Thread: Which pistol for self defense?

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Anyone who tells you the 9mm is a "sissy gun" has just announced that they know the square root of jack shit about the topic.

Matt

That would be Steve then...

Originally Posted by MattLarson

Anyone who tells you the 9mm is a "sissy gun" has just announced that they know the square root of jack shit about the topic.

Matt

A friend of mine who's 6'2" 230# sometimes gets the "sissy gun" stuff when he pulls out a 22 or a 9mm (just 2 of his many guns). His response is, "A sissy gun? Let me shoot you with it then." Of course, they never want to be shot for some reason.

Originally Posted by daddio

go to a gun store and see what feels "right" in your hand. then fire it. find a store where this is possible.

if one feels heavy or light or otherwise uncomfortable in feel or in firing, keep looking. Dont get hung up on calibre as the right ammunition can make up for sheer mass. assassins use .22's to eliminate ballistics as they can put the shot where it needs to be.

avoid on-line for this.

I'm planning on going to a proper gun store sometime this week to start my on-hands research. In any case! I plan on actually purchasing online though, if I find one of the three guns I want for a decent price at a decent retailer, I won't rule out that option either!

The major drawback for me is the state in which I live in. Maryland sucks nasty musty balls and I live around some of the worst morons in the state! The neighborhood I live in has a robbery at least once a week since I started living in the area three months ago! The local 7/11 is constantly getting held up by teenagers at gun point who just merely want candy!

Originally Posted by RRAHH

I'm planning on going to a proper gun store sometime this week to start my on-hands research. In any case! I plan on actually purchasing online though, if I find one of the three guns I want for a decent price at a decent retailer, I won't rule out that option either!

The major drawback for me is the state in which I live in. Maryland sucks nasty musty balls and I live around some of the worst morons in the state! The neighborhood I live in has a robbery at least once a week since I started living in the area three months ago! The local 7/11 is constantly getting held up by teenagers at gun point who just merely want candy!

fair enough.

are you aware that you cannot buy a gun on-line and have it mailed to you ? it has to be shipped to a licenced seller near you where they will do whatever Maryland does by way of background checks and registration ?

chances are you can get as good a value locally if you know what a fair price is going in. then there is the added benefit of having someone you can go back to if there are issues.

I had an opportunity to take a job in Maryland and turned it down. dont care for that state on many levels.

Originally Posted by daddio

fair enough.

are you aware that you cannot buy a gun on-line and have it mailed to you ? it has to be shipped to a licenced seller near you where they will do whatever Maryland does by way of background checks and registration ?

chances are you can get as good a value locally if you know what a fair price is going in. then there is the added benefit of having someone you can go back to if there are issues.

I had an opportunity to take a job in Maryland and turned it down. dont care for that state on many levels.

Yes! I am well aware of the FFL I need to purchase a gun online and have it shipped to a consenting retailer!

I believe this is another area in where I can use some serious assistance. I'd like to know what a fair price is for the three above mentioned guns! (.22, 10mm and .45)

Bear in mind that Maryland has an "approved handgun" list - a list of those firearms that the State of Maryland has deemed safe for you to possess.

You can find that list here: Maryland State Police

As far as carrying it, while Maryland is a "may issue" state, they should be called a "won't issue" state. Unless you're politically connected, your chances of getting a permit to carry a concealed firearm are similar to your changes of getting a Unicorn to ride around the neighborhood.

Matt

I found that most gun stores here (New York) will not allow you to handle handguns unless you already have your permit. The only way I was able to get an idea for size and comfort etc was to get people I know to let me shoot theirs. I was lucky that some friends were getting ready for the shooting party they have every year at one friend's farm and so I was able to fire a number of pistols and was able to handle and look closely at some more. But the people who say fire it first are right. For instance you can't really appreciate the kick of a snubnose firing .357 mag unless you feel it for yourself. It's nasty. And you can't tell the difference in feel between a 3" 4" or 6" barrel unless you can at least handle it.

I did come away agreeing with the people who told me a revolver is better for a beginner or for someone who is not a gun enthusiast than an automatic. It's simpler and still works even when not well cared for. And a double action only (enclosed hammer) is less likely to be fired accidentally. I ended up deciding on a shotgun but I think if I ever do go for a handgun it will be a S&W model 10 or 686 for home or a 442 (or the ruger equivalents) for concealed carry.

Originally Posted by RRAHH

Yes! I am well aware of the FFL I need to purchase a gun online and have it shipped to a consenting retailer!

I believe this is another area in where I can use some serious assistance. I'd like to know what a fair price is for the three above mentioned guns! (.22, 10mm and .45)

I'd say the prices at the site you listed are ok, perhaps a little high, just a bit.

Gun advice is wide open. I'm a Sig guy (relative to Glock). I love my 9mm, smooth action, a dream to shoot and the recommendation of my Special Ops buddy (who relied on his with life) but other people liove their Glocks (incluiding my brother who thought it was impressive that the UN or someone uses them). The 22 ? that short a barrel makes it a little useless. if its for training, I'd go with a longer barrel. kind of curious about a 10mm and the 45. I get the 45 for punch so I might consider a compact 9mm for concealled carry. still plenty of stopping power but less obtrusive on your body.

my 2 cents (0 cents adjusted for being some name on a chat board.