Gun owners and shooters, may I ask your opinions, please

[jerseygirl1]

I think my first post states it's mainly for confidence, then for varmints. Where did you get the impression it's for self-defense? Other people may have them for self-defense, which is why I was asking for everyone's opinion

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

I have a .45 cal. Double Barrel Derringer for my "home security" among many others available. I refuse to shoot it unless I have to. A friend shot .410 longs through it & bloodied his hand. A .45 may remove the hand. As for critter getters, I like my .22 Mag. rifle. I have a .32 cal. double action revolver, .22 Mag double action revolver, .22 Mag Derringer, & a .410 shotgun. Oh yeah, can't rule out my 1000 fps pellet rifle.

 

[rcentner]

I love my 22 g long rifle, no kick, accurate, easy to load. 6 load magazine. I even fashioned a nice comfy sling. I love to target practice, ammo is getting expensive for everything though. I would not shoot a bear with that rifle, but just about anything else (around here) would be put to rest with that. I take comfort in knowing that my entire country neigborhood is loaded, we all target shoot the same range in the "back 40" on our street. I always joke that we hear more gunshots than the ghetto. Enjoy shooting! (hopefully not for defense though)

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Yep, love the .22 Mag. I filed my fore sight to a point, & my best shot is a hole in the nickel hanging on the sling. Hit it at 50 yards.

 

[sixlittlechicks09]

I'm a young female and my weapon of choice for getting rid of predators (mainly rabid raccoons around here lately

) Is a Taurus "Judge". It's a nice little handgun, but does come in bigger sizes (I have the short barrel, my dad has a long barrel and extended grip! The thing I LOVE about it is it shoots .45s AND .410s. So it's handy when I have to dispatch something up close with the .45s, or if I have to shoot at something from a distance with the .410s, especially if I don't want to get close! Plus, although it's a little tacky, it comes in pink!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi! I don't like loud guns and I'm so gun-ignorant it hurts. They are 'just tools' to me. I always have a pistol in my purse when I leave home. My husband has big guns and they are impractical to me --- I don't need to drop a charging elephant or shoot a deer a-foot-ball-field-away.
I have a little shotgun that is quite effective for predators (only used it for 4-leg predators, it would *I think* be equally effective for 2-leg predators).
Once upon a time, I shot a nutty stalker-type guy in the leg with my little pea-shooter purse-pistol because he'd staked out my motel room door for 2 days.
I was in a restaurant alone and he followed me back to the motel. I was stuck in the room and called the police dozens of times with no results. He laid squealing in the parking lot til the police picked him up. If he had been persistant and got up, I could have shot him my with my *pea-shooter* again.
I encourage you find a gun you are comfortable using.

Lisa

 

[emsdial911]

chickensducks&agoose :

As far as predators, I like my sawed off, pistol grip Remmington 12 gauge. For personal defense I favor my Khar MK 9, as it is an amazing fit in my hand. My DH hates it, his hands are a little too big, and it feels funny. They do sell an extended clip, that makes it much easier for him.

Sawed off shotguns or any other rifle is Illegal or are you referring to a short barrel shotgun?​

 

[emsdial911]

I agree with ScaredOfShadows she gave some good advice.
You didn't mention which kind of varmint you are having problems with or where you live. Rounds can travel a long way so think about what’s around you and where your neighbors are if you have any. Without a LOT of training using a handgun for vermin control, a long gun is your best bet but consider this. A .22 cal will not take down a coyote or even a dog unless you hit a vital organ. Shot guns are great but again as someone posted, they are for close range, buckshot will rarely take down a medium to large coyote. Try out different calibers, see what you like and can handle. Once you find something you like ask a dealer or someone you trust what they think about that caliber and vermin control.

Personal protection is a whole different matter. Here is a good site with a lot of good information that can help you.

http://ingunowners.com/forums/

 

[Tala]

Quote:
The reason that people assume you want a self defense gun is because you are applying for a permit.

A permit is generally NOT required to carry a gun unconcealed on YOUR OWN property to protect yourself from snakes or your livestock from preds, especially out in the sticks where neighbors won't be calling the cops on MWAG (that's "man with a gun") on you just for walking across your yard.
To keep up to date on the laws of your area, I recommend www.handgunlaw.us

I prefer a .22 LR rifle to dispatch predators, mine is a Savage Mark II model it was only about $100 and can sometimes be found at WalMart for a good price. It's very quiet and has almost zero recoil.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Quote:
The reason that people assume you want a self defense gun is because you are applying for a permit.

A permit is generally NOT required to carry a gun unconcealed on YOUR OWN property to protect yourself from snakes or your livestock from preds, especially out in the sticks where neighbors won't be calling the cops on MWAG (that's "man with a gun") on you just for walking across your yard.
To keep up to date on the laws of your area, I recommend www.handgunlaw.us

I prefer a .22 LR rifle to dispatch predators, mine is a Savage Mark II model it was only about $100 and can sometimes be found at WalMart for a good price. It's very quiet and has almost zero recoil.

That would be nice, but I think where we live, we do need to get a permit regardless. And I am not messing with the laws.