I got an e-mail today!
Frank J:
The recent Supreme Court case involving 2nd Amendment rights has convinced me that I need to buy a gun. I live in Illinois which is a very restrictive state. I just applied for my FOID card and have been perusing the intertubes looking for a pistol that will meet my needs, home and personal protection. Also I plan on taking handgun safety courses at the local range and shooting at least once a month. My experience with weapons is limited to 6 years in the Army Reserve 20 years ago. The handgun I am leaning toward is a Beretta Px4 Storm, .40 cal. Do you have any opinion on this weapon or Beretta in general? Can you recommend a weapon based on your experience?
Thanks
Scott
P.S.: Harvey is funny. Please tell him that I was very disappointed that Family Ties was canceled.
First reaction: You need a special identification card to buy a handgun? Holy crap. Then it again, it is Obama’s state.
Anyway, I’m not really a firearms expert. I’ve never fired a gun outside of a target range (or plinking) so I don’t really have much advice based on experience. Still, asking what gun to buy is like asking what car to buy — it’s really up to the individual and how you plan on using it. You do want to check reviews to make sure it’s a reliable gun (my Beretta experience is pretty limited), but after that it’s all up to preference. You should try the gun at a range if possible to see how you like firing it. The 1911 is my favorite handgun because it just feels right in my hand, but that won’t be the same for everyone.
Also, where would you use it? Even though I really like 1911s, I have a little .380 because it’s the easiest to carry. For home, I have a pump action shotgun which is cheaper than any handgun but the best home protection.
In conclusion, you have to have a special ID to buy a gun? I can’t believe that crap. What country is Illinois in?
I, of course, open this up to my readers to give further advice.
Springfield XD compact .45 ACP. Hard to dis 10 rounds of .45 in a compact. Handles like a dream.
I gave it a 5, not so much because it was funny, but because its about guns.
Sadly, you do need special state-issued photo ID in the State of Illinois to buy or own a firearm or ammunition. It takes 6-8 weeks to process after you have filled out the necessary paperwork. And you have to pay a fee to obtain it.
If the same measures were suggested for the constitutional right to vote, the liberals would be screaming and frothing at the mouth about be disenfranchised.
[You have to pay a fee to exercise your Constitutional right!! Are there any exceptions for the poor? -Ed.]
Oh and by the way, the good old 1911 is a great choice for a handgun.
I prefer a phased-plasma rifle in the forty watt range.
Yeah, Illinois totally sucks. You should move over here to Indiana, where you can get a lifetime conceal carry permit for under $100, and if you live outside city limits, set up a shooting range in your front yard.
I’d go with the 1911, either a Springfield or the more expensive (but tremendous) Kimber. If price is a concern, 9mm is pretty cheap ammo (Sig P226 is a great 9mm). Some people like the Glocks and the similar Springfield XD, I’ve heard mostly good things from their owners (though I personally don’t care for them).
You think I’m going to let another one of you bitter crackers buy a gun to cling to in my state? Application denied!!!
I recently purchased a .40 cal and a 9mm from a company called hi-point firearms. Great simple to use guns. Made completely in America and they come with a lifetime warranty. If any thing ever breaks they will fix it for free or replace the gun for free. I have put over a thousand rounds through both and have yet to have one jam on me, and for less than $200 bucks!
“You have to pay a fee to exercise your Constitutional right!! Are there any exceptions for the poor? -Ed.”
According to the predominant political thinking in the state, the poor(and minorities)should not be allowed to have guns.
No exceptions.
I should also add that the application will most likely be denied for any misdemeanor charge the applicant has on their record. A re-application can be made as long as the proper proof is provided by the applicant (and at their own expense) that the charge was not a felony.
Scott – I too live in Illinois and I feel your pain. Like Frank said – deciding on a firearm is very much a matter of personal taste and situation.
I like semi-autos and I have a few – but the handgun I keep loaded in the nightstand is a .357 revolver. Semi-autos just can’t match the reliability of a revolver and 6 rounds (well placed) is going to be more than enough to stop anything short of a cape buffalo or a zombie hoard attack.
I’d also recommend a pump shotgun for home defense. The sound of the slide racking is unmistakable and will ring through the house. That sound alone will send 99.9% of intruders running like their feet are on fire. As for the remainder…well, they won’t bother you for very long.
For what it is worth those are my preferences. They may or may not suit you (or anyone else) – to each his own. Good luck and good shooting.
“The Judge” is an interesting fire arm. I’m about to go look at one. You can chamber either a .45 or a .410! I understand that judges are carrying them under their robes. I also agree with Frank that nothing beats a 12 guage for home protection. Most gun fights are settled from a range of 7 feet or less and a 12 guage does very well at this range!
I would recomend a .357 snub nose hammerless revolver. They can be fired inside a pocket if need be, are reliable, easy to carry, and light weight. The 357 is a proven stopper and has been used in LE for ages.
The SP101 would be good
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5720&return=Y
So would a S&W Model 340PD Revolver
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14765&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15704
Also the Taurus CIA MODEL 650 would be good. Shop around go to a gun shop with an indoor range and gun rental to try the models out and see what you like. Make an informed choice.
I would recomend a .357 snub nose hammerless revolver. They can be fired inside a pocket if need be, are reliable, easy to carry, and light weight. The 357 is a proven stopper and has been used in LE for ages.
The SP101 would be good
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5720&return=Y
So would a S&W Model 340PD Revolver
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=11101&langId=-1&productId=14765&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=15704
Also the Taurus CIA MODEL 650 would be good. Shop around go to a gun shop with an indoor range and gun rental to try the models out and see what you like. Make an informed choice.
#1 – Posted by: Raving Lunatic on May 2, 2008 03:29 PM
Those are the worst for those of us who limp-wrist, though. They jam on me every. single. shot. I hate the XD.
Personally, I recommend 1911, or really anything that’s not polymer. Try a bunch out, though, and see what you like best. Guns are a sort of a to-each-his-own thing.
I also agree with Frank that nothing beats a 12 guage for home protection. Most gun fights are settled from a range of 7 feet or less and a 12 guage does very well at this range!
#11 – Posted by: ussjimmycarter on May 2, 2008 04:11 PM
And for the smaller ladies, a youth model 20 ga. I will be getting one for my wife soon. Either way, if you aren’t carying it around and just want something for home defense, go shotgun. If you have kids who may try sneaking in at night after curfew, keep a spray bottle of ammonia for the first shot in the dark. You don’t want to take your own kid’s head off with the shotgun inadvertently. Plus, a shot of ammonia in the face may stop the intruder so you don’t end up facing manslaughter/murder charges for killing a scumbag. It will also probably stop the kid from ever trying to sneak in again. Either way, you win.
Semper Fidelis
old marine and a 1911 fan for years. but, i followed gunny ermy(sp?) broke down and bought
an eeevil black glock 22 in .40 cal. love it!
110% reliable combat accurate to 50m, and still
it’s the weapon that get’s me from my bed to the closet wherein lies my beloved betty-sue mossberg
12ga.she’s a brassy old dame that belts out a room
clearing tune,every time.
Another addendum to the shotgun argument: load that sucker with bird shot. My military science teacher at West Point explained that one to me about a hundred years ago during my early college days: “My wife just had a little girl. I want something that won’t go spraying through the walls.”
If you want a handgun (of which I’m all in favor, also), I’d suggest a revolver. Semi-autos are nice, but they’re really not as reliable as a good old wheelgun, especially if you’re not very familiar with handguns. No safety, they don’t jam, just make sure it’s fully loaded. Of course, use common sense and keep it out of reach of the kiddies (if that’s a concern), but I’m not about to tell you to keep it locked up at night where it’s all but inaccessable. Your average robber/murderer/rapist/gun grabbing liberal isn’t gonna hold up outside the door while you get your gun out. Anyway, best of luck in finding a weapon that suits you.
