Coolest Guns you have fired?

[phgreek]

Say hello to my little friends. Custom 1911s, carbon fiber is sexy. My gunsmith does pretty awesome work.

BTW, all my guns are locked up in safes. I strictly shoot target and free hand competition.

Sorry for sounding cocky, but this was the intention of this thread right? To show off.

hell yes...love to hear about what guys have done to their guns, and then see them...

 

[bkess8]

I am finally going to get a handgun for home protection, it will help me sleep better at night when I am on deployment knowing my wife is home alone with 2 kids and they will be better protected. I am looking for some insight on what to get. I live in California so I know that is already making what I can get more difficult. I would like to spend around $500-$700 and I want reliability. My wife is familiar with handguns so that is not a big worry just need some advice. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

I am finally going to get a handgun for home protection, it will help me sleep better at night when I am on deployment knowing my wife is home alone with 2 kids and they will be better protected. I am looking for some insight on what to get. I live in California so I know that is already making what I can get more difficult. I would like to spend around $500-$700 and I want reliability. My wife is familiar with handguns so that is not a big worry just need some advice. Thanks for the help guys.

I asked the same question not long ago. Read back a couple of pages. Lots of good info.

I've narrowed my selection down to the XDM or the VP9. Just need to "pull the trigger" and get it. Sorry for the pun.

 

[GoldenDome]

I am finally going to get a handgun for home protection, it will help me sleep better at night when I am on deployment knowing my wife is home alone with 2 kids and they will be better protected. I am looking for some insight on what to get. I live in California so I know that is already making what I can get more difficult. I would like to spend around $500-$700 and I want reliability. My wife is familiar with handguns so that is not a big worry just need some advice. Thanks for the help guys.

SIG

9mm or .45 if she can handle it. Personally, I can't shoot my .40 S&Ws all day because it starts to dig into my skin and I don't want to wear shooting gloves. Also, the velocity may not be the best for home defense. For home defense, I would prefer .45 simply for the slower velocity and it stopping. 9mm, you can shoot all day, but it may not stop and go through multiple walls. IMO, if she can't handle the .45, I recommend 9mm.

Also, Glock is very reliable, but I don't like that it doesn't have a safety lock. It is basically a mechanism built into the trigger which I hate, that and its plastic. But I know many people who love them. Note, a women that I went shooting with couldn't shoot her Glock because she sort of limp wrists it, so the natural recoil kept jamming the ammo. But I shot it and it was fine. I replaced the trigger to a 3.5 pound trigger pull and it still kept jamming on her. Glocks are great guns though despite my aversion.

If it was my money, SIG all day every day, but I am a SIG guy. IMO, go with her to the store and have her actually grip the guns and pick the one that is most comfortable. Some women don't like the double stacked mags and some do. The same woman who couldn't shoot the Glock loves shooting the single stacked 1911 .45 so go figure.

Hope this helps, and practice practice practice. Remember, the ammo nowadays is more than the guns itself. Take that into consideration too.

 

[calvegas04]

I asked the same question not long ago. Read back a couple of pages. Lots of good info.

I've narrowed my selection down to the XDM or the VP9. Just need to "pull the trigger" and get it. Sorry for the pun.

what made you eliminate the g19? A few people I have talked to have said that is the one to pick.

 

[NDBoiler]

SIG

9mm or .45 if she can handle it. Personally, I can't shoot my .40 S&Ws all day because it starts to dig into my skin and I don't want to wear shooting gloves. Also, the velocity may not be the best for home defense. For home defense, I would prefer .45 simply for the slower velocity and it stopping. 9mm, you can shoot all day, but it may not stop and go through multiple walls. IMO, if she can't handle the .45, I recommend 9mm.

Also, Glock is very reliable, but I don't like that it doesn't have a safety lock. It is basically a mechanism built into the trigger which I hate, that and its plastic. But I know many people who love them. Note, a women that I went shooting with couldn't shoot her Glock because she sort of limp wrists it, so the natural recoil kept jamming the ammo. But I shot it and it was fine. I replaced the trigger to a 3.5 pound trigger pull and it still kept jamming on her. Glocks are great guns though despite my aversion.

If it was my money, SIG all day every day, but I am a SIG guy. IMO, go with her to the store and have her actually grip the guns and pick the one that is most comfortable. Some women don't like the double stacked mags and some do. The same woman who couldn't shoot the Glock loves shooting the single stacked 1911 .45 so go figure.

