Questions for the gun enthusiasts

[iceman61]

When we did the draw-then-fire sequence, though, my first shots are always about 6 inches to the left. I haven't really figured out why and how, which is another reason I want to practice more.

Just make sure you aim at his left nipple & you'll be sure to hit him dead center of his chest.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Anna,
I know that shooting is fun, and once I met Mark I picked it up quite quick. Before we had kids we used to go shooting quite a bit. As a kid I used to go shooting with my dad and uncles and it was just rifles. Mark turned me on to pistol shooting. My CCW permit is expired now but when I had one I carried a Browning 9mm, with ammo that Mark reloaded for it. I am not sure the cost on the store ammo for the gun. When we moved away from my home town and I was traveling back and forth to visit my family I ran into a situation that I was stopped at a stop light and some guy came toward the car like he was trying to get in. The twins were just babies and they were on that side of the car and I thought the guy was going to try and get in. From that moment on when I traveled alone I would always make sure that I had the gun with me. It was a scary time for me as I didn't really know what to do and how to handle what was happening.

For me it was a piece of mind and knowing that if something like that happened again and the kids were with me I was at least going to scare the person off or defend myself.

A few years ago I went to a range with Mark and his father to go shooting. As I was shooting my FIL made a comment that I would be able to stop someone, because I was hitting the center of the target.

We haven't gone shooting together for a while as life has gotten in the way of that but I really enjoyed doing things like that with Mark, and for myself because I really enjoyed it.

Good luck and have fun.

[dkerfoot]

When I was in the Navy we were certified for the .45, M14 (.30-06) and 12 Gauge.

As you might imagine, life on a submarine is not very conducive to lots of firearm practice. So it was assumed that most of us standing top-side watch weren't very good shots. But, having the ability to carry nuclear weapons, we had to take the prospect of hostiles boarding the submarine very seriously.

The training was simple - aim for the center of mass. Once the first shot is fired you are going to be held accountable to the rules on the use of deadly force, so keep firing.

I remember we had one guy who was a hopeless shot with the .45 because of a deformity in his right hand. He had a waiver for it, but the rules were he had to be qualified on all 3 weapons to stand topside watch - even though it was a simple matter to ensure he always had the 12 gauge, not the .45. He was actually really good with the 12 gauge, having grown up hunting ducks and pheasants.

So, we had two of our best shooters stand on his right and left on the range for the .45 qualifications. If I recall, we had to hit the target with 15 out of 20 shots. After getting their 15 hits, they started shooting the center guy's target. Amazingly, he managed to hit it with 21 out of 20 rounds.

[Tom Slick]

If it helps your moral delimma, think about this; once you decide the need to draw your weapon you must kill, otherwise you or a loved one will be killed. It is not an option, it is the cold hard truth. Aiming for anything other then center mass will result in a miss and that second shot may not happen. There is not alot of time for decision making and aiming, it must become instinct. By drawing your weapon you have escallated the fight to a deadly level. If you cannot shoot to kill then you should not even carry. You might not need to shoot every time, but if the time came and you couldn't, you'd be dead.

As terrible as this sounds I mean this as encouragement. I do not CCW but I take the idea behind it very seriously including a realistic idea of the situations it creates.

[cabinetman]

I've bought ammo at dept stores, gun shops and ranges. I get pretty good prices at the gun stores that I deal with regularly. I get a "Military" discount. In Florida, I believe the CCW identifies the weapon. If you are asked if you have a permit while carrying, it will have a serial number for ID.

As for "The Right To Bear Arms" in the Constitution, the interpretation has little latitude for local law enforcement. Some years ago I went to the range several times during the week, and at times rode my motorcycle. I have several gun bags, but to carry what I'd like to fire meant I would have to bungee the bag on the seat behind me. I was interested to know how the law treats just having a side arm out in the open, as I could just belt one or two on my waist, or my shoulder holster. Of the three or four different agencies that I called, I got different answers. But, the consensus was, whether I would be stopped or detained would depend on the individual officer.

As for a self defense caliber, it's getting proficient and familiar with a certain weapon. I will say that weight, size, and ease of use can make a difference. A .22 cal has less kick and less noise than a .44 magnum. Length of the barrel can affect your accuracy. Further, a revolver is a quick to use handgun...no safety, no magazine. Six shots should get you there.

But, like someone posted about the perp running at you, the closer he gets, the better the target. Now, if he is running at you and that fancy semi-auto fails to fire (it's been known to happen), place a front kick to the family jewels...he won't expect it. Or, do what my wife does when she's PO'd, start yelling and screaming and wave your arms all around and run right at him while gritting your teeth. Oh, BTW, make sure you have fire shooting from your nostrils...just like my wife.
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[Anna]

Thanks for all the advice.

