gun people..question..

mamita · #1 10/10/08, 10:22 AM

hope this is the right place to ask....my brother was a policeman. I lost him to cancer, but before he passed away he was telling me to purchase a Glock. now...I cannot for the life of me remember what model, but he said it would be his choice for my size yet pack a bit of a punch. I know I could just ask at the gun shop, but I'd like to go in with more info. for a woman...not all that big....wanting something easy to handle, yet do the job...might you know what Glock he may have been referring to? I've looked around online, and there seems to be so many (yet oddly they look so similar) he knew me...and really seemed to think this particular 'brand' was ideal. of course, I trust his judgement totally. just thought I'd toss this 'out there' to see if anyone could help narrow it down at all. thanks so much.

Elizabeth · #2 10/10/08, 10:28 AM

Hubby bought me a Glock Model 19, a 9mm when we got married. Turns out, I didn't really like it that much (sorry Hon. Appreciate the thought though

).

Last year for Valentine's Day he bought me a Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm. MUCH better! I really like it- use it all the time. ug, no, wait, I didn't mean that. Just meant that I like it a lot better than the Glock, lol. Better fit, etc.

I am sure that your brother recommended what he thought would be the best handgun for you, but until you actually go and try one you won't know how comfortable it is for YOU. I have small hands and the Glock was just too big for me to use comfortably. Try to go to a dealer who has a shooting range so that you can try out a variety of guns before making a decision. Maybe take a gun safety or intro to handguns class, too, so you can make an informed decision.

bcr495 · #3 10/10/08, 10:29 AM

Glock 19 is my guess.... med size 9mm easy to handle.
hope this helps
Alex

cfabe · #4 10/10/08, 11:38 AM

Glocks are very popular in the police forces. They were the original high capacity 9mm polymer guns that started appearing in the 80s and are marketed strongly to police departments. They are good, reliable guns. I am sure your brother was well intentioned in suggesting them to you. But there are many other guns out there. Truth is a gun is a personal choice and I would suggest you try to get to a pistol range where you can rent & try out a variety of different guns and see what you like best. If you provide us with some more information we may be able to reccomend some other guns to consider as well.

One of the first questions to ask yourself is what is your budget. You'll be looking at over $500 for a new Glock, there are other high quality guns out there in the $300 range which may suit your needs just as well.

What will you be using the gun for? Concealed carry? Keep in nightstand? Carry on your property? Just target shooting? Competing in IPSC, IDPA etc?

mamita · #5 10/10/08, 11:56 AM

thanks. I do plan on 'trying out' anything before I buy. and I plan on taking classes at the local police barracks. it's for personal protection, which is what my brother was suggesting it for.

watcher · #6 10/10/08, 12:10 PM

I'll get hammered for this but I always tell people. . .

Unless you are going to train and pratice regularly (as in at the VERY LEAST once every two weeks) with the weapon then buy a revolver.

I'll only mention one reason here. If you ever need it you are going to be in a high stress situation and when you are planning on being in a high stress situation you want to follow the KISS principle to the max.

sugarbush · #7 10/10/08, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

I'll get hammered for this but I always tell people. . .

Unless you are going to train and pratice regularly (as in at the VERY LEAST once every two weeks) with the weapon then buy a revolver.

I'll only mention one reason here. If you ever need it you are going to be in a high stress situation and when you are planning on being in a high stress situation you want to follow the KISS principle to the max.

Agreed....handguns have only short range accuracy in the hands of inexperienced people. Add stress to the mix and the accuracy drops to about zero.... if you are lucky your own gun will not be used on you.... if your really lucky it might even scare somebody off...

sugarbush · #8 10/10/08, 12:19 PM

In close quarters is does not take much pressure to hit somebody in the Xiphoid process breaking it off and sending it into a vital organ.... I think learning where to hit it and how hard would be a better means of defense than a handgun in the hands of somebody unprepared to use one.

Cornhusker · #9 10/10/08, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by watcher

I'll get hammered for this but I always tell people. . .

Unless you are going to train and pratice regularly (as in at the VERY LEAST once every two weeks) with the weapon then buy a revolver.

I'll only mention one reason here. If you ever need it you are going to be in a high stress situation and when you are planning on being in a high stress situation you want to follow the KISS principle to the max.

I was going to suggest a revolver too.
An automatic in the hands of someone not used to guns, or a nervous person is a bad idea.
Automatics will fire if you flinch, twitch or sneeze with your finger on the trigger.
I've seen people fire an automatic then turn to me and start talking while waving their hands (gun and all) around in excitement.
At least with a revolver you have to put some effort into the next shot.
JMHO

Hooligan · #10 10/10/08, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamita

thanks. I do plan on 'trying out' anything before I buy. and I plan on taking classes at the local police barracks. it's for personal protection, which is what my brother was suggesting it for.

