I did alot of research before I bought a firearm for my Wife and myself and I came to the conclusion that it doesn't matter how popular a gun is but only how reliable it will be for protecting my life and my families life. If your into target competition than thats a whole other matter. If you can find a brand of gun that is nice looking and reliable then go for it but you won't see to many people (at least if they have any brains) buying a personal protection gun just because it looks cool. If the gun you buy is not 100% reliable than I would not trust it and neither should you. My first gun was a P95 Ruger and it was 100% reliable, but not carry friendly, so I sold it and bought a Glock 23. Then I started doing ballistics research and came to the conclusion that the 357 sig cartridge was the most able to Penetrate and expand more reliably than most other cartidges. So I bought a .357 barrel and have been very confident in what this bullet will do if I am ever in a situation where I needed to shoot through glass or someone bundled up in leather or heavy clothing. The next concern for me is sights. I should probably be looking for night sights since I must be able to see my perpetrator in low light situations. Actually I might be better equipped if I had laser sights since I would only have to just point the gun at the target and pull the trigger instead of wasting valuable seconds by trying to line up my conventional sights on the target. Anyones choice of weapon is there bussiness but I get ticked off when people try to brand blow me. I COULD CARE LESS WHAT BRAND OF GUN I OWN AS LONG AS IT IS DURABLE AND RELIABLE AND HAS A TRACK RECORD TO PROVE IT. Another thing that ticks me off is the fact that so many people think its the gun that will protect them, but the gun is useless with out a well trained person behind that gun who at least goes to the shooting range a couple of times a month to practice and put there gun to action so they can evaluate its reliability for them selfs. I have only had my gun for 6 months but have already fed 3000 rds through it. And if you go to the range on a regular basis, you will enhance your shooting skills alot.I know I have. Thank God there are alot of decent reliable guns on the market.
Self defence is a life and death issue. Bad guy don't care how pretty your gun is..
- Thread starter john232
- Start date
I agree with you. Prettiness and the name-brand of gun is pointless in self-defense. However, you can't get much more reliable then a finely crafted revolver.
In my opinion, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable gun let alone a semi. If you want something closer to 100%, then why not go with a revolver?
I myself, go with what I am comfortable holding and shooting. If it's a revolver, so be it. If it's a 1911, so be it. I would love to carry a Glock but unfortunately, I have small hands. 1911's feel the best in my hands. Over the years, I've shot them more then any other type of semi.
The way I look at is, if I ever had to use my firearm, I'm comfortable with what I carry. It's range tested (atleast 2000 rounds without a jam) and reliable enough for me. So what if it has a name-brand. The only time name-brands become an issue is within the walls of these forums and ego trippers at the range.
Does it matter if I shoot my $2000+ 1911's? Does it matter if I shoot my $250 Kel-tec P32? No, the only person it matters to is myself and girlfriend.
End of rant.
[This message has been edited by Svt (edited February 12, 2000).]
In my opinion, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable gun let alone a semi. If you want something closer to 100%, then why not go with a revolver?
I myself, go with what I am comfortable holding and shooting. If it's a revolver, so be it. If it's a 1911, so be it. I would love to carry a Glock but unfortunately, I have small hands. 1911's feel the best in my hands. Over the years, I've shot them more then any other type of semi.
The way I look at is, if I ever had to use my firearm, I'm comfortable with what I carry. It's range tested (atleast 2000 rounds without a jam) and reliable enough for me. So what if it has a name-brand. The only time name-brands become an issue is within the walls of these forums and ego trippers at the range.
Does it matter if I shoot my $2000+ 1911's? Does it matter if I shoot my $250 Kel-tec P32? No, the only person it matters to is myself and girlfriend.
End of rant.
[This message has been edited by Svt (edited February 12, 2000).]
svt: I agree with you about the revolver. I need to get a more easily conceilable gun for the summer time and I was evaluating a Ruger sp101 in 357 mag and it seemed like it would be easy to carry for me since I am a pretty slim dude. I think I will probably buy it. Thanks for the reply. John
I'm not into pretty by any means. A butt ugly Model 10 or worn Ballester Mollina will do just fine. It must go BANG or it is a magic wand wannabee.
If one choose a semi auto one has to ADMIT The potential for failure to perform for the gun no matter how well it worked for you in the past. With that in mind you can decide if you will take the increased risks associated with that choice.
