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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My first recommendation is to get training gain the knowledge and some experience of handling, maintaining and using a firearm. Once they have a good idea of what they are doing I would then send them to a range and try a variety of firearms and find the one that feels most comfortable to use and handle as what works for me may not feel right in the hands of someone else. There is no one size fits all solution for everyone.
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He/She should go to a range that rents handguns, ask to hold each gun they have. Rent the ones that feel comfortable. Shoot each and see if one is good. That’s the one, after purchasing he/she needs some training.
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" made his informed choice to purchase and keep a firearm for home defense" but has he made an informed decision about how to defend is home. At least a basic course in firearm safety. We went through it in basic training , many shops have free classes to get started. Most if not free are fairly inexpensive. Its the cost that should not be a deciding factor, it may just teach you how to save a life. A class would probably help in deciding what to get also.
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I recommend a 12 GA shotgun. Can't miss, won't pernitrate walls and if you do miss you'll scare the shit out of the intruder.
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With #4 shot the pattern is pretty dispersed in 15 feet. With OOO Buck shot in the 3" shell you get five .35 cal. lead pellets that stay in a tight enough pattern out to 25 yards. There are four OOO Buck pellets in the 2 1/2 shells.
The Taurus "Judge" holds five rounds, and I carry the first chamber loaded with the #4 shot, three chambers with Buck shot, and the fifth chamber with a .45 long colt in my truck gun.
The Taurus "Judge" holds five rounds, and I carry the first chamber loaded with the #4 shot, three chambers with Buck shot, and the fifth chamber with a .45 long colt in my truck gun.
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I teach the concealed carry course and I would recommend what I do to my student. Don't buy a firearm until you have taken your class. A good instructor will afford you the opportunity to sample different calibers and types of firearms. The right firearms depends on the individual buying a caliber that is too large can take the fun out of shooting. Buy something you are comfortable shooting and shoot often enough to stay proficient. While a .22lr is too small for self defense everyone should own one and use it to develop their skills at a reasonable cost.
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SPC Michael Tierney
You can teach someone to handle a gun safely and maybe how to shoot accurately but you can't teach them how to remain calm under intense pressure or fear. Nor how to react when overcome with adrenaline. All gun advocates seem to forget these factors in public safety. Anyone who remembers their first time under hostile fire can attest to the fact that members of their unit panicked. Cops seem well trained in shooting but not in managing stressful situations. I am all for someone shooting at an intruder but I don't want these people on the street with a gun. They are dangerous and they don't even know it.
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1LT Richard Ellison
SPC Michael Tierney - Their is some truth to what you say. I am not in favor of the suspension of the 2d Amendment due to your irrational fears.
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SPC Michael Tierney
1LT Richard Ellison why would you jump to a ridiculous conclusion that anything I said included suspension of the 2nd?
Maybe you favor giving everyone a gun when they turn 12 or 18 or? I don’t think anything in the amendment mentioned age. It didn’t mention an M-79 or M-60 either.
Maybe you favor giving everyone a gun when they turn 12 or 18 or? I don’t think anything in the amendment mentioned age. It didn’t mention an M-79 or M-60 either.
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Honestly, I was torn between the Judge and S&W 629 .44. I wanted something for home defense and backcountry hiking. The .45 Long Colt has a punch and I let the salesman talk me into my number two choice.
In my experience go to a shop with its own range that let's you rent firearms you'd like to purchase. I'm the case of the Judge compared to my now 629 the Judge balance is off. The weight is way out front with a small grip. There's also a lot of space between the cylinder and frame. Thought I was shooting an old black powder pistol with the powder residue on my hands the 629 on the other hand is fun to shoot, great balance, and surprising easier to control.
Now, I wouldn't be running around clearing the house with a 6 1/2 barrel pistol. My point is taking the time and researching better, or shooting both first would have saved me from purchasing two handguns. Then again not sure if that's a bad thing
In my experience go to a shop with its own range that let's you rent firearms you'd like to purchase. I'm the case of the Judge compared to my now 629 the Judge balance is off. The weight is way out front with a small grip. There's also a lot of space between the cylinder and frame. Thought I was shooting an old black powder pistol with the powder residue on my hands the 629 on the other hand is fun to shoot, great balance, and surprising easier to control.
Now, I wouldn't be running around clearing the house with a 6 1/2 barrel pistol. My point is taking the time and researching better, or shooting both first would have saved me from purchasing two handguns. Then again not sure if that's a bad thing
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