Handguns

[Ja Rhule]

1 minute ago, PanthersBigD said:

I've watched plenty of guys with laser sights still not be able to hit the broad side of a barn. 

That’s because they did not adjust laser correctly.

[Ja Rhule]

1 minute ago, PanthersBigD said:

9mm ammo is cheaper. Some argue that it doesn't have the stopping power of a .45, but if you're shooting at close range, and you empty a 10 round magazine into someone and they don't stop, then a .45 wouldn't have saved you either. 

Use hallow point bullets :p

[PanthersBigD]

1 minute ago, ARSEN said:

She wants to try a handgun.  That’s a first step lol

Get her one of those little pink Glocks. Looks like a toy.  

[PanthersBigD]

3 minutes ago, ARSEN said:

That’s because they did not adjust laser correctly.

You can aim straight all day, but if you pull to the left or the right when you pull the trigger, it won't matter how good the sight is. Probably worth getting some basic shooting skills training. They can help you break bad habits. If your wife is willing to learn, maybe it'd be worth it to do everything all at one time. 

[Ja Rhule]

3 minutes ago, PanthersBigD said:

You can aim straight all day, but if you pull to the left or the right when you pull the trigger, it won't matter how good the sight is. Probably worth getting some basic shooting skills training. They can help you break bad habits. If your wife is willing to learn, maybe it'd be worth it to do everything all at one time. 

Ah ya.  I will teach her.  Shooting is like golf.  

[CRA]

18 minutes ago, PanthersBigD said:

9mm ammo is cheaper. Some argue that it doesn't have the stopping power of a .45, but if you're shooting at close range, and you empty a 10 round magazine into someone and they don't stop, then a .45 wouldn't have saved you either. 

If you got good ammo and are a decent shot.....a 9mm has plenty of stopping power.   

my 9mm holds 16 plus one in the chamber.  If I can't stop someone with that coming through my door....the problem ain't the caliber.   I hate that argument too.  

[stirs]

Shooting range stuff is fun, but if she is wanting for her and her protection, I would suggest old school and a revolver.  Think one free hand is all that's needed

[Anybodyhome]

I own a Beretta 92FS with a custom grip and 17 round mag. Perfect for my huge mitts. It comes with reversible mag release as well as ambidextrous decocker, so if you're left or right handed, it doesn't matter. Bought it many years ago after trying what seemed like dozens of choices, and the fact I have big hands didn't help. But Beretta offered a Talon grip with a large backstrap when I ordered it. 

My wife, on the other hand, has never looked or felt comfortable with a pistol. Solution: the Benelli M4 Tactical shotgun. She can handle it well, the pistol grip is comfortable in her hand and, let's face it, in close quarters, such as your master bedroom, you really don't have time to be sighting down a target. The M4 is the perfect point and shoot weapon.

[rayzor]

i'm of the belief that the best for self defense is whatever you get the most comfortable and accurate with. you can make a .22 or .380 work if you know how to use it well enough. i've seen studies that show more people are stopped with fewer shots from a .22 than any other caliber, but there could be a lot of different reasons for that. point is, you can be effective and make it work.

have as the standard for any gun to be the "5 rounds in 5 seconds, into a 5" round circle at 5 yards." that should be the bare minimum for any caliber. whatever caliber and gun you or your wife can pull that off with the most effectively, quickly and naturally is probably the best one to use.

this might be interesting,

Quote

The question is: When, if ever, is the .22 LR a good choice and just how effective is it?

I asked Ed Head, operations manager at Gunsite, for his opinion. He said, "Since the first rule of gunfighting is to have a gun, any gun is better than none at all. The little .22 LR may actually be better than some larger calibers, depending upon the ammunition selected. For example, I would think a high-velocity .22 cartridge like the Stinger might be a better choice than a .25 ACP loaded with FMJ rounds."

According to the book "Stopping Power, a Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition," by Evan Marshall and Ed Sanow, Head is right. Marshall and Sanow found .22 LR Stinger ammunition was 58 percent more effective at producing one-shot stops than any of the FMJ .25 Auto loads.

When selecting a defensive handgun Head's wife could carry in her pocket, he choose the little Smith & Wesson J-frame Model 317 in .22 LR. Several things convinced him it was the right choice. For one, similarly sized revolvers in .357 Mag. and even .38 Spl. can be uncomfortable to shoot. Second, Smith & Wesson's eight-shot 317 only weighs 11 ounces. Finally, and most important, with the 317 his wife can consistently put all eight rounds into a target the size of an eye socket at 5 yards. Head asks, "What more do you need?"

https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2010/10/26/22-lr-for-self-defense/

pretty interesting debate here as well: http://www.activeresponsetraining.net/using-the-22-for-self-defense

in that one i just linked, it's written by a guy who is arguing that the .22 isn't effective, but he's arguing against data he's sharing that shows that it is. the crux of his debate comes down to this...you won't find a case where an armed citizen has been killed by a criminal after the criminal had taken at least one .22 round. criminals don't want to mess with a victim who has a gun and has just shot them with it. they won't stick around. they'll run once they realize that they've been shot. it's going to be different than a gunfight with law enforcement where there are only two outcomes that will happen, jail or death. the stakes are much higher. against your average citizen, though, they're better off just running away, which is essentially all you want. if someone has jumped you, you just want them to get off you...so just use a "get off me" gun.

