Thinking of getting a Gun? What kind?

**Doberdog** · 07-01-2008, 07:07 PM

Me and my Honey live way out in the country. I told someone that I was safe out here because it is out of town and he said "S#!& girl, are you kidding. Where do you think they crazy mother Fu@%^rs go when they are trying to get away? Ain't no one can hear you scream out there. I'm telling you gal, you need to get a gun as much as your husband is away".

My husband is a musicain so he gets home late some nights. Anyway we have talked about it but have not decided yet. And if we do, we have no idea what to get and know nothing about guns at all (well my husband says he knows some).

So I'm here asking for advice from all you gun toting experienced people.

Julie W · 07-01-2008, 07:11 PM

I am a huge gun enthusiast and we own several. My recommendation is to go to your local shooting range and rent some and try them out and take some classes. Then go from there if you are comfortable with them and still want one. I would NEVER recommend going out and buying a gun BEFORE you learn to shoot. There are so many different kinds out there, and you will want to get a feel for a gun and learn what you like and want before you make a purchase. Also, I am against people owning guns that aren't very competent with them.

**2gooddobes** · 07-01-2008, 07:12 PM

I have my concealed carry and don't leave home without my S&W .40 or my Keltec .380 . I would recomend either a 9mm or .40 . Both are good all around calibers with good knock down power.

**2gooddobes** · 07-01-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie W

I am a huge gun enthusiast and we own several. My recommendation is to go to your local shooting range and rent some and try them out and take some classes. Then go from there if you are comfortable with them and still want one. I would NEVER recommend going out and buying a gun BEFORE you learn to shoot. There are so many different kinds out there, and you will want to get a feel for a gun and learn what you like and want before you make a purchase. Also, I am against people owning guns that aren't very competent with them.

Amen!

Julie W · 07-01-2008, 07:18 PM

Oh...also....if you aren't going to conceal carry, but rather keep it in your home for home security only, then I would recommend a shotgun over a handgun. It is a much more effective impact in both sight and sound to an intruder. Not many people can mistake the sound of a shotgun being racked and that will give them a huge pause, and if that doesn't work, staring down the barrel of a shotgun is much more frightening than staring down the barrel of a handgun. There are a lot of incompetent shooters out there that couldn't hit the broadside of a barn with a single bullet, but point anywhere in the general vicinity with the spray of a shotgun shell and you are bound to hit something of importance.

dobermandude · 07-01-2008, 07:20 PM

as far as caliber, you want something with maximum stopping power, but that you can still shoot accurately, there is NO stopping power if you cant hit the target. I would recommend going to a shooting range where you can try a few different calibers in order to see what you are capable of accurately shooting.

personally i like the .45 but i have very large hands and get a lot of practice shooting. I would say a .40 would work for a female who lives in the country and is able to get a fair amount of practice, but it just depends on your preference.

as far as price/brand, just dont get the cheapest because they JAM A LOT. if you pull a gun on someone and it jams, they are not going be very nice to you...

Julie W · 07-01-2008, 07:23 PM

My own personal favorite is also a .45, in a kimber 1911 to be exact.

And I agree about not buying a cheap gun. A gun that jams isn't going to do you a bit of good, and very possibly more harm than not having a gun at all.

dobermandude · 07-01-2008, 07:32 PM

imo a shotgun can be too bulky for many self-defense situations. i do agree that if someone simply cant get out to practice shooting, a shotgun is worlds easier to hit something with, but only if you have the weapon ready and get some distance between you and the intruder which isnt always the case especially indoors. more likely you will be surprised by an intruder and have to scramble to grab your weapon, if the attacker is anywhere near you before you are set up and ready to fire...a shotgun is much easier to grab and pull away than a little pistol.

i recommend going to a gunshop and asking questions with the guns right there to look at, and ideally shoot. because it all comes down to what you comfortable with.

**greenkouki** · 07-01-2008, 07:34 PM

I have a WW2 colt 45 and a really old 20ga shotgun. If you want a shotgun a 20ga is a nice size for just about anyone and shouldn't kick that hard with standard rounds. I'm looking at getting a small handgun, I don't like to fire the 45 that often since it's probably a collector gun by now. I agree with Julie, go to a range and try out a couple different weapons and see what suits you best. Most everyone is really helpful and nice at ranges and would love to teach you all about safety/ weapons. Of course, actual classes are a great idea too.

MoJo's Master · 07-01-2008, 07:37 PM

I carry a Glock .40 and agree that a shotgun is a great home defense weapon.