Which first gun to choose?

[newshooter_]

Hello, I hope this is the correct forum to post in.

I am a doctor at a planned parenthood clinic and have been receiving threats lately from local religious groups. I have decided to get a concealed weapon permit but need some guidance on which handgun to choose. What do you carry, what is most comfortable, which calibers have the best defensive capabilities?

Due to the conservative nature of this board I am sure there are some strong opinions but please remember I am only here to learn about firearms.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[mnrivrat]

As to caliber - most agree that the minumum level of power to use is a .380 Auto cartridge. Also known as the 9mm Kurtz (short)

For carry the choices are as wide as the number of people on the board, but some of the highest marks for carry guns go to the small frame revolvers in .38 Spl. or .357 magnum but often carried with .38 Spl ammo in them if they are lighter guns. They are available in light weight versions and carry well no matter what method you use. I carry a small frame Taurus, most will recommend the J frame Smith & Wesson and they are most popular.

In the automatic dept, there is a wide range of compact and sub compact guns in calibers ranging up to .45 ACP . Most will carry a 9mm in a compact auto of some nature, 40S&W and .45 ACP are also popular but often are carried in guns that are of a little larger size as the recoil is more significant in those chamberings.

That is my overview - details abound , and some local shop research is always a good thing. Particularly if you have a range close by where you can try out some of the choices. At any gun shop you can also spend a little time fondling the choices , asking questions, and trying to figure out what fits you the best. Type of carry , ergonomics, and personal preferences, will drive your decision as much as anything else. Good Luck and welcome to THR

 

[CWL]

Welcome to THR! To decrease the non-gun chatter, I suggest that you edit your post to remove your reasons for wanting a permit & gun. You are here to discuss firearms and self-defense, that's good enough. If you don't judge us ('conservative nature of this board'), we won't judge you. Agreed?

First off, don't get caught-up in calibers and 'magic bullets', it is constant practice that gives the skills (as a MD, you should understand this.) It really is isn't the size of the bullet, but proper placement of any bullet that will stop an attack. I suggest that you spend some time reading existing postings as you are asking the same basic question newbies ask.

If you have no experience with firearms, then just buying and carrying a gun isn't enough. The reality is that pistol or caliber matters very little in self-defense shootings. What matters most is where you hit the target in order to stop the attack. You can buy some exotic hand-cannon shooting huge bullets, but if you can't hit the target because of recoil, it is useless for self defense.

With that said, probably any caliber from .380, 9mm, .40SW, .357SIG, .357 Magnum and .45ACP will do. Choice is solely up to you. Choose a gun that fits your hands, don't only rely on what a salesman says. Then buy any good brand of JHP bullets to shoot them in. In your case maybe a polymer gun like Springfield XD, S&W M&P or Glock may be good choices as they are dependable firearms that are low maintenance & easy to operate. For steel guns, Kahr makes a good thin pistol, SIG is also a good gun as are CZ, HK, Beretta...but try to stay away from guns with manual safeties unless you spend a lot of time practicing at the range.

Once you own a gun, that's the easy part. Now you need to spend time & money getting professional training. Not just "basic safety" training, but serious self defense tactical training. The training & practice are what will save your life, not the gun itself.

Hope that is a start, wish you luck.

 

[TwitchALot]

All of this is up to you. A good gun for one person might not be good for another. And as mentioned, self-defense doesn't start with the gun- it starts with you. It sounds like you're fairly new to firearms (if you're not, my mistake), so I'd suggest you start here. A lot of the basic things you need to know are written very well on that site, and I'd suggest you look at it carefully. Using a gun is surprisingly easy. Using it well... well that's harder, if not hard. Train, train, train, and train. And then train some more. If, heaven forbid, you need to use your firearm, don't expect to rise up to the occasion, and don't expect to be at your best. And perhaps most importantly, don't expect that getting a gun will make you safer, either. A gun is just a tool. Remember that. Good luck in your ventures.

 

[jgo296]

well youll get the go to a range that rents guns about a million times but it really is a good idea
id tell you to look into a glock 26 or glock 19

 

[RyanM]

Definitely try to find a range that rents. A gun store with an attached range would be ideal.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

If you are not willing to make the commitment to get some practical training and then actually go out and practice with what ever firearm you purchase then I would suggest you rethink the desire to carry a concealed weapon.

 

[jgo296]

you being a doctor with your oath and all
dont you have to start saving them as soon as youve shot them?

 

[Colt46]

Welcome to the high road

First off get to a gunshop or range and sign up for a few intro classes. Become familiar with the various types of handgun. Settle for a gun that you can shoot comfortably. New or used doesn't really matter. Revolvers are simple, effective and easier to pick up than most semi-autos. Make certain that you live/work in an environment that you can safely store the weapon when not on you. Quality defensive ammo is a must. Some kind of illumination is a must as there is a very good chance things will go bump in the night.
Good luck. Hope that you never need to use it.

