Topiary Lady Needs a Gun

[Topiary Lady]

I might as well be trying to read greek here. .35, .45 ??? If someone is really not interested in guns, but wants to have one to say, blow someones head off if they break into their house, then what should they get?

I'm thinking of something that is not terribly complicated. Also what can someone expect to pay for this and how long would it take to learn to properly use it?

[thumbelina]

Hopefully IHL will have an answer for you, Topiary Lady. This here, http://www.theamericanright.com/vbforum/showpost.php?p=12584&postcount=1, I think would be ideal for you (and any other female).

[HOKIEHUNTER]

TL, for purely home defense go with a shotgun. 12 gauge is most popular. if you want something a little more flexible and don't want to put much time into maintaining it, buy a revolver; .357 magnum / .38 special has the history of being one heck of a man stopper. a .22 is good for getting used to shooting (about $100 for the fun and about $.04 a round or less), but no good for defense.

[RightisRightLeftisWrong]

We got a 410 It could screw some one up pretty bad not as powerful as a 12 of course but hey it will do the job.

[IHL]

I went ahead and started a new thread for you TL. The old one was getting a bit long.

You will get a different answer from almost everyone you talk to on this but I'll give you my two cents.

The shotgun option has the benefit of being easy to hit almost anything you aim at since there is not just one single bullet. Instead, hundreds of small BBs coming flying out of the thing and at close range, being shot with a shotgun is absolutely lethal. If the shot doesn't kill them, which it probably will, they will die from the infection of the hundreds of lead pellets. The downside is that they are big and not real practical to store in night stand. If you don't mind having a 'long gun' as opposed to a handgun, a shotgun will certainly stop anyone in their tracks.

I prefer handguns. Since I shoot a lot, I find them more fun to shoot. As you've seen, there are dozens of different styles, manufacturers and calibers to choose from. The big four are the 9mm, .40 caliber, 357 magnum and the .45. There are tons more but those are the main ones. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 9mm or larger than a .45. For your needs, it wouldn't make sense. You can also choose between semi-auto and a revolver. Simi-autos typically have higher capacity - 15 rounds or more, compared to 6 with most revolvers. Semi-autos are bit more complicated to shot and have a greater chance of jamming due to more moving parts. Revolvers are reliable from a jamming standpoint. It is almost impossible for a revolver to jam. And, if you need more than 6 shots, you are in some serious trouble anyway. One of the most popular calibers in a revolver is the 357 magnum. Ironically I used to own one and traded it in when I bought a different gun. At the time, I said, "I'll probably be sorry I'm doing this" and I am. I wish I had kept it.

Anyway, the nice thing about the 357 magnum is that it is a proven man stopper. It is a very powerful gun and someone on the receiving end of a 357 magnum bullet will rarely be around to talk about it. The 357 also has the ability to shoot a slightly less powerful round - the .38 special. The .38 is still a beast on it's own. The nice thing about owning a 357 is that you can shoot the lighter .38 rounds through it for practice - cheaper ammunition and less recoil - then load it up for power when needed for defense. It is really two guns in one.

As Thumby pointed out, my wife bought a similar gun in a .38 Special. We have been to the range several times and she shoots it very well. It is a bit small for my hand but fits her pretty well. The important thing is to go to a gun shop and pick up a few guns. Talk to the guy behind the counter and don't be afraid to ask questions. Go back several times, talk to several people and don't rush to a decision. Many stores have rental guns that you can shoot at their range to get a feel for the gun you may like. Once you've decided on the gun, learn to shoot it. Take some classes if you need to. You may find out that you enjoy shooting. It is a sport after all. I shoot almost every week and I enjoy it a lot. My wife has also come to enjoy it and 6 months ago she had never shot a gun in her life. One of the dangerous things about a gun is when it is in the hands of someone who doesn't know how or is afraid to use it.

[Peace_by_superior _power]

It depends on how strong you are. Smaller rounds like 9mm is good for a new user. When i learned to shoot about 6 years ago (i was 10) i used pistol caliber rounds like 22 long or any pistol caliber rifles like Ruger or Colt. Colt is far more expensive.

[IHL]

Oh, and by the way - I just bought another gun. Can't wait to start using it. Springfield XD Tactical. .40 S&W. Yum, Yum!

http://www.springfield-armory.com/images/xd-pistol/XD9402Large.jpg

[HOKIEHUNTER]

nice piece, i'm a bigger fan of the heavy handguns. I love revolvers in .357 and up, they're all great. as far as semi's go, you really won't find anything but a 1911 in my hands. the little walther .380's and a .22 are fun, but to get the job done, nothing beats the 1911 in .45ACP. the hi-capacity guns just don't feel right. like you said, if you need more than a couple shots you got one of 2 problems: either you're a terrible shot and 9 more rounds won't help, or there are so many badguys that you're screwed anyways.

TL, you can get tactical shotguns that really aren't that long. that's what i would recommend b/c they're powerful, you don't have to be a great shot, and if you don't want to shoot anybody when the time comes, just chocking the pump on the shotgun will make a badguy piss his pants. also if you want to load it, forget it, and it work when you need it go with a revolver... others will tell you differently, and they'll have valid points, but to me a revolvers the way to go...

