Pistol of Choice

Richard S. wrote:Don't know if it was already mentioned but if it's for home defense... one word... Shotgun.

Many of us Richard. The best & cheapest too!

gambler wrote:No I did not consider shooting them as they fled

I only mention that because in a tense situation, with a finger on the trigger, it is easy to do by accident.

One recommendation I would have for a self-defense pistol is one capable of "Double Action" firing. The extra time it takes to pull the trigger (about 1/4 second) gives you a bit longer shoot/don't shoot decision time over "single action", & requires no cocking of the hammer which can be forgotten in tense situations & makes accidental discharge much more likely! (KISS-Keep It Simple Stupid)
Single action's feather light trigger pull is better for accuracy but much more dangerous for accidents.

If you have kids in the house, think long and hard about keeping a loaded gun in the house. I think the best combo is a dog and a unloaded gun of your choice with the ammo in a safe spot. The dog will give you plenty of time to load it and lessen the chance of any tragic results of kids playing with loaded firearms.

I have pulled a gun on someone one time. It was an ex-boyfriend of my daughters who decided to push me outside my house and then chose to enter after being told to get leave the property. I then went inside and pulled the pistol. (I never pointed the weapon at him). I then told him to leave the premises which he did after a few choice words. He then called the cops (which I had already done) and told them I threatened him with a gun. I then got a visit from the PSP. They asked me if made any threats to me or my family or if we felt threatened in any way which the obvious answer was "yes, both". As for the gun, they asked if I pulled it and then asked if I pointed it at him or threatened to shoot him. I said "yes I pulled the gun and no I did not point it at him and had not said that I was going to shoot him but, would have done so had he tried to touch any of us". That was that. He was later arrested and cited for harassment, making terroristic threats, and trespassing. He did not do any jail time but was fined. He later apologized to us and I have not seen him for a couple of years now. He had been taking steroids and god knows what else at the time.

Dang.. the steroid monster again.... the dry form of Liquid Courage!!!

thats why whatever choice of weapon it is , I believe protective handguns should be cocked and locked or loaded with Hydra-Shock. the one or two actual rounds that typically will be fired in a home invasion/defense situation, should be as leathal as possible.

Poconoeagle wrote:Dang.. the steroid monster again.... the dry form of Liquid Courage!!!

thats why whatever choice of weapon it is , I believe protective handguns should be cocked and locked or loaded with Hydra-Shock. the one or two actual rounds that typically will be fired in a home invasion/defense situation, should be as leathal as possible.

I forgot to mention that part. It was and still is loaded with Black Talon

A good choice!! so are you gonna engrave your avitar on each round???

"IT AIN'T ABOUT HUNTING" I like the way you are thinkin'! Too many "shave your legs, panty wearing liberals" dancing around. That 'cannon' you have keeps them "shakin' like a fairy at a weenie roast!" :flex: :box: :whip: :down: :annoyed: :crazy: :mad3: :mad2: :poke: :rambo3: :discuss: :pepsi:

whistlenut wrote:"IT AIN'T ABOUT HUNTING" I like the way you are thinkin'! Too many "shave your legs, panty wearing liberals" dancing around. That 'cannon' you have keeps them "shakin' like a fairy at a weenie roast!" :flex: :box: :whip: :down: :annoyed: :crazy: :mad3: :mad2: :poke: :rambo3: :discuss: :pepsi:

Cannon isn't that a camera???? smile!

Yup, but spelled "Canon" ...and a VERY good product line as well.

I almost shot someone in Belgium on a military training exercise. I had a radio contact to make at about 3 in the morning, and I would normally have someone with me, but I let the other guys sleep and did it on my own. When we arrived in Belgium we got our standard terrorist threat briefing, and the Red Brigade was active in the area and we had reason to believe they would like to shoot one of us. When I was coming back from the contact I was tired and wanted to get some sleep, so to make up time I was walking on a road (had it been actual war, I would not be on a road, tired or not), figuring who the hell will be out there at 0430. I was walking and coming from the opposite direction was a man on a bike. He saw me and immediately started to reach into his jacket. My thought was Oh crap, he wants to kill me. I had my M-16, and contrary to popular belief we do not carry blanks in it, even on training exercises(unless we are actually firing in the exercise, but if we are in the field by ourselves, real bullets), and as his hand was coming back out of his jacket the selector on my rifle went from safe to auto as the weapon was coming up. My finger was on the trigger now, and I had taken the slack out of the trigger. Just as I could see his hand, the weapon was pointed at his crotch and the plan was to run about ten bullets through him from the crotch to the head. His hand had nothing in it, finger off the trigger, selector to safe, rifle back to port. That poor guy came very close to occupying a hole in the woods that day. There was no question in my mind about my ability to squeeze the trigger, and had he produced a weapon, there would be no remorse on my part. I performed as trained to do (except for walking on the road).

Mike

As to the origional topic of this thread, go to guntv.com or auctonarms.com and click on thelink for guntv. There are a bunch of free video's that are terrific for the beginner. There are more that you have to join to see but the free ones help a bunch.
As to Devils request, I have been on both ends. I complied with verbal requests while on the receiving end and the receivers were laying down the steps while I was on the giving end. Not much else to tell.

Kevin

I would recommend visiting the Pennsylvania Firearm Owner's Association website. (pafoa.org) It has all the information regarding any type of firearm available, and it also has information regarding Pennsylvania's firearm laws. There is info on gunshops and shooting ranges as well. As far as the question about ever using a weapon in self defense, I have not. But, my wife has been robbed at gunpoint, one of my friends was robbed at gunpoint. I have had intruders in my house at night and so have my in-laws and another one of my friends (the intruder at my friends house actually ate food out of the refrigerator while the family was sleeping). My location and associations are not the reason for these instances....just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I always thought that I was somewhat far removed from crime until a few months ago when I began thinking about how many friends and relatives have been victims. I think it is important to be prepared for these situations, and Pennsylvania is one of the states that allows citizens to carry a firearm. I am a strong believer in having more responsible and law abiding citizens owning and carrying firearms. It just may be that you save your own life someday.

For beginners, a .22 caliber revolver would be the place to start. It could be a home self defense gun and certainly a target gun for a beginner.

Who is a beginner when we are talking handguns? I don't get it? If I am 12yrs old than maybe I am a beginner. If I am an adult, and never owned a firearm, am I a beginner? .22 handgun for a beginner who may be 45 yrs old? Maybe for my kid at Christmas, I'd prefer a a gun with a load that doesn't require a head shot or my 870.

Dev wrote:Has any forum member ever had the unfortunate occasion to actually use a firearm for self or home protection?

Does a gray squirrel count?