Hope this helps, and practice practice practice. Remember, the ammo nowadays is more than the guns itself. Take that into consideration too.

Isn't that why hollow points are recommended for home defense, or would that not matter for a 9mm?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

SIG

If it reads "Made in West Germany", then hell yes. If not, you can probably do better.

9mm or .45 if she can handle it. Personally, I can't shoot my .40 S&Ws all day because it starts to dig into my skin and I don't want to wear shooting gloves. Also, the velocity may not be the best for home defense. For home defense, I would prefer .45 simply for the slower velocity and it stopping. 9mm, you can shoot all day, but it may not stop and go through multiple walls. IMO, if she can't handle the .45, I recommend 9mm.

Premium JHP rounds in all major service calibers will reliably meet the FBI standard of penetrating at least 12'' and expanding at least 1/2''':

You can go as low as a .357 Special without having to worry about terminal ballistic performance.

There's no way to make a handgun safer for bystanders by considering penetration. Even if you go so far as loading frangible rounds (which is a terrible idea), you can't count on drywall to stop them. Just have to be aware of what's behind your target.

Also, Glock is very reliable, but I don't like that it doesn't have a safety lock. It is basically a mechanism built into the trigger which I hate, that and its plastic. But I know many people who love them. Note, a women that I went shooting with couldn't shoot her Glock because she sort of limp wrists it, so the natural recoil kept jamming the ammo. But I shot it and it was fine. I replaced the trigger to a 3.5 pound trigger pull and it still kept jamming on her. Glocks are great guns though despite my aversion.

Very true. Most of the women in my family favor the G19 and shoot it well, but limp-wristing a Glock creates lots of problems.

Hope this helps, and practice practice practice. Remember, the ammo nowadays is more than the guns itself. Take that into consideration too.

Also great advice. Probably the most compelling reason to buy a 9mm.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Isn't that why hollow points are recommended for home defense, or would that not matter for a 9mm?

You should never load anything other than JHP for self-defense, but mostly because it increases the volume of the wound cavity; which has the two-fold benefit of being more likely to damage a vital organ (incapacitating the target soon thereafter), and less likely to produce an exit wound (thereby reducing the risk of fatality due to bleed-out).

Regardless, both JHP and FMJ ammo passes through drywall like nothing.

 

[Veer option]

Home defense? Get a shotgun. Pistols require lots and lots of practice to attain profecency. I'm not of those people that thinks racking a pump = bad guys shit bricks. Sure pistols are cool and come in many forms and calibers but for sheer ease of use nothing can beat a shotgun. Hell if heard some jerk in my house I'm calling 911, grabbing my 12guage and staying put. The last thing I'm gonna do is go off in the dark, slicing the pie like some foolish mall ninja looking for a confrontation.

 

[Blazers46]

I am not very fluent in gun lingo but we just started buying guns for protection. We bought a few 9mm hand guns, a .38, and for some reason we bought a 22 rifle and we also thought it would be neat to also get a rifle with a bayonet.

Like Veer stated above, I have thought about getting a 12 gauge because I do not shoot often. Am I going a little overboard?

Also I need opinions on if I should register my guns or not. This local guy that lives in a tin foil hut tells me to register one and not any of the others so the government just takes my one and leaves the rest alone. (In the event the government wants to take our guns).

 

[BleedBlueGold]

what made you eliminate the g19? A few people I have talked to have said that is the one to pick.

I don't personally like the ergonomics. Glocks don't seem to fit my hand comfortably. It could be user error, but I've shot a lot of 9mm over the last month or so and didn't have a problem with comfort (or lack thereof) the way I did with the Glock. Just my opinion. A lot of people love them.

 

[Irish YJ]

Hey Whiskey what are your thoughts on the Taurus Judge. I'm not a big fan of Taurus (I'm a Glock/Sig/HK guy), but have a few friends that love them for home defense.

 

[FLDomer]

If it reads "Made in West Germany", then hell yes. If not, you can probably do better.

I have a P220 West Germany and it is a fine fine weapon. No bells and whistles on it, just functions flawlessly and accuracy is incredible. I recently picked up a sig p938 and that too is nice but even being a nicer model (Blackwood) it is not as solid and finely made as the old West German.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Home defense? Get a shotgun. Pistols require lots and lots of practice to attain profecency.

