Hello everyone, my name is David, or Dave I'm 21 (I'll be 22 in April), and I'm a college student who probably shouldn't be going to college. What I mean by saying that is I am taking out loans to go to college to study Sports and Exercise Science and while I enjoy my classes and am maintaining a good GPA, I find myself more interested in guns...mainly Ar-15's and semi-auto pistols. I currently do not own an actual gun (I've got air-soft, and airguns/pellet guns), but couldn't justify buying a gun when I have 40k+ in loans. I recently have changed my thought process and am hoping to make my first purchase soon... probably a semi-auto handgun. This is why I joined the thread, so I can get opinions, advice and hopefully save some money and frustration. I have a lot of 'knowledge' about pistols and ars'...(more so on pistols) but as I don't own any my opinions will probably fall on deaf ears. With that said I look forward to joining the discussions, and hope I can help some people. Guns I've fired - Sig P226 9mm, Springfield XDM 4.5" 9mm, S&W M&P 40 40S&W, Rock River Mid length .223 Ar-15, Remington 12 gauge shotgun(Not sure of the exact model), and multiple bolt and lever action rifles that are older than me of which manufacturers, calibers, and models I didn't know or bother to ask. If you've got any questions send me a message and as always stay safe.
 
Hello everyone, I finally joined the site after poking around for about a month.
My name is Scott and I live in Nebraska. The site has been very informative.
i recently got back into shooting because my son turned 8 and had expressed an interest in learning. So, I pulled out my OLD Marlin glenfield 60 and started remembering all the fun I used to have. I bought him a Cricket .22 And 1000 rounds of ammo, and headed to the local range. He smiled for a week!!! Anyway, I'm an army vet ( 87-93 ) and I can still shoot pretty well with the old iron sights. It was pretty hard to remember all the little drills we used to do to get our aim down, but the site has been a lot of help.
 
Men in a nutshell.

Hello...Texascoyotedog: Shooter, Sportman, Bubbasmith, Collector, Salty Dog, & Patriot.
Been an inactive member for sometime.
 
Hello

I am a new member. I favor long guns mostly and I am always looking for the next one to own. I look forward to learning and sharing information on this forum.

Bill
 
Thanks for all the information on this site. It has been a big help. I have enjoyed shooting sports and guns for several years. However, I just got in to reloading recently. Today I shot my first batch of reloads. I am pleased to report the gun survived, I survived (uninjured), and the bullets made holes in the paper. It was a good day.
 
Glock 27

Greetings, I am new to the High Road site but have been around life a long while. I love my glock 30, my compact xd 40 and excited about me new toy the glock 27. With the glock 27 I am seeking some suggestions about self defense JHP ammo for this gun that has a great terminal ballistic gelatin penetration. Any suggestions?

Thanks.
 
Well, since I've been a member for going on three years, I guess it's time to make my first post.:eek:
I'm an Army vet, 1967-70, my hobbies are military history and accumulating firearms. My wife and I live on a small farm with our horses, chickens and dogs.:)
Living in a rural area with a lot of woods and woodland creatures my choices in weaponry may be different than a city dweller, plus I'm an old fashioned kind of guy, so forgive me if I gravitate towards revolvers and double barrel shotguns.:D
 
Intro

Hi Everyone! I followed another new member here, and have been reading post after post. First let me say, this is a well rounded forum with polite members :) I might just have to settle in.

My name is Heather, and I grew up hunting and shooting. My Grandfather was Mounted Division, so I was well educated on the how's of gun safety along with accuracy. As an adult, I had no thoughts about owning one until my Husband decided he wanted to start shooting. I found myself in a very funny situation, him trying to teach me safety :what: After our first trip to the range, he changed his mindset :) I get to be right about somethings..lol

I had a recent incident that scared the bageezies out of me, so I'm in the process of deciding what to use for a ccw and how to wear it. So please share your thoughts and ideas!

Well, enough, I'm off for further reading!!

Heather
 
Hey Heather, welcome to the forum!!

Many smart people will respond, but a good thing for us to know is what guns you have experience with. And, start looking for a CCW class, and other training in your area.

Welcome.
 
Thanks for the welcome mcdonl :) I'm looking forward to the responses! I'm experienced with both pistols and revolvers (I don't really like revolvers but I can and will shoot them) along with rifles and shot guns. We own an AR, but I have yet to try it.

I have talked with our local shooting range and they do offer ccw classes 1 for in the home and 1 for outside the home, so signing up for the fist one.
 
I do like revolvers, so I'll tell you what I have chosen so far. For home defense, the old night stand gun, I have a 3" Ruger GP-100 which I generally keep loaded with 38spl +P ammo at home, but will shoot both 357 and 38spl at the range with it. There are lots of great choices in this power range both new and used.

My carry gun is a Smith & Wesson 642/442 snubbie which is a 38spl revolver. It is small enough to fit in my pants pocket with a pocket holster or I would guess a handbag. There is a fair amount of recoil and I am not a huge fan as far as shooting it. But I practice enough to be proficient at self defense distances (under 10 yds). It is not my choice just to shoot at the range.

In the semi-auto carry area, I would look at the Ruger LCP (380 ACP) for a small gun for easier concealment. I like the Ruger L9 if you want 9mm. I also like the Kahr brand of pistols, but I don't own any. I keep procrastinating. If I am concerned about my safety, I often will be carrying a Glock Model 23 (40 S&W) which is a bigger gun and harder to conceal. But it is more pleasurable to shoot at the range than any of the pocket sized revolvers or pistols. Many say negative things about Glocks, but they work every time and are reasonably accurate and easy to shoot.

