Buying a gun

[creativeamanda]

But I know I was not asking for your comment.

I know for a fact that the OP was asking about the best gun.

To the op, a 9mm is a good idea, but most Law Enforcement recommends a shotgun of some type loaded with bird shot. I called my neighbor for his recommendations--he's a 20+ year Law Enforcement veteran.

 

[creativeamanda]

Now THIS would be good for home defense!

LOL, Would you have a house left after you defended it?

 

[edwardsfire]

I know for a fact that the OP was asking about the best gun.

To the op, a 9mm is a good idea, but most Law Enforcement recommends a shotgun of some type loaded with bird shot. I called my neighbor for his recommendations--he's a 20+ year Law Enforcement veteran.

thats a good point, you cant miss!

 

[DznyFan]

Andy, with all due respect, your location is London, am I not correct? It is our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms. It is our RIGHT, not misinterpreted, and I'm sure going to protect my family, and make sure that my family is capable of protecting themselves in the event that they are threatened. thanks to our liberals, we have developed into a society that rewards the lazy, and if our criminals aren't afraid of the [increasingly lax] punishment, they will continue to become more bold. I rest knowing my home is protected and my daughter will not become a victim because she can defend herself.

I rest my case and hope this thread returns to it's original intent.

 

[creativeamanda]

thats a good point, you cant miss!

And for the most part, there won't be a fatality. I think the only chance of a fatality would be a direct shot to the aorta.

ETA. . .Although we have a 9mm, a .22, a bb gun, and a 30-06 in the safe, the 12 gauge is under the bed with bird shot in the night stand.

 

[DznyFan]

Now THIS would be good for home defense!

 

[JMD]

And for the most part, there won't be a fatality. I think the only chance of a fatality would be a direct shot to the aorta.

Birdshot could most definitely be fatal, just depends on where they are hit. There are several non-lethal rubber pellot options for shotguns. I wouldn't want them for home defense, but many police forces are using them now.

 

[creativeamanda]

Andy, with all due respect, your location is London, am I not correct? It is our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms. It is our RIGHT, not misinterpreted, and I'm sure going to protect my family, and make sure that my family is capable of protecting themselves in the event that they are threatened. thanks to our liberals, we have developed into a society that rewards the lazy, and if our criminals aren't afraid of the [increasingly lax] punishment, they will continue to become more bold. I rest knowing my home is protected and my daughter will not become a victim because she can defend herself.

I rest my case and hope this thread returns to it's original intent.

Thank you, I agree with this post.

My BIL, who is in the military, was asked last week if he had a gun as he was traveling during a license check. Of course, he had properly shipped his guns to me for storage while he's out of the country, so he did not have them with him. He told them, "No, but why are you asking? Has Obama already had the 2nd amendment repealed before he even became president?" I had to LOL at that one.

 

[creativeamanda]

Birdshot could most definitely be fatal, just depends on where they are hit. There are several non-lethal rubber pellot options for shotguns. I wouldn't want them for home defense, but many police forces are using them now.

Well, still won't keep me from using it to protect my children. I can assure you of that. That is, if my dogs and security system doesn't keep them out first. Of course, the dogs are a cocker spaniel and a basset hound--not really scary dogs.

 

[JB111107]

Now THIS would be good for home defense!

My DH would LOVE me if I got this for him as a birthday present.

Our shotgun stays by the bedside, but the handguns travel depending on what we are doing/where we are going.

I agree the birdshot is the way to go for home protection.

Kids and guns...well, my 5 yr old has fired my .22, as have my older kids. They've all been taught about guns, and gun safety. They don't know where we store the handguns, and they aren't allowed in our room for any reason unless they are bleeding or the house is on fire, and they respect that. Since they are not home alone or unsupervised, I'm not concerned with them happening upon one of our guns, and if they did, they wouldn't touch them because they are very well aware of what they are and what they can do.

Education is key

 

[creativeamanda]

My DH would LOVE me if I got this for him as a birthday present.

Our shotgun stays by the bedside, but the handguns travel depending on what we are doing/where we are going.

I agree the birdshot is the way to go for home protection.

Kids and guns...well, my 5 yr old has fired my .22, as have my older kids. They've all been taught about guns, and gun safety. They don't know where we store the handguns, and they aren't allowed in our room for any reason unless they are bleeding or the house is on fire, and they respect that. Since they are not home alone or unsupervised, I'm not concerned with them happening upon one of our guns, and if they did, they wouldn't touch them because they are very well aware of what they are and what they can do.

Education is key

No truer words were written.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Couple things I'd mention when shopping (although many have already posted some very good advice).

1) if you can find a range that provides a try before you buy service then by all means take advantage of it. My DW doesn't like my semi-autos as they tend to jam on her so she prefers a revolver.

2) if it going to be used for HOME defense you need to compare your situation to what others are advising - do you need a tactical flashlight attachment? if you can't shoot 1 handed then the answer to this is yes. So you need a gun with a picatinny rail to attach a light to. Laser sights are great, but in a low light situation, I want to be able to "see" what I am shooting at, not just "paint a target". For tactical lights I'd look at anything in the SUREFIRE line - Personally I use an X300.

3) depending on your hand size - anything with a double stack magazine may be difficult to grasp properly...Handguns magazine - this past month actually had a feature article on proper handgun sizing.