Practice is critical for any firearm you intend to use for home defense. If practice is out of the question, you might be better off not keeping a gun in your house at all, so you at least avoid the risk that your own firearm will be used against you...

I'm not of those people that thinks racking a pump = bad guys shit bricks.

Agreed. Not a good idea to hold off on chambering a round until potential assailants are close enough to hear it in the hopes that it'll scare them off.

Sure pistols are cool and come in many forms and calibers but for sheer ease of use nothing can beat a shotgun.

Really? The handling on a longarm leaves a lot to be desired in close quarters like a home. And a 12-gauge loaded with 00 buck kicks a helluva lot harder than any pistol. The women in my family actually enjoy pistol shooting. No one enjoys shooting a 12-gauge very long...

Hell if heard some jerk in my house I'm calling 911, grabbing my 12guage and staying put. The last thing I'm gonna do is go off in the dark, slicing the pie like some foolish mall ninja looking for a confrontation.

Good advice. I still think you'd be better off with a pistol in that situation, but if you're comfortable with your 12-gauge, it'll certainly get the job done.

I don't personally like the ergonomics. Glocks don't seem to fit my hand comfortably. It could be user error, but I've shot a lot of 9mm over the last month or so and didn't have a problem with comfort (or lack thereof) the way I did with the Glock. Just my opinion. A lot of people love them.

Glocks definitely aren't as pretty or ergonomic as some other pistols. I'd caution against putting too much weight on "hand feel" though; it's a tool, so efficacy is top priority. For instance, M&P pistols fit my hand better than Glocks do, but despite having put hundreds of rounds through an M&P9, I still score better with my Glock.

If you want to get really scientific about it, the best way to choose a platform and caliber is outlined at the bottom of this page:

An individual has to choose the most effective defense package, taking into account both the expected terminal ballistics of the round and caliber he chooses and how well he shoots that pistol and ammunition combination. For example, if a person were trying to decide between shooting 9x19 or .40SW, he might:

• from a holster, at 7 yards,
• shoot ten rounds into an NRA-type pistol target as quickly as possible,
• do this for both pistols, and
• score the targets, scale the score to percent,
• multiply the FBI wound volume for each round by the target's score, and
• divide that by the time it took to shoot the rounds, starting from the holster.

This kind of a calculation is going to yield something like total wound volume (in cubic inches) per second. It will take into account if a person is slower and less accurate with a certain pistol and caliber, and it will take into account the terminal ballistics of the round.

The pistol and caliber with the highest score wins.

Hey Whiskey what are your thoughts on the Taurus Judge. I'm not a big fan of Taurus (I'm a Glock/Sig/HK guy), but have a few friends that love them for home defense.

Posted quite a bit about the Judge on the first two pages. Here are the relevant posts:

Good for killing snakes and one-handed skeet shooting. That's about it.

That's how it's marketed, but it's a very poor choice for home defense. The .410 shot out of a such a short barrel doesn't achieve the necessary velocity to penetrate sufficiently (only 4''-5'' in flesh), and the shallow rifling of the barrel makes it extremely inaccurate when firing .45s.

Classic case of trying to do too many things in one platform and doing none of them well.

The FBI minimum benchmark for self-defense ammo is 12'' of penetration, because of the need to reach the central nervous system from oblique angles, after penetrating intermediate barriers, etc. Even with a best-case-scenario full frontal shot, a projectile needs to penetrate at least 7''-8'' inches to reach vital organs. 4''-5'' is grossly inadequate penetration for a self-defense round.

Poor accuracy is also a deal breaker. In life and death situations, trigger discipline goes to hell. Cops, who train a lot more than the average civilian, only hit with ~30% of their shots on the street. There's no reason to trust your life to an inaccurate firearm.

Here's the penetration test I referred to. I wasn't able to find anything more formal (ballistic gelatin, etc.), but Box O' Truth is generally reliable. He was testing .410 shot out of a standard Judge, which only has 3(!) pellets per case. I believe there's a magnum Judge that can fit 3'' shells, which offers 2 more pellets per shell.

The .45 obviously had no trouble penetrating. The Judge's problem there is with accuracy. The shallow rifling in the barrel necessary to make it "work" with both shells and bullets means accuracy goes to hell at anything but extremely close range.

I apologize if I gave offense to anyone who owns a Judge. There's just a lot of snake oil out there when it comes to self-defense products. It can work well a a varmint gun, but I'd never trust my life to it.

