J.J. wants a gun
Okay, in the next few months, I’d like to spend a little money and get a weapon. I’m also going to try to spend a little money to get an alarm system.
First, how much money? Second, forget the alarm and get a pooch. I have an alarm and only use it when on vacation. And I’m posting my other answers here because your comment system is a pain in the ass.
Further, he wants info on other stuff and I’ll give my $0.02 here:
caliber to stop an invader
Any .4X caliber would be adequate. I personally favor the 45 ACP with Golden Saber 230 grain jacketed hollow points. Enough oomph to stop someone but big, slow and hollow points means the odds of it penetrating a few walls are lessened.
# rounds in the clip to handle a home invasion (I’m a superior marksman in the .45, or I was in the Navy)
First, having been in the Navy, you should know that it’s called a magazine and not a clip. Since your Navy training probably was with the 1911, I’d recommend one since you know how it works. They hold 7 or 8 rounds. There’s also the various 45s by Glock, H&K, and Sig. All are fine weapons. But they’re also among the more pricey (expect to pay a minimum of $550). But, with guns more than most other things, you get what you pay for.
weight, in case the Mrs. has to use it
I wouldn’t be concerned about weight. She should be able to handle any handgun. I would be concerned about trigger pull weight and grip size. My wife has trouble pulling the trigger on my double action Sig. It’s one of the reasons I opted for my second handgun to be a Glock. The trigger pull is 5.5ish pounds as opposed to the Sig which has 12 pounds on the first pull and each subsequent pull is 4.5 pounds. She has to cock the Sig before firing. For women, a Glock or 1911 trigger pull should be more than manageable. However, the double stack magazine of the Glock (while offering more rounds) may be a bit thick for girly hands.
type of ammo most appropriate to stop a home-invasion scenario
Any jacketed hollow point round (see above).
the name of a good shooting range to bone up
Coal Creek Armory has a good indoor range.
location of a good training class, perhaps with a CCW class
Again, Coal Creek Armory who is also running a special.
information on trigger locks, such as pros and cons
I use my trigger locks as targets or on the gate to my fence. They are useless.
some good gun cases to prevent little hands from touching the gun
I keep my handgun out of reach (top shelf or in a drawer, depending). As she gets older, that will get more difficult but, as she gets older, she’ll understand more and we’ll talk about guns. I’d recommend one of those quick release, PIN activated gun safes (like this one). An invader will not wait for you to remember the combination and dial the little knobs.
Head on over and leave a comment. Or leave it here if you find his comment system to be a pain in ass too.
December 16th, 2005 at 12:53 pm
Yea. That is indeed a pain in the ass… and why I don’t comment on Random Nuclear Strikes more often. Type key is a major boondoggle.
December 16th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
Comment left there (my wife has a blogger account). Good advice, Uncle. I stole the part about trigger pull; it’s an issue with my wife, but you reminded me of it.
I never feel like more of a hippy/one of my college professors than when I answer that question: “What’s the best gun for X?” Answer: “Whatever is best for you.” But, honestly, for a new shooter, I can’t come up with better advice. Well, then there’s this: whatever kind of (non-shotgun) gun you’re planning on getting (pistol, revolver, rifle) get a .22LR of that type and practice. Get something bigger as well, if you want one for defense/whatever. But get a .22. Cheap to feed, easy to learn with.
December 16th, 2005 at 5:00 pm
(Setting aside that I only recommend shotguns for home defense.)
My only issue with a mag fed handgun for home defense is the spring life.
If the weapon is not going to be used for practice regularly (eg. once per month), then the time spent fully loaded and inserted into the weapon is going to have an effect on the mag spring’s ability to feed the weapon.
Therefore, I recommend two mags and each month cycling them out and swapping the ammo from one to the other. This will solve the spring problem, renew the familiarity with the weapon, and (hopefully) motivate the owner to go to the range.
Also, I *strongly* recommend DuToit’s method: During the day the weapon is secured. At night it is available on a nearby night-stand. In the morning, it is re-secured. After a few weeks of habit, it becomes as common-place as brushing one’s teeth. If the lock is left on one’s key-chain, it is nearly impossible to leave the house wihout locking the weapon.
December 16th, 2005 at 6:48 pm
Re keeping the gun on a high shelf, toddlers develop amazing climbing ability much sooner than you expect. Better have a backup storage plan for age 2 to 4 or 5. By then, you should have the kid thoroughly brainwashed against touching a gun without adult supervision – and that, not safe storage, is the best insurance against little kids having gun accidents. (It won’t hold forever, but it gets you through the period before you can teach them safe gun-handling.)
December 16th, 2005 at 6:50 pm
Oh, btw, I just remembered a recent special report on the local news here in Detroit.
There was a program to teach kids about firearms in the public schools.
As part of the report, the local reporter got to talk to the kids before and after their session.
During the after-interviews, he had the entire group together.
He asked them how many knew if their parents had a gun in the house. Most of the kids raised their hands.
He asked how many knew _where_ the gun was in the house – most of them knew where it was.
December 17th, 2005 at 10:16 am
Hey, what’s this ‘girly hands’ crap? My hands are not ‘girly’. That Glock grip it just too damn big for comfort.