A few weapons and ammo questions

[crebralfix]

NO novice should be started on autoloaders if the gun might be required for serious business in the very near future...like tomorrow night or next week.

This is just wrong.

This is not rocket science and it certainly isn't all that difficult. If someone is too stupid to figure out the controls on a semi-auto, then they shouldn't have a weapon in the first place.

I guess I just didn't follow "the faith" and learned to shoot with a SIG P220...a heavy, double action semi-automatic in 45 ACP.

I speak for myself and several friends who also had no trouble with such weapons in an immediate defensive role.

 

[dfaugh]

Are frangible rounds legal for civilian use?
-How effective are frangible rounds for dropping a human?
I think tey're legal most places, check local (esp. CA) laws. But I definitely don't think they're the best choice for HD (results may be unpredictable)
What is your favorite caliber for home defense (and don't say 9mm I STRONGLY DISLIKE 9MM)
12 gauge 00Buck
What is your favorite gun type (autoloader, revolver, pump shotgun, etc)
For HD, shotgun, with a carbine/"assault" rifle as backup
What is your favorite bullet type for home defense (hollow point, hydrashok, FMJ, etc)

00 buck in the shot gun would always be my first choice--you're slinging multiple .32 caliber pellets (9 to15), at handgun velocities. For your wife, there are reduced recoil loads to try.

Something no one else has mentioned, is a Hi-Point Carbine. I've taught alot of people to shoot with mine, and they all think its pretty neat. Lightweight, maneuverable and almost no recoil. I keep a magazine full of +P+ Black Talons (9mm) at the ready. But they now have a .40 out and supposedely a .45 soon, although frankly I don't see a huge advantage of my 9mm w/ good ammo. With either a pistol, or pistol caliber carbine, use good quality hollowpoints (I personally like Hydroshocks--I have the Black Talons because I got a few boxes cheap, way back, and they're +P+).

"Assault rifle"---whtever ammo I have. Have 2 SKSs, on a Yugo, the other an SKS-M (takes AK mags---pretty sure its illegal in CA, unless grandfathered). If I end up "falling back" as far as needing the rifle(s), well, I'm now in a serious (and unlikely) firefight. So whatever ammo I've got for them is what I'm gonna use. Usually have a few boxes of FMJ "plinking ammo" around.

 

[CDignition]

lol..poor guy asks for advice, but don't say 9mm cause he don't like it, and almost everyone said 9mm...too funny..

I would not go for .40 either..I dont like it as a HD round..too many KB risks and pressure spike problems...

I would go for .45 or .357 with 38 Spl for target...you should be able to train her with a 45 in no time..

I use a Yugoslavian AK in .223 with frangible rounds as my HD gun...they work very very well...and I dont need to worry about doing the neighbors harm either....

 

[Eleven Mike]

What is your favorite caliber for home defense (and don't say 9mm I STRONGLY DISLIKE 9MM)

Then don't ask.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

A .380 ACP maybe?

 

[Baba Louie]

For starting your wife out in the shooting sports I'd recommend a .22lr. Find a used Ruger MkII or even a Ruger Single Shot if handguns are OK by her. Plan on spending a couple hundred bucks. Find a good NRA certified instructor, take a class with her, let the instructor do the work while you both listen and learn and have fun. Make it fun. Noise and recoil are low.

There are other .22's available to you but will cost more thus depleting your available funds (which is why my initial recommendations are what they are, cheap ammo costs = lots of practice rounds downrange).

Once she has developed a positive apptitude w/ a good beginning level firearm begin your quest for the next level.

HD? You've now got a .22 which is almost adequate to stop most thoughtful human beings who don't relish the thought of being shot, but we're talking predator control within your domicile here and that means someone who's obviously not in their right mind (to my way of thinking).

Handgun? Again, a lightly used .38/.357 revolver... probably a Ruger DA or maybe a S&W (they usually cost a little more).

