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Fat Bastard 
New Orleans Saints Fan
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| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 7:32 pm to Duckman13)
(no message)
This post was edited on 5/2 at 7:33 pm
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El Josey Wales 
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| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 7:42 pm to Fat Bastard)
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KingRanch
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
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Some thoughts on home defense or truck guns.
Experienced shooter: Full size striker type semi-auto made by Glock, M&P, Sig or Springfield XD. Might also consider DA/SA semi-auto, although my personal preference is either DA semi-auto or SA semi-auto, not DA/SA. I'd suggest a gun w/o an external safety lever unless one's willing to practice sufficiently to become proficient manipulating a safety during stress. A 1911 is always a fine choice IF one is willing to learn it's manual of arms. Full size revolver is always a fine choice, as well. As far as semi-auto calibers, w/ the appropriate/best loads, 45 ACP, 40 S&W and 9mmm all are good for home defense. 9 mm is least expensive to practice w/ for the non-handloader. For revolvers, your best choice will be 357 Mag, unless you find a rare revolver made in one of the above semi-auto calibers. If the shooter is troubled by the recoil/muzzle blast of the 357 Mag, get a 38 Special w/ +P loads. Whether a semi-auto or revolver, there's no need to get a "compact" or lightweight version of the gun or a pocket pistol; get a full-size.
Inexperienced shooter: Full size revolver in 357 Mag w/ same exception for recoil/muzzle blast as above.
If there's the chance that multiple levels of experienced shooters may handle the gun, I'd choose the gun appropriate for the least experienced shooter. Many women have difficulties manipulating the slide on a semi-auto handgun.
Of course, the single best home defense gun is a shotgun, 12 gauge preferred, but 20 gauge is acceptable.
Finally, the most important aspect of home defense is perimeter defense, i.e. locks, secure windows, a dog, etc.
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USMCTiger03
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2007
58405 posts
| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 8:06 pm to Who Me)
quote:
For a simple and first time handgun for self defense it would be hard to argue with a Glock.
Shot a lot of guns, own a few, and love my Glock 22.
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El Josey Wales
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| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 8:09 pm to USMCTiger03)
quote:
Shot a lot of guns, own a lot of guns, and love all my Glocks
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AlxTgr
LSU Fan
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
27835 posts
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quote:
I'd suggest a gun w/o an external safety lever unless one's willing to practice sufficiently to become proficient manipulating a safety during stress
So scary.
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El Josey Wales
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| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 8:16 pm to AlxTgr)
quote:
So scary
You trolling a handgun thread again? 
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
1821 posts
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quote:
I'd suggest a gun w/o an external safety lever unless one's willing to practice sufficiently to become proficient manipulating a safety during stress
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So scary.
Not really. Do all Glocks scare you? Do all single action/double action revolvers scare you?
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El Josey Wales
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He has stated previously that he doesn't own any handguns. Likes to stir up trouble in handgun threads.
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Boats n Hose
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2011
30146 posts
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I'm sensing sarcasm in his post
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LSU316
LSU Fan
Frog City Baby!!!
Member since Nov 2007
9299 posts
| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 10:48 pm to Who Me)
quote:
it would be hard to argue with a Glock.
Yep over the years I've had a 22, 19, 26, and currently own a 23. I have never had any problems with it......It is my go to weapon if I ever hear anything that concerns me enough to get up at night.
However, I will say this as the guy above said it isn't necessary to go pocket pistol, but I made it a point to practice shooting my roommates LCP and eventually I bought one. I carry that gun every day and feel just as comfortable shooting it as I do my 23. Of course I put probably 500 rounds down my old roommates LCP before I got mine and I continuously practice with mine.
The reason that I say that is becuase when I got my CCH I would find inevitably that there would be days when I was rushing and didn't have time to situate my 23 in the tuckable holster so I left home without it. I always wondered if I would ever need that gun and not have it. I don't ever wonder that anymore since I got my LCP.
I know there are a lot of lets just say mixed reviews on the Ruger around here but it works for me damn well.
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
1821 posts
| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/2/12 at 11:36 pm to LSU316)
quote:
He has stated previously that he doesn't own any handguns. Likes to stir up trouble in handgun threads.
Thanks for the heads up. :-) I have a tendency to forget that there a number of people on the 'net who make a comment on a thread just for the sake a commenting, not because they have something useful to add to the debate....
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TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill
Member since Sep 2008
1821 posts
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quote:
I'm sensing sarcasm in his post
You may be right. My "forum/intenet sarcasm meter" has been know to be poorly calibrated at times. :-)
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Tigah in the ATL
LSU Fan
Atlanta
Member since Feb 2005
20607 posts
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quote:
Not really. Do all Glocks scare you? Do all single action/double action revolvers scare you?
TATL's take on safeties:
Long gun users who use their safeties often feel that their pistols should have one too. My opinion is that outside of military users, there is no good use for a long gun safety because you shouldn't be walking around with it loaded anyway. Maybe if you're stalking or maybe in the stand, but even then it's doubtful. Lots of long guns will fire if dropped when loaded & cocked whether or not the safety is on.
There.
Also, if you're a dumbass, you can grab your Glock in your pants, shoot yourself, & end up in jail.
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coloradoBengal
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2007
32608 posts
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quote:
Also, if you're a dumbass, you can grab your Glock in your pants, shoot yourself, & end up in jail.
Or employed by the govt.
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DownshiftAndFloorIt
LSU Fan
The devil dreams on an idle horse
Member since Jan 2011
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| re: Buying a handgun (Posted on 5/3/12 at 7:25 am to Duckman13)
First question is do you ever plan on carrying this gun?
If no, you need to get a full sized gun. A 4" or 6" barreled .357 mag or full sized glock are probably your best bets. Both are simple and reliable.
The main thing is practice an assload. Handguns are incredibly difficult to shoot well.
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Schwartz
Hail Victory!
Member since Nov 2006
24959 posts
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I'll go with my default truck gun suggestion: Stoeger Cougar in whatever caliber you want.
I stress tested mine two months ago. Ran out of ammo at 550 rounds with 0 failures, and the firearm hadn't been cleaned (at all, with no extra lube) in over 2,000 rounds total. It's big, it's heavy, but it's inexpensive, surprisingly accurate, has a great trigger, and is the most reliable firearm I've ever owned.
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coloradoBengal
LSU Fan
Member since Sep 2007
32608 posts
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I think the "stress safety" problem is greatly exaggerated. If you practice with your gun at all... it shouldn't be a problem.
When I shoulder a rifle/shotgun, I flick the safety off. Its a natural movement. When I pull it down... I put it back on. Its not that different with a pistol.
And as far as revolvers are concerned... I learned on a single action, so even when I was shooting a DA S&W .357... it was an unthinking habit to simply cock the hammer every shot. As I raised the gun, I cocked the hammer. It was a complete non-thinking moment. It was the only way my hand knew to work the weapon.
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Schwartz
Hail Victory!
Member since Nov 2006
24959 posts
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quote:
I think the "stress safety" problem is greatly exaggerated. If you practice with your gun at all... it shouldn't be a problem.
x10000
As someone who has had to draw and sight a firearm in fear for his life, the muscle memory just completely kicks in. Firearm was out of the safe, in hands with safety off and hammer back before I even really knew what the frick was going on.
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