Want to buy a gun/advice needed

this guy hit the nail on the head. .traded my m&p 9, that held a 5-7 inch group at 20 yards, to a cz-75 and its groupings are like 2 inches at 20 yards. But im sure its more accurate than i am lol.

But OP, dont listen to advice on what type of gun to buy, all guns feel different in different hands. Take the m&p for example the gun felt amazing to me, like it was made to fit MY hand, but i couldnt shoot it very well. My advice is go to local shooting ranges and get some trigger time in. The practice could be what saves yours and your families life.

And please dont keep a HD gun locked up with the ammo seperate. Try this.. Act like your breaking into your own house and walk room to room, now did that feel like you had enough time to wake up fumble with your lock on your gun find your ammo and load it? in the dark, half asleep?
I know its a scary thought but its something you would really need to practice extensivly to become proficient at.

I cant tell you WHERE to keep your handgun but, experiment with what works for you and your situation. I dont have any kids in my house so that part isnt an issue for me, but if i were you id teach my kids how to handle the firearms as well.

Have you thought about buying a shotgun? Since your just using it for self defense itd be worth a shot (no pun intended) You can pick up a cheap pump shotgun from walmart for under $200, and you can buy home defense ammo without the fear of over penetration. Wouldnt want to miss and shoot through your walls because you never know whose on the other side, this is one reason why shotguns are ideal for a home defense situation. And the fact that you dont have to really "aim" just point and shoot. Maybe add a light to it that way you can see, and blind your intruder.

Sorry my post was a bit lengthy i just take this kind of thing serious.

ooooohh!! Laser?? Do a lot of them have this? That would certainly give more accuracy right?

I looked it up, very small pistol. I like the look of it too! Crap! All of this ammo, gun training and weapons searching on my computer will probably be flagged by the Gov and I will be in jail by end of week.. Who's bailing me out?

A Drop Release is when a gun is fully cocked and ready to fire but one if doesnt need to shoot you can push a button to release the hammer/pin with out firing yet keep loaded. The ruger i had...once cocked and ready i either had to shoot OR take clip out n pull the slide to empty the gun BUT still had to "dry fire" the gun to release the pin.
Double action is When a gun has one in the chamber (some guns) take ALOT of pull to fire. Therefore no need to pull the slide or cock the hammer...just pull and fire. When someone gets flustered its easy to load clip or even cock a gun.

No not lengthy, I truly appreciate the time you took here! I could of course be wrong, but I feel like a shotgun is so big and long that I would get attacked before I could get it pumped and into position?? Than you get one shot per pump right? Have I watched too many movies?

You don't have to aim because the shotgun shells sprays out and gives you a broader chance?

Get a HiPoint 9mm. They're cheap, absolutly dependable, wont fire if you drop it in your panic, and is less than $200.00 new. Lifetime no questions asked full warranty.

A Drop Release is when a gun is fully cocked and ready to fire but one if doesnt need to shoot you can push a button to release the hammer/pin with out firing yet keep loaded. The ruger i had...once cocked and ready i either had to shoot OR take clip out n pull the slide to empty the gun BUT still had to "dry fire" the gun to release the pin.
Double action is When a gun has one in the chamber (some guns) take ALOT of pull to fire. Therefore no need to pull the slide or cock the hammer...just pull and fire. When someone gets flustered its easy to load clip or even cock a gun.


Oh man! So I definitely think I would want the Drop Release to make things less complicated.So Double Action is a good thing? I am feeling nervous about having one in the chamber at all times...

Recoil depends on size of gun,bullet and materials its made of. Not too sure what recommend but my guess would be all metal gun..compact (beings as your comfortable w/ aim) 9mm w/home defence rounds(hollow point).The more rounds in the gun the heavier it will be.so like a 8 to 10rd clip should be fine.

Definitely want one that will not fire if dropped!! Good point!!

Very interested in your post, as I am in the process of getting a new gun for my fiancee. She has a PSA (protection from abuse) from an old b/f that is ready to expire and I am very concerned about her. We both have license to carry permits, but she is not well versed in guns (she currently does not carry). I own a Glock .45 caliber and love the gun. Glocks are most importantly, one of the most reliable (if not the most) guns you can buy, and when you need to use it, that is THE most important feature. We have a little .380 semi-auto that jams constantly..it is worthless.

