First, I am NOT an expert; but I play one in the following dialogue. But the guys responses above are spot on and please folks, comment on the below; this is an accumulation of knowledge from myself, many years, and great friends. But I do NOT shoot enough, stay read up on new guns, ammo, etc...…….and play with wood more than anything. But this subject is near and dear to my heart, so I wanted to provide my thoughts.
@Maverick , John, you ready for an incredible range of suggestions; i am going to give you both ends of the spectrum!!!! I like
@Eric Rorabaugh suggestion as I have just gone to a .380 for concealed. Small enough to fit in my hip pocket with my shirt tail out. The new ammo is great and that is why it took me so long to accept it; I didn't believe it had the stopping power. Makes me feel good our law enforcement brother endorses it. I have 2 models; the glock for the wife, mine is the Sig 938 (think I got that number correct). Now that I have shot her glock, I recommend it; especially given the price.
Second suggestion: again, home defense minded: 45 ACP. Myself, I prefer the original 1911 styled gun. You can get an 8 round magazine and one in the chamber. And, like the Glock, it is totally safe "cocked and locked". Some folks freak out about that and if you are new to hand guns it is a learned level of security. Also, what kids are around......either way, they have to be safe. The .45 with a self-defense hollow-point will not, most likely, go through a wall!!! You don't want to be killing your innocent neighbor. The .45 has the stopping power even though it is not high velocity. It does have this anvil for a bullet though. And in a full sized frame, it has manageable recoil. Recoil is not bad; it just has to be understood.
I think the best thing you are doing is going to the range where you have those options!!!! Wow, that is great!!! The gun range I belong to has the same deal; come in and rent 3 or 5 for an hour and blast away. what a great way to get the feel for a gun. And, go back and repeat with the one you think you liked, but if you shot it first and not last, change the order.
one last thing: combining the 2. I was at our range a few years ago with some friends for a going away event for one of the guys. And we did the rent and shoot thing with a bunch of guns. I ended up buying the new (at the time) subcompact Springfield Arms .45 ACP. This is a small gun, not as small as the Glock or Sig mentioned above, but small. And it has manageable recoil...….it shoots great and I love making half inch holes in targets!!! If I had not shot that one at the range, i would have never even considered it!!!!
So, definitely more than .02 worth, but don't take it to the bank!!!
