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re: What's the best handgun for self defense?
Posted on 12/12/12 at 9:36 am to Paradise13
Posted on 12/12/12 at 9:36 am to Paradise13
Like the other poster wrote:
20 guage youth model pump. That is your best self defense weapon because it appears you have limited gun experience.
If you get a pistol you'll shoot yourself in the leg.
BTW - I keep a youth model 870 pump 20 guage ready for action at Casa de NELATF.
20 guage youth model pump. That is your best self defense weapon because it appears you have limited gun experience.
If you get a pistol you'll shoot yourself in the leg.
BTW - I keep a youth model 870 pump 20 guage ready for action at Casa de NELATF.
This post was edited on 12/12/12 at 9:37 am
1
Posted on 12/12/12 at 11:14 am to nelatf
I was just about to make the same post. My step dad is looking for one right now.
He wants:
9mm
Not much of a safety to mess around with
Wants to carry it
Price doesn't matter
Doesn't know if polymer or metal framed
Oh yeah, he has somewhat fat hands
Only thing I could come up with is the baby glock. Anything else he should be looking at? I am not much of a pistol guy. Only thing I have ever carried is a 10mm glock
He wants:
9mm
Not much of a safety to mess around with
Wants to carry it
Price doesn't matter
Doesn't know if polymer or metal framed
Oh yeah, he has somewhat fat hands
Only thing I could come up with is the baby glock. Anything else he should be looking at? I am not much of a pistol guy. Only thing I have ever carried is a 10mm glock
Posted on 12/12/12 at 11:20 am to Hammertime
Sig 239 or similar model.
ETA: This was directed at Hammertime, not the OP.
ETA: This was directed at Hammertime, not the OP.
This post was edited on 12/12/12 at 11:37 am
Posted on 12/12/12 at 12:04 pm to Big Data
I keep a Sig P220 .45 If you are going to get a handgun get a man stopper
Posted on 12/12/12 at 12:33 pm to Phoenix43
From what i have been reading, Sig quality has taken a hit as of late. What i am coming up with now is a HK p2000sk and a G26.
Posted on 12/12/12 at 12:35 pm to Hammertime
Glock 19
Posted on 12/12/12 at 1:02 pm to El Josey Wales
Posted on 12/13/12 at 8:57 pm to Paradise13
quote:
So far I have looked at a glock 17 and like the fact that it can carry multiple bullets.
frick that
give me a single shot pistol all day mon-friday, twice on sat, and a baker's dozen-ish on sun.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:01 pm to olgoi khorkhoi
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:03 pm to olgoi khorkhoi
looks like an offshore flare gun.. 
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:04 pm to Hammertime
I would normally say the glock 19 but it's a little big for a carry weapon. Imo
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:06 pm to I Love Bama
It really isn't. I used to think the same thing. Just takes the right belt and holster to be comfortable. It is amazing what a good sturdy pistol belt can do.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:06 pm to Paradise13
quote:That's like asking how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop.
What's the best handgun for self defense?
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:19 pm to Geauxtiga
One..two...three. Three.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:26 pm to Paradise13
12 guage. 00 buckshot.
Posted on 12/13/12 at 9:44 pm to Paradise13
Paradise,
I'm going to go against the grain here in light of your (and I'll assume your wife's) inexperience w/ handguns.
Cliff's Notes version:
Since your inexperienced w/ handguns, I'd suggest a full size (4-6" barrel), steel frame, 6 shot (or more) revolver w/ fixed sights chambered in 357 Mag. Start off shooting mild 38 Special rounds, advancing to +P 38 Spec loads when you can handle them. Advance to full 357 Mag loads ONLY once you've mastered the +P 38 Spec loads. If you can't make it to 357 Mag loads, just stay w/ the +P 38 Spec loads, which are still very formidable self defense rounds. A similar sized gun in 38 Special w/ +P rounds is good too if you don't have any interest in the recoil/muzzle blast of the 357 Mag.
If you'd rather have a semi-auto, I'd suggest a full size 9mm from a reputable manufacturer, e.g. S&W (M&P series), Springfield Armory (XD series), Ruger (SR series), Glock, Sig, CZ or Beretta. I prefer DAO or SAO, but you may well prefer SA/DA type. Likewise, I mostly prefer no external safeties, but you may want a safety. If you're experienced and comfortable w/ the platform, a reliable 1911 is appropriate, as well. Try to handle, and shoot, a number of semi-autos before deciding which one to buy. Some of the bigger cities have shooting ranges that will let you rent a handgun and shoot for a period of time.
