In defense of my castle - Page 2

MattLarson · May 10th, 2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bisquit

I am the world's cheapest man. I hate sales taxes and fees of all kinds. I even hate paying for what I'm buying. With that as your backdrop, I hope to receive advice on the least costly way to arm myself. Last year, with only a 2x4, I had to go two rounds with some guy robbing my house and raiding my fridge. I destroyed my house with that 2x4, but the bad guy got away. He had a small mickey mouse gun that never went off.

I want to buy a gun that'll shoot even if it's been in my closet for ten years with absolutely no attention. I don't necessarily want to kill anyone, but I'd like to drop the crook robbing my house in his tracks. The gun can't be a canon, a woman may have to use it.

There are gun shows around here regularly — I want to buy privately, I want to avoid a lemon, I'll pay cash, and I don't want to mortgage my house. I live in Florida — very lenient gun laws. Questions: should I bother with a bill of sale using drivers licenses both way for ID? Can anyone suggest the wording? In my limited reading, I'm sort of focussing on a small S&W in 38 cal. Will a snubbie work? If not, how much barrel do I need?. Since I want minimum maintenance — am I talking stainless? Even friends who don't know up from down are advising against Taurus even though I like the prices better. All I know to do in checking a used revolver (preferred over a pistol), is to shake the cylinder back and forth (I read that).

I have an open mind, please help me think this through.

If you are planning to buy something to leave in your closet for ten years , get a shotgun. Effective use of a handgun for self defense takes regular practice. So does a long gun, but it is a bit easier to use.

The point here is that thinking yourself armed and ready simply because you own a gun is kind of like buying a piano and thinking you are ready for Carnegie Hall.

Matt

dukalmighty · May 10th, 2008, 06:54 PM

you buy a cheap handgun yours may go click when the bad guy's go bang

Roadrunner · May 10th, 2008, 07:14 PM

Get a shotgun (Mossberg will be your cheapest and most reliable bet), buy it used from a shop with a repair policy for used guns and shoot it to make sure it works Then load it up with 00 buck and apply to invaders as necessary.

ccw9mm · May 10th, 2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bisquit

I want to buy a gun that'll shoot even if it's been in my closet for ten years with absolutely no attention.

Respectfully, I think you're planning defeat, then. You're planning to ignore a firearm in a ready state of accessibility for that long and yet still have it work flawlessly. That's asking a lot.

Humidity, dust, whatever ... they can conspire to seize up a gun that's unused yet not otherwise carefully packed away for storage.

If so concerned, purchase a revolver or shotgun, but keep it well-oiled and as dust/humidity free as possible.

Here's the deal, as I see it. You're prepared to let a gun that you've not manipulated or fired in 10yrs to work, despite a solid possibility of having seized in that time. You don't know it's behavior or durability. Yet, you're wanting it to save your life, on the instant of an attack. I think you'll either need to pack it away well-oiled and greased, in a suitable environment that doesn't have swings in temperature or humidity, or you're going to need it accessible for that attack. I don't think you can have both.

sniper58 · May 10th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kerbouchard

I second the recommendation for a shotgun. Forget the pistol. It doesn't sound like you are going to be going to the range often enough to develop proficiency.

If you are talking about a relatively cheap method of self defense in the home, then you don't have to look much further than a pump shotgun.

Also, a reliable shotgun is considerably cheaper than a reliable handgun.

+1!

Although I think a handgun with semi-regular practice is also in order. Go with the .357 magnum (more ammo, more options) and practice with both. With both guns, you just doubled your chances for surviving another encounter! Stay safe!

dcb188 · May 10th, 2008, 08:46 PM

Shotgun. If you don't hit assailant, you will scare him to death. Pump shotgun, as the others suggested. Effective in the house.

TacticalCompact · May 10th, 2008, 09:30 PM

you need to learn more about guns. From your post I hope you are never my neighbor. Guns are not something to take lightly or cheaply. Please take a ccw course and learn a bit about proper use of lethal force. Then buy something reliable. Reliable and cheap don't go hand in hand. Also, be sure whatever you buy had a clean history.

bisquit · May 10th, 2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halfcrazy

my sugestion is for a revolver but i would go to e reputable gun shop and buy from them they will help you choose what is best for your needs and is in the right price range for you

Please forgive me for being a smartass, but that's the kind of advice my mother would give me.

Getting advice from a seller isn't my idea of how to advance my cause. I'm more interested in the views of guys who've been around the block.

archer51 · May 10th, 2008, 10:16 PM

I agree witht he recommendation for a shotgun, given the senerio you have posted. 12 gauge pump loaded with 00 or 000 buckshot. Since HD is the sole purpose of it I would have the barrel cut down to 28".

mr.stuart · May 10th, 2008, 10:33 PM

Coach gun is a great idea.How did you train to use that 2x4?

Walking Tall?

Hey!Just kidding!Hey!Put that board down

Just funnin ya

May 10th, 2008, 06:54 PM	#12
dukalmighty VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: texas Posts: 2,629	you buy a cheap handgun yours may go click when the bad guy's go bang __________________ I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

May 10th, 2008, 07:14 PM	#13
Roadrunner Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NW PA Posts: 608	Get a shotgun (Mossberg will be your cheapest and most reliable bet), buy it used from a shop with a repair policy for used guns and shoot it to make sure it works Then load it up with 00 buck and apply to invaders as necessary. __________________ - Kurt “Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.” ~Pericles of Athens Primary Carry - Colt Commander .45 in a Brommeland Max-Con V

May 10th, 2008, 08:46 PM	#16
dcb188 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mid-Cape Cod, Mass. Posts: 862	Shotgun. If you don't hit assailant, you will scare him to death. Pump shotgun, as the others suggested. Effective in the house. __________________ Surrounded and outnumbered, Marine Col Lewis Puller: "Good! We finally got 'em where we want 'em!" (Korea, 1950) __________________________________ Right is Wrong and Wrong is Right. __________________________________ Socrates : "Knowledge is knowing that we know nothing".

May 10th, 2008, 10:33 PM	#20
mr.stuart Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: usa-southeast texas Posts: 605	Coach gun is a great idea.How did you train to use that 2x4?Walking Tall?Hey!Just kidding!Hey!Put that board down Just funnin ya

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May 10th, 2008, 09:30 PM	#17
TacticalCompact Ex Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nevada Posts: 321	you need to learn more about guns. From your post I hope you are never my neighbor. Guns are not something to take lightly or cheaply. Please take a ccw course and learn a bit about proper use of lethal force. Then buy something reliable. Reliable and cheap don't go hand in hand. Also, be sure whatever you buy had a clean history.

May 10th, 2008, 10:16 PM	#19
archer51 Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: VA Posts: 1,670	I agree witht he recommendation for a shotgun, given the senerio you have posted. 12 gauge pump loaded with 00 or 000 buckshot. Since HD is the sole purpose of it I would have the barrel cut down to 28".