Thinking of getting a Gun? What kind? - Page 2

**Doberdog** · 07-01-2008, 08:13 PM

Thanks you'all, lots of good points. When I was little my Mom sent us to the sportsman league and we had a few lessons. I actually got my riflemans certificate back then. But lordy, I am going to be 45 in Aug and that was when I was 12 or something. When I was about 16, the guy who told me to get a gun (ex-brother in law), took me shooting and he stuck a screw driver in an empty tobacco field (winter) and I blew the handle off (after a few tries), with a site, not a scope. But I have not seen, nor touched any kind of gun since, nor do I have an education related to them. My husband was raised on a farm and his whole family hunted (though he never did), so he said he knows some.
I think I need to take everyones advice. Go get educated, shoot a few, and make a choice. Right now I'm leaning toward both a shotgun and a handgun.

BTW, I told my husband this thead would get some replies real fast based on previous experience here.

Remember that thread about guard dogs that turned to a gun thread. It was pages long and very interesting.

I will call around tomorrow and check on where to go around here.

Thanks again, Sheila

prophecy · 07-01-2008, 08:28 PM

The best caliber for protection,coming from another woman....is a 9mm,provided you can shoot it accuratly. its not overly hard in recoil,but has enuff knockdown to take out an opponent no prb. if you dont kill them,its a good disabler. if not illegal in your area for defense,go for talon slugs or hollowpoints, they open up on inpact. i also agree a shotgun is best for those unable to aim,the shot pattern of the shells is much larger,and will strike more of a target. though they are much more cumbersome.
i liked the poster's idea to go to a range and get safe training before a gun,and test out what you like,so you know what feels right for you.
i have shot many guns,and its something to get used to. i really loved going to the target range, it was very relaxing for me. i have never used a gun on a human being,but would not hesitate to defend my home and family. period.

mnmnauck · 07-01-2008, 08:43 PM

i completely agree about the shotty... i own a s&w mp40c and i love it. take a look at that one when you go to the store

**Doberdog** · 07-01-2008, 08:52 PM

I know that S&W means smith and wesson but the rest is greek to me. Can someone explain what the rest of it means?

**Burns** · 07-01-2008, 09:27 PM

Like Julie said, if you want a gun for home defense, definitely go with a shotgun. Easy to use, powerful and you don't have to be an accurate shot to hit something with it.

For a carry weapon, I carry a Kahr CW9 (9mm). It's light, easy to use, and easy to shoot.

zeus and me · 07-01-2008, 09:37 PM

we have shotguns.....but I am not a huge gun fan.I believe they are good to have but need to be very respected.I depend on my dogs....yup a bad guy may shoot one maybe two.......but one is sure to get em!

we only have our guns in case of disaster lol!!! you know us off the grid living .....anti goverment type living in the woods of michigan ha!

Donnie · 07-01-2008, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doberdog

I know that S&W means smith and wesson but the rest is greek to me. Can someone explain what the rest of it means?

S&W: means exactly what you said , its made by smith and wesson

M&P: Is the model of the handgun

40: Is the caliber , its chambered in a S&W 40 cal

C: Means its a compact , not a large framed gun

Put all that together and you get a S&W M&P40C

I totally disagree with a s&w40 for a new shooter tho , the recoil on a 40 cal is very poppy ... LOTS of muzzle flip. A new shooter to regain composure reaquire sight picture and send a follow up shot would be a task accuratley. I agree with a previous poster , if a hand gun is a must ... the 9mm would be your ticket .... very , very smoothe. A shotgun is the route i would send a new shooter , its a no brainer ..... aim in the direction and pull the trigger , clean the walls up later. Also the shotgun has a warning , there isnt a person alive that doesnt know the distinct sound of a pump shotgun being racked , lets remember that shooting someone is a last defence. You hear something at the window or on the front porch , rack a shotgun and they will vacate QUICK!!!!!!

One more thing that most dont think of , weather you decide a shotgun or a pistol .... buy a set of S&W handcuffs and put them in the bed side table. I realise this sounds rediculous now , but if you have someone at gun point and call the police , he has alot of time to think about the police on the way to arrest him and take him off to jail and for how long and might give him the bright idea to rush you to escape. Goodluck with your choice.

thea2003 · 07-01-2008, 10:07 PM

WOW!!!!
Maybe it is because i am a Canadian but it actually shocks me that so many have a gun on here!!!!
I honestly was thinking this was some kind of a joke!
I am glad you are all trained with guns, but it would scare the crap outta me thinking i needed a gun to be safe, also i would feel an endless amount of guilt if i shot someone, even if they were gonna kill me...

**azdobes** · 07-01-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donnie

One more thing that most dont think of , weather you decide a shotgun or a pistol .... buy a set of S&W handcuffs and put them in the bed side table. I realise this sounds rediculous now , but if you have someone at gun point and call the police , he has alot of time to think about the police on the way to arrest him and take him off to jail and for how long and might give him the bright idea to rush you to escape. Goodluck with your choice.

Gosh, I would strongly disagree with Donnie on this. In 27 years of law enforcment service some of the most harrowing battles I had was trying to handcuff a combative person. As a person defending their home, I seriously recommend not getting close enough to any intruder to allow them to grapple with you or otherwise put yourself in a position of being overcome while trying to use handcuffs. My experience tells me that if there is gunplay, the badguy is going to being lying there bleeding or flee rather than submit to being taken into custody by the owner of the home they were burglarizing.

My recommendation - for home defense: a shotgun. Remington 870 or equivalent, loaded with #6 buckshot. If you have to shoot in side your home it is most unlikely that any of the projectiles will travel far enough to injure an non-combatant. Can't say that with 9mm, .40 cal and .45 cal. Those bullets can travel quite a distance.

And finally, God forbid that you should ever have to do any shooting inside a house or enclosed structure. The first certain outcome is temporary deafness accompanied by lots of pain.

zeus and me · 07-01-2008, 10:27 PM

to get the bad guy to hold still......have the dog do a bark and hold