[ideliver]

Originally Posted by imported_mega

I've got a taurus pt140 pro, nice gun, single/double action semi auto, reliable, light, wife hates it, long trigger pull and it hurts her hand to shoot it

I carry this in my pocket everywhere, this little sucker stings too, .32 seecamp, it's soo tiny I dont even realize it's there, I found I did not carry the taurus often because it's just too big and obvious

probably will be some comments that a .32 is too small, but it's better than nothing at all, which is what I used to have most of the time

nice gun...i carry a .25 beretta...no jams in the last 1000 rnds...


shot placement > caliber

[TurboFan]

I vote for an AA-12. Very elegant for home defense. Aim becomes a non-issue.

If you want a handgun however, I'd go with something in the .45 cal spectrum with a Federal Hydroshock load. You want pure stopping power, and mag capacity is secondary - you're at home, you can have mags stashed all over the house.

I went with the H&K HK45 for the house. Glock 23 (a .40 cal) for concealed carry - it carries 18 rounds, 17 in the clip and 1 in the hole, with the extended grip. Hard to go wrong.

Beware of the .357 - it's a crushing load. The recoil will really knock you back. You said you were looking at a .38 load, which would offer much less recoil, but I would encourage you to consider a larger bore for home defense. Also consider a semi-automatic for capacity and reload speed.

[TurboFan]

Originally Posted by ideliver

my .02...shotgun is your first choice...revolver is second...the Ruger GP-100 is a very nice gun...i have one...perfect for hollow point .38...black talons if you can find them...I would argue AGAINST any semi-auto for safety unless you shoot frequently...most can be tempermental with various loads and jam...I would recommend 500 rounds through a gun of the load that you are going to shoot before I would trust my life on any model of semi-auto...

Modern high-quality semi-autos are really not a concern for jamming if they are kept clean. Consider an H&K, or even better in terms of reliability, a Glock. You can fill a Glock full of sand and still have it fire straight and true every time.

But I agree with the shotgun as first choice. Simply chambering a round in the 12 is enough to scare off most people. But go with the AA-12 if you have the means!

[TunedM2C]

Noob to the scene here but can you go to a range and try out various models? I've only shot rifles in the past and unfamiliar with handguns. I too want one for home protection though initially considered a shotgun. After much thought, however, I think I want something more compact that I can quickly reach for rather than running to a closet or gun case to extract the weapon. I also have a baby now in the mix so that brings a whole new angle to everything.

And yes, he will be familiar with firearms once he gets older.

[imported_mega]

sounds like turbofan is all set for the zombie attack that's coming

[Mega Man]

Rather than carrying a handgun, I've invested in a bullet proof vest. It doesn't protect the head, it doesn't protect the legs, just your vitals in your center mass.

A gun won't protect your head, won't protect your legs, won't protect your center mass; but it gives you the ability to retaliate or maybe pre-emptively shoot. Perhaps if the stand off came to it, negotiate the oncoming attacker to leave.

In either case, I'm happy with my decision.

[yomama69]

Originally Posted by Mega Man

Rather than carrying a handgun, I've invested in a bullet proof vest. It doesn't protect the head, it doesn't protect the legs, just your vitals in your center mass.

A gun won't protect your head, won't protect your legs, won't protect your center mass; but it gives you the ability to retaliate or maybe pre-emptively shoot. Perhaps if the stand off came to it, negotiate the oncoming attacker to leave.

In either case, I'm happy with my decision.

You're wearing Kevlar 24/7?

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

Modern high-quality semi-autos are really not a concern for jamming if they are kept clean. Consider an H&K, or even better in terms of reliability, a Glock. You can fill a Glock full of sand and still have it fire straight and true every time.

But I agree with the shotgun as first choice. Simply chambering a round in the 12 is enough to scare off most people. But go with the AA-12 if you have the means!

i get what you are saying...but imho...semi-autos straight out of the box may be prone to jams...every single one of my semis has jammed at one time or another...but I am not a professional nor competetive shooter...

I personnally would not rely on a semi-auto until I have put several hundred rounds of the ammo that i will carry through it...for a gun that is going to be thrown into a drawer and never fired...get a revolver...

my semi-autos...the beretta .25 cal...S&W sigma .380....Ruger P89 9mm...Colt Officers .45 have all jammed

my Ruger GP-100 .375 and S&W model 10 (really nice for CC)...work every time you pull the trigger

[kmac1980]

Originally Posted by TurboFan

I vote for an AA-12. Very elegant for home defense. Aim becomes a non-issue.

Man, the AA-12 is a pure killing machine, no two ways about it, but really??? Why not just go for an M134?

[Heinzftw]

+1^^ LoL

[Blake]

all this gun talk makes me want to get my CHL even more.

[SteveMD]

OP here. Thanks for all your suggestions. Definitely doing a revolver for starters. There is a range/gun shop within a coupe of minutes from our work (we work together) so we are going to take a look at some today. They are a Ruger, S&W dealer and others.

I'm set on a 3" or 4" barrel Ruger GP100 although I also like the smaller (5 round) Sp-101. I'll let you know what happens.

Second question - cheap Wal Mart shotguns - for home defense. Any experience or idea what exactly they sell?

[BMW_TT]

XD subcompact

[gonzo]

For a Taurus the 605 .357 is a good gun and only $300-$350 if you shop around.

I am an H&K guy and trust my .45 USP.

[lyndon_h]

I'd have to go with a .38 or a 9mm for a wife. Any caliber higher than that is going to make her unconfortable about shooting.

And i wouldn't worry about not having more than 5-6 shots in a revolver. Its not like you're going to be having a shootout in your home. After the first shot, an intuder is heading for the nearest exit.

Like someone above stated, you are much more likely to accidently have the gun discharged than to not be able remove the safety, so I'd really recommend a gun with a safety.

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by gonzo

I am an H&K guy and trust my .45 USP.

Damn braggard
Nice gun!

[Prissy]

get a shotgun

[Crimson92]

deagle....stop em dead and make a lot of noise in the process

or one of dem sum bitches

http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images...59-replica.jpg

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

deagle....stop em dead and make a lot of noise in the process

or one of dem sum bitches

http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images...59-replica.jpg

And its wife friendly

[kmac1980]

Originally Posted by Crimson92

deagle....stop em dead and make a lot of noise in the process

or one of dem sum bitches

http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images...59-replica.jpg

The is a better hand cannon... S&W 500

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by kmac1980

The is a better hand cannon... S&W 500

Its the one that says bad mother f*cker.

[ideliver]

Originally Posted by SteveMD

OP here. Thanks for all your suggestions. Definitely doing a revolver for starters. There is a range/gun shop within a coupe of minutes from our work (we work together) so we are going to take a look at some today. They are a Ruger, S&W dealer and others.

I'm set on a 3" or 4" barrel Ruger GP100 although I also like the smaller (5 round) Sp-101. I'll let you know what happens.

Second question - cheap Wal Mart shotguns - for home defense. Any experience or idea what exactly they sell?

good deal

at wal mart...you can't go wrong with a remington 870 or mossberg 500...you can get a pistol grips and shortened barrels which are perfect for home defense...