzle of your firearm to point toward anything you do not intend to kill or destroy. (For those who insist that this particular gun is unloaded, see Rule 1.)
Rule # 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are aligned with your target and you are ready to shoot. (The only way a gun will fire is by pulling the trigger.) I am going to add unless there is mechanical issue with the gun. There has been a documented case of a Beretta 92 (M9) going off while in the holster. Again, it was a mechanical defect. We don't know the round count or history of that gun but it has occurred once I know of.
Rule # 4: Be sure of your target, it's surroundings, and what's beyond it. Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified.

It is all about training. Your finger does not go on the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire. Always always always have your finger along side the slide/frame when you are not ready to fire. Practice that continually and it will become habit. That way, in the event you are holding your weapon and something happens like you trip, even if you flinch your trigger finger is against the slide and cannot fire the weapon. Glock and the other companies put in drop safeties for a reason. Dropping the gun will not make it go off. In fact, if you drop your gun, let it fall. Grabbing it may cause you to engage your trigger.

I think there are some companies out there that made an external safety for the glock but I cannot remember who now. I also know Glock made a run of pistols for a foreign military that had external safeties because that is what they wanted.

[Mark's SS]

Originally Posted by Moriartii

I took a look at a Glock 27 G4 and a XDm .40 sub compact yesterday. Really like the Glock (and have experience with these). The Xd was a bit too clunky and plastic feeling for me.

I am now curious about a S&W M&P .40c I believe as I came home an began research those.

Any insight on those compared to the Glocks? As I am going to pursue my CCL I would like to qualify on the weapon that I am ultimately going to carry.

Also I am having a hard time getting around the lack of a manual safety since I "came up" on the 1911 in the military and it has two integrated manual safeties plus the sear disconnect. Am having a hard time getting over old habit so that is why the S&W appeals to me, you can get it with a thumb safety. At the end of the day is that really a big of a deal for those who use these weapons day in and day out?

Cheers
K

I picked up a S&W M&P 9c back in the summer for another CCW (exactly the same as the .40c, only difference is the barrel). It's a nice gun and shoots well. Good for concealed carry. I have had no issues with it. It has the manual safety as well. I have always been partial to Colt 1911's and I just like the safety like that. Try one out at the range if you get a chance. You may like it.
I recently picked up a S&W Bodyguard .380 for a pocket gun. Great little gun.
Built in laser is cool. I am becoming a fan of these S&W M&P's.

[Ruin]

Originally Posted by Mark's SS

I picked up a S&W M&P 9c back in the summer for another CCW (exactly the same as the .40c, only difference is the barrel). It's a nice gun and shoots well. Good for concealed carry. I have had no issues with it. It has the manual safety as well. I have always been partial to Colt 1911's and I just like the safety like that. Try one out at the range if you get a chance. You may like it.
I recently picked up a S&W Bodyguard .380 for a pocket gun. Great little gun.
Built in laser is cool. I am becoming a fan of these S&W M&P's.

I carry the exact same M&P (with the ambi butterfly safety) also. I LOVE shooting 9mm... simply because I'm a better shot with it and can carry more rounds.

I also carry a Ruger LCP (.380) and want to trade it for a S&W Bodyguard (better trigger pull).

And... I'm getting a full sized Kimber SIS Custom in a few weeks that I may or may not carry.



I tell the same thing to everyone asking advice on what to carry.

You need to shoot it well - most number of rounds on target - I use paper plates to train for center mass.
You need to conceal it properly - no printing, nothing obvious
You need to be able to get to it quickly. Period.


Thought I'd share...

[66olds442]

Originally Posted by UFN Wish

I have 3 room mates and 3 of the 4 are bartenders so we work all hours of the night. On new years eve we were all at work and got home at 5am and someone used a pry bar to try and break into our house. They were unsuccessful thank god but now I want some protection. I have never shot a gun. Just paintball guns and a bow. I have a friend who is a firearms instructor who is going to make sure we know how to use a gun. What is the recommended gun for a female these days? I dont want some crazy ass gun. And nothing over $500.

Everyone will give you different opinions but here is my recommendation

If you have time to go to the range and practice get a 9m Springfield XDm 4"

A 9m is cheaper to go to the range and practice with compared to larger caliber weapons. Plus it will be easier for you to stay on target after your first shot. Some people will talk about stopping power, but if you shoot someone trying to break into your house, they'll probably take off running even if you miss.

I have a .40 XD 4" and LOVE the gun. I've shot a lot of guns and nothing felt better in my hands and I've never had any issues with it.

If you don't have a lot of time to go to the range, I'd recommend a revolver mainly becuase it's a lot less complicated to load, shoot, clear, no jamming, etc.

Just make sure you shoot a gun before you buy and that it feels good in your hands.

[Mark's SS]

You will like the Bodyguard a lot better than the LCP. If you haven't tried one yet you will see the difference when you do. You are right about the trigger pull.
The Kimber is nice too.
Being full size they are more difficult for concealed carry. The shorter barrel versions like my Colt Defender (or Kimber Ultra Carry) are better suited for that. I like my .45's but they are heavy and harder to conceal.

[SirMike]

Originally Posted by 66olds442

Everyone will give you different opinions but here is my recommendation

If you have time to go to the range and practice get a 9m Springfield XDm 4"

A 9m is cheaper to go to the range and practice with compared to larger caliber weapons. Plus it will be easier for you to stay on target after your first shot. Some people will talk about stopping power, but if you shoot someone trying to break into your house, they'll probably take off running even if you miss.

I have a .40 XD 4" and LOVE the gun. I've shot a lot of guns and nothing felt better in my hands and I've never had any issues with it.

If you don't have a lot of time to go to the range, I'd recommend a revolver mainly becuase it's a lot less complicated to load, shoot, clear, no jamming, etc.

Just make sure you shoot a gun before you buy and that it feels good in your hands.

Love my XD, but a revolver is the easiest/best way to go for most novice shooters. IMHO. Best of luck.

[Fightinfire921]

Originally Posted by SirMike

Love my XD, but a revolver is the easiest/best way to go for most novice shooters. IMHO. Best of luck.

[2010SS2SS]

Shotgun for home defense

[arod55]

Originally Posted by WYKOFF69Z

I have two 38 Detective specials 5 shots. One is a Ladies Detective Special which is great for a concealed weapon. I just bought a Beretta 9mm PX4 which is sweet. It takes a lot of practice to qualify with a smaller gun at further distance.

[BOOGIE]

Shotgun for home defense

[archtaan]

Or a carbine for home defense.