Educate Me on Beginner Handguns

[nevada]

I was taught that the only safe weapon is a controlled weapon. That means it's either on your person, or it's locked up/unloaded/otherwise safed.

I have children in my house, and they aren't always my children, which means I don't have control over whether they're familiar with or safe around my firearms. I have a combination trigger lock on the 12ga under my bed, and I can have it off in a little over three seconds, which is plenty fast enough. YMMV.

im not trying to start an argument, but would you still be able to get that off in 3 seconds after being woken up in the middle of the night, half asleep in the dark?

 

[txbonds]

im not trying to start an argument, but would you still be able to get that off in 3 seconds after being woken up in the middle of the night, half asleep in the dark?

Practice.

Have your significant other wake you up or set an alarm clock a few times at random and see how you do.

 

[KidVermicious]

im not trying to start an argument, but would you still be able to get that off in 3 seconds after being woken up in the middle of the night, half asleep in the dark?

Yup. I practiced for about a week, then had my wife startle me awake to test it . It takes me longer to get the gun from under the bed than it does for me to open the combo.

But I don't have the option - like I said, there's kids in the house. It's run a trigger lock or stick it in a safe every morning, and that's enough of a PITA that I probably wouldn't get it out when I go to bed at night, and then what good would it do me?

Like I said, better to keep it safed. Unless you're in the Witness Protection Program and have trained assassins coming after you, the odds of that three or four seconds it takes to ready your weapon being the difference in a home invasion situation are slim to none. The dude is there to steal your TV, not charge your bedroom in a murderous rage.

 

[SV_Dude]

I was taught that the only safe weapon is a controlled weapon. That means it's either on your person, or it's locked up/unloaded/otherwise safed.

I have children in my house, and they aren't always my children, which means I don't have control over whether they're familiar with or safe around my firearms. I have a combination trigger lock on the 12ga under my bed, and I can have it off in a little over three seconds, which is plenty fast enough. YMMV.

There's nothing wrong with having a weapon unloaded and locked up. As long as you feel comfortable with being able to get to it when you need it then do whatever you feel you need to do in order to stay safe.

im not trying to start an argument, but would you still be able to get that off in 3 seconds after being woken up in the middle of the night, half asleep in the dark?

I was going to ask the same thing.

Yup. I practiced for about a week, then had my wife startle me awake to test it .

Well done! At least you practice and are able to get to your means of protection and have fine tuned your gross motor skills. Most people will fumble around with it and then have a very expensive bat.

Unless you're in the Witness Protection Program and have trained assassins coming after you, the odds of that three or four seconds it takes to ready your weapon being the difference in a home invasion situation are slim to none. The dude is there to steal your TV, not charge your bedroom in a murderous rage.

Once again, I disagree. If you feel that you need a gun then that means that your life is in danger. In that case then seconds are very valuable. When someone charges through your door you have no idea what their intent is. Maybe you pissed someone off and they followed you home and came back at night or maybe they just want a sandwich because they're poor and are very hungry. Either way, you never know.




My bottom line: be comfortable with what you have and practice with it. Whether you are like KidV and have a gun locked up and practice taking the lock off or have something ready on your night stand. You have to practice and be able to handle your business while you're stressed and your heart is racing. Practice with what you have and either route you go you should be fine.

 

[02SE]

The dude is there to steal your TV, not charge your bedroom in a murderous rage.

Unless he is there solely to say kidnap or kill, and doesn't care about material possessions.

There are some truly sick and evil people out there. Brian David Mitchell comes to mind.

But I do think you have arrived at the best compromise for your situation.

When I'm home, it's a Glock 21 loaded with 13+1 rounds of 230 gr Golden Saber. Plus extra loaded mags.

 

[lambohaha]

Golden Saber.

Nice! Got some of those AND some Black Talons.

 

[nevada]

I cant speak to other peoples kids, but our kids are well versed in guns.
they are all still pretty young, the oldest just turned 8, and we took her out shooting a .22lr rifle a few weeks a go.

we are very careful to show them how dangerous guns CAN be, both with pictures of gunshot victims, and by blowing shit up. namely fruit, pumpkins, and apples.
they are aware guns are tools, not toys, but I understand not all kids will be this way.
also, any exposed guns are in the bedroom, and it is off limits, especially to guests, regardless of age.

education, not fear is the key.

 

[hrt4me]

My wife and I have talked about taking shooting lessons at a nearby range. We've never been gun owners, but we both like the idea of having a handgun near our bed... just in case. I figure that we could take out the clip and put that behind the nightstand and then keep the actual gun in the nightstand drawer. (We're hoping to have a family someday, and we figured that keeping the two separate would just be a good thing to start doing now.)

Glock is really the only brand I've heard of, so I checked out their site. It has a basic tool that walks you through simple questions like home/business, sport/defense, etc. It came up with results of Glock 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 37, and 38. I get that they move up in caliber as you get to the larger numbers. I'm guessing that a 9mm would be fine... but I'd rather get some input from y'all.

Where do we start? Do you have any recommendations for a basic handgun that we should check out? What kinds of prices should we be expecting?

-Joel

Joel, where in Texas are you located? I'd be willing to take you to a range, let you try a few handguns and/or shotguns and give you some pointers...

 

[nevada]

oops. I just remembered, I do have a .308 rifle behind the front door.
no ammo anywhere close tho. I just ran out of room.

