Time to get a gun? Time to get advice.

D

dartfrogger

Joined
Sep 2, 2007
Messages
27
I live in a very nice, safe neighborhood with little crime. But this afternoon some creep knocked on my neighbor's door and mumbled something about did my neighbor want him to do odd jobs for him. My neighbor is smart and knew something was up...perhaps it was that the guy was wearing a hoodie in 90 degree weather, or perhaps it was the butt of a gun sticking out his waistband. Neighbor also had a gun, and when he showed it to the creep and suggested he leave right away, the would-be robber (or worse) did just that. Police came, but I don't know the outcome.

Anyway, I've never had a gun, never even fired one unless you count the shooting arcade at Disneyland, and that was 40 years ago. But I've been thinking. I certainly don't want to shoot anybody, nor do I want somebody to grab my gun and shoot me, or shoot me because I pull out my gun. But just letting the bad guy know you have one seems a possible deterrent.

Any suggestions on an inexpensive handgun? Remember, I know absolutely nothing about guns. Any recommendations on reading up on the subject of "self defense?" Is getting a gun as bad an idea as I've thought it is my entire life?

There is a shooting range not far away, and they offer lessons. Not cheap, though, and I don't know if I want to ask them for advice on a weapon. They sell guns, but I thought I'd ask you guys first.

I somehow don't think my RC-3 is going to do much to help me if such a situation happens to me.

Thanks for your advice.

Dennis
 
dartfrogger said:
Anyway, I've never had a gun, never even fired one unless you count the shooting arcade at Disneyland, and that was 40 years ago. But I've been thinking. I certainly don't want to shoot anybody, nor do I want somebody to grab my gun and shoot me, or shoot me because I pull out my gun. But just letting the bad guy know you have one seems a possible deterrent.

Any suggestions on an inexpensive handgun? Remember, I know absolutely nothing about guns. Any recommendations on reading up on the subject of "self defense?" Is getting a gun as bad an idea as I've thought it is my entire life?

There is a shooting range not far away, and they offer lessons. Not cheap, though, and I don't know if I want to ask them for advice on a weapon. They sell guns, but I thought I'd ask you guys first.

I somehow don't think my RC-3 is going to do much to help me if such a situation happens to me.

Thanks for your advice.

Dennis
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it's our duty to protect ourselves and our families.

i'd suggest a shotgun. a decent pump action can be had for under 300, i've seen them go for 150. definitely training, a hunter's ed. course would teach you pretty much all the safety you need. it's all pretty much common sense.
 
Is getting a gun as bad an idea as I've thought it is my entire life?
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You have been wrong your entire life.

I certainly don't want to shoot anybody, nor do I want somebody to grab my gun and shoot me, or shoot me because I pull out my gun. But just letting the bad guy know you have one seems a possible deterrent.
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If the presence of a gun deters a bad guy, that is fine and dandy. But the way you put it, it sounds like you would be counting on that, and be hesitant to use it if you need to. A change in mindset is necessary.

The first thing to do is take a gun safety class. It will teach you to handle guns safely.

You need to handle a lot of different guns to see what feels good in your hand, what points naturally. If you can rent guns at the range, try them out.
Once you get a gun, get to the range and practice shooting often.

How much are you expecting to spend?
 
Gun shop employees and NRA instructors can seem an intimidating bunch. But remember, they do what they do because they want to help safely put a gun in your hands. I'd start with a general hunting or firearms safety course and go from there.

A gun is like any other tool, and used and treated properly, quite safe to the user and his loved ones. I'd also suggest a good shotgun. The mossberg 500 series is an inexpensive place to start looking. It's hard to miss with buckshot.
 
Don't ever let any salesman sell you a gun that you don't feel comfortable operating.

I don't know if they still do it, but S&W used to offer incentives or commissions to salesmen that sold their guns.

They make great revolvers, but their pistols...well yeah...you know where I am going with this.

Don't ever buy a gun without the intent of practicing with it often. If you plan on pulling it out because you feel you're in danger, have the mindset that you might actually have to pull the trigger and use it. Otherwise, get yourself a bat or an alarm system !

Not knowing how to use it can actually get you into more harms way should you end up pulling it out on a robber, etc etc.

If you're going to have a gun in the house (and not in the safe in your garage) make sure everyone knows you have one and for children to stay away from it should you god forbid leave it laying around one day.
 
I've got to agree on the deterrance thing. If you feel the need to pull a gun, there should be no question that you feel the need to pull the trigger.
 
A Ruger SR-9 is an inexpensive handgun made by a reputable company. 9mm ammo is cheaper so you can practice your aim more often. I think the Ruger goes for about 400. Glock is just a little more.

Guns were invented to kill people, determent is just a bonus. Something to think about.
 
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First of all, read up on being ALERT. Your neighbor should have looked through his door's peep-hole and seen a moron wearing a hoody on a hot day and NOT OPEN THE DOOR!

Yes, get educated properly, keep a firearm safely in your home and practice with it regularly. But first learn to live smart and be ALERT at all times ~;-)
 
otis williams said:
it's our duty to protect ourselves and our families.

i'd suggest a shotgun. a decent pump action can be had for under 300, i've seen them go for 150. definitely training, a hunter's ed. course would teach you pretty much all the safety you need. it's all pretty much common sense.
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A shotgun would be useless in this case, but if someone ever broke in, it would be useful seeing that you would have time to draw it. If you are really worried about somebody breaking in, get an axe or a baton. Your intruder doesnt know your house so you can just wait around a corner. When you go seeking your intruder, you have a chance of getting hurt.
 
