22-rimfire
New member
I seldom look at Sig guns, but I know they are well made overall. My post is going to wander around a bit, but I generally feel you are better off with a larger home defense gun and a smaller concealed carry gun. Liking them and shooting them reasonably well is a given.
First gun.... for home defense primarily, but might want to carry later....?
My sister was looking for essentially the same gun (revolver vs semi-auto). She lives in MD. She ended up buying a Taurus snubbie in 38spl because of the simplicity of operation. I suggested she mostly look at S&W if she was looking at revolvers. But she liked the feel of that Taurus revolver in her hand and it was available to purchase, so she did. There were NO S&W at the gunshops she visited; all sold. I just hope it functions well and it is not a lemon like so many Taurus revolvers are.
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CT has a magazine capacity law at 10 rounds I believe. So, the utility of getting a Glock 19 (middle size 9mm) is reduced somewhat. However, Glocks are so easy to shoot, are generally accurate after you get comfortable with them, and easy to take apart for cleaning and whatever other reason you might have. I would look hard at the Glock 19 and see how it feels in your hand. My mid-size Glock is the M23 (40 S&W) which I believe is an excellent choice for your initial needs. I keep mine loaded mostly at home, because I carry a small light S&W 38spl revolver for personal self defense outside the home when I carry.
The Glock 19 or 23 is harder to conceal than a smaller semi-auto, but you are more likely to be able to shoot it more accurately over a smaller pistol. Size matters....
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40 S&W vs 9mm.... many experts believe that the added firepower of the 40 S&W does not justify the choice over a 9mm Glock because of the extra magazine capacity and slightly lighter recoil (hence control). I think I agree IF you can utilize the 10+ round magazines.
First, I would look mostly at 9mm or 40 S&W semi-auto pistols and skip 380 ACP entirely unless it is for your concealed carry gun. I do like the Glock 19 and 23. But, I really like the Ruger LC9, SR9C and SR40C models. The LC9 is pretty easy to pocket carry and you have added power and generally better ammunition choices (and availability under normal times) over the 380 ACP.
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Revolver? Many really like the Ruger SP-101. I find them a bit heavy for regular concealed carry. Great gun however and you can learn to shoot it sufficiently well in 38spl, a caliber that is perfectly suited for someone who is likely to never have to use a firearm in self defense in their lifetime.
If I were buying a home defense revolver, it would in all probablity be a Ruger GP-100 in a 3" or 4" barrel length (or the SP-101 in 3"). You get an extra round over the SP-101 (6 vs 5 shots). They balance nicely and you can learn to shoot one in 38spl pretty easily. You would probably have a bit more trouble with 357's, but that is obtainable too. Don't overlook the S&W revolvers. The 686 is excellent! The Model 60 (small J-frame steel revolver) is very good but harder to shoot in 357 mag mostly due to its small grips.
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I generally feel that your house gun should be purchased as a gun you can reliably shoot well and the concealed carry gun be purchased as a gun you don't shoot as often but due to its smaller size, it is there when you need it.
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Only you can anwer that question about two versus one gun. Yes, you are spending more money. But I would deal with the first issue first and that is home defense to be employed in addition to the shotgun.
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For new shooters, I almost always recommend a 22 handgun to learn to shoot with wether it be a semi-auto or revolver. Ammunition availability is good (except for the recent shortage) and practice is cheap. You would not be totally de-fanged just using the 22 for home defense if you are a reasonably capable shooter.
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I like the Ruger 10/22 rifle for home defense too by the way. They are very reliable quick pointing guns and reloads are pretty quick even with the 10-round Ruger magazines. They are also a lot of fun to shoot. But they are not the most accurate of 22 rifles available out of the box; but suitable accuracy for most shooters.
First gun.... for home defense primarily, but might want to carry later....?
My sister was looking for essentially the same gun (revolver vs semi-auto). She lives in MD. She ended up buying a Taurus snubbie in 38spl because of the simplicity of operation. I suggested she mostly look at S&W if she was looking at revolvers. But she liked the feel of that Taurus revolver in her hand and it was available to purchase, so she did. There were NO S&W at the gunshops she visited; all sold. I just hope it functions well and it is not a lemon like so many Taurus revolvers are.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CT has a magazine capacity law at 10 rounds I believe. So, the utility of getting a Glock 19 (middle size 9mm) is reduced somewhat. However, Glocks are so easy to shoot, are generally accurate after you get comfortable with them, and easy to take apart for cleaning and whatever other reason you might have. I would look hard at the Glock 19 and see how it feels in your hand. My mid-size Glock is the M23 (40 S&W) which I believe is an excellent choice for your initial needs. I keep mine loaded mostly at home, because I carry a small light S&W 38spl revolver for personal self defense outside the home when I carry.
The Glock 19 or 23 is harder to conceal than a smaller semi-auto, but you are more likely to be able to shoot it more accurately over a smaller pistol. Size matters....
------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 S&W vs 9mm.... many experts believe that the added firepower of the 40 S&W does not justify the choice over a 9mm Glock because of the extra magazine capacity and slightly lighter recoil (hence control). I think I agree IF you can utilize the 10+ round magazines.
First, I would look mostly at 9mm or 40 S&W semi-auto pistols and skip 380 ACP entirely unless it is for your concealed carry gun. I do like the Glock 19 and 23. But, I really like the Ruger LC9, SR9C and SR40C models. The LC9 is pretty easy to pocket carry and you have added power and generally better ammunition choices (and availability under normal times) over the 380 ACP.
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Revolver? Many really like the Ruger SP-101. I find them a bit heavy for regular concealed carry. Great gun however and you can learn to shoot it sufficiently well in 38spl, a caliber that is perfectly suited for someone who is likely to never have to use a firearm in self defense in their lifetime.
If I were buying a home defense revolver, it would in all probablity be a Ruger GP-100 in a 3" or 4" barrel length (or the SP-101 in 3"). You get an extra round over the SP-101 (6 vs 5 shots). They balance nicely and you can learn to shoot one in 38spl pretty easily. You would probably have a bit more trouble with 357's, but that is obtainable too. Don't overlook the S&W revolvers. The 686 is excellent! The Model 60 (small J-frame steel revolver) is very good but harder to shoot in 357 mag mostly due to its small grips.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I generally feel that your house gun should be purchased as a gun you can reliably shoot well and the concealed carry gun be purchased as a gun you don't shoot as often but due to its smaller size, it is there when you need it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only you can anwer that question about two versus one gun. Yes, you are spending more money. But I would deal with the first issue first and that is home defense to be employed in addition to the shotgun.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
For new shooters, I almost always recommend a 22 handgun to learn to shoot with wether it be a semi-auto or revolver. Ammunition availability is good (except for the recent shortage) and practice is cheap. You would not be totally de-fanged just using the 22 for home defense if you are a reasonably capable shooter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I like the Ruger 10/22 rifle for home defense too by the way. They are very reliable quick pointing guns and reloads are pretty quick even with the 10-round Ruger magazines. They are also a lot of fun to shoot. But they are not the most accurate of 22 rifles available out of the box; but suitable accuracy for most shooters.