Whatever you get, make sure you load it with Pre-Fragmented rounds. They’re also called SWAT Team rounds under some brands. VERY expensive (about $3 per shot) but won’t kill the people in the room behind your target. When you go to the range, change the Pre-Frags out, practice with normal ammo, and then put the Pre-Frags back in when you put it in the night stand.
Personally, I find most of the advice in this thread above reproach. Well done to all of you!!!
Here in the Republic of Texas, we don’t need no stinking permit to buy a gun or ammo. It works out nicely that way.
As for your choice of firearms… the most important thing to do first is to determine what you are wanting this wonderful device for. If it is home defense… the people praising the shotgun are not telling you enough good things about that idea. I personally feel that you can never go wrong with a good pump-action shotgun for in home defense. If you war looking for a handgun for any reason, go to your local (or not so local) range and sign-up for a shooters education and safety class. most of the reputable ranges will have handguns (both pistol and revolver) for you to rent and use during the classes. I recommend you try them all. Find what you like. Ask the instructors for their opinions of the suitability of each to your desired application. Talk to the gunsmiths (most good ranges will have one on staff or have referrals to them) and ask about reliability and repairs from the people who do that for a living.
Either way you decide… you are making a great decision to finally exercise your 2nd Amendment rights. Welcome to the original department of homeland defense.
Guns are a personal thing. I have a Hi-Point 40 with laser for bedside, Hi-Point 380 and Springfield XD compact 9mm for conceal carry. My wife carries a Capital 38 hammerless off duty with pre-fragged rounds. All are exceptional carry pieces, but if you wish one for only home security, have to agree with Frank and say nothing beats a pump shotgun. Find one you are comfortable with and fire it often.
Those are the worst for those of us who limp-wrist, though. They jam on me every. single. shot. I hate the XD.
#14 – Posted by: Hazel on May 2, 2008 04:17 PM
Odd. I’ve fired over 2,000 rounds through my XD and never had so much as a whisker of trouble. A lot of times jamming like that is usually the magazine malfunctioning, not the gun.
As you said though, everyone is different, and no gun fits all. (Although, I think all guns fit me!)
Allthatsright pegged it in the last few words of his post: “fire it often.” If you’re not familiar with your weapon, it’s not going to be very useful.
Is it wrong that all this macho gun talk is making me hott?
12ga and a 1911 are hard to beat
You have to have all of that licensing and special permits to buy a gun in Illinois. Man, Chicago must be the safest city in the world. How many years has it been since they have had a homicide? I bet with laws like that it is a lot, instead of something like twenty people being gunned down in a 24 hour period on a regular bases.
Beretta makes a fine product. However a lot of their guns feel like they were made for a tall person with big hands. They also spend more on advertising then they do R&D, so some of their products don’t always live up to the hype.
Glock makes a good weapon as far as liability and low maintenance is concerned. They are indestructible, and you can put them through a lot without having to worry about a catastrophic failure.
As far as caliber, while everyone talks up .45s most critters die easily enough from 9mm, and even the girly .380 caliber. Heck, .22s kill. It is just all an assessment of yourself, how you think you are going to be able to place your shots under stress, and what kind of critter you are likely to face. I am not an expert though.
I just thought of one more thing. Back when I used to carry off duty, I carried a .40 caliber compact Glock. Even being a compact model weapon, I had to change the way I dressed, in order to hide it properly. You don’t want to sit down at a table in a restaurant, with the thing popping out. It is more embarrassing then leaving your fly down, and can cause you a little trouble.
What you carry, and how you carry it, is based more on how you dress, then anything else. If you are willing or able to change your whole wardrobe, then it won’t be a problem. However, you will want to be able to get to the thing easily, with out it being obvious it is there, and that is not as easy as it sounds. If you are wearing a windbreaker in July, everyone will know you are packing, so it isn’t all that easy.
