Anyone experienced with firearms?

[Krunkman]

My personal favorite is a 10mm. It's a hyrbrid between a .45 stopping power and penetration of a 9mm. They aren't common, and ammo isn't as cheap as a 9mm, but it does the intended job well.

.22s are fine for shooting paper targets, but if you want something that works well for both, get a larger caliber. That way when you shoot you are actually get used to the recoil and how it feels. So if you ever do have to use it at home, you'll know how it feels and how to aim it best.

Though for home defense there is nothing really better than a pump shotgun. If you are worried about actually hurting someone, get some shells just loaded with the wads and no buckshot, and make sure the first round is always the blank. Just the sound of someone chambering a round makes the average burglar quite scare! Plus if you do fire one off inside you won't do much damage. And the second (and third) can be real buckshot just in case.

[Hobbyfun]

Go with a real gun get a S-W 454 are a 500 both guns are great for protection.
If you can not hit a person with the bullet the sound will give them a heart attack, make them piss and shit themselves and are fun guns to shoot.
This is what I care for protection.

[OldGrump]

Originally Posted by Hobbyfun

Go with a real gun get a S-W 454 are a 500 both guns are great for protection.
If you can not hit a person with the bullet the sound will give them a heart attack, make them piss and shit themselves and are fun guns to shoot.
This is what I care for protection.

Now we're talking GUNS!

Hobbyfun, you have cleared the area for us. How long has it been since anyone saw a grizzly looting homes in DFW?

[Texas Contrarian]

Lots of excellent advice here!

A number of manufacturers offer high-quality .22 target pistols, and they're great fun to shoot. I've owned several over the years. They're serious (and very accurate) target pistols, but as several people noted, the .22 is completely inadequate as a self-defense round.

My personal self-defense choice is a 1911 model Kimber Pro Carry (.45 auto). It has substantially more stopping power than a 9mm.

Originally Posted by OldGrump

Now we're talking GUNS!

Hobbyfun, you have cleared the area for us. How long has it been since anyone saw a grizzly looting homes in DFW?

Grizzlies? Check out something that would give you a chance against a charging elephant! (Just be sure you use a better grip than this guy.)

1-minute Video

My understanding is that a custom gunmaker modified a Thompson Encore to handle the old .600 Nitro Express cartridge used by the British almost 100 years ago in colonial Africa.

If you want to see some incredibly fast shooting, check this.

I had no idea it was humanly possible to load a fresh magazine that quickly!

[OldGrump]

Jerry Mickalec is one of the best. Did you notice that was a revolver? Reloads can be quite fast with moon clips. S&W had a few Performance Center revolvers named after him.

[mtabsw]

Sig has a .22 converter kits for their P220/226/228/229 weapons.

$375 buys a lot of ammo, but it's a thought.

+1 from me on 12gauge around the house and .45 as the best handgun choice if you can control it.

[Iaintliein]

It is sort of like this hobby. Once you buy one you will want another, and another, etc.

Ruger MkII, High Standard, and Browning are all fine .22 auto loaders (don't rule out revolvers though). The Ruger MKIII is, in my opinion not a good option. Do some google searches on magazine lip adjustment if you run into jams (which you most likely will). It is very easy to trip out a Ruger for some big bucks, mine looks like something from star wars, is heavy as hell, but damn it's accurate.

For targets you will want a good .22 first.

While I've had no formal training, I've been shooting since I was six so that's almost a half century of great and safe fun. Welcome aboard and enjoy!

Regards,

[CoHorn]

Why not just get a MK 19 and really have some fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL0pbjk1WJg

[thx]

I would suggest that you sign up for a concealed handgun class, so that you will get classroom and on the range training from a certified instructor.

[LazurusLong]

Originally Posted by mtabsw

Sig has a .22 converter kits for their P220/226/228/229 weapons.

Curious as to where to buy one of the kits. One of my handguns is a Sig.

[IMAPACKIN]

Dudes and Dudettes, this one's a rookie. I highly recommend you look up a gun club, there are plenty in the area that host events for beginners. Many will even provide a weapon for you to try, and you can do it in a safe environment with an investment of a box of ammo.

[jay]

Originally Posted by Iaintliein

It is sort of like this hobby. Once you buy one you will want another, and another, etc.

Yeah, your right I ended up getting a ruger sr9c then I bought a taurus 24/7 .40, then a sig 522 all within a month. Now Im thinking about getting a sig 556 and rounding out my collection with a semi automatic shot gun.

[Guest070213]

My 2 cents:

I have a 9mm because I know how to work the safety. My wife has a 38 S&W so she doesn't have to worry about a safety. I have told her, if in trouble just point and shoot. (Hopefully, not me.)

At home both are loaded with hollow points. Even though it is common sense, I am not sure any told the new guy not to practice with hollow points.

[TheGiftedOne]

Best to start with a Sig Mosquito 22lr or a Walther P22. You can pick up either for about $300. Cheapest round to shoot and you can see if you really like it.

Once you are hooked you will start spending the big bucks on your "toys". The 308, 6.5X284, etc...$3,000 and up to start. I love my shooting! Guns and sex make my world go round!

[aRandyOne]

Great bargain on CHL is now at the Terrell Police Department. $50.00 total. You have to go to their website to register but they are offering this to non-residents of Terrell.