During home invasion is no time to be a humanitarian. Optimally, you want the intruder to have zero chances of firing back. If you had to shoot him in the first place, it means you're life is danger. That's why reliability is so important on every shot. A failed round means you need to re-cycle the chamber, which gives him a few seconds to shoot you back. Since you don't know ahead of time if possible invaders are armed, it's better to error on the safe side. That's the whole concept of a owning firearm for defense, to neutralize his ability to harm you or your family. You don't have to want to kill him, but you should have a lethal intent to do so every time pointed at him and you pull the trigger. If he's not an immediate threat, don't pull the trigger. Again, safety first.
Actually you are correct. The advantages that a shotty has over a handgun can be mitigated by going double-fisted handgun action. To be honest, I prefer this approach over the use of a single shotgun, for those occasions where you may have to shoot in two divergent directions simultaneously. Here are some of my homemade video clips displaying creative ways to utilize both hands to defend my house: <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RgP957w-hVs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RgP957w-hVs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
No it is not average. It is larger than the largest spreads. A full cylinder (no choke) shotgun barrel will not give that large of a spread. A full choke will give a MUCH smaller spread. The whole argument is pointless because an extra inch will not make aiming easier.
Maybe your life isn't in danger, but you don't know because its dark and you shoot because it might be an intruder that might have a gun. Maybe its your daughter's BF coming over for some late night action(Ok, maybe that is a reason to use lethal force.)
You do realize i'm talking about buckshot 00 right? an inch per yard is not all that uncommon. of course an extra inch or two helps...it allows for more room for error.
Regardless of spread, I am going to check out handguns just because short barreled shot guns have an extra price tag because of the ATF connection.
Yeah pretty much perfect if you do not intend to carry it outside the home. Very simple and the cheapest ammo of the service pistol calibers. This is a list of the ammo available that meets certain terminal ballistics tests. http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#9mm Use anything to practice but it is best to buy something off of that list when using for self defense.
Azadre, with the glock, just be very aware, they do not have an external safety. If you are cool with that, it's a great, simple, reliable firearm. You said you plan to go to the range and try out a bunch of different handguns. I hope you have friends with these guns. Renting at the range will get expensive fast. Typically, at least around here, you have to pay for gun rental, and buy ammo there at the range for each handgun. It adds up FAST. That's money you would be spending towards your actual purchase. My brother rented 2 handguns, with 1 box of ammo for each, and one lane for his gf and himself. Ran him 100 bucks. It's the ammo that gets ya.
Don't want to be all preachy, but as someone else said, safety isn't mentioned enough here. The common 4 rules: 1. Treat all guns as if they are always loaded, regardless of if they actually are or not. 2. Only point the muzzle at something you are willing to destroy/kill. 3. Finger off the trigger until you are ready to pull it. 4. Know your target, and what's behind it. You might get away with breaking one rule (unintentionally hopefully). Break 2 or more at once and you are asking for trouble. I only mention this b/c I'm a novice myself. And I broke one rule recently, and had an accidental discharge, but I followed my other rules knowing where I was pointing the firearm and no harm was done. I sure scared myself into re-reading these rules and going through them over and over again. Oh yeah, and make sure since you are getting this for defense, that you know you will be able to point and shoot at an intruder. You can train with paper targets, but you better really ask yourself if you can actually shoot another person with the intent to stop/kill them.
If you don't want to spent the $500 plus for the Glock, look into a Ruger. They are a good reliable handgun made in the USA. This is mine, Ruger P95 9mm - $350 at Academy. I actually like the feel in my hand better than the Glock.
just curious but whats the public concensus about handguns in baltimore? i have a classmate from the DC area and they are totally anti-gun.
Definately go with the akimbo model 1887s. It takes forever to reload, but your intruder will be blasted into the next block :grin:.
