Thinking of getting a handgun- need advice

[debilorrah]

Quote:
x2 A nice liitle pearl handled pink .22 is great to start with knowing without a doubt that all you can do with it is stun someone, unless you hit the mark RIGHT on the dot. Good gun to get comfortable with but I prefer a .357 - not TOO much kick, but enough to get the job done.

 

[SillyChicken]

I'm a girl and I carry a Taurus Millenium 9mm in a hidden holster. It's tough to conceal and I've considered getting a much smaller side arm for summer carry. I also have a king cobra .357 revolver it's got some pretty ugly ammo in it

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find one that feels good in your hand

try some actual shooting time on the range

take a shooting safety class/self defence class

Shoot often and in different positions.

20 ga are great shot guns. I have hunted deer with mine since my dad gave it to me @ 16.... I'm 45.

I've also got a mini 14, a couple other militar issue rifles and shot guns. The best home defence gun we have is a (it's legal) flat black, snub nosed 12 ga with pistol grip, it holds mini shot shells... the shot has 5 large balls ..... it's made strictly for max stopping power in a short range with minimal house damage.

 

[sixlittlechicks09]

I'm a girl, and I would agree with all the other posts, Try out lots of handguns and find what you personally like!

But if I had to give a recommendation, I'd say the Taurus "Judge" it shoots .38's and .410's so it's good for shooting things "rifle style" or "shotgun" style. I like to use the .38 for shooting longer range (ie standing on my porch looking at raccoon trying to get into my coop) and the .410 for closer or things you can't necessarily hit rifle style (birds, moving targets) Plus, as silly as it may seem, IT COMES IN PINK

 

[AllTheseCreatures]

I agree too! The kind of gun you'll like is totally a matter of personal preference. I have a H&K P7 (9mm). Also, I wouldn't go with a lighter framed gun, the heaviness of the frame helps control the recoil. I prefer to have a handgun and a shotgun. My DH has all the rifles . . .

HAVE FUN!!

 

[Miltonchix]

For every 100 replies you'll get 100 different answers.
Decide what caliber you want/need.
Contrary to a couple posters a .22 is a good personal protection weapon, if it holds a lot of rounds. You never pull the trigger just once when/if the time comes to use it. A small .22 projectile will bounce every time it strikes something solid and will do lots of damage. DOES NOT have any knock down power so just because you shoot someone doesn't mean they'll drop in their tracks. They will likely keep coming till they realize they're dead.
A lightweight handgun can be hard to control after the first round. I have a Glock .40 cal that is a bear to control. But my .45 Colt which is a much larger gun has little recoil and is much easier to control.
I have a pocket .25 that has more knock down than a .22 but only effective/accurate out to about 10ft. You need to decide what caliber and then go touch and hold and shoot and have fun.