please give me some advice on buying a gun

[ima_sinnic]

I'm a 58-yo female and want to buy a gun for self-protection. Ever since the Republican scum have come into power I have felt the vague need, anticipating some debacle, civil war, martial law, death squads, etc. in the not too distant future, but I just accepted a job driving a cab, which will probably happen at night after I learn the ropes (but this is a large university town, not a major city), and publish a leftist web site. Yesterday I sent some hate mail to Neal Boortz, whom I detest with every fiber of my being, that he published on his web site along with my e-mail address (we here at DU have more class than that, to make hate mailers' addresses public) (I gave an authentic e-mail address rather than the chickenshit MO of the repukes with their fake ones, but a fake last name) and so far today I have received just about 100 hateful and moronic responses. Okay, I apologize for the bad language in my e-mail--it is always my policy on my web site to be as diplomatic and UNprofane as possible--I was in a P-Oed mood (who better to take it out on than slimeball boortz?) and did not think ahead to the possibility of his actually publishing it (which I admit was very dumb--duh!).

Anyway, after transferring all those imbecilic messages to a special new folder called "scum" (without opening any, just looking through preview mode) I suddenly feel the need to step up my idea of getting a gun.

Can you please tell me what exactly I should buy? My knowledge of guns is zip, I have never really had any interest in them. I would like a real weapon and know that I would not hesitate to use it if necessary, but I am a weakling and don't want something with a big kick (when I was a kid I was knocked on my ass and my shoulder hurt for a week after I shot my cousin's deer rifle, some "double aught" something) (but I want a pistol, not a rifle). I will go immediately to a shooting range and learn how to use it after I buy it. I also plan to apply for a concealed weapon permit because of the cab driving gig. Because of "budgetary shortfalls" I will undoubtedly look for a gun at a pawn shop--or can you tell me a better source?

thanks for any advice--I will look forward to reading your posts but must now concentrate on an editing job that I need to finish today so won't be able to read/respond til later today.

[stopthegop]

1. Ruger makes good quality pieces..

9mm is a decent caliber...sounds like a bigger one might be tough for you...good luck

[readmylips]

2. Get a big dog...Most peole get killed....

by their own guns. Get a house alarm. Purchasing a gun is a vote for small man bush...NRA gives big bucks to bush.

[Superfly]

5. Wrong...

"Most people get killed by their own guns" Care to back that up?

[galadrium]

Joining the NRA is a small vote for Bush

But I am sick of right-wingers trying to BS everybody into thinking that you have to be some Tim McVeigh right-wing gun nut to have guns.

It does not look like she is planning to join the NRA.

[gayrebel83]

65. It is a relief...

...to see that you can be lefty/liberal and still support the 2nd amendment and (responsible) firearm use. I'm always a little nervous about revealing to my fellow left-wingers that I support gun rights and want to own one someday. (kinda similar to coming out of the closet, I suppose?) That said, how many pro-gun left-wingers exist out there? :shrug:

[Wcross]

9. Big dog in a cab?

LOL!!!!!!!

She is trying to protect herself while working as a cabby.

[leftistagitator]

44. She doesn't have to join the NRA to buy a gun

As long as she is responsible, and it sure sounded that way to me, she will be safe with a gun. Most of the kick from a gun shot is just a physical reaction to the sound of the blast, so repeated exposure at a shooting range will lessen that no matter which gun you get. A 9 mm will probably do for your purposes, but a gun show may be a cheaper place than a pawn shop to get one.

[gold_bug]

3. take a safety class,

Find a good range in your area that offers a safety class for beginners.

1. you'll learn how to handle firearms correctly and safely.
2. you'll have the opportunity to try a number of different types of handguns on the range and learn about them.

I think that's probably one of the best ways to decide what type of handgun is right for you. Or if you really even want one.

[galadrium]

4. Get a good quality manufaturer

I prefer HKs and Glocks... get at least a 9mm... plus are you planning to conceal and carry or is this for home defense.

I am one of the few pro-gun liberals.. feel free to IM me.

[Wcross]

6. ok

Buy .357 revolver, buy a quality name such as Smith&wesson or colt. You can shoot .38 as well as .357 (larger load). Forget a semi-auto pistol, they can jam and be unreliable. Buy some good defensive ammunition for carrying. The gun shop will point you in the right direction.
You won't get much of a deal at a pawnshop over a gun store. You will get better advice at a gunstore.
I hope the cab you will be driving has a bullet proof partition, you will have very little chance defending yourself from a passenger in the back with any type of weapon. Ask them what happened to the old cab driver you are replacing!

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. get a can of mace instead

You can put it right on your keychain.

Guns are bad, mkay?

[Wcross]

17. Guns are bad, mkay?

Criminal misuse of guns is bad, mkay?
If guns are bad, why do we employ police officers and give them guns?

I have owned guns from the age of eight. I am now 40 years old and have never had any problem with owning them.

[THUNDER HANDS]

24. whoopdy doo

I'm 25, have never owned a gun and never plan to. I'm scared to death of them.

It's a cheap weapon that made killing people easy. So thus, it's bad, mkay?

[Superfly]

25. Cheap?

Which ones? I own 2 shotguns that are over $1500 a piece.

"I'm scared to death of them"

Here's a tidbit for you...There are about 100,000,000 gun owners in the US and a good portion of them carry....concealed....

[galadrium]

27. Guns in the hands of responsible people are a good thing

Don't be scared of guns.. learn about them. Lack of knowledge is usually the root of fear.

[Superfly]

28. I'm not scared of them...the other guy is.

I have 7, soon to have 8.

[galadrium]

yeah, i know... wrong reply

[stopthegop]

34. you being scared of something doesn't mean it's bad....

it means you're scared..that's all

[Superfly]

8. Mossberg 500 pump 12 ga...

1) It's simple to learn how to use at a gun safety course
2) It's hard to miss at close range when you are scared
3) Less of a risk of a missed shot travelling beyond the confines of your house
4) It's a scary looking weapon which is a great visual deterrent.
5) It won't break your bank trying to buy one

[Superfly]

16. Oh...I just saw you want a firearm for use as a cabbie...

in that case, get a Smith and Wesson .357 Airlite revolver, for these reasons:

1) It's point and shoot. Just pull the trigger over and over again. There is no need to make sure a magazine is in the weapon, reducing the need for even more semi-auto training.
2) It's very lightweight
3) It's very easily concealable.
4) It's one of the best handguns a person can buy.

[bratcatinok]

10. Do what I did!

Go to the local shooting range because most nice reputable ranges will have different pistols you can either rent or borrow. Try before you buy because you don't know what size fits your hand best and everyone will have a different opinion.

I did this in Dallas after someone fired shots in the stairwell of the apartment I lived in. I called the police and they never bothered to even show up. I decided then I needed to be responsible for protecting myself.

Take lessons and make sure before you rely on a gun for your protection that you have what it takes to actually use it. If you aren't willing to shoot to kill someone threatening you with bodily harm, a gun isn't going to do you any good.

Here's the website of the range I went to:
http://www.dfwgun.com/
If you can't find one similar in your area you might be able to call them for information about one near where you live.

Oh and once you buy....Practice, practice, practice!

[cmd]

11. You'll shoot your eye out

Stay safe :evilgrin:

[stopthegop]

14. or she might break her neck with it..

that's the other danger. ...<joke>

[everythingsxen]

12. I am also a pro-gun liberal..

You should go to a firing range and try out various guns (after taking a safety course, natch ;-) ) and see what you like (well what you can handle) in terms of recoil and "comfort".

My first, best guess, is to tell you to go for a snub-nose .38; it has all the stopping power you should need vs. either a robber or some jack-booted doublethink thug. Plus it is small enough to be concealed easily. Since you will be driving you will want a shoulder holster.

Also - Revolvers are, in my opinion, a better choice as a gun. Semi-automatics are fine weapons and all, don't get me wrong. However, revolvers have more stopping power and don't have the jamming problems that semi-auto's do.

Just my 2 cents.

[galadrium]

20. Semi-autos are getting a bad rap

If you buy a good one they will very rarley jam.

I had a glock (G22) and put over 1000 rounds through it with only one jam.

I have a Springfield XD-9, that has about 600 rounds through it... never jammed yet.

I have an HK USPc .40 that has never jammed with about 400 rounds through it.

The problem with revolvers is that they usually don't hold more than 5-6 rounds... and they have a seroiusly heavy trigger pull.

