Academy in my area has the Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0 for $299. Basic self protection doesn’t have to be expensive.
it's time to learn about guns
- Thread starter MetalSlug
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I am going to risk putting my foot in my mouth and say it like this- The VP9 Series is the best personal defense handgun family on the market, bar none.
I know someone will chime in about a Staccato or similar platform…and I admit that the 2011 style pistol is a race car that’s awesome to drive…but the VP9 is far more tolerant of use and abuse while full of crud.
We live in a golden era of guns…you can buy any number of high quality and highly reliable guns from multiple manufacturers…but the HK is simply better.
I own more Glocks than any other brand because it’s what most people use and I need to teach on what people carry…same with my 320 and M&P…totally valid…but nowhere close to the HK.
It’s splitting hairs, all work fine.
OP wants a gun. You're suggesting cameras.
With the purpose of the gun being "home protection"?
No. You're delusional. The topic and title is, "it's time to learn about guns." Deterrence, detection and protection are all very different aspects of home security. Most folks that have replied to the original post understand that. You don't.
Lots of good input here. I'll add a few +1's and my $0.02
- Revolver
- Name brand only (My main cary is a S&W K-frame, fits your bill for small and reliable)
- Buy used
- Find a range with hourly rates that includes rentals and try as many as you can
- In my experience sub-compact semi-autos are NOT easy to shoot well (I have a good bit of trigger time and would not want to have to use one under duress)
For HD, a high-capacity 9mm pistol such as the Glock 17 (Gen 6 is available now!), and an AR-15.
Quick update: I passed my 10‑hour firearm course today and got my LTC certificate. I learned a lot about laws I didn’t even know existed. Honestly, it almost feels like I can’t carry my gun anywhere lol. But overall, it was a lot of good information. I also signed up for a gun lawyer, and I still need to complete the fingerprint process.
I only want one gun, mostly to keep at home. Maybe once a month I’ll take it to the shooting range to practice. I’m looking for something easy to maintain and reliable. Is something under $400 possible? Small enough for conceal also.
I’ve reached another life achievement—first learning to ride a motorcycle, and now learning about firearms. I’m pretty satisfied with those milestones.
Recommend me a lock case.
I only want one gun, mostly to keep at home. Maybe once a month I’ll take it to the shooting range to practice. I’m looking for something easy to maintain and reliable. Is something under $400 possible? Small enough for conceal also.
I’ve reached another life achievement—first learning to ride a motorcycle, and now learning about firearms. I’m pretty satisfied with those milestones.
Recommend me a lock case.
Shield Plus. Comes with a 10-round and five 13-round magazines. You can also buy 15-round mags. Reliable, high-cap and concealable, especially with the 10-round mag. All for $399.99
https://palmettostatearmory.com/smi...d-pistol-bundle-w-savior-bag-black-14750.html
How buy gun online work? They sent to my home ?
A lot of good info here. Kudos to the OP for going about this the right way. Keep one thing in mind, a gun for self defense is like studying the Martial Arts for self defense. Training, training, and more training to become proficient. I met so many people over the years as a Martial Arts instructor that thought they knew all the needed to know after a few lessons. They couldn't be more wrong. Good luck!!!
No, federal law prevents that.
You can purchase it online, but it will have to go to a local FFL.
They will perform the background check and comply with any other state laws on the purchase.
Thank you I always try follow the laws as best as possible.
The OP objectives are:
“My main goal is to have something for home protection. I’m interested in something light, small, beginner‑friendly, and I only want one gun.”
So MetalSlug has taken and passed his training course with a borrowed gun I guess, probably a 22. It doesn’t seem likely that regular trips to the range are in the future and he wants something “small light and beginner friendly”. I read into that description low recoil and easy to load and rack the slide (assuming a revolver is not purchased). Does an infrequently shot 9mm really match the need here?
I faced a similar situation. I have a Walther PPQ 9mm but racking the slide to clear it or due to a misfire is becoming more difficult as I age. It is great for shooting steel matches but I wanted a 3am “bump in the night, go check it out” nightstand pistol where I could rack the slide easily at my weakest and most distracted condition. I went and got a new Walther PD 380ACP, holds 8+1 and has a small form factor for about $350 . I can easily rack the slide on the Walther PD380 using my pinky and thumb, try that on a 9mm.
For another $200 I got a new Walther P22 that has a similar form factor and release mechanism and is a great training gun shooting cheap 22 ammunition. Both fit in my nightstand safe. Picture here is slightly staged removing extra magazines and ammo and mounted lights on guns.
“My main goal is to have something for home protection. I’m interested in something light, small, beginner‑friendly, and I only want one gun.”
So MetalSlug has taken and passed his training course with a borrowed gun I guess, probably a 22. It doesn’t seem likely that regular trips to the range are in the future and he wants something “small light and beginner friendly”. I read into that description low recoil and easy to load and rack the slide (assuming a revolver is not purchased). Does an infrequently shot 9mm really match the need here?
I faced a similar situation. I have a Walther PPQ 9mm but racking the slide to clear it or due to a misfire is becoming more difficult as I age. It is great for shooting steel matches but I wanted a 3am “bump in the night, go check it out” nightstand pistol where I could rack the slide easily at my weakest and most distracted condition. I went and got a new Walther PD 380ACP, holds 8+1 and has a small form factor for about $350 . I can easily rack the slide on the Walther PD380 using my pinky and thumb, try that on a 9mm.
For another $200 I got a new Walther P22 that has a similar form factor and release mechanism and is a great training gun shooting cheap 22 ammunition. Both fit in my nightstand safe. Picture here is slightly staged removing extra magazines and ammo and mounted lights on guns.
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I'd buy that S&W bundle in a heartbeat if all those extra mags were 10 rounds....I live in a 'restrictive' state so they'd ship it with only the one 10 round magazine. Another reliable option that can be had for under $400 is the Springfield XDM series. A 6 shot 38 special revolver is a good choice for a beginner IMO and a 3" barrel splits the difference between the concealability of a snub nose 2" and a more controllable 4"....also a wheel gun is safer.
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First gun, only gun, 'do everything' gun? Glock 19.
It's as common and boring as an LS swap, but there's a reason.
This just pop up on my screen
As a lifelong firearms owner and reloader, there is a lot of good advice and a lot of bad advice on here. My head is spinning!
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