OT: pistol shooters, need some advice

[grooveHT]

Hey guys, I'm looking to purchase a handgun for myself and my fiance to shoot, both at the range and for home defense. We've both shot 9mm berettas (basically m92f), and I'm looking at 9mm, 10mm, or .40 for stopping power as well as penetration, plus I want her to still be able to shoot it. Am I looking at the right calibers first of all, and secondly, any recommendations for firearms in those calibers? Thanks!

Jeff

 

[RV8guy]

I'm a fan of the Browning Hi-Power. They come in 9mm or .40 S&W.

 

[riffy]

The Sig Sauer 226 .40 cal. is a FINE handgun.
I can't think of one that could actually outperform it.

Glock makes a very reliable .40 cal as well. I just
personally don't think it performs as well as the
Sig.

 

[Code001]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

 

[grooveHT]

The Sig Saur 226 .40 cal. is a FINE handgun.
I can't think of one that could actually outperform it.

Glock makes a very reliable .40 cal as well. I just
personally don't think it performs as well as the
Sig.

Hey riff! I'll have to look in on Sig, never actually shot one. If its as good a recommendation as the axe-fx, I'm in for a Sig! Have you shot a beretta 92f? Just wonder what the sig is like size and weight wise in contrast. Thanks for the suggestion regardless, I'll check it out for sure.

Jeff

 

[riffy]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

I won't argue this at all as it is SOLID advice with only one
caveat though, IF you buy a pump shotgun, don't count
on the sound of the racking action to scare people. It only lets
them know you have a firearm and they could very well shoot
though your floor or walls first and injure or kill one of your
family members.

 

[RV8guy]

AK47 for home defense here plus a sign that reads "I have a shotgun and you ain't got none"

 

[Code001]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

I won't argue this at all as it is SOLID advice with only one
caveat though, IF you buy a pump shotgun, don't count
on the sound of the racking action to scare people. It only lets
them know you have a firearm and they could very well shoot
though your floor or walls first and injure or kill one of your
family members.

The sound had nothing to do with my response. Instead, the spread of the round and the velocity of the pellets had a factor when it came to NOT injuring loved ones with possible stray bullets that might occur with handgun and/or rifle rounds. A shotgun is, by far, the best home self-defense weapon as it has the least possibility of going through walls and has the greatest possibility of hitting your target with the least amount of aiming when compared to other mediums.

 

[grooveHT]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

Hey Code, we're both in the service, so we'd like to do some handgun shooting so we can keep our chops up...otherwise uncle sam only lets us shoot like every 6 months or so.

 

[stephen sawall]

Teaching my girl freind how to throw a punch turned out to be a.... I would not get her a gun. But thats me and her.

 

[Code001]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

Hey Code, we're both in the service, so we'd like to do some handgun shooting so we can keep our chops up...otherwise uncle sam only lets us shoot like every 6 months or so.

Then buy a handgun for fun and buy a nice Remington 870 for your house. The 870s are dirty cheap and are the industry standard when it comes to the police forces around the US.

 

[vultures]

M93R

 

[riffy]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

I won't argue this at all as it is SOLID advice with only one
caveat though, IF you buy a pump shotgun, don't count
on the sound of the racking action to scare people. It only lets
them know you have a firearm and they could very well shoot
though your floor or walls first and injure or kill one of your
family members.

The sound had nothing to do with my response. Instead, the spread of the round and the velocity of the pellets had a factor when it came to NOT injuring loved ones with possible stray bullets that might occur with handgun and/or rifle rounds. A shotgun is, by far, the best home self-defense weapon as it has the least possibility of going through walls and has the greatest possibility of hitting your target with the least amount of aiming when compared to other mediums.

Bro, I completely understood what you were saying! I wasn't trying to imply that was what you inferred or meant at all either. It is just that I hear that the sound of racking the round in will scare the crap out of people. Normal people yes, someone that is in your house for no good, maybe, maybe not.

I just hear that so often I felt compelled to speak to it quickly...lol

 

[Code001]

Oh, and since you wanted handgun advice, the best thing you can do is to go to a gun show and handle all the various handguns they have. Pick the one that fits you the best. Most handguns today are up-to-par in terms of what you seem to want to do with it. The feel is the biggest decision, IMO. As far as rounds go, I really like the .40 S&W. It's a great mix between a 9mm and .45 ACP.

 

[riffy]

If you want something for home defense, you don't want a handgun. You want a shotgun.

Hey Code, we're both in the service, so we'd like to do some handgun shooting so we can keep our chops up...otherwise uncle sam only lets us shoot like every 6 months or so.

IF I may make a suggestion? PM Larryguitar on HC. He writes for
gun magazines and really knows his stuff plus he is a fine person
and a joy to talk to honestly!

 

[Code001]

Bro, I completely understood what you were saying! I wasn't trying to imply that was what you inferred or meant at all either. It is just that I hear that the sound of racking the round in will scare the crap out of people. Normal people yes, someone that is in your house for no good, maybe, maybe not.

I just hear that so often I felt compelled to speak to it quickly...lol

Nah, you make a valid point. I know my sister wants to get a shotgun just for the "sound," yet has no intention of ever firing one if the situation were to occur.... I just wanted to explain why shotguns are the best for self-defense in a home situation.

 

[grooveHT]

cool, thanks for the advice guys, I'll have to hit up a couple gun shows...wonder if they have any in Texas....

 

[JackBootedThug]

i worked for ruger for 2 years and they are the best bang for the buck imo. we carry barreta's at work and i wouldnt own one. I'm a sig man at heart and would recomend the p220 without hesitation. .45 is the only way to go. I'm sold on the .45 for two reasons. 1) people that have used them on people swear by them. You get hit with a .45 your going down and staying down. 2) I shot a deer in the head that had been hit by a car. bullet entered the head and the lower half of the skull and jaw came off. that sold me.

 

[RV8guy]

Here in the DFW area there is a gun show almost every day.

 

[zepman]

If you are willing to train correctly to use a handgun they are fine for home defense. I only trust one caliber 100% for one shot stops. That means that when you hit the bad guy he stops immediatly what it was he was doing that made you shoot him in the first place. That is the 45acp. There is NO other handgun with the PROVEN combat record of the 45 PERIOD and with the right choice of loads you wont have to worry about overpenitration.The handgun I carry when out in the boonies is a S&W model 29 44 mag. I choose that gun for that purpose due to that fact that first, I shoot it very well and second it has the ability to disable immediatly/permanently a Bear, Mountain Lion, angry asshole druggie/murderer rapist mutha fucker or a even car.
Whatever you choose, please train with it until it feels like an extension of your arm and you know it inside an out before you put your life in its hands.

Here are some rapid fire targets from my two main self defense handguns: