need help with gun buying 101
- Thread starter zirotti
- Start date
I don't think it's overboard at all, but then again I'm a "gun guy", so it would be the same as asking one of us if we think smoking two cigars a day is acceptable over just one, heh. I have a 9mm in my living room, and I carry a .45 Kimber on me, which goes on my nightstand at night, and on the other side of the room is my shotgun, and on the other nightstand is my wifes H&K. Not to mention, I'm pretty good with a knife, and have them in specific places as well.
All of the above will change when our little one is born, lol.
On a side note, I would recommend you and your wife making a choice on a specific ammo, and sticking to it for your carry weapons at least. Tactically it makes sense, and fiscally it makes sense. It has always bothered me that each weapon I own is a different caliber, 9mm, .40, .45 and 12ga. If one were to go dry, I couldn't use some of my wifes ammo, and vise versa. It's not something many people think about, and several think it's going too far, but the tactics behind it are sound, and practiced.
Well said brother!
Some great tips so far.
My carry piece is an Hk P30 9mm. Love the thing, maybe a bit high price wise, but I don't mind paying for quality. You can get similar results from cheaper pistols (such as the M&P). It all boils down to what features you are looking for. Do you like striker fire or SA/DA?
As many have said, go to a range and try them. Find one that feels good in your hand and you're comfortable with the "controls" of it.
As for caliber in the pistol, that's up to you. 9mmm is fine, as is .40 and 45ACP. A lot of people claim the 9mm isn't effective, which is untrue, it's just a higher velocity round and leaves less permanent cavity in it's victims compared to the larger rounds...so you might have to shoot a round or two more if you're goal is a bleed out. On the other hand, if you're good with your pistol, which should be requirement if you plan on carrying, you'll hit what you shoot at and then you don't worry so much.
Whatever you choose, shoot it and shoot it a lot. It should be an extension of your body and you shouldn't have to think about the actions. If you do, you might be in more danger with it than without.
My .02
As for caliber in the pistol, that's up to you. 9mmm is fine, as is .40 and 45ACP. A lot of people claim the 9mm isn't effective, which is untrue, it's just a higher velocity round and leaves less permanent cavity in it's victims compared to the larger rounds...so you might have to shoot a round or two more if you're goal is a bleed out. On the other hand, if you're good with your pistol, which should be requirement if you plan on carrying, you'll hit what you shoot at and then you don't worry so much.
Whatever you choose, shoot it and shoot it a lot. It should be an extension of your body and you shouldn't have to think about the actions. If you do, you might be in more danger with it than without.
My .02
Not sure I agree with this. I have two kids, nothing changed when we had them. I've always had loaded guns in my house, and still do. I've never put a lock on one either. If your goal is self defense I fail to see the point in them. Educate your kids, teach them about guns and to respect them and you will have no problems. My kids are now 12 and 14. Both have their own guns and shoot quite a bit. Never had a problem and none of their friends know they have them or where they are.
Education is key.
Very true, the 9mm is just as deadly as a .45 with some of the new ammo, the new Hornady for instance. It expands much larger than even great .45ACP hollow points do, but you're also talking about a lot more velocity to help with the expansion as well.
If you saw my setup, you'd know what I meant by that. We don't have visitors to our house, and I have open knives laying in easy grab spots. I agree with educating little ones, and I intend to take my son shooting and properly teach him about gun safety at an extremely young age. (I had my first rifle at 5) But, I also know that when a child is going through specific ages where learning simple language skills is not yet attained, that having something laying around that may cause instant death within easy grasp isn't the smartest choice either.
Pistol grips are good because it reduces the overall length of the shotgun so it makes it easier to navigate through hallways and tight spaces but can be fatiguing to shoot (especially on the wrist). Butt stocks tend to give better accuracy but may be more cumbersome to use.
Best part is that the you can swap out grips/stocks on just about any 500 or 870 and see what you like/prefer.
