Looking to buy a hand gun?

Taurus 24/7 Pro or Millennium Pro

Ru ger SR9

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAFamily?ty...

http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-resu...

http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-resu...

Check your local laws for permit requirements, if any. By Federal law, you have to be at least 21 years old to buy a handgun.

Assuming you can satisfy the legal requirements where you live, find a gun shop which has several different types of pistols available. Find one that fits comfortably in your hand. A good grip is essential to control the recoil. If the store is equipped to let you test-fire any pistols in which you may be interested, you're in a good place. Here's a hint: It's easier to custom-fit the grips on a revolver than it is on most semi-autos, and that may enable you to get a gun with more stopping power (say, a .357 Magnum). If you have the budget, get a pistol in .22 Long Rifle caliber which matches the grip of your primary pistol as closely as possible. That way, you can practice with the .22 and get used to the idea of shooting. In a pinch, a .22 can even be used as a defensive weapon. Hits count.

Of course, you will want to be sure that you don't shoot through walls or windows if you should have to blast a burglar, so I'd suggest using Glaser Safety Slugs for your protection loads. They're available in most popular pistol calibers, and are designed to break up when they hit solid objects. After all, if you fire at an intruder but wind up hitting the next-door neighbor, you could be looking at criminal charges and civil liability. That's why rifles and shotguns aren't such a good choice for home defense, unless there's too much grief in buying a handgun for your taste: or if you live in a rural area. Good luck with whatever you settle upon. Go to www.nra.org.

This is one of those questions that can be answered many different ways. To begin with, if you want to have fun and really learn to shoot and do so with a minimum of expense, get a .22 Long Rifle handgun. Either a revolver or auto. Ammo is cheap and you can shoot all day without getting your hand tired. Also, they are very accurate and you shouldn't develop any bad flinching habits. Finally, while the .22 LR is not recommended for self defense, if you can hit accurately with a .22 LR, you're better off than missing with a .44 magnum. If you were to start handgun shooting with a larger caliber pistol you probably won't shoot it as much because of the cost (unless you handload) so you aren't likely to develop the proficiency you could with a .22 LR. Begin with a .22 and when you become really good, buy either a 9mm or a .44 or .45. Of course, if you get into handloading and enjoy pistol shooting, you'll probably wind up with half a dozen pistols.

I shoot right and left handed, depending on the situation. It is easy to learn to shoot the 500 or 870 with your "weak" hand. You have already done it the way it sounds. In my opinion, make sure your wife is absolutely comfortable with the gun. You are already able to shoot either way. It will come easy for you. The Mossberg will be easier because it has a tang safety (on top near the receiver) and would be ambidextrous. The shells will just eject out the right side. Stay away from rifles for home defense. They tend to shoot through walls. A shotgun loaded with heavy shot ( I use #4) will take care of any close encounters in your house, without the collateral damage. It is easier to hit a target with a shotgun than a rifle. If you get into a home defense situation, you will understand. If you would prefer a pistol, get a Glock. They are simple, tough, and ambidextrous. Aside from buying both left and right handed guns, that is about all you can do.

i 22 is the cheapest to shoot but not a great defense weapon. I would opt for a 9mm they are still not to expensive to shoot and you can start to reload you own ammo and its cheaper and a good hobby. As far as guns go it depends how much you want to spend and how big you want the actual gun to be. I would look at Glock or Springfield XD or the new XDM. those are great guns the Springfield is a little cheaper. I would also sujest finding a shooting range near you that will let you shoot one of there guns and get the ones that you like the feel of.

I can hit your question right on the head with a perfect answer. That answer is a glock 9mm. It is the perfect gun for your situation. A glock comes in many differnt models which can be determined by you. But a glock is a very safe gun that is fun to shoot. It is also very inexpensive for a handgun and all the technology they pack into it. It is a german made gun and is of very high quality. and self defense you ask? Lets answer that with most police defend their lives with glocks. I hope I helped to guide you towards a glock becuase if you get one you will not be unimpressed.

9mm is a ok self defense round, and it is fairly inexpensive to shoot with. Highpoint makes a very inexpensive model, and Taurus is a bit more expensive, but still pretty good quality for the $$.

Honestly? The best thing you can do is try a few out yourself.

See if you can find a rental range or a meet-and-shoot type event in your area (try asking on a couple of different gun boards), or see about taking a class in your area. Sometimes they will have loaners for you.

If you have friends that shoot, ask to go with them.

Before buying a gun there are a few things you should consider.

1. If you truely plan on using it for self defense you have an obligation to make sure your profiecient enough with your fire arm to use it in an effective and responsible manner. This means that you need to set aside adequate time and $ for regular practice, and you should probably educate yourself on proper self defense by take an nra sanctioned handgun course.

2. Choose a style of gun. Revolvers tend to be more reliable, ecspecially in high stress situations. Semiautos carry more rounds, but are more prone to malfunction than a quality revolver.

3. Choose a bullet type you feel good about. If we are sticking with inexpesive choices only, then you have 2 major options for viable self defense rounds. A 9mm for semi's and .38 special for revolvers. Both these rounds are proven man stoppers with a dedicated self defense load, and also have the advantage of being the cheapest recommeneded rounds for their respective gun types. This means less $ for more practice rounds, and more practice is always more important to me than more powerful. As well as providing some of the best cost effeciancy for practice ammo, these also tend to have the least amount of kick, providing easier follow up shots. Two shots to the center of mass is generally what is recomended for any type of ammo to be successful at stoppong an attacker.

Other smaller cheaper rounds are available, and may work as self defense round in a pinch, but arn't as highly recommended. On the flip side many larger rounds claim to have more "stopping power" but cost significantly more to fire. To me, dead is dead, and both the rounds I recommened if shot to the c.o.m will kill, and typically kill quickly. The best self defense round will always be the one you can hit with, not the one with the most power that misses.

4. Sample firearms unitl you find what fits best in your hand. This can be done by going to as many shops as possible and actually holding the guns. Have the clerk show you how to operate the slide and safty, and look until you find one that seems to fir perfect in your hand.

Many gun ranges will also allow you to rent handguns and try out different models as well as different kinds of ammo. You may want to do this before you settle on one if possible.

There are many great, reliable, and fun to shoot models out there. I really like rugers myself but that's what fits best in my hand. Come back if you want advice on a specific model of gun once you pick one out that feels perfect in your hand.

Good luck,

-Greg

If you are looking for a gun for self-defense a shotgun is a better choice. They cost less and you only have to be close to be deadly accurate.