\And, are you really willing to pull the trigger on a person?

Something to think about

Disclaimer: I'm not a big gun guy (one of these days I'll probably pick that hobby up, just haven't yet), but a lot of my friends are.

If you don't plan on CC, and aren't as experienced of a shooter (like me, I'm not that experienced), the glock 17 is bigger and is easier to shoot.

It's also durable as hell.

I'm sure some other guys would be able to weigh in on this better than me, I can only tell you about what I've researched and what advice I've been given.

Probably want to take a basic training class if you haven't already, and go practice once in a while. I'm guilty of not practicing enough, but I do go from time to time and have taken a couple classes.

completely agree with this. just remember this, if you don't know what you are doing and cant pull the trigger, you just gave the bad guy another gun...

It's basically a hand-held shotgun. Great Home Defense Gun.

Take your pick of .45 Colt, or .410 Bore.

I keep it loaded with buckshot. The 2 1/2 shell holds 4 000 buckshot pellets each. The 000 is basically the same size as a .38 caliber bullet. 4 times 6 shells is 24 .38 caliber bullets. The spread at 10 feet for the buckshot is about 8 inches.

Drop in mix of .45 Colt & buckshot for a walk in the woods against critters, large & small.

It's a hand cannon. Its a big gun. Definitely not a concealed carry, but as a woods & home defense gun, it can't be beat.

It's a beast, though. I Love mine.

if not much, i would reccomend a double action revolver. if a good amount of experience, then your choice.

i don't think gun manufacturer matters much here, for home use anyway. i have some high quality handguns, and some moderate quality arms. never have i had a problem with any of my guns not firing when i wanted them to. all are accurate enough for close quarter firing, as long as you range with them for accuracy and comfortability.

as mentioned already, a shotgun with buckshot is a great choice, but might be harder to handle in some situatons.

that would be my next purchase. i've wanted 1 for some time now......

That said, I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending any caliber less powerful than a 9mm for a handgun.

Revolvers won't jam. Semi-automatic do jam.

Semi-automatics generally have a much lighter trigger pull which is a slight accuracy advantage.

You can buy magazines for semi-automatics Tha will hold 30+ rounds.

Keep in mind that the vast majority of shots fired at people happen from distances of less than 7 yards I think. A person armed with a knife can be 7 yards away and in less than a second they have stabbed you in the chest.

IMHO the very best home defense weapon is a 12 gauge pump shot gun with a pistol grip and an 18 1/2" barrel loaded with low brass 00 buck shot which has 9 pellets. From a distance of 7 yards the pattern will be about the size of an average fist verses about 1/3" of an inch. There are 9 projectiles instead of 1. A pump because you can have up to 7 shots with a magazine tube extender. A pistol grip because it makes the gun shorter and more maneuverable when going down hall ways and around corners. Non-jacketed shot shells are less likely to penetrate walls which means your loved ones are slightly safer from errant rounds.

Some things to remember include the pucker factor. In a real live deadly force encounter ones arsehole will pucker so tight you couldn't drive a thumb tack through it with a sledge hammer. Your accuracy is going to be affected. Take a look at all the LEO involved shootings and notice the low percentage of lethal shots. We have to shoot 60 rounds to qualify each year. In addition, most of us visit the range at least 3-4 times a year. Some of us at least monthly. Since we don't have to buy the ammunition we probably fire at least a hundred rounds every time we go to the range. That means most of us are pretty damn good shots. But, accuracy is the first thing to go when you get that pucker feeling.

If you choose to arm yourself, you better be ready to pull the trigger. If you don't, you gun may very well be used to kill you and your loved ones.

Take the case of the Atlanta doctor a few years ago. His wife woke him at the sound of an intruder in the house. He grabbed his shotgun & went to the the top of the stairs. Upon seeing the intruder, he racked his gun. The intruder then started up the stairs. The Dr. fired a shot in the floor at the bad guys feet, but he kept coming. The next shot was to the chest & sent him back to the bottom of the stairs.

Turns out the guy was high on meth at the time.

In that situation the bad guy was undeterred after the first and second warning so he got his. Now when the scumbag sues the good Dr I think Judge and jury will agree that it was necessary as opposed to one nice clean and quiet head shot.

I too think the sound of a pump shotgun is over rated. That's why mine always has a round already chambered. Racking the slide is Hollywood nonsense that gives away the element of surprise, announces the fact that you are armed and that intruder needs to step his game up a notch and gives away you location.

I agree, goes with the old saying "shoot first, ask questions later."

Been around rifles and shotguns my whole life. Finally got into pistols, bought my first revolver couple years ago (I can't hit the broad side of a barn, took lots of practice and semi-auto pistol is a compelity different to shoot imo. Go to a gun shop check out how the guns fit and feel in your hand, if you like the balance. Narrow down what you like, see if any friends or family have one or if there's a range or gun shop that will let you shoot one of the models you like and then make a decision and practice a lot.

+1

If you're not going to really get into practicing extensively...........get a wheel gun.........S&W

maybe an airweight .38 snubby.............your lady could shoot that too.........your hands might be too big....you'll have to check it out

put a few hundred rounds thru it over a period of a few weeks.....take a course....then go from there

Get to a range that rents firearms and try several. Glock makes a great pistol, but they feel like a two by four in my hands.

While it doesn't qualify as conceal carry by ANY means it was THAT very reason I went with a 1911, felt most comfortable in my hand!!!

This applys for vehicles also.