Posted on Feb 5, 2016
Which handgun would you recommend to someone with little or no firearms training or experience, for home protection?
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Let's eliminate the obvious. He has already been presented with the pros and cons of firearm ownership and the various arguments over the 2nd Amendment, and made his informed choice to purchase and keep a firearm for home defense. Of course I recommended that he obtain professional training in the proper maintenance and safe handling of whatever he purchases.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=199&category=revolver
I had recommended the Taurus .45 cal/.410 shotgun. Actually, I'm considering one for myself. It seems to me that having a virtually nonlethal round in the first chamber would be desirable for someone who might be hesitant to pull the trigger, even when he, his family and home are threatened. The .45 Long would then provide effective stopping force for anyone who didn't take the hint. Also, I feel that revolvers are inherently more reliable, especially in the hands of a novice.
Wouldn't you know it, California has banned the sale of this weapon because it fires a shotgun shell. Oh the horror! A .410!
I advised him to go to another state and get one if he really wanted it. (That's what I'm likely to do)
However, what other options would you recommend?
Firearms and Guns
Firearms Sales
Home Defense
Concealed Carry
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 161
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I wouldn't recommend any firearm to someone who has little to no firearms training. The possibility for something to go wrong here is too great. My recommendation would be to start taking some classes at a local range or shop. Most have introductory classes for beginners and some offer classes to help new shooters select a firearm they're comfortable with. The training should happen BEFORE the firearms purchase. After that, it's simply a matter of what they're comfortable with. The debates will rage on about what's best; rifle, shotgun, or handgun. They'll just need to educate themselves on the subject and make an informed decision.
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SSG Terry O'Donal
And how many so called "mass shooting" were accomplished by novices? Very few. Almost all in the news were carried out by experienced shooters with no thought as to the morality of their actions and the consequences thereafter. Think "las Vegas" for one.
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SGT Randall Smith
The threat is imaginary until it is not imaginary. My wife carries and has since before it was legal. She traveled all over the state and often got home after 10 pm. I trained my daughter and bought her a gun when she was in college. She and the girls she lived with in an apartment were having boys stand outside and holler nasty things to them. She was afraid. When you really need a gun it is too late to go buy one.
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LCpl George Gocheff
SGT William Howell 10-4 on that - but training &/or experience. There's nothing more intimidating than to hear a shotgun racking up a round at o-dark-30.
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In order:
1) Shotgun (yes, I know it's not a handgun). It is the classic "Point & Click" mechanism. Generally speaking, you don't have to "aim" it, you "point" it, and you can point it from across a room AT the door. and still hit your target. Additionally, the racking of a shotgun has a very "distinct" sound akin to that of a rattlesnake in that it can cause visceral level fear in anyone that is familiar with it's sound.
2) S&W Revolver. (357 magnum). The advantage of revolvers is that you don't have to "clear" them. If you have a "misfire" you just pull the trigger again. Rinse and repeat. A .357 is a pumped up 9mm or .38, but it will give someone a hell of a bad day. Yes you only have 5 rounds, but generally speaking people have an easier time firing revolvers than pistols. Part of it is ergonomics, and part of it is mechanics. An additional benefit of the .357 is the reduced cost of practice (you can supplement training with .38)
3) Glock .40 or 9mm. I like "bigger is better" (my carry is a .45) but 40/9mm are generally the most popular so availability of ammo and accessories can be a big deal. Alternately look at the XD from Springfield (great gun and I like it better than the Glock, but it's just not as wide spread).
Edit: CPT Jack Durish Based on your edit, I provide the following "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6."
Taurus is the "farm equipment" of handguns. Inexpensive, reliable, and with good longevity.
However, the logic of having a non-lethal round in the SECOND chamber (remember it spins and the hammer engaged the NEXT round) gets a little more complex. I'd almost recommend and Empty one rather than Non-lethal. That adrenaline rush is going to happen and the trigger is going to be pulled in sequence until an empty chamber is hit, which forces conscious thought.
1) Shotgun (yes, I know it's not a handgun). It is the classic "Point & Click" mechanism. Generally speaking, you don't have to "aim" it, you "point" it, and you can point it from across a room AT the door. and still hit your target. Additionally, the racking of a shotgun has a very "distinct" sound akin to that of a rattlesnake in that it can cause visceral level fear in anyone that is familiar with it's sound.
2) S&W Revolver. (357 magnum). The advantage of revolvers is that you don't have to "clear" them. If you have a "misfire" you just pull the trigger again. Rinse and repeat. A .357 is a pumped up 9mm or .38, but it will give someone a hell of a bad day. Yes you only have 5 rounds, but generally speaking people have an easier time firing revolvers than pistols. Part of it is ergonomics, and part of it is mechanics. An additional benefit of the .357 is the reduced cost of practice (you can supplement training with .38)
3) Glock .40 or 9mm. I like "bigger is better" (my carry is a .45) but 40/9mm are generally the most popular so availability of ammo and accessories can be a big deal. Alternately look at the XD from Springfield (great gun and I like it better than the Glock, but it's just not as wide spread).
Edit: CPT Jack Durish Based on your edit, I provide the following "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6."
Taurus is the "farm equipment" of handguns. Inexpensive, reliable, and with good longevity.
However, the logic of having a non-lethal round in the SECOND chamber (remember it spins and the hammer engaged the NEXT round) gets a little more complex. I'd almost recommend and Empty one rather than Non-lethal. That adrenaline rush is going to happen and the trigger is going to be pulled in sequence until an empty chamber is hit, which forces conscious thought.
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SP5 Hugh Brown
Wow, I am in agreement with your recommendation of the revolver, but I don’t understand the thinking of an empty chamber being second in the cylinder. What if you miss with the first shot, and only get a click the second pull? That seems to me like it would create instant panic, especially in the circumstance of an inexperienced gun owner.
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SGT Chester Beedle
At 25 yards the spread of a 12 gauge with buckshot is only about 8 inches. The advantage of a shotgun or any long gun is that it's easier and faster to aim.
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CSM Bruce Trego
I like the shotgun with someone who is trained and understands how to use it. I would say that the size of the barrel itself would encourage an antagonist to leave them alone. The pistol is a good selection too. It has more than capable stopping power and, with .38 caliber rounds, can be used for practice relatively cheaply. It depends on which makes you feel comfortable.
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SSgt Ronald Krogel
None initially for someone with zero knowledge. I would first want them to understand the limits and laws. Then use cases. Then take into account their health. My 83-year-old mother-in-law had to switch from a semi to a revolver due to arthritis. And we all made sure she had training. Safety first, always.
Not just the weapon, also need to take into account reliability, stopping power, and over-penetration depending on where you live, the potential for over-penetration hurting innocents, etc. So knowledge of different ammunition such as frangible rounds and stopping power are all good to know. And again, knowing the laws where you live. It is easier to identify what not to recommend, rimfire or long rifles.
I could not recommend anything unless they did research first and were willing to train. And if not willing to take a life, then nothing.
Not just the weapon, also need to take into account reliability, stopping power, and over-penetration depending on where you live, the potential for over-penetration hurting innocents, etc. So knowledge of different ammunition such as frangible rounds and stopping power are all good to know. And again, knowing the laws where you live. It is easier to identify what not to recommend, rimfire or long rifles.
I could not recommend anything unless they did research first and were willing to train. And if not willing to take a life, then nothing.
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