Questions for Handgun Owners

We're considering the purchase of a handgun. DH fired rifles when he was a kid, but has no experience with a handgun. I've never fired anything other than my brothers' bb pistols.
Since I know quite a few folks here have guns, I was hoping for some advice. I'm sure I'd be the primary user, as it were. I don't want something big and heavy.
I realize gun ownership is a huge responsibility, which is why I haven't made a decision yet. I've always heard 'you don't point a gun at someone unless you intend to use it'---something I don't know that I could do. I imagine given the right circumstances I could, but who knows?
I've never wanted a gun in the house (we actually have 2 collectible guns, but no ammo for either), but certain things make me think it may be time to change my mind. DH thinks it's a good idea, but he has no idea what to look for, what caliber I could handle, etc.
Any advice, pros and cons, would really be helpful.
Thanks!

Do you want a gun for protection, if someone breaks into your house? I you are inexperienced with handguns, I would suggest pepper spray instead.

I grew up in Texas and my father taught me to shoot a rifle at age 6. (I used to practice shooting wildflowers, have never shot at any animal). In my 20's for many years I had a .38 Special in my nightstand by the bed, for safety. When a friend was shot by robber in his house, with his own gun, I sold mine. I feel since anything in my home can be turned around and used against me, I personally want to minimize the lethal items...

If you do get a gun, make sure both of you practice with it at a shooting range until you are very comfortable with it. And study the gun laws in your state, too, I know in Texas if you shoot someone breaking into your house, he or she had better be all the way in the house (and not just on the windowsill or whatever) or you can be charged with manslaughter.

Unfortunately, I was thinking of a gun as a means of protection. I've heard the horror stories of people being shot with their own gun, and that's one thing that keeps me from purchasing one. I truly can't imagine shooting someone, and I think that would be my undoing.

Pepper spray, huh? That's not a bad idea.

Thanks for the input, dear.

We "inherited" my dads 9mm Glock last fall. He of course doesn[t know but he has hand tremors and though he could fire it his aim would be poor.

I only have target practiced with it once. While not hard to shoot I too recommend target practice as my aim wasn't the best. Just don't keep at loaded in the house.

I own a 9mm Springfield XD subcompact (shorter barrel, good for concealment if you plan to carry, but recoils more than a standard length barrel). I LOVE my Springfield. My husband has a 40 caliber one. I don't notice too much of a difference in recoil between the two, but 40cal is bigger than 9mm.

When I went and took a 1-on-1 gun course at the local gun shop, they had me practice with a .22 cal. They barely have any recoil, as the rounds are pretty small. That seems to be the most popular gun (my dad has one as well) for keeping next to the bed or something for protection, as it's pretty easy to shoot. I wanted a bigger one, had my heart set on a 9mm, and asked to shoot one, and hit the target dead center We go shooting on occasion, and are going to get our concealed weapons permits to carry soon.

I'd suggest if you have a local gun shop with a range (ours has an indoor range, another has an outdoor one), go shoot a few and see what you like. Many of them have guns you can try out before you go ahead and buy one so you can find what you like. I really enjoyed the 1-on-1 course, maybe see if any place offers one of those. Mine was 2 hours or so, and included a book about gun safety and handling, cleaning, etc and the lecture and target practice time.

We also each have a Mossberg shotgun (mine 20ga, his 12ga) and each have a marlin 12ga shotgun. All except the marlins are ready to go. We joke that we are ready for the zombie apocalypse. Someone would be ill-advised to enter our house uninvited! I also have a pink stun gun in my purse from my friend for Christmas.

If there's any other specific questions you have, I'll try and help

I have been shooting for most of my life, and have quite an assortment of longarms and pistols ranging in size from a Kahr PM9 subcompact to a full blown .50AE Desert Eagle hand cannon that shoots 6 foot flames, heh!

1) First off you have to decide between revolvers and semiautomatics.

Until recently I owned both (sold my Colt Diamondback 4"), and while revolvers are very fun and get the job done (especially cowboy action), they are functionality somewhat inferior technology to modern polymer semis for all but niche applications (which is why just about every police officer and military person on the planet uses semis).

2) For caliber, I would highly recommend a 9mm for a first gun. It has enough oomph to get the job done, especially in +P hollowpoints, without excessive kick, while being small enough to allow for good capacity in a modest size grip and is cheap enough to get 100 round boxes of whitebox Winchester at Walmart cheap for practice.

3) For home defense, I would get a simple reliable double-action only pistol like a Glock17.

You can find small quick-release safes available to store it in, and because they are so small they can be bolted inside your dresser or closet. You can't do that with a shotgun. Please don't rely on just hiding it.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

When a friend was shot by robber in his house, with his own gun, I sold mine.

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If you don't mind me asking, how in a home invasion scenario did the person place themselves in a position where they could be disarmed? Statistically, the presence of a firearm is enough to send an assailant running the other way, and in the extremely rare instance where it doesn't, it doesn't take long to pull a trigger finger. And if an assailant is so motivated (or crazy) that he is willing to come at someone pointing a gun at him, I really wouldn't want to be without one. A simple hammer or baseball bat or switchblade is just as deadly against an unarmed person.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

And study the gun laws in your state, too, I know in Texas if you shoot someone breaking into your house, he or she had better be all the way in the house (and not just on the windowsill or whatever) or you can be charged with manslaughter.