[Superfly]

23. For newbies, revolvers are 100% the way to go

Especially the .357 AirLite models offered by S&W

[slackmaster]

45. HEY! That's my gun you have there

Titanium cylinder and all. It weighs under 400 grams loaded.

I had a cop next to me at an indoor range shooting +P+ ammo through his. It was his backup pistol.

The gun is only rated for +P. Dumbass.

[Superfly]

46. Great minds think alike.

I love that little revolver. My last was a Sig 229, but it was too damned heavy for everyday CCW.

[slackmaster]

48. I have a Sig P232 - Fits perfectly in my bike luggage

Also not bad in a cargo pocket or waist holster.

The 380 round is kind of weak, but it's a hell of a lot better than no gun if you're in a knife fight.

[Superfly]

49. What made you pick the Sig over something like a Walther?

I am not a fan of semi-auto DAOs, so the PPK was not a choic for me.

[slackmaster]

52. Because I already owned two Walthers

Must diversify.

:evilgrin:

I like the decocker feature of the P232. It seemed weird at first but grew on me. I did not like the stock grips, they were too slippery. But the Hogue aftermarket one-piece grip fixed that problem.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

70. Ditto that

My H&K .45 USP had 6,000+ through it with nary a hiccup. Hell the day I bought it I oiled the slide and ran 500 rounds of dirty 200 grain lead semi wadcutters through it. Same thing the next day. Then I cleaned it for the first time. THAT was a dependable semi auto.

My Glock 20 has just over 2K through it with only one failure so far. It had better make the next 3,000 rounds flawlessly or else it gets the boot.

[bedtimeforbonzo]

21. WTF?

how, exactly, do revolvers have more stopping power?

Would a .45acp fired from a revolver (yes, it is possible) have more stopping power than a .45acp fired from an auto?

[Endangered Specie]

37. I believe that some revolvers can fire large rounds that semi auto cant.

[Superfly]

38. Yeah, like this one...what a beast!

the .480 Ruger Most powerful revolver ever!

[galadrium]

40. Did you forget S&W's .50 cal mag?

Why the hell would you need a round that big... i'd stick with the .40 S&W

[Superfly]

43. You're right...

[rustydog]

13. If you have made up your mind, ask friends who the reputable

gunsmith/dealer is in your area.
Talk to the professional. ask questions and tell him exactly what it is for.
then you have to find a gunrange and practice,practice,practice.
It is one thing to buy a gun for defensive purposes and another to have the ability to hit your target.

the important concept is "combat shooting" do you know how many people miss their target in the combat distance?
Waking up in 2am to someone in your house, finding your gun in a sleepy horror/daze combination and firing your weapon effectively?

recognizing a threat and drawing your weapon and using it without killing innocent bystanders?

reaching into your handbag for car keys in the parking lot and the attacker slams you from behind before you can get to your weapon. How do you fend off the attack so you can effectively draw your weapon?

A handgun can give you a very dangerous false sense of security.
Are you ready and able to kill another human being?

It is so easy to say you can. Ive worked with people who talk the tough shit, yet folded like a cheap poker hand when the shit hit the fan.
A handgun is a serious step-up in personal protection. you must be completely serious about it's intended use. You don't shoot them in the and or leg to wound them. You are considering buying a firearm to
kill another human being, plain and simple.

That said, consult with a reputable firearms dealer, join a shooting club and practice diligently and then some.

[Frangible]

15. Glock 19

The Glock 19 is a very reliable, popular gun. It's chambered for the 9mm luger cartridge which is very popular and dirt cheap to practice with (only $0.10/shot at walmart).

You can get 15-round "full capacity" magazines for it as well. I'd recommend getting at least one those mags plus tritium night sights, as statistically, most violent confrontations happen at night.

(I own a Glock 17, but the 17's grips are perhaps too large for most women's hands)

For ammo I recommend Remington Golden Saber 147gr. They expand to 0.68" and penetrate to ~15" in gel tests. What does that mean? They cause more blood loss than most rounds. Important if you're trying to stop someone bent on killing you.

However, keep in mind, a gun is a tool and a last resort. You will need training (especially if you get a CCW).

