My grandparents used to operate a fishing and hunting club. At the clubhouse, each year they would have a turkey shoot. It was amazing how many people came out of the hollers (hollows?) for that.

 

Hope no one minds this turning into the old..."What's the best gun for a first timer and home defense etc etc" thread for a page or so.

My wife and I are looking into purchasing a firearm. She would like one for home defense, as would I. I also want to start shooting recreationaly (if that's the appropriate term). I am just starting the research process.

I know the first thing I need to do is go and find the gun that feels most comfortable to us...gripping, firing, etc.

As far as price range goes, if it is a good firearm I do not mind spending upwards of around $800.

I've heard a lot of takes on home defense. A lot of people say get a revolver, get a 12 gauge, 9mm doesn't have stopping power so get a .45, shot placement is everything and so on and so forth.

I have the mindset that if you take a reliable gun and develop the proficiency and know-how in using it then it will accomplish the mission.

Again, any advice is greatly appreciated. I've searched a lot of gun forums but would prefer some advice from you guys. If I have said anything that makes me sound like an idiot, I apologize.

Thanks again.

 

Idiots fit in well here.

I don't know your background. If you're a newbie, get some professional instruction with both revolvers and automatics. Try several different makes / calibers. With luck, and with time, you'll be just as opinionated and bullheaded as the rest of us!

That said, if I knew someone was out to get me I'd have a shotgun handy.

 

Try and scope out some local ranges and see if they have any classes on shooting, defense, firearm safety etc. Also see if they do rentals and try a few different guns out and see what works for you. A Glock 19 (which is a compact 9mm) is a good starting point. Its big enough to get a good grip on and control easily yet small enough to conceal if you end up getting a carry permit and wish to do so. Smith and Wesson M&P handguns are an excellent choice also and have a very comfortable grip. Modern 9mm defense rounds are very effective and stopping power really isn't an issue as much as shot placement is. There are many good models out there to try though, whether its wheel guns or autos as well as many different caliber choices. Go to the gun store and hold several and see what feels good in the hand and try and rent various models to see what works for you and what you can shoot best. Good luck!

 

I went to the range last night and shot the Beretta 92FS. It felt good it my hand but I'm going to try to get back there this weekend and try out the Glock, a Ruger and a Sig.

 

Training is by far the most important element, most people buy a weapon and shoot it a little or not at all and stash it as a hedge against some future emergency. Good weapons are easy to find, good training is a little more difficult.

Many argue ad infinitum over inconsequential elements of hardware, but the truth is that training and experience play the most important part in self defense. Marksmanship-being able to quickly and effectively engage a target, gunhandling-being safe and effective in the manipulation of your weapon, and tactics-understanding the how and why in dealing with a threat, legal climate and anatomy, among others are important to effective self defense.

 

Just my input from a reasonably new gun owner (1 yr):

As far as type of weapon selection goes: I have a small 9mm semi-auto for concealed carry (a Taurus PT709 Slim). I have a full frame .40S&W semi-auto in my car in a seat holster I made myself (Springfield XD40 5"), and a tactical 12ga shotgun under my side of the bed (Benelli Supernova).

Those three weapons suit my needs for the location that I expect to need/use them in. Again, just my personal preference.

As for choosing a specific make/model:
You generally can't go wrong with most any modern and some older (1911 for example) guns, be it a pistol or shotgun. The ability for the user to manipulate all of the controls on the gun without much fuss is important, as well as you know, just the general comfort in your hand.

I happen to like Springfields XD and especially their XDm line of pistols. If you get the chance to try an XDm9 4.5", do so. It is a very nice polymer framed firearm with a very high capacity magazine (19+1).

Most important of all though is your proficiency with your particular firearm. Whatever you end up buying, practice with it as much as you can afford to. Operating the gun in normal operating circumstances and during various failures needs to be as close to muscle memory as possible if you intend for it to be the gun that may save you or your loved ones life. Flying your airplane once every couple of months isn't going to prepare you to handle an in-flight emergency very well, right? Same idea here.

What has worked well for me, is I participate weekly in local practical pistol shooting competitions. I don't do it for the sake of competition, but for the fact that every week, I learn useful information from the very experienced shooters that are there, and the competitions are a much more practical experience with your firearm than simply standing in a bay shooting at paper. I can say that my proficiency with my pistols has improved considerably since I started participating in local competitions in both my ability to quickly and accurately engage a target and in my ability to handle failures of my firearm under simulated stress. I've not yet become a pro by any means, but my improvement has been noticeable and it has been a great training tool. Just something to consider.

 

Glock 27 would be perfect for home defense and also concealed carry if you choose that route. Small enough grip for your wife and easy to manage. Recoil is not much more than a 9MM. Whatever gun you choose... make sure its good for the wife first... then you try to see if it works out.

 

+1 for the glock 27 great gun

 

I've gone to the range 3 times in the past week and have done almost a 1000 rounds through 4 guns. In between those sessions I have been doing a lot of reading and research.

The biggest thing for me right now is learning to shoot properly. I have a lot of work ahead, but I do enjoy the challenge.

I shot the Berretta 92FS, the Sig P226, the Glock 17 and the S&W M&P9

The Sig was by far my favorite followed closely by the Berretta. I also shot the best with those two. But at this point I think it is just beginners luck. I tried the S&W because I have heard the grip feels a bit like a Sig and the price is a bit more affordable.

I did not like the Glock or the S&W as much. They felt almost too light. I liked the heavier guns because when I fired they felt much more balanced. Again I still have a lot to learn.

There is a Sig Sauer Academy up here in NH. I plan on doing a weekend long pistol course at the end of the month.