| Author | Message | ||
     Scottykrein |
I too have the LCP. I tried carrying my Kimber CDP, but it was still too bulky. I was a die hard 1911 guy, but that little gun won me over. I know the .380 is small, but it still makes holes in people, and no one like getting shot. | ||
| Mikej |
Before you buy something at least go pick up and see how a SigSauer P220 feels in 45 ACP. Folks that like the 1911 format just like them, but too many things about them that made them a pass for me. But someday I may get one. And that expanding fmj stuff looks interesting earlier in the thread. What is the inner material? I assume it isn't lead. | ||
| Mikej |
Geez, looks like I'm about 10 years out of date for ammo technology. http://www.ammoman.com/40_EP_DESC.htm Oh well. | ||
| Gaesati |
Why do we need handguns? | ||
| Aesquire |
Because Howitzers make the people at the next table at a diner nervous. Come on, be reasonable. Federal Expanding Full Metal Jacket ammo was in part developed because holow points are illegal in some European countries, 9mm hardball overpenetrates in a self defense application, endangering bystanders, and hollow points don't work properly when crammed with cloth or dinged on glass & metal. EFMJ ammo solves all those problems, and it tests & feeds very reliably. Cor-Bon Powerball is a different approach to the same issues. Good stuff in an Auto. For snubbies I favor Speer short barrel loads. Any defensive ammo should be tested for function & point of aim BEFORE trusting it to save yourself or others. Kahr says put 200 rounds through a pistol to break it in before you carry. Good advice. The Box of truth guys are priceless. (Message edited by aesquire on November 07, 2009) | ||
| Gaesati |
Havn't needed one for the last 59 years. | ||
| Aesquire |
Most people don't. | ||
| Terranx |
Your right, most people don't and most will never use one in their lifetime. But lets face it, we live in a world where most people behave, but not all. A karate instructor once taught me that "the best defense for a fight was not to be there when it happened and if you are there, fight to win". Most people cling to the misconception that if someone attacks you, you call the police and they will make everything alright. That does not help if your dead. All of the officers I know, and thats a lot, would rather work a shooting where the bad guy dies, not you. This life is full of choices, you can decide to carry or not. I don't go out looking for trouble, and I've stayed out of it. But when someone decides to get stupid with me or my family, I choose FIGHT! Just remember that if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have them. | ||
| Chadhargis |
As chilling today as it was when it was said: "The most foolish mistake we could possibly make would be to allow the subject races to possess arms. History shows that all conquerors who have allowed their subject races to carry arms have prepared their own downfall by so doing." - Adolf Hitler | ||
| Cityxslicker |
The handgun is a last resort, it is best to solve the problem 300 yards out. Good fences make good neighbors, the flag in the yard is there for windage  | ||
| Aesquire |
"...windage" OOOhhh! can I steal that? It's about sheep, wolves & sheepdogs. Best friend has sheepdogs. Great Pyrenees, beautiful creatures. Loyal, affectionate, and will herd children in a field. Also fight to kill, bark at random air molecules, and really want to eat the coyotes. Really. http://www.gleamingedge.com/mirrors/onsheepwolvesa ndsheepdogs.html | ||
| Geforce |
"Why do we need handguns?" "Havn't needed one for the last 59 years." I can tell you that having a weapon while deployed in a combat zone was very useful. Unfortuntley I had to use it several times and that is why I am here still today. I carry a small arsenal with me at home. It has nothing to do with tin foil hats or being paranoid. My home, and my family have the means to defend themselves if that time ever comes. That is what is important to me. The handgun provides a means of "to go" protection. It provides me no sense of security or self righteousness. It is only there if it is ever needed and hopefully that day never comes either. Some people will never understand this concept. When your life is in danger, those perceptions of safety quickly evaporate. You can choose fight or flight. Sometimes the flight option isn't available and the fight option fades as the "bad guy" gains the upper hand. While a weapon may not change every outcome. It can certainly level the playing field. Especially if you have been trained properly to use it without excessive force. The same results can be achieved with your own hands. Closing the distance and finishing the fight can be a much more difficult challenge though. This is where having a weapon other than good luck and feelings can really be a life saver. For the sake of this thread. I really like the 1911. It's solid, accurate and packs a nice punch. If all else fails...I have a poorly trained greyhound that will bark very loudly. | ||
| Gaesati |
I have had a life with its share of violent physical altercations and have been trained to use guns of various types. I have survived all these events, so far, without either being shot or shooting someone. I must admit on some occasions if I had had a gun I would have been tempted to use it. I count myself lucky that I wasn't in that position. With all respect to people who have served as soldiers. They, in the service of their country, are in a situation where guns are vitally necessary. | ||
| Court |