 

[ddnww]

lots of good answers in here.

 

[nevada]

THE answer,

shotgun revolver.

 

[Thai]

Quick notes by me...did not read the whole thread...so, sorry.

1. Buy GunVault: Gun Safes - Home Gun Safe - Handgun Safes | GunVault | GunVault

2. Shotgun is great idea. Won't fit in gun vault above.

3. I like DA/SA trigger. I am a novice (but do go to gun range). I don't like "easy" triggers like Glocks and SA (single action only) because this may lead to accidental discharge in high adrenaline state. I prefer that the first trigger be hard to pull so that if i do pull, then it is with full intention of firing the weapon at that specific time.

4. For me, the only time that i pull my weapon is to shoot to defend myself, likely at close distance. Sniper shooting will lead to jail time.

5. Because #4 usually happens at close range, my first shot does not have to be pin point accurate...again, DA/SA trigger is ideal for me and my purpose.

6. A revolver is also a great idea for the females because some of them can't pull the slide. My wife has a revolver. Easy to operate. Trigger hard to pull...again, #3. No failure (if maintain adequately).

7. My Sig P239 is ALWAYS loaded with one in chamber. Agree with above...no use if the ammo is locked away or you have to perform more maneuvers to fire it.

8. Both my handguns (P239 and Ruger SP101) are in GunVault all the time that it is off my body.

9. Taught my kids REPEATEDLY to be aware of my firearms. I educate them as much as their brains can comprehend about it. I do let them see it (unloaded) and feel it...curiosity is very harmful. And with age, i will take them to gun range.

10. Buy GunVault or vaults like it.

Thanks for reading.

EDIT: i prefer manageable ammos, all hollows.

 

[Thai]

We all have alarms systems, right? But, if someone were to rush your house, then you are screwed, esp. if you're sleeping or in another room away from your gun(s).

Not sure how you guys feel about it, but i have these: Master Lock 265DCCSEN Dual-Function Security Bar - Amazon.com

I have these security bars locking every (entry) door of my house all day long when not in use. It won't stop no one. But, it will slow them down (hopefully catch them by surprise). It gives you extra seconds to get to your weapon or get your family to a safe room. Well, at least, that is what i like to think! :noidea:

BTW, with GunVault, pick an EASY combo so that you can open the vault in a time of stress and panic.

 

[ndcent]

Quick notes by me...did not read the whole thread...so, sorry.

1. Buy GunVault: Gun Safes - Home Gun Safe - Handgun Safes | GunVault | GunVault

+1

I use one of these in a sideboard next to my bed, I have it tacked down in there with some smaller lag bolts as well so a burglar couldn't pick it up while I'm not home and leave with it - easily at least.

I know they make some wall mount shotgun "safes" but I don't have any experience with them.

 

[ddnww]

all firearms in my house are unloaded except my s&w m&p 40c
which is on me at all times, and when im asleep its under matress
for quick access, loaded with one in the chamber(at all times).
i dont see the point of having a gun for safety if its not loaded.
i know guys who even have their hammer cocked and on safety..
thats a bit extreme for me.

i assume the crimimal is smart enough to assume i have a weapon and
his first intention would be to harm or disarm me or my family.
better safe than dead.

 

[Thai]

i know guys who even have their hammer cocked and on safety..
thats a bit extreme for me.

For me, i dislike safety on my guns. Chamber or not, a physical safety is an extra step that i may not remember to disable in a panic/adrenalined state of mind. This is why i prefer the DA/SA trigger because DA first pull is somewhat of a safety in itself. But, a DA first pull will never get in the way of me pulling the trigger in self defense.

 

[nevada]

For me, i dislike safety on my guns. Chamber or not, a physical safety is an extra step that i may not remember to disable in a panic/adrenalined state of mind. This is why i prefer the DA/SA trigger because DA first pull is somewhat of a safety in itself. But, a DA first pull will never get in the way of me pulling the trigger in self defense.

agreed,

while my pistol DOES have an actual safety, I never used it.

I keep it chambered, with hammer down. that's the only way to go in my opinion.

 

[ddnww]

For me, i dislike safety on my guns. Chamber or not, a physical safety is an extra step that i may not remember to disable in a panic/adrenalined state of mind. This is why i prefer the DA/SA trigger because DA first pull is somewhat of a safety in itself. But, a DA first pull will never get in the way of me pulling the trigger in self defense.

that is true..read that exact thing happened to a guy on a
gun forum. guy pulled and fired at him, he pulled and tried to shoot
safety was on, didnt get shot off, guy got away.

 

[SV_Dude]

For me, i dislike safety on my guns. Chamber or not, a physical safety is an extra step that i may not remember to disable in a panic/adrenalined state of mind. This is why i prefer the DA/SA trigger because DA first pull is somewhat of a safety in itself. But, a DA first pull will never get in the way of me pulling the trigger in self defense.

This goes right back to one of my points. PRACTICE! You have to practice, practice and practice. Every move you make needs to be muscle memory. Regardless of what setup you use, you need to be able to use it without thinking about the steps.

 

[Thai]

This goes right back to one of my points. PRACTICE! You have to practice, practice and practice. Every move you make needs to be muscle memory. Regardless of what setup you use, you need to be able to use it without thinking about the steps.

Very true. But, you're a military guy. I am a civilian with day job and tons of toddlers running around all day long! Hell, finding time to go to the gun range once every 4-6 months is quite an effort!