Wisdom on gun purchase please?

[Egon]

So be it then

Egon

 

[Richard]

Thanks for the additional replies. I'd hoped that this thread wouldn't evolve the way it has seemed to.

For that happening (and as the logical precursor, my initiating the thread) I'm sorry & apologize. I guess this topic is just too close to some peoples tender nerve /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif. I think if I pursue this further and need additional advice, I might put the post up WITH the request that any replies go via PM, and will also ask the moderators to lock the thread, so that if anyone cares to banter back/forth, it will at least, not be on something I started. It makes me feel responsible for that happening and I just want us to all get along & smell like diesel together /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I've been outside all day working & boating and am plumb worn out.

Just a couple comments to what I read above

.. yes, I'm fairly sure I could pull the trigger on someone if it was appearing the answer was "him or me (or myfamily)

I'd never be SURE until of course, I was in that situation, something I have always, and WILL always try to avoid. I'm a lover, not a fighter /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I don't envision EVER carrying a gun (presuming any of this comes to pass) outside of when I'm around here and more specifically, if I'm away from the house. (I also always have my cell phone with me) So other states, grocery... I wouldn't ever see that being an issue (again, IF this was to happen).

The guy at TVA is comeing out next week and we're going to visit the woods and he's going to finally outline exactly what he is looking to have done. I think I'll know more then.

With the banter this thread has caused, I'm not sure if I feel right in continuing my thoughts (publically). I was really looking for some pro's / con's to why shotgun or why pistol (or even what a 203 (made that up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) rifel is. You gotta understand I know nothing about the nomenclature of them. I can aim/fire one, but not necessarily understand all the models.

anyway, I DID take an appreciation to the comment about the pistol grip on a shotgun. I agree with the "cool" look, but after reading how impractical it is to hold, that comment has had the desired effect in me of educating me a bit on something to look out for, rather than something to pursue.

Well, since I've been on the lake most of the day, I need to go & shower. I'm probably sunburned however, I WAS wearing my Spongebob Squarepants rimmed hat, so I was under some cover WHILE looking /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif (at least that's what my wife said as she & everyone was laughing all day...hmm.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif)

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> "I'm not aware of anyone who made a conscious decision to be attacked, and therefore determined the appropriate time to have a firearm in their hand to defend against that attack" </font>

Charles Bronson... in the 'Death Wish' movies... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Ozarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was really looking for some pro's / con's to why shotgun or why pistol (or even what a 203 (made that up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) rifel is. You gotta understand I know nothing about the nomenclature of them. I can aim/fire one, but not necessarily understand all the models.)</font>

In your original post you said that you were contemplating getting both a shotgun and a pistol.....not that you wanted the pros/cons about why one or the other.

So if it is pros/cons you want, here goes. If you never anticipate using a firearm for any purpose other than home defense......you will never carry concealed anywhere.....then I believe the best choice for you is one of the pump shotguns designed for that purpose. It is unlikely that you will ever have to actually shoot anyone because the sound of chambering a round in a pump shotgun is often enough to make the bad guys wet their pants and give up.

Is IS easier to maneuver through the doorways and halls of a house with a handgun but you have to consider penetration of the round if it passes trough someone or if you miss. About the smallest handgun round that is considered suitable for self defense is the various versions of the .38/9MM and all of them will pass through sheet rock with enough power left to kill a loved one in another room.

Shotguns send round balls of lead at lower velocities than handgun rounds and they tend to loose a lot of velocity when passing through sheet rock. You might still hit someone in another room but, by the time the pellets have passed through two layers of sheet rock, it is unlikely that a fatal wound will result.

 

[Libertine]

Richard:

A few observations:

1) Best single weapon as several have mentioned: something like the Remington 870 with short barrel and magazine extension. Easy to load, clean and you need not be an expert shot to hit something in the heat of the moment. Also, it does not penetrate much (through walls etc).

2) Remember, if you wake up in the night and somebody is breaking/has broke in - you grab the gun in your nightstand, you're half asleep and they're pumped up with adreneline flowing. Let me repeat that, you're half asleep and they're pumped up. Think about it.

3) Best pistol: a 22 will kill someone IF you get them in the eye socket, a 45 will knock them down if you hit a large area of the body. Use a flat tipped bullet with concave shoulders - makes a nice messy hole. You can test the cal. & bullets you're planning to use by shooting a large mellon. You'll see what happens. Enough said.

4) Remember, you're not a hot shot gun fighter. Best run away if you can.

5) Best rifle: HK 91 (German made assault rifle). EXTREMELY accurate, reliable and much less kick (has bearings around the bolt to absorb some of the recoil). Shoots Nato ammo 7.65 (.308 cal). Hard on cases though if you plan on reloading. Dangerous to use in town though as you might hurt an innocent person as the bullets will penetrate walls.

6) Remember, you're not a hot shot gun fighter. Best run away if you can. Never have a weapon unless you're prepared to use it. And you better figure that one out ahead of time, not when confronting someone. Never threaten someone with a gun. Your mental attitude is the single most important thing for your survival. And, again, you better figure that one out ahead of time. Taking a life is serious business. So is risking your own.

JEH

PS If worse comes to worse, get a good book on how to butcher. The meat cooks off in the oven, the dried bones pound up to dust about the color of a gravel road.

 

[johnday]

Ozarker; The point about wall penetration is very valid. In my house, it's just my wife and myself, so at this point it's not an issue for us. Since it could be a concern, maybe the Glaser Safety Slugs should be used. I can't remember the exact specs on them, but it seems I remember they won't pass thru a typical wall. They expand completly with minimal penetration. These came out quite a while ago and Law Enforcement for the most part figured they were great in hostage situations.
As far as macho noises, I'll stick by my statement about pumpguns. I think you're assumming the bad guy might somehow be a "normal" person. Drugs and alchohol do wonders for ones bravado.
Johnday /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[johnday]

One more thing for you since you started this thread. Be aware that if you purchase a pistol [automatic] that some of them have difficulties in feeding certain rounds. Most of the military types prefer ball ammo. I also have a Walther PPK/S, in .380 that just hates anything but ball. With a hydroshok or similar hollowpoint, the rounds like to hangup on the feedramp. On that one ballammo is a must. I could get it taken care of, but I don't use it that much, .380 is bit marginal, so I just use the ball in it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MikePA]

You have 24 hours to edit your own post. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[TWINKLE_TOES]

<font color="blue"> I would definitely not do this work for the TVA. Let them hire someone else so you are not connected to this work in any way or you might incur your neighbor's wrath which is what you're trying to avoid.
</font>

Mike, excellent advice.

 

[johnday]

Mike; Is there something wrong with my post? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif