At least thought I'd toss it out there. I'll keep an ear out for pistols for sale for you.

 

I have to recommend the Glock. I've had several guns and currently own a few handguns; a Glock 19, a Sig .40, a Taurus .25 and a host of rifles and shotguns. I can honestly say if I could only keep 1 weapon, it would be the Glock.

Easy to disassemble, clean, operate and the 19 is small enough to carry with ease. I've also trained and carried the same model for work.

Definitely check it out...

 

Don't forget, kiddies, triggers can be modified to be as light or as heavy as you desire... if a Glock is your weapon of preference but the trigger is heavy, get a shop to modify it for you.

 

Skip,

I carry a H&K USP Compact .40 as a duty weapon and can't recommend them over a Glock. I bought a Glock .40 compact for personal use and even though I had fired over a thousand rounds through the H&K I shot better witht the Glock with the first 5 rounds. I highly recommend you seriously consider a Glock 9mm compact (not sub-compact). It's just a fantastically fine shooting pistol and it's known throughout the world as a very, very reliable weapon and the price is pretty decent.

Rob

 

If it's just for practice and learning to shoot a gun, I guess I'd lean toward the less expensive end of the range. Maybe even a CZ75. If you're looking for something you can rely on in a pinch, will be FUN to shoot for the whole family I'd probably opt for the Sig in a full-size. Definitely stay away from compacts if you're looking for a good time at the range - your hands and wrists will thank you and your targets will look better Consider replacing "combat-style" sights with target sights.

The DA/SA guns are not bad to shoot. DA-only can be a PITA, but there's a reason for DA - safety. Realize that many of these guns are INTENDED for combat/police/self-defense use and are therefore engineered in that direction. If you want fun or target shooting, that's a slightly different gun.

I don't mind the Glocks, but never really took to them after putting a few boxes through a 9, 40 and 45 compact.

There's got to be a range down there in Virginia that has a number of these for rent, isn't there? At least you could make a day of it and try out a number of different guns before committing to one.

And for the money, a Ruger Mk3 Target is hella fun, but not much of a self-defense weapon... unless you're defending yourself against rabid squirrels.

Finally, please PLEASE look into having your wife and kids (and even yourself) take an NRA-sanctioned handgun course (and self-defense course, if you're interested). It lays down a very good basis for handgun ownership, handling and most importantly - safety.

We teach these courses at our IWLA chapter, but Germantown, MD is a ways for you. There's likely someone nearby that offers such courses.

 

If in the event a pump action shot gun is used in home protection. It looks a little worse to a jury then a 9mm (I know Im getting ahead of myself,just wanted to put it out there) hollow points also damn your case as well. I just keep target ammo in a magazine in my night stand next to me, gun directly below me.

Skip, seriously. Should you be looking for something inexpensive, very sleek, easy to maintain and very smooth firing. The Smith & Wesson Sigma is the way to go, your gonna pay considerably more for the sig or the glock and get the same reliability as the s&w.



Thats what I have and I love it!

 

Not to sidetrack, but I don't see why a pump action shotgun or hollow points could be damning in a home invasion self-defense case. If you shoot someone that is in your home, it would be made obvious to the jury by any lawyer the sanctity of your home has been violated with possible personal harm being intended. Prevention of such harm by any means necessary is reasonable and justified.

Now, if you were out on the street and used a pump action, then some may look at you a bit sideways

 

I think he's really talking about the civil case when the attacker or his family sues you. Don't under-estimate the stupidity of your average juror. They can be swayed to see the evil in the heart of someone callus enough to shoot another human being at close range with a shotgun or one of those deadly hollow point bullets that act like little tiny knives.

"Did this man, this desperate man trying to provide for his family, deserve to die in such a horrible way for simply trying to steal something from this man's home?"

Bottom line is every state needs a "Make My Day" law that pretty much lets you do anything to a home invader.

Rob

 

I was told by the local Sheriff's department that you simply state that you felt your life was in danger and you wanted to STOP the attack. Nothing else.

I don't think using hollow point bullets would make a difference in that case?

 

Rob -

Which states do have that sort of law? I think TX is quite lenient when it comes to that sort of thing...