As for caliber the .357 is far excessive for the average shooter or for indoor use. The .38 special in +P loadings offers the punch you need without the abuse of a .357. I was in a room when my partner fired 6 .357's at a guy. I don't want to do that again. It isn't fun nor healthy. Something to think about. You also need the ability to to recover FAST from recoil thus the .38 sure comes in a winner in that dept.
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Specialists in the use and training of lethal force.
If one choose a semi auto one has to ADMIT The potential for failure to perform for the gun no matter how well it worked for you in the past. With that in mind you can decide if you will take the increased risks associated with that choice.
As for caliber the .357 is far excessive for the average shooter or for indoor use. The .38 special in +P loadings offers the punch you need without the abuse of a .357. I was in a room when my partner fired 6 .357's at a guy. I don't want to do that again. It isn't fun nor healthy. Something to think about. You also need the ability to to recover FAST from recoil thus the .38 sure comes in a winner in that dept.
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Specialists in the use and training of lethal force.
john,
Here's my 1/2 cent worth:
Couldn't agree with you more.
If it works, stay with it.
If not, find something that will.
I could care less about the 'extras' or 'accessories'.
It's got to go bang right out of the box.
If it happens to be 'pretty',fine, but that's just another 'extra'.
Pistols or revolvers: it helps to be proficient with either, as most of us here probably are. Even though we might prefer one over the other.
And there's no substitute for practice.
Good luck to you and your wife. May you only fire on the range....
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...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
Here's my 1/2 cent worth:
Couldn't agree with you more.
If it works, stay with it.
If not, find something that will.
I could care less about the 'extras' or 'accessories'.
It's got to go bang right out of the box.
If it happens to be 'pretty',fine, but that's just another 'extra'.
Pistols or revolvers: it helps to be proficient with either, as most of us here probably are. Even though we might prefer one over the other.
And there's no substitute for practice.
Good luck to you and your wife. May you only fire on the range....
------------------
...defend the 2nd., it protects us all.
No fate but what we make...
Go with the gun that you feel good for you.
Reliability can never be quantified. There might be still mechanical failures that occurs on a gun at the moment we will use. We will be lucky if when we really need to shoot our guns it will not fail.
As to self defense with the aid of a gun, it is up to the person if he is really determined to face the enemy when necessary.
Any one from us in this forum might get nervous nor forget to draw our guns when we are in a situation of real danger. But I wish any one from us here will be in his good composure every time he encounter such danger.
To be frank, very few people will be feeling normal when he is really in real danger. Either you will be rattled or remain calm, depending on the personality you have, if you are used to such encounter or not. Also, shooting in the range, we think we can be that good in actual situation, but it might be different. If we are in the group of armed people and raiding an objective we feel comfortable because we have company, but I believe that when we are alone to encounter such danger, it is where we see how we really react to that danger, and I will ask, can we really apply of what we have practiced much putting out thousands of bullets on our gun's barrel on the range.
I'll leave you that questions in mind.
Thanks
Reliability can never be quantified. There might be still mechanical failures that occurs on a gun at the moment we will use. We will be lucky if when we really need to shoot our guns it will not fail.
As to self defense with the aid of a gun, it is up to the person if he is really determined to face the enemy when necessary.
Any one from us in this forum might get nervous nor forget to draw our guns when we are in a situation of real danger. But I wish any one from us here will be in his good composure every time he encounter such danger.
To be frank, very few people will be feeling normal when he is really in real danger. Either you will be rattled or remain calm, depending on the personality you have, if you are used to such encounter or not. Also, shooting in the range, we think we can be that good in actual situation, but it might be different. If we are in the group of armed people and raiding an objective we feel comfortable because we have company, but I believe that when we are alone to encounter such danger, it is where we see how we really react to that danger, and I will ask, can we really apply of what we have practiced much putting out thousands of bullets on our gun's barrel on the range.
I'll leave you that questions in mind.
Thanks
Did anyone ever stop to think that a revolver has more moving parts than a semi, and therefore is more likely to have a mechanical failure? K.I.S.S.
If a semi feeds and ejects reliably, it is less likely to fail than a revolver, IMHO. The worst part about semi's is that feeding, and to some degree ejection, is dependent upon a good magazine. Unfortunately, the mag is usually one of the cheapest and most fragile parts, so....
