patrick.net

I have a gun, but I only use it for self abuse and threatening my inflatable doll.

I've owned many handguns & long guns in the past.
None at this point but could own one tomorrow if needed
but I really don't need a penis extension I already have a large caliber.

I have a Glock 19 and a Ruger LCR revolver.

Neither my wife nor daughter could rack the Glock, so I felt a 'simple' revolver was necessary.

The Glock is in a safe under my bed and the Ruger is hidden near the front door.

why not Germany made (as opposed to US) SS P229?

i hear those are the best and what the secret service uses.

I own a Glock 17 for home protection, and was handed down an old Winchester 22 lever action rifle that I grew up shooting. I take my son out shooting with the 22.

I've considered something smaller for conceal carry, but haven't taken the plunge yet.

I'm in Texas, so the question is really 'How many guns do you own?'

I have several (more than 10), the Glock 19 is a good gun, I would recommend it.

I smell an ATF troll sizing up the local crazies...

BayArea says

Who on Patnet owns a handgun(s) for home protection?

Trump would not tell you.
Keep your response to a home invasion a surprise.
MAGA!

joshuatrio says

I've considered something smaller for conceal carry, but haven't taken the plunge yet.

Not to difficult to get permit in Georgia and you can open carry in a vehicle

HEY YOU says

I've owned many handguns & long guns in the past.

What made you decide to get rid of the guns?

I own a 12 gauge and a 9mm handgun.

Inherited 12 gage, planning to get handgun soon.

I have a nice 9mm to hold off the crazed liberals.

No Gun but own a Samurai Sword and a few other blades

Ironman says

1) A few quick points, accessibility is a critical decision, and who will have access to it. Will the family know where it's hidden?

2) Be careful with the Glocks, many don't have a separate Safety like other guns. More people have been accidentially shot by Glocks then any other brand. Law Enforcement likes them because of the lack of a mechanical separate safety, for quick draw purposes.

For an inexperienced shooter, I would stay away from a Glock.

3) The MOST important decision on handgun selection is how it fits your hand and manual dexterity. There are many different sizes, calibers, grip configurations, barrel lengths, etc., etc. etc.

The BEST thing to do is go to a range that rents handguns and try a few different models out to see how they handle, feel, load, rack, etc.

4) and the absolute number one issue: TAKE A SELF DEFENSE HANDGUN COURSE at your local range so you become 150% comfortable w...

All great points and great advice. I wish I'd shot a handful of handguns before purchasing my Glock. I find now that the Sig's are much more comfortable, and wish I'd gotten one of those instead.

Until you are comfortable with a Glock, I would not keep a bullet in the chamber.

I'd like to add one point:

5) If you have children, educate your children on gun safety. Have them take a safety course with you. Take them shooting (use a low caliber for them), and eliminate the mystery of the weapon itself. This has worked wonders for my children.

My kids both know how to load, unload, clean and shoot rifles and handguns (7/9 yrs. old). They respect weapons and nearly panic if someone is pointing a gun in the wrong direction. They know where the guns are in our house, and they know not to touch them (yes, I keep them locked in a quick access safe). My wife (who was previously anti-gun, who's parents are crazy liberal/anti-gun), actually likes having guns in the house now - and laughs when I stock up on more ammo.

MMR says

Not to difficult to get permit in Georgia and you can open carry in a vehicle

True. Just haven't done it yet.

He kept shooting his foot off every time he opened his mouth...

MMR says

HEY YOU says

I've owned many handguns & long guns in the past.

What made you decide to get rid of the guns?

Yes

Lots of knives, a very sharp meat cleaver and 200 quart size freezer bags. Bottles of vodka, cognac and jack daniels. Good times when butcher of dublin gets groove on like groupon. Beinvenidos a carniceria!

Ironman says

For ANY home defense gun, I would NEVER keep a round in the chamber. What should be done is the user to be completely trained and be instinctual in racking the first round in an emergency. This is where PRACTICE and TRAINING come in to play and are MANADTORY.