The problem with my fiancee is, she is just not strong enough to handle the Glock (i.e., chambering a round, getting the magazine out, reloading, etc.). I've watched her struggle with it at the range, so in a life-or-death situation, I would have zero faith she would be ok with a semi-auto. This is why I am looking into getting her a revolver. I'm not decided on brand or caliber yet. Maybe some of the points above you should consider.

But the advice her to get a lesson or two, is the best start for you. Get familiar with guns, safety, and operation. I would recommend a revolver for you, too.
Ask your instructor about the best type of ammo for you to use, which ideally would have adequate stopping power (I've heard of multiple rounds of .22 caliber bullets hitting a guys head, but still not going through the bone!), but also not do harm with errant shots (i.e., going through walls. Especially important if you live in a condo or apartment. You WILL get sued by a neighbor who has one of your bullets end up in his place, even if you were protecting yourself). Ask your instructor about local laws, and what the police/courts like to see with honest gun owners.

When you made your choice of weapon, practice, practice, practice. Know the gun inside and out, and how to operate it with your eyes closed. I am very much against keeping the gun and ammo in separate locations. You have no idea how much time you will have. Imagine waking up with an intruder looking in your bedroom door and is holding a large knife. Getting out of bed to assemble your gun would not be an option at that point. The gun MUST be kept very close by to your sleeping location,,,ideally being able to grab it from bed and without much hesitation. As someone here mentioned, there are small safes that allow you to keep the gun safely loaded inside, but have a "finger combo" mechanism on the outside to allow you to open the safe, even in complete darkness. Just practice opening that MANY times so you can do it, literally, in your sleep.

Remember, a gun is simply a tool. Just like a hammer can't function until you physically pick it up, it's the same with a gun. Making it difficult to access, esp. in a panic situation, will only make things worse for your family. Even though you will keep the gun locked up, have an open dialoge with your kids concerning the gun. Yes, not ever mentioning it will only lead to their curiosity. The other item I would definitely recommend is a very powerful flashlight, either on the gun, or next to your bed (don't lock that up with the weapon!). Flashlights can be so powerful that they will literally blind anyone looking at it, even for a second or two. Blinding an intruder is what you want, as it would give you even more time to take possession of your weapon and have it ready. Again, I'm sure your instructor could advise on the best route.

Good luck and I applaud you for taking responsibility for your families safety. Kepp in mind, the police are not legally responsible for your safety. If you call 911, and the police take way too much time in getting to your home to help you, you cannot sue, or place any blame on them. This has gone to court before and the police are always innocent. You can look that up. What this means is, ultimately, you are the only responsible party for yours, and your families safety.

Good luck, and keep us posted on what you decide upon!

.. take classes to get a gun permit ..

If you want something immediatly .. and your state permits .. go down to your local gun dealer and get a mossberg rifle or a shotgun .. they run a police check on you in my state two weeks later you can get it .. I went to dick's and got mine .. I had to get youth sized because I am on the smaller side ..

Once you get a permit .. I like Ruger .. :)

Sounds stupid .. but I don't have bullets in my house .. just guns .. and the bullets in another place ..

When I was younger I use to keep a handgun in my attic rafter because that is which way we would go out .. but even that made me nervous ..

Now I only hide machetes and knives where my kids dk they are .. can't get to em .. and bear spray high up on the inside wall of my closets .. for self protection

Oh man! So I definitely think I would want the Drop Release to make things less complicated.So Double Action is a good thing? I am feeling nervous about having one in the chamber at all times...


O yea! some double actions up to like 8 pounds of pull to fire...and if it has a hammer you can cock the weapon with minimal sound...as not to alarm anyone who may be lurking. I sold my Ruger 9mm for a jericho 941. I believe the drop release is one of the most important safetys on a gun.

Glock 26 is a good choice or a ruger LC9. Buy the safe with the hand print and keep it close. Also keep it loaded, maybe not chambered but loaded. And make sure that safety is OFF if the gun has one, cause in a panic you won't think about. Put the safety on when it's loaded in a non emergency.

My wife shoots my glock 27, which is the .40 caliber, the 26 is 9mm and she shoots real good with it. She wanted a bigger one and got this, and she's tiny:



Good luck!

Last Edited by Munsoned on 04/27/2012 03:17 PM

depending upon your size, I'd go with a Glock in a 9mm variant. For me, that's a G26. In reality, I went with a G23 (.40S&W) and picked up a 9mm conversion barrel, a 9mm extractor, and some 9mm mags.

