| Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 10:43 PM |
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Nann Marie
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Do any of you have any suggestions on what the best personal defense weapon I can get would be. I have heard great things about Glocks and Bersa's. I have small to medium hands for a women, and am most comftorable with carrying in the small of my back do to children on my hip from time to time. My husband wanted us to have the same gun so ammo and clips would be interchangable, but he has large hands. Any thoughts???
Also, what is the diffrence in size between the 9mm and 380? Which has the best stopping power?
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 11:07 PM |
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72coupe
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9mm is about the minimum for defence. Have a look at the new Walther PPS in 9mm. It is only 1 inch wide and otherwise small. It is light with a polymer frame and a steel slide. Price is in the same range as other pistols of this size.
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| Posted: Mon Nov 26th, 2007 11:16 PM |
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3006 user
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Nann, actually, I believe the "best" personal defense firearm is the one that you can shoot with confidence. That being said, it sounds a though you and your husband prefer semi-autos. A small frame Glock in 9mm would be a good bet. As far as revolvers go, a "J" frame Smith & Wesson in stainless .38 Spl or .357 magnum. If you choose a .38, you can carry it full of +P rounds. The 9mm Luger cartridge is more powerful than a .380ACP. It used to be that if you wanted a small auto for carry, a .380 was a good choice, but now that there are many small 9mms on the market, there is really no reason to use a .380.--In my not-so-humble opinion.Good shooting and Welcome!!
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 01:04 AM |
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Timberghozt
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Fpr me it is a Sig P229 chambered in 40 Smith...It fits my hand and I am spot on with it rapid fire and deadly with it in slow deliberate aimed fire..
I also carry a 380 Bersa at times for deep concealed carry.With 90 grain Corbons,I have no objections what so ever and would not be fearful that I don t have enough bullet to settle a fight.The Bersa is more than accurate enough and it functions flawlessly with everything I have fed it.
The 9mm has a little more case capacity than the 380acp.I consider the 380 a close range round.Most gunfights happen within 7 yards,most more in the range of 7 feet..At 7 feet I would not hesitate to use a 32 acp or a 380 acp...I like a 45 acp and I love my 40,but reality is ,who puts steel in meat first and a 380 Corbon at close range will end your problem.I shot a wild hog with mine one evening as a finishing shot after being wounded by a pass through shot from another hog with my 270..Its plenty of power.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 01:33 AM |
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Nann Marie
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 Question, again...sorry boys but have you heard of and if so know where to get what I have heard called a fragmenting bullet or self defense bullet?
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 01:38 AM |
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72coupe
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I have my 45 cal night stand gun loaded with Glazer Safety Slugs. They are not supposed to penetrate more than 1 wall.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 02:59 AM |
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Charley
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My suggestion? Whatever handgun you are comfortable with and can shoot well. Caliber is of much less importance, IMO. Comfort and familiarity equal the ability to hit your target, and only hits count.
Mrs. Charley went thru a whole bunch of handguns looking for "her" gun. Tried small frame, short barreled revolvers in both .38 Special and .357 Magnum, didn't like them. Tried a Colt Mustang in .380, didn't like it. Test fired a Glock, hated it. My 1911s are too big for her hands, isn't comfortable with them. Tried my Kel-Tec P-11 in 9mm, didn't like it.
She finally settled on a Makarov pistol as her house gun, and for daily carry uses a Kel-Tec P-32. A .32 ACP is no powerhouse, but she likes the gun. It disappears in her pocket (meaning it is ALWAYS with her), and she can hit with it.
Having interchangeable magazines and ammuntion is a good goal, but with two people with entirly different physical characteristics is not really practical, IME. I suspect what is comfortable for your husband is a real handful for you. Mrs. Charley and I carry two VERY different handguns, both suit us. We both are familiar enough with each other's guns we can shoot them well, but one size usually doesn't fit all.
You might consider looking at Kel-Tec's P3AT, which is a .380 version of Mrs. Charley's P-32. Both are small, light, and have decent triggers.
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 11:07 AM |
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sdb777
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Nann Marie wrote: Question, again...sorry boys but have you heard of and if so know where to get what I have heard called a fragmenting bullet or self defense bullet?
Glazer makes a "Safety Slug" in a few calibers.
And the 'self defense' bullet, any projectile could be consider for that.
You might want to consider a small framed handgun(wheel gun) with the bobbed hammer? 38Special comes to mind very quickly....5 or 6 rounds of nothing but pull the trigger? Very popular, and can be found even in anti-gun Wal-Marts...save the cases and reload for plinking(use factory for self-defense or lawyers will have a field day with you if you ever have to use it against a bad person).
Scott (JMHO) B
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| Posted: Tue Nov 27th, 2007 04:20 PM |
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armoredman
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Find a local range that rents handguns, and start picking them up. Find the ones that feel "right" in your hand, rent them, and test fire. The money you spend here will save you money down the road.
Find the one that "fits", and shoots well for you. Purchase the sidearm, a good holster, spare ammunition feeding device, (magazine, speedloader) plus holder, get competant instruction from a professional, (money spent here will GREATLY benefit you if the worst ever happens), and practice.
A good 4 inch 38Spl revolver can do as well as a 9mm auto in the right hands. If you do YOUR part.
When it comes to actual sidearm selection, I do admit to some small bias towards CZ...
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| Posted: Fri Nov 30th, 2007 01:57 AM |
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Nann Marie
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Thanks to everyone and all your advise. We have to buy quick so we will check into a range that rents guns and try that route but will have to buy fast, my ex- has been spotted back in state and he has told many that we are a target.....We will have to buy now whether we can afford it or not, our families saftey depends on it.
Nothing like living with a mistake for the rest of your life, just pray it is not the end of mine
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| Posted: Fri Nov 30th, 2007 02:01 AM |
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72coupe
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There was a write up about the KelTec PF9, its a new polymer frame 9mm compact pistol. This was in the Dope Bag section of this months American Rifleman. They gave it a good review.
The best part of it is the price $366 retail.
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| Posted: Fri Nov 30th, 2007 11:55 AM |
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Charley
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There was a write up about the KelTec PF9, its a new polymer frame 9mm compact pistol. This was in the Dope Bag section of this months American Rifleman. They gave it a good review.
The best part of it is the price $366 retail.
I've seen them going for $289-$299. I didn't mention it for a female shooter for one big reason...felt recoil. My P-11 can't be considered a fun gun to shoot, it is a defense pistol pure and simple. I haven't fired a PF9, just handled them. With its light weight and narrow grip profile, I'm sure it is less fun to shoot than a P-11. Controlable? I'm sure it is. Comfortable to shoot? I seriously doubt it.
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| Posted: Thu Dec 13th, 2007 06:02 PM |
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Ghugly
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I understand that these are for self defence, money is an issue, and using the same ammo is desired. My suggestion is go to your dealer and say, "I'd like two Charter Arms Undercovers please." Stainless or blue, your choice. Standard or hammerless, your choice. You can get grips that will make them comfortable for your hand size. I would not be recommending them for everyday target shooting, there are far better choices for that. But for reasonably priced, easy to conceal, reliable, self defence guns, they are hard to beat. Practice with wadcutters and enough of the +P so the blast and recoil isn't a surprise when and if you need them.
My prayers and best wishes for your family, and my sincere hope that this all blows over without further incident.
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