Gun Suggestion(for protection)?

[bronco300]

Ok guys...I never really liked guns and never really wanted one...but the world seems to get scarier..and i want me and my fiance safe in case anything should ever happen at home....so considering i no nothing about guns and know there are quite a few around here that know about it...what would you recommend that she would be able to handle as well(i doubt she will, she hates the idea, HATES it)....and something on a budget...any help would be greatly appreciated.
the fiance brings up the story of supposidly a robber falling through the roof in a house and falling on a knife...he sues the houseowner and wins...so she is afraid if i ever shot someone that broke into my house i could go to jail for it....anyone know about crazy things like that? as much as i hate guns i'd rather be safe then dead or have my family hurt

 

[1journeyman]

Laws vary from State to State... so you'll need to check. Texas, for instance, just recently passed the "Castle" law, giving a homeowner the right to protect themselves, family, and property.
The best way to get comfortable with a gun is to take a class and handle it or get a good friend who is very competent to work with you.
Are you looking for pistol, rifle or shotgun?
Rifle is most cumbersome so probably not a good choice.
Shotgun is easiest to hit an intruder with but also cumbersome.
Something like a 9mm handgun will stop an intruder and is light enough to handle easily, even with a fully loaded clip. The clip weight is one thing to consider when shopping for a gun. At the store they won't be loaded and will therefore be a lot lighter than once loaded.

 

[bronco300]

i'd just want a handgun...i'm looking around at the state laws to see what i can find

 

[1journeyman]

You live in a house or apartment? Obviously you don't want something that can accidentally hit a neighbor.

 

[keri]

...Ever thought about a dog? the bark of a big dog is a LOT more of a deterrant than you would think. (whether it's aggressive or not, it just has to look scary) I just suggest this as an alternative, from someone who's afraid of guns as well.
edit: Journeyman has a good point, get her into a class so she's not afraid of it if that's what you decide.

 

[bronco300]

we live in a house...looks like in 06 daniels signed a bill that allowed citizens to use deadly force without having to retreat and use it as a last resort
we cant have a dog, leia is very allergic, we're lucky to have a cat....but not sure our cat can be that mean even if she is a mix of a leopard,lol

 

[1journeyman]

I've had (and have) dogs and I've had guns.
Got to tell you, in a chaotic situation a gun is much easier to control.
With the proper education I believe most people can overcome the natural warrines of firearms.

 

[crashbandicoot]

My personal opinion is this . When choosing for home deffense a 12 Guage shot gun is about the best . Winchester makes a model called the defender and it has an extedned magazine tube , A shorter barrel and is made of a light weight polymer . Its avalible in either nickle plated or blued finish . Your gonna want to use game load as it will make the most holes . Heavier load such as single 0 or 00 or even slugs will have more killing power but are more likely to travel further and injur other behind the intruder .
A hand gun is another good idea . They requier a little more skill to hit your target . But are more easily handled then the shotgun . Depending on weather your going to go with a semi-auto or a revolver the size you choose will differ. On a budget I would choose the witness 10mm for a semi auto . There are a few of these in my family in the past and I belive them to be very reliable firearm . The 10mm offers better knock down(stopping power) then a 9mm. This means your more likely to have to fire less shots . As far as revolvers go Smith and wesson makes good revolvers and I would suggest a 357 magnum . Its going to give you good knockdown . I personaly use an H&k usp 40 Tactical . Its top of the line hand gun . Far above the budget price range . But its a very light weight extremely acurate fire arm . I carry it as my duty weapon.
Most importantly no matter what you decide . You need to seek the training of a profesional firearms instructor . Visit the NRA website or talk to a qualified firearms dealer to find training in your area . With out the proper training your not really increasing your safety .

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by Bronco300
we live in a house...looks like in 06 daniels signed a bill that allowed citizens to use deadly force without having to retreat and use it as a last resort
we cant have a dog, leia is very allergic, we're lucky to have a cat....but not sure our cat can be that mean even if she is a mix of a leopard,lol
lol, we must have cats from the same litter. Mine runs to the door and growls as soon as someone comes up to the porch. She will stand in the entryway and hiss and spit at anyone as they try to come in...
I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions, but I'd suggest something like a semi-auto 9mm. I've got a 9mm and a 40cal and the 40 is just a bit big for what you are talking about.
Learn how to handle it, how to comfortably load and unload it, spend several hours at a range shooting it and you'll feel more comfortable.

