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Looking for advice
- Thread starter Jonny_StL
- Start date
SadistAssassin
New member
I have a new little boy...what ever gun you get, buy a pistol safe or else the old lady will neuter you if you leave it out
has two safety's, cheap, reliable, tac rail so you can mount a light/laser. comes with some extra goodies.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_24/products_id/30988
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_24/products_id/30988
Mike Irwin
Staff
Well, you don't give any indication of how familiar you are with guns, so...
I'm going to suggest a used revolver, preferably a Smith & Wesson, in .38 Special or .357 Magnum.
Depending on where you are that shouldn't set you back too terribly much.
And you can use the remaining balance of your guns to seek out and take a class or two with an NRA certified handgun instructor.
I'm going to suggest a used revolver, preferably a Smith & Wesson, in .38 Special or .357 Magnum.
Depending on where you are that shouldn't set you back too terribly much.
And you can use the remaining balance of your guns to seek out and take a class or two with an NRA certified handgun instructor.
Id get a Sig 2022(one for sale in the classifieds right for 375.00) and spend the other 200 on a gunvault and rail mounted light, top it off with some good SD ammo and call it a day.
Sig2022- https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69931
gunvault- http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-GV2000C-DLX-Multi-Vault-Deluxe/dp/B000O8VUR0
weapon light- http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-TLR-1-Mounted-Weapon-Flashlight/dp/tags-on-product/B000JWD16E
Sig2022- https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69931
gunvault- http://www.amazon.com/Gunvault-GV2000C-DLX-Multi-Vault-Deluxe/dp/B000O8VUR0
weapon light- http://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-TLR-1-Mounted-Weapon-Flashlight/dp/tags-on-product/B000JWD16E
Kreyzhorse
New member
I agree with Mike. If you are newer to firearms, a revolver is a great choice. I'd suggest a .357 as that gives you the option of shooting both .357 rounds and the cheaper .38 specials.
+1 with Mike
I would add Ruger to Mike's suggestion. Like the GP100
The reason that Mike’s suggestion is so good is that a revolver is much easier to learn including your wife. No safeties to worry about no failures to clear if the gun jams.
The other item you might want to invest in is a single gun safe. For 80$ you can get a safe that is very easy to get into and safe from your child in the coming years.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=246722
http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html
I would add Ruger to Mike's suggestion. Like the GP100
The reason that Mike’s suggestion is so good is that a revolver is much easier to learn including your wife. No safeties to worry about no failures to clear if the gun jams.
The other item you might want to invest in is a single gun safe. For 80$ you can get a safe that is very easy to get into and safe from your child in the coming years.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=246722
http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html
zombieslayer
New member
I don't really think you can go wrong with any of the current service-grade guns for HD. Get something that you like in 9mm or larger and get out to a range. And I agree that at LEAST a pistol safe would be a good idea. I skipped the pistol safe and bought a giant gunsafe on sale for $1200. Very handy being able to lock up all my most prized valuables.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Welcome to The Firing Line, Johnny StL!
The preceding suggestions are very good ones. I'd like to ask a couple of questions to help us help you.
1) How much experience do you have with firearms generally?
2) How much experience with handguns?
3) If you don't have much experience, do you plan to get at least some basic training?
4) Do you have a preference for a revolver or semiautomatic? If so, why?
5) Do you plan for this to be strictly for home defense or do you plan to carry it?
6) What's your living situation? House? Apartment? Urban? Rural?
7) What will your local gun laws allow?
These questions may seem nosy, but, as I mentioned above, the information will help us help you.
The preceding suggestions are very good ones. I'd like to ask a couple of questions to help us help you.
1) How much experience do you have with firearms generally?
2) How much experience with handguns?
3) If you don't have much experience, do you plan to get at least some basic training?
4) Do you have a preference for a revolver or semiautomatic? If so, why?
5) Do you plan for this to be strictly for home defense or do you plan to carry it?
6) What's your living situation? House? Apartment? Urban? Rural?
7) What will your local gun laws allow?
These questions may seem nosy, but, as I mentioned above, the information will help us help you.
Since this handgun will be for home defense and you have a little one on they way I would suggest getting a handgun safe that can be mounted close to your bed. The one I make is very strong and reliable with the Simplex mechanical lock. No batteries or electricity needed. You have lots of good choices out there and most will keep kids out but at the same time most won't even slow down a thief that doesn't care about damaging your property.
