Weapon Choice?

reply to post by Demetre


I bought all my daughters one of these guns years ago.





They shoot .410 shotgun shells and all .45 rounds.

Six shots to boot. Anyone tries anything on my girls - I want them full of Big holes.

*Plus with the shells it is hard miss (this gun is a baby sawed-off shotgun). I recommend alternating ammunition for this gun, .410 shells/.45 long colt.

It will handle ANY .410 shell and and .45 round

It's nice to have options

[edit on 22-12-2008 by Dreemer]

Try as many as you can. Glock grips are too big for smaller hands and the pistols are fatter and harder to conceal but they are dependable and accurate enough for defense. Walther PPS is thin, accurate, and dependable. It has a single stack magazine so it holds several fewer rounds than a double stack but that is the trade off for concealability. It has adjustable grips so your hand size can be accomodated. Recoil with 9mm is controlled; I don't know about the 40 recoil, but the nine holds more rounds and that is an advantage.
The revolver is a good idea. The 5 shot 38's are easy to hide and very dependable. Likely you will never draw the gun, much less shoot it in defense, but if you need it it will be there if it is easy to carry. Pick one you can hide and shoot accurately in any caliber you like and it will do what you need it to do.

I used to make suggestions on weapons for people but that always seems to cause problems. Some like the ideas of revolvers instead of Autos! Somelike small caliber, some like large. If you have been shooting before you got your permit then it would help to know what exactly you felt comfortable with. If you are a complete newbee and only got to shoot the weapon they provided to obtain your permit then i would spend some time at an indoor shooting range if possible. Also one that rents differing types of hand guns. Try a few differant types and calibers and if you find one that feels right and if fun to shoot. Thats the one to go with. No other firearm will be right for you if you, yourself don't enjoy practicing with it. Thats the true key to what is right for you. The one that you feel perfectly confident and comfortable to shoot. later asyou get more advanced in knowledge and use, then is when you try the other ideas you may get about a carry firearm!!

Good Luck M'lady, I hope you enjoy shooting as much as I do. Maybe even finding the fun in competitive shooting sports. There are many.

Zindo

Demetre,
I own a gun store/ range in Michigan. I would recommend that you go to a similar business in your area where you can talk to some knowledgeable people who also have the ability to let you test a number of different guns. This could potentially be the most important decision you make in your life.
Basically you want the most powerful gun that you can shoot with deadly accuracy. Don't try to make a decision based on some on line chat. Get some professional help to select your weapon.
When you do decide on your gun I would recommend that you take some lessons to become proficient with the gun you choose. The more training you can take the better. Then practice as often as you can.

Duster

i carry a 1911.

i think its a little big and that people would be able to see it under my shirt but everyone ive asked says they had no idea i have one on.

its a personal choice but the 1911 has been around a long time for a reason, and i like knowing that if i ever have to use my gun i am sending a 45 hollow point to deal with the problem. im not very fond of the 9mm or .38's.

I carry a 1911 too. Ihave a Kimber Custom Raptor and a Kimber Pro Eclipse that are my two main carry guns. That being said I'm not sure that a 1911 is the best gun for person who is just beginning to carry.

Duster

I've had my CHL for 8 years now. I've read a few books on concealed carry that I recommend you read before making choices. First is "Complete Book Of Combat Handgunning" by Chuck Taylor. The second is
"The Concealed Handgun Manual" by Chris Bird.

Shoot some different guns at a range that lets you rent. Revolvers and SA. Find one you feel comfortable with grip wise and accuracy at 3, 5 and 15 yards. In a gunfight, the first rule is bring a gun. Second rule is hit your target. Third rule is training and natural ability with the weapon you choose is paramount. If confronted with lethal force you will not be able to take your time with aim assume your favored stance, play with your grip to it feels right. You will draw, point and fire. Training makes this easier. Make sure it will be concealable 12 months out of the year wherever you carry it. Make sure you can grip it naturally in one motion. Most ranges will not let you draw from holster, but may let you draw from bench if not loaded, check with them first and please make sure it is empty before attempting. Also if drawing from the bench, practice keeping finger off the trigger till you are on target or almost on target. This will help prevent a stray round firing in a real fight from going somewhere and hurting an innocent bystander. If you hit an innocent, while saving your life, you lose.

When you find one that is easy to carry "all" the time without revealing and it is easy to grip quickly and it shoots well for you without taking a long time to aim, you have your weapon. Most gunfights don't last more than one magazine or revolver charge. Chuck Taylor addresses the worst case scenarios, but most folks live or die in the first shots fired. This is why if it is a natural grip, a natural aim, and concealable enough you can carry it all year long, perhaps changing location, then you have it.

Remember, bad guys are not gun experts, marksman or particularly smart. If you keep your cool, bring your weapon and make your first shots count, it is much more likely that you will be the victor of your lethal encounter.

Hope that helps.