I don't have lots of semi-auto centerfire handguns. I tend to have more choices with revolvers.

Welcome to the forum.
 
I think you are on the right track...

the big deal is only what you will decide is the best carry gun for you. If there is anyway you can try a goodly number of different types and calibers (sounds like you prefer semi-auto).

Keep in mind, there will be a compromise.... of course the 45 acp is the best for the ultimate situation... but the chances are I hope... that you will have to carry this gun around with you all or most of the time and never use it except at the range...

So, what I think is most important is find the handgun you are willing to carry always and from now on. (yes, you can change...but that is the idea)...
 
India, make sure you shoot one of those LCP (Or P3AT) before buying it. They are small and easy to conceal but pocket guns are not very comfortable to shoot and they are not that accurate out bast 7 yards or so... for me anyway.
 
I agree with mcdonl. Your choice will almost always be a compromise of size and power. Smaller the size and larger the caliber, the more unpleasant to shoot. But a carry gun is about protection, not comfort. It's business.

Shooting guns with a lot of recoil is a thrill (at first), but not so much fun for me. Yes, I own big caliber handguns for hunting or for whatever I feel like using them for.

The smallest caliber I think you should consider for self defense is 380 ACP in a pistol or 38spl in a revolver. I also don't have any particular problem with folks choosing a 22LR revolver for self defense.... something like the 3" Smith Model 63 (8-shot revolver) for the handbag. I keep hearing about problems with the Smith air weight M317. I am not recommending a 22LR handgun for self defense, but we all make choices based on our individual circumstance and unless the attacker is drug crazed, the 22 will probably work fine. You do have to choose your ammunition carefully for reliability however as rimfires tend to have more misfires.

I would not buy any Taurus handgun.

When you take your class, ask questions as to what others choose for self defense in terms of a holster and how they carry them. Some like a holster tucked inside their belt behind their back, but I am not a fan of that. After a lot of thought, I went with pocket carry even though for me it is slower to bring the weapon to bear, but more comfortable to carry and easier to conceal.

I went with a revolver because I like revolvers. But if you have a misfire, all you have to do is pull the trigger again versus clearing the chamber of a semi-auto. Simple operation in a time of crisis and no safety to fumble with. But Glocks don't have safeties.
 
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Hi, I'm new here from Illinois. This site looks like I can get some good info and advise. I'm glad to be here. Ruger and Savage are my favorites. Sincerely, Shoot James.
 
Welcome aboard! Can not believe you have not shot the AR yet!! Yes I know kinda hard to conceal!! Anyway you are already going to the range and if they rent pistols or let you shoot before you buy then I super strongly suggest you shoot before you buy. Some that look good hurt good to!! It is about accuracy and accuracy comes with familiarity and shooting. I have a weapon I can only shoot twice before I want my Momma due to many areas of my body turning blue. Have owned this wonderful looking piece of machinery for 3 years and have shot it 6 times on six different trips to a range. Guess what I am trying to convey is get something that fits you needs and does not take the fun ( or wind ) out of you.
 
Great forum! Signed up recently and have been reading ever since. Just shot trap and skeet for the first time with a friend's Browning over/under. I am hooked for life!
 
Hello to all, being new here, I have posted a brief Bio. Some of the things I missed are.. Member of BPOE, County Search and Rescue, and other org"s. sbs
 
I can't find the thread I was looking for now that I had to register 1st. The discussion was about 357 vs 44sp for home defense, as well as concealed carry. I have a 3" model 65 S&W 357, which I use for both. Actually, it was my 1st weapon when I was a Deputy Sheriff. I wanted something for duty, as well as home and concealed carry. It is stainless and a bit heavy for carring around either in my coat pocket, concealed holster, or waist band. I was debating whether a lighter, shorter, 44sp might be better for concealed carry. I do know that my 357 with hollow point Federal cartridges would probably stop a bear! After reading several comments about muzzle flash, concussion etc. I am still content to use this gun as my primary weapon for general purposes. The 2" Charter Arms 44sp is just not that much lighter, carries only 5 rounds, and though makes a bigger hole, I think the shock and splatter factor of the loads I am using carries the day for me. I would love to hear something about the 327 Federal loads and guns for concealed carry purposes.
 
Hey everyone, new member here. Ive been looking for a dicussion forum like this forever, now ive finally found it! My name is Joe, Im from Northwest Missouri and Ive been rifle hunting for years now. A friend of mine just recently got me into bowhunting so you will probably see me in that section from time to time asking for advice. Again, glad to be here.
 
Hey,

I am a 5 year Navy Veteran. I like all guns. My primary focus is in Assault Weapons and semi-auto pistols. I love Winchesters and pretty much all types of Cowboy guns. I am a fan of the "weird and obscure" as well. My most recent gun buy is the classic "Henry Survival Rifle" I think any gun that floats is wicked awsome.
 
Introduction

Hello all. I just wanted to drop by and introduce myself. Long time lurker, first time poster. Hopefully I can be additive to the forum with my limited knowledge. I am a long time shooter/hunter, but I have nowhere near the historical, gunsmith, or ballistic knowledge of the members here. It has been a real treat to read some of the posts from some of the more knowledgeable members. I am currently on a 4 year assignment to NYC, so none of my guns are actually with me at the moment. My safe is at my brother's home in Texas and all buying and shooting is limited to my trips back to Texas.
 
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