Thinking of getting a handgun- need advice

[bdog]

Get someone to show you how to handle firarms, pistols, rifles, shootguns!

Safty first, ability second!!!

If you want to shoot cayotes you need a rifle. One with flat range. 22-250 shots flat and with a scope you can pick off Yotes a long way off!

If you need up close then a shotgun covers a lot of area and can go from a good peppering with #9 shot to Buckshot! It's good for eveything from coons, snakes to bears!

If it's in the house a short barrel shot gun with open bore can cover a whole wall at about 20'.

Hand guns are good in the house and in the car!

What ever you get, find a good instructor and practice until you are completly comfortable with the weapon!

One rule of thumb for self-defence "Don't ever pick up a weapon unless you are going to use it", Don't wait, don't start warning, don't hesitate! It is your life and you are the only one that can protect yourself! Don't pick up a weapon out of anger or rage! Use your head, save your ##!

My Best,

Jimmy

 

[ChickenCoder]

It really depends on the application - a handgun of a certain caliber that's good for self defense may not be well suited for varmints, and vice versa. As stated earlier, I'd recommend going to a local gun store and chatting up the employees to get an idea of what suits your particular situation. Once you have an idea of what you want, (again, as stated earlier), find a local range that offers classes and will allow you to rent one of the weapons you're interested in purchasing - get a feel for handling and shooting each one before you decide which one to purchase.

For more immediate concerns, carry some pepper spray (not the keyring canisters...) with you when you're working outside - they're easy to use and aim (just walk the spray to the target). The larger canisters (think Dog the Bounty Hunter) have a decent range and output and will deter pretty much anything (http://www.lex18.com/news/jack-hannah-pepper-sprays-bear-cub/).

 

[AKsmama]

Quote:
Yeah, but you need to be careful with a shotgun (any gun, really) in the house. What if you "cover a whole wall" and someone is sleeping behind it? Not good.

To be a responsible gun owner, you have to think about things like that as well.

 

[Q9]

I'd have to say a shotgun is your best bet. With a choke, it's good at a respectable distance. Not to mention, a shotgun has to be the single most versatile gun in existence. Load a slug into that sucker and you can kill anything short of a rhino.

For coyotes, though, a slug might be overkill.

Practice up with those shotguns, and don't buy Remington ammo.

Great guns, bad ammunition.

 

[Rebel Rooster]

As an avid "gun guy" and someone who has helped teach many young ladies to shoot... if you are looking for a dual purpose firearm,,, IE... Varmits & self defense, what you need is a small caliber rife with a lot of punch... like a Ruger Mini 14 in .223 Remington. This is the same round that our troops shoot in the M16... You can practice with it and learn to drive tacks at 100 yards and it is small enough to be handled in close quarters as in home defense... virtually "no" recoil and a load of stopping power... That would be my first choice for a novice...

 

[Turkeyrangler]

I hunt predators. If you have a 20 gauge from your dad use #4 buck or larger buckshot. Can be bought at any shop that carries ammo. If your using a 12 gauge use the same #4 buck or larger. That will drop a coyote at 40 yards and works just as well for two legged predators. I guessing that if they are at your coop or on your chickens it will be a close shot. It may or may not take out a bird too if it is close to the coyote. I was just thinking that a 20 gauge would be lighter and easier for a lady to use. Less recoil. If you just want a personal protection firearm the Springfield XD line of semi autos handguns makes some great sub compacts in 9mm that will fit a woman's hand well and pack enough punch to put someone down with a couple rounds. Like others have said, safety first. take a class and go to the range with someone experienced with firearms. Have fun, be safe and get those yodel puppies.

 

[JetBlack]

Quote:
You mean "what's left of the rest of your head"?

I imagine shooting the bad guy, then grabbing him by the clothes and rushing him into the bathtub. Who wants to clean blood off the carpet, forever?

I'm sure the cops'd understand.

 

[MandyH]

As a woman who LOVES guns let me tell you to go in and find a gun that fits YOUR grip. When you find one that you like you can usually get several different calibers to choose from. They also offer some varieties made with titanium so they are ultra lightweight. ALso note that an empty gun is quite a lot lighter than a loaded one. I have a Taurus Judge that shoots .45 long colts and .410 shotgun shells and that thing weighs a ton when loaded. You can also buy different hand grips for a gun if you want too. A small .380 is usually a good start for a woman because it doesn't pack a punch when you shoot it, but it is still deadly. I started out with a .380 and my two favorite guns now are my Taurus Judge and my Ruger .480 fitted with a Nikon scope for whitetail deer hunting. ANy questions, shoot me an email I will be glad to answer any questions you may have.

 

[JetBlack]

Quote:
They shoot great. A mini-14 is such a nice gun to shoot. It pushes, rather than punches and is strong enough to hunt both gophers and deer. Look for something like that, at a pawn shop, or on www.gunbroker.com.

9mm handguns will put down coyotes and most are reasonably accurate. My Ruger P89 ($385) is very accurate, light to carry, in a holster, durable if you bang it around or if it falls off the car seat (you must have a concealed carry permit to carry a loaded firearm in a vehicle). Larger calibers than 9mm and you start to get into big money.

For instance I got a FANTASTIC deal on a Les Baer custom 1911, in .45 ACP. $1200. 1/3 the price of that gun, from the company. $1200 is entry level price for a middle-of-the-road 1911.

Find something that fits your hands. You'll know when you hold it.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Wow, y'all! Thanks for the great suggestions!
I knew the range would let you come shoot and that they held classes. I didn't know they had guns to try out. I'll have to go give it a try.

I have a 16 gauge and a 12 gauge. The 12 gauge makes the nifty chunk-chunk sound, but it is really heavy. On the plus side it will hold a number of shells. The 16 gauge is nice and lightweight. It is a single shot though. It is the one though that I tend to grab when the coyotes get really near. I'm pretty sure the 12 gauge will toss me on my butt. I've thought about getting a 20 gauge. I just haven't gotten around to looking at them yet. I didn't realize you could practice with shotguns at the range. I hate to have my first time shooting one of the dang things to be in the middle of a problem. I'll have to bring them to the range.

Thanks for the suggestions on handguns. I've made a list and will check them out.