It’s more than just having to be licensed to own a gun; you have to be licensed before you even handle one in some (reputable) gun shops.
THIS IS WHY CHICAGO BEAR TANK JOHNSON WAS ARRESTED AND SUSPENDED BY THE NFL FOR 8 GAMES – HE DIDN’T HAVE A CURRENT FOID (Firearm Owner I.D.)CARD.
But wait, there’s more. You can’t even OWN a handgun in Chicago. But, apparently someone forgot to tell the criminals that because they sure have ’em – and so do all Mayor Daley and Senator Obama’s phalanx of armed guards.
[You have to pay a fee to exercise your Constitutional right!! Are there any exceptions for the poor? -Ed.]
Owning a gun is not a Constitutional right. At least not yet. The 2nd Amendment has not been “incorporated” as binding upon the states. Likewise for the 3rd, jury trials in civil cases, and a few other Bill of Rights provisions.
See “Incorporation Doctrine” in Wikipedia.
As the law now stands, any state may ban owership of firearms outright – assuming the state’s constitution is silent on the matter. If a state does so, there is no federal constituional issue.
This MAY change with the current case of Heller v. D.C. under consideration by the Supreme Court, but don’t count on it. SCOTUS could decide the Heller case on much narrower grounds though.
Joseph (#17)
I respectfully disagree on the birdshot. Yes, over-penetration into other rooms is bad, but generally speaking, if you have enough ooomoh to drop a 200 pound man, your missed rounds will probably penetrate a wall or two anyway.
Google “the box o truth” to see the effects of various rounds on residential walls.
As far as advice, get ahold of Kim DuToit.
I’d recommend the 1911. It fits my hand better than any other. I carry a full size on my hip (of course I’m on the big size). I also have a Springfield XD45 which is nearly as good. You can get 10 round and 13 round mags. It’s also available in lesser calibers.
My sister has a CX4 and it was a nice rifle. The PX4 is supposed to be very similar. The only issue they had was something went wrong with the mag catch and it wouldn’t hold the mag in.
My bro has a px4 .40, it’s a great gun.
I have a Springfield XD9 Sub-Compact. I LOVE it. I’ll probably buy an XD40 in a compact before the end of the summer.
The hi-point guns are U-G-L-Y but they are cheep and surprisingly reliable.
Best thing: BUY SOMETHING YOU LIKE. The best gun for you is a one you’ll shoot and feel comfortable with, whatever the reasons.
To CaptainMoroni about the pre-fragmented rounds. Pre-fragmented rounds are great, but they don’t cost nearly as much as you suggest. I also question your wisdom about them not going through a target. You’d be surprised how much energy bullets have behind them, and even when they mushroom, or fragment, they keep a lot of that energy.
As far as bullets are concern, any bullet will kill its target, some are just better then others. The debate over what is the best bullet for certain situations never ends, since there is no way to scientifically prove which bullets work better. To do that you would have to get a lot of people to be shot by different ordinance in a controlled environment, and make accurate records of the results. While such a study might finally give hippies a useful purpose in life, it would probably be ethically flawed.
can’t go wrong with a 1911… but don’t skimp…
I sold my 1911 though, bought a SIG P226 and won’t go back… I can shoot a LOT more 9mm (cost of rounds) and I’m WAY more accurate with it because of it. SIGs shoot themselves… almost… 🙂
Preference is a huge factor. Go to a local range… rent some guns… different calibers… try them. Have fun. Choose. Then practice regularly… have fun, and be prepared!
Those that are suggesting the shotgun are correct… can’t go wrong there.
As stated earlier, Taurus Firearms International has some VERY good, and reliable choices.
“The Judge” is an excellent choice for personal defense. I carry a Taurus model 605 snub-nose revolver chambered in .357 magnum. Mine is solid titanium and weighs an improbable 16oz. unloaded. It is small, lightweight, and easily concealed. The only draw-back is the recoil. It kicks like a mule on steroids. I’m comfortable with it, though you may not be.
