Advice Please On What Handgun & Where To Buy

What-tyrone

First of all, I appreciate your original reply very much. Then I saw this reply. Honestly, there's no need to say "stfup" to me.

I'm in Texas.

Not in one of these purses: [link to www.mygunpurses.com]

And not with a shaved-hammer.

You're a bit hostile... maybe it's you that needs to stfu.

[link to m.academy.com]

See. this is what I needed. I didn't know you could first try guns at a training class, I thought I would have to get one first. That's what I'll do. Thank you so much!

Thank you Scrump! I just bookmarked the page so I can look it over after leaving here.

You guys have been great, maybe I can finally get some sleep tonight knowing I'm going to be able to feel a little safer soon.

If you buy some old school peice of shit semi-auto then yes that is a possibility.

Springfields & Glocks however are incapable of misfires & ambidextrous..

I didn't mention Sig-Saur's just because they are top of the line and it goes without saying.

If ya got the money for it & rightanded Sig-SaurP-228 9mm..

You don't need a CCW licence to have one in your home , ONLY if you plan carrying the gun on you or in your purse or car then you MUST have a CCW licence or you will be in BIG trouble if you are stopped and they see a gun... You need to take a gun safety course anyhow especially if you've never fired a weapon and do not know how to load or field strip your gun.

You will want to know how to clean that firearm!! And keep it clean.you need to know what it feels like to shoot it, you need to know how to breathe upon firing it. MAKE SURE if your going to get a gun that when the time comes you will NO Reservations whatsoever of pulling that trigger and pumping hot lead into a human being because ALOT of people are killed by their own guns because they hesitate in pulling the trigger on their aggressor! !!

I would suggest for you a pistol since you are a petite senior because it will be easy to hold and you will not have the recoil ( kick) you will have from a semi- auto. Get you a pistol and some hollow point or critical duty rounds and make sure you keep a speed loader with rounds in it to reload .

That little one handles that like a champ! Nice job Dad! Love to see this!!!

I have just what you need.

Akimbo AA-12 Fully automatic shotguns ;)

This is great, never even thought about all of the details like having to clean it, all makes so much sense though. All my life I have out witted crazies which I attribute to youth. Now that I'm older, I feel so much more helpless. The thought of firing a gun at another person has always been out of my comfort zone. But the thought of protecting myself outweighs that. There comes a point where something takes over and you start to fight back! I've enjoyed becoming a senior in so many ways, just hate that some people take advantage of it.

Senior can cover a lot of ground...

A 20ga semi-auto gas operated shotgun with a 20" barrel would make a great home defense weapon for anyone. 20ga with #4 buckshot and a extended capacity magazine tube is very manageable, especially with gas recoil system.

Handgun is for constant carry and access. If you are in fear for your life and well-being the shotgun is the formidable weapon with stopping power at close range which is where most fights occur; up close. Semi-auto shotgun like a Remington 11-87 or model 1100 fire 6 or more rounds very fast and with minimal recoil. Will likely deafen you if have to fire inside your home, unless you have very high ceilings and large open rooms.

Probably want a stainless steel handgun and should have it with you at all time, even when bathing etc. Stainless will resist rust, but handguns need proper care and lubrication.

Semi-auto pistol in 9mm Luger ctg with 10rd or larger magazine is a decent choice if concealment not an issue. There are many small frame handguns designed primarily for concealment. There are purses manufactured specifically for concealed handgun carry and quick access.

Good idea to call shooting ranges in your area and see if they rent handguns so you can try a couple and see what you shoot most accurately with. Lots of books out there on shooting and self-defense. Massad Ayoob wrote a classic called IN The Gravest Extreme back in the late 70s early 80s; before the concealed carry and open carry reforms which make gun carrying now so available and popular.

If you fear for your life, you are within your God-Given rights to do what you feel in your best interest for self-protection. Might want to read up on what legal circumstances might result in prosecution. Usually, if someone you have had issues with comes on your property, much less breaks and enters, and is acting threateningly and belligerent, you will have some grounds of justification.

