Hi everyone - first time gun buyer here.
I've been discussing with some gun buddies of mine about getting a gun for self-protection and tried out three different guns - a .22 (LR) revolver, 45 caliber, and .357 magnum - basically, all ends of the spectrum. I know I want a handgun and not a rifle.
They're trying to steer me toward the .22 because their argument is that it's the safest gun and with handguns location matters much more than caliber, and it's cheap to train on. My favorite was the 45 because I had no issue with the recoil and it's a much more powerful gun (and actually was the most accurate with that than anything else). I'd be concerned with a .22 only being effective if you hit just the right spots, which in a high-pressure situation (I'm also having a security system installed Tuesday which will cause a bunch of noise too for when I'm home) may be more difficult than you'd want it to be. The .357 had a lot of recoil, which would be managed with enough practice, but for a first gun I've ruled it out.
In general, I've always seen that someone should go with the highest caliber gun you can easily manage, which for me would be a .45. But I'm also concerned the hefty ammo price tag would discourage regular practice. However, one thought I had as well is that I live within 150 feet of numerous houses, and if the worst case scenario happened and there was a firefight with a BG, a 45 would have the highest chance (compared with a .22) of going through a wall or window and into a neighbors house if I missed, and I obviously have no desire for that to happen.
At this point, I haven't decided on a revolver or pistol yet either - I like the revolver's simplicity and reliability, but reloading a revolver during a fight with a BG isn't really feasible. However, if you're in a FF and don't handle the job within 6 shots, you're likely dead anyway?
So I wanted to get people's thoughts given the situation I presented above whether a .22 or 45 makes sense, or if another gun entirely may make sense. I live in Vermont which as everyone knows is an open carry state but I don't really intend to carry it regularly. It'll mostly be kept in the safe when I'm not home and next to my bed when I am. I might bring it into my car if I'm driving through a shady neighborhood but it's mostly just for the home.
I've been discussing with some gun buddies of mine about getting a gun for self-protection and tried out three different guns - a .22 (LR) revolver, 45 caliber, and .357 magnum - basically, all ends of the spectrum. I know I want a handgun and not a rifle.
They're trying to steer me toward the .22 because their argument is that it's the safest gun and with handguns location matters much more than caliber, and it's cheap to train on. My favorite was the 45 because I had no issue with the recoil and it's a much more powerful gun (and actually was the most accurate with that than anything else). I'd be concerned with a .22 only being effective if you hit just the right spots, which in a high-pressure situation (I'm also having a security system installed Tuesday which will cause a bunch of noise too for when I'm home) may be more difficult than you'd want it to be. The .357 had a lot of recoil, which would be managed with enough practice, but for a first gun I've ruled it out.
In general, I've always seen that someone should go with the highest caliber gun you can easily manage, which for me would be a .45. But I'm also concerned the hefty ammo price tag would discourage regular practice. However, one thought I had as well is that I live within 150 feet of numerous houses, and if the worst case scenario happened and there was a firefight with a BG, a 45 would have the highest chance (compared with a .22) of going through a wall or window and into a neighbors house if I missed, and I obviously have no desire for that to happen.
At this point, I haven't decided on a revolver or pistol yet either - I like the revolver's simplicity and reliability, but reloading a revolver during a fight with a BG isn't really feasible. However, if you're in a FF and don't handle the job within 6 shots, you're likely dead anyway?
So I wanted to get people's thoughts given the situation I presented above whether a .22 or 45 makes sense, or if another gun entirely may make sense. I live in Vermont which as everyone knows is an open carry state but I don't really intend to carry it regularly. It'll mostly be kept in the safe when I'm not home and next to my bed when I am. I might bring it into my car if I'm driving through a shady neighborhood but it's mostly just for the home.