Personal preference. See if you can spend a day shooting one.
That is blatantly false with no evidence to support it. Modern loadings make them pretty much equal across the board in terms of putting a threat down. The ONLY thing .40 does better is defeat windshields, which is a non-issue for 99.9% of non-LEO.
Good food for thought. Try to figure out if you like hammer or striker fired guns and go from there.
Very well said, brother.
cmhicksusmc
Corporal/USMC
HK or Bust is my recommendation! I will have my Mark23 and USP .45 Tactical till the day i Die best Pistols around IMHO.
I'm a self proclaimed HK whore as well. The MK23 is one of the most unwieldy pistols I have ever used, but it is sooooo damn fun!
But as Alex said, figure out if you want a striker fire or a pistol with an exterior hammer, I'm a SA/DA kind of guy, but it's probably just because I was raised on pistols with hammers.
Red Raider
Wreck 'em Tech
There are a lot of great suggestions already. I agree go shoot a few different pistols and see what you like and can conceal.
My 2 cents...
Revolvers are typically very reliable and simple by nature, that being said I've carried a Springfield XD or XDM for years and love them. Not as many accessories as a Glock, but are you buying the gun our the accessories. When trying to conceal, the accessories just add weight and mass to it.
Now that you are in Texas, if you like to hunt, purchase a shotgun that you wouldn't mind taking out to hunt quail, dove, geese, or whatever you may be into. Some great suggestions have been put out there and the sound of pumping a 12 GA is enough too stop most intruders, but personally I would go semi automatic. I have multiple shotguns, but always grab one of two guns my over and under (heavy to carry but my favorite) or Browning semi...there are certainly more reasonably priced shotguns out there but the main point being get something that you can get maximum use our of and hunting or shooting trap are quite enjoyable hobbies as well...
Just my humble opinion, but good luck in your process...
And from a Red Raider.... "Guns Up"
My 2 cents...
Revolvers are typically very reliable and simple by nature, that being said I've carried a Springfield XD or XDM for years and love them. Not as many accessories as a Glock, but are you buying the gun our the accessories. When trying to conceal, the accessories just add weight and mass to it.
Now that you are in Texas, if you like to hunt, purchase a shotgun that you wouldn't mind taking out to hunt quail, dove, geese, or whatever you may be into. Some great suggestions have been put out there and the sound of pumping a 12 GA is enough too stop most intruders, but personally I would go semi automatic. I have multiple shotguns, but always grab one of two guns my over and under (heavy to carry but my favorite) or Browning semi...there are certainly more reasonably priced shotguns out there but the main point being get something that you can get maximum use our of and hunting or shooting trap are quite enjoyable hobbies as well...
Just my humble opinion, but good luck in your process...
And from a Red Raider.... "Guns Up"
Red Raider
Wreck 'em Tech
Two things... It is definitely one off the most recognizable sounds to anyone who had ever been around guns and if you break in a door after hearing that, you deserve what you have coming to you... Please don't take my saying that by pumping your shotgun you will have scared off an intruder....and what the heck is anyone doing with a gun of any type for home defense without one in the chamber???
Second...I've already Gabe my hand away with that because I don't own a pump shotgun....and I use either my carry pistol or a 1911 when at the house...
I apologize if I led anyone astray...never think that just by pumping (or chambering) a round that you have deterred the threat...
Okay, that's different. I definitely read it as it was a deterrent, not a recognizable sound. That's, obviously, true.
I'm just frustrated with how many people preach that it actually DOES deter a threat. Hence my response. Sorry brother!
That statement is usually meant more as commentary than information.
I have a question: many have recommended the OP go to a rental range. I live in an area w/out any rental ranges, so no means to try before I buy. Any suggestions?
Feel free to pm so I don't totally threadjack
Hop on shooting forums and look for group get togethers (like HERFs here). Or find people with things you want to try. When I have my guns with me in Minneapolis, you're more than welcome to shoot whatever I have.