[Wadi66]

IHL, what happens when you run out of ammo?? I like my SKS.

[IHL]

IHL, what happens when you run out of ammo?? Well, I have 6 magazines and can reload in about 2.5 seconds. And, on my .40 I can hold 12 in a mag. If I need more than 12, I might as put the 12th one in my own head.

But hey, nothing wrong with an SKS. Although I'd probably go AR-15 myself.

TL, a tactical shotgun - meaning it is a shorter barrel than one would have on a hunting gun - is not a bad choice. Hell, by 'em both.

I would have bought a 1911 except I think my wife will be buying one of those eventually. I still wouldn't mind having one for my collection. They are great guns. I can't disagree with anyone that likes a 1911.

Here is a fun thought. If you look at the picture of my new gun, there is rail just under the barrel that is use to slide on accessories like a light or a laser sight. Want to scare a bad buy. Light up his chest in the middle of the night with a red laser dot.

[Topiary Lady]

Thankyou everyone. It's a lot of info to absorb.

Mr. Topiary and I have not really wanted a gun in the past. We've just been talking about it because of our backyard intruder. So far no one has tried to get into the house, but at the same time, nothing has been stolen from the yard. There's plenty out there to take, but nothing has even been moved. So I guess I have to question weather or not I should be worried to the point of buying a gun. Right now Mr. T says if he catches the guy he's going to hang him upside down in the gazebo and beat him like a pinata with the shovel. I guess Home Depot will have to be sued for that.

You may be right IHL, it would be best if we went to a gun shop sometime just to check things out. Honestly, I'm a little intimidated by guns and that is a concern since I do think it's necessary to be comfortable handling something like that in order to use it well. I won't run out and buy one today (actually I won't be doing any running since I broke my toe last night) but will consider all of the advice given here.

For now we will install some motion activated lights in the back and try and figure out what the heck is going on out there. God help the poor sucker if Mr. T gets his hands on him. Mr. T is not a small man.

Hmm....that laser dot on some intruders chest does sound fun though IHL!

[Wadi66]

A good way to get over the fear of guns is to shoot one. Don't know about your area, but here, gun ranges rent guns to shoot at their range. Lets you get a feel for them without purchasing one.

[Topiary Lady]

A good way to get over the fear of guns is to shoot one. Don't know about your area, but here, gun ranges rent guns to shoot at their range. Lets you get a feel for them without purchasing one.

That's a great idea Wadi. I'm not sure about my area either. In So cal. I think guns are taboo, sort of like cigarettes.

I'll check it out though.

[Mr. Glass]

For home protection, I gotta say, EVERY criminal knows the sound of a 12 guage pump action racking up to fire.

And if you want something you can point and shoot in the dark, and as you put it... I think...blow someones head off.. a 12ga is hard to beat.

Pistols are great, but they take training and practice, they're point and shoot of course, but a shotgun shell has more coverage. You can, buy snake shot rounds for pistols. They're like a tiny shotgun shell for your pistol... I dont think they'd stop anyone tho, just piss 'em off.

A long rifle for spontaneous home defense / self protection is impratical, but a little .22 rifle is cheap and fun to shoot. If you get into guns, it's always nice to have a few to take out with you when you go to the range.

anyways that's my 2¢

(oh, I have an AR-15, a .375 magnum, a 410/22 over-under shotgun, and a lttle 22 savage pump action rifle, they're all fun, but the .357 is the only thing I personally own I'd conceider for protection. A 12ga shotty would be my ideal)

Chicks with guns are cool. Unless they're Ann Coulter :tongue:

-Doug

[IHL]

Ann Coulter with a gun? HOT!!

http://www.anncoulter.org/phpBB2/templates/Cobalt/images/logo_phpbb.jpg

[14edsullivan]

From what ive found...and been told (cop family, cop parents,.cop friends)...nothing beats a .45, you get shot with a .45 you are not getting back up...period. Though a .45 is a potent round, and its a auto round. For a woman...and for a "nightstand" type gun...i woudl go with the .357/.38 revlover. as far as shotguns goe...i wouldnt go downt that road. 12 gauges are hard to handle, and all this fire once n it fills a hallway is CRAP abslute crap. you still have to aim...at 10 feet or so the spread even on a 18 inch barrell with a IC choke is still onle about a mellon...or in a lot of cases...a sofball...but if you feel you can handle a 12..00B will also drop a man like nothing...but tis a long gun...and is hard to handle.

my 2 cents

[short circut]

what about one of those taser guns like the police use

[HOKIEHUNTER]

tasers are not always effective, you have to be reasonably close to someone to use it effectively, and people can get up from a taser. when someone is messing with me or my family, he forfeits his right to life. i'm gonna save the american people a lot of money and take him down easy. If the guy comes into your house TL and you do have a shotty, etc., you still really have to be "reasonably sure" his intent is malicious. it's more liberal BS, but if a man comes into your house, says he's gonna kill you, no one else hears it, and you blow him wide open, some liberal bastard is gonna try take your money and give it to his family. If you hold up the gun, he turns and runs and you open him up, they'll put you in jail in a heartbeat b/c we have damn libs who will say, "he was doin all he could to help his family. it's all big business, the president, and the gun owners fault. my client was a victim." you're right to defend yourself is very limited, but if he comes in, keeps coming despite warnings, turn him into a jelly head...
if you're not sure about the gun at the time, buy some pepperspray. you can spray the hell outta this guy just being on your lawn and not get in trouble. the only problem with spray is that you better not be downwind... when i start to carry i'm gonna have spray backed up with a .357 or .45. If you spray first you can get out of just about any court situation...

