Looking to get a handgun for home defense... Best/most economic calibre?

[Trik'Stari]

Also consider a mechanical lock box (no batteries) that you can bolt to the floor next to your bed or somewhere else easy to get so unwanted people don't get the gun but you have access to it. It has to be easy to open of course. Most gun atrocities happen because people don't freaking lock their firearms away

I disagree. If you have children maybe, but if you live alone, or with a single spouse, you should keep it under your pillow (when sleeping) or otherwise on your waste in a holster. a gun in a lockbox is useless when you need it and don't have it.

 

If you have children that are old enough to comprehend what a gun is, the best thing is to teach them what it is (not like that instructor that handed a child an uzi). Teach them what it is, teach them that they are never to touch it or handle it without you present, teach them the basic rules of gun safety, that it's dangerous and that they should respect (not fear) it. If you just say "no you don't need to know about that" or something, you make it a bit of a mystery and increase the likelihood that they will try and find it themselves. One big advantage of a medium/large frame doubt action revolver is that a child would have a fairly difficult time pulling the trigger as well (or cocking the hammer for that matter, my 61 year old mother can barely do either on my dads .357)

[GeTecknics]

springfield is having a 3 magazine promo when i got my xd9 i got 3 extra magazines with it for free(although i did have to wait 2 weeks to get the extras in) everything together in the kit was $499 also while a pistol is better than nothing only get one if you live in an apartment like me if you have your own house get a shotgun with some bird shot and your good

 

Also hydra-shoks and hollow points if you want a pistol they spread out and deliver some knock back/take down power dont get any fmj that will just go straight through them and the wall and probably not even hurt them enough to stop if they intend to kill you unless it hits them in the chest speer gold dots are the considered some of the best hollow points there are

[Trik'Stari]

Am I the only one that thinks it's just wrong to be posting this in a forum which, let's face it, is mostly made up of Minors...

Yes, every game under the sun has guns, yes all the kids nowadays know every statistic about every gun ever, but you are talking about actual guns here, talking about how much damage you can cause to a person. - Self defence or not, people get shot

I don't feel strongly about a lot if things, but this is one place where in my opinion, America definitely got it wrong - I sleep well at night because I can have enough confidence that nobody is going to run into my 9 year old brothers school and start shooting. I can go about my life without guns even crossing my mind - and I like it that way.

There have been countless school shootings in America this year, it's been a problem since the 1800s and it's not going away. let's not cause any more.

So you would argue that ignorance and lack of capability to defend ones self is safe? Wow you have a strange frame of mind. Your laws, and your police, cannot prevent a school shooting, whether or not they do happen, they cannot prevent it %100 of the time. It will happen, and people will die. The only way to be truly safe is to be capable and willing to defend yourself.

 

Edit: Looking for a school shooting in the UK since the outlawing of guns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbria_shootings

2010 Cumbria shooting^, occurred after the outlawing of private gun ownership

 

Those who are not there to protect you, cannot protect you. Those who cannot protect themselves, cannot protect themselves. Those who can and are willing, are safer. Don't forget that our population is 6 times that of yours, and that our land area is, ridiculously more than yours, and that we have actual physical connections to other countries, we aren't on an island. (guns will always come in from south america/central america)

 

Maybe if teachers would start carrying, and we got some decent cops in schools (instead of the fat fuckers that the department places there because they failed the fitness test or something) we could cut down on school shootings.

[ElWado]

9mm, or if you can get a .22 its even cheaper but does like NO damage (man i sound like im playing a videogame)

Is new MARIO no

[seiny]

Have you decided yet?

[KeltonDSMer]

Taurus "Judge" 2.5" 410/.45LC gets my vote.

 

-Incredibly simple (single/double action revolver)

-Excellent materials (the light version uses titanium)

-Low velocity, high mass rounds (.45LC)

-Fires any 2.5" .410 shell or .45 Long Colt round (both relatively inexpensive and both readily available)

-The 1" long "barrel" has a 1/6th twist so it is technically rifled, allowing it to not fall under "sawed of shotgun" restrictions in the USA.

