I need a shop pistol...

Mellow Chaos

Mellow Chaos

Joined
Feb 2, 2002
Messages
2,286
I own a shop in a town that is not known for violence or property crime, but because of the distance I live from home (85 miles), I have to stay here 2-3 times a week because gas is so expensive. In the odd event that I do need to protect myself, what is a nice pistol to purchase for such a purpose? I don't have much experience with guns, and would, of course, obtain the necessary safety training before deploying it.
 
I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions, but IMHO, your best choice would be a short-barrel, pump action, 12 gauge shotgun.
 
dsvirsky said:
I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions, but IMHO, your best choice would be a short-barrel, pump action, 12 gauge shotgun.
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I aggree, or a 9MM Glock or Taurus, my favorite, a Browning 9MM.

Stick with well known dependable guns, maybe even a pistol S&W 357 Magnum.

If the gun is gonna sit around a lot without being shot, go with a revolver.
 
Dont get complacent just because you are in a small town. I turned off Adams into the HEB parking lot the other day and a old lady in an Oldsmobile gave me a really dirty look. Go Billies!

(it's an inside joke, MC knows what I am talking about)
 
Mellow Chaos said:
I don't have much experience with guns, and would, of course, obtain the necessary safety training before deploying it.
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This is one of the main reasons I'd agree with the others about the PUMP shotgun. With a light and A CLEANING KIT. AFTER taking a gun saftey coarse, I'd also suggest IMMEDIATELY taking it to a range and shooting 100 rounds of skeet loads through it to practice taking the saftey ON and OFF and generally becoming familiar with it.

Even though shot doesn't tend to go through more than one wall, I'd consider whats on the other side of a wall or window before I settled on a load.
 
I finally got interested in guns last year. It's a lot of fun. If you can, find something that you enjoy shooting, and take it to the range often.
 
If this weapon is not to be carried on your person and you prefer a handgun to a shotgun, I'd suggest a 4" S&W revolver...probably a model 10 (used police gun).
These are plentiful, inexpensive, have a low learning-curve, and will do the job as long as you do yours (read shot placement)!!


Larry S.:cool:
 
I agree a 12 gauge is the best, but a shotgun can be intimidating if you are not that familiar with firearms. You should try and see if there's anyone you know who can take you out shooting with a shot gun. Otherwise a 357 magnum revolver is a good alternative to consider. You can transport it and carry it easier than a shotgun. And its easier to learn and become familiar with. One consideration though in whatever you choose is whether there are occupied rooms next to your shop and what your walls are made of. Wouldn't want to shoot through walls and endanger others.
 
Another vote for a 12 gage pump. There is "low base" buckshot available. Get a decent light. Still get some training, particularly regarding use of deadly force.
 
If you are not familiar with shotguns try going to a trap and skeet range. Some of them have shotguns that you can rent or others there may let you try theirs. Try both a 12 and a 20 ga. You may find that a 20ga is easier to handle and less intimidating for you and at 10 yards it really doesn't make that much difference in perormance.
 
I don't know shotguns, so I'm going to ask a dumb question: 12- or 20-gauge?
Some people say that a 20-gauge is effective at close quarters, and less recoil when you practice.

[ed. -- I see Kamkazmoto agrees with this. :) ]
 
Get yourself a nice stainless 5 shot revolver in either 44 Special or 45 Colt with a 3-4" barrel. Something about looking down the barrel that is wide enough to just about stick a candle in is pretty intimidating.
 
Indoor for HD 12 Ga with birdshot. Works on all kinds of pests with low recoil. Try stitching that wound up;)
 
As I have noted before, nothing says go away like the sound of a pumping 12 gague. Let's put it this way: If somebody is hassling you, they will be more convinced that they are pursuing the wrong course of actions if they are looking down a bigger hole. So...go with something like a 1911 for a handgun and a Remington 870 for a shotgun. A light on either will be effective as it will temporarily blind the criminal.

I too reccomend that you take a self defence course if you are not farmailiar with the firearm(s) you purchase.
 
Thomason said:
Dont get complacent just because you are in a small town. I turned off Adams into the HEB parking lot the other day and a old lady in an Oldsmobile gave me a really dirty look. Go Billies!

(it's an inside joke, MC knows what I am talking about)
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Thomason...hehehehe. Funny that someone on here knows who I am. Have you been in here? :footinmou :D
 
No, I havent been in your place yet. I saw from your web page where your shop was so I figured I would mess with you a little. I moved to Fburg from Austin about about a year ago. I'll fall by sometime and we can talk knives.
 
Thomason said:
No, I havent been in your place yet. I saw from your web page where your shop was so I figured I would mess with you a little. I moved to Fburg from Austin about about a year ago. I'll fall by sometime and we can talk knives.
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Cool...please do. I'm here every day except Tuesday's and Wednesdays!
 
I'm a fan of shotguns as well. My other suggestion would be Ruger GP100 in .357.

Jack
 
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