What kind of handgun is best for me?

[Tom Brands]

My needs/background: I have never really been exposed to guns much in my life. I don't want a gun for extreme situations (such as fending off 20 armed guys or something), but I might like one just in case a burglar is in my house. What would be the best idea pricewise/easy to use??

 

[Brent S]

My needs/background: I have never really been exposed to guns much in my life. I don't want a gun for extreme situations (such as fending off 20 armed guys or something), but I might like one just in case a burglar is in my house. What would be the best idea pricewise/easy to use??

I have the Smith & Wesson 9mm M&P shield. It's compact, well made and reasonably priced. I think it was just over three hundred. I don't think anything smaller than a 9mm is really good for protection. Remember, buying a gun is only part of it. You also need to learn safety, practice with it, learn to maintain it, etc. Bringing a loaded weapon into your home can increase your security, but without learning about how to safely handle it, it greatly increases the chances of someone getting hurt or killed accidentally.

 

[jimLE]

one thing you might wanna do tom.is to locate different practice/shooting ranges.gather what info you can,look over different handguns and at least shoot some of them..that way, you'll get the feel of them.and that'll alone might help you decide on the caliber and all..then take classes on gun safety,..

 

[Thumper]

Without mirroring what everyone else has said about safety and what not, many ranges have firearms you can rent. Try out as many as you can and see what suits you best.

 

[Mountain trapper]

My needs/background: I have never really been exposed to guns much in my life. I don't want a gun for extreme situations (such as fending off 20 armed guys or something), but I might like one just in case a burglar is in my house. What would be the best idea pricewise/easy to use??

In an earlier post you said that all guns should be banned. Now you want to buy a gun. What is it Tom? Make up your mind.

 

[Tom Brands]

In an earlier post you said that all guns should be banned. Now you want to buy a gun. What is it Tom? Make up your mind.

I think they should be banned. But since they're not, they are necessary for me to own one in order to defend myself against bad guys with guns.

 

[Maverick]

I think they should be banned. But since they're not, they are necessary for me to own one in order to defend myself against bad guys with guns.

Banning firearms don't keep them out of the hands of bad guys Tom, If you think they should be banned than you're not ready for a firearm, owning one would make you a hypocrite.

 

[Skeeter]

I would recommend taking a gun use and safety course. A firing range or NRA center would probably offer something.

I am ex-military so have all the training I need.

 

[Thumper]

I think they should be banned. But since they're not, they are necessary for me to own one in order to defend myself against bad guys with guns.

You do understand that even if they were bammed that bad guys would still habe them don't you?

 

[Tom Brands]

You do understand that even if they were bammed that bad guys would still habe them don't you?

no. do u have a crystal ball?

 

[Thumper]

Dont need one its exactly what has happened everywhere theyve been banned. And in countries where there was mass confiscation bad guys simply started making their own.

To believe that banning something will stop bad guys from having it is a clear indicator of poor intellegence.

 

[AmirSalaam]

Even if bad guys cannot get them, banning guns is not the answer unless you want our country overrun by bears and wolves and large cats. The only reason we are predators and not prey is because we had the intelligence to create weapons capable of killing these foul creatures.

 

[Tom Brands]

Dont need one its exactly what has happened everywhere theyve been banned. And in countries where there was mass confiscation bad guys simply started making their own.

To believe that banning something will stop bad guys from having it is a clear indicator of poor intellegence.

The irony of misspelling the word 'intelligence' in this instance.

 

[Thumper]

Meh. Typing on a phone hands covered in grease with big thumbs. Its gonna happen.

But nice diversion. Good job.

Though I reckon going from a negative networth to one approaching eight figures in less than a decade makes me intelligent enough. Hows that fifteen dollar an hour job working for ya mister masters degree?

 

[Tom Brands]

Meh. Typing on a phone hands covered in grease with big thumbs. Its gonna happen.

But nice diversion. Good job.

Fair enough. I still feel like banning guns is a great way to keep them out of the hands of criminals. The harder a gun is to obtain, the harder a gun is to obtain. It's really that simple.

 

[Thumper]

Thats the problem with thinking with your heart instead of your head. You come up with falisities.

Completely banning guns would not reduce the avaliability of them to criminals.

Look at Chicago for example. At the height of gun regulation there you could go onto nearly any street corner and find a handgun for under two hundred bucks in about ten minutes.

 

[Mountain trapper]

I think they should be banned. But since they're not, they are necessary for me to own one in order to defend myself against bad guys with guns.

That's the problem (one of many) with you liberals. You don't stand for anything. You won't stand up for your stupid anti gun agenda. Be a leader Tom. If you think guns should be banned then set an example and don't get one.

 

[Skeeter]

I hate the thought of guns in the hands of criminals, but I hate even more the thought of guns NOT in the hands of good guys.

Personally, I have a collection of over 20 firearms. My youngest son is four but I'm already teaching him how to shoot.

