What Pistol Is Best For Home Protection?

[D-rock]

I have been told to be careful when you shoot it the first few times. too many people butt it up against their shoulder without realizing how much it kicks back.

When you fire a long gun you want it firmly up against your shoulder. It will feel worse and have more impact if it is loose or off of your shoulder when you shoot it as it will jab into you more instead of pushing you.

 

[Little Red Wagon Repairman]

Cool thread, as I was considering the same myself! never had a gun either, so this is extremely helpful! I was considering the shotgun, both for the expense as well as the fact that i am a novice! I think it would be fun to shoot at clays and would serve the self-defense purpose well!
I have been told to be careful when you shoot it the first few times. too many people butt it up against their shoulder without realizing how much it kicks back.

I was a kid the first time I shot a 12 gauge. I was black and blue on my right side. With practice, I learned to hold it snug against my shoulder and am now good with my Remington 870 Police Magnum. That's a great shotgun and, IMO, worth the extra money over a Mossberg.

 

[Oito]

The one that most comfortably fits your grip, has stopping power but won't go through your wall, your neighbor's wall and kill someone in his household in the event you have to lay down an invader.

That said, if given the choice between firearms for home protection...I would suggest a shotgun.

I agree on the shotgun... VERY easy to aim

 

[Gomorra]

My personal favorite is the FN Five-Seven

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven

Uses a 5.7x28mm shell

Weighs less than a 9mm and the recoil feels like shooting an airsoft gun. Not to mention it carries 20 rounds. You'll be able to crack off 4 rounds before an intruder can get off 1.

 

[Roughneck]

Here's my opinion:

* Buy yourself a shotgun. Given your self described "lack" of pistol experience and the fact that you're looking for a home defence weapon (it's an important distinction from self-defence weapon). Easy to aim. Easy to maintain. Ammunition is relatively inexpensive. And can be used as a club in a pinch.

* If you're dead set on buying a pistol, I suggest going to the local gun range and firing several types. Don't be shy, talk to the range master. Let 'em know you're here to try several pistols because you're looking to buy one for self and you need the practice.

* Buy a pistol that feels comfortable to you. One that "feels right".

* Now this is really important:: No matter WHAT you buy, you need to Practice! Practice! PRACTICE!

All this talk about "stopping power" and all that is just that - talk.

"Stopping power" only enters the discussion after "accuracy". In other words - all the stopping power in the world is useless if You Miss. Again, buy a pistol that feels "comfortable" to you and make sure you practice!!

Personally, I find the 9mm hollow points to be pretty decent for self-defence (especially for novice shooters).

* Since this is your first pistol - stick with the tried and true names. I generally recommend Smith&Wesson, Springfield or Glock.


My :2 cents:
- R

 

[Hot Mega]

All this talk about "stopping power" and all that is just that - talk.

"Stopping power" only enters the discussion after "accuracy". In other words - all the stopping power in the world is useless if you miss.

True. But in the event a novice is lucky enough to hit the target in a tense, probably disorienting, close quarter situation...he would want to make sure that he dropped the motherfucker.

 

[Mr. Daystar]

Cool thread, as I was considering the same myself! never had a gun either, so this is extremely helpful! I was considering the shotgun, both for the expense as well as the fact that i am a novice! I think it would be fun to shoot at clays and would serve the self-defense purpose well!
I have been told to be careful when you shoot it the first few times. too many people butt it up against their shoulder without realizing how much it kicks back.

Although you very well could use a clay target shotgun, for a self defense gun, they generally do have much different length barrels. Typically a defense SG has a 18 1/2'' barrel (min. legal is 18"), while most target/bird guns have 24" or 26"...sometimes 28" barrels. This is easily fixed by purchasing a gun with interchangeable barrels, although most good guns do have them. For instance, buy a Remington 870, with a 24" barrel, for clays, and you can buy a 20" slug barrel, that you can shoot buckshot out of. The idea being, it's much easier to swing a shorter gun around a confined space.

My personal favorite is the FN Five-Seven

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN_Five-seven

Uses a 5.7x28mm shell

Weighs less than a 9mm and the recoil feels like shooting an airsoft gun. Not to mention it carries 20 rounds. You'll be able to crack off 4 rounds before an intruder can get off 1.

While I'll be more then willing to step up and say FN makes some VERY nice weapons...especially their claim to fame, the FAL, one of the best rifles EVER, this round is impractical. Like the Sig .357, and the 10mm, it travels at an extremely high velocity, and the risk of over penetration is high. When it comes to self defense, you really want knock down power, a heavy round, traveling slower...like the .45acp, or on a smaller scale, a .38 special. These rounds can be easily purchased to get more foot pounds of energy, which will equal out to, the round being stopped by the persons muscles or bones, and putting them on the ground. If the round travels through, they still may be standing, and you may have to shoot them a second or third time. That's not good, you really don't want to have to explain to a cop, or worse a judge and jury, why you put 3 or 4 rounds into someone, and make no mistake, a prosecutor will go after that with a fervor.

 

[BioDefenseGrad]

A man who knows Home defense.

You can find a good Remington 870 pump 12 guage(I own one) for less than $300. Indestructible.


If for home defense only you may opt for a shorter barrel(24' or 26' inch) or just inquire about the YOUTH 12 gauge shotguns which have 22' or 24'(?) inch barrels.

I have a 28' inch barrel since I hunt very infrequently so I like the long swing, but you may want a shorter barrel for a confined space like your home/apartment.

You can opt for Buckshot(if you plan to kill) or simply use small game shells(#6 or #4) or birdshot to maim or get your point across(which will no doubt be recieved).