If you are serious about it, you may also wish to carry around a small container of pepper spray. (Fox Labs 5.1 is the best stuff) This will give you a "less lethal" option of dealing with threats.

Although, in all likelyhood, you won't ever have to defend yourself, it's good to have the ability should the need arise.

I bought my Glock 17 with night sights for $570. You'll spend a similar amount to get a 19 with night sights. Used, is not much cheaper.

If that's too much for you, I'd also recommend the Kel-Tec P11, which is a smaller gun based off S&W mags. You can get one for $200-$300. It's probably more suited to CCW, but has an annoying 8 lb trigger pull. Still, for the price, it's hard to beat. Kel-Tec also makes extremely tiny .380 and .32 "pocket" guns which are probably a bit low caliber.

More about Glocks at http://www.glockfaq.com (message board at http://www.glocktalk.com)
More about Kel-Tecs at http://www.kel-tec.com (message board at http://www.ktrange.com)

[Superfly]

19. For first-time gun owners...revolvers are the way to go...

simplicity of operation and maintaining.

[OpSomBlood]

50. If you only have one, make it a Glock.

I own a 21 (full-size .45 ACP) and a 23 (compact 40 S&W) and they are awesome. I can count on one hand (yes, I still have all of my fingers) the number of malfunctions I've had on either one.

I used to have a 36 (slimline .45) and it was a great design but not concealable enough. If Glock comes up with a slimline (single-stack magazine) 9mm or .40, I think it would be absolutely perfect for a woman.

My concealment piece is a Kahr P9. Good, but it's not a Glock.

[Redneck Socialist]

18. Try Graybeard Outdoors

Go here http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/index.php and post your question. Registration is free.

I would leave out the politics behind your reasons for wanting a gun though. I have found the regulars on this site to give reliable, accurate information. On guns they are very knowledgeable, on politics, well, that's a bird of a different feather.

If you are serious about arming yourself, please, please find a class that offers training not only in how to shoot, but also when and covers your rights and responsibilities under the law in your state regarding self defense and concealed carry.

BTW some shooting ranges will "rent" guns so you can try out a variety of weapons before you buy. I would suggest this over relying on some strangers recommendation on line.

[Duckiesplaything]

22. HK...Sig...Beretta.....

All have good weapons to choose from. But don't go for the biggest caliber...pick a weapon that you like and that you can handle...the worst thing you can do but a gun that takes you too long to pull out or that you can't handle well once it's out....
I agree with gold_bug, take a safety course, it's not much but it will help you with your confidence. Also many range will rent various weapons for a trial, it's a good way to get an idea of what you like.
Just have fun and by all means be careful.

[Endangered Specie]

26. I would go with a revolver...

Semi auto are fairly reliable... but revolvers are even MORE reliable. There are so many things that can go wrong with semi-autos, as opposed to revolvers. EVen more if a revolver does not fire the round, all you gotta do is pull the trigger again and try the next round, where as a semi auto you have to manually rechamber, which will cost you a second or two, not good in close combat situations.

I assume, that if your a cabby, this will be close range so accuracy is not a big deal, nor is magazine size.

Like the others, id go with the .357 or something smaller, you will need to go to a range and find the gun with the best feel for your hands/strength.

[EstimatedProphet]

29. As you can see you'll get a lot of responses

All of them are right too.
I (another pro-gun liberal) have a Ruger P95 .45ACP, a 20 gauge Remington pump shotgun, a M1 .30 cal, and a 9 mm rifle.
For self protection in the conditions you are talking about, I would say a large caliber semi-automatic would do well. They don't have the range of a 9mm, but they do have a lot of stopping power. Depending on your area, be prepared to pay $450 and up for a good quality one (Ruger, Glock, Beretta, Colt, Sig-Sauer, some others too). MAKE SURE YOU TAKE SAFETY COURSES AND GO TO A RANGE FOR PRACTICE. I am convinced that what causes most of the gun deaths in the US is a lack of seriousness about the gun.
For myself, if someone were to break in, I would rely on my swords. I am much better with them. However, I am not really worried about someone breaking in either.

[bedtimeforbonzo]

30. wow

That's quite a letter.

[mistertrickster]

31. Lots of good info here--I'm also a pump 12 gauge guy when the

fur really needs to fly.

