patrick.net

VinnyInDallas says

Glocks have hair triggers.

While Glock's have a trigger safety (and not your typical safety), you have to squeeze through the safety first, (and then with effort) before it will fire. If it were that sensitive, you wouldn't have every freaking law enforcement agency carrying them.

VinnyInDallas says

Do a search for toddler shoots mom

That is called awful parenting. Don't blame the gun.

My 9y/o shot my 9mm Glock and it took him a good bit of effort to make it happen. If a toddler did it, I'd wonder if the gun had a trigger job.

Ironman, any recommendations for a first revolver? That might be my next purchase after the Glock.

This thread is useless without pics.

None, but plan on buying a revolver for home defense. They're the most reliable, and if you need more than 6 bullets to stop an intruder, you're screwed regardless. I think some type of automatic battle rifle is also necessary, not for home defense, not for hunting. For country defense.

BayArea says

any recommendations for a first revolver?

I bought a 357 Ruger LCR - shoots 38, +P, & 357.
Honestly, it hurts my hand like hell when shooting the 357 rounds through a 'snubbie'.
I would go with a regular 38 and +P ... it is much lighter and easy to conceal.

Ironman says

You're assuming they hit with all six. Unfortunately, under stress, people miss more than they hit.

I'm also assuming they have limited time and space to make a hit. Unless you have a mansion, an intruder can cover the space between you and them in less than 6 shots. And even a cranked up meth head isn't going to keep coming if you hit them three times.

Lastly, I'm assuming they have trained, and practiced, otherwise the gun is about as useful as a slingshot.

I own a pistol, among other things. I keep it, and all my firearms, in conditions that wouldn't be speedy for reacting to a determined aggressive 'home invasion'. Instead, the firearms are kept in good conditions for having two young sons. Additionally, the majority of the time it isn't me at home around them. It is my wife and kids who are there. They will all need more firearms training before the firearms are kept more 'handy'.

For home defense in CA, and specifically my home, I'm relying more on brute force reinforcements on my doors, as well as a few gel mace canisters, in mounts in key locations throughout my home. My wife is good to go on the mace. My personal first reaction is going to be going for the mace, and maybe my rescue knife, over my firearms. I have far less to worry about in using the mace, over the pistol, as I can get it quicker, I don't have to worry about target background, adrenaline and taking shots, and the shot ranges within in my home are going to be just as effective with either the 22 or the mace. The pistol would give me a 'bang bang' scare them away factor, but I don't think it is any greater, than setting off my house alarms and my car alarms. The alarms come with no additional liability issues for them making noise. The pistol sure does within city limits. My pistol also wouldn't be what I'd grab for a home defense firearm either.

If someone comes shooting things up, from the start, I should be able to return in kind. That said, it isn't as if we are living life expecting 4 guys with AKs to come try and rape and eat us. (Apoc is shaking his head in disgust)

Your milage may vary. Do what you are comfortable with and trained up on (key!). There are a huge range of threat possibilities one can imagine. Decide where you are going to draw the line, why that is, and what you want to reasonably do to fend against those threats.

My pistol

FortWayne says

Shotgun is the best, you don't need accuracy, just point in general direction.

This is a horrible myth that anyone who shoots shotgun can attest to. It very much depends on range and what the shell is.

Rew says

This is a horrible myth that anyone who shoots shotgun can attest to. It very much depends on range and what the shell is.

In the close quarters of a home(the main scenario we seem to be discussing), I think FW's statement holds up. My only concern with a longer gun is maneuvering through the house, and having a perp grab the barrel as you step around a corner. On the plus side, the sound of a shotgun being pumped usually scares the shit out of most invaders.

Ironman says

Sorry, no.. Not a fan of them. I prefer semi-auto for capacity and ability of quick mag changes. If you're thinking about a revolver because of size, consider a compact 9mm.

This is good advice.

Ironman says

If it's size, my choice for a "pocket gun" is a Ruger LC9s 9mm.

The LC9's are a great gun, and pretty affordable too. If you're comfortable with limited round capacity, it's a great pick. Dig the single stack.

I shot the Glock 43 (single stack 9mm), and well, it was just ok. I do like the G42 (.380) better.

Ironman says

Not sure why BayArea was asking that question about the revolver, he hasn't checked back in yet. Was it for size or was it for ease of use?

If it's size, my choice for a "pocket gun" is a Ruger LC9s 9mm

If BayArea lives in Bay Area he has no need for "pocket gun" whatsoever: his chances of obtaining CCW permit in any of SFBA counties is as good as zero. So there is no point to live with a tiny gun which he won't enjoy shooting at the range. A "wonder-nine" would be much better choice.