the guy arguing against that mentality will say that even though smaller rounds are effective and stopping an attack or making the criminal flee (or, in mass shooter instances, turn the gun on themselves) it won't likely incapacitate them unless you manage to hit the central nervous system.

the question is...do you really want to totally incapacitate them or kill them (and potentially deal with a lifetime of regret of having taken another life...even if the guy "had it coming"?) or do you just want them to change their mind about coming after you? for me and my family, i just want any bad guy to leave us alone. i want them to turn tail and run when they realize it's not going to be as easy as it is and when someone is getting shot at, they're not going to sit there and think, "hey, it's just a .22 or a .380 ...no big deal." all they're going to do is crap in their pants and run because "oh poo...they just shot me!" they won't care what caliber it was.

just a few things to consider.

[SmokinwithWilly]

1 hour ago, Anybodyhome said:

I own a Beretta 92FS with a custom grip and 17 round mag. Perfect for my huge mitts. It comes with reversible mag release as well as ambidextrous decocker, so if you're left or right handed, it doesn't matter. Bought it many years ago after trying what seemed like dozens of choices, and the fact I have big hands didn't help. But Beretta offered a Talon grip with a large backstrap when I ordered it. 

My wife, on the other hand, has never looked or felt comfortable with a pistol. Solution: the Benelli M4 Tactical shotgun. She can handle it well, the pistol grip is comfortable in her hand and, let's face it, in close quarters, such as your master bedroom, you really don't have time to be sighting down a target. The M4 is the perfect point and shoot weapon.

I have the same setup as well. With 3k rounds through my 92FS, I've never had a jam. I'm meticulous about cleaning and oiling. Benelli M4 is also an awesome way to go. I had my master bedroom in my last home set up as a panic room with modifications to keep someone out long enough to allow police to respond. If they want to come through that badly, then I was prepared to shoot. I'm making the same mods again when our new home reaches that stage of construction. 

5 minutes ago, rayzor said:

the question is...do you really want to totally incapacitate them or kill them (and potentially deal with a lifetime of regret of having taken another life...even if the guy "had it coming"?) or do you just want them to change their mind about coming after you? for me and my family, i just want any bad guy to leave us alone. i want them to turn tail and run when they realize it's not going to be as easy as it is and when someone is getting shot at, they're not going to sit there and think, "hey, it's just a .22 or a .380 ...no big deal." all they're going to do is crap in their pants and run because "oh poo...they just shot me!" they won't care what caliber it was.

just a few things to consider.

Before I ever purchased gun, I had to have  a deep soul search to decide if I was ready to take a life if need be. It took me almost 2 days to decide that I would and could live with the consequences. If I didn't know or had any doubts, I would never purchase a gun. You have to be ready to face the lethal actions of pointing that weapon towards someone. I've had to actually level mine twice for someone trying to break into my home, both times fortunate not to have to fire. A laser being flicked was enough. My wife has had to draw hers once, again fortunate to not have to fire, but not by much. The jackass took off after a few seconds when he decided she wasn't playing. Turns out the guy ended up being a huge meth dealer and had a bunch of assaults against women so...

My rule of thumb is, if I don't like how it feels in my hand I won't even bother test firing it. It needs to fit my hands like a glove. Get the largest caliber you feel comfortable with. Doesn't matter if you have a 45 if you're afraid to shoot it. A 22 can kill effectively if the shot is placed correctly. I taught my wife to "button the shirt". She starts at the boys and fires, walking her way up using the recoil. It's scary how good she is at it now, but we've been working on it for years. With so many vitals in that area, she can drop someone if she needs to. No matter what you decide, practice regularly, be determined in your training, and be vigilant about gun safety. 

[rayzor]

@SmokinwithWilly i think you bring up a good point...most of the time all that is needed is to have the gun point at the bad guy and it's enough. just the idea of getting shot at is enough to turn them away.

 

[Toolbox]

4 hours ago, Bronn said:

my 9mm is a Sig SP2022... and I really like it

I like Sig a lot, but they have a slightly different sighting image than most people are accustomed to. It takes a little getting used to tbqh.

I've never had a misfire or any other issue with mine.

Nice, that was my first pistol.. sold it and got me a sig .45.

[Ja Rhule]

2 hours ago, Anybodyhome said:

I own a Beretta 92FS with a custom grip and 17 round mag. Perfect for my huge mitts. It comes with reversible mag release as well as ambidextrous decocker, so if you're left or right handed, it doesn't matter. Bought it many years ago after trying what seemed like dozens of choices, and the fact I have big hands didn't help. But Beretta offered a Talon grip with a large backstrap when I ordered it. 

My wife, on the other hand, has never looked or felt comfortable with a pistol. Solution: the Benelli M4 Tactical shotgun. She can handle it well, the pistol grip is comfortable in her hand and, let's face it, in close quarters, such as your master bedroom, you really don't have time to be sighting down a target. The M4 is the perfect point and shoot weapon.

Isn’t Benelli ike super expensive?

[SmokinwithWilly]

2 minutes ago, ARSEN said:

Isn’t Benelli ike super expensive?

It's more expensive because it's higher end, but it also is the most reliable from what I've heard. I've only owned Benelli shotguns so I can't really speak to any other brand. If this is for security purposes, reliable is the way to go, imo.