Sorry wasnt signed in when i first posted, but yea shotguns may be a little more bulky but you can get one with an 18 inch barrel, this makes them pretty darn maneuverable in tight hallways , and yes its only one pump per shot. You could of course get a semi auto version but those are a little more pricey. what kind of budget are you working with? And the main selling point for me for a shot gun for HD vs. a Handgun is the over penetration.

Yes you could buy a Zimmerman gun but the blacks will lynch you later.

The gun. A gun. big small medium. ????? tough choice.

Your best bet might be a Mace canister pepper spray gun.

After all when you take out their eyes (as cops say in Chicago) beating the crap out of them can be really fun.

Or you drag them to the door naked and pepper spray them out into the street.

You might as well have a choice.

something like this

[link to img3.findthebest.com]

It looks a bit menacing, but really thats what you want when someone is breaking into your house. Plus the sound of that pump will really put fear into the heart of man :)

I can definitely handle the weight I believe. I am thin at 5'7", but I am strong, not frail, and though I have small features, I don't think I need a "baby" gun.

I am just worried about the recoil and being comfortable with it, ya know? So I appreciate this post, as I feel I need to go with the heaviest I can handle that still fits into my hands!! Thanks!

How old are your kids? 12 and up give them gun training lessons. Below 12? I don't know. Can they be trusted to stay out of your room?

I have a taurus 357 within arms reach of my bed. Five shot revolver. Just point and pull the trigger. No worry about safeties or cocking it. Just point and pull. If you pull the trigger, it makes a hell of a noise, even if you miss. You must clearly identify who you are shooting at, though. You want to be damn sure it isn't your kid. Anyone else is fair game.

Nothing says GTFO better than the sound a 12 guage pump shotgun makes when you rack it.

All criminals know and understand this sound.

This is the universal sound for "leave or die".

I carry mine with me everywhere in my house, even in the shower, cause you just never know...

I heard to use wasp spray, it shoots twenty feet.






Peace, Be Still...
Pray For The True Of Jerusalem

I really think I could put up a good strong fight, for about 45 seconds, after which I would pass out..lol In my defense, Men are MUCH stronger than women think!

I am a bartender and I had to close one night alone. I had a male customer grab my wrist and put it behind my back and pushed me against the wall so he could try and "grope" me. I was literally SHOCKED at how strong he was and he was NOT that big of a man. It really freaked me out and made me realize that I am not as tough as I think I am.
Luckily the bouncer was there to grab him off but I was shaken by my ignorance in a man's strength.

Really? Just shouting "I have a gun!" won't work huh? How about I tape record that sound for when I am in the shower.. I can't see me toting my gun everywhere... hehehe

Mine are teenagers accept the baby is just now 6. The older ones will probably be at the range with me after I get it all together. If that's allowed! Didn't even think of that.

Shooting through the walls is definitely a concern of mine now after reading all of these posts. Someone mentioned something about a pistol that takes shotgun ammo?? I have to read back since so many AMAZING people have helped me out!

op....I was at the range today and the couple next to me just bot the new M&P Shield, 9mm. They liked it a lot and it fit my hand perfectly. That's what I'd buy.

I own multiple pistols in anything from .22 to .45 ACP. I'm 5'8 170.

I suggest 9mm with some quality hollow points for personal protection. I suggest 9mm in general, because its about $10 per box of 50 to shoot at the range, and its about $13-15 for .40 S&W and about $18-20 for .45ACP.

So, with 9mm you'll get more bang for buck. You get more rounds per mag for the most part, and the recoil isn't crazy at all, so you can shoot all day and enjoy it.

My .40S&W glock is snappy. The recoil is sharp.

my .45 ACP is harsh. I have a small 1911 and I love to shoot it, and its a gorgeous gun, but its expensive to shoot.

You can save $ by reloading, but in the end, the larger the bullet, the more its going to cost to shoot.

If you need absolute dependability, get a wheel gun. I personally don't like them and prefer semi-auto, but that's by choice.

Hey, you could try it, but I wont risk my life on a "maybe".

Actually, I dont carry in the shower, on the commode is another subject though.

Last Edited by Alferd Packer on 04/27/2012 03:44 PM

I know you were being a sarcastic asshat here, but I still giggled at the "elevator music plays."

hehehe