Posted on Feb 5, 2016
Which handgun would you recommend to someone with little or no firearms training or experience, for home protection?
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Let's eliminate the obvious. He has already been presented with the pros and cons of firearm ownership and the various arguments over the 2nd Amendment, and made his informed choice to purchase and keep a firearm for home defense. Of course I recommended that he obtain professional training in the proper maintenance and safe handling of whatever he purchases.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
Firearms and Guns
Firearms Sales
Home Defense
Concealed Carry
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 160
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I love my bersa. She's light, easy to handle, small, easy to clean, shoots well...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bersa_Thunder_380
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bersa_Thunder_380
Bersa Thunder 380 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Thunder 380 is a lightweight, relatively small semi-automatic pistol series chambered in the popular .380 ACP caliber made by Argentine firearms manufacturer Bersa, S.A.[1]
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SSG James Snider
Winner, Winner Chicken Diner! LOVED Mine also. Wish the Thunder was made in 9MM. The BP9CC is just not as nice.
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I recommend no firearm for someone with little or no training.
He should get an NRA sticker and put it on his door.
He should get an NRA sticker and put it on his door.
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Sgt Robert Hellyer
I would consider that a REALLY bad idea. Some of the baser sort look for those kinds of invitations to look for guns that they can use or sell....
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SGT Don Schaffer
God made man, Sam Colt made them equal. It's true that we live in a litigious world, but our founding fathers wanted each of our citizen/sovereign (s) the have the God-given right to self defense.
So telling that single mother living in a rough part of town the just go "buy an NRA sticker," might be the wrong answer
So telling that single mother living in a rough part of town the just go "buy an NRA sticker," might be the wrong answer
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SSG Paul Headlee
I was wondering why it took so long for someone to recommend this. A little dog who barks at unfamiliar sounds is what will give you the early warning you need, regardless of what you shoot. Its like PEWS only better because there are no sensors to lose, lol.
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SSG Paul Headlee
SGT Charlie L. Yeah but they make BIG crap piles in the yard. I usually find some I missed, the hard way, when I mow.
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No training would be the first thing to take care of. Now that this is out of the way, there are some questions that need answering. Does the individual have arthritis, weak wrist or fingers, limited mobility of the hand etc. If yes to some of these questions then maybe a semi auto is out and a revolver might be better. Caliber should also be considered for recoil or muzzle flip. Maybe a shotgun should be considered. Personally I would say a small .38 spc double action revolver. Until they become more familiar with weapons.
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I like handguns. I just find them more convenient, easier to handle, and easier to reload, than shotguns. If I had to choose one gun to bet my life on, it would be the H&K .45 USP. But since those are kind of spendy, and not everyone has my level of training and experience, I would recommend a revolver chambered in 357 or .38 +P, double action with no external hammer. I'd probably recommend Ruger or Taurus, perhaps S&W if price isn't an issue.
The ammo would depend on what the person is comfortable with, but it's going to be hollow-point or shot shells. (Shot shells with the understanding that they might not stop a perp with the first shot, so multiple shots might be required. But the shots aren't going to accidentally kill someone in the next room or house or apartment.)
The ammo would depend on what the person is comfortable with, but it's going to be hollow-point or shot shells. (Shot shells with the understanding that they might not stop a perp with the first shot, so multiple shots might be required. But the shots aren't going to accidentally kill someone in the next room or house or apartment.)
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For a beginner would recommend a Glock 19 or a Beretta M9A1, those 2 would be easiest to learn and shoot and can upgrade to something more powerful later on. Going to a local gun range they can help you choose the right weapon for your experience and needs.
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Glock 17 or 19 - 9mm. They are foolproof or civilian proof. I personally like the 1911s but those can get finicky at times for a novice. Plus ammo is more readily available everywhere.
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You have been given some good advice, here. I can add only one thing. When in the course of training, you should ask about using several different styles of firearms. Pistols, rifles, shotguns, etc., all of them should be tried on the range, if the place at which you are training will allow. If they do not, think about training someplace else, where they will let you use different types. Once you have "gotten the feel" of a wide variety of arms, see if there are any that seem more comfortable to you. There doesn't have to be any logic to it, just one or two that "feel right" as you use it/them. If you want to focus on handguns, try as many on the range as you will be allowed; a good range might have several, and a wide variety. Again, see if any seem like the "feel right." If any one of them does, then that's it. That's the answer to your question.
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SPC Michael Tierney
If more people went to a shooting range and had a person crank a target toward them slowly while they picked up their pistol and fired away, they would realize what a danger they would be to everyone if they had a pistol in public. And that is shooting at a paper target. Add the additional challenge of shooting at a person and then the rush of adrenaline and we really have an impending disaster. The old golf adage that you can teach a person to putt but not how to make a 3 foot putt to win the Masters pertains to shooting too.
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SSG Edward Tilton
SPC Michael Tierney - if, if if. THEY DON’t. They buy a gun and some shells and put it in a drawer. Almost none have ever used one in anger. The difference between a want and a need
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