I am becoming more and more interested in owning one. I have little-to-no experience.
I am planning on taking a CCW class where I’ll get the opportunity to shoot and get my carry permit… I probably will choose not to carry, but I like the thought of exercising my right to do so if needed. Basically, the class is a good intro to handgun safety and shooting, and it’s pretty easy to get the ccw once the class is done. Minus Whale.
More than likely it will remain in a safe with occasional range use just to keep it in working order and have some fun shooting at stick figures.
Not trying to buy the coolest, shiniest super duper collectors item. Trying to get an idea of what entry level cost is for something reliable and long lasting. I a was initially thinking .380 or 9mm? Would like for the wife to be able to shoot it as well.
Target shooting a .380 sucks. The ammo is scarce (thanks to the resurgence of the caliber with the release of several good pocket pistols) and if it’s a tiny 380 like my LCP it’s not much fun to shoot (zippy recoil, tiny sights). They make lots of compromises in their function based on the whole, “the gun you have is better than the gun locked up at home” premise.
Cheapest way to target shoot is a .22. Personally I don’t really feel like I’m shooting a real gun when I’m firing a .22, more like a pellet gun. Most of my time at the range is spent firing 9mm in my Glock 19. I can consistently buy 9mm in bulk cheaper than 380 and when you shoot it you actually get that “BANG” that feels like you’re shooting a gun.
I suggest a S&W Shield if you want a 9mm, or a Glock G17 9mm. Iv shot both in 9 and they are my choice for one. The Shield is pretty much on backorder nationally right now also if you do decide to carry or want a great holster i have a a guy from Rochester who makes custom Krydex holsters…http://www.rocityholsters.com
I’ve always wanted one of these for cheap plinking.
Colt .22. Cheap ammo, quiet, won’t break your wife’s wrist. Nice little semi auto to knock soup cans off a fence post or ruin a squirrel’s day. No takedown power if you want something for personal security though.
There are a few things that make me apprehensive about a shotgun.
1 - Storage. I don’t feel comfortable having it unlocked, especially with the potential of starting a family in the next several years.
2 - A few tight corners to get through in the house makes it tough to move around and defend yourself.
3 - Reload times? Maybe that’s ignorance.
It could work, though. I just like the thought of a small compact handgun stored in a convenient safe under the bed. If I start to hear noises in the house or someone kicking in a door or something, I could get that thing out of the safe in a few seconds and prepare to stand my ground or make a few tight maneuvers to hold down the fort.
I wouldn’t define my area as shitty by any means. It’s pretty average. However, there are have been some reported robberies nearby. Mostly due to the fact that there are apartment complexes within vacinity that are sort of run down. Raleigh is weird like that. You can have $500k houses around the block from cheap apartments, which makes robberies tempting.
More than likely, nothing will ever happen. Even more likely, if something does happen, that a warning shot will send them running for the hills. But it’s my right as an American citizen to be prepared, willing and able to react if something DOES happen. Even in the best of neighborhoods shit happens.
A lot of areas of Durham are what I would certrainly define as “shitty areas”, but still.
It’s not JUST movies that this shit happens in. It’s real life. The chances aren’t very high, but they exist, and having the ability to fire a warning shot or stand my ground at least at the top of the stairway would make me feel better.
If you are going to plink and shoot targets to increase your proficiency with a pistol (which I believe you MUST do if you own a pistol…), go for a buckmark .22 or Ruger 22/45 .22
For something strictly home defence that you will rarely shoot, a Glock, Sig, or XD series in .45 would be nice.
For something in the middle that isn’t too expensive to shoot. Most midsize 9mm are nice. S&W makes a nice 9mm, glock19 (i believe best all around gun).
Best bet is go to a gun shop and handle everything and see what fits you best. I would stay away from the .380 unless you want something that small to carry. You are welcome to shoot any of mine to get a feel for it. I have a glock 23(.40cal) Kimber 1911 (.45) pocket S&W (.380) Buckmark (.22) S&W LC9 (9mm) and a few others…
Edit… I wouldn’t bother arguing with most NYspeeders about firearms. Just let them live in their own little world. Sign up on www.nyfirearms.com or nyshooters.net for some better opinions. And I am willing to forgive that comment about the warning shot if you never speak of it again lol.
Would love to take you up on the offer to shoot, but I don’t live in the area.
Thanks for the reccomendations. Sounds like the 9mm might be my best bet, but I definitely am going to try and just rent some at the range or find some friends to take me shooting to see what fits.
Didn’t realize you didn’t live around here. It’s all about what feels good in your hand. I know there are a lot of Glock haters, but for the money and simplicity it’s hard to beat. Hell for an entry level gun to practice with, a Hipoint 9mm really isnt even that bad, and they are cheap.
Prog, I don’t really have room where I live to shoot, but I have an outdoor place close in Lancaster, and a really nice range in Barker that I normally shoot at. I try to go as often as possible.
Get the 9 for yourself, buy a decent 22 for the wifey to use and get used to the idea of a handgun. Then if you get the urge to just mess around at the range for an hour, you can use the 22 and not break the bank on ammo. =P
I have shot a 9mm browning hi-power, pretty decent, a little more then your price range, but might be able to find a good used one in your price range.
Doesn’t seem all that crazy to me to fire a warning shot and/or anounce your intentions to defend yourself. I don’t WANT to shoot someone, I just want to get them the fuck out of my house. I would certainly be interested in taking a home defense class, though.
I absolutely wouldn’t stalk a burglar around corners, but I sure as shit am not going to wait until they show up at the foot of my bed to protect my family.
Trust me, I know a lot of this sounds a little crazy, but it’s true. If your wife and child were in danger of a burglar in your house, what would you do? Do you have a plan? Have you ever thought about it? After deliberation I decided that huddling up defenselessly in my closet waiting for the police is NOT the option I want to take. I want to be able to warn a burglar that I am armed, have them understand that I am as serious as can be and I want to have the ability to stand my ground in a particular place and make sure nobody can get past me and anywhere near my family.
