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.

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

enigmaone

410 shotgun ?

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morintp

Snubbies have a huge fan base around here. I don't think you'll find many people against the idea of using one for self defense. They are reliable, they hardly ever refuse to go "bang" and S&W snubbies are some of the best.

I think most of the people here would agree with me when I say to spend the little bit of extra cash and go for the S&W. If you go cheap and get a lemon, then you'll be worse off than when you were using the 2x4.

Just think of it this way, is your life or your family's life worth that extra $100? You've already had a bad experience, and as far as break ins go, you got off pretty easy, next time it could be much worse.

Just my 2 cents.

homepcmd

it sounds like you do NOT want to conceal carry.

I would suggest a 38 with a 4" barrel for aound the house... PLUS a 20 g shotgun (say a Maverick for much less $300 - way less if preowned from a pawn shop).

Why both?

Two people (you and your spouse). It's that simple. A possible alternative is a used .357 since that increases the choice of ammo. If you cannot get 38... use 357 and while it may "hurt" you more... it will hurt EVEN more the person you aim it at.

Either way... the shotgun should be part of your planning. And I would buy from a reputable place - in case you have issues.

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retsupt99

A coach gun...a big double barrel...
Two shots of 00buck...when empty, you then have a 2x4...as you sound like you're pretty handy with one...

For something that goes boom every time...a Glock...a 30 would do it quite nicely...OMO

Stay armed...with something...stay safe!

By the way...
Welcome...

from Central Florida!

ret

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Black Knight

Just my 2 cents worth but spend your money on a quality revolver. Forget the Taurus and go with a S&W, Ruger, or Colt. You will want a .38 Special or 357 Magnum. If you chooze the magnum load it with .38 Special +P loads. Select one with a 2 1/2" to 4" barrel. Any S&W K-frame (Models 10, 13, 15, 19, 64, 65, 66, or 67) in good shape would be a good choice. The Rugers may be less expensive than the S&W's and the Colt's may be the same price or higher than the S&W's.

stanislaskasava

Are you planning on buying the cheapest gun recommended and one box of ammo and then sticking them both in the closet until you need it? I think a better plan would be to buy a decent gun from a good manufacturer, learn how to clean and maintain it, practice enough that you can actually hit what you're aiming at and shoot from month to month so you don't get rusty. I think you are on the right track with the .38 revolver (or .357) and as others have mentioned, some type of shotgun might be better if you never leave the house.

I guess you know that you 'can't take it with you' so you might as well do it right...

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.

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SoFloAuthor

I agree...for HD, a 12 gauge is the best...find a Mossberg used. It doesn't have to be pretty...as long as the firing pin meets the shell primer it'll go bang...and it'll do less damage than the 2X4 did! You may also want to get a CWP...just so if you use the 12 gauge...there's evidence of a background check having been done...