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This is incorrect information. Castle Law in Texas provides legal protection to home owners on ANY part of their property. A recent well publicized event (do not agree with his actions at all btw) involved an older man who witnessed his neighbor's house being robbed. He had the police on the phone, yelled at them to stop, and when they didn't, he shot and killed both the second they crossed onto his property to flee and was fully protected by the law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hor...ng_controversy

Originally Posted by Ducman69

If you don't mind me asking, how in a home invasion scenario did the person place themselves in a position where they could be disarmed? Statistically, the presence of a firearm is enough to send an assailant running the other way, and in the extremely rare instance where it doesn't, it doesn't take long to pull a trigger finger. And if an assailant is so motivated (or crazy) that he is willing to come at someone pointing a gun at him, I really wouldn't want to be without one. A simple hammer or baseball bat or switchblade is just as deadly against an unarmed person.

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I don't mind at all. My friend came home, surprising robbers there who had found his gun. They shot him in the shoulder as he came through his front door.

Originally Posted by Ducman69

This is incorrect information. Castle Law in Texas provides legal protection to home owners on ANY part of their property. A recent well publicized event (do not agree with his actions at all btw) involved an older man who witnessed his neighbor's house being robbed. He had the police on the phone, yelled at them to stop, and when they didn't, he shot and killed both the second they crossed onto his property to flee and was fully protected by the law.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Hor...ng_controversy

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Can you be more specific? I haven't lived in Texas in 15 years, maybe the laws have changed. I was advising to become familiar with the laws in your state if you are getting a gun.

I was SO not a gun person, but Gary fought in the Middle East for nine years, and I wasn't about to ask him to go without weapons. I figured if they were going to be in our home, I needed to know how to use them.

We've done a lot of shooting over the years, and I actually really enjoy it. Cleaning is no fun, but we always shoot a lot of weapons (most of them not hand guns). It it were just one or two hand guns, it wouldn't be such a big deal. (Do clean the gun every time you go shooting!) And if you decide to get a gun, do go to the range regularly and use it - make sure you stay comfortable with it. If you're like me, you'll do it because you wind up enjoying it.

I really like the suggestion to go to a range before you do anything. There are a couple close to us, but one about 45 minutes away is REALLY well run. Most around here have weapons you can rent. The good ranges require some form of instruction the first time you're there before they let you use the range (even if you know how to use a weapon). I like ranges where rules are REALLY clear and ENFORCED.

I'm little and a .45 caliber is just too large for me to use comfortably. I have a heck of a time with the slide on Gary's colt, it's very hard for me to get a bullet in the chamber. If you have strong hands, it's not a problem - but it's still really big in my hands (though I actually shoot pretty well with it). It does have a good kick to it.

I love his .40 caliber glock. It's still a little large for me, but I can use it comfortably. I've found the slides on them to be rather stiff, but I don't have very strong hands. The one thing about it is that once it's cocked with a bullet in the chamber, the safe is only in the trigger - it's not a safe on the slide. I'm not in love with that, but it's his gun.

I chose to go with a Colt Mustang .380. It fits great in my hand, has so little recoil (though less stopping power) and is just easy to use and clean.

For true reliability though, you just can't beat a revolver. We don't have any, but there's just less to go wrong with them.

Gary likes to point out that guns are just pieces of metal - it's what you put in them that make the difference when it comes to using them. A .380 may be a fairly small caliber, and with a low-tech/low grain bullet, a thick leather jacket may be able to stop one of those bullets. But with a Cor-Bon 90 grain jacketed hollow point, you're stopping someone.

You would need a safe as Ducman suggested - this would prevent the gun being used against you by a break-in when you're not home as in the example given by Cat.

The other things to consider are pepper spray, as already suggested. Or IMO, even better, is a Taser. That's a weapon that's putting someone down long enough for the police to arrive without worrying about it being used against you. I carry pepper spray with me - the Taser stays home.

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

I don't mind at all. My friend came home, surprising robbers there who had found his gun. They shot him in the shoulder as he came through his front door.

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That makes a lot more sense. Yes, SECURE FIREARMS, not just for theft purposes, as even those w/o kids can't ensure that a cleaning lady's or guest's children at some point might find a loaded firearm, which is a huge liability.

Safes are very affordable, and the quick release ones can be accessed with the correct passcode or thumbprint very quickly (even spring-loaded if you prefer).

Originally Posted by SwampWitch

Can you be more specific? I haven't lived in Texas in 15 years, maybe the laws have changed.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine

Cliffs Notes:
In general, you have a duty-to-retreat, meaning that if attacked by a criminal, if there is any possibility for you to flee, the victim has to take that course of action.

Castle Doctrine Law, aka stand-your-ground law, however makes exception to this and empowers the victim to respond with deadly force if a criminal is using force to unlawfully enter or remove you from your property, place of employment, or vehicle, or committing aggravated robbery, sexual assault, or aggravated kidnapping. This also makes sense, and was about time victims were immune from civil and criminal charges for self-defense.