 

[wizards8507]

As a gun, it's certainly not "cool" in the slightest, but my father-in-law left me a J.C. Higgins bolt-action 20 gauge shotgun from the late 1940s. It's interesting to look back on how much things have changed when you consider that this gun came from a catalog and was sold as the store brand of Sears, Roebuck and Co. He also left me a Charter Arms .38 Special "Undercover" revolver circa 1964. Both are still in excellent working order.

I was planning on growing my collection when I lived in Florida but with the Sandy Hook legislation, the cost of entry to purchase firearms in Connecticut is more than I'm willing to take on right now.

 

[phgreek]

As a gun, it's certainly not "cool" in the slightest, but my father-in-law left me a J.C. Higgins bolt-action 20 gauge shotgun from the late 1940s. It's interesting to look back on how much things have changed when you consider that this gun came from a catalog and was sold as the store brand of Sears, Roebuck and Co. He also left me a Charter Arms .38 Special "Undercover" revolver circa 1964. Both are still in excellent working order.

I was planning on growing my collection when I lived in Florida but with the Sandy Hook legislation, the cost of entry to purchase firearms in Connecticut is more than I'm willing to take on right now.

My father in law has the 12 version of the higgins...I've actually used it...its heavy, but I liked it propped on my knee for smacking Turky. Rock Solid. A little unwieldy if you miss..

 

[wizards8507]

My father in law has the 12 version of the higgins...I've actually used it...its heavy, but I liked it propped on my knee for smacking Turky. Rock Solid. A little unwieldy if you miss..

I took it turkey hunting once. I heard a whole mess of turkeys five minutes after I left my car but it was pitch black still and I couldn't see a thing. I saw four deer and not a single damn turkey the whole rest of the day, so I spent the rest of the afternoon shooting corn in an abandoned field. Not my proudest moment.

 

[Legacy]

Worth bringing back to gauge the caliber of the comments, the number of weapons for the posters, and their recommendations for on-line purchasing. No background checks? Whiskey?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Still haven't purchased my 9. Faced with a tough decision: Buy the 9 or buy a new trolling motor (and battery) for my boat.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Worth bringing back to gauge the caliber of the comments, the number of weapons for the posters, and their recommendations for on-line purchasing. No background checks? Whiskey?

The only ways I know of the avoid a background check when purchasing a gun are: (1) to buy from a private seller within certain states; or (2) to present a qualifying state permit issued within the last 5 years to a federally licensed dealer. The latter allows a purchaser to avoid the background check because most state permits include a background check as part of the application process.

To purchase online, you'll either buy from a classified-type private listing site (such as armslist.com) or from a federally licensed dealer (like budsgunshop.com). The former is essentially a Craig's List for guns, and as long as you live in the right state and purchase from a local, you'll avoid the background check. The latter is required to ship your gun to a nearby FFL dealer, who will then run a background check on you before letting you pick it up (though you may be able to avoid that check via the 2nd method mentioned above).

I've never purchased a gun online before, so I can't make any recommendations there.

 

[woolybug25]

Still haven't purchased my 9. Faced with a tough decision: Buy the 9 or buy a new trolling motor (and battery) for my boat.

Buy the trolling motor. You'll use it more.

 

[phgreek]

Still haven't purchased my 9. Faced with a tough decision: Buy the 9 or buy a new trolling motor (and battery) for my boat.

...I just put the MinnKota Terrova 80 w/I-pilot Link on my Bass Boat...I'm dying to get out and use it. I have lots of guns. I love shooting. But I gotta tell you I haven't been this excited about a new toy in a LOOONG time. For my money go w/ the motor if you alrady have a self defense gun.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Buy the trolling motor. You'll use it more.

...I just put the MinnKota Terrova 80 w/I-pilot Link on my Bass Boat...I'm dying to get out and use it. I have lots of guns. I love shooting. But I gotta tell you I haven't been this excited about a new toy in a LOOONG time. For my money go w/ the motor if you alrady have a self defense gun.

Leaning towards the motor because I agree with Wooly that I'll use it more often.

I don't already own a pistol. I want to eventually purchase the HK VP9 (approx $650).