-Very easy to clean/maintain

[Interfectorem]

I have a friend who him and his dad are like that stereotypical right wing Republicans that are kinda gun obsessed and he owns one of the civie version of the P90 with the long barrel... looks so goofy but its still the same round. 

Oh wow, the P90, that thing shoots irrationally fast (In a good way.) And a long barrel? That probably equals a lot of fun.

[Jaybird]

Hey all

 

There have been a series of robberies in my area (6 in the past week) and I've been looking into getting a gun for self defense in my property. (not to conceal carry or anything since thats not allowed on campus. I live a foot off campus so I can't carry it around anyways) 

 

What calibre is decent in a home defense roll but also wont break my bank? I'll probably go to the range often to practice my aim so ammo will get pricey eventually.

.45? 9mm? Or go for a shotgun? 

 

Thanks. 

 

Edit: PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS BREAKING THE RULES. I will delete everything if it is. 

 

Edit 2: I have gone to the range before with my dad's friend who owns a 9mm beretta and a .357 blackhawk... thats quite a kick. 

op, in that sense you know nothing about gun ownership or anything really about guns. I do not suggest a pistol for home defense. instead I present to you this offer. 

 

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mossberg-maverick-88-20-gauge-all-purpose-pump-action-shotgun/pid-130355

 

a 20 gauge pump action shotgun. reliable, and you dont need to be an expert in how it operates. 

[LaboonTheWhale]

Have you decided yet?

I've seen 9mm and .45 be recommended the most. After that it's become a gun debate lol

[Trik'Stari]

op, in the sense you know nothing about gun ownership or anything really about guns. I do not suggest a pistol for home defense. instead I present to you this offer. 

 

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mossberg-maverick-88-20-gauge-all-purpose-pump-action-shotgun/pid-130355

 

a 20 gauge pump action shotgun. reliable, and you dont need to be an expert in how it operates. 

A long/medium length shotgun is too unwieldy for a novice. Although it does have the intimidation factor.

 

Answer: both. You take pistol, wife/girlfriend/significant other gets shotgun

 

 

I've seen 9mm and .45 be recommended the most. After that it's become a gun debate lol

9mm is just too damned weak to cause any real damage compared to other guns, but a shotgun, well that will get something done. Especially with birdshot

[LaboonTheWhale]

op, in that sense you know nothing about gun ownership or anything really about guns. I do not suggest a pistol for home defense. instead I present to you this offer.

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mossberg-maverick-88-20-gauge-all-purpose-pump-action-shotgun/pid-130355

a 20 gauge pump action shotgun. reliable, and you dont need to be an expert in how it operates.

Im sorry if I sounded ignorant. I was thinking more handgun because its easier to handle (I'm terms of size) but a shotgun would be nice. Can go clay pigeon shooting as well.

[Jaybird]

A long/medium length shotgun is too unwieldy for a novice. Although it does have the intimidation factor.

 

Answer: both. You take pistol, wife/girlfriend/significant other gets shotgun

 

:mellow:  are you kidding me? dead serious. even uncle joe said to use a shotgun and I dont like him. shot guns are cheap. ammo is cheap. 20 gauge hardly has a kick. they are easier to control and do not need a great deal of practice to be able to hit a 6' tall target center mass. 

[LaboonTheWhale]

:mellow: are you kidding me? dead serious. even uncle joe said to use a shotgun and I dont like him. shot guns are cheap. ammo is cheap. 20 gauge hardly has a kick. they are easier to control and do not need a great deal of practice to be able to hit a 6' tall target center mass.

I am 5'10" 240 lbs. I would probably get a 12 guage and I would probably go shoot clay pigeons so more birdshot

Edit: I've already shit 12 gauges and can handle the recoil no problem

[Jaybird]

Im sorry if I sounded ignorant. I was thinking more handgun because its easier to handle (I'm terms of size) but a shotgun would be nice. Can go clay pigeon shooting as well.

the problem with pistols is that they seem like they are easier to control when in reality they are not. you want to be able to hit center mass that roughtly 45' away. if you cant do this with a pistol then you are not experienced enough to handle one. that said, with a shotgun you dont need to shoulder it to fire it. if your assalient grabs the end you can still swing it around to try and get some sort of body shot. if it were a pistol the assalient could possibly over power you and you would not be able to use that pistol. I would suggest taking a firearms 101 course at your local shooting range or gun club or gun dealer. you will gather a wealth more knowledge that you will here. 