Agree, although I know a LOT of people down here so always keep one in the chamber.

Ironman says

Everyone who might have access in the house needs the training.

Agree... again. Although I'm primarily pointing out children, since there is much more of a precaution to take.

Ironman says

That's a little scary, because kids will be kids, specially when they might be influenced by outside friends.

Not sure if you read the part where I said that I keep my guns locked up in a quick access safe. My children do NOT know the combination, and the safe is bolted to the wall.

Ironman says

My wife just shakes her head and walks away,, (ha ha). Another 5K rounds coming today.

NICE! Lucky guy. I'm up to 1000 rounds of 9mm, and 1200 rounds of 22.

I own seven guns, two of which are revolvers (.38 and .44) and they stay locked up in my gun safe. When my kids are older I'll take them to an outdoor range and we will learn fun safety and how to shoot them, but I'll not give them access to the guns at home until they are adults. I worry much more about negligent gun use than burgulars.

So I've had a chance to shoot the following:

Glock 9mm
Glock 0.40
Glock 0.45

I'm leaning towards purchasing the 9mm (G17).

Someone convince me otherwise before I spend the $600...

thanks

Shotgun is the best, you don't need accuracy, just point in general direction.

Ironman says

BayArea says

I'm leaning towards purchasing the 9mm (G17).

Someone convince me otherwise before I spend the $600...

I agree with choosing the 9mm...

I personally don't like Glocks, but that's just me. I'm a Ruger guy, first.

What's the legal mag size there, I don't think it's 17, is it?

BTW, what made you lean towards the 9 versus the other two?

Some of my buddies who I consider experienced shooters are all telling me to get a shotgun for home defense. However, I'm set on a handgun for a first firearm and will have plenty of practice.

Ironman, the Glock 17 feels good in my hand and I prefer the smaller higher velocity bullet. The 0.45 seems like it packs more of a punch than I need for home defense. I also like the 0.40 and that's a close second behind the 9mm.

I also tried the compact and sub-compact Glocks but they don't feel as comfortable in my hand as the standard body Glocks.

Also, in volume, the 9mm ammo is about $0.23/round average while the 0.40 is about $0.30/round... another reason for the 9mm as ammo adds up as I'm sure you know. Thanks for the help guys.

I haven't shot any Ruger but may do so.

Hi-Point. Loved mine, had to sell when moved out the country.

It's the AK-47 of 9mm pistols.

BayArea says

So I've had a chance to shoot the following:

Glock 9mm

Glock 0.40

Glock 0.45

I'm leaning towards purchasing the 9mm (G17).

Someone convince me otherwise before I spend the $600...

The 17 is a great gun. You should be able to get it for closer to $500 if you look around a litle bit.

Take a look at the Sig p320 as well. My coworker just picked one up and its way more comfortable than the Glock. In fact, I'd wished I'd tested this one out first before I got my 17.

Either way, best of luck. Let us know what you end up with.

Thanks guys, I'll look at the Hi-point and the Sig P320 as well.

Ironman, we are limited to 10 round mag

Am I correct that 10 is the least of any state in the USA?

And I heard something about NY requiring 6kg on the trigger for law enforcement agencies?

Yesterday at the range I also got to shoot a Kel Tec KSG, pretty neat!

I would tell a woman to buy a revolver. It's been my experience that most females lack the dexterity and upper body strength to manage that slide. My wife agrees one hundred percent. Find an old Colt .38, called a Joe Friday special in honor of the television show. Don't buy the .357. For most people it is too much gun.

I'm not in the market but I like Glock. I also like Sig and H&K. And Kimber. And Beechcraft! I have expensive tastes. I admit it.

Ironman says

NY also tried to pass a bill saying you could only buy twice as much ammo as your magazine held. That didn't fly either.

