question for you gun owners

[leftyguns21]

The other night I had a little home invasion scare. I was sleeping and about 5am I heard some noises coming from downstairs and my dog took off barking. living alone I was a little startled and all I kept thinking was "please don

 

[Rover+Runner]

Here's my 2 cents:

I own a firearm for the exact purpose you describe, and never use it except occasionally at a firing range. As far as the requirements to own, they vary by state but if you go into a sporting goods store like D*ck's they can give you the basic requirements (or just call the local police station). I would recommend a revolver, in that they are simple to own and relatively fail-safe. I won't recommend a certain model, in that you should decide what feels the most comfortable in your hand and don't know how much you want to spend.

Personally, I went to a well established firearms store and spoke with the salesmen and the gunsmith before making my decision. Best of luck - stay safe.

 

[Thai]

Here's my 2 cents:

I own a firearm for the exact purpose you describe, and never use it except occasionally at a firing range. As far as the requirements to own, they vary by state but if you go into a sporting goods store like D*ck's they can give you the basic requirements (or just call the local police station). I would recommend a revolver, in that they are simple to own and relatively fail-safe. I won't recommend a certain model, in that you should decide what feels the most comfortable in your hand and don't know how much you want to spend.

Personally, I went to a well established firearms store and spoke with the salesmen and the gunsmith before making my decision. Best of luck - stay safe.

x2. Revolver is the way to go. I bought my wife a Ruger revolver SP101 for Valentine's day this year. Whatever that you buy, you need to maintain it and also practice with it.

 

[G.I.G.]

I just bought my first gun (Beretta 90-two .40) in January. I have military experience and since the Beretta is the standard issue sidearm for the U.S. Military, it is what I am most comfortable, familiar, and accurate with.

Here is a little of what I learned from having to do my research....

In CO there is no waiting period to purchase a hand gun. You have to fill out some paperwork for a background check but the store/shop should have it back within a couple of hours. In CO, you do NOT need to register your gun with local or state authorities.

I applied for my concealed carry permit and should be getting it here within the next month or two. I don't plan on carrying just to carry, but it gives you the option to throw it in your backpack if you're going hiking without freaking people out or drawing attention to yourself. Also, I would hate to catch flack from a law enforcement officer because my gun slid under the seat while driving to the range, or my jacket partially covered my sidearm while camping/hiking. I'd just rather not have to deal with those potential scenarios, even though CO is an open-carry state. Besides, with a Democratic run house, senate, and White House, I'm trying to exercise my 2nd amendment rights while I still can!

As far as type of gun or caliber, Rover+Runner is right. You should buy what you feel comfortable with and can shoot accurately. Don't let "counter commandos" at stores tell you what you should or shouldn't buy. I've read that you should use the highest caliber gun for self defense that you can shoot accurately. At a minimum, probably a .38 or a 9mm. Don't let anyone talk you into a higher caliber gun than you feel comfortable with. Like I've always said, a 9mm round might not stop an intruder or a bear, but 12 well placed rounds sure as heck will! : Both revolvers and semi-autos have their advantages and disadvantages. Revolvers are very simple and reliable, whereas semi-autos typically hold more rounds and it's easier to load another mag full of rounds into the gun. It's just personal preference. Lastly, don't buy a super cheap gun. Just like with anything, you get what you pay for and a gun (when you really need it) is the last thing you want to have problems with!

Let me know if you want to go shooting sometime. I'm actually due for a range visit.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I have semi-autos (1 Ruger 22, 2 Glocks, a 9mm and a 10mm) and 2 revolvers (Taurus .357 and Super Redhawk .44). Revolvers and a couple of speed loaders are nice. They ALWAYS work. A good .357 is tough to beat and you can warm-up/practice w/.38's for cheap. Semi-autos offer clip capacities way beyond 5-6 of the typical revolver. Modern semi-autos can be very reliable in trained, practiced hands.

Which round to choose will become a topic too. None of them suck as bad as the naysayers will claim. None are as 'perfect' as the proponents of a specific round will claim. I would consider a 9mm (for self defense) a minimum but that's just me...

