new pistol

so i had a scare last night, thought someone was in the house, 20lb dog and a .22lr that is known to jam is not what i want to be stuck with....

looking at a ruger p345 or glock 30
my buddy is trying to talk me into a magnum research baby eagle or HK USP.

i may also pick up a rem 870 or mossberg 500.

i have about 1k to spend and want to have a few rounds of ammo.

The Baby Eagle is a good gun. I've always liked the Jericho.

The Glock 30 is also a good gun. Personally I carry a Glock 26. However, if it is only a house defence gun, there is no real reason not to get a full sized weapon. Sub compacts are good for carrying a weapon, but they don't make very good weapons.

While it is the user with the weapon more than the weapon or gadgets on it, mounting things like lights and lasers on guns is a bonus. While weapon lights shouldn't be your primary source of light, they are useful to identify your target before you open fire.

Having a weapon mounted light means your light and your weapon are always in the same place. If you have separate weapon and lights you need to control both hands. Fine motor co-ordination is always the first thing that goes when the adrenaline is pumping. KISS.

There are some good lights out there that allow you to retain a two handed shooting grip on your gun. Weapon mounted lights means you are going to be pointing a gun at whatever you are illuminating. Not always a good thing.

Personally I'm a big fan of lasers for house defence guns. They can provide enough illumination for you to ID your target, and they are super obvious at night. Just remember the work both ways. The badguys can see the big red glowing light on your gun. However that shouldn't be a problem because the light should be blinding them as well.

Shotguns are good because they are cheap and effective. I like the 870, but I have nothing against the 500. They are both very effective weapons. Remember at general indoor sort of ranges, the shot won't have spread out much more than the original 12 guage.Personally I think shotguns need quite a bit of work to be the top combat weapon people try make it out to be. While they can and do work out the box, I'd definately add bunch of extras on it. To make the shotgun a good weapon the first thing I'd do is replace the forearm with a Surefire light setup. IF nothing else, this is the most important addition. It'll give you a light source. There isn't any realistic way to carry a light and use a two handed weapon.

However, firearms are not always the answer, there are also other things to consider, like more house security, and having a propper plan. Just because you've got a weapon it doesn't mean you have to go find the source of the noise. While a panic room is probably a little OTT, having a plan and a room you are going to fall back to is generally a good idea. It is easier to get everyone into one room and lock the door.

Get on the phone and call the cops. Then announce loudly that you've done so, and that you'll shoot anyone trying to get into the room.

Clearing a house, even a small flat is very very hard to do solo, and it isn't advisable.

KBK

While agree with a lot of what kayback said about shotguns, I've generally been taught that they are a better home-defense solution to a long-rifle or a pistol. Sure, the shot may not spread into a hug pattern, but that isn't what makes it more effective. The energy transferred to target is much higher with a shotgun than a pistol or rifle at in-home range. That is why they're better for home defense. 1 round of triple-aught buck will put someone down while depending on the person, a 9mm might not do so.

If you are looking for a good personal defense shotgun, buy one for that distinct purpose. Ithaca, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, et-al all have home-defense models with the minimum required barrel length to give you a wider shot pattern given the close range.

I dunno about the shot spreading. You'd want it as tight as possible. While there is a small margin of error afforded by spreading shot, that should be reserved for hitting birds on the wing and not combat.

The attraction to a shotgun is you can deliver (With 00 buck) 8 9mm sized rounds on target with one trigger pull. There is no other weapon that can realistically do that. Over the typical indoor distance, the shot is likely to still be in the shot-cup, let alone spreading out.

The thing I don't like about shotguns is they are heavy and unwieldy, and they are loud. Touch one off indoors and you won't be hearing anything for ages.

While this is true of most weapons powerful enough to do what you want, I'd still go with a semi auto rifle.

I know there are people out there who poo poo this idea, but in a home shooting I want to know with 100% certainty where my shots will land. With either a 5.56mm or a .30 carbine, I pull the trigger once, I know where that bullet is going to land. With a shotgun loaded with 00, there are 8 lead 9mm sized projectiles, and the shot-cup. Now I know where the shot SHOULD land, I've got no idea where the cup will go.

