Guns!

[klavy69]

AMT Hardballer Longslide aka Sarah Connor Special

She rocked in t2

[scottmac74]

Looking into hand guns. Post oppinions and preferences please. I have been shopping around, but figured there must be several here who own and have fact based judgments. Looking into home defense not really hunting. I have other guns for that . -Jeff

IMO for home defense/CQB, the actual handgun is irrelevent (buy the one that best fits your hand with the least modification, lets you mount/dismount a weapon light quickly and practice, practice, practice!). Its the ammunition that will have the largest influence on the overall outcome of a home invasion scenario. Subsonic, heavy and frangible in combination will make the best choice, because over penetration or ricochets could turn a dangerous situation into a catastrophe.
Subsonic, (>1000 fps) because of the short distances involved. Heavy, (highest grain projectile available in your caliber) so it takes less hits. Fragible, (compressed powder, notched hollow points...etc) so the projectile will impart the maximum amout of energy in the minimal amount of time.

[TerryC]

Someone say handguns?

Mine . . .



Counterclockwise from top left:
Para GI Expert 1911 SS - .45 ACP
Glock 19, 3rd Gen. - 9x19
S&W Model 66 (no dash) 4" -.357 Magnum
S&W Model 60 (no dash) 2" - .38 Special
Ruger 22/45 MkII - .22 LR
Ruger New Vaquero SS 5.5" - .45 Colt


I also have a few long guns, we'll get to them in another post (need to get some better pics) . . .

[askbob]

Way to start out with a bang TerryC... Welcome aboard!

[slow_jun]

say a one man army contender... hahaha welcome aboard!!!!

[drbelleville]

Hey Terry, how you like that Para 1911?

[TerryC]

Hey Terry, how you like that Para 1911?

I've heard a lot of people run them down, mostly because they aren't a Colt, Kimber, Springfield, etc.

But mine has been flawless. It has never jammed, ever, with any ammo or bullet style I've tried so far. The only legitimate gripe I've heard is that the black "Parakote" finish is not as durable as a blued gun. Mine is stainless so that's a non-issue.

The mags that came with is seem kinda cheap compared the CMC mags I carry, but neither of them has ever failed to feed.
And to be fair, the CMC powermags are some off the best 1911 mags on the market.

It gets carried, a lot.

At the range it gobbles up cheap ammo (like Federal Champion) that other pistols choke on.

[drbelleville]

Hey Terry, how you like that Para 1911?

I've heard a lot of people run them down, mostly because they aren't a Colt, Kimber, Springfield, etc.

But mine has been flawless. It has never jammed, ever, with any ammo or bullet style I've tried so far. The only legitimate gripe I've heard is that the black "Parakote" finish is not as durable as a blued gun. Mine is stainless so that's a non-issue.

The mags that came with is seem kinda cheap compared the CMC mags I carry, but neither of them has ever failed to feed.
And to be fair, the CMC powermags are some off the best 1911 mags on the market.

It gets carried, a lot.

At the range it gobbles up cheap ammo (like Federal Champion) that other pistols choke on.

Thanks, I am on the fence about a new budget 1911, and between surfing the forums, and some shooting buddies its a toss. As far as Para I was looking at the GI 45 in a black finish. But again thanks for the info.

[flipwils11]

This is a great thread, and I am one of the gun naive people out there. I've shot a broad range of stuff from the generosity of friends over the years, but never purchased anything for our household. My wife is not a fan of guns, mostly handguns, but she seems to be a bit more sympathetic due to ..... wait for it........... we've been watching Walking Dead on amazon streaming, lol. Seriously, we have two small children and I'd rather be prepared for anything (not the paranormal or zombies, but idiocy like Katrina and not depending on suckling from the govt infrastructure tit if something goes horribly wrong, even if it's only for a week or so). Never underestimate the ability for humanity to turn on itself for survival.

I'm also very concerned with gun safety around the house and would need to take all precautions. I will probably test the waters with a rifle because my wife would like to go bird hunting with her brother at some point and maybe a 12ga shotgun for home defense. Pistols can come later.

I'm a careful person, respectful of advice from experts and qualified sources, and don't cut corners on the cheap so when I do make a decision I'm confident it will be the prudent one. I am a bit disappointed that Reggie decided not to contribute to the thread anymore because he's obviously a qualified expert and I enjoyed reading his advice and input in this discussion.

[klavy69]

..... wait for it........... we've been watching Walking Dead

gotta love it...Walking Dead junkie here. Just watched the season finale and can't wait for season3.

I am a bit disappointed that Reggie decided not to contribute to the thread anymore because he's obviously a qualified expert and I enjoyed reading his advice and input in this discussion.

I did too. He made some very good points that was a learning point for me. Swayed me from a handgun to thinkin about the shotgun instead with a 10 year old in the house. Don't want to thwart off an attack just to inadvertantly harm or kill what I was trying to protect . I look forward to talkin to him about this more on the side since like you Adam, I've shot quite a few but don't know much about them.

This thread kinda took a turn towards cool gun ownership than the intended starting question so maybe that slowed down some of the input...

Todd

[flipwils11]

Went to a local gun shop/range today with a friend who knows his stuff, had a great time and learned a lot. Still lots more to learn though!

Shot a Sig Sauer .40, Smith & Wesson 357, my friend's Kimber 45, and my friend's 44 magnum. 44 mag is damn cannon, but I like the 357 best. I like shooting .38 ammo in it too to save some money, but so nice to shoot with a decent big bang but doesn't beat on you like the 44 mag. I didn't care for the Sig Sauer, was surprised it had no safety?

[Coelacanth]

I'd love to say more, but I have a near-mint RPK, .223 caliber, with all the goodies. I paid $525 for it back in the 80's, and I find out now they're extremely rare & sought after guns, maybe worth upwards of 2 grand to a US collector. The annoying thing is, I purchased it totally legal, a so-called pre-ban RPK, from 1986 or 1987 or so, before records were kept of these things. A decade or so after I bought it, they were added to the prohibited guns list, even though the barrel was way too long and the magazines were limited to 30 shots, merely because the guns COULD be converted to fully automatic.

I'd love to sell it because I no longer use it, haven't used it for nearly 20 years, but now it's illegal to sell it.

[flipwils11]

Bumping this old thread because I'm getting my first gun tomrrow. I decided to get a 357, a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus with a 6" barrel. I'm excited!

Also I will be making a gun safe purchase quickly here as well.

[CamplinP]

Good choice. Just my opinion, but if you get a small handgun case for the nightstand or something like that I would suggest one with a keypad as a dial or key can take way too long especially in a tense situation. A 4 or 5 number code to punch in can be easier and much quicker.

[kaiser]

nice, the 686 in 6 inch is a fantastic pistol.