The bottomline is it's a very personal choice. IMHO there's no 'right' answer for all scenarios. Find a range, take a course and then buy, in that order, would be my suggestion.
:cheers:

 

[leftyguns21]

well hopefully i never ever ever have to use it....i dont want blood all over my house. its really just for 'what if' and to scare someone off if they come in my house, if my dog hasnt done that already. id use at a gun range and stuff for practice but thats the only time i plan on ever using it. so i dont want to go cheap but also dont need a top of the line.
Greg, how long does it take to get the conceal weapons permit? thats just so you carry outside your home right?

 

[Mtneer001]

I am all for gun ownership.

Being a novice gun owner, I would start out with 20 gauge shot gun.

Perfect for home protection until you become more accustomed to hand guns.......imho

I am partial to the mossberg 500c.

 

[G.I.G.]

Greg, how long does it take to get the conceal weapons permit? thats just so you carry outside your home right?

Concealed carry weapons permits (CCW) are issued by your local sheriff's office and should be issued, if you pass the background clearance, within 90 days. Colorado is an open-carry state, which means that with the exception of a few places (federal buildings, financial institutions, schools, etc.) you can carry anywhere you want. You can technically go to a grocery store with a sidearm in CO but unless you have a badge, you will more than likely have the badges called on you. There are so many gun laws on the books at the local, state, and federal level that you almost need to be an attorney to interpret all of them. There is a fine line between open-carrying and "brandishing a firearm", so I wouldn't recommend going to the movies with a handgun on your hip. The CCW permit gives you the right to carry concealed, meaning that you can legally carry a firearm out of sight, both in your car and on your person. Again, I don't plan on going to the grocery store with a sidearm once I get my CCW permit, it just gives me more options when I do choose to carry, like hiking or on camping trips, etc.

 

[Juan_RKFD]

My biggest thing is safety. Take a course and learn to use your weapon.

I too have a shotgun (12 gauge) and do want a handgun for home defense, especially for my wife. We will be taking a safety course first and our local range has an open house a couple times a year so we can fire different calibers and see what we like before we buy. We are one of two states that don't have conceal carry and in my opinion that is one of the reasons that we also have one of the highest crime rates in the country. Hopefully someday that will change.

 

[leftyguns21]

ive been looking at local shops to see what they have as far as courses. i figure thats the best idea learn more about the gun and how to properly use it. then decide. it seems like a revolver would be best for home defense since more reliable..plus i dont plan on unloading a full clip on anything except a target. in the unlikely event i need it for home defense i dont see the need for a semi-auto with a clip?

 

[Thai]

plus i dont plan on unloading a full clip on anything except a target. in the unlikely event i need it for home defense i dont see the need for a semi-auto with a clip?

Don't forget to hold your gun sideway while shooting...gangsta style baby! Revolver is the best thing for you.

 

[leftyguns21]

Don't forget to hold your gun sideway while shooting...gangsta style baby! Revolver is the best thing for you.

you guys ever see that show operation repo? they were doing a repo on some navigator in LA and the owner was some gang banger and he came chasing after them w. his gun sideways like that...who is he fooling?

 

[Thai]

you guys ever see that show operation repo? they were doing a repo on some navigator in LA and the owner was some gang banger and he came chasing after them w. his gun sideways like that...who is he fooling?

If it is in the movies, then that is how it's gotta be!

Oh yeah, and please do NOT ask about adding laser to your gun when you first walk up to the gun clerk! You lose all respect by asking that! (Laser has a place, but it is generally looked down upon when customers ask for it right away.)

 

[G.I.G.]

I took an all-day gun safety/qualification course a couple months ago. It was pretty basic and went over a lot of things that I already knew, but it was a good refresher plus it was necessary for me in order to apply for the CCW permit here in Colorado.