Another choice is the Taurus 24/7. This single action semi-auto will automatically switch to double action upon a mis-fire, giving you one more chance at a shot without the need to cycle the slide. This comes in a variety of available calibers.
ALL Taurus firearms carry a LIFETIME warranty and are very reasonable on price. I also own a Taurus model 607 in .357 mag for hunting, as well as a Taurus “Raging Bull” in .454 casull, and a Taurus Pt-99 9mm semi-auto. I have not had the first problem with any of these weapons.
One last thing to consider, which ever firearm you choose, practice often and try several different ammunition brands. SOME FIREARMS ARE AMMUNITION PICKY! Some firearms just plain do not like some brands of ammo. Make sure you know your ammo will work (feed) properly BEFORE you need it!
The best kind of gun is one that goes bang when you pull the trigger!
Shouldn’t SarahK be weighing in on this?
No to birdshot. if someone breaks in to my house I want him dead, not pissed off. OO is in my 12 guage.
Birdshot at close range will kill anything with a pulse. It comes out of the barrel like a swarm of angry lead bees, all flying in the same direction. It needs distance to spread out enough to be effective against birds. Dick Cheney’s friend survived because he was 20-30 yards away. If he’d been 7-10 feet away Dick would have turned his head inside out. I’m just saying.
.32 Barretta tomcat for concealed carry. Magsafe rounds increase the effectiveness of the small caliber.
.45 1911 for open carry. the missus prefers a S&W .357 magnum. yes dear.
4 of 7 covered what I was talking about. Studies show that self defense situations usually occur at a range of about seven to nine feet, including confrontations in the home (or, at least, that’s what I was quoted as accurate figures during the firearm class I took to apply for my multi-state conceal and carry permit). I, personally, wouldn’t feel all that great about blasting out with double ought in my home. I’ve seen what it’ll do to a deer, I don’t want it doing that to my family. However, if you feel like that’s the best load for your situation, have at it. I am never one to stand in the way of greater firepower.
I’ve fired virtually all of the pistols out there right now, and I gotta tell you it goes something like this:
HK/Sig/Top 1911s/CZ/Browning HP then
Glock/Springfield XD/Decent 1911s then
Baby Eagle, Beretta, Walther then
Ruger and SW autopistols (excluding the M&P which I have no experience with)
In the same price range as the Beretta, you can get a CZ 75 or a CZ derivative, all of which are vast improvements over anything Beretta’s drunken monkeys have churned out.
I’ve only fired the models 92 and 96 – both law enforcement issue – and their little 9mm carbine. Everything worked fine at indoor ranges, but when the dust was flying at outdoor ranges the damn things were useless. Beretta factory magazines + lint, dust, sand, rust, or looking at them hard = copious misfeeds. I’ve heard this complaint from many other people, but apparently someone makes quality aftermarket magazines somewhere.
However, I’ve never had this problem with Glock, CZ, or HK factory magazines (I’d better not have any problem with HK factory mags, since the damn things cost 50 dollars and look like they feed a space gun). Also never had that problem with quality 1911 magazines, and thought I haven’t shot enough of the XD to make a judgement, I also haven’t heard any of those complaints.
And, addressing the ignorant comments on ammunition:
Projectiles incapacitate by hampering brain-limb communication. That means damage to the CNS or enough bleeding to slow the assailant down. Even a direct hit to the heart with a .44 mag will not IMMEDIATELY kill anyone. You cannot predict how anyone will react to being shot: some criminals fall to the ground at the sound and concussion of the gunshot without even being hit, some criminals stop after a single anemic .32 ACP hit, and some criminals take multiple torso hits from .45s or rifles before they expire.