Now I'm not saying you should be doing hostage situation takedowns or anything, but I'd just like to know for sure where my rounds will stop.

Shotguns are useful because they are effective, they are cheap and everyone knows to fear one. They are also very very easy to defend against in court.

However give me an M1 carbine over a 12 guage and I'll be happy. Put some soft points in it and maybe an optic of some sort, but whatever. 5.56mm with frangible or HP ammo and I'm even happier.

There is also the added advantage that in one magazine I've got between 15 and 35 rounds, depending on weapon and magazine setup. And it's 15-35 rounds I can top up in one movement.

True a firefight shouldn't ever last longer than the 7 rounds in a shotgun, but what if? You start the fight with at least double the ammo, and can top it up in 1/7th the time. Whats not to love?

But on a limited budget I'd get a nice second hand 870 with a Surefire frontend. With that setup you are pretty much golden. Then pick up a pistol if you really want one. I'd make it something that can take a laser and a light. You don't need all the additions instantly, but you can add them over time.

If you want a housegun/carry gun, look at the Glocks in the Compact range. If your heart is set on .45, that'll be the Glock 21 SF.

KBK

i held a glock and hated it. (edit: i couldn't drop the mag out on the glock)

they dident have any of the other guns i was looking for so i asked for a .40 XD, liked the feel so i asked to buy.

he checked my ID and asked if it was my current addy and i told him it was my moms... deal off.

i think im gunna look at the sub comp .40 XD, short grip but extra mag has an extension... good for DEF for now and carry later

i rented an XD .45 and it was a little much for me, shot 5rds and kept them witin 6" at 10 yards... not bad for the 2nd time shooting a pistol and first time shooting a pistol over .22lr...

i got my buddys 357 mag and that was INSANE actully hurt my hand to shoot. ran some 38s through it and it ran smooth. then we had some fun loading a random number of 38s and 357s in the cylinder then shooting it...

we ran off the guy in the stall next to us. he was pissed about the 357 mag and asked how long we were gunna be shooting, when my buddy said 150 rds he packed up and left. the next guy who came in had an AR15 that malfunctioned and went full auto...





Edited by merc - 14 March 2009 at 7:00pm

You'll love the XD, I have an XD9 and its great. 

if Desert Eagle = Deagle

then Baby Eagle = Beagle ? lol


Edited by ctchofday - 14 March 2009 at 7:43pm

merc wrote: ive heard a lot of political crap about S&W so i wont buy their firearms (cant remember what right now.) im going to look up 38s and 9mm ballistics. i KNOW if i shot a .357 at something it would be done. i MIGHT consider a revolver and load it with 38s and a 357 or 2 as the last rounds in the cylinder.

Sorry but that's one of the most retarded things ive ever read. Why not just load it with ALL 38+p or ALL 357 +p

Get a 40 S&W or 45ACP if you want a auto loading pistol... not a 9mm

No, the Judge is a silly idea and best left for snakes and the like. The .410 isn't a powerful enough round. May as well just get a .45 Colt and use that round.

There is nothing wrong with a 9x19mm for a defence gun.

IF a Glock doesn't fit your grip then definately don't get one. They are a bit of an acquired taste I'm afraid. There are a couple of new GLock frames on the market now that the (Patent?) has expired on them. Wolf make a nice one.

Getting a gun that fits your hand and you can shoot well is a major advantage, it'll mean you can and will practice more. Personally I've never experienced this "Glock = block" thing people have going.

The most comfortable gun I've ever held is a Sig 226/8 however I don't like the sight picture on one. Try for a police trade in one?

Why wouldn't he sell you a gun at your mothers address?

KBK

agentwhale007 wrote: Do you live in a house house or a duplex/apartment style? If it is a house house then whatever, but if it is anything with connected walls with people you don't know, stick with lower caliber firearm, as far as pistols go. The last thing you want to do is kill your neighbor while getting robbed.

What if you hate your neighbors? Then it's like 2 birds with one stone.