 

[AmirSalaam]

You should get a gun if that option is available to you, Tom. You don't want to be wrong about this one. Think about your family. I know that in a perfect world nobody would need guns, but there are certain threats (both human and non-human) that do not care about your feelings.

 

[Gazrok]

I think they should be banned. But since they're not, they are necessary for me to own one in order to defend myself against bad guys with guns.

It's funny that the places with the most gun related crimes, are those that restrict them the MOST.... Why is that? Simple, because laws only keep law abiding citizens disarmed...NOT criminals. At least it seems you are somewhat realizing this.

Forget the pistol. For home defense...shotgun. For one thing, you may not even need to fire it. Just SEEING one often makes a crook run. Look, a crook knows they may easily survive a single pistol shot...but they KNOW they aren't running away with half their body blown off....so...there's that...

 

[Thumper]

It's funny that the places with the most gun related crimes, are those that restrict them the MOST.... Why is that? Simple, because laws only keep law abiding citizens disarmed...NOT criminals. At least it seems you are somewhat realizing this.

Forget the pistol. For home defense...shotgun. For one thing, you may not even need to fire it. Just SEEING one often makes a crook run. Look, a crook knows they may easily survive a single pistol shot...but they KNOW they aren't running away with half their body blown off....so...there's that...

Got to agree with ya. For the most part. Shotguns are great for home defense. But can be awkward and unwieldly when moving from room to room. Train with it and learn it.

And run the right load. Experience has shown us thst lighter loads do not work well against humans from even short distances. Number 4 buck is about as small as you should go for distances inside of ten or fifteen feet.

A lot of folks will talk about how not having to aim helps. Bull. From ten feet with number four buck out of a modified choke theyre looking at a four or five inch pattern. Thats it.

 

[Tom Brands]

Thats the problem with thinking with your heart instead of your head. You come up with falisities.

Completely banning guns would not reduce the avaliability of them to criminals.

Look at Chicago for example. At the height of gun regulation there you could go onto nearly any street corner and find a handgun for under two hundred bucks in about ten minutes.

That's because there isn't a nationwide ban on guns, just a ban in a small area of one state. I want a completely nationwide ban of them.

 

[DrHenley]

Tom, do you really think the bad guys are going to turn in their guns if guns are banned? REALLY???

In Taiwan, which has the most restrictive gun laws in the world - private ownership of guns is completely banned - and is an island that can control the flow of guns into the country, the president was SHOT with a homemade gun!

Hey I have an idea! Why don't we just ban bad guys? Problem solved!

 

[Skeeter]

I have two guns at home that I keep loaded at all times in case some scumbag comes around looking for an easy target to rob or anything like that. Some people would rather rob others instead of working for an honest living.

 

[Tom Brands]

Tom, do you really think the bad guys are going to turn in their guns if guns are banned? REALLY???

In Taiwan, which has the most restrictive gun laws in the world - private ownership of guns is completely banned - and is an island that can control the flow of guns into the country, the president was SHOT with a homemade gun!

Hey I have an idea! Why don't we just ban bad guys? Problem solved!

I mean I certainly agree that criminals won't turn in guns in general, and I also agree that it's not some easy fix. But some criminals aren't criminals until they buy their gun.

 

[DrHenley]

The gun MADE them become a criminal? How does that work? Should I keep an eye on my guns lest they start making me do things? Funny, I've never seen them do anything but just sit there and mind their own business...

It's not like they are afraid of me, hell, they've got me outnumbered! I wouldn't stand a chance if they ganged up on me. ROFL!

 

[user 7704]

There is an episode of the old western The Rifleman where the new deputy tried to make everyone turn in their guns while in town. Of course, the bad guys used this to their advantage. Watch the episode sometime. Personally, I have a S&W 9mm that I keep with me since I live in the woods. I also have others too. Bought my daughter a smaller Taurus 9 mm that she can put in her glove box or purse. She is in real estate and visits deserted houses and it scares me.

 

[Tom Brands]

The gun MADE them become a criminal? How does that work? Should I keep an eye on my guns lest they start making me do things? Funny, I've never seen them do anything but just sit there and mind their own business...

No, that's not what I'm saying at all. I mean they aren't in the system as criminals sometimes when they're buying their arsenal, therefore aren't restricted from purchasing. The Columbine killers weren't criminals until after they went on their spree.

 

[Brent S]

It's not just the bad guys with guns that worry me. Sometimes the good guys become the bad guy. Nazi Germany really was not that long ago. I'm glad I live in a place where I have the right to be able to defend myself from all threats.

 

[Mountain trapper]

That's because there isn't a nationwide ban on guns, just a ban in a small area of one state. I want a completely nationwide ban of them.

And what other parts of the Constitution would you throw away Tom? We're guaranteed the right to gun ownership under our Constitution. Period. End of discussion.