home defense gun choices?

[Tnstratofam]

We have a couple of local gun stores that have indoor firing ranges. They both offer to let you rent any of the firearms they sell to try out before purchase. Maybe you could find a store local to you all that offers something similar that way you and your wife could compare different models. It could also be a good way to get a feel for different brands of ammo fired through the weapons. Might be worth checking out anyway.:noidea:

I will say that my wife and I both like the way our Ruger SR9 9mm fires and handles. I know it's not a 380, but it is a fine pistol with a compact version available.

 

[64osby]

The Admiral has really small hands and I have large hands. For that reason we have 2 pistols, a S & W 642 (5 shot 38 special) and a Beretta Model 96 (40 Cal).

A pistol has to fit your hand to shoot straight and be comfortable IMO. That is why we have two in the house. My .02.

 

[jrttoday]

Or burn down your house. Very bad idea, IMO.:target:

shooting inside your house is never a good scenario. Blood, guts, dead bodies, bullet holes - as long as those I care about and self come out unscathed.... tell me anyone here feels any differently.

 

[bonz_d]

Talking with my brother and going to go fire his Taurus PT92. There are a good number of ranges nearby as well as stores.

Both the wife and I have about the same size hand and I do have small hands. Wear a size medium cadet golf glove. When I had the S&W Model 19 I had large Target grips on it and I could control it very well and it felt good but when I loaded it up with 357 hot loads it would get a little loose in my grip when firing DA rapid fire.

There are many solutions to the question that will fill the bill. Wife has stated that she prefers an auto over a revolver and doesn't like the idea of a shot gun. I have no preference.

From the shooting that I've done in the past I agree whole heartedly that in order to be able to hit a target first you have to have confidence in the weapon and your ability to control it while not having it control you. Next the weapon should fit so that it becomes easier to naturally acquire a target quickly. In a stressed situation the last thing one wants to do is to be fumbling with the weapon.

 

[jrttoday]

fumbling... exactly! or searching, I have a variety of guns and other weapons placed a strategically about. Locked and loaded - meaning one in the chamber. It's just me around here so I'm not worried about someone else making a mistake. If you break-in here, you'd better bring a box... because that's what you'll be leaving in. Referring to a flair gun, just saying do what you gotta do.
My hope is that none of us ever.....
Gotta watch your back these days... and no fear

 

[southkogs]

I like my Taurus (PT24/7 9mm) well enough, but it's a bit "clunky" feeling and I still struggle to get real tight groupings with it. I'm not off target for defensive shooting, but I used to compete with a Glock 23C and I could keep that gun REAL tight (had to give it up years ago). The Taurus isn't quite that smooth.

I've got a friend who's got a Bersa .380 that seemed like a nice gun to shoot.

 

[bonz_d]

I've got a friend who's got a Bersa .380 that seemed like a nice gun to shoot.

Was watching some load testing videos the other day and they were using Bersa Thunder 380. Looks like an interesting gun.

I like the longer barrel, almost 4", of the Beretta and Browning and the mid-size frame which I think will fit our hands better which is why those are of my interest.
Also the Beretta has 2 models, the 84 and 85. The 84 is a double stack 13 round and the 85 is a single stack with a little thinner grip. These are also a bit heavier than the compac's most carry so I'm thinking this will also reduce recoil.

Also my thinking is that with a light recoil she will feel more comfortable and confident more quickly and want to shoot more often. Then we can think of moving up to a 9mm with hotter loads.

 

[gm280]

Was watching some load testing videos the other day and they were using Bersa Thunder 380. Looks like an interesting gun.

I like the longer barrel, almost 4", of the Beretta and Browning and the mid-size frame which I think will fit our hands better which is why those are of my interest.
Also the Beretta has 2 models, the 84 and 85. The 84 is a double stack 13 round and the 85 is a single stack with a little thinner grip. These are also a bit heavier than the compac's most carry so I'm thinking this will also reduce recoil.

Also my thinking is that with a light recoil she will feel more comfortable and confident more quickly and want to shoot more often. Then we can think of moving up to a 9mm with hotter loads.

bonz_d, you hit on a very interesting issue with guns. I have introduced so many folks that were afraid of guns for a lot of reasons. And I started with 22 rim fires guns for their first try. And once then were comfortable shooting the 22 rounds, I went up to some very light loaded (I hand load everything but 22's) 38 special rounds. They seem to enjoy them as well, then on to some standard load 9mm's. And again they like shooting them as well.

That is usually where I stop unless they ask to shoot anything more powerful. But I caution folks to not push the heavier stuff with first time shooters. Let them work into such guns as they gain more confidence in their abilities. And every person I started with like to shoot after my procedure. In fact, they went and bought their own gun(s) and started shooting regularly.

So folks that could be on the edge about guns were introduced to them in a nice controlled fashion and like them so much they are now pro gun folks that shoot regularly. How can you ask for more? :noidea:

Too many times gun folks take they 357 mag or even 44 mag or even 12 gauge 3" rounds or even their 3006 rifle and hand it to non-gun folks and they pull off one round and are finished forever because of a stupid introduction technique. Save the powerful stuff for some other day and go light. It does make a real difference. Dirty Harry techniques is not the way to introduce new folks to the shooting industry. JMHO!

