Shopping for handgun

[EVIL-PUNKIN]

Ruger sr9c 9mm!!! I carry one everyday and have never had one single problem out of it!! Trust me, for the money, you can NOT beat it, at least not in my book!!

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[2Cool]

.40S&W is a good compromise round that is still affordable. You also can't go wrong with a Glock for dependability and capacity. A Glock 23 would do you well.

Saying that, and loving my Glock 40 10mm, I still have a Sig P250 in .40 with tac light as my home defense gun. Double action is a bit safer for a round in the pipe, 14 round capacity is nice, and the wife has no problem shooting it.

Downstairs I keep my Kimber Compact 1911 for quick use as needed.

 

[Evolvd]

So, to answer a question from above: The main purpose of the gun would be home protection. I'd be the primary user. That said, I would definitely want to take it to the range from time to time to make sure I can shoot the damn thing. Also, I want my wife to be able to shoot in the off chance that something goes down when I'm not home. I'd take her to the range a few times to allow her to get used to it. But, I don't see her really going to the range for fun. So, basically it would be 90% me 10% her.

Some food for thought: for home defense you have options besides a pistol. Studies have shown that when under duress, especially those who aren't used to handling weapons while under duress, you have a higher percentage of missing your target with a handgun. Guns and Ammo did an article on this not long ago where a shotgun or rifle is more beneficial due to many factors, most of which was the ability of the person under duress to accurately aim the weapon. Plus there is the added visual deterrent of a large weapon pointed at you vs. a handgun you may not be able to see.

Things to consider...not trying to start any handgun vs. long gun debates as each have their merit.

 

[Varekai]

Seems to be a popular choice and it's priced nicely too. It's at least a couple hundred bucks less than the Sig. At that price I may just get the 9 for her and the .40 for me..

Yeah, my fiance has a Sig 238, it is nice, but for me too small. If you have a Rural King nearby check them out, got my shield for under 400 there.

 

[Tommy556]

Glock 19 is where it's at for me. Perfect fit for my hands. Small enough to conceal but big enough to fight with.
But seriously, try as many as you can and buy the one that fits you and that works well. Invest in good ammo as well and practice a lot with it, f.e. Gold dots or HSTs.

 

[dubster99]

Find a range that does handgun training and rents weapons. Rent a bunch of 'em and see which is your and your wife's favorites. You're in the D/FW area, both Eagle (in Lewisville) and Bullet Trap (in Plano) are good choices and do rent handguns.

My carry gun is a Ruger SR9C. You're welcome to shoot any of mine if you want to meet at the range.

This. You need to shoot the ones you are interested, and see which fits best, and which you shoot best. Once you pick one, train, train, train.

I have a Springfield XD40, and a Kimber Ultra Carry...I love both, but they are different guns for sure.

 

[PamAndJim]

Some food for thought: for home defense you have options besides a pistol.

Good point, but unfortunately shotguns and rifles don't typically fit in night stands too well

Seriously though, the long ones will live in our master closet. So, I can always run and grab it I feel like I have time. If not, I'm grabbing what's in the drawer and running toward who/what is in my house, ready to give them a nice friendly Texas welcome

 

[P51Guy]

I have many hand guns and if this is your first hand gun purchase go and rent & shoot what you are thinking about buying. If it will be shared with the wife a 9mm is probably smarter than a 45. I love my Sigs and shoot the 226 9mm a lot but carry the 220 45. A smaller version of the 226 is the 229 and will fit a womans hand very well with still enough weight to mitigate some of the recoil. Have fun looking.

 

[NewTekBuzz]

Ruger sr9c 9mm!!! I carry one everyday and have never had one single problem out of it!! Trust me, for the money, you can NOT beat it, at least not in my book!!

Agreed! I carry my sr9c most of the time, great size. I also have a 1911 but that's almost too big to conceal

 

[Evolvd]

Good point, but unfortunately shotguns and rifles don't typically fit in night stands too well

Seriously though, the long ones will live in our master closet. So, I can always run and grab it I feel like I have time. If not, I'm grabbing what's in the drawer and running toward who/what is in my house, ready to give them a nice friendly Texas welcome

Do you have children? I can understand that thought process but to be truly prepared you'll need more than just a "gun in a nightstand". Many home invasions happen during daytime, when you're not lying in bed.....here's something to look into...

https://tacticalwalls.com/

 

[Road Dog]

Great Advice from Evolvd

You got the best advice possible from Evolvd. Its interesting how many list what they have or they like. It makes no difference, what you need is to go try different weapons and the same for your spouse. Then don't get caught in the Semi auto only camp. It may be that a 6 shot revolver in .38spl is what you decide on ultimately because its reliability and ease of use that matter in the dark of night.

 

[Glenn G]

Another good point about the shotgun is not having to worry about penetrating most interior walls, especially if you have other people in the home and basically no chance of penetrating an exterior wall and hurting or killing an innocent. Our very left leaning Government has prosecuted people for defending themselves, if you hurt a bystander you will be done for.

 

[Evolvd]

@Glenn G Thanks, I missed making that point earlier. However Guns & Ammo did a shooting test with some readily available self defense rounds shot through drywall. The Federal Premium Guard Dog only went through 3 sheets of drywall and didn't clog up due to it's filled-tip design. The other two, Hydro-shok and one other I can't remember, all went through 12 sheets.

But, with that being said, a shotgun loaded with 3" .00 buck will drop any man and you don't have to aim dead-center (no pun intended) to take down a target.

 

[Glenn G]

@Glenn G Thanks, I missed making that point earlier. However Guns & Ammo did a shooting test with some readily available self defense rounds shot through drywall. The Federal Premium Guard Dog only went through 3 sheets of drywall and didn't clog up due to it's filled-tip design. The other two, Hydro-shok and one other I can't remember, all went through 12 sheets.

But, with that being said, a shotgun loaded with 3" .00 buck will drop any man and you don't have to aim dead-center (no pun intended) to take down a target.

I used to have Glaser safety slugs for my .45, basically a Thin metal jacket filled with really tiny lead shot. Amazing wound channel in ballistic gelatin and would barely penetrate drywall, are these even still legal? I have a 50 round box at my parents house in the states but it's over 20 years old now. Wonder how well it would shoot!

 

[Evolvd]

They make something similar today, but from what I've read they can damage the rifling in your barrels.

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