But have you considered all the non-lethal options? You're not a cop, you don't have to prevent crime, all you have to do is protect yourself long enough to run away, drive away or make a cell phone call.

Carrying around a gun is really not that much fun--ask the people who do it for a living.

Check into pepper sprays, stun guns or flashlights that temporially blind bad guys.

Try to image the kinds of situations that a gun would really help you with--it wouldn't help you if the bad guy was already holding one on you for instance. Plus guns are the first thing (after money) theives will steal if they get the chance.

[Superfly]

33. I wonder what discharging mace would do

in the confines of a cab. Makes driving away kind of impractical.

[mistertrickster]

39. That raises the other point--you're a 115 female in a car with your

.357 or 9mm pistol with a snarling, doped up 6ft 2in bad guy who has already been shot a few times before he got sent to the federal pen.

Who are you betting on? I mean those aren't good odds, and I don't care what you're holding.

Don't get me wrong, I've hunted all my life and I've got a closet full of guns, but they're not the magic salvation to society's ills. If they were, Iraq would be the safest country on earth.

[Superfly]

47. Wrong guy you're responding too...

I'm a 240 pound male.

[RoeBear]

58. I'm gonna bet on the...

...357 winning this contest.

[mistertrickster]

63. Probably, yes but on the other hand, you've got a lot of mass

coming at you, and once he gets ahold of your gun arm, you're through. Especially if you're holding a gun that he can then use to shoot YOU with.

I know you can't find it in American Rifleman magazine, but when somebody is shot, they don't just fold like a house of cards. For every story of a little old lady that shot two muggers dead, there's another (that the NRA doesn't report) of the little old lady who got her purse snatched that had the gun it that the robbers used to shoot her with.

When you look at it objectively, there's a lot of contradictory evidence about whether guns really make a person safer.

Maybe they do, I'll entertain the possibility. I just don't think it's a foregone conclusion.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

71. Better pray

Better Pray that the wind is blowing in the right direction if the windows are down or a door is open.

[Ganja Ninja]

32. Try Gunbroker.com to get some idea of the prices.

Taurus makes a good quality gun for a reasonable price. I suggest a Taurus Millennium in .380ACP that should cost around $350.00. It has no external safeties and is a good gun for a novice. Try to stick to .380ACP, 9 X 18 Markov or 9MM Luger. If money is tight then try to find a Wather PPK clone. FEG is a Hungarian gun maker that makes a decent copy of this gun in both .380ACP and 9 X 18 Markov. PPK's are the gun James Bond carries.

[Superfly]

35. Correction: *used to carry*

He now carries a Walther P-99

[Redneck Socialist]

54. I'm not a big fan of Taurus

I've owned two of their revolvers and ended up trading in both for various reasons, reliability, quality control etc.

I'm not trying to pick an argument here. I just think there are better choices especially for a self defense weapon.

[CO Liberal]

36. My Advice?? DONT!!!!!

:-)

The Repugs will be out of power soon.....

[stopthegop]

42. maybe...

but do you expect crime (like the cabby killed in Denver last week) to stop?

[CO Liberal]

55. Not As Long As There All All Those Guns Out There

And the answer ain't puttin' more guns out there, IMHO.

[Columbia]

56. What's the answer then?

[slackmaster]

57. Easy way to avoid putting more guns out there

Buy a used one rather than a new one.

That also eliminates the problem of supporting the GOP by buying a new gun.

[CO Liberal]

68. They Just Talked About That On The Local News

That poor cabbie was stabbed. Nothing to do with the subject at hand - guns.

[slackmaster]

41. Try several before making a final decision

And of course your final decision might be to not buy one at all.

You can rent handguns at many shooting ranges. Indoor ranges provide a stable, safe environment to try out weapons for fit and feel.

Because of "budgetary shortfalls" I will undoubtedly look for a gun at a pawn shop--or can you tell me a better source?

You'd be better off buying a used gun directly from an individual. Retired cops are a good source for revolvers.

Financially it might be best to go to a major gun dealer rather than a pawn broker. Things that have been pawned are often not in the best condition.

[natasha1]

51. Hey girl!

A lot of good advice has already been given.

First and foremost, get qualified training. Safety is the #1 issue concerning firearms. Any shooting range should be able to direct you to a qualified instructor, as can the "evil" NRA.

