I've been dragging my feet because I don't know enough about it, but looks like things are only getting crazier and it's time to be armed.
What should I look for? I'm thinking home defense and or concealed carry.
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I've been dragging my feet because I don't know enough about it, but looks like things are only getting crazier and it's time to be armed.
What should I look for? I'm thinking home defense and or concealed carry.
Get trained. Get insurance
Please tell me more about insurance.
What do you recommend?
I can’t recommend anything but possessing and using a gun opens you up to personal liability. There are underwriters that provide coverage. I heard of some on Hannity awhile ago. But you should do some homework. Ask your agent.
Go to local gun range that does rentals, usually it’s a flat fee and all you have to pay for is ammo. They will also teach you the basics, although I’d recommend a shirt training to new shooters
can't updoot this enough. Buying a pistol is like buying a pair of pants; they all fit you differently and one may be more natural for you to operate and fit your hand better than another. Don't buy until you've actually shot it.
Know your budget. Don't forget to add the cost of ammo -- you will need rounds to practice with as well as personal defense rounds (there are specific types to use for this; not required but always a good touch if you like your neighbors and staying out of jail). Look around at your local gun shops -- find out which ones have the best and most knowledgeable customer service; find out which ones will let you try out weapons/have classes (this is also a nice touch); pick some that fit your budget and needs and try them out -- go with the one that suits you and your needs the best.
People will say "oh, buy a Glock, buy a this, a that" -- honestly, there are several brands and models that will do a perfectly good job for you; you find what's best for you. In my opinion you are better off spending a bit less on the handgun, and using the money for a shooting range membership, classes, and practice ammo -- an expensive handgun is worthless if you don't have enough ammo and don't know how to use it well.
Since you're new to guns, I'd HIGHLY recommend taking a safety course at your local gun store (lgs). Everyone is different, so what's good for me and what I might prefer may not be good for you. The best suggestion is to go to your lgs and get some range time with different rental guns. See which ones you like and go from there.
Make sure you know your state laws on firearms and conceal carry. A lot of states require you to take a course and get licensed for conceal carry.
I also recently bought my first handgun. Home defense wasn’t much of a thought since I also have a shotgun and a carbine. I wanted something I could stick on my hip while on my private property out in the country for trespassers, sketchy visitors, and running into coyotes or bobcats while working on fencing or moving livestock etc. I went for something that fit easily in my hand and is a good EDC (every day carry) if I decided to go for conceal carry permit. I went with the M&P Shield 2.0. For an EDC and conceal carry it’s a pretty good choice. I’m already planning my next handgun purchase though. I love my Shield but I do want another handgun with more ammo capacity. Like a Glock.
M and P shield my choice too, good lightweight for every day carry, but bought a full size pistol for around the house.
As others have said, some ranges have rentals. Try to see what you would like. Take a class, itll help. After that, practice.
A lot of people will say God made man, and Samuel Colt made man equal. My advice is train, train, train until it is no longer equal. You should be change mags with your eyes closed. Shoot often to build your comfort and skill. Then shoot occasionally to keep that skill.
A full size pistol will usually have less recoil than a smaller one, even if the caliber is bigger. (This is my experience/opinion but others would probably agree)
Have fun and be safe!
Don’t discount a revolver for a beginner, 38/357
shotgun is a good alternative for home defense. #4 shot is very effective and doesn't over-penetrate like a rifle would if you (god forbid) miss. I patterned a short barrel (self defense) shotgun and at 10-15 feet (the length of my hallway) the pattern was chest-sized. Perfect.
Be careful about what kind of rifle you use for HD; I’ve taken classes with instructors that use 556, and he was experienced and adamant - an errant 556 round could go through your house, your neighbors house and maybe into another house beyond that
I personally use (and recommend) a 12 gauge for HD, but I have a unique set up; I temp “mounted” a 9mm holster to the butt stock and run a compact nine mil “Not permanently attached” on my shotgun- do not try that at home kids, it took some planning, and I have done some training
If you can conceal carry, and you have one gun, obviously your HD gun is the same as your CCW, factor that in
Agreed – I do keep an A.R. 15 near the bed also, just in case I find myself in the situation you described (distance)
You want something that won't go click when you need it to go bang. Had a friend who bought a pair of .380 Diamondbacks without doing any research, on average they jam twice per mag. Moral of the story, don't buy garbage.
Honestly, pistol ammo is so scarce you are probably too late.
Guess you should have been paying more attention to all those who have been warning you for years that someday today would come. Feet dragging was a poor life choice.
Yeah I agree not a great choice
I have a Sig 238 (380 for when I wear shorts) thinking about Switching to a switching to a 938 instead (about the same size but 9mm)
You can still get ammo, it’s just not at the brick and mortar Ammoseek dot com but $ has doubled from pre-panic prices- My brother thinks he has a lot of ammunition, like 1000 rounds of 556, I told him that’s not enough he needed to quintuple that
If I have 1000 rounds of ammo, I consider myself out of ammo.
Glock 19 and be done with it
I love a Glock 19 (or 26), but it’s not for everybody – I recommend going to a store and physically touching each one That is up for consideration.
I sent my girlfriend to the store to get a handgun, I recommended a 19 or 26, she came home with a 43. My son-in-law is a big dude, he bought a 43X, But my daughter prefers the 19 over that.
Good point