I wouldnt use any kind of semi auto pistol for home defense. You should get a Remington 870(one of our home defense guns) and put a shorter barrel on it(plus you can use it for hunting so it serves two purposes) and buy some 00 buckshot rounds and you are ready to go. If you shoot someone with a semi auto pistol they can survive and sue you, if you use a shotgun with 00 buckshot rounds, it will be near impossible for them to survive. Plus a pistol will go through walls and potentially damage helmets, daggers, or worse one of your family members. But if you aim well and use hollow point bullets that cuts the risk right in half. You need an 870, it will work every time, I promise.
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Thanks Jerry...Originally posted by Jerry Burney View Post
I am not only mindful of legal consequences of self defense, but... religious as well.Comment
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Thanks Gene for the FYI...Originally posted by Gene View Post
I will buy a "real" gun for home defense when it cools off at one of the local gun shows from a dealer, and ask questions.
The guns I own are the curio/relic type that make better display pieces than anything else.
But... if a life threatening event occurred... I was curious how to use an old P-38.Comment
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[QUOTE= Plus a pistol will go through walls and potentially damage helmets, daggers, or worse one of your family members. .[/QUOTE]
Ugghh....
hit a helmet....??
I would have to call it a "battle damaged" helmet and put it up on E-Bay.
Seriously guys... thanks for the advice..Comment
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I have read this thread and as a Range Officer and longtime shooting practioner with a CCW and NRA certification I have to emphatically disagree with most of the advice given here. This gentleman should have been told from the gitgo that any firearm in the hands of an untrained individual is probably as dangerous to him and his family as to any intruder.
It is obvious that the original poster has little knowledge about firearms and no practical training. My recommendation would be to get himself enrolled in a training class immediately and to practice regularly once the training is completed. The type of firearm used for self defense is far less important then the ability to operate it properly without having to think about it. I have heard the descriptions of few individuals who were involved in shootings and for the most part they wern't conscious of operating the firearm which is typical of action in a very high stress situation. This is where training and practice comes in and there is no substitute for it.
JimComment
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Originally posted by james m View Post
Thanks Jim...
I fired a .45 M1911 at a range 20 years ago.
The very first spent shell went up... and landed between my forehead and eye glasses. It was HOT.. and hurt like heck..
I avoid guns in general... but... kept a few over the past 25 years, or so.
I don't plan on using any curio/relic gun... ever.
Classes make the most sense...
It would be a good idea to have a gunsmith look over anything anyway to be on the safe side.Comment
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james and jerry have given the best advice, and I strongly recommend you listen to them, Helmetbuyers.
If you don't know how to use a P.38 ( or any other firearm) properly, learn to use it, be aware of your local gun laws, and practice.
If you can afford it, buy something simple and comfortable to shoot (perhaps a .38/.357?), that you can operate easily.
And remember that once you've used a firearm, you need to be prepared to legally defend yourself. Getting mad at some punk and putting lead in him while he's running away with your license plate will earn yourself a long prison sentence.Comment
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Hello Andy....Originally posted by Andy Harris View Post
Yes... I will be careful...
I tried to state this several times... on the thread.
I am not out to get even, etc. Just wanted to know how to fire a gun if something terrible occurs.
I don't get mad...
I worked in a call center for nine years... and have become numb to insults, threats, etc
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I saw Southern Ohio Gun International has some P38's and P1's at decent prices. http://www.southernohiogun.com/
Love the gun myself, but would probably pick up a GLOCK for home defence.
Kind regards
KrisComment
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Sorry if I insinuated that you'd go out and play "Charles Bronson", Helmetbuyers! I know you are better than that! I just thought it needed to be mentioned.
Good luck!
And by the way, I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT recommend a Remington 870 for someone who doesn't have much experience with firearms. They're great guns (I've got one), but in my opinion, require a lot of practice and can be cumbersome indoors, if you haven't trained in how to use it.
AndyComment
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Thanks Andy...Originally posted by Andy Harris View Post
I was beginning to be afraid that folks think I am a nut wanting to get the plate back....
It was only $5 bucks for a replacement plate with tags.
If I do buy a pistol for home defense... it will likely be a revolver.Comment
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Dear Helmetbuyer,
please relax, I doubt anybody here seriously thinks you are going to kill somebody for a licence plate...
But going back to the initial thread I know what your getting at. Some fool takes your licence plate and although its not the end of the world its made you think hasn't it...what if it had been more than a licence plate.
The P38 is a great firearm but its the wrong gun for self defence really. Did I leave a round in the chamber...? Did I leave the safety on...? Does it need racking...? All these are questions that should not need to be answered when some swine is in your living room, or worst still your bedroom or your childrens bedroom. He knows what he is doing and may well be armed himself.
Their are only two serious choices for self defence in my humble opinion, and its either a shotgun loaded with double ought buck or a revolver.
But the gentleman that told you to get well trained on here is by far offering the best secondary advice. You must know your chosen self defence weapon inside out. Take lessons and train often. If you have the chance to take a self defence course run by the police or perhaps another agency or private company do it.
Stay safe, shoot safe, aim well.
Regards Craig.Comment
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Home Defense
I would also recommend some training classes on home defense. In this day and age with the violence it is wise to be prepared but there are several angles to look at. Making sure that you home is resistant to an intruder with strong doors and windows that cannot be easily accessed, well lighted outside so anyone approaching will be backlit, an alarm system, and maybe a dog are pretty important too. A firearm should be your last resort but it is better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. I keep various handguns scattered throughout my home that are not readily visible to visitors like on the top of a china cabinet but easily accessible by me.
If a situation does occur where all else fails and you have to drop the hammer on an intruder, you will have to talk to the police to some extent but the less said the better. One thing you will need to make clear is that you were in fear for your life. All of the other precautions will go in your favor in showing that you made every effort to keep the intruder out of your home and that you only used lethal force when it became a matter of self-preservation.
I am a retired police officer and I feel that most police officers will agree that you are justified if the security of your home has been breached and you did what you did only as a last resort to protect yourself and your family. Most instances where a homeowner gets into trouble is when he pursues the intruder outside and shoots him in the yard or down the street and it is apparent that the intruder had broken off his assault and was retreating. The courts usually look at this as the homeowner no longer could consider the intruder to be threat.
As to the type of weapon for home defense, my weapon of choice is my 30 year old Colt Model 60 .38 with silvertip hollow point ammo. I realize that a shotgun will do more damage but they are unwieldy in close quarters and I don't want to destroy my house in order to save it. Get some firearms training and go to the range every 6 months to stay somewhat proficient.
DennyBComment
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A nest of sandbags and a MG42 will give you a great control of the yard and protect the car
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...or one of these!Originally posted by Lassi View PostGet a shotgun
cheers
lars
the car the plate's attached to might take some minor damage, too, but I think it'll do the trick
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