 

im suggesting 20 cause its usaully a light weight gun and it just kicks less so you dont need to shoulder it if you get in a instance where you cant shoulder it. 

[Trik'Stari]

:mellow:  are you kidding me? dead serious. even uncle joe said to use a shotgun and I dont like him. shot guns are cheap. ammo is cheap. 20 gauge hardly has a kick. they are easier to control and do not need a great deal of practice to be able to hit a 6' tall target center mass. 

They are long, and heavy, thus making them harder to control. Uncle joe also said to shoot through the door which is extremely stupid, hazardous, and illegal. A shotgun is a valuable item for home defense, but I would recommend something with a shorter barrel.

 

 

the problem with pistols is that they seem like they are easier to control when in reality they are not. you want to be able to hit center mass that roughtly 45' away. if you cant do this with a pistol then you are not experienced enough to handle one. that said, with a shotgun you dont need to shoulder it to fire it. if your assalient grabs the end you can still swing it around to try and get some sort of body shot. if it were a pistol the assalient could possibly over power you and you would not be able to use that pistol. I would suggest taking a firearms 101 course at your local shooting range or gun club or gun dealer. you will gather a wealth more knowledge that you will here. 

 

im suggesting 20 cause its usaully a light weight gun and it just kicks less so you dont need to shoulder it if you get in a instance where you cant shoulder it. 

45 feet? your statistics are wrong. the average distance for a home engagement occurs from 1-9 feet.

[Jaybird]

They are long, and heavy, thus making them harder to control. Uncle joe also said to shoot through the door which is extremely stupid, hazardous, and illegal. A shotgun is a valuable item for home defense, but I would recommend something with a shorter barrel.

how old are you and where do you live?

 

edit: product weight 7lbs. your telling me you think 7 lbs is heavy? my rig weighs alot more than 7 lbs. 

[Trik'Stari]

how old are you and where do you live?

 

edit: product weight 7lbs. your telling me you think 7 lbs is heavy? my rig weighs alot more than 7 lbs. 

25 and Virginia. and I live in the middle of 200 acre's of open field. The average home engagement takes place between 1 to 9 feet, not 45. A pistol is far more effective than a shotgun in such close quarters. Also a shotgun can be construed as "Excessive force"

[seiny]

I've seen 9mm and .45 be recommended the most. After that it's become a gun debate lol

lol yeah was too much to read, my vote goes to 9mm though

[Jaybird]

25 and Virginia. and I live in the middle of 200 acre's of open field. The average home engagement takes place between 1 to 9 feet, not 45. A pistol is far more effective than a shotgun in such close quarters. Also a shotgun can be construed as "Excessive force"

22 and Texas. shotgun is considered ideal force. castle law presides here. and 550 acre ranch. <--- if you want to compare size. 

[Trik'Stari]

22 and Texas. shotgun is considered ideal force. castle law presides here. and 550 acre ranch. <--- if you want to compare size. 

Nice. I'd still prefer a pistol inside the house. You ever fired a gun indoors? I'd rather hear the blast of a pistol than a shotgun, the sound is deafening. I'd live in Texas if it wasn't so freakin hot.

 

Side note: I will admit, I generally can't hit shit with a pistol over 9 feet.

[Imaginaerum]

I disagree. If you have children maybe, but if you live alone, or with a single spouse, you should keep it under your pillow (when sleeping) or otherwise on your waste in a holster. a gun in a lockbox is useless when you need it and don't have it.