>>>Haven’t needed one for the last 59 years. I kind of wish I'd had one when Terry Cushinberry and Gary Ferrell decided to open up on my sister, me and 5 friends from 20 yards away with a Remington 1100 12 gauge shotgun. Still the largest drive by shooting in American history and I'd have loved to have not had to go through all that harassment by the Black Panthers, being hidden away to be protected, being intimidated during the trial, having a .38 Special shoved in my mouth and all the other years of crap that went along with being the victim of a random attempt to "kill some honkeys". I took steps to prevent ever being an innocent victim again. I made my decision based on personal experience. Hope others do as well. The Constitution of the United States of American grants me the RIGHT to own and bear firearms. Folks will make decisions based on their personal experiences. I made mine based on my experience, suggest others do the same. I've got a collection of crime scene photos taken by the F.B.I., in which my sister and Tim McGuire are both laid out on a porch so mangled (she got the center of a pattern in the face) they are indistinguishable. My decision was easy. | ||
| Vampress |
Court, So many people go through so many things that they should never ever have to experience. Hard to remember, hard to forget. *hugs* V | ||
| Nevrenuf |
nice little bit of information to read about. being that our son has finally moved out after 25 years i would rest a lot easier if my wife had something in the event that i went back on the road again. which i hope to do in the not to distant future. i like the look of that ruger lcp and am wondering myself if that would be something that i would like to have in the house for my wife to learn how to use. i haven't shot since i was in the military over 30 years ago and really have no idea as to what to get for me or her. plus i want something that i can afford to shoot to get comfortable on. | ||
| Gaesati |
People shouldn't have to go through what you went through, Court and I can honestly appreciate your reaction. I would not have wished or intended to reawaken those memories for you. | ||
| Xbrad9r |
I grew up in an area where hunting is a way of life and learning to shoot at an early age was the norm. Many Pepsi and Coke cans found their end in the sights of a .22 rifle in the hands of my brother and I. I do not carry, but I do have several handguns and rifles in my home. If I lived in a more populated/higher crime area I would probably carry, but I don't feel the need to at the current time. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
geese why does everything have to turn political. Carrying Is my 2nd amendment right and I am choosing to use it plain and simple. I personally have never been in a situation were I have had to use it in civilian life as of today. I hope I never do have to use it in a civilian setting, but I know that if I ever have to I know with out a doubt I can. I have had to use a weapon in a military situation and also hope I never have to do that again either but I know I can if i am placed in the situation. My choice to carry is not because I hope to ever have to use it, it is about having it if the time comes were I have to. | ||
| 4cammer |
"Havn't needed one for the last 59 years." Do you wear a helmet? | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
I think handgun ownership in Australia is very limited. Isnt there caliber and length restrictions? Also you cant own one for the sole purpose of personal protection. I can hear Jack Blacks voice in my head on that little gem. So it would seem kind of pointless to own a handgun in Australia. | ||
| Odie |
Why do we need handguns? "We" is a very broad term in this instance.... | ||
| Imonabuss |
Kimber Ultra II for me also. Beautiful gun and amazingly accurate for being so compact. And you may not want one, but I do. Not a criminal and don't intend ever to be victimized by one. | ||
| Court |
I am sooooooo old fashioned. I fire one round and all you guys with this newfangled stuff will be running round, blinded . . running into each other yelling . . . "my ears . . my ears . . .mygawedamedears . . " and you'll spend the next two weeks feeling like you have Tinnitus. Some things . . . well . . just WORK. | ||
| Oddball |
WHAT WAS THAT? Can't hear anything 'cause of this ringing in my ears.  My father, back in his navy days, stuck his head out a hatch at the wrong time. He still thinks he hears well while I'm in the habit of yelling to get his attention. (Message edited by Oddball on November 08, 2009) | ||
| Road_thing |
Two weeks?? I've been living with tinnitus since 1970! First loader on a 3".50 in the Navy, followed by 30 years of competitive skeet, trap and sporting clays. What? Did you say something?? rt | ||
| Court |
Huh? | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
Most people hope they never have to used their handgun. I am one of them, but I will not be one who says, "I wish I had a handgun" after I'm put in a dangerous situation. | ||
| Gaesati |
4cammer, Yes I do wear a helmet and have managed to destroy a couple over the years. I see the analogy but I also put myself knowingly in situations where a helmet could be necessary to save me. My original question was aimed at finding out from the forum why people need handguns. Hunting rifles and the like I understand and like many I grew up shooting and hunting. I am also aware that the constitution of the United States entitles people to have weapons and I understand the reasoning behind it. My curiosity is about handguns only. I think the limitation on handguns and length of weapons in Australia is that things such as sawn-off shotguns and rifles can be concealed on the person. There is also, I believe, a restriction on full but not semi-automatic weapons. In some of the earlier posts there were references made to wearing weapons openly. Is that legal? Would the United States be a safer place if everyone wore weapons openly? Certainly, most people would think twice before being offensive to someone with a clearly displayed weapon. | ||
| Gaesati |
As a brief aside, last time I was in vietnam and travelling through the countryside most of the residential hotels in smaller towns had a list of rules with regulations about staying in the rooms which included checking all explosives, guns and automatic weapons at the front desk. |
