Best handgun for home protection?

[Vegas69]

Curtis brings up a good point. You can't make the decision to pull the trigger when someone kicks down your door. It needs to be made right now. All the simulating and practicing doesn't mean a damn thing if you won't pull the trigger.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Under penetration is a bigger issue in my opinion. If the bad guy can still operate and kill you, your kids are a gonner whether lead flys through the walls or not. I agree that 00 is to heavy for kids in the house, but 6 shot is for pheasant. With a good shot I may add.

Ducks at yardage with 28-30" barrel. At 5-7 yards with a tactical barrel my tests resulted in a 6" hole in plywood. Penetration could be upped with steel, Hevishot, or Bismuth. I hope you're not shooting pheasant with magnum loads unless you're making stew with them.

[Sieg]

The 21' rule is THE RULE. We practice at the range with the target set at 21' and our weapon in typical conceal carry position a second person advances the target and you have to draw and fire. It reinforces that rule well. You have to be well practiced to place a double-tap.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Sieg

The 21' rule is THE RULE. We practice at the range with the target set at 21' and our weapon in typical conceal carry position a second person advances the target and you have to draw and fire. It reinforces that rule well. You have to be well practiced to place a double-tap.

Siegster....


Going into the sim room for the first time... holstering a weapon EXPECTING that there was going to be foul play.... But in the blink of an eye - you have to recognize - draw - decide that you need to pull the trigger.... That 21' gap is closed and the perp is all over you. AMAZING! As in OMG! So on the next scenario - you get all jumpy and squirt the guy and all he was doing was going for his registration...


By the end of the session -- things actually seem to slow down - your heart rate is better - you on target - you're not as jumpy... you're looking at things completely differently.

So - again.... I can't imagine waking up - dazed and confused - heart rate racing - fumbling for the great protector... it's pitch black...you didn't start this action by lighting the guy up for a traffic stop... so you're unprepared for the situation... and then all it really is.... your daughter is sneaking back into the house. (how many of US have been there done that!!)

[Spiffav8]

I am very impressed with the direction this thread is going. My hope is that the discussion here will encourage people who own firearms to attend some sort of training course (or additional course).

Greg, you're not smarter, but you are putting forth the time and effort to improve you knowledge base. Just the mention of how crazy it was when you first started to use the simulator and now how it almost seems like things are slowing down is proof that you are improving. It's obvious that you are seeing more and more while thinking about 'what if's'. That's huge! It might sound corny, but I really don't care. It brings a huge smile to my face to hear about what you are doing and I am proud of you. Yes you have more free time than...well anyone I know, but there are tons of weekend courses out there. Plenty of gun ranges that are open in the evenings where one can shoot after work. There really isn't an excuse for not practicing. A person can even use a blue gun (or an unloaded one) at home for certain drills.

Todd, thank you for reinforcing my previous statement. I honestly believe that if you are buying any type of weapon for personal/home defense, that decision should be made before you buy your weapon. If you can't or won't use your weapon to take the life of another who is trying to do you or your loved ones harm, then it will most likely be used against you.

By the way Todd, if you would like to join me at the range I'd be more than willing to lend you one of my AR's and you're welcome to shoot any of my hand guns. Give me a call and let me know. Oh and I have something here at the house for you.

[Sieg]

Greg - The friend/foe recognition adds a completely new dimension doesn't it!

That little drill we do at the range really is an eye opener for most gung-ho concealed carry people. If you set the stage you can create a little hype, add a little distraction, and not knowing when the target is going to start advancing and you realize 21' ain't nothing.

Taking a sight picture.....ain't happening.
Coat zipped or buttoned........ain't happening.
Fumbling the draw..........knifed.

You must put a lot of thought into where the gun is placed, what it's placed in, and what you conceal it with.

Practice the moves over and over and over. Clear, grip, draw, and get the muzzle on target asap. I try to have the muzzle rotating up onto the target as soon as it clears the holster/wasteband. My free hand joins the grip during that rotation, and first rounds are discharged without advancing the gun towards the threat. Pretty much like a gunfighter in a quick-draw fight.

Live fire practice and more practice until you can comfortably look the rounds into the center of mass from the hip or sternum height firing position at 15' with a stationary torso target. Once that's comfortable, start practicing on advancing targets. Teach yourself you do not need sights to place accurate shots.

It's a lot of fun and real challenging.

[GregWeld]

Sieg...


The clear and get the muzzle on target has been shown to me... and this is another thing that folks don't think about --- without being shown -- prior I would draw - raise up arms extended - sight.... of course by that time I was already dead.


None of this is automatic of course... I still want to stand up straight instead of presenting the smallest possible target... and I still want to sight. I've only been in the sim 3 times now... my buddies have probably been in there 100's of times. They see stuff that I don't - you know - like the woman with the grocery cart 50 yards out directly back of the perp... just little things like that <grin>.

I know you've mentioned competition. It would be so much fun! I'm not allowed in the training area with the actual live fire and moving targets. That's police only. I'd love to be shown that area and be able to use it - but it's the busiest portion of the range.

Funny -- if you'd have asked me 6 months ago about owning a handgun I'd have said "Why would I want that?". But it was my friends that said I SHOULD have one given my plans with the new rig. They were aghast that I would park along side an interstate and go to sleep - or pull off into some "area" on a deserted state road somewhere. Since then - I've asked myself why I didn't do this years ago. It really is fun.

My hope is to NEVER have to even think about actually pointing it at someone. But I now know I'll sleep a lot better knowing it's there and that I kinda know how to use it.

+++++++++++++++++



Curtis,


Thanks!!

[Sieg]

Here's a very good read with solid handgun techniques and tips: http://www.worldwidedojo.com/reality...steven-seagal/

People can say what they want about Seagal, but the man is a documented master with a 1911 in his hand.

[GregWeld]

Really interesting interview/article.

If he is half as wicked with a 1911 as he is with hands and feet... OH MY!

[GregWeld]

I have a new dream..... Is this the perfect handgun for a hot rodder or what!!!