Ironman says

"I have a small hand"

Redundant!

Ironman says

Not sure why BayArea was asking that question about the revolver, he hasn't checked back in yet. Was it for size or was it for ease of use?

Thanks for checking. I actually would like to have one pistol and one revolver in the collection. No major consideration to size since as mentioned above, CCW would be near impossible here in my county. I'm not even sure I'm ready for something like that even if it were possible to obtain. I have lots to learn first.

This thread just got more interesting lol

zzyzzx says

That is not an authorized hairstyle.

zzyzzx says

God bless yoga pants.

zzyzzx says

Horrible photochop.

looks like the women above know how to handle their guns

Ironman says

@BayArea

So, did you make a final decision on your new toy?

Yes, will most likely be a Glock 17 - 9mm. Admittedly, I need to get more familiar with CA gun laws before I pull the trigger on the purchase (no pun intended).

I'm in Bakersfield, CA for the weekend and heading to their gun convention today at their fairgrounds.

NuttBoxer says

In the close quarters of a home(the main scenario we seem to be discussing), I think FW's statement holds up. My only concern with a longer gun is maneuvering through the house, and having a perp grab the barrel as you step around a corner. On the plus side, the sound of a shotgun being pumped usually scares the shit out of most invaders.

The sound of a shotgun cocking, for a determined attacker, is not effective. The police can use it in 'semi-polite' company to get attention, but a determined attacker doesn't care. It's no greater fear inducing than an alarm or shouting, "Get out of my house! I've got a gun.". You can clickity-clack the slide there if you like for punctuation. So, shotgun noise effect rates very low on a reason scale, for the shotgun.

A shotgun loaded with a slug at 30ft has no advantage over a pistol. Now loaded with something like birdshot, at 30, you do have to aim but it is way more forgiving. But now we are talking bird shot stopping power. Is are attacker a drug laden zombie ready to eat face? If so, we have just made a trade off. Again, it all depends on what we are fending off. Someone calculating and hell bent on killing you ... specifically ... will. You would need professional 24/7 security to stop that threat.

Admittedly, I need to get more familiar with CA gun laws before I pull the trigger on the purchase (no pun intended).

Very smart. Those grabbing firearms for every bump in the night, in CA, are in for a rude awakening. Also, for home defense, see what you can do to increase your detection and the 'game of seconds'. Seconds between you and attacker are really where the fight is won and lost over. It isn't really a question of calibers and firearm types at all. Those that really think that are compensating for something, dumb, or both.

Caliber/platform aside, it's very tricky if you can't carry on your body and have kids. "Self defense" implies instantaneos access, and that's at odds with irresponsible yet super curious and inventive little people in the household. In a "shall issue" state you could carry on your body at all times, including in the house. Otherwise, routinely moving it to/from safe each time you come/leave home is too error prone, and mistakes are costly. Besides, in some places (i.e. professional part of Bay Area) there are sever social penalties for being labeled a "gun nut". This may be hard to avoid if you need to go through this "arm/disarm" drill several times a day. Something would eventually leak this little habit.
There are companies that try to solve it by making creative hiding places, but that's not good enough IMHO. I personally haven't figured it out for myself. Lifestyle optimization function just told me to not use "this" right for "this" purpose and seek alternative solutions.

Edit: if my wife wanted it for herself, that would've been a different story for a variety of reasons. She doesn't want it for herself though.

I'm also on the fence whether to pick up a pump vs a semi-auto 12 gauge shotgun.

The pump is cool and cheap, but the semi is hassle free (3x the cost ugh).

Ironman, own any shotguns? What do you recommend?

870 is what I'm looking at...

Do you find that the shorter barrel of the tactical results in any accuracy compromises at the range?

I cant say which are good, but I've seen TONS of different gun locks that are either fingerprint, RFID, or key/code locked. Some locks fit in the trigger area, preventing it from firing until you enter the code and remove the lock, so you can essentially leave the gun on the table safely because nobody can fire it. Other locks sometimes mount to tables, like your night stand next to your bed, and again, need a key/code entered to release the gun and make firing possible.

Some are listed here,
http://gundigest.com/concealed-carry/gallery-10-great-fast-access-gun-safes-home-defense/nggallery/image/gun-vault-speed-vault-0pen_b/
http://www.officer.com/directory/firearm-accessories/gun-locks-safety-devices

Ironman says

I was talking about the rifle, you pigs.... get your minds out of the gutter...

Of course with that camouflage on the only thing I can make out is the gun.