Gun decision for my partner: 5 rounds of .38spl vs. 11 rounds of 9mm

Stay with the Smith

PBP
While many of us "gun guys" prefer semi auto pistols the good ole revolver can not be beat when it comes to simplicity and safety. He is comfortable with his Smith.
Given the odds that he will EVER need any firepower, what do you suppose the odds might be that he will need MORE firepower.
 
Hhmmm...I'm kind of disinclined to make people do anything, whether it be choice of a firearm, anything else. Why do you want to mess with the guy, regardless of whether he shoots well with what he chooses to carry or not? I don't like people telling me what to do, although I will listen to logical proposals.--Patrice:confused:
 
If he has tried it and likes it no problem but just buying one for someone because you think they will like it is in my opinion a no-no.
If he has tried it and likes it then talk it out. Money, fit and feel, usage are all important but he has got to want it and be able to use it for the gun to be a viable choice.
Good luck on it!
 
It sounds like he genuinely doesn't care, but you would prefer he have the G26.

If you can afford it, keep the M60 and get a G26, giving him the choice of which to carry.
 
Yeah, in that picture, he's holding that semi auto like you'd hold a revolver. I'd say if you train him, he'll probably be able to shoot anything but (and I am sure you already know this) it ought to be his choice. The gun has to fit him.

If he truly likes the G26, it sounds like you already have a winning situation, bro.
 
I just want to second the suggestion to consider the Sig P239. My partner grew up shooting handguns and when it was time for me to get a handgun, he suggested the Sig P239 in 9 mm. We've done a lot of range time and I have practiced with that gun a lot. My partner got a Sig P239 in .40 cal at the same time I got the 9 mm. After about a year, we decided not to stock up on multiple different calibers, and he sold the 40 and got himself a P239 in 9 mm, which is now his primary carry gun. I have trouble concealing the 9 mm because I don't like stuff up against my skin, so back to the drawing board, and my partner suggested a S&W 642 in .38 cal which I carry most of the time. Then my partner decided to get the Sig P229 in 9 mm, so I decided to get one, too! Neither of us carry the P229's, but they are good home defense guns.

My advice to you is either get him the Glock or REALLY strongly consider the P239. It is probably safer for a non-gun enthusiast to handle and use, and keep clean, compared to a Glock. I've been shooting rifles since I was 7 and have grown up with firearms safety drummed into my brain, but I still find it a little un-nerving how many stories there are about accidental discharges with Glocks. I have a decade now of experience with handguns, and I'd still be hesitant to get a Glock. For your partner, a Glock may be an accident waiting to happen, but definitely get him a semi-auto 9 mm.
 
if he is content with the smith then there's nothing wrong with him.

is there someone else you are close to that would benefit from
the expenditure? A new or first handgun?

maybe help them get their CCW permit?
 
+++1 to ursavus.elemensis re the Glock choice and his overall argument. A Glock is the last thing I would get/suggest to/"let" someone shoot who "doesn't care" and is not into shooting (at all) as its own reward. That said, I'm half with ursavus re his last sentence--in that I can MAYBE see (a different) 9mm in the OP partner's future, but would lean toward the M60--of the two choices.
 
PBP, both are capable SD guns. (I know you know that already.)

If he likes the M60, shoots it well, and is completely happy with it, it'll take care of business if the time ever comes.

If he likes the G26, shoots it well, and would be happy with it, go buy him one.

If funds are an issue, I'm sure you can find something in your collection that wouldn't leave too large of a gap if you sold it to fund a G26 for your partner... I would happily sell every gun I own (with the exception of my BAR and my G20SF;)) to fund a gun for my wife... She has little/no interest at this point, at least your other half is into it, even if only slightly.

As for the Glock naysayers who claim they are terrible guns to start out on... It all depends on the shooter. No gun is safe. No gun is infalliable. No gun is forgiving of major mistakes. A safety-minded person is just as well off with a Glock as a 1911, Sig, S&W, and so on, regardless of skill level.

BTW: Have you properly introduced him to your G29 yet? :D
 
Someone who "doesn't care" one way or another either about the choice of firearms (except some visceral whiz bang thing) or shooting in general is not going to be as safety (or cleanliness) minded...in the right way. This is especially true in the manner of learning and practicing the ins-and-outs of (any) semi-auto--let alone Glock--versus just about any revolver's greater simplicity--and for a permanent" novice--safety of operation. They're not "living" the gun daily, weekly or even monthly like gun enthusiasts. Come an emergency/incident, all they care about is "squeeze trigger, go bang." No...Rack slide? Is it loaded? Can I see in the indicator port (if it has one) to see if one's in the chamber? What about safeties? Lack of safeties or decockers? Etc, etc.
 
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The Glock 26 is a superb carry weapon--I own one--but for the casual shooter who is not a gun aficionado ((doesn't practice, doesn't like to clean the gun, no interest in the mechanics, etc.) the M60 seems to me a better choice.
 
Can't give you an answer.

Of course, I try to avoid getting sucked into 'making the choice' for folks when it comes to defensive handguns in the first place, let alone getting involved in doing so within the family or a relationship. Perspectives and priorities can differ dramatically, right?

Are you wanting him to pick a defensive handgun to please him or yourself?

It might be fair to consider that preferred choices, right choices and best choices may not necessarily be the same at times ... or mean the same thing to all people.

If you had both available in the safe for him to use for practice and to choose between, would it really bother you if he chose differently than you might wish for yourself?

Projecting your choices and preferences on someone else can sometimes cause more problems than might actually exist in the first place.

How would you feel if a defensive handgun choice, whatever it might be, were actually used and something about the way it operated or needed to be manipulated created a difficulty for him which had dire consequences?
 
Projecting your choices and preferences on someone else can sometimes cause more problems than might actually exist in the first place.
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Couldn't agree more. It sounded like his choice of carry gun was kind of a non-issue until you started overthinking it. I'd say stick with the M60, especially since that's what it sounds like he's got the most experience shooting and would be most comfortable with if he actually needed to use it.

And I'd love to know how you even got him to that point. My partner's Canadian and doesn't even want me owning guns. :barf:
 
Look at the odds....

1. Chances are he is never going to need a gun in the first place.
2. Chances are that him just showing the gun will be enough to change the outcome.
3. If he gets into a situation where he needs more than 5 rounds..... He most likely needs more that 11 AND more training.

So if he is OK with the .38 then work on getting him to shoot it as much as you can get him to shoot it.
 
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