Nothing better than a 12Guage. I have one right next to my night stand. I wonder if people becoming more interested in home defense since houston's crime rate has gone up 22%.
You can use a trigger lock, so you can have quick access, but at the same time, have it safe from the kiddies.
Usually, just the sound of a pump action 12 guage being pumped is enough to scare off somebody. Plus, looking down the barrel of a shotgun is more intimdating than a pistol. Your not going to miss with a 12 gauge either. That being said, I own a Beretta Whitewing over-under for dove hunting that I'd probably grab over my pistols if I needed to "defend" my home. It doesn't make the pump action noise, but I'm not going to miss with it, and someone staring down a double barell shotgun is usually going to turn tail and run. I have an old cruddy .32 revolver that can pack a little punch, but I know its not going to misfire with new shells out of the box. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be better to pull out my .22 Marlin semi-auto rifle. They don't pack much of a punch, but I can drill 14 shots into someones head in about 5 seconds if I needed to. My dad has a .357 revolver that I'm sure would stop anyone in their tracks...you only get six shots, but its easy to reload and nobody is going to get up very fast with one in the gut. Plus he knows its not going to misfire or have something explode in the chamber. I'd say get the $99 12 gauge pump action special. Pull out the plug so you can fully load it. It'll fire every time, scare off anyone from your home, and its harder to accidently shoot someone with a shotgun than a pistol anyways. Plus its fun to take to the clay ranges. All that being said...several gun nuts I know plus many gun forums recommend H&K .40 calibers as the best home defense pistol around for the average person. Much more stopping power than a 9mm, but not overkill like a .45.
Good post! Considerations: 1. mindset Owning a firearm and using it is fun to me, but not for everyone. If you don't take the time to research the in's and out's of your chosen firearm (especially safety), and intend to practice your shooting skill, then owning a firearm is not what I would do. Keep this in mind. 2. new or used (price) I prefer to buy new, but you can lessen the cost by purchasing used. I recommend checking for signs of abuse if going this route. The minimum price for a good pistol is at the $400 and up range. You often get what you pay for. 3. cartridge (bullet) Use the walmart rule. I really would like to get the FiveandseveN pistol by FN, but where can I get the 5.7 X 28mm ammo? BTW, walmart has picked up the .357 sig recently. Remember to use FMJ for practice and keep good premium hollowpoints for home defense. Use the same weight in bullet to maintain familiarity. (i.e. use 180 gr. ball in .40 for practice and hollowpoints, same weight) remember the big and slow rule versus the small and fast rule...The 2 best manstoppers are the .357 magnum and the .45 But you must use a certain weight for the bullets to be most effective, and hollowpoints are key. Coincidentally, if you arranged pistol speeds of almost all pistol rounds: the .45 at 850 fps is among the slowest, while the other is among the fastest...You may think the .44 magnum (pretty much the same size hole, but much faster) is a superior manstopper...the answer is a surprising no...It is a superior bear stopper, but on a human target the energy gets wasted...The .45 has that ideal weight to speed ratio that makes it so effective at 230 grains. The .357 magnum does this on the other spectrum. The crazy 1500 feet per works legendary when using the 125 grain weight. For some reason, the 125 grain weight is what propels this round as so effective. Heavier 158 grain rounds drop the speed down, increase recoil and isn't as effective. What's left? Plenty. the .40 is a good choice, and the 9mm can be a good choice, but 9mm is finicky as a reliable manstopper because of several factors. A 5 inch barrel can make the heavier 147 grain rounds work well, but not if you use a 3.9 inch barrel. If you use a 3.9 inch barrel, it better be a +P round...see what I mean? The .40 rounds are great even in a short barrel. The .40 is my recommended choice as a good manstopper. The .357 sig rounds are pretty much a tad faster version of the 9mm round. (same size hole) The Texas Highway Patrol prefers this round because it's stopping power is on par with the .40, and it can penetrate cars better...But for the homeowner, the .40 does not need to penetrate sheet metal so much, and cost factor makes the .40 the right choice. Besides you have to love the winchester value packs for stocking up... 4. pistol choice I fully believe the Glock is the best choice in the price range you