Good handgun for SA home protection (San Antonio, Anton: purchase, shops, safety)

[Americasman]

Looking for recommendations.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by Americasman

Looking for recommendations.

Come to the Premier San Antonio Gun Show (see post #970) Saturday morning and we'll find what works best for you!

That will also makes this thread pertinent to SA!

(You are in San Antonio, right? Your location says Brooklyn. You have to be a Texas resident to purchase a handgun here!)

If you're in SA (and a Texas resident), then some of us might be meeting up for breakfast beforehand, if you're interested send me a DM and I'll provide details.

Cheers! M2

[TexasRedneck]

If Saturday isn't doable for ya, ah'll be headed down Sunday - so, just let one of us know!

[kevcrawford]

For home protection you also may want to consider a shotgun. You can get a good, cheap one at Academy for less than $200. Just point and shoot. No aiming required. They're quick to load and easy to learn.

[ebuch]

Originally Posted by kevcrawford

For home protection you also may want to consider a shotgun. You can get a good, cheap one at Academy for less than $200. Just point and shoot. No aiming required. They're quick to load and easy to learn.

Great choice and won't pentrate through other rooms unless using slugs.

[Texas Cop]

Originally Posted by ebuch

Great choice and won't pentrate through other rooms unless using slugs.

I use a 410 pump for home defense. Smaller gun and will get the job done if god forbid I have to use it. Hey ebuch...you're in Newark Del? I'm from Elkton. Small world.

[CLR210]

I have a Judge and a 9 and know how to use them both. They're actually kind of fun but hope I never have to use them for defense purposes but I will if need be.

[Merovee]

A shotgun is a good idea.

Since you seem undecided it might also mean you are inexperienced. I recommend whatever type of handgun you get, if you decide on one, to go to the range for a few visits and a course in gun safety and responsibility, do they even have those type of classes? I know CHL classes cover it all but if you just want something for home defense that would be wasteful in both time and money.

Also with a handgun use hollow points so your bullets won't end up at your neighbors.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by Merovee

A shotgun is a good idea.

Since you seem undecided it might also mean you are inexperienced. I recommend whatever type of handgun you get, if you decide on one, to go to the range for a few visits and a course in gun safety and responsibility, do they even have those type of classes? I know CHL classes cover it all but if you just want something for home defense that would be wasteful in both time and money.

Also with a handgun use hollow points so your bullets won't end up at your neighbors.

I have a neighbor who teaches classes in how to use a handgun. He also does concealed carry classes, but he'll teach just the basics for home defense also. (I haven't taken his classes because I don't need them, but he's a police officer and a nice guy, so I'd definitely recommend him if someone was looking for an instructor.)


As far as which handgun to get for home defense, my current favorite is a Gen 4 Glock 19. It's a nice size, comfortable in the hand and reliable. The sights are also really easy to see. When you hold it at the store and it's not loaded, it feels off-balance, but with a full mag it feels just right.

[Merovee]

Since most instances of home defense that I can imagine are up close also consider the Glock 26. Being compact and less accurate at longer ranges does not degrade its use in home defense. Smaller also just seems easier, less wieldy, and 9mm has less recoil.