Suggestions for Home Firearm

ruger gp100 357 revolver

1st choice: smith&wesson 44 magnum revolver

why? because like numerous doctors have told me:

almost all of the 44 magnum gunshot victims treated on their watch die

this weapon will protect your family and has multiple uses(if you want it to-hunting,range w/buddies,etc). if you can shoot and hold a weapon firm which I think you can, it is fine. if you buy into the hooplah, go with the 357 if it make you feel more comfortable. the 357 will defend your family too.

ps- I prefer about 5 to 6 inch for my family/house gun but you can kill 2 birds with one stone and get a smaller barrel. that way you can carry it easier if you decide to down the road. I didn't take this into account and had to buy another one for this purpose.

pps- a smith&wesson 44 magnum revolver will outlive your grandson
 
I think you already have the right mindset and attitude. The training is more important than a fancy $3000 pistol. Find a pistol that works best for you and spend the rest on really good training and lots of practice ammo.
 
The best thing, if possible, is to shoot any handgun before you invest in it, and consider it to be your main S/D weapon. As Mr. Dee and several others have suggested a quality revolver in .357 Magnum is the ideal IMHO self defense handgun.

Forgive me, I should have started with welcome...
 
To: MashieNblick

I hope the sound of me racking the slide on my shotgun makes 'em take a crapper in their pants- right before they make a mad dash tactical retreat! Now, if only I could coceal that shotgun, plus my Glock :D:D........
 
simplified: I'm local

I, too, reside in sunny Vermont.
I own my own range, and a few handguns.
I am safe, and mildly proficient in the use of a handgun.
I have some experience teaching the safe use of a handgun.

E-mail me and we'll set something up.

WESHOOT2@aol.com
 
Everybody has an opinion on what to buy for a home defense weapon. Here is my opinion. My recommendation for a home defense weapon is a 357 magnum revolver with a 4 inch barrel. There are many choices. S&W and Ruger are the most common but there are other makes that would work. As far as your Sigma goes, I own a Sigma 40VE. Larger caliber than the 9 mm. A lot of the responses are bashing your Sigma. That is because of rumors. I bet few of the members bashing the Sigma have ever owned one. These opinions are strictly a result of forums like this one.
The S&W Sigma is a true double action only semi-auto. It’s a lot like a double action revolver. The trigger is long and somewhat heavy. The trigger pull is around 10 lbs. The accurately of the Sigma is good for a self defense handgun. It is not a long distance range pistol. If you practice you can be accurate out to 15 yards. Since most self defense situations occur at 20 feet or less the Sigma can perform well enough to get the job done. The sights can be improved visually. The Sigma is one of the safest handguns out there. Because of the longer trigger travel there is less change of an accidental discharge.
Bottom line:
I would practice more and checkout some Hi Vis sights for your Sigma.
If you do this you might find the Sigma would be more than enough handgun to serve as a home defense weapon.
Regards,
Howard
 
I'm surprised nobody has recommended a CZ-75B! Endlessly reliable, beautiful, and accurate. Full steel frame for long-term durability and controllability during firing. Available in 40 for those who prefer a caliber starting with 4. Also available in stainless.
 
Glock 20

If price is not an issue, I suspect that ammo price won't be an issue too?

IMHO the best pistol is the one you train the most with, if it was only time and not money that would keep me from shooting 10mm, I'd take it over a 9mm.

So I would say Glock 20, I can't see any situation in which 15 rounds of 10mm won't be enough.
 
$3k for home protection???

No offense but that's nuts. Like someone previously mentioned, feel out and shoot as many as you can. If you are looking for an auto you will probably end up anywhere from $500 to $800 and owning a gun you enjoy to shoot and is very reliable. Good luck! (XD, Glock, M&P, SIG....all great guns)
 
$3k for home protection???
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I can't see where anyone has suggested a $3,000 pistol here. Am I missing something?

It is curious that you'd think (presumably) that spending $3,000 for home protection is "nuts." How much should you spend for home protection?