4) don't get something overly complicated...safetys on guns are nice and everything, but you'll have too many other things to worry about in that type of situation than fumbling around with trigger locks, thumb safety, grip safety etc, unless you constantly practice and get used to all of that - in high stress situation.

Someone mentioned a SIG P228 as a good gun to have - personally I love mine, but a) it is a law enforcment only model now (so you'd be buying used), b) it has NO safety on it and c)because it is DA/SA the trigger pull is not consistent for first pull and subsequent pulls - aside from being a relatively "light" trigger as well.

You also mentioned that you had purchased a gun safe already, but I'll also add a recommendation on a Gun-Vault brand that has a quick access keypad also available with bio-metric fingerprint ID scanner - again alot to worry about if you are in a position that you need to access your firearm quickly - don't want to be fumbling with combinations or keys.

Finally - safe gun handling education for EVERYONE in the house...obviously if you have children or children over the house, securing that firearm is paramount...but if you have your own children safe handling i.e. don't ever touch a firearm, immediately tell an adult if you see one or if a playmate touches or talks about seeing one. Both my children know that we have firearms in the house and they both know that they are not toys and should never be handled by them or any of their friends. I also let parents of playmates who come over know that we have firearms inthe house but they are securely locked away and even welcome them to observe the precautions we have taken.

 

[teacups]

Just out of curiosity, since you are concerned about a burglar breaking in which is why you are buying a gun. Do you have an alarm system already in use at your home?

Yes! Have had it for 4 years and will never have a house without one now.

 

[teacups]

I also would like to know how the OP thinks she will get the gun out of the locked safe and loaded in time to shoot the burglar .

I do occasionally leave my house.
We also hike, fish, travel etc. I like to take pictures, and sometimes wont walk far into the boonies with my kids for fear of the two legged creatures. (ok. I'm afraid of a few 4 legged ones too I guess!)

 

[GeorgeG]

Some follow-up:

Yes, a shotgun is the best all-around gun for a lot of things, self defense being high among them. They also handle a wide variety of loads (birdshot, buckshot, slugs, etc.) and they are all fatal at close range! For use in the home, a load of #2 shot is a good. The problems with shotguns is that they don't fit into a purse or a "quick access" safe. You can keep them under the bed, but that's not a good idea if you have children.

I like the Taurus "Judge" and will possibly get one myself in time. I would prefer the 2 1 1/2", model since the 2 1/2" shells would be plenty in a close range defensive situation. Either way, and as good as they are, it could be a lot of gun to handle for some.

I'm one who agrees that a defensive gun isn't worth much if it's unloaded, locked or you can't get to it. There are two important factors that need to be considered. You must, and I do mean must, keep your gun out of the wrong hands. That becomes a major issue with children around. The quick access safes are about the only solution in many cases. The other is that it is true that people have shot family members while being startled out of sleep. It is recommended that there be some delaying function in the process to give a few seconds to get your eyes open. The quick safe serves well. The best thing is to learn to keep your gun pointed in a safe direction while you determine the situation, a rule that applies throughout the shooting world.

No matter how you shake it, buying a gun for defense is a major decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration.

 

[teacups]

I don't think the OP was asking for your interpretation of the 2nd ammendment.

Actually NO I WASNT. For all the aniti gun people, please go to another post.
I dont want this one closed!! I want information on purchasing a gun as clearly stated. PLEASE start another thread to discuss why I shouldnt buy one. THANK YOU.

 

[teacups]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE!!!

 

[JMD]

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE!!!

Let us know what you decide to get.

 

[teacups]

Let us know what you decide to get.

I will! Hubby is reading all the posts now.
Best info source going!

 

[JB111107]

Some follow-up:

Yes, a shotgun is the best all-around gun for a lot of things, self defense being high among them. They also handle a wide variety of loads (birdshot, buckshot, slugs, etc.) and they are all fatal at close range! For use in the home, a load of #2 shot is a good. The problems with shotguns is that they don't fit into a purse or a "quick access" safe. You can keep them under the bed, but that's not a good idea if you have children.

I like the Taurus "Judge" and will possibly get one myself in time. I would prefer the 2 1 1/2", model since the 2 1/2" shells would be plenty in a close range defensive situation. Either way, and as good as they are, it could be a lot of gun to handle for some.

I'm one who agrees that a defensive gun isn't worth much if it's unloaded, locked or you can't get to it. There are two important factors that need to be considered. You must, and I do mean must, keep your gun out of the wrong hands. That becomes a major issue with children around. The quick access safes are about the only solution in many cases. The other is that it is true that people have shot family members while being startled out of sleep. It is recommended that there be some delaying function in the process to give a few seconds to get your eyes open. The quick safe serves well. The best thing is to learn to keep your gun pointed in a safe direction while you determine the situation, a rule that applies throughout the shooting world.

No matter how you shake it, buying a gun for defense is a major decision that requires a lot of thought and consideration.

If you get the JUDGE let me know how you like it. We've been looking at that one for awhile now, but I think a rifle will be next on our gun purchase list. DH just finished customizing the shotgun to his liking. (He's a lefty) so he put a different stock and a pistol grip. What started out as a normal looking winshester now looks like something the swat team might carry.