I bought a new S&W M19 once, and it was about 2 weeks between purchase and the first opportunity to fire it. During this time, I dry fired constantly, which smoothed the trigger pull noticeably. When I finally had the opportunity to shoot it, the trigger pull went from smooth and fairly light to gritty and increasingly heavy after the first shot. By the time I had fired 12 rds, DA trigger pull was somewhere in the 20#+ range. I took the gun home and inspected it, and as it turned out, the hand and a few other internals had been butchered at the factory; you could actually see rough file marks on them w/o magnification. I had to return the gun to S&W under warranty and they fixed it by replacing the parts. I've never had this experience with any auto I ever owned. It should be noted that this occured in the late 70's, when S&W was at the height of its QC problems.
Interestingly enough, the most inaccurate gun I've ever owned was also a Smith 25-5 .45 Colt. I was doing good if I could hit 4 out of 6 gallon jugs at 15 feet in rapid fire. Turned out that the factory goofed on that one, too. Fronts of the chambers were bored too big, allowing the bullets to tip as they entered the forcing cone.
Do I distrust revolvers? Not a bit. I just prefer semi's.
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Shoot straight regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=45acp45lc
If a semi feeds and ejects reliably, it is less likely to fail than a revolver, IMHO. The worst part about semi's is that feeding, and to some degree ejection, is dependent upon a good magazine. Unfortunately, the mag is usually one of the cheapest and most fragile parts, so....
I bought a new S&W M19 once, and it was about 2 weeks between purchase and the first opportunity to fire it. During this time, I dry fired constantly, which smoothed the trigger pull noticeably. When I finally had the opportunity to shoot it, the trigger pull went from smooth and fairly light to gritty and increasingly heavy after the first shot. By the time I had fired 12 rds, DA trigger pull was somewhere in the 20#+ range. I took the gun home and inspected it, and as it turned out, the hand and a few other internals had been butchered at the factory; you could actually see rough file marks on them w/o magnification. I had to return the gun to S&W under warranty and they fixed it by replacing the parts. I've never had this experience with any auto I ever owned. It should be noted that this occured in the late 70's, when S&W was at the height of its QC problems.
Interestingly enough, the most inaccurate gun I've ever owned was also a Smith 25-5 .45 Colt. I was doing good if I could hit 4 out of 6 gallon jugs at 15 feet in rapid fire. Turned out that the factory goofed on that one, too. Fronts of the chambers were bored too big, allowing the bullets to tip as they entered the forcing cone.
Do I distrust revolvers? Not a bit. I just prefer semi's.
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Shoot straight regards, Richard at The Shottist's Center http://forums.delphi.com/m/main.asp?sigdir=45acp45lc
LOL!
If you want one S* stop, and utter reliablity, get a semitrained Grizzly bear on a leash! If you want pretty, put some make-up on the Griz! If you want ugly, put a Janet Reno mask on it...if it let's ya
For anything else, read, try ask questions, then get what you feel is best for YOU based on that. Then pray real hard you never have to find out if you were right or wrong.
The only really wrong reason to buy something is to base your decision on one specific set of criteria.
[This message has been edited by RAE (edited February 13, 2000).]
If you want one S* stop, and utter reliablity, get a semitrained Grizzly bear on a leash! If you want pretty, put some make-up on the Griz! If you want ugly, put a Janet Reno mask on it...if it let's ya
For anything else, read, try ask questions, then get what you feel is best for YOU based on that. Then pray real hard you never have to find out if you were right or wrong.The only really wrong reason to buy something is to base your decision on one specific set of criteria.
[This message has been edited by RAE (edited February 13, 2000).]
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
What was that song a couple of years ago:
If you want to be happy the rest of your life take an ugly woman to be your wife...
Of course, I ain't no prize either.
If you want to be happy the rest of your life take an ugly woman to be your wife...
Of course, I ain't no prize either.
I think an actual count would find that an auto (at least the modern type) has as many or more moving parts as a revolver. One significant point is that the revolver is rarely stopped by a bad round, where an auto pistol always is. I have had complete breakdowns with both types, but when I wore a gun every day, it was a revolver.
Jim
Jim
Well, I have had jams with autos and revolvers, but when I had a jam with an auto it was simply a malfunction---it was cleared and shooting again in less than two seconds. When I had jams with revolvers, they were JAMS and required disassembly of the gun to correct. One of the many reasons I stick with autos for defensive use, though the main reason is autos in general and 1911s in particular point much better for me than revolvers.