Costs of defending yourself in civil court not to mention criminal court can be very, very high. If you are a renter, might think about moving. Maybe if you own your home think about selling. Might cost you well over $100k for legal defense expenses if you have to shoot someone. Not like you probably want to do so anyway...

Good idea to own the means for self-defense, and handgun and home defense shoulder arm like 20ga semi-auto shotgun are good tools for peace of mind. Might really think about moving though if that is possible, rather than run afoul of the law or test the justice system.


If you are very slight of build or frail, you might look at .22 long rifle weapons. A standard 4" or 6" pistol is pretty lightweight and usually holds 10rds. The Ruger 10/22 rifle is a short weapon that can be fitted with 10, 25, or 50rd magazines. There are special types of ammunition called hyper-velocity rounds which likely offer the best result in home defense situation. The CCI Stinger is a time-tested and well regarded type of this ammunition. Recoil and weight of most .22 pistols is minimal and the 10/22 in standard configuration, IE the carbine, is maybe 4lbs.

Jeff Cooper, noted firearm and self-defense authority recommended that those unable to handle heavier or higher recoiling firearms use the .22lr and "shoot for the eyes".

May God Deliver you from having to live any longer in fear, and from the necessity of taking a life in self-defense.

If anyone needs more than one magazine's worth of bullets to deal with a potential threat from a neighbor, said person shouldn't have a gun.

She's not readying herself for a standoff with a swat team ffs.

SIG Sauer P226

FN Browning Hi-Power is nice too

Op probably not a good idea if you dont like black kids and load Rap music hehe.

You better listen to him. Those Glock pistols are a little too touchy for beginners. Too many accidental discharges.

Revolver, a .38 or .357 loaded with .38s would be your best bet as a newbie to shooting.

Just got done doing some research on the net after these awesome replies...

Found a place not to far that offers a 4 hour training to pass the CHL Concealed Handgun License here in Texas. Next is finding a place for learning all about handguns and training so I can buy one.

Learned so much tonight, I sorta feel more empowered already.

Off to bed, thank you everyone!

Get a Beretta Bobcat
It's a .22 and it will get the job done.

Go to a range near you, talk to people about your concerns and situation and make some acquaintance. People will let you fire their stuff if you ask nice.

This^^ Most gun shops with a range can assist you and rent multiple types to see which one you can handle and be proficient with.
Which ever one you can handle, get that one..

That's why they make carry purses.

new Smith & Wesson M&P shield

That.

Someone else mentioned a Springfield XD sub-compact, also a great choice.

If you have small hands, check out the Smith and Wesson Shield. Fantastic gun.

All in 9mm.

Go to a gunshop, fondle all of the above. See what is most comfortable. Many have gun ranges onsite, so you can shoot it/learn it.

Once you get one, no matter what kind, get some GOOD ammo to put in it. Federal HST, or Speed Golddot. There are many others, but those are simple and easy to find. Not cheap, but effective. AVOID ANYTHING WITH A LABEL OF +P. It's loaded really hot, and isn't going to help you if you've never shot much. It will have a really snappy recoil, and just isn't necessary for you right now.

Once you've got the above taken care of, buy LOTS of crappy target ammo. Anything cheap. Then, go to the gun range and SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT. Then, shoot some more. Every week for at least a month. Shooting a handgun accurately, repeatedly, isn't easy. It takes skill and that skill you acquire through practice. If you have no one to really show you (find someone if you can), hit youtube. There are several very good "how to shoot" vids. It really is all about your grip.

Owning a handgun, and thinking you may need to use it, is a serious responsibility. You can't put a bullet back in. So, practice, A LOT, so you can reliably put bullets where you want them to go, and no where else. It isn't easy, but it's not hard. Just buying one, and never learning how to shoot it accurately and reliably, isn't going to do you much good, unless the sight of it might scare someone away. If you're serious, then be serious.

Don't be daunted. You can do it. Anyone can. You just need to put in some time and effort.

That was supposed to read SPEER Gold Dot.