Also, you need to make a committment to train with the weapon periodically. In a panic situation you may not have the time or steadiness to think about the intricacies of using the weapon - you need to have that part down pat. The only way to do this is to regularly use the tool.

Case in point: Just the other day I was disassmbling my Ruger P90 .45. I forgot that before removing the slide, you have to depress a small lever inside the breech. I had to re-read the owner's manual to remember that step. If I had been regularly using it, I would have known that step without thinking about it.

I very much support the idea of going to a shooting range and trying out a variety of their rental pistols before settling on one. Tell them what you are doing - they will be HAPPY to help you make your choice.

Most of the women I shoot with prefer 9mm. S&W also makes a .40 that is similar in performance. I would not recommend anything smaller than .380 for self defense.

But most important of all is training. If you cannot handle the weapon consistently and automatically you are better off not carrying one.

Nat

[Township75]

53. Here are a few suggestions.

And most of them you have heard already:

1. Take a safety course. Go to a local gun shop and ask about safety courses, or if you have friends who own guns, ask them for help. Another option, which you may not like, is to take an NRA gun safety course. They have them listed by state. You can take BASIC PISTOL, which I did before I purchased my first handgun. It was excellent, and I say that as someone who went into there knowing zero about handguns. The web address is:
http://www.mynra.com/frame.cfm?url=http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/basictraining.asp

2. If you can, fire some guns at a range before you buy. My experience at gun ranges is that everyone is happy to share.

3. Before you buy, rethink if you could actually shoot someone. THere is no point in carrying a pistol if you will only faulter when should you need to use it. If you dont' think you can, maybe you could buy one that doesn't work from a pawn shop and just hope it scares off anyone who would threaten you.

4. When you go to buy a gun, do NOT buy one from a gun show. You may save some $ at a gun show, but some of those dealers are out the door the next day, and if you have problems wiht your gun or questions, they will be long gone

Finally, if you are sure this is something you want to do, then don't be bothered by the anti gunners and fear mongers here. My experience with those who are scared of guns is that they have zero experience with them. Usually, they have never fired one, and often they have never even seen a real one. All of their gun experience comes from the TV and movies, so obviously they are scared of them. If you notice in your thread, most of the people who attempted to talk you out of this made some claim designed to scare you, and then ran off once they were called to back-up there claim. The pro gunners keep coming back, so who do you think has more confidence in their position?

As always, you can contact any progunner here, or I imagine even near you , and they will be happy to address questions and concerns you may have.

One more thing...you're profile states you're from FL...if you get a gun, READ THIS BOOK!!!! It's the FL gun owner's guide...it's a few years old, but covers most of the laws. IT should be at any FL gun store...here is a link
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1889632007/qid=1081194585/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-0037239-7404115?v=glance&s=books

Oh, one more thing, I would suggest a 9mm or a .357; shouln't have too much kick, but that is why you need to try one first. I think a revolver would be better..I think they tend to be smaller.
Good Luck!

[ima_sinnic]

59. I want to thank everybody here for your time & energy &

thoughtful responses to my questions.

I didn't realize that one could try different guns at a shooting range so of course, yes, I will start with that. The majority of you seem to be recommending 9mm or .357, I will look & listen about those and also listen to what the people at the shooting range have to say about the whole question in general. Actually handling guns might indeed convince me that it is the wrong avenue for me, or maybe I will find I am at ease with them. And a very convincing case has been made here for the necessity of practicing--a LOT.

Hey, pepper spray IS a good idea and something I can get right away without any big hassle, practice, or expense.

Thanks again!

[MrSandman]

60. If I could have only one handgun...

It would be a revolver in .38 or .41.

Semi's take quite a bit of practice. Especially in malfunction drills.

[Me Me Meme]

61. My .02

I read your post, but I don't have time to wade thru 62 replies right now, so forgive me if I'm repeating stuff already posted.

Consider the Springfield Armory XD, particularly the 9mm service model. About $400. 9mm is a good compromise caliber in terms of stopping power and kick, and has the advantage of being cheap so you can practice without breaking your bank. This particular gun has a unique safety setup which is both safe and very user-friendly, and is wonderfully simple to break down and clean.