Shotgun? You can have a lot of fun shooting clay pigeons besides depending on it for HD. I like 20 ga. but 12 ga. will let you buy light (reduced) loads (I haven't really looked for light loads in 20 ga.). New or used, it's hard to go wrong with a Mossberg 500 series, Remington 870 or Winchester 1300... tho for HD you probably want a shorter barrel in the 18" - 20" range.

So now you could own 2 or maybe 3 firearms depending on your shopping which would be fun to own and shoot and are dependable for HD and within your alloted budget. Well, maybe not at CA prices. I hear things seem to cost more over there for some strange (State gov't perhaps?) reason.

I too, wonder what the reasoning is behind your dislike for 9mm but that's really neither here nor there. I have several and find them fun to shoot and cheap to feed. To each his own. But do keep an open mind should your wife decide that a 9 is fine. Just feed it the hi-quality JHP ammo and remember placement, placement, placement, practice, practice, practice.

And welcome to THR. Please post more as your story unfolds. Have your wife visit Pax's website http://www.corneredcat.com/ and read Pax's pearls of wisdom.

 

[Brian Williams]

Thecorneredcat.com
Have your wife and you check it out.

You said no 9mm, then you have to drop the 38s and 357s because they are basically 9mms. You are trying to get a handgun that your wife will use and then limit one of the common SD/HD rounds. Quit trying to get your wife a gun get her on here and have here learn and select her own.

My choice is a S&W model 10 3" or 4" both with a heavy barrel.
other than that, she should do the searching.

http://www.corneredcat.com/ is her friend.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

No 9mils! Well, you have narrowed your choices. I would say the 40 S & W. I personally use for self defense Speer Gold Dot's. For your wife I might suggest a Bersa Thunder .380. Good little handgun and nicely priced.

 

[Axman]

I'm still kinda curious as to the "No 9mm"! What's the problem with them?

 

[Gord]

OP, your problem is this: your wife is really limiting your choices until you (and we) know more.

You need to take her shooting - borrow some guns from a friend, go to a range that rents 'em, something - and see how she reacts. If at all possible, take examples from all major calibers - 9mm, .40, .45 and .38/.357.

If your wife doesn't mind the .40 or the .45, you're set. If she doesn't like any of 'em, well... that makes things a bit more difficult. It may be (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) that she may just "have to deal" in a home defense situation if you can't find anything she's comfortable shooting.

You also can't force her to "like" guns - if she doesn't even want to practice with a .22, it's kind of a moot point and she'll once again just "have to deal." (Before anyone pounces on me, I'd be saying the same thing if Wifey liked guns and Hubby didn't - get what the one who's doing the shooting wants.)

 

[Smite]

Sorry for the interruption, but to the creator of the post, are you with MALS-39 out here in pendleton?

Or down in Miramar.

Saw that you had Marine aviation logistics, which is where I'm at right now.

 

[fattsgalore]

All your needs

Well for an all around gun and caliber I'd say 9mm.(and yes i to dislike 9mm too) But for all of your requirements the 9 will fill them just fine. If your woman doesn't feel comfortable shooting a 9 she wont be comfortable shooting any thing. Ammo's cheap and recoil is very manageable.
What gun? Don't know. Truth is you could get a lemon from any company no mater how much you spend on the gun. I'm personally trying to get my sister to lean towards a Stroger Cougar 9mm for her first gun. If she doesn't, I will. Its a Beretta under another name for half the price. Check out gunsandammo.com for the article which got me sold on it. As for ammo i like Federal hydra-shocks for home defense. Would rather have a +p round if i ever got into real combat though. Worth mentioning, CorBon makes excellent ammo expensive though.

PS I'm a big fan of the .40 cal. Thats what i personally carry. It's just a mean little cartridge. And the Stroger comes in .40 cal also.

 

[tnieto2004]

.380 for your wife and a .40 S&W for you .. home defense use a Remington 870 shotgun .. I think that will be enough ..


Why do people disslike 9mm .. its a very good choice in my opinion..