New or entry level handgun owners...
This topic comes up a lot on firearms-tactics message boards.
Depending on your training, skill level, budget etc; I highly suggest a basic simple 3/4" barrel stainless .357magnum or maybe a .44magnum(loaded with .44spl rounds) for home protection.
A Ruger DA only .357magnum SP101 with .38spl +P loads can protect you & your growing family.
If you really want a semi auto pistol & feel you can handle it, a DA only model like a SIG Sauer P229R or P226R in the DAK format or the more expensive HK P30 or P2000 in LEM could work.
In the $600.00 range, a Beretta PX4 C or Constant action(a hammer fired DA only) pistol may be a smart pick.
Whatever you choose, use only factory made high quality ammunition. No reloads or handloaded rounds for defense.
Get a decent white light(flashlight) and maybe some OC or pepper spray as a back up or less than lethal weapon.
Clyde
ps; Take the time to learn your local gun & use of force laws. Get formal weapons training from a quality instructor too. www.NRA.org www.Handgunlaw.us
This topic comes up a lot on firearms-tactics message boards.
Depending on your training, skill level, budget etc; I highly suggest a basic simple 3/4" barrel stainless .357magnum or maybe a .44magnum(loaded with .44spl rounds) for home protection.
A Ruger DA only .357magnum SP101 with .38spl +P loads can protect you & your growing family.
If you really want a semi auto pistol & feel you can handle it, a DA only model like a SIG Sauer P229R or P226R in the DAK format or the more expensive HK P30 or P2000 in LEM could work.
In the $600.00 range, a Beretta PX4 C or Constant action(a hammer fired DA only) pistol may be a smart pick.
Whatever you choose, use only factory made high quality ammunition. No reloads or handloaded rounds for defense.
Get a decent white light(flashlight) and maybe some OC or pepper spray as a back up or less than lethal weapon.
Clyde
ps; Take the time to learn your local gun & use of force laws. Get formal weapons training from a quality instructor too. www.NRA.org www.Handgunlaw.us
Answers to questions above
1. My general knowlege of firearms is limited, I've been deer hunting a few times with my fater in-law using his browning rifle (.308 i believe).
2. My experience with handguns is limited as well. Been to range once or twice with again with my father in-law. Shot his Glock which is .45 ACP.
3. I do plan on taking a training course that offersa basic handgun traing plus home defense.
4. I really don't have a preference for either I'm leaning more towards a semiautomatic though.
5. For now just home defense maybe once I get more proficent I would consider going for my CCW.
6. My current living conditions are a home in a urban area it's a pretty safe area but it's close enough to a sketchy area that i have a concern.
7. Missouri's gun laws are for a lack of better words open.
Thanks to everyone for your input.
1. My general knowlege of firearms is limited, I've been deer hunting a few times with my fater in-law using his browning rifle (.308 i believe).
2. My experience with handguns is limited as well. Been to range once or twice with again with my father in-law. Shot his Glock which is .45 ACP.
3. I do plan on taking a training course that offersa basic handgun traing plus home defense.
4. I really don't have a preference for either I'm leaning more towards a semiautomatic though.
5. For now just home defense maybe once I get more proficent I would consider going for my CCW.
6. My current living conditions are a home in a urban area it's a pretty safe area but it's close enough to a sketchy area that i have a concern.
7. Missouri's gun laws are for a lack of better words open.
Thanks to everyone for your input.
Spats McGee
Administrator
OK, Jonny, that's good information for us to have. Because you have a little one on the way and are on a budget, I'd suggest that you narrow guns down to something that: (a) is suitable for home defense; and (b) can be carried concealed in the future. Buying one gun instead of two is cheaper and has the advantage that you only need to learn to operate one gun instead of two. I've picked up a saying from a buddy of mine, who is very knowledgeable about guns: "A gunfight is not the time to learn new techniques."
There are a whole list of guns that are suitable for both HD and CCW: Rugers, Glocks, S&Ws, Colts, just to name a few. That is by no means an exhaustive list.
As for the semi vs. revolver debate, . . . well, there are pros and cons to each one. You may well have considered all of the factors involved, but I'm going to lay out some pros and cons of each one, just to be sure that you're aware of them. These are very broad generalizations, and exceptions to them most certainly exist.
Semi-auto:
Pros:
1) Larger capacity
2) Potentially faster reloads
3) Slimmer profile (and thus easier to cc)
Cons:
1) More complicated manual of arms
2) Can be disabled by being pushed out of battery
3) In case of misfire or jams, a new round will need to be chambered or perhaps another magazine seated
Revolver:
Pros:
1) Simpler manual of arms
2) Cannot be pushed out of battery
3) In case of a misfire, just pull the trigger again
4) Jams (in the same sense that a semi might have one) seem very unlikely
Cons:
1) Wider profile
2) Potentially slower reloads
Also bear in mind that a semi auto may have a variety of safeties that a revolver doesn't have. I won't list this under the pros or cons, because it's sort of a "phantom con" on revolvers. By that I mean, the trigger pull on a DA revolver can be quite heavy, as compared to some semiautos, so you've got to really want to shoot the revolver for it to happen.
If you decide to go with a semi-auto, I'm going to recommend something in 9 mm. There are plenty of perfectly good 9 mm HD/SD rounds out there, and 9 mm is also a moderately priced round, so that you can afford to practice more than you would with a larger round, like the .45 acp.
I'm going to cast my vote with these other fellows who've suggested getting a .357 revolver and loading it with .38. A .357 revolver (not to be confused with .357 SIG semi-autos) will also shoot .38 ammunition. It's a moderately-priced round, so you can afford to practice more than you would be able to with a larger caliber. There's .38 ammunition out there that will work fine for HD, if you do your part. There's also fairly inexpensive .38 ammunition that will work for practice. You can also load it with .357 magnums if you choose, and they're also a fine HD round.
There are a whole list of guns that are suitable for both HD and CCW: Rugers, Glocks, S&Ws, Colts, just to name a few. That is by no means an exhaustive list.
As for the semi vs. revolver debate, . . . well, there are pros and cons to each one. You may well have considered all of the factors involved, but I'm going to lay out some pros and cons of each one, just to be sure that you're aware of them. These are very broad generalizations, and exceptions to them most certainly exist.
Semi-auto:
Pros:
1) Larger capacity
2) Potentially faster reloads
3) Slimmer profile (and thus easier to cc)
Cons:
1) More complicated manual of arms
2) Can be disabled by being pushed out of battery
3) In case of misfire or jams, a new round will need to be chambered or perhaps another magazine seated
Revolver:
Pros:
1) Simpler manual of arms
2) Cannot be pushed out of battery
3) In case of a misfire, just pull the trigger again
4) Jams (in the same sense that a semi might have one) seem very unlikely
Cons:
1) Wider profile
2) Potentially slower reloads
Also bear in mind that a semi auto may have a variety of safeties that a revolver doesn't have. I won't list this under the pros or cons, because it's sort of a "phantom con" on revolvers. By that I mean, the trigger pull on a DA revolver can be quite heavy, as compared to some semiautos, so you've got to really want to shoot the revolver for it to happen.
If you decide to go with a semi-auto, I'm going to recommend something in 9 mm. There are plenty of perfectly good 9 mm HD/SD rounds out there, and 9 mm is also a moderately priced round, so that you can afford to practice more than you would with a larger round, like the .45 acp.
I'm going to cast my vote with these other fellows who've suggested getting a .357 revolver and loading it with .38. A .357 revolver (not to be confused with .357 SIG semi-autos) will also shoot .38 ammunition. It's a moderately-priced round, so you can afford to practice more than you would be able to with a larger caliber. There's .38 ammunition out there that will work fine for HD, if you do your part. There's also fairly inexpensive .38 ammunition that will work for practice. You can also load it with .357 magnums if you choose, and they're also a fine HD round.
I agree with Mikes post ^. In addition to what he mentioned your wife may want to use it also. You will have to keep it safe from children.
I use a loaded S&W revolver with 38 plus P ammo. My wife will not practice, but she is a good shot with a revolver. Just point it and pull the trigger, She wouldn't have a clue which lever to press on the semi-autos. To complicated.
The simplicity,and reliability of a revolver makes good sense.
I use a loaded S&W revolver with 38 plus P ammo. My wife will not practice, but she is a good shot with a revolver. Just point it and pull the trigger, She wouldn't have a clue which lever to press on the semi-autos. To complicated.
The simplicity,and reliability of a revolver makes good sense.