want. There are no external safeties to manipulate when you are under the fight or flight mode...Just point and pull. This does require extra care though. Make sure to practice decocking a loaded pistol by releasing the mag AND retracting the slide. (1 round stays in the chamber). Ask someone to show you this at the range. - important. I have shot Glock pistols thousands of times, the Glock shows impeccible reliability, good accuracy, easy handling. It actually is designed to be a combat pistol. The factory mags are easy to get, and are above average in quality. Beretta mags for instance cost more and I feel don't have a "quality" feel to them. I have a brand new, never used factory 15 round Beretta mag, and I keep thinking about trashing it, especially when I side by side compare it to the Glock mags... There are other pistols out there in the price range you stated, but I really can't recommend anything other than Glock...Make sure to get the full size G22 model. Yes it is larger, but this helps you control recoil better and it has the bigger 15 round capacity. I strongly suggest getting night sights installed and the surefireX200 light as well if you want the ultimate "night fighter" to tote at bedside... My bedside piece right now is a shotgun. The shotgun is the best at stopping someone short range, but the pistol is easier to handle, and recoil won't be much of an issue...Remember you can later have your Glock customized at Wilson for more money. The Glock may be the best pistol for the money right now...I am still a 1911 guy, but the Glock is the pistol I feel I got more gun for the money.
Thanks for all the responses guys. After doing a little research, I think I'll be looking to pick up a Glock 22 or 23. Now I need to go rent one out, and if all goes well, I'll just have to wait for my income taxes...
I decided to pick up the Glock 22. I tried the G23, but the damn thing was too small in my hands. The G22 had to be a 2nd gen beacuse the 3rd gen finger grips didn't fit right into my hand either, but overall was a perfect size for my larger frame. I put 100 rounds down the barrel to get the feel for it. Grouping at 25 feet was pretty good for the first time shooting her. The grouping off the right shoulder was intentional...I was looking for a clean spot to shoot at. Now I've got me a new hobby.
i got me a glock 17c and i love it.. i only got it three months ago and have been to the range like 4 times.. glocks are very nice
Ammo choice is the next question here. I just ordered two boxes of Federal Tactical HST, one in 165 grain and one in 180 grain. Remember, don't give bad guys mushrooms...give them flowers.
Glocks are very much polarizing firearms. People either love them or hate them. If you can wait a month or two I can get you a really good deal on just about any gun. I have an application in for a Federal Firearms License and when it is approved I can get guns for a fraction of list prices.
Good choice on the Glock, those things are a beauty to shoot, atleast the one I have, have shot a $1500 dollar Kimber, nasty feel compared to the glock which is only 1/3 the price. Now the next handgun you need is either a Sig or a H&K, personally I'd go for the Sig. Or you can go for the AR-10 assualt rifle, but be warned it causes heads to turn when you shoot it, and costs a pretty penny, but it is soooo worth it.
I'll be buying either a Glock 23, Walther P99 or USP .40 in the next few weeks. I'll be heading to the gunshow in Pasadena this Saturday and may pick one up there. I'm leaning more towards the P99 because I've read some great stuff about it... but I can't really go wrong with any of the three.
Really......I've always wondered about getting one. But it would be nice to know someone who has one as well. I know a guy in Santa Fe (Texas) who will do the transfers for only ten bucks, but he couldn't get my USP any cheaper than I could online (www.onpointfirearms.com), so I bought it from them and had it shipped to the guy in Santa Fe for the transfer. Anyway, when you get the license, would you mind sending me an e-mail? I'm always up for adding to my collection.
Took my Concealed Handgun Class this past Saturday. I qualified on the shooting portion with a perfect score of 250. I've already added the Trijicon Night sights. I love my Glock. Now, I'm just waiting for my CHL license and am lookiing for a good conceal holster...I will probably end up getting a C-T.A.C.
Here are my latest home defense items. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to use them for a CCL. They're a bit too big. I think my parents should have never taken me to Star Wars as a child. They look a little too much like Han Solo's weapon. These were owned by the government of Nepal from about 1930 'till about a year ago.