 

[bronco300]

the law looks the be called "stand your ground" law that 14 or 15 states have......there any benefit between a semi-at and a revolver? I know there is a shooting range close to here so i can check out what all is offered there as well as far as instruction,etc

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by Crashbandicoot
..Most importantly no matter what you decide . You need to seek the training of a profesional firearms instructor . Visit the NRA website or talk to a qualified firearms dealer to find training in your area . With out the proper training your not really increasing your safety .
Agreed

 

[bronco300]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
lol, we must have cats from the same litter. Mine runs to the door and growls as soon as someone comes up to the porch. She will stand in the entryway and hiss and spit at anyone as they try to come in...
I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions, but I'd suggest something like a semi-auto 9mm. I've got a 9mm and a 40cal and the 40 is just a bit big for what you are talking about.
Learn how to handle it, how to comfortably load and unload it, spend several hours at a range shooting it and you'll feel more comfortable.
lol, our kitten is mean already because of our past housemates that were too rough with her...sad day because she bites hard,lol

 

[crashbandicoot]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
lol, we must have cats from the same litter. Mine runs to the door and growls as soon as someone comes up to the porch. She will stand in the entryway and hiss and spit at anyone as they try to come in...
I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions, but I'd suggest something like a semi-auto 9mm. I've got a 9mm and a 40cal and the 40 is just a bit big for what you are talking about.
Learn how to handle it, how to comfortably load and unload it, spend several hours at a range shooting it and you'll feel more comfortable.

Oh come on ? ? ? My brothers 500 S&W is a little big for home deffense . lol . Anything that you need to have your wrists wrapped to shoot is too big. I refuse to shoot that beast . That says something .

 

[bronco300]

Originally Posted by Crashbandicoot
My personal opinion is this . When choosing for home deffense a 12 Guage shot gun is about the best . Winchester makes a model called the defender and it has an extedned magazine tube , A shorter barrel and is made of a light weight polymer . Its avalible in either nickle plated or blued finish . Your gonna want to use game load as it will make the most holes . Heavier load such as single 0 or 00 or even slugs will have more killing power but are more likely to travel further and injur other behind the intruder .
A hand gun is another good idea . They requier a little more skill to hit your target . But are more easily handled then the shotgun . Depending on weather your going to go with a semi-auto or a revolver the size you choose will differ. On a budget I would choose the witness 10mm for a semi auto . There are a few of these in my family in the past and I belive them to be very reliable firearm . The 10mm offers better knock down(stopping power) then a 9mm. This means your more likely to have to fire less shots . As far as revolvers go Smith and wesson makes good revolvers and I would suggest a 357 magnum . Its going to give you good knockdown . I personaly use an H&k usp 40 Tactical . Its top of the line hand gun . Far above the budget price range . But its a very light weight extremely acurate fire arm . I carry it as my duty weapon.
Most importantly no matter what you decide . You need to seek the training of a profesional firearms instructor . Visit the NRA website or talk to a qualified firearms dealer to find training in your area . With out the proper training your not really increasing your safety .
looks like the witness is around 400 if i'm looking correctly, there anything around the 200 range?

 

[crashbandicoot]

Originally Posted by Bronco300
the law looks the be called "stand your ground" law that 14 or 15 states have......there any benefit between a semi-at and a revolver? I know there is a shooting range close to here so i can check out what all is offered there as well as far as instruction,etc
The semi auto holds more rounds .

 

[crashbandicoot]

Try looking around at pawn shops or look around for gunshows . YOu can get a better price . Another good resource is the shotgun news . its a weekely publication you should be able to pick it up at a local news stand . You can find local instruction and news on gunshows in your area .

 

[bronco300]

ok,thanks, what are some good brands to look through...glock? smith and wesson,beretta?

 

[crashbandicoot]

Glocks are great its the hand gun carried by most law enforcment officers . Berreta is good too . S&W has moved in to the semi auto market with the M&P series . I would stay away from the super cheap brands such as lorcin . They are nothing more than junk and will with out fail either jam when you need them the most or cause you personal injury .These are more for the punk gang bangers looking for cheap protection .

 

[reefraff]

It appears there are no kids in the home but once there are you have to reconsider your options.
Revolver Pros: Simple to operate, won't jam, not as expensive
Cons: Doesn't hold as many bullets, Harder to load, harder to fire (but not much)
Auto Pros: Holds more bullets, quick and easy to load, easier to fire
Cons: More expensive, possibility of a jam
Personally I like Autos. If kept in good condition jams are unlikely. You can also remove the clip (holds the bullets) so there is no chance the gun will be fired accidentally but it takes a second or two to put the clip in the gun when you need it. I aways kept my 45 racked with the clip out. Gun was in one spot and clip was in another but I could reach both without moving. That way if one of the munchkins happened upon it they would have had to find the bullets (clip) figure out how to load the clip, rack (in my case release) the slide and pull the trigger. Most kids that could figure all that out know better than to play with a gun
There is also a nice bullet called a gasser saftey slug. It's basically a bullet made of plastic with BB's in it. If you hit someone at 15 or 20 feet it will ruin their whole day but if you happen to miss and the bullet goes through a wall the plastic shatters and the BB's scatter. Even if they should hapen to hit someone they wouldn't do the damage a bullet would. I alway keep 2 of those for the first two rounds in the clip followed by a slew of Black Talons. Two saftey slugs should be more than enough to stop anyone but if they don't God help the fool that gets hit by the 3rd slug
Definatly take a class, They will teach you the basic saftey rules and help you decide what type of gun would best suit you.

 

[lovethesea]

FIRST and most important take a class or three! As stated. The classes offered by your state are great. My personal fav is Ruger .38. My daughter has a 22. Its ALL about safety.......really.
FIRST if you feel threatened in your home you need the training to handle yourself with or without a weapon.