 

If you have children that are old enough to comprehend what a gun is, the best thing is to teach them what it is (not like that instructor that handed a child an uzi). Teach them what it is, teach them that they are never to touch it or handle it without you present, teach them the basic rules of gun safety, that it's dangerous and that they should respect (not fear) it. If you just say "no you don't need to know about that" or something, you make it a bit of a mystery and increase the likelihood that they will try and find it themselves. One big advantage of a medium/large frame doubt action revolver is that a child would have a fairly difficult time pulling the trigger as well (or cocking the hammer for that matter, my 61 year old mother can barely do either on my dads .357)

The thing about children is you can tell them not to do something all day long, but if they want to they'll do it anyway. Yes, teach kids how to handle firearms, tell them the safety, bore it into their heads from the time they understand murder, but I will not give them access.

 

If you have an easy to open lockbox and have it next to your nightstand with a Simplex lock it'll open as fast as it would to get out of a drawer. It gives you a place to put it at night (beneath your pillow is just stupid) and is extra protection in the event you leave the house and someone breaks in. Lock up your guns when you're not carrying or using them, there is not one reason not to.

[Trik'Stari]

The thing about children is you can tell them not to do something all day long, but if they want to they'll do it anyway. Yes, teach kids how to handle firearms, tell them the safety, bore it into their heads from the time they understand murder, but I will not give them access.

 

If you have an easy to open lockbox and have it next to your nightstand with a Simplex lock it'll open as fast as it would to get out of a drawer. It gives you a place to put it at night (beneath your pillow is just stupid) and is extra protection in the event you leave the house and someone breaks in. Lock up your guns when you're not carrying or using them, there is not one reason not to.

Oh I never said give them access or make it easy for them to access, I was saying don't hide it away and tell them simply "don't touch that". Take them to the range, let them fire it (with your assistance, don't be like that idiot drill instructor) and let them get an idea of exactly how much power that thing has.

 

My dad did the same for me when I was 6, I learned right away not to touch his guns, at least not until I was old enough to have to clean them for him because he doesn't, and I'd like to keep their resale value up for when they become mine lol.

[Imaginaerum]

Oh I never said give them access or make it easy for them to access, I was saying don't hide it away and tell them simply "don't touch that". Take them to the range, let them fire it (with your assistance, don't be like that idiot drill instructor) and let them get an idea of exactly how much power that thing has.

 

My dad did the same for me when I was 6, I learned right away not to touch his guns, at least not until I was old enough to have to clean them for him because he doesn't, and I'd like to keep their resale value up for when they become mine lol.

Absolutely do all of those things just don't have it lying around with 6 full mags and 1 in the chamber

[Jaybird]

Nice. I'd still prefer a pistol inside the house. You ever fired a gun indoors? I'd rather hear the blast of a pistol than a shotgun, the sound is deafening. I'd live in Texas if it wasn't so freakin hot.

 

Side note: I will admit, I generally can't hit shit with a pistol over 9 feet.

not inside, but I have inside of truck out of a window with no ear protection. had ringing in my ear for 2 weeks. as a soon to be CHL owner. our test requires 15 shots at 45 feet. of that all shots made it into the blue and 3 that were not in the 100% ring. its fairly hard to shoot 6 shots in 6 seconds at 45 feet. 

[Trik'Stari]

Absolutely do all of those things just don't have it lying around with 6 full mags and 1 in the chamber

Lol you mean like all of my guns? which are all within reach of me right now, an thus 90% of the day.

 

I only keep my carry gun chambered, the rest are simply loaded but not chambered.

 

 

not inside, but I have inside of truck out of a window with no ear protection. had ringing in my ear for 2 weeks. as a soon to be CHL owner. our test requires 15 shots at 45 feet. of that all shots made it into the blue and 3 that were not in the 100% ring. its fairly hard to shoot 6 shots in 6 seconds at 45 feet. 

Wow, all I had to do was take a single safety course. Got to shoot a P22 with a silencer, HOLY SHIT I WANT ONE lol. 15 shots at 45 feet is an insane shot with a pistol.

 

I've shot my pistol from within a rather small barn. Even with plugs my ears were ringing for a good long while. The mosin however made me lose my balance.