Never want to stint on price for SCUBA equipment, alarm systems, or fire insurance premiums.

Summarising the thoughts posted here these seem to be the favourites -- if we exclude, for the moment, revolvers and shotguns:

  • Glock 20 (10mm) - Cost about $625 with night sights
  • Springfield XD (.45) - Cost about $500
  • S&W M&P (9mm) - Cost about $650
  • Ruger SR9 - Cost about $400 (Sigma-esque price)
  • HK 45CP - Cost about $950
No $3,000 pistols here . . .

I realise that we are not comparing apples with apples. Curious if the HK -- which seems, price-wise, to be much higher than the others -- is "worth" the extra money.

Now off to find a gun shop in Vermont or Florida (there next week) that may have all of these in stock so I can "feel' them all. Looks like I might be successful in the Miami area.

Have I left anything off of my shopping list that should be included?

Again, thanks for the help. It's been very interesting.
 
I would like to become very familiar with my pistol so that it also becomes an extension of me. And I don't feel that the current pistol -- the SW9VE -- is worthy of that much of my time.
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Insulting one of the most ergonomic natural pointers of all time gets no points from me.

Sorry the sigma isn't worth your time, but it sounds like you have enough cash to buy something that will make you good.
 
nothing wrong with the sigma, people complain about the trigger but that's a safty feature, I have the .40 and hasn't missed a beat, I did a trigger job and it's at 3 1/2lb nice and crisp.
 
I think the issue you're running into with the $2k-$3k mark is that you very rapidly ht diminishing returns. No, you can't put a dollar amount on personal safety, but you can on the price of a gun. The fact is, a gun in that price range is going to be, most likely, a decorative or target model. Most combat pistols max out at $1000, and the vast majority of them are no more than $650. The extra cash will not necessarily get you a gun that is more accurate or reliable.

I think you got an extreme reaction from some members because the budget you proposed is so much larger than is usually considered necessary, or even desireable in most circumstances. My advice would be, get the H&K in 45acp and get lots of practice ammo.
 
Insulting one of the most ergonomic natural pointers of all time gets no points from me.
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Hey, I didn't insult it -- I actually bought it.

Folks have said that the pistol should "feel" good in my hand, and in use, and that it is a very subjective/personal thing. As I've gained (slightly) more experience the Sigma doesn't meet that requirement . . . at least for me.
 
I think the issue you're running into with the $2k-$3k mark is that you very rapidly ht diminishing returns. No, you can't put a dollar amount on personal safety, but you can on the price of a gun. The fact is, a gun in that price range is going to be, most likely, a decorative or target model. Most combat pistols max out at $1000, and the vast majority of them are no more than $650. The extra cash will not necessarily get you a gun that is more accurate or reliable.
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Thanks, Daekar. This actually makes sense to me -- now. Didn't find this explanation in any of the magazines and books I've read, although the instructor essentially said as much, although not as eloquently.
 
let the man pay 6grand if he chooses. Its all in whether money is an issue or not and how much of an issue it is to him. a grand could be like a 100bucks to someone else. it just all depends. some people's wives spend 5+ grand on a fur...
 
If you want a decent pistol, capable of carry and range shooting, I'd look in the "compact" range. Personally, the Glock 19, Commander or CCO sized 1911s, SR9c, compact M&Ps, or xDs would all fit the bill nicely.

Do you have any preferences as far as trigger system, safeties, or capacity?
 
Now off to find a gun shop in Vermont or Florida (there next week) that may have all of these in stock so I can "feel' them all. Looks like I might be successful in the Miami area.
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Regarding this- are you aware of the nuances of our laws involving out-of-state purchases (assuming you are now a resident of VT)?

To briefly summarize, you can only purchase handguns directly in your state of residence. If you were to find and buy one in FL the dealer will have to ship it up to another FFL/dealer in VT who will actually "transfer" it into your possession.
 
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