The other thing, and I'm sure you've been told this already - GET GOOD TRAINING. Practice a lot, don't be afraid to enjoy practicing, always be safe and remember the rules. Good luck and I hope you never need it!

:toast:

[Low Drag]

62. Wow, lots of ground to cover

here and I’m sure you’ve already gotten some good advice.

First and foremost hit as many gun shops and gun shows as you can and “try on the guns”. I assume you want a handgun due to your job. Get a gun that FITS YOUR HAND - where you can reach all the controls on the pistol (semi auto). Do not over look a revolver either. Same applies, get one that is comfortable in your hand. (I hope I have not repeated myself too many times on that point)

Get a caliber that is larger than .39 special or 9mm. I’m a proponent of having the biggest, fastest bullet I can shoot well for SD (self defense). I like the 10mm.

You also said you’ve never been around guns. Please take a class. Please. Talk with co-workers and see if any belong to a gun club with pistol range. Most gun guys love to introduce new shooters to the sport. I know the NRA is not thought well of but they have some of the best safety training going. Also USPSA and IDPA, both are SD oriented shooting competition organizations. Their range officers and safety programs are great and have the best civilian range safety officers going. I was one, here’s their web pages.

www.nra.org
www.idpa.com
www.uspsa.org

Get the gun magazines, Combat Handguns and Handguns Magazines are pretty good ones. Combat Handguns is more SD oriented. Beware of glowing reviews of guns when there’s a full-page color ad for the same gun elsewhere in the magazine. Buyer beware, just like car mags etc.

Then there’s all the common sense safety stuff. Do you have kids around, how will you secure it at home? How will you carry it? Does your state allow CCW? Holsters for women can be a challenge. You have those wonderfull hips that cause a gun to dig into your side.

This is just a start.
Once you get the gun you must practice to be competent to carry for SD. Use the internet and read, read, read. You will have to use your filter to separate the wheat from the chaff, just like anything else.

I hope I was of some help.
May I ask where you live?

Oh, feel free to drop me an email if I can be of more help.

[Hammie]

64. DAO revolver

A small double action only revolver would probably be a good choice. Smith and Wesson as well as Taurus have a variety of choices. Options include alloy or titanium frames for light weight and corrosion resistance (low maintenance) and concealed hammers (snag free when drawing from concealment).

[flaminlib]

66. Try this

First, dont let that experience with a rifle alarm you. Dont buy something too small. Id rather you have something with enough stopping power than be underpowered. No smaller than a .380, I would recommend a 357. Smith & Wesson makes a light weight, small frame model perfect for concealed carry and plenty of punch.

Spend lots of time at the range. Try AuctionArms.com for a used one but plan on spending 350+ on the pistol and a box car load of ammunition to get "familiar" with it.

I prefer 6 guns, I dont trust autos. If you cant resolve the issue with 1 shot, you need to step up in caliber so make the first one count. Just my 2 cents.

[OpSomBlood]

67. Not .380...

Make sure you do some ballistics research before buying...I wouldn't trust my life to .380.

I think 9mm is the barest minimum you should consider.

[RamboLiberal]

69. I'm a female and have a carry license plus shoot

regularly in defensive gun competitions.

Don't let people scare you that semi-autos are less reliable than revolvers. Not if you get a good quality semi-auto.

Your best bet is to find a gun range where you can rent various guns. Try them out. Buy what you like and can shoot accurately and which you can carry concealed if you can get a carry license. You should make the choice between a revolver or a semi.

Personally I don't like the smaller capacity and the heavier trigger pull of revolvers. But the small ones do conceal easily.

I carry a Glock 26 9mm. I like all of the small Glocks. Sig Sauer and H&K are also great guns. I've never had a jam in a Glock or a Sig when shooting factory ammo and this would approach over 25,000 rounds.

Minimum caliber which I wouldn't go below is 9mm or .38 - if you do buy a revolver you might want to consider a .357 since you can shoot .38 for practice but carry the more potent .357 (though be sure you practice occasionally with the caliber you carry).

I'd advise if your state issues CCW licenses and doesn't require a class that you still take a class in CCW law.

Also find a range and a good instructor to give you some lessons.

And be sure to practice at least once a month. You can also buy something called snapcaps and dry-fire at home. (Just be sure to follow all the gun safety rules).

PM me if you'd like.