Picked up my self defense weapons today.

[WBZsDAD]

I guess it's just me then, most of today's thugs tote glocks with more than six rounds and most thugs commit crimes in pairs at least, if not more....... running out of rounds against multiple thugs with multiple rounds also scares me.

Preference........I guess that's why they make so many different guns.

By the way my clips have never been NOT loaded and every time I pull them out and go to the range they never miss a lick, same with the Colt .380 that I keep in the truck.

I do agree with the "hope I never have to use it" though

[RedFeather]

J. B. Woods wrote about an old US issue .45 Colt auto that belonged to someone's father and was brought to him to see if it was ok.  The clip was loaded and Woods reckoned it had been for thirty or forty years.  He cycled the gun and it emptied easily.  Had a friend who bought a nice Polish Radom off a fellow and it was loaded with Nazi-marked 9mm.  That was unloaded and fresh ammo inserted.  Gun fed like a champ.  Personally, I wouldn't worry about it.  The revolver is still a safe bet.  Plus, there's a reason the Air Force used to issue them as survival guns - you can operate them with only one hand.  Another nice thing is you can look at a revolver and know if it is cocked or not.  Most uses such as the one's you are talking about are one or two shot affairs.  No percentage in "spray and pray" with a high cap gun.  More potential injury to others in the house from all that flying lead.  The pump 12 is the best choice.  Don't have to possess a high IQ to know what sound a pump makes when racking in a round.  And the pellets don't penetrate wallboard as badly as JHP's.

[Timmyj1959@yahoo.com]

Well,,,, the debate I see still is going on?? Kinda like leavin "Springers" cocked??  I used to "rotate" all my Glock magazines,,, never wanted to leave em loaded for too long:? The end results of leaving Mags. loaded long term? Im gonna say,,, no prob. (Just my experience) As an ex Law Enforcement Officer,,, I WILL say,,, for those with limmited training,,,,, the revolver is the way to go. (DA) As much as I LOVE the "Cheap Looking" "Plastic Glocks",,, Ya just have to LOVE a nice revolver!! S&W makes a REALLY nice 5 shot hamerless 38 (+P) airweight revolver that fits in your front pocket,,, SWEEEEET!!!!!!!!!! George.

[daveshoot]

Another wheel gunner chiming in... a 5-shot .38 is my preferred pocket gun because there is nothing to think about in a true emergency. I will say I was really impressed with the little Glock 27, though.

I don't normally have a pocket gun and for home, I feel there is no substitute for a pump 12 ga. In real emergencies handguns are a compromise and I might be a little shakey. Never have trusted auto shotguns and I just grew up with pumps. I hear lots of people talking about the supposedly awesome terror inspired by the sound of the racking, but I don't count that for much. I just know I can clear a room or the front porch in a hurry with my own personal cannon and it always goes off, in the right general direction.

[fatback]

Timmy, I have the nickel finish S&W hammerless airweight. very nice pocket gun.
 Gene I believe you have the Remington 870 pump. Unless they came out with a new model.

[RedFeather]

An interesting note on shotguns.  Many people think they can simply point one in the general direction and it will clear the decks.  Saw some testing a while back and you would be surprised at how narrow the shot column from a 12 gauge is.  Takes a good many feet to begin to open up so, yes, you can miss someone at close range.  As to the noise of cycling the action, in a dark room it certainly can be intimidating.  True story.  There was am old veteran who lived in some down and out apartments frequented by a gang of young hoods.  One night they broke into his place while he was in the bedroom with the door shut.  He woke up, reached under the bed and pulled out an M1 carbine, cycled the bolt and let it go sharply to battery.  The next sound was beat feet and the door slamming.  Won't work every time.  When it doesn't, let the gun feed itself, so to speak.

[PeakChick]

1911 Govt., 8 rounds of 180gr Golden Sabre....Win. 1300 Defender, 7 rounds of 00 buckshot.........Don't Tread On me.............

[preez]

RedFeather - 11/12/2008  5:09 PM

An interesting note on shotguns.  Many people think they can simply point one in the general direction and it will clear the decks.  Saw some testing a while back and you would be surprised at how narrow the shot column from a 12 gauge is.  Takes a good many feet to begin to open up so, yes, you can miss someone at close range.  

I did my own testing with my Mossberg 500 persuader at a range. Shot it starting @ 15-20 feet all the way to probably 15 yards. Tell you the truth, no way you can miss at 15 feet. The hole I made in the target was about 4 inches big, then it opened waay up (20+ inches) as the distance increased. Big difference is that the home defence shotguns are not choked and that really spreads the shot.

BTW the mossberg is my only powder burner, thinking about Mosin Nagant or a 10/22 to keep the cost low.

Chris

[Gene_SC]

Heck Red. If some one herd the pump shotgun cycled through the cocking stage, I am sure they would run as well.. I would..

Gene

[crazy4salmon]

When I was 19 living by myself in the third story of a rented house(my parents). I was awoken by noise. My english cocker spaniel that was afraid of no animal would not go downstairs. She sat by my bed looking at the stairs whining. I lived in an area that we had never locked our doors, and I mean never.  I grabbed my loaded savage pump 12 gauge. I went down the first set of stairs without saying a word. My dog wouldn't go down the second set, so that is when I pumped a round into the chamber and had a few words for who ever might have been in my house. That the time had come for them to leave, or I would have to blow them out. That sound alone I am sure is all it took. I made a full sweep of the house closets and bathrooms included, and then locked the doors for the first time. I will always reach for the pump. I don't ever want to shoot anyone. I think the sound the pump makes is enough to let them know you mean business. Just in case there is a shell in the chamber. :emoticon:   I have always wanted a .357 Colt Python though.

Dan L

[Gene_SC]

Yes Chris it is an 870. I made the correction.. Thanks

Gene

[gunsup0331]

Theres lots of guns with lots of their particular  pros/cons,  it all comes back to the old "accuracy vs power" if you arent comfortable with it and cant hit *_*_*_*_*_* when youre scared
then its pointless to use it in a hi-stress scenario.
  I have had a few guns of my own, my current being a Springfield XD in 9mm. 16rds. for 8 bad guys with double taps which i practice often among other drills.
I havent shot much shotgun or revolver in my life so i feel much safer with an AR or autopistol. If you are worried about reliability you shouldve bought a better gun, lol
Besides, one in the chamber of a pistol (autos) is just as reliable (or more so?) than the one in the cylinder.
That being said i will always miss the Ruger Blackhawk .357 mag that was mine and gone much too soon.

[Bhawanna]

there are some really good mods you can get for the remmington 870 to include pistol grips, 11 round tube, shorter barrels, etc.....it makes it easier to carry in a vehicle and handle in "urban" environments.....the rem 870 is a good gun for the money.  is your 870 chambered for 3 inch mags?

[Gene_SC]

Roger, it is just right the way it is.. Anyone who comes through my doors uninvited will feel the pain. 1 1/4 oz shot by 4 shot. If I miss with one there will be 6 more to follow... Gene

[dave2288]

haha, sounds like it'll work to me, gene!