The double-tap technique makes a lot of sense. I'd love to get a 45, but my hands are small (8" span at most) and a Glock 19 is already pushing it for me. I didn't even bother to try the bigger caliber Glocks. I read that the 1911s require a lot of maintenance, and the PPKs and Kahrs sometimes misfire. So far, the small handguns that seem to have the least complaints are the Bersa and the Sig.

I also read that the Glaser doesn't penetrate as much. I have to research more about them and maybe try a couple rounds. By the way, this is a really neat site: Box of Truth. They compare lots of things - ammos, gun types, etc - using their "box of truth."

I'm still working on my mental state that once I decide to draw, I have to be ready to shoot. It's only been a few days since I learned to shoot and got over my aversion to guns (there was a time when I can't even be in the same room with a gun), so I really have to be patient about adjusting my thought processes about potentially taking a life. I grew up being drilled with: Guns are bad. Give the bad guy what he wants and he won't hurt you. You can be hurt with the mere presence of a gun in the room. You get the idea.

But you can be sure that once I decide to carry, I'll be ready to use it. Even without a gun, I'm always aware of what's going on around me and what I can hit a bad guy with (like the contents of my purse or shopping bags, if necessary). The passengers of United Flight 93 pretty much made my mind up about that matter.

[nothing]

Here is a field strip guide for what i believe is your browning. Assuming it is a model 1922:

http://www.gunsworld.com/assembly/br...922_ass_us.htm

I'm sure you know this, but be sure to clear the weapon before cleaning it.

[Anna]

As for "The Right To Bear Arms" in the Constitution, the interpretation has little latitude for local law enforcement. Some years ago I went to the range several times during the week, and at times rode my motorcycle. I have several gun bags, but to carry what I'd like to fire meant I would have to bungee the bag on the seat behind me. I was interested to know how the law treats just having a side arm out in the open, as I could just belt one or two on my waist, or my shoulder holster. Of the three or four different agencies that I called, I got different answers. But, the consensus was, whether I would be stopped or detained would depend on the individual officer.
.

In California, you are legally allowed to carry concealable weapons in plain sight as long as they're unloaded. You can walk into a store with a gun in your holster as long as people can see it and it's unloaded. Of course in hippie country where I live, you do that and you get about half a dozen people calling 911 in no time.

Conversely, you can carry a shotgun under your coat, and you're still okay because it's not "concealable." People just toss their rifles and shotguns on the back seats of their cars all the time. But handguns, you have to put them in a locked container or in the trunk, or sitting on the front seat as long as it is in plain sight. And you can't have ammo in the magazines because they're "part of the gun" and therefore you're considered to be carrying a loaded gun.

It's nuts. But it's much more liberal (in the classic sense) than I expected. I think the worst place to carry a weapon is probably New York State.

[Anna]

Here is a field strip guide for what i believe is your browning. Assuming it is a model 1922:

http://www.gunsworld.com/assembly/br...922_ass_us.htm

I'm sure you know this, but be sure to clear the weapon before cleaning it.

Yup, that's my Browning. Thanks.

And I checked again last night that it's unloaded. I'm trying to make it a habit that every time I take it out of the case, I check the chamber and make sure the magazine is detached.

[Black wallnut]

Anna welcome the wonderful world of firearms! As LOML mentioned I've the habit. I'm so hooked that I have many of the spin off hobbies: casting bullets, reloading, light gunsmithing, stock work/ making, checkering, etc. I almost never practise with factory ammo. I reload everything. For carry I will only use factory ammo and for auto pistols it is only Federal hollow points, mostly Hydra-shok or Cor-Bon. With a .380 you'll likely want only premium ammo for carry. For practise ammo visit a few local gunshops and inquireabout factory reloaded ammo; it's likely much cheaper in price than what you'll find at a box store.

FWIW LOML may have mislead ya'll into thinking she carried reloads, nope she carried Fed Hydra-shoks but for practise she shot round nose 124gr. lead, 7.4 gr. AA#7, win WSP primer held by any brass I could find.

[nothing]

Anna,

Chances are you will end up with several firearms. If possible try renting before you buy to see if it's comfortable for you. There are several "small" quality pistols and revolvers out there to consider. Glock, Sig, Springfield, Kimber all make good quality compact pistols. My wife is very small 5'2" 95Lbs and handles my springfield XD very well. She like the 9mm the best.