[short circut]

well the aser guns always seemed to be effective on tv. but anyways if you live alone go with a shoit gun because you dont have to worry about stray pellets hitting other people if you live with other people get a hand gun wit big bullets. the easier to shoot the better.

[Madcowhunter]

I might as well be trying to read greek here. .35, .45 ??? If someone is really not interested in guns, but wants to have one to say, blow someones head off if they break into their house, then what should they get?

I'm thinking of something that is not terribly complicated. Also what can someone expect to pay for this and how long would it take to learn to properly use it?

.50 cal :biggrin:

Get the Smith and Wesson .50 caliber Revolver :biggrin:
................................ Or nun chucks, they're pretty sweet.

[HOKIEHUNTER]

i'm pretty good with a bowstaff...

the .50 S&W is a heck of a gun, but really impractical and would probably do more damage to TL than to the badguy (break her wrist, wallet, and likely her forehead when the gun recoiled into it)...

[shotdrops286]

http://www.mkssupply.com/

they have solid cheap handguns that are 100% made in the USA

.45's run about $180 here as opposed to 600+

[HOKIEHUNTER]

maybe, but in guns you definetly get what you pay for. for about $180-200 you can get a Rem 870 pump shotgun (its long but you can get tactical conversion kits that shorten it) that will be the most effective. If you have no experience and even a little fear of guns, starting out with a .45 is not a good idea. It is more likely to scare you away than it is to encouarge you. I would honestly and truthfully recommend for your situation a shotgun. If you want a handgun, the most suited to your level of experience would be a .357 magnum. You should start of shooting .38 special bullets. then graduate to .38 special +P or +P+. after that go to the .357 magnum bullets. once you're comfortable with .357 mag, you can graduate to guns like the .454 cassul, or .50 S&W. to let you understand in terms of power, a .38 special is pretty much the equivalent of a 9mm, and a .357 mag is more powerful than a .45 ACP. a .357 revolver will give you the flexibilty to learn, and if you decide you don't like it, you can always sell it. there is a high demand for .357's, but most people I know end up with about 3 or 4 of them. for a pure beginer, guys, you gotta admit she needs to start small and work her way up. TL, you'll find if you go to a range and shoot a .357 with both .38 special and .357 that you'll like the .38 special a lot mor eto begin with. Having shot the .357 you'll be intrigued though and want to build up to it. a neat trick to do with a .357 is to load the wheel with 5 .38 sp. bullets and one .357. give the wheel a nice spin and then close the wheel without seeing where the .357 bullet is. you'll get used to shooting the .38 and then the .357 will come around, catch you off gaurd, but instead of being skiddish of the round you'll be using the same techniques you learned with all the .38 rounds. this will help you develop tremendously. if you shoot a .380 or a 9mm, i'm sure you'll enjoy them too, but none have the versatility of a .357 revolver.
if you do wanna look into a .357 mag, start out looking (to test fire) for a Smith & Wesson 686, or a Ruger GP100 with a 3-6" barrel. while these aren't the most beautiful revolvers, they are the most rugged and longest lasting. i have a feeling you will not be disappointed and will thoroughly enjoy shooting a revolver.

[IHL]

TL, I told you you'd get a lot of replies on this.


...nothing beats a .45, you get shot with a .45 you are not getting back up...period. Though a .45 is a potent round, and its a auto round. Actually, plenty of stuff beats a .45, it depends on a lot of variable. Gun barrel length, type of bullet, type of powder, etc. I .357 magnum will certainly cause as much damage as a .45. by the way, the .45 is also available in a revolver.

Have enough to chew on TL? I would recommend you buy something. It feels good to have it in your house. Forget about the taser. If it comes to that, you don't want to hurt the guy, you want him dead. The deader the better.

Either way you go - just go out and shoot it until you are comfortable with it. It's the most important part.

[Topiary Lady]

Yeah, I think that's enough info. I feel dizzy over here.

We'll have a look on saturday. I like the idea of the smaller shotgun over a handgun. I can't say why, but it just seems less intimidating to me.

Really I'd just prefer that no one ever bothered me to the point where I'd want such a thing. However, this has happened to me in the past and unfortunatly Detective Dim-bulb was not very helpful and even suggested that the 5'2" mexican man that was standing on the other side of my bedroom window (and had also removed the lightbulb from my front porch light) was perhaps someone that was 'interested' in me or that I was dating. What's wrong with that? Well, I'm 5'9" for one thing. I respect law enforcement but I just don't want to rely completly on them should something really bad happen and someone gets into our home.

You all are having too much fun with those guns! I'd really rather spend the money on a cute new handbag.