Quote:
Originally Posted by CMANN
I agree with you with the following exception. If you have the ability to master an automatic which I must say your average home defense person probably does not nor does your average senior citizen female shooter. That being said if you must have a semiautomatic pistol absolutely must have one I would only consider a Glock. Unbelievably reliable. I love the 1911 45 caliber automatic however in this day and age is to play shooters. Not for shooters whose life will depend on it.
Just my opinion, developed from 50 years of packing.
When I carry, I carry a revolver.
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I have carried both a wheel gun (revolver) and a 1911. I perfer the 1911 (semi-auto 45 ACP) to a wheel gun. Faster reloads, more rounds, etc., and I handle it excellently, but that is just me, you have to find what you can shoot best and what works best for you.
If you buy a cheap revolver or semi-auto you are buying junk. Neither would I bet my live on. If you must have a firearm right now, don't waste your money on junk, save up and get a good one. All my 1911s are top of the line and I have never had a problem with any of them using commerical ammo. Sometimes my reloads don't work so well, because of a reduced powder charge. It happens when you reload. So I deal with it.
Living here in The Villages, crowded next to lots of houses, the very best home defense weapon is a shotgun using 7 1/2 or 8 shot. You really don't want to miss your target and punch holes through four or five walls. Once you launch a bullet it is your responsibility until it stop moving and hopefully not in your neighbor who will be really upset with you.
Ladies, lots of them can not cycle and charge a semi-auto due to upper body strength, so a revolver is their best choice. Also all you guys who think that the light weight hammerless +P .38 is just the thing for that lovely lady in your life are making a big mistake. Lot of recoil and after a few rounds she won't want to shoot it anymore. If she is not thinking of carrying concealed and only using it for home defense, get a .357 revolver. When you are at the range, shoot .38 in it, they are the same except the .357 is 1/10 inch longer so that it will not fit in a .38. Load it up with .357 for home defense, she will never feel the recoil in a stress situation and has all the stopping powder that she needs, plus the pleasure of practicing with cheaper ammo and way less recoil.
One thing about stopping power. I don't care of you are using a 500 S&W hand cannon or a .17 HR2. If you can't hit your target there is NO stopping power. A slow hit is twice as effective as a fast miss.
If you decide to obtain a firearm for home protect or concealed carry, get some training, get some more training and then plan on going to the range at least 4 times a years, better yet, join a shooting club and practice at least once a month. Your life and the life of your loved one just might depend on it.
In closing, your best defense is Deterence and Avoidance. Even with FL "Stand Your Ground Law" avoiding having to use deadly force will save you lots of money, grief and keep you safe. Your best self defense weapon is your cell phone. So if you can safely retreat from a deadly situation, do so, call the police, let them handle the situation, that is what we pay them for.