Like others have mentioned, a revolver might be a good first gun for you based on your needs, but don't rule out a semi-auto, especially if you think you might want to do more target practice or recreational shooting down the road. Semi-autos have come a long way over the last couple of decades regarding reliability and ease of use. You can shoot my Beretta and see what you think of it.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Handgun


For a novice shooter concerned with home defense, I would recommend a six-shot revolver. A great one would be a .357 Magnum (Colt Python, Taurus, Smith & Wesson, etc.).

No safety switches, very simple, no worry about "a round in the chamber" or having to see it very well to fire it in the dark. Plus, the .357 Magnum has decent stopping power (compared to a 9mm or .38) and buying ammo is not extremely costly. My preference is a revolver that works single- or double-action, but you can always find one that is DAO if that is your preference.

Once you get your feet wet with that gun, consider purchasing a semi-automatic --- 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, etc., etc. They're a little more complicated, but offer a slimmer profile and greater ammuntion capacity.

Oh, by the way, the thing that holds the ammunition in a semi-automatic pistol is known as a magazine; not a clip! Also, firing it sideways 'gangsta style' will increase the chances of a jam or other malfunction.

:bigok:



Good luck!!


"Government is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it can be both a dangerous servant and a fearful master." -- George Washington

 

[Hayn4R]

damn i dont know how you can just stay upstairs like that if you are hearing noise downstairs. It hasnt happend to me, but I would imagine just grabbing whatever is available to me and head downstairs ready to battle. Especially if I didnt want them to take my tv. Too many punk *****es with a gun...in general.

 

[mklttdv]

Hopefully this is a one time event but may I also suggest adding a camera to your house?

Since you live up stair having a camera will certainly give you an edge to be able to see who or what you are dealing with.

Adding a bar to your door is also a great security measure even something simple as this http://www.smarthome.com/79916/Big-Jammer-Door-Brace-Door-Stop-Provides-Security/p.aspx

Btw I am not trying to talk you out of buying a gun. Having a gun is a great thing. But other measure will greatly increase the odds for you.

 

[CSL]

I am all for gun ownership.

Being a novice gun owner, I would start out with 20 gauge shot gun.

Perfect for home protection until you become more accustomed to hand guns.......imho

I am partial to the mossberg 500c.

I use 12 gauge shotgun for home defense, loaded with wide-spread, short distance shot (turkey shot I believe, but it has been a while since I purchased it)

Here is my logic.
1) at five AM, you probably are not going to have very good aim (it's dark, your tired, your nervous, etc), and you will be close range. thus the wide spread of shot.

2) I don't need any missed bullets going through my walls and hitting my kids or wife, or with some weapons...your neighbor. Thus short range and wide spread, will not go very far. I would rather have hundreds of little "bullets" than one big powerful one.

3) Even though the gun is unloaded and separate from the bullets (close enough for me to load it FAST), if for what ever reason a child got a hold of the two, they can't shoot themselves. The weapon is too long from the end of the muzzle to the trigger to point it at ones self and still reach the trigger. (this doesn't stop them from shooting someone else, but it at least limits some of the hazard).

I am no gun pro or anything, but this logic makes sense to me in my home, when it is ONLY for home defense and nothing else.

Sorry to hear about your scare, I have had that happen too, but in my garage, and it was real. (only lost two chainsaws though...and they didn't work anyway, HA!)

 

[Thai]

damn i dont know how you can just stay upstairs like that if you are hearing noise downstairs. It hasnt happend to me, but I would imagine just grabbing whatever is available to me and head downstairs ready to battle. Especially if I didnt want them to take my tv. Too many punk *****es with a gun...in general.

Hmmm, i would NOT do this...stay where you are at...lock your door and call 911.

CSL advice about shotgun is a good one...a good alternative for sure.

 

[rjyhdc4]

Hmmm, i would NOT do this...stay where you are at...lock your door and call 911.

CSL advice about shotgun is a good one...a good alternative for sure.

Agreed. It's cool to talk big shit but not so cool once you're injured or worse. Let the "battle" be a last resort for your sake and maybe theirs. Plus, I live in GA so I can go to jail for shooting an invader in my home if they have a good lawyer....