Thus you can only count on doing your best in a given situation, and encouraging as much blood loss as possible if you are not comfortable with making a head shot for whatever reason (and, mind you, that not all head shots are fatal because not all head shots hit the brain or the two main blood vessels – the jaw bone is a very hard structure and does not bode well for bullet penetration). That means selecting a round that will penetrate deep enough into the torso to reach major blood vessels from a variety of angles, because you most likely will not get that perfect front on, unobstructed shot. If someone has a knife in front of them, or an outstretched arm with a gun, your bullet may have to traverse 3 to 4 inches of arm tissue and/or bone before it even reaches the torso.
All of that light weight, super high velocity ammunition fails miserably in such scenarios and, unless you’re shooting Somalians, would likely not reach the huge arteries near the spinal column even with a frontal unobstructed shot.
Police departments across the nation use, most commonly, 124 and 147 gr 9mm, 180 gr .40 SW, and 230 gr .45 acp. Probably half of them use some sort of bonded bullet such as the Speer Gold Dot (if you had a nickel for every PD that uses the 180 gr .40 sw Speer Gold Dot, you would have a few thousand nickels), which has very deep penetration. These, obviously, are the exact opposite of all the Magsafe, Extreme Shock, and RBCD bullshit. And the top of the line law enforcement ammunition can be bought by most civilians in the country for .50 cents a round, on average. Contrast that with the 2 bucks a round for the frequently overpressured and unreliable varmint handgun rounds sold by those con artists.
Here: http://www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=237
That is a valuable resource.
My top choices in all three major LEO calibers would all come from Federal’s Tactical HST line (Not the older hydrashok), in 147, 180, and 230 gr. All of them get the FBI minimum standard of 12 inches penetration, they are the most consistent in expansion through clothing as any bullet I’ve ever seen, and it is not unrealistic to expect expanded diameters of .70, .80, and .90 inches, respectively.
Other good choices include the Winchester Ranger-T line (not all ammo in the Ranger line is one of the newer T series, though, and they are different from “civilian” SXT), Federal Tactical Bonded, Speer Gold Dot, and the Barnes all copper bullets loaded by Corbon. Ranger Bonded and Golden Saber bonded are new products, but they are still very good products. I’d use Golden Saber and regular SXT before the Hornady XTP, and the XTP before the Hydrashok (which is easily plugged by clothing).
Also, the lightweight prefragmented ammo commenters have got to be the same people behind the Ron Paul spambots. Get a topic started about guns, and BAM you get a dozen comments about how ammunition sold by companies which almost always prove to be financially insolvent (anyone bought any new Devestator-x rounds, recently?) is the Holy Grail of stopping power and can “TRN UR .32 IN2 A ELEFENT GUN LOZL!!11”
I like the pump because of the nice sound that sends chills up an intruder’s spine when you jam a shell into the magazine. For the same reason, my double barrel works great audio too, when you slap it closed and it has an improved cylinder choke in case I’m off a bit with my aim.
For home defense, get a 12 gauge Remington 870 or Mossberg 590 and 00 (double-ought) buckshot. If you have to take a shot a someone indoors, you’re less likely to penetrate a wall and cause collateral damage.
As for pistols, well, everyone’s going to laugh at me for saying this, nut I like the Makarov IJ-70 chambered for ACP .380 rounds. I’ve got one and it’s a very reliable pistol, and inexpensive as well.
Just make an electro-thermal gun, they have about twice the speed of a regular gun and are not legally classified as a firearm. So that means you can build and own one without an ID, in addition you can legally carry it anywhere you want………even gun free zones.
For someone like yourself, a double action revolver is best. You don’t have to mess with safeties, jacking a shell in the chamber or anything…just pull the trigger.
Don’t hold back Chase. Tell us how you really feel!
Ruger P-95 although honestly I’m not wild about the thumb safety. according to my father .38 special w/hollow points is all you need. ” No sense to a gun that can drop Cape Buffalo at a quarter mile”
I’ve got a Glock 23 on order right now. I did what a lot of people have already recommended and shot every handgun at the local range til I found the right gun.