As already mentioned, for home use, the best self defense weapon is not a handgun, but a shotgun, usually a 12 gauge, but 20 gauge is a good choice, as well.
Full Version:For a self defense gun that is NOT going to be used in concealed carry, you don't want, nor need a compact or subcompact gun; get a full size gun w/ a steel frame. All things being equal, a smaller and lighter gun is generally more difficult to shoot well than is a larger and heavier gun, especially for newbies. Personally, I think revolvers are easier for most newbies to learn w/ than are semi-autos. OTOH, some newbies start out w/ semi-autos w/o any problems. No one can know but you which category you'll fall in to.
The best self defense calibers are 9mm, 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 40 S&W and 45 ACP; the 38 Special also has a good track record, but not like the above.
The semi-auto vs revolver debate always generates a lot of interest. Ruger, Colt, Chiappa and Smith & Wesson are top notch makers of revolvers; other makers that seem to have spotty quality control include Charter Arms, Rossi and Taurus.
Given your inexperience, I recommend some formal training in handgun handling and safety.
Last, if you can swing it, I'd strongly consider buying a 22 LR to learn the basics of handgun handling and to practice w/. If you want a revolver for self defense, make the 22 LR a revolver; if the SD gun is a semi auto, get a semi auto 22 LR.
Good luck. Let us know what you buy and be sure and include PICS. :-)
I'm going to go against the grain here in light of your (and I'll assume your wife's) inexperience w/ handguns.
Cliff's Notes version:
Since your inexperienced w/ handguns, I'd suggest a full size (4-6" barrel), steel frame, 6 shot (or more) revolver w/ fixed sights chambered in 357 Mag. Start off shooting mild 38 Special rounds, advancing to +P 38 Spec loads when you can handle them. Advance to full 357 Mag loads ONLY once you've mastered the +P 38 Spec loads. If you can't make it to 357 Mag loads, just stay w/ the +P 38 Spec loads, which are still very formidable self defense rounds. A similar sized gun in 38 Special w/ +P rounds is good too if you don't have any interest in the recoil/muzzle blast of the 357 Mag.
If you'd rather have a semi-auto, I'd suggest a full size 9mm from a reputable manufacturer, e.g. S&W (M&P series), Springfield Armory (XD series), Ruger (SR series), Glock, Sig, CZ or Beretta. I prefer DAO or SAO, but you may well prefer SA/DA type. Likewise, I mostly prefer no external safeties, but you may want a safety. If you're experienced and comfortable w/ the platform, a reliable 1911 is appropriate, as well. Try to handle, and shoot, a number of semi-autos before deciding which one to buy. Some of the bigger cities have shooting ranges that will let you rent a handgun and shoot for a period of time.
As already mentioned, for home use, the best self defense weapon is not a handgun, but a shotgun, usually a 12 gauge, but 20 gauge is a good choice, as well.
Full Version:For a self defense gun that is NOT going to be used in concealed carry, you don't want, nor need a compact or subcompact gun; get a full size gun w/ a steel frame. All things being equal, a smaller and lighter gun is generally more difficult to shoot well than is a larger and heavier gun, especially for newbies. Personally, I think revolvers are easier for most newbies to learn w/ than are semi-autos. OTOH, some newbies start out w/ semi-autos w/o any problems. No one can know but you which category you'll fall in to.
The best self defense calibers are 9mm, 357 Mag, 357 Sig, 40 S&W and 45 ACP; the 38 Special also has a good track record, but not like the above.
The semi-auto vs revolver debate always generates a lot of interest. Ruger, Colt, Chiappa and Smith & Wesson are top notch makers of revolvers; other makers that seem to have spotty quality control include Charter Arms, Rossi and Taurus.
Given your inexperience, I recommend some formal training in handgun handling and safety.
Last, if you can swing it, I'd strongly consider buying a 22 LR to learn the basics of handgun handling and to practice w/. If you want a revolver for self defense, make the 22 LR a revolver; if the SD gun is a semi auto, get a semi auto 22 LR.
Good luck. Let us know what you buy and be sure and include PICS. :-)
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