Dorkhedeos said:
A shotgun would be useless in this case, but if someone ever broke in, it would be useful seeing that you would have time to draw it. If you are really worried about somebody breaking in, get an axe or a baton. Your intruder doesnt know your house so you can just wait around a corner. When you go seeking your intruder, you have a chance of getting hurt.
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And if you dont your family/kids could be hurt, I know I would rather my self get hurt than them ;)
 
There are infinate if's. Best thing to do is prepare, and react to the situation at hand. No one course of action is the best for every event.
 
You might want to look into a Taurus Judge. It can be loaded with .45 Colt and/or .410 shotshells. :)

With that said, it would be best to hook up with a qualified instructor before purchasing a weapon. This would likely provide an opportunity to try on several guns to see what fits your needs.
 
I took a six week course in Firearms Safety and Handling at the Police Range taught by NRA instructors. They give you a nice little certificate when you finish too. You should call around and see who does that in your area. It was an adult education course in my area. The local Junior College that had courses for security guards also had a small range and a firearms class. Check around.
 
Aye a shotgun is not a bad idea for home defense. There are so many home defense loads out there or you could use simple birdshot. Norinco, a Chinese manufacturer, has a military copy of the Remington 870 called the Ultra 87. It has a solid plastic stock, solid action, 6 round tube, 18 inch barrel and a set of truglo sights that are easy as heck to use at night. You can throw a 10 dollar ATI light mount and a 20 dollar Nitralon surefire on it for a very simple and effective upgrade. I got mine for maybe 130 dollars. As far as handguns go there are alot of SIG Sauer factory refurbished used guns floating around with the seal of approval wrapped around the grip. They get recertified from the factory and cost 4-500 dollars, half of the MSRP. SIGs are some of the most reliable and accurate handguns in the business. I personally have a S&W 6946 that I got in good used condition for 300 dollars, with 150 rounds of training ammo. I also paid less than 300 dollars for a Taurus .357 magnum snubnose concealed carry revolver, and that came with 2 diffrent holsters and 300 rounds of ammo. Something like that would be fine too. The key with handguns is to get hands on and see what feels best for you. Rent or borrow from a buddy the particular model you are considering at the range to make sure it feels and shoots like you want it to. Training ammo for handguns is cheap. The first thing you will want to do is find someone that can give you the rundown in person on how to safely clear, disassemble, clean and store a handgun. Believe it or not there are some tricks to shooting them too, its not as simple as it looks. Within a few hundred rounds though you should get confident enough to have to use it in your home if you have to. As far as people grabbing your gun from you, stay away from them. A firearm is a RANGED weapon, you do not have to get in their faces where it is within their reach. Springfield XDs are popular and fairly reliable, they come in a range of sizes and calibers in kits including holster, magazines, etc straight from the company and run anywhere between 4 and 600 dollars. There are so many options as far as reliable home defense guns in the 3-500 dollar range. I would find a buddy that you trust that knows his way around handguns to show you the ropes in person, it's way easier and you can learn all you need to know to safely own and operate a firearm within an afternoon.
 
I would suggest a medium-sized Smith & Wesson or similar .38 or .357 revolver.

They are highly reliable, have no external safeties or other impediments to use, and are not subject to "limp wristing" or other failures to feed or extract like semi-autos are.

In a life or death situation, they are intuitive to use. Point at the bad guy and pull the trigger. No safeties to worry about. No nothing.

JMO. :thumbup:
 
Dorkhedeos said:
A shotgun would be useless in this case, but if someone ever broke in, it would be useful seeing that you would have time to draw it. If you are really worried about somebody breaking in, get an axe or a baton. Your intruder doesnt know your house so you can just wait around a corner. When you go seeking your intruder, you have a chance of getting hurt.
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Not too familiar with guns...are ya?

An axe? Really?
 
For home defense go with a shotgun. The results on an attacker will be devastating, however you dont have to worry about hitting someone else in the next room.
 
You need to start reading, researching, talking to knowledgeable people and hanging out in the gun shop. No disrespect meant, but to go a whole lifetime with no guns you need to get up to speed. As others have said, self protection is God given right, and guns are the modern day samurai sword.
Either do it, or don't. But I would not advise getting into guns for the purpose of scaring bad guys by waving it at them. Too many people buy a gun to defend themselves and never shoot or clean or handle it. Better to become a bit of a gun nut, kind of like the knives. Then get training and practice as much as possible.
 
As a NRA instructor and CCDW instructor I see people in this situation all the time. The best method is to take a Basic Firearms class given by a professional. Most gun ranges have these type of instructors on site or that work out of their facility. Also, most gun ranges offer a "rent a gun" option. This way you can figure out what you are most comfortable with and not rush into a gun that will not suite you. Most of the posts here are saying the same thing so......just remember that you must be proficient with your handgun or you might injure yourself or an innocent bystander. There are a lot of laws that protect gun owners but there are more that protect criminals.....know the laws and prepare to defend yourself and your family.
 
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