Originally I thought I wanted the M&P .40 but the slide release took two hands to operate. The 23 fit my hand best of the range guns.
I’ve been eagarly waiting by the phone for the call that my Glock has arrived.
You should all move to Oregon. There, you go into a gun store, select the weapon of choice (I love the Walther P99 — bloody accurate!), and they do a ten minute background check. Then you pay and leave with your new toy. For a concealed-carry permit, you take a 2-4 hour class offered by the county sheriff that costs about $60. Unless you’re a felon or you live in Portland (where you’re more likely to be shot by the cops than by criminals), it is that easy.
I’m going to fess up and admit that I’m the guy who wrote this to email to Frank J. Thanks to everyone for the advise. I was a wrong to worry that the comments would degenerate into a poo flinging contest when I saw that Frank J posted the original email, but I see now that SarahK runs a tight ship and the readers here are by and large a class act. Clearly the readership here take the issue of gun ownership seriously and as a responsibility. Again, thanks to everyone.
Scott
Rules for Gun Fights #27 – Never use any firearm whose caliber does not start with a #4.
My 1911(not an “A1”) has served my perfectly for 35+ years. I would not be alive today but for it’s reliable power.
My Ruger P345 is a compact, DA semi that’s easy to carry.
My Beretta M96 has been excellent and I love it.
The other Berettas in my safe are of the questionable 9MM and 9MM Kurtz type. I like them but can’t trust them to “close the deal”.
My 3″ SP101 in .357 is on the light side and I only carry it with P+ loads. It makes me feel vulnerable.
My S&W Model 1917 in .45ACP is very good, but I now regret having it’s hammer spur removed and barrel shortened to 4″.
My Remington 1858 Army w/ .45 Colt conversion cylinder and nickel Schofield in .45 Colt are just too big for every day carry, but they remind me of Jesse and Frank.
I like my .45 Colt, Colt SAA with real ivory grips and case color frame. I use a canvas forager’s belt like Duke did. I remember his rules and try to follow them.
The Winchester M1897 trench gun in 12ga is both classy and reliable. NEVER use 00 buck in your home.
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no substitute for a good blaster, Kid”
I have two that I currently use that work well, Beretta 92F 9mm, highly accurate, never jams very light weight. Range ammo reasonably inexpensive.
The other is a EAA Witness .45ACP, packs a wallop, but has a great front and rear sight combo that is very accurate. Try out several at a local range. Since you are in Ill. Try Rock Island Auction Company, they have several auctions a year, I have bought several weapons from them including the two aboive
I personally have come to love the Ruger P95DC. Unlike the P95, which has a safety, the only safety on this one is a really long trigger pull on that first round. Of the thousands of rounds I’ve put through it, I’ve only ever had 2 misfeeds, both from the same magazine, which is now scrap metal somewhere. I originally tried this one because my Father bought it, and it just felt right in my hand, so I bought one. 6 months later, my Father decided it didn’t feel right in his hand, so now I have twins.
The handgun I have found I’m most accurate with however, is an old Colt Python my Father owns. It’s a .357 cal revolver.
However, as has been mentioned many times, for home defense I prefer my mossberg 500 12ga.
OK, I read the post and I couldn’t even start reading everyone’s comments before mentioning this so if you’ve already gone into detail about this horrible state, I’ll just have to continue.
In the Peoples Republik of Illinobamas you not only have to have a paid for state issued picture ID to purchase a handgun, but you need that same ID to possess and/or ANY firearm or ammunition.
Some scholars have commented that by the laws here in Illinois it is harder to possess any type of firearm than it is in CUBA!
As for advice…I love my Springfield XD .45 and XD .40. Great gun for the money. You don’t even have to attempt to aim, they just shoot where you point.
The XD is the pistol that out-Glocked the Glock. Comfortable to hold, accurate, light, and easy to care for. I have the XD9 service model and a 1911 A1 so Springfield is near and dear to my heart… at least when I’m wearing a shoulder holster.