What handgun do you recommend/use for self defense?

Question

handgun's only

lets not talk about other forms of defense. I know martial arts, but after spending so much timeas a Marine with a weapon, i like to know i have something just in case.

nice answers, can i get some links?

Answer 1

M1911 45 caliber pistol..when you hit them, they stay down

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

It all depends on what you are comfortable with. A 9mm is something easily concealable and there are many small frame pistols chambered for the caliber. A .45 packs a strong punch, and in that caliber a handgun like a Colt Defender or a Glock 36 would be good for concealed carry, or a Springfield Arms XD .45 or a 1911 Gov't model for home defense. In cooler weather when you have bulkier clothes it is easier to conceal a larger pistol like the 1911 thanks in part to its very slim profile. Revolovers can also be a good choise, small framed revolvers run from calibers .22 to .454 Casull. In a revolver i would recomend a .357 magnum or .38 Special. Under no circumstance carry a .22, it is a target pistol and has NO stopping power.
Do not listen to those who say don't carry, a gun when used properly can protect both you and other innocent people. It is NOT more likely to be used against you then by you. Go out, get your CCW permit, join a range, and start carrying. Good luck.

Answer 4

From a strictly practical standpoint I have recommended the Ruger SP and GP 101 series for years, Why

A small concealable revolver
revolvers are 99% less likely to fail than a Semi Auto
Simple to operate simple to clean
It doesn't eject casings
no safety required
Beefed up rubberized handgrips give better feel and handling.
the heavier .357 magnum can be loaded also with .38 Special giving the user a wider range of ammunition to use
High quality firearm that is less expensive and more reliable than any Semi

Note*** you don't need high capacity, if you can't hit your target with two rounds you need more range time.

It's not the size of the bullet but where you place it.

Holding a firearm sideways even looks silly in movies

If you need to own a semi because it looks sexy you don't have the mentality to have a carry permit.

And for you anti gunners you have your opinions I have mine I respect that, Mine however are guaranteed by the second amendment!

Criminals commit crimes, so exactly how would criminalizing gun ownership affect criminals?

Dope is illegal, How effective have those laws been?
Drunk driving is illegal, How many people died because of a drunk last year?
Bribery is illegal, How honest is your politician?


You trust the Police and Government I'll trust my guns.

Answer 5

i have always liked a good .357 revolver (S&W). i know it's a bit old school, but the stopping power is there, and with a speed loader it's possible to have it ready for action in little to no time.

in a self-defense situation, i feel more comfortable with the near-certainty of the revolver action, and if you get a nice heavy one the recoil is going to be relatively minimal.

(although i personally keep a remington express for self-defense instead - it is much easier to stop a bad guy in a stressful situation when your aim only needs to be "in that general vicinity" and the shot is less likely to penetrate walls and cause unforeseen and unwanted injuries - but apparently you're not looking for a shotgun.)

(and i'm obviously being a little on the flip side here - if you're really interested in a weapon for self-defense you should go to a firing range and try all out many different sizes, calibers, and operations. the one that is going to be most effective is the one that you feel most comfortable with using effectively if it becomes absolutely necessary. take your time, do some research.)

Answer 6

DON'T get a 9mm. They go right through the body and some really crazy people that may be high or just have a lot of adrenaline won't feel it for a few second.

What you really want is something that will knock the person down and leave them alive that way you can tell them to get the fcuk out of your house.

Get any .45 cal. The larger bullet pounds into the body and knocks the sh!t outta whoever it hits. My brother-in-law is a marine and told me this stuff. BTW, he is a weapons sargeant.

Don't get a .50 cal Desert Eagle. You will just end up blowing the guy to pieces if you shoot someone like a burglar. Then you could be sued by his family or taken to jail for murder.

http://www.m1911.org/

Great resource

Answer 7

I don't have any links. I can only tell you what I got. I would say RUGAR P-85 or P-90. The only part of this that kind of confuses me, is your a Marine and want to know what I would recommend for a self defense weapon.

Answer 8

****** and locked .45 in one of the belly band's manufactured by most of the gun makers and even Gucci. If you can get the commander model it's more concealable and the loss of a couple rounds isn't important in a 1-1 firefight at street distances. The .45 I like because not only does a hit incapacitate or kill that booom sure freezes them up or starts them running all on its own.

Answer 9

A 45 is great but it's too heavy to carry all the time. It's not going to do any good locked up in the sock draw. I would get a 38 special revolver. You can get the super light weight and have a gun that's not too heavy to carry. No safety to hunt when the time comes, just point and shoot.

Answer 10

I carry a Springfield .45 1911 A-1. If I run out of ammo I like the idea of being able to beat the bad guy. With Combat Tupperware you don't have that option

Answer 11

Glock 17, 19