Bang/No Bang?

[Nephew Twiddleton]

Let's assume though, please, that I would not just pull out a gun, if I had one, until the moment I genuinely feared for.my.life. Not as a threat, or as a meana for diffusing the situation. That's not, as far as I know, what guns are for.

They're for shooting people who are trying to kill/hurt you, as far as self defense goes.

Wasn't assuming that at all. That's why I brought up what Alaska expects you to do once the gun is out.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

After my recent Lite Mugging I've been considering a gun.

Actually, I've thought about it before, but talked myself out of it because I just couldn't justify the need. Now though, it seems.like a good idea.

1. No car
2. Can't get a dog for a few reasons
3. I walk constantly

What I'd like ITT:
Suggestions as to why this may be a good idea or a bad idea.
Suggestions as to potential guns. (I'm thinking a compact Glock. Reliable, durable, can fit in my coat pocket. Or a revolver of some kind)

What I dont want ITT:
2nd Amendment Debate, plz.

Eh?

How much training have you had with firearms?

[Salty]

I've fired them. That's about it.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I know you have plenty of training, but I still think having a gun in a volitile situation only increases the overall instability.


Then again, I'm a bleeding heart pacifist, so YMMV.

I actually have no training, I would it acquire along with the gun, over a period of time of course. It'll give me a newThing To Do.

Carrying a firearm before completing a certain amount of training is a really good way to learn if your butt is big enough to be a holster.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I've fired them. That's about it.

I have a meeting to attend.  I'll respond in detail later.

[East Coast Hustle]

If you truly want one for self-defense in a "my life is in imminent danger" situation, there are a couple of things you need to know:

1) You can get a palm-sized 2-shot pistol in a lethal caliber. Effective range is point blank but if you're getting your face beaten in you're probably at point-blank range.

2) Taurus makes a revolver that fires .410 shotgun rounds. It's expensive, heavy, and has quite a bit of kick but it's a goddamn shotgun pistol.

3) Make sure your gun isn't registered. On the one in a million chance that you DO shoot someone, you can always report the incident if you decide it's in your best interest to do so but if your gun is registered then you're pretty much FORCED to report the incident even if that's NOT in your best interest.

4) Ultimately, LMNO is correct. Statistically speaking, having a gun significantly increases your chances of getting shot.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

1) You can get a palm-sized 2-shot pistol in a lethal caliber. Effective range is point blank but if you're getting your face beaten in you're probably at point-blank range.

This.  Also, make sure the fucking thing has a trigger guard, isn't made in China, and is single action.

[Salty]

Ok so:

Provided I do decide on a gun,
1. Realize the numbers are against me, and that I am greatly increasing the volatility of a given situation just having the thing on me.
2.Acquire as much training as time/money allow well before acquiring gun.
3. They make small pistols with enough bang.

I found these little .22 magnums with grip holsters. Even a .22 magnum probably wouldn't be enough, but they do carry five rounds.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Ok so:

Provided I do decide on a gun,
1. Realize the numbers are against me, and that I am greatly increasing the volatility of a given situation just having the thing on me.
2.Acquire as much training as time/money allow well before acquiring gun.
3. They make small pistols with enough bang.

I found these little .22 magnums with grip holsters. Even a .22 magnum probably wouldn't be enough, but they do carry five rounds.

5 little holes will kill someone as fast or faster than one large hole.

Also, you're far more likely to hit and have a far lower return-to-target time.  Neglible, in fact.

[East Coast Hustle]

I dunno, .22 can be lethal but it certainly isn't a given. If you're going for a derringer-style palm pistol that's gonna be used point-blank anyway, I'd go with .38 or .40S&W. And no matter what load you end up going with, definitely splurge and get the jacketed hollow points. I mean, the point is to utterly and irrevocably kill the ever-living fuck out of someone, right? No point saving $10 a box on bullets.

[Cardinal Pizza Deliverance.]

Alty, do they have any gun ranges up there that let you rent out different guns and types of ammo to see what works for your grip and needs? I'd give that a go first, if it's available.

If I were going to get a gun, again, I'd probably go with something in the Springfield XD range. Nice guns, I like their weight and how they work. Derringers are cute and all, but I do not have dainty hands.

[East Coast Hustle]

I dunno, .22 can be lethal but it certainly isn't a given. If you're going for a derringer-style palm pistol that's gonna be used point-blank anyway, I'd go with .38 or .40S&W. And no matter what load you end up going with, definitely splurge and get the jacketed hollow points. I mean, the point is to utterly and irrevocably kill the ever-living fuck out of someone, right? No point saving $10 a box on bullets.

Just realized this might have unintentionally come off as sounding arrogant, given I was replying to an infantryman.

Not meant that way, though. More of a "you're totally right but given the very specific context I imagine Alty ever needing to use a gun in maybe this would be more suitable?"

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I dunno, .22 can be lethal but it certainly isn't a given. If you're going for a derringer-style palm pistol that's gonna be used point-blank anyway, I'd go with .38 or .40S&W. And no matter what load you end up going with, definitely splurge and get the jacketed hollow points. I mean, the point is to utterly and irrevocably kill the ever-living fuck out of someone, right? No point saving $10 a box on bullets.

Just realized this might have unintentionally come off as sounding arrogant, given I was replying to an infantryman.

Not meant that way, though. More of a "you're totally right but given the very specific context I imagine Alty ever needing to use a gun in maybe this would be more suitable?"

S'ok.   

It's largely a matter of budget.  .22 is cheap enough to practice with, and practice is the difference between muscle memory saving your ass, and doing the tunnel-vision panic thing.

[Salty]

I would never want to kill anybody, ever.

But i think a .22 to the temple, neck, or face will, if not kill them, seriously deter further efforts.
I really appreciate all the input!

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I would never want to kill anybody, ever.

But i think a .22 to the temple, neck, or face will, if not kill them, seriously deter further efforts.
I really appreciate all the input!

If you're not shooting to kill, then you are using the wrong type of weapon.  Seriously.  Only in the Lone Ranger comics did people shoot to wound.

Get a sock and put a roll of quarters in it.  That will maul a fucker, and he usually doesn't get dead.