 

[Educated Hillbilly]

you being a doctor with your oath and all
dont you have to start saving them as soon as youve shot them?

Wouldn't you?
As soon as I have assessed that the threat is ended I would then call for an ambulance and start doing whatever I could to save their life, regardless of whether or not they were trying to take mine.

Also welcome to THR newshooter. Life everyone has said find something that fits, you will carry daily at all times, get training, and stay aware.

 

[El Tejon]

Welcome to THR!

new, keep a few things in mind:

1. The subjective is objective. What I like, you may detest.

Handle a bunch of pistols and see what works for you. There are so many variables at work that it is hard to make blanket recommendations.

Go to a rental range or have a buddy take you shooting.

2. One is none, two is one, three is even better.

All guns break. Find one you like and buy multiple copies.

3. Handguns are not comfortable, but comforting.

Buy a good belt and good holster. Guys spend a bunch of money on a pistol but go with some feckless holster. Lots of good makers now.

4. It's cool to go to school.

A single professional training class is an eye opener and puts you head and shoulders above 90% of the police and 95% of the gun owning community. This will allow your software to choose your hardware. As well, the more you train, less likely you will get in a fight.

 

[Furncliff]

Asking "which first gun to choose?" is like asking what's the best beer. Self defense with a gun requires training. Start there. The choice of weapon will be easy after that.

 

[Cosmoline]

In your situation there's more than a theoretical danger. I'd STRONGLY suggest you get training first and foremost. The cost will pay off big time int he long run. You should also have an opportunity to shoot a selection of small arms to see what suits you best. Hands, fingers, arms, body shapes, etc. are all different so what works great for me may not for you. The good news is there's a huge selection. Don't be overly prejudiced by the need for ft. lbs. or firepower. The first rule is to have a gun, the second to have a gun you can deploy faster than the other fellow. So use what you're most comfortable with.

Tactical training isn't always practical or possible, nor is it all that critical if you're just putzing around for fun and have mentoring from other shooters. But if you're really dealing with live and dangerous threats from human men, I think it's worth the $$.

Secondly, if the threat extends to your home I'd strongly advise looking into a long gun for home defense. The purpose of the short gun is CCW only. Do not rely on it for addressing a real, determined and lethal threat in your home. The shotgun or carbine will give you a better chance of hitting and stopping the foe in those circumstances. Plus if memory serves the planned parenthood people have faced attacks at home as well as in the office.

And of course remember the Four Rules and know your jurisdiction's self defense and carry law well.

For myself I find an old fashioned Colt Detective Special in .38 special with T-grips and a hip-grip stock firing mid-weight LSWCHP loads is about the perfect CCW piece. It's heavy enough to absorb recoil but conceals in almost any situation. Pocket, IWB, shoulder, jacket, etc. But it takes some practice to get good with it.

 

[moe.ron]

If he has read all this and cought any of woofs "biased" thread he has probably been scared off and is now looking at tasers and pepper spray.

 

[Cosmoline]

Simple statement on moral grounds, my religion is important to me. Nuff said.

This is the sort of thing you need to keep to yourself. If you don't want to post, don't.

 

[ImARugerFan]

.45 ACP. Go to Gander Mountain and handle everything they have in this caliber. Select the one you like best. I'd lean toward a glock or Smith.

 

[Walkalong]

Welcome to THR.

The best advise has already been given. Go try different guns to see what you like and what you shoot well. Then get training and practice. AC

 

[pbearperry]

Maybe I am wrong,but I feel any Doctor that actually wants to arm himself should be embraced into the group.After all they are a rare breed.

 

[42]

whats with the can't help responses I thought people would welcome a shooter, and I echo the Try before you buy and training responses even though cannot legally carry or posses handguns because I live in the UK

 

[Justin]

A quick note:

This is a thread where someone has asked for help in getting armed and proficient.

It is not a place for you to make grandstanding political and moral statements about your religion or view on abortion.

If you have nothing to add to the discussion of helping someone with regard to CCW, don't post as you'll just end up having your post deleted.

For those of you who have been willing to help this man, thank you.

 

[tblt]

A good pocket gun is the new LCP.
I good I.T.W. gun would be a 38 ultra lite snub(revolver)
If you want an auto you could get a springfield EMP 9 , If you not on a budget which I don't think a doctor would be.Another small auto I would suggest is a KAHR PM 9.

 

[akodo]

First, a gun is NOT a magical talisman, and it can be quite difficult to use effectively in a stressful situation.

Second, get training.

Now, onto your questions. There are two major categories of handguns, pistols and revolvers.