Are you planning on carrying it or keeping it in your nightstand?

There seems like a lot of models but they really only have two or three for each caliber, small medium and large in general. You need to decide which caliber and how concealable you want it to be. Small = more easily concealed. Large = longer sight line and higher capacity mags. I prefer 9mm for it effectiveness vs cost. It will likely take a few hundred rounds for you to become comfortable and proficient.

Glocks are great pistols, relatively inexpensive, very reliable and low maintenance. They are known as having big grips compared to other semi-autos and smaller handed folks sometimes have a problem with fitting the grip. The pseudo two stage trigger they use can also be tough to get used to but they are easily modified if necessary. They have no "manual" safety which some folks find unnerving but the three internal safeties make sure that if you don't pull the trigger the pistol will not fire.

We couldn't fit any of the Glocks we tried to my wife's hand so we ended up with a Springfield XD in 9mm for her.

I have a lightly modified Glock 17 (full sized 9mm) for home defense and target shooting and a Glock 19 (medium sized 9mm) which I kept stock for carry.

You really can't go wrong with a Glock, it fits.

mamita · #11 10/10/08, 12:37 PM

in the nightstand, and trust me......I'm not nervous about shooting anything or anyone. I know...that sounds terrible, but it's true. I've always had great aim with a rifle (goodness...that doesn't look spelled right today. LOL aim is one thing, spelling quite another!) and a bow. I'm just thinking of following thru with the handgun idea, per my brother's wishes. it sounded like a good idea to me. I love shooting and guns, and look forward to the classes.

Sundance · #12 10/10/08, 12:39 PM

If I needed a handgun for self protection..........

I'd move.

My hunting weapons will suffice. But I live in a very
low crime area.

Honorine · #13 10/10/08, 12:56 PM

I inherited a Glock 23 and a Grendel 380 from my father. The Glock is nice but I prefer wheel guns, I also have a S&W 357. The easiest one we have for me to handle is my husbands lightweight snub nose Taurus 357, I like that one, and its the one I normally grab first. The Glock is a real nice gun, and you can get high cap mags for it, but of course you need someone familiar with them to teach your proper handling, there's a bit more to it than there is with a wheel gun. I'd suggest taking some gun safety and shooting classes, try to shoot numerous different guns before you buy your own so you can see what your comfortable with.

js2743 · #14 10/10/08, 01:02 PM

go to the gun store and check out all the ones they have and hold them in your hand see how it feels. if it dont feel good to you check out another one till you find what you like. im guessing a revolver will work better for you, once you hold them in your hands. but i wouldnt get any thing smaller than 38.

zukgod · #15 10/10/08, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundance

If I needed a handgun for self protection..........

I'd move.

My hunting weapons will suffice. But I live in a very
low crime area.

Do you have car insurance? Why? Do you have a fire extinguisher? Why? You don't know what the future holds. I don't live in a high crime area but I always carry. Your life your choice.

sugarbush · #16 10/10/08, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zukgod

Do you have car insurance? Why? Do you have a fire extinguisher? Why?

Yes: because it is the law. And yes again in my truck...also because it is the law...

zukgod · #17 10/10/08, 04:28 PM

Maybe we need to make more common sense laws like carrying a gun.

cc · #18 10/10/08, 04:36 PM

I keep a shotgun (16 gauge) under the edge of the bed and carry a 380 Beretta in my purse. Guess if they are in my house and not supposed to be there I don't want to take any chances of them getting back up. That sounds bad but, like you, I am a small woman and DH always worked away from home and would be home just on weekends so I just wanted to feel safe.

Cascade Failure · #19 10/10/08, 06:28 PM

Glock doesn't make any pistols that will challenge the average woman. They only produce the popular, tame calibers.

Burns my butt these posts...what cal. for a woman??? (Mamita...not directed at you in particular on ya' for posting and trying to learn...)

Everyone listen up... If you are new to guns, find somone you trust, local hunter, grandpa, gun club, who can expose you to a variety of weapons.

You need to learn for yourselves what feels good in your hands, what you can actually hit a target with, what is too much recoil for you (I'll give you a hint...recoil is like a surprise, the first time it might get you but after that not so much.)

Happy shootin' everyone.

Mrrsteelers · #20 10/10/08, 06:43 PM

It's great you want to honor your brother, but I'm sure he would want you to get the best gun for you. Glocks are great, put them first on your list, but get whatever is most comfortable for you. I'm sure the main point of him wanting you to get a Glock was for your safety so get what your most comfotable with. Then practice a lot.