 

[southkogs]

So bonz, sounds like this is a little more about havin' a good range gun that'll double for defense at home?

Frankly - and I think it's been said before in the topic - the good range gun is the one you enjoy shootin'. Like I said earlier, I'm not nuts about the action of a Beretta but if you find 'em comfortable to hold and shoot there are lots of other folks who live and die by 'em (nearly literally). Nothing wrong with Browning either, I have just never found the Hi Power stuff comfortable (even though I like 1911 style).

Regarding double stack vs. singe - I remember when I bought my Taurus. 16+1 in 9mm and it came with an extra mag. I was looking at carry holsters, and for some reason I got it in my head to look for one that would hold an extra mag. About a week into it, it suddenly hit me ... 33 rounds? What on earth am I expecting?

For a range gun ... go for comfortable and fun. I wouldn't worry about caliber or capacity.

 

[bonz_d]

So bonz, sounds like this is a little more about havin' a good range gun that'll double for defense at home?

Yeup, but don't tell her that! :embarassed:

 

[GA_Boater]

Regarding double stack vs. singe - I remember when I bought my Taurus. 16+1 in 9mm and it came with an extra mag. I was looking at carry holsters, and for some reason I got it in my head to look for one that would hold an extra mag. About a week into it, it suddenly hit me ... 33 rounds? What on earth am I expecting?

The Zombie Apocalypse! You know it's coming.

 

[WIMUSKY]

So bonz, sounds like this is a little more about havin' a good range gun that'll double for defense at home?

Yeup, but don't tell her that! :embarassed:

When we moved up nort', I bought my wife a Ruger Mark II target pistol, .22, as a house warming gift.....

 

[southkogs]

When we moved up nort', I bought my wife a Ruger Mark II target pistol, .22

My favorite gun at the range ... I did a little bullseye shooting with my Ruger and had ball with that. Now I just like shooting "Jason Bourne double taps" with the thing.

But oddly, until just lately it was cheaper to shoot my 9mm than my .22!

 

[bonz_d]

33 rounds can sure keep someone pinned down for a while. Again the "Stay away from me" line of thinking.

 

[gm280]

My favorite gun at the range ... I did a little bullseye shooting with my Ruger and had ball with that. Now I just like shooting "Jason Bourne double taps" with the thing.

But oddly, until just lately it was cheaper to shoot my 9mm than my .22!

I have to say you are correct with shooting 9mm's cheaper then 22's. Primers, which seriously have so little invested in them to make, have also gone through the roof. And I always wondered how hard it would be to set up a primer business these days. But even searching, you can't find much on how they are made or what type machines you need to get started. :noidea:

I have bought primers for $7 dollars a 1000 at one time. Not anymore...

 

[thumpar]

I get primers at about 3 cents each, powder at about 4 cents a round and bullet at about 8 cents. This is for 9mm. .223 is a little more but that is because of the extra powder needed.

For home safety I have 4 pistols and an AR in the bedroom. 2 .380 LCP customs, 9mm M&P, Glock 21 .45 and the 5.56 AR. 1 of the LCPs is with me at all times unless there are metal detectors.

 

[southkogs]

33 rounds can sure keep someone pinned down for a while. Again the "Stay away from me" line of thinking.

But that's defensive ... not range shooting. I've started carrying my LCP for defense, but that's certainly not gonna' be a fav at the range.

 

[bonz_d]

Watched a few more video reviews on the Bursa Thunder and my have to take a closer look at that.

Finding that the more I think of this the more I want to get back into pistol shooting and even reloading. Back then I had a single stage Bonanza press and hand measured all pistol loads on a RCBS 502 scale. At that time I had some very accurate loads worked up for the Model 19.
At one time my friends and I were out in the pit where they were sighting rifles for dear season on 6" water balloons at 150 yards. For grins I took a shot with my 4" Model 19 while one friend spotted in his scope. Surprised myself. Missed that balloon by 2" low and left with open sights.

At that time there was a indoor range we'd visit where we could shoot at timed targets which was also fun.

 

[20ft Senator]

With me being a rifleman, Long guns are second nature. So for home defense, I like a pump shotgun with 00 buck. Once the perp triggers my sensors, I'll be waiting! Besides, the pistol was made to fight your way to a rifle!

 

[gm280]

Watched a few more video reviews on the Bursa Thunder and my have to take a closer look at that.

Finding that the more I think of this the more I want to get back into pistol shooting and even reloading. Back then I had a single stage Bonanza press and hand measured all pistol loads on a RCBS 502 scale. At that time I had some very accurate loads worked up for the Model 19.
At one time my friends and I were out in the pit where they were sighting rifles for dear season on 6" water balloons at 150 yards. For grins I took a shot with my 4" Model 19 while one friend spotted in his scope. Surprised myself. Missed that balloon by 2" low and left with open sights.

At that time there was a indoor range we'd visit where we could shoot at timed targets which was also fun.

If folks only knew how much fun it is to reload ammo AND mold your own bullets, primers and powder would be even harder and more costly to buy. We started reloading and molding bullet before we got married because my wife's father (since passed) own a gun shop. So my wife and I made some extra money, that we really needed at that time, by molding and loading ammo for the police department. And I still do reload and mold. But only for our usage these days. :high5: