Handgun advice?

**Spider-TW** · 06-10-2008, 09:42 AM

Sounds like your wife's shooting preference is the limiting factor. You'll never get her to practice with something she doesn't at least approve of (mine is still stubborn/too lazy).

While a little light on power, the CZ83 from Magnum Research (importer) is a fair starting point for most women. They're fun to shoot and relatively comfortable in the grip and weight. Regular safety with average price (last time I checked).

**skife** · 06-10-2008, 09:43 AM

I'd say a shotgun for home defense.

A burgler enters your home, you rack a shell in a shotgun and they hear that sound, they will run.

**Lohman446** · 06-10-2008, 10:28 AM

Unless there is a need for a handgun (carriability, etc) then I highly recommend a shotgun.

If you feel a need for a handgun for a house gun I would go with a full size weapon of some type in one of the big 3 calibers. 9MM, .40, or .45. Understand that the 9MM is, in most handguns, the most user friendly (less recoil, flash, bang), will generally be the cheapest to shoot, and can have dependable stopping power with good ammunition selection. That being said, if you can shoot it well the 40 and 45 both offer more stopping power (so does the 10MM but lets not get into exotics).

If you don't like the Glock (and I hated it until I shot it, now I have 2) that rules out that as well as the XD and S+W M+P. Unless you are going to practice A LOT it rules out the 1911 and various models (though perhaps not Para Ornanaces LDA).

That leaves you in the service pistol category. Full size is generally ruled by Sig Sauer, H+K, and Beretta. Of the three I think Sig Sauer makes the better of the pistols.

I would personally go down to a range and see if any are available to shoot (both caliper and different models). I have found some guns that I hated the feel of in the show room I have absolutely loved on the range. I would also try the Sig Sauer P232 (I know its only 380). Less stopping power than the 9MM and more expensive to shoot but I have witnessed a lot of woman who shoot this gun remarkably well without a ton of training. Bersa makes a good (cheaper) 380 that probably rules its price range.

**skife** · 06-10-2008, 10:57 AM

also with a shotgun, its a little bit more user friendly than a pistol, just point and shoot.
a stray shot isn't going to do near the amount of damage that a pistol round might.

example, you shoot and miss with a pistol, bullet flys through a window and travels 100 yards before it hits anything, it still has the velocity to do a decent amount of damage.

where as a shotgun is pretty ineffective at 100 yards.

**Lohman446** · 06-10-2008, 11:12 AM

Most people are going to be far more accurate with a shotgun than a pistol. They are easier to shoot - thats not getting into shot pattern or anything, its a simple fact, the long barrel and stock make them more natural to point and shoot. It goes for rifles and carbines as well when comparing to pistols

A shotgun also has incredible knock-down power compared to any pistol (we're talking numbers that involve factors, not just a little more). Pistols are wonderful for there use but simply do not compare to a shotgun or a service rifle for defensive purposes. They are great as a last (or only) ditch firearm. Or, for that matter, as a first use as you get to the shotgun.

**bryceeden** · 06-10-2008, 11:35 AM

For home defence I'd also have to say Shotgun. A rifle or carbine is going to have to much potential for over penatration and could be very very bad if you miss as its not going to stop for a while.

For pistols, the Barretta is good but there are definatly better out there. Basically all the Sigs are good, Walther's P99 isn't a bad choice, and FN's FNP is awsome especially for the price. I do carry mine so its alittle different, but I prefer the Sig most days because its easier to conceal(very model dependent) and has a good safty. However for all of my Tactical Medic stuff I use an FNP-9 because its designed as a fighting gun and set up to be very easy to use when fine motor skills aren't nessassarily present and its an easy gun to point shoot accuratly. My Barretta kind of just sits around.

**MoeMag** · 06-10-2008, 12:47 PM

I have to agree with the shotgun. Keep in mind a 12gauge is a big scary gun for daughter and wife...

-I don't care for the glock style safety trigger
-I don't want a revolver
-It needs to be simple enough for my wife to shoot too (with training)
-don't want to break the bank

all I really have to say is keep an open mind and go try as many different guns as you can. What you like and dislike may suprise you. You may learn to like some things only after trying out others that you really didn't like.

Then as far as breaking the bank... go ahead and forget about that. Find the means to get the gun that suits you. It WILL be worth it.

**Lohman446** · 06-10-2008, 01:05 PM

I spent the better part if ten years bad-mouthing Glocks and safe action triggers. Than I shot one. Within 2hrs I owned one, within another week I owned another.

That being said - if its a handgun the Sig Sauer I owned was the most naturally shooting handgun I ever did.

You'll get a ton of different opinions on the subject when you get into it though.

**mclaggan123** · 06-10-2008, 03:10 PM

since you live in richmand and i live in va beach i would like to invite you out to the range and ill let you shoot what i have and see if any of them are to your liking. also there is a nice indoor range that has pistols that you can rent to try and see if you like them. im always looking for people to shoot with and it gives you a chance to shoot a few without having to buy them or find someone whith them. i have a ruger p89 in 9mm, sw 686 in 38/357, 1911 in 45, a ruger mkIII in 22 and a few others. the invitation is open and if i can help you with anything just ask. i personally agree with the others that a shotgun is a very good home defense weapon. just remember that the best home defense is an informed and trained family, such as keep doors and windows locked even when your home and keep a good relashionship with your neihbors and things like that. if you do get a weapon for home defense then practice, practice and practice some more. dont just shoot at targets, actually practice in the home and learn how to sweep rooms and doorways. also have a plan for your family such as a safe word so that they know its you going through the house with a weapon and what they should do if someone is in your home. they should know where to go and what they should do in the possiblity that if it happens. im not trying to be a know it all but trying to give you some of the whole picture you should think of when concidering a firearm for home defense. best of luck and let us know what you decide. Chris.

**kenndogg** · 06-10-2008, 04:24 PM

In this situation, I'll have to say shotgun. No precision aim needed. As mentioned above get a recoil pad and you and the wife should be set. If you're worry about it being too long, than consider the shorter barreled tatitcal models. I recommend a Remington 870.

I myself own a couple of handguns, several rifles and a shotgun. The shotgun would be my first option during a break in.

**thecavemankevin** · 06-10-2008, 05:30 PM

Thanks for all the advice so far. After reading all this and also stopping by the gun shop, i'm definitely thinking shotty first. But i am also still thinking about a berretta or some form of 1911 (S&W?). So i'm going to head out to the rental range in the next week or so and check out some options (including glock's) and see what works. Then take the wife out and see what she thinks.

Any recommendations on a shotty that the little woman can handle too?

Oh, i checked into biometrics and then can only register 1 finger print....so thats pretty useless.

Mcglaggan, thank you for the invite. I may take you up on that...but it will be closer to fall before i have that kind of open time. But i will certainly keep it in mind. My brother (eagle to you all) may be interested in coming along.

**LegumeOfTerror** · 06-10-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by MoeMag

I have to agree with the shotgun. Keep in mind a 12gauge is a big scary gun for daughter and wife... all I really have to say is keep an open mind and go try as many different guns as you can. What you like and dislike may suprise you. You may learn to like some things only after trying out others that you really didn't like.

Then as far as breaking the bank... go ahead and forget about that. Find the means to get the gun that suits you. It WILL be worth it.

birdshot is for killing little birds, it is worthless on people. you need at least #1 buck in order to achieve enough penetration and reach vital organs. he should buy some low recoil 00 buck is he goes the shotgun route. get a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. either will last you a lifetime and never let you down.

you can get a Springfield XD, they are similar to glocks, but they have a manual safety on one of thier .45 ACP models, which also happens to be an excellent self defence caliber. you can look at different 1911 style handguns, sigs, CZs, and lots of others. see if you can go rent some and they them out, thats where your going to find out whats best for you.

**punkncat** · 06-10-2008, 05:32 PM

If this is primarily for the wife, I suggest that you take her to a range that rents weapons and see what she is comfortable with.
Now I read that you say no revolvers, but keep in mind there is less to go wrong with one. No jams, simple operation and very reliable. Not to mention that being in close quarters with a snub nose .357 or .38 going off will certainly make you

you pants, hit or not.

Shotguns do lots of collateral damage to the house. Great for aim in general direction and pull the trigger.A decent mossburg can be picked up for near nothing.

Now as a defense load I am partial to a .40 however they tend to carry a bit farther, like through walls and into family members. There is something to be said for 9mm for a home defense load. One is high cap, and the other is that it won't as easily carry through multiple walls. Pretty accurate round as well. Just make sure the wife knows to plug them a few times until they go down.

Another option to all this is a good tazer and set of handcuffs. With that kind of voltage coursing through a body it will turn the meanest bear into a pussy cat who is easy to put cuffs on and wait for the cops.

gl

**LegumeOfTerror** · 06-10-2008, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by punkncat

If this is primarily for the wife, I suggest that you take her to a range that rents weapons and see what she is comfortable with.
Now I read that you say no revolvers, but keep in mind there is less to go wrong with one. No jams, simple operation and very reliable. Not to mention that being in close quarters with a snub nose .357 or .38 going off will certainly make you

you pants, hit or not.

Shotguns do lots of collateral damage to the house. Great for aim in general direction and pull the trigger.A decent mossburg can be picked up for near nothing.

Now as a defense load I am partial to a .40 however they tend to carry a bit farther, like through walls and into family members. There is something to be said for 9mm for a home defense load. One is high cap, and the other is that it won't as easily carry through multiple walls. Pretty accurate round as well. Just make sure the wife knows to plug them a few times until they go down.

Another option to all this is a good tazer and set of handcuffs. With that kind of voltage coursing through a body it will turn the meanest bear into a pussy cat who is easy to put cuffs on and wait for the cops.

gl

9mm .40 and .45 will penetrate multiple intirior walls. buckshot does not penetrate as many.

Handgun advice?

Handgun advice?

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