Pistols are woefully inaccurate compared to a shotgun.

Same here, I'd use a shotgun. I've seen people miss from incredibly close range, and if you get something like a .38 and it goes through your wall into your child's bedroom...

 

[rawlwear]

From my understanding most shot guns come in 28" barrels, For shotguns it all depends on the choke.

I would personally be more afraid of a shot gun than a hand gun, Your best bet would to go to a gun shop and talk to them there, and see how they feel in your hand.

more info,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun#Pattern_and_choke

don't mean to go on about shotguns I just know more about them than handguns

 

[Mr. Daystar]

From my understanding most shot guns come in 28" barrels, For shotguns it all depends on the choke.

I would personally be more afraid of a shot gun than a hand gun, Your best bet would to go to a gun shop and talk to them there, and see how they feel in your hand.

more info,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun#Pattern_and_choke

don't mean to go on about shotguns I just know more about them than handguns

I think the only shotguns that really come with 28" barrels, are goose or turkey guns. I've always found 24" and 26" more common. The 181/2" defense barrel has an open choke, and if I'm not mistaken, a 20" slug barrel, also has an open choke. Usually the longer barreled guns have interchangeable choke tubes, which is good if you want to shoot clays and hunt. But the more you get, the more you pay. You usually get what you pay for, but unless you're hunting all the time, and going out shooting skeet...why buy a $1200 Benneli?

 

[Philbert]

OK...jagger, I will answer what you posted, and you can go where you will.
I have had many handguns, some I really loved, a few I just gave away from lack of interest.
here's what I recommend...
Get a 5 shot snub-nose .38, 2" barrel...then put some Pachmyer grips or something similar on it for easy gripping and shooting.
Easy for a lady or a guy to shoot, accurate and uber reliable. Fits in a pocket and cleans easy.
But +P ammo, something like Hydra-shok or NiCad hollow points, will make the .38 a very serious firearm and will absolutely put someone out of contention with one shot.
Practice with basic cheap ball ammo, and you will be surprised at how easy to shoot and accurate it is...no discernible kick and hits what you point at.
Or...consider a Taurus .380 15-shot, basically a copy of the Baretta...I had one, and there was nothing other than a plating to be done to it...a perfect gun and you'd love it (any female who I took shooting loved the Baretta .380).
Euro police have used the .380 for many years, it's basically a 9mm short round. You'd want to use a copper-jacketed round, and believe me a self defense firearm is as good as the rounds that hit the target...both will do that little thing under stress.
I personally love the .45 ACP, and the .40 S&W...I've had both and truly love the .45.
A bit much for a non-gun person, though.

 

[Ainttalkinlove]

Buy a D.E. (Desert Eagle) You wont ever have to fire that son of a bitch. Just show it to to the intruder and he'll shit himself.

 

[Mauser98k]

Buy a D.E. (Desert Eagle) You wont ever have to fire that son of a bitch. Just show it to to the intruder and he'll shit himself.

i know you're joking, but seriously dude, look at the power of said handgun with an untrained shooter


Free Image Hosting by ImageBam.com

 

[The Paulinator]

Since you have never owned a pistol before, I would recommend a revolver. Easy use, easy cleaning, not a lot of parts to worry about with assembly. I'd suggest a .357 with a 6" barrel. A substantial sized slug without being too huge, a longer barrel for accuracy. Plus with a .357, you have the option of cheaper .38 cal ammo for target practice (and less kick until you are used to it). Philbert is right about the Taurus. Taurus does make affordable and reliable weapons (because they infringe on design copyrights).

Here is what I have. I would also recommend it once you have some experience with Semi-Automatics. Meaning it is easy to break down, but a royal bitch to re-assemble.

 

[tiger1977]

The answer is: whatever firearm you are comfortable handling. Don't get a .45 if you can't hit your target. But also, don't get a shotgun if the recoil is too much for your shoulder. Like someone said earlier, go to the range and experiment with different ones.

 

[rawlwear]

The answer is: whatever firearm you are comfortable handling. Don't get a .45 if you can't hit your target. But also, don't get a shotgun if the recoil is too much for your shoulder. Like someone said earlier, go to the range and experiment with different ones.

You can get different recoil pads for shot guns they help alot if your not used to it, but as already stated hit up the range/shop and talk to some people

 

[hedgehogbigun]

Pistols are OK for self-defense when shotguns aren't available, which is why LEOs carry side-arms, but go to shotguns when the shit hits the fan. No handgun round, not even my 480 ruger is as effective with 1 shot stops as is a shotgun. If you insist on a pistol, any 9mm or larger bore (9mm is basically the same as 357/38) is fine. Just get good, frangible ammo that will not shoot through walls (Glasers for example) and learn to shoot well. If you can't hit your target, you are the danger to your family.

A great handgun for self-defense is the Taurus Judge (45 colt/410 shotshell) loaded with the 410 shotshell. Very lethal at short-range. The 45 is a great choice also. See this youtube vid. Alas, it is illegal to possess in the People's Republic of Kalifornia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrSGiJG25E4

 

[Ainttalkinlove]

yeah for real shotguns are the best. Plus when the zombies rise youll have a head start on survival.

 

[ezteban]

Positive attitude ! If you think nothing wrong will happen to you...well, nothing wrong will happen !
It also works with negative attitude !

 

[Hot Mega]

Positive attitude ! If you think nothing wrong will happen to you...well, nothing wrong will happen !
It also works with negative attitude !

You forgot to add, :sing:"...what a wonderful world this would be..."