Wow, seriously?

And I assume you're in NJ

for home defense I wouldn't mess around with a handgun, racking a round in a shotgun is The Real Deal and I've done enough target shooting to know a handgun is useless unless you've gotten in close and plug 'em in the chest, like Dirty Harry, Bernie Goetz, or Zimmerman

http://www.benelliusa.com/m4-tactical-shotgun

Check out the Beretta model 92. It's the pistol the US military chose to replace the 45. Very safe safety. Glocks have hair triggers. NOT for the average person. Do a search for toddler shoots mom

When I was an urban pioneer I slept with my Beretta under my pillow. I could click the safety off under the pillow silently.

VinnyInDallas says

Glocks have hair triggers.

While Glock's have a trigger safety (and not your typical safety), you have to squeeze through the safety first, (and then with effort) before it will fire. If it were that sensitive, you wouldn't have every freaking law enforcement agency carrying them.

VinnyInDallas says

Do a search for toddler shoots mom

That is called awful parenting. Don't blame the gun.

My 9y/o shot my 9mm Glock and it took him a good bit of effort to make it happen. If a toddler did it, I'd wonder if the gun had a trigger job.

Ironman, any recommendations for a first revolver? That might be my next purchase after the Glock.

This thread is useless without pics.

None, but plan on buying a revolver for home defense. They're the most reliable, and if you need more than 6 bullets to stop an intruder, you're screwed regardless. I think some type of automatic battle rifle is also necessary, not for home defense, not for hunting. For country defense.

BayArea says

any recommendations for a first revolver?

I bought a 357 Ruger LCR - shoots 38, +P, & 357.
Honestly, it hurts my hand like hell when shooting the 357 rounds through a 'snubbie'.
I would go with a regular 38 and +P ... it is much lighter and easy to conceal.

Ironman says

You're assuming they hit with all six. Unfortunately, under stress, people miss more than they hit.

I'm also assuming they have limited time and space to make a hit. Unless you have a mansion, an intruder can cover the space between you and them in less than 6 shots. And even a cranked up meth head isn't going to keep coming if you hit them three times.

Lastly, I'm assuming they have trained, and practiced, otherwise the gun is about as useful as a slingshot.

I own a pistol, among other things. I keep it, and all my firearms, in conditions that wouldn't be speedy for reacting to a determined aggressive 'home invasion'. Instead, the firearms are kept in good conditions for having two young sons. Additionally, the majority of the time it isn't me at home around them. It is my wife and kids who are there. They will all need more firearms training before the firearms are kept more 'handy'.

For home defense in CA, and specifically my home, I'm relying more on brute force reinforcements on my doors, as well as a few gel mace canisters, in mounts in key locations throughout my home. My wife is good to go on the mace. My personal first reaction is going to be going for the mace, and maybe my rescue knife, over my firearms. I have far less to worry about in using the mace, over the pistol, as I can get it quicker, I don't have to worry about target background, adrenaline and taking shots, and the shot ranges within in my home are going to be just as effective with either the 22 or the mace. The pistol would give me a 'bang bang' scare them away factor, but I don't think it is any greater, than setting off my house alarms and my car alarms. The alarms come with no additional liability issues for them making noise. The pistol sure does within city limits. My pistol also wouldn't be what I'd grab for a home defense firearm either.

If someone comes shooting things up, from the start, I should be able to return in kind. That said, it isn't as if we are living life expecting 4 guys with AKs to come try and rape and eat us. (Apoc is shaking his head in disgust)

Your milage may vary. Do what you are comfortable with and trained up on (key!). There are a huge range of threat possibilities one can imagine. Decide where you are going to draw the line, why that is, and what you want to reasonably do to fend against those threats.

My pistol

FortWayne says

Shotgun is the best, you don't need accuracy, just point in general direction.

This is a horrible myth that anyone who shoots shotgun can attest to. It very much depends on range and what the shell is.