Wow, I feel like a complete idiot! I know absolutely nothing about firearms. There's so much to know/learn.
As Laurie pointed out, with some slides you need fairly strong hands, which I don't have due to arthritis in some joints.
IF (big if ) I decided a gun was a good idea, I would definitely find a practice range nearby. I would also be looking for something small, but with enough fire power to stop someone.

A simple hammer or baseball bat or switchblade is just as deadly against an unarmed person.

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I actually have an extremely sharp, easy to handle dagger in my bedside table. Wouldn't help me much against an armed intruder, but it does make me feel better just knowing it's there.

We have two guns in a safe by our bed.

And believe me, if someone is pointing a gun at me, I would have no problem using ours.

Ah yes, forgot about ammo. I have a magazine loaded with 9mm hollow points for when my gun is in the nightstand (where I keep it). When I go shooting at a range, I have an extended magazine that came with it that I load with regular Winchester or Blazer 9mm rounds. While a regular round will mess someone up, a hollwpoint really does the job and will stop someone.

Hubby has his shotgun loaded with one round of birdshot, and 4 rounds of 00-buckshot. Though a lead slug would get the job done too Mine has 1 round of birdshot, and 4 rounds of 3-buckshot.

I wasn't a big fan of the revolver when I practiced at the range. A friend let me shoot his another time, just recoiled more, IMO. The guy who gave lessons at the range told me they are less accurate, but that generally is for longer distances. You probably aren't going to be shooting too far away if someone breaks in It's really all about what works for you and what your comfortable shooting.

I would have no problem firing at someone who broke in and threatened myself, husband, or cats.

Originally Posted by libby74

Wow, I feel like a complete idiot!

I know absolutely nothing about firearms. There's so much to know/learn.
As Laurie pointed out, with some slides you need fairly strong hands, which I don't have due to arthritis in some joints.

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Thats a really good point, so I take back what I said about semis being better than revolvers.

Benefits of revolvers:
1) Often smaller and more padded grips
2) no heavy slide
3) no difficult to load magazines
4) simple operation

I've been thinking about buying a handgun as well. I'd like a .45 and want to check out what Sig Sauer and Glock have to offer those calibres. Right now I have an M1 Garand, which really isn't practicle for home defense. Of course, I could always tickle an intruder with the bayonet.

Make sure that whatever you buy is comfortable in your hand and not too heavy. You want to be to maintain control of the weapon.

Originally Posted by libby74

Wow, I feel like a complete idiot!

I know absolutely nothing about firearms. There's so much to know/learn.
As Laurie pointed out, with some slides you need fairly strong hands, which I don't have due to arthritis in some joints.
IF (big if ) I decided a gun was a good idea, I would definitely find a practice range nearby. I would also be looking for something small, but with enough fire power to stop someone.

I actually have an extremely sharp, easy to handle dagger in my bedside table. Wouldn't help me much against an armed intruder, but it does make me feel better just knowing it's there.

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Re: the dagger. The one thing Gary encouraged me to carry and have with me and accessible at home when he's not here is a knife. It is the one thing I REFUSE to do. I don't know how to fight, I'm not strong, and if someone was close enough to me for me to use a knife (or dagger or whatever), that person is strong enough to overpower me and use it to hurt me. He can't fault that argument, so I have no knife. Now if I knew how to throw knives, and had throwing knives...

Before you make a decision whether or not to get a hand gun, look at tasers, and go to a range. At least have an afternoon of shooting - you may enjoy it, even if you decide not to get a gun at all!

I really do recommend my little Colt Mustang .380 for a small woman with not much strength in the hand, whether due to arthritis or whatever.

Originally Posted by LDG

Re: the dagger. The one thing Gary encouraged me to carry and have with me and accessible at home when he's not here is a knife. It is the one thing I REFUSE to do. I don't know how to fight, I'm not strong, and if someone was close enough to me for me to use a knife (or dagger or whatever), that person is strong enough to overpower me and use it to hurt me. He can't fault that argument, so I have no knife. Now if I knew how to throw knives, and had throwing knives...

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I've had that thought myself

I have had many different handguns over the years, both semi auto and revolvers, and my personal favorites are revolvers. I have found that they are easier to control, highly unlikely that they will jam, though that has become less of an issue in manufacturing.
I know many women are perfectly capable of handling semi autos, but even though I am a fairly large woman with sturdy wrists, revolvers are much easier for me to handle, and hit what I aim at. My carry gun is a Ruger sp101, 5 shot revolver with a custom bobbed hammer. All I have to do is point and shoot. It shoots either .38 Specials or .357s. I use .357 Glaser Safety Slugs. I particularly like the Ruger brand, because it is high quality, more robust and durable that most. The Ruger GP 100 is another good model, and it comes in several variations and barrel lengths. I highly recommend the compact GP. I carried one of those before I got my SP 101. This is just my opinion, I am sure you will make a good responsible choice, whatever you decide.