OT: Hand guns

[c.c.rider]

if you are buying a gun for self defense I recommend signing up for a point shooting class

~~ the instructor can guide you in buying the weapon that best suits your needs better than us

 

[Heloteshorn]

For what use? Is it for fun (plinking at targets)? Is it to carry for self defense? Is it for home defense?

For home defense, my wife has "the judge". It will also fire a 410 shotgun shell. In close quarters, with nervous hands, you won't miss an intruder.

Like others, I highly recommend you take a firearm safety/shooting course.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

For what use? Is it for fun (plinking at targets)? Is it to carry for self defense? Is it for home defense?
For home defense, my wife has "the judge". It will also fire a 410 shotgun shell. In close quarters, with nervous hands, you won't miss an intruder.

Like others, I highly recommend you take a firearm safety/shooting course.

It's for fun and self defense if need be but mostly for fun. I want something small and sexy.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

The Walther PPK that was used in some Bond films was 9mm. Look them up on a Google images search. I read all the books a couple years ago when a bi-centennial series came out. Glad I did.

They read far better than any of the movies come across as a film experience -- maybe that's just apples and oranges.

Fleming was a far better writer than I would have imagined.

Of note, the earlier firearms the Bond character used were no more than .25 caliber, not a large bullet at all.

Remember the books were written in the early 50s. Casino Royal, 1953 (the first).

Remember the scene in Thunderball when the pilot delivered the planes, landing under the sea, only to have his air hose cut (a means to get rid of him). In the book the scene is different.

The plane lands on the surface and does not sink. The pilot steps out of the cockpit onto the wing, carefully keeping his balance. And he has a most unusual witty thing in his mind to deliver to the gent coming towards him, having just stepped out of a boat alongside the landed plan. The scene reads like this... the pilot is Petacchi...

Fleming had come from a wealthy family, attended Eton, was a track star of sorts, good looking by face and build for the times, and (can't remember all the details, I have a full bio of him but it has been a while) was considered a trouble-maker by standards of the time, running around 'with women.' For Britain in the war he was Bond behind the desk, never serving in the field, in British intelligence. From there to his life at Goldeneye in Jamaica where he wrote the Bond stories it is interesting to see what was behind the Bond creation. He also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I purchased an old hardcover copy off eBay a while back. I believe the senior staff he worked for in intelligence went by code name R. Of course, in the Bond stories it is M.

Big Bond fan? Love spy movies! So mysterious and bad ass.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

Several of the gun ranges in and around Austin rent handguns to try out. That's always my advice, so you can find what fits your hand and what you feel most comfortable with.

Great advice! Will do!

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

If you're being economic, I suggest you look at the Taurus brand. The company took over a Beratta plant in Brazil and make a similar gun. It is a bit less expensive than comparable guns. As for using a handgun for practice, you can but an inexpensive .22 caliber and use that for target practice. The bullets are the least expensive and the gun has no recoil.

I don't want to spend over $500. Didn't realize guns were so $$$!

 

[Topstarr]

It's for fun and self defense if need be but mostly for fun. I want something small and sexy.

Then you purchase a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry Raptor II from the Kimber Custom Shop out of New York. 1911 45 $1,400.00.....yes I know

If you get a gun permit do not use a revolver to get the permit, because that would be the only gun you could carry. Use a automatic (magazine) like a 1911 to get the permit. Then you can carry any hand gun

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

Then you purchase a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry Raptor II from the Kimber Custom Shop out of New York. 1911 45 $1,400.00.....yes I knowIf you get a gun permit do not use a revolver to get the permit, because that would be the only gun you could carry. Use a automatic (magazine) like a 1911 to get the permit.

Okay...this owning a gun thing seems really expensive and complicated. How much do ammo run for a .380 or 9mm?

 

[mesoHorny]

Get an M&P shield 9mm. I bought one for my wife. It fits her hand great. Plenty of power and only costs around 450.00. Good luck finding one in stock but other than that its perfect.

I should add we bought it at Reds in Austin which has a great ladies night. I think its on Wednesdays. Only women allowed. Great service. Lots o f fun. We used the Reds in Oak Hill but there is another in Pflueger.

 

[Topstarr]

Okay...this owning a gun thing seems really expensive and complicated. How much do ammo run for a .380 or 9mm?

Just depends on brand, jacket around bullet (FMJ, TMJ and grain and so on)

38 Special-158 grain...for practice & Training $24.99 for a Box of 50

45 Auto-230 grain...for practice & training $ 21.99 for a Box of 50

9mm-115 grain $21.99 for a box of 25

 

[doc longhorn]

What's a good hand gun for a girl?

You may not like my answers or comments, but here goes.

You know what my profession is and so I can tell you that, during my training and residencies, I did rotations in many emergency wards - including the notorious Ben Taub hospital of Houston. So I have seen what a gunshot wound (and stab wound) does to the human body. Probably more so than most - not including other doctors on here.

It has been my observation that three things are relevant in gun shot wounds and two of them more so than the third. In order, they are as follows:

1. Quantity of bullets/pellets

2. Accuracy

3. Caliber (size of the bullet)

I grew up around guns and I have a healthy respect for them - particularly because of my career path. I am against anyone owning a gun, of any kind, that is unwilling to become more than proficient with them, is not extremely safety conscious and shows any evidence of irresponsibility. I am adamant about this and no argument can be presented that will change my mind. When a child, that has been shot, is brought to me - someone is going to be blamed and I won't be sympathetic. Period.

Ok, all this being said and as an avid hunter, I personally have a large collection of guns. They are stored in a large upright gun safe that a direct hit from a sidewinder missile couldn't destroy.

I assume you are concerned about your safety, in todays mean world, and are contemplating getting your concealed carry permit (CCP).

Deciding what gun you select is completely dependent upon your discipline in carrying it. Accept the fact there is NO easy way to pack a gun. They are basically uncomfortable and inconvenient. My personal preference is a Les Baer, gov't model 1911, .45 caliber, with a 5" barrel. This sucker is HEAVY and don't even talk about inconvenient. I try to mitigate the weight with a quality IWB (inside the waist band) holster and GUN belt. It's important to understand what a real gun belt is - as opposed to a cowboy belt which is no bueno.

Ok, that's what I tote, but I am 6'2" and 220 lbs. I have carried this kind of rig for so long, I have gotten used to it and don't notice it anymore. That's important for you to remember - getting used to it.

So, back to you. Most women are afraid of guns - particularly the noise and recoil. So I suggest you visit a gun store that has a range and people willing to rent and suggest guns that you can try out. Be leery of the "Rambo" types that promote carrying some kind of cannon - just walk away from them.

I do suggest buying the largest caliber that you can handle and most comfortably conceal. A 9 mm would be the smallest caliber I would consider. With todays ammunition they are ungodly lethal and that's what you want.

The man once said - "It doesn't matter the size of the bullet - if you put enough of them in the right place they will all go down".

PRICING

In the realm of handguns, you get what you pay for. Cheap prices indicate cheap guns. Most major manufacturers sell quality equipment - Ruger, S&W, Berretta, Colt, etc. You can expect to pay anywhere from $375 - $550 for a quality compact and easily concealable weapon.

I recommend a revolver for you as an automatic can take some manipulation, to go into battery, whereas a revolver is simply point and pull the trigger.

By-the-way, stay away from the Kal-Tec guns - IMO, they are cheap, but junk.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

You may not like my answers or comments, but here goes.
You know what my profession is and so I can tell you that, during my training and residencies, I did rotations in many emergency wards - including the notorious Ben Taub hospital of Houston. So I have seen what a gunshot wound (and stab wound) does to the human body. Probably more so than most - not including other doctors on here.

It has been my observation that three things are relevant in gun shot wounds and two of them more so than the third. In order, they are as follows:

1. Quantity of bullets/pellets

2. Accuracy

3. Caliber (size of the bullet)

I grew up around guns and I have a healthy respect for them - particularly because of my career path. I am against anyone owning a gun, of any kind, that is unwilling to become more than proficient with them, is not extremely safety conscious and shows any evidence of irresponsibility. I am adamant about this and no argument can be presented that will change my mind. When a child, that has been shot, is brought to me - someone is going to be blamed and I won't be sympathetic. Period.

Ok, all this being said and as an avid hunter, I personally have a large collection of guns. They are stored in a large upright gun safe that a direct hit from a sidewinder missile couldn't destroy.

I assume you are concerned about your safety, in todays mean world, and are contemplating getting your concealed carry permit (CCP).

Deciding what gun you select is completely dependent upon your discipline in carrying it. Accept the fact there is NO easy way to pack a gun. They are basically uncomfortably and inconvenient. My personal preference is a Les Baer, gov't model 1911, .45 caliber, with a 5" barrel. This sucker is HEAVY and don't even talk about inconvenient. I try to mitigate the weight with a quality IWB (inside the waist band) holster and GUN belt. It's important to understand what a real gun belt is - as opposed to a cowboy belt which is no bueno.

Ok, that's what I tote, but I am 6'2" and 220 lbs. I have carried this kind of rig for so long, I have gotten used to it and don't notice it anymore. That's important for you to remember - getting used to it.

So, back to you. Most women are afraid of guns - particularly the noise and recoil. So I suggest you visit a gun store that has a range and people willing to rent and suggest guns that you can try out. Be leery of the "Rambo" types that promote carrying some kind of cannon - just walk away from them.

I do suggest buying the largest caliber that you can handle and most comfortably conceal. A 9 mm would be the smallest caliber I would consider. With todays ammunition they are ungodly lethal and that's what you want.

PRICING

In the realm of handguns, you get what you pay for. Cheap prices indicate cheap guns. Most major manufacturers sell quality equipment - Ruger, S&W, Berretta, Colt, etc. You can expect to pay anywhere from $375 - $550 for a quality compact and easily concealable weapon.

I recommend a revolver for you as an automatic can take some manipulation, to go into battery, whereas a revolver is simply point and pull the trigger.

By-the-way, stay away from the Kal-Tec guns - IMO, they are cheap, but junk.

The man once said - "It doesn't matter the size of the bullet - if you put enough of them in the right place they will all go down".

Thanks for your thoughtful post Doc! I will definitely go to shooting range before purchasing gun. Really appreciate everyone's input.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

Then you purchase a Kimber Stainless Ultra Carry Raptor II from the Kimber Custom Shop out of New York. 1911 45 $1,400.00.....yes I knowIf you get a gun permit do not use a revolver to get the permit, because that would be the only gun you could carry. Use a automatic (magazine) like a 1911 to get the permit. Then you can carry any hand gun

Just went to their website. WOW!!! What a nice looking gun!

 

[doc longhorn]

I don't want to spend over $500. Didn't realize guns were so $$$!

LOL - that's just for the purchase of the gun. Range fees can be expensive, as well, and either charge by the hour or by the gun. Ammunition is the real cost and the smaller the caliber, the cheaper the ammo.

I firmly believe that to become proficient with the piece you will carry, you need to practice every other month and expend at least 200 rounds a session.

I will, typically, shoot 1000 - 1500 rounds a session. When shooting my handguns, I buy Winchester White Box ammo as I feel it is decent and the least expensive. Federal makes some good range ammo as well. For example, a 100 round box of .45 caliber, at Walmart, will run around $35 - $40 a box.

When you get to Austin, find you a bf that is willing to buy your ammo for you. Owning a handgun can be expensive.

Oh, by-the-way, make that bf clean your gun for you as well.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

LOL - that's just for the purchase of the gun. Range fees can be expensive, as well, and either charge by the hour or by the gun. Ammunition is the real cost and the smaller the caliber, the cheaper the ammo.
When you get to Austin, find you a bf that is willing to buy your ammo for you. Owning a handgun can be expensive.

Oh, by-the-way, make that bf clean your gun for you as well.

No BF needed. I am a quick learner. And I thought golf was an expensive hobby!

 

[Topstarr]

Just went to their website. WOW!!! What a nice looking gun!

My wife loves it.

 

[JimR]

My wife loves it.

you'd better sleep with one eye open.

 

[doc longhorn]

No BF needed. I am a quick learner. And I thought golf was an expensive hobby!

LOL - you go, girl. Golf IS more expensive.

 

[armadillo slim]

What's a good hand gun for a girl?

44 magnum. nobody will mess with you. promise.

seriously, i bought myself a very expensive handgun for my birthday that would be a great firearm for a lady. an FNH Five-Seven. extremely light, very low recoil, highly accurate out to 50 and even 100 yards. expensive though, and the ammo is expensive. it's a gun that was developed for UN forces. not terribly common, but would be very easy for you to shoot. the bullets look like small rifle rounds, but they pack a pretty good wallop.

the clip holds 20 rounds so you could turn somebody into swiss cheese if they mess with you.

google it up and read about it, and then look at some of the reviews and you tube videos about it. its an impressive weapon.

i like the .380 suggestion if you're looking for something small that's basically for protection.

 

[doc longhorn]

Here is a nice little revolver - made by Charter Arms, an American company. It is a little pistol that actually shoots 9 mm, which is hard to find in a revolver configuration.

I think you can buy this gun cheaper than the clip indicates - you just have to look around a little.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/charter_arms_pitbull_9mm.htm

By-the-way, stay away from any handgun that is called a magnum - unless it is a .22 magnum. Magnums are loud with heavy recoil and not fun to shoot. And the ammo prices are outrageous.