I have a hand-me-down 12' aluminum fishing boat that stays at the family cottage. Long story, short: It used to have a 9hp outboard, now it has a 5hp outboard. Neither functioned consistent enough for me to feel confident they'd fire back up once out on the lake. So it's lead to some discussion in shelling out the money and buying brand new (approx $1700) or scrapping the outboard altogether and getting a transom-mount Minn Kota 55 (approx $400 including battery and charger). The trade-off (besides the obvious price difference) is that forfeiting the outboard essentially forfeits half of the lake for fishing as the trolling motor would be pretty inefficient for getting to certain areas. I'm assuming family discussion will continue this weekend, hopefully resulting in a decision.

 

[Irish Insanity]

If it involves trolling, I'd definitely listed to Wooly.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

If it involves trolling, I'd definitely listed to Wooly.

Ay-Oh

 

[phgreek]

Leaning towards the motor because I agree with Wooly that I'll use it more often.

I don't already own a pistol. I want to eventually purchase the HK VP9 (approx $650).

I have a hand-me-down 12' aluminum fishing boat that stays at the family cottage. Long story, short: It used to have a 9hp outboard, now it has a 5hp outboard. Neither functioned consistent enough for me to feel confident they'd fire back up once out on the lake. So it's lead to some discussion in shelling out the money and buying brand new (approx $1700) or scrapping the outboard altogether and getting a transom-mount Minn Kota 55 (approx $400 including battery and charger). The trade-off (besides the obvious price difference) is that forfeiting the outboard essentially forfeits half of the lake for fishing as the trolling motor would be pretty inefficient for getting to certain areas. I'm assuming family discussion will continue this weekend, hopefully resulting in a decision.

12' is a great length so long as the wind stays reasonable. Also having electric allows boat access to lakes with your boat where gas is prohibited. Think about this...you can get that boat anywhere you can take your truck...adventure!

I would see about getting the outboard serviced, and put a bow mount Minn Kota on. Just me, but I like having both...Redundancy. Took me one time of having a motor shit on me and having to oar and drag the boat back to learn if it doesn't have two motors and we are going more than 1/4 mile...I ain't gettin in.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

12' is a great length so long as the wind stays reasonable. Also having electric allows boat access to lakes with your boat where gas is prohibited. Think about this...you can get that boat anywhere you can take your truck...adventure!

I would see about getting the outboard serviced, and put a bow mount Minn Kota on. Just me, but I like having both...Redundancy. Took me one time of having a motor shit on me and having to oar and drag the boat back to learn if it doesn't have two motors and we are going more than 1/4 mile...I ain't gettin in.

We've actually had both outboards rebuilt, serviced, the whole nine yards. Both run great at first and then throughout the day, they're reluctant to either fire or maintain idle. I've been stuck out in the middle of the lake numerous times now and had to row back. Throw in the small detail of not being able to leave the motor mounted (due to theft risk), which means lifting a 60 pound motor on and off the transom for each weekend trip, and I just got fed up with the outboards.

I may just buy the Minn Kota and settle for putzing around our side of the lake this summer in hopes that by next summer I can bring back up the debate of buying a new outboard.

 

[phgreek]

We've actually had both outboards rebuilt, serviced, the whole nine yards. Both run great at first and then throughout the day, they're reluctant to either fire or maintain idle. I've been stuck out in the middle of the lake numerous times now and had to row back. Throw in the small detail of not being able to leave the motor mounted (due to theft risk), which means lifting a 60 pound motor on and off the transom for each weekend trip, and I just got fed up with the outboards.

I may just buy the Minn Kota and settle for putzing around our side of the lake this summer in hopes that by next summer I can bring back up the debate of buying a new outboard.

was thinking of this exchange this past weekend.

My brother in law has an old evenrude motor. It was doing that stalling thing...made his boat the SS minnow just like you describe. He'd also paid for servicing...

Upon further inspection his fuel lines weren't sealing on the ports, allowing air in...because some genius decided to use mini tie wraps instead of the metal hose clamps at some point ...but it took us taking the thing apart to see it.

When you get those motors serviced...what are they actually doing? Can you follow the fuel lines completely w/o taking it apart? If not, think about an air leak at a connection as a possible contributor to your issue.

 

[FLDomer]

Just built this lil guy last night....10.5 in barrel makes it a sweet lil backpack or truck gun.

 

[arrowryan]

I filled out my application to conceal carry last night and I'm getting my finger prints taken tomorrow. I'll probably be looking for a gun that is average in size (not as big as a 44 mag, but not a gun that a girl would put in her purse either) and packs a punch. My mind isn't completely made up yet so I'm open to listening to what kind go handgun you guys would/do carry. Any suggestions?