For self defense revolvers, the smallest applicable chambering is 32 H&R mag, but that isn't very common, and is somewhat marginal. For the most part, it starts with 38 special and the goes up to 357 magnum. Here's the best part, IF you get a 357 magnum, you can shoot 38 specials with it is well. This means lower cost practice ammo and less kick.

For self defense pistols, the 'floor' is the 380 ACP, which is also called the 9mm short, aka 9x17mm (9mm diameter projectile 17mm long case.) The 'normal' 9mm, aka 9mm luger aka 9x19mm is a significant step up in power. A step up from that would be the 40 S&W, but these tend to hold a few less cartridges in the gun. A step up from the 40 S&W would be the .45 ACP, and again, you have less shots in the gun. Kick goes up with each of these.

Now, let me tell you something about guns that novices often don't realize right away. SMALL GUNS KICK HARDER THAN BIG GUNS. Most people tend to be tuned in to the emotional part of their brain, not the logical part, when handling guns or shopping for guns for the first time. But as a man of science, I am sure you can see that a gun's power comes from the gunpowder in the cartridge, not the actual gun. A gun simply directs a controlled explosion, and if you are going to have a controlled explosion in your hand, the more steel wrapped around it, the better!

The flip side of this is BIG GUNS FEEL LIKE BOAT ANCHORS IF YOU CARRY AROUND ALL DAY.

Taking that all into account, here's what I would suggest. And as a doctor, I am going to make the false assumption you have oodles of cash lying about your home.

Get 3 guns.

Get a .22LR revolver for practice, something like these two. It is the gun you will learn on.
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7802_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Ruger_Ruger__New_Bearcat__Singl.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/9924_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Taurus_Taurus_Firearms_94_Small_.aspx

Second, get a medium frame .357 revolver with a 4 to 6 inch barrel and adjustable sights. If you can, get stainless it will withstand your sweat better.
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7849_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Ruger_Ruger_GP_100__Double-Acti.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/item/7851_Hand_Guns_Pistols_Ruger_Ruger_GP_100__Double-Acti.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_686_Plus_R.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_Model_686_.aspx

Third, get yourself a small, light, snub nose handgun. This will be a real kick in the hands to shoot, but will be a joy to carry. Rely on .22LR for learning the basics, and the medium frame gun for truly potent shooting, as well as a home defense gun. Only shoot the little light gun just enough to get familiar with it, and then carry it. It would probably be better to carry the medium framed gun, but the truth is, most people don't because it is too heavy. You'd buy this light little snub nose after about 2 months of carrying the heavy medium frame gun around anyways.
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_329_Centen.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_MP_340_Rev.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_638_Airwei.aspx
http://www.thegunsource.com/store/i...s_Smith__Wesson_Smith__Wesson_642_Airwei.aspx

Note, many of these revolvers use titanium, scandium, or other specialty metals to stay quite light. Also, most don't have the hammer exposed, one less thing to snag on your pocket when you draw.

Get yourself a Gunvault http://www.gunvault.com/ for home storage. It won't stop a theif with a good crowbar and 30 minutes to spare, but it will keep the gun from smash and grab types, as well as out of the hands of children

Invest in a good belt and holster for your snubnose. There are many different types, but that is a quesion for another time.

I recommend the revolver for a beginner because it is such a versatile gun, it is intrinsically easy to understand, it is easy to see if it is loaded or unload, and it stands up to benign neglect better than anything else. No gun should ride around in a lint filled coat pocket for weeks on end, but the revolver seems to hold up better than semi autos in this regard.

 

[El Tejon]

The flip side of this is BIG GUNS FEEL LIKE BOAT ANCHORS IF YOU CARRY AROUND ALL DAY.

Not if you get a good belt and good holster. Besides I find the weight of my 1911 very reassuring.

 

[romma]

If I was receiving specific threats as you describe, I would definetely step up to at leas 9mm, .40 or.45...

Defensive hollow point ammunition to go with the new firearm.

Welcome to THR, stay safe!

 

[KBintheSLC]

There are good suggestions above.

First and foremost is training, no weapon will make you safer if you cannot apply it effectively.

Second, weapon choice. I personally prefer semi-autos for human encounters. I only carry a revolver in the wilderness where it is unlikely that I will be fired on.

Third, ammo choice. This is equally as important as gun choice. Don't buy a $600 gun, and fill it with bottom shelf Wally World specials.

That said, I would shop around a bit, rent a few guns, and pick what feels best to you.

I personally have a Glock 26 and a SigSauer P239 for carry... both are 9mm Luger. I use either Golden Saber or Gold Dot in 124gr +P. Both guns and both cartridges are excellent in my opinion.

Just get what you like, but don't go cheap with your guns or defensive ammo. Best of luck.