S&W and Taurus make very good revlovers if you prefer that route. I've been shooting since I was 5. I've done 1 combat tour as an Infantryman and have noticed if there is a way for a weapon to break or jam it will happen. I've even managed to seize the cylinder on a revolver. Find a good instructor that can teach you many different techniques for drawing and firing, help you shoot under stress and teach you malfunction drills until it becomes second nature.

There comes a point where you really don't even have to think about it, it's just a reaction. You will be able to draw, fire, make safe or decock and holster without a second thought under stress.

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Anna welcome the wonderful world of firearms! As LOML mentioned I've the habit. I'm so hooked that I have many of the spin off hobbies: casting bullets, reloading, light gunsmithing, stock work/ making, checkering, etc. I almost never practise with factory ammo. I reload everything. For carry I will only use factory ammo and for auto pistols it is only Federal hollow points, mostly Hydra-shok or Cor-Bon. With a .380 you'll likely want only premium ammo for carry. For practise ammo visit a few local gunshops and inquireabout factory reloaded ammo; it's likely much cheaper in price than what you'll find at a box store.

FWIW LOML may have mislead ya'll into thinking she carried reloads, nope she carried Fed Hydra-shoks but for practise she shot round nose 124gr. lead, 7.4 gr. AA#7, win WSP primer held by any brass I could find.

I knew that if I was wrong that he would correct me. Sorry about that.

[scmhogg]

Anna,

My wife also has very small hands. Her gun of choice is a .38 revolver. Smith & Wesson Chief Special. Small, purse size, 5 shots, very loud w/ 2" barrel, reliable. At the 21' range she can put all five in the 9 and 10 rings on 1/2 size silhouettes, double action. The gun come with small wood grips.

She has tried my 9mm Beretta, the handle is way too big with its 15 shot magazine. She had a little better luck with the .357 revolver, Colt Python long barrel. The grip was still too big. But, the extra weight made it seem like her .38 in recoil.

We buy reloads at the range, in the SFV, for target, and store bought for carry.

Steve

[cabinetman]

Anna,

My wife also has very small hands. Her gun of choice is a .38 revolver. Smith & Wesson Chief Special. Small, purse size, 5 shots, very loud w/ 2" barrel, reliable. At the 21' range she can put all five in the 9 and 10 rings on 1/2 size silhouettes, double action. The gun come with small wood grips.

She has tried my 9mm Beretta, the handle is way too big with its 15 shot magazine. She had a little better luck with the .357 revolver, Colt Python long barrel. The grip was still too big. But, the extra weight made it seem like her .38 in recoil.

We buy reloads at the range, in the SFV, for target, and store bought for carry.

Steve

Try some Pachmayr grips.
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[JimD]

You may also want to look at Graf and Sons and Midwayusa for ammo and cleaning supplies. I shoot mostly long guns, I do not own pistols so when I have shot them they have been buddies guns. I have big hands and I'm probably overall a lot bigger but handgun recoil is a lot different to me and not unpleasant. You may want to look for opportunities when you are at the range to try out bigger guns. I've shot 357 magnum and 44 magnum pistols (the 357 was a Colt Pyton revolver and the 44 was a heavy barrel contender single shot). Neither was uncomfortable with hearing protection. The noise is the biggest deal to me. My 12 gauge slug barrel and my 30-06 bolt action (8 lbs with scope) can create bruises from the bench if you do not treat them right. The pistols I have fired do not do that.

If you get into shooting a lot, you should definitely get into reloading. Your posts indicate an attention to detail that is easily sufficient to support reloading. I like Lee products which are inexpensive and typically plenty good enough. I use their simple single stage press but they also have 3 and 4 position and progressive presses. In a single stage, you decap and size with one die (at least on rifle ammo), then you take the case out of the press and install a primer (or you can do this in the press), then measure and insert powder, then put the case back in the die to seat the bullet and crimp if you want. Handgun ammo is usually crimped which can be another die. With a progressive, you have a station to do each function and the ammo moves station to station each time you pull the lever. You put a case into the first station and get a completed round out the other side. A multi-station press is kind of inbetween where you do not have to screw dies into and out of the press but you don't necessarily do everything in the press either.

You can get a Lee "Anniversity Set" for about $75. That is a simple single station press, hand-primer setup, scale, and powder measure. To that you add a set of dies for about $25 (Lee), some bullets and powder ($50?) and you could load some rounds. My numbers could be a little off but you can easily check them with the on-line retailers. My point is just that is not either overly complicated or overly expensive to reload your own rounds. For the 380, lead bullets are probably OK for practice if your semi-automatic tolerates (feeds) them OK and would make a big difference in per round cost.

Jim