2 Questions.

[kickyour_bass]

What are the pros and cons of 9mm ammo and .45 ammo? Also i would love a hand gun, but the wife isn t having it howd you convince your significant other? We travel to a big city and all the bi city people are moving/partying here, plus lots of druggies as well.

[nick76]

I am gonna skip the first question and let someone else answer that.  Opinions on caliber of bullets and their ballistics differ greatly and we all know that opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one. 

 

As for the second question...is your wife familiar with guns at all or did she grow up around guns?  If this is a no, then you really need to get her acquainted with them and what purpose they serve.  I grew up around guns, but never handguns.....my wife did and she was the one who convinced me to get our CCW's.  I was oblivious to what was going on around us and she made me become more aware of our environment.  You need to have a serious discussion with her and not a macho kill everything kind of discussion.  Lay out your concerns and why you feel the need has become important.  Then introduce her to a range where she can watch you shoot and then offer to let her shoot a handgun that she would be comfortable with.  Too often I see guys hand their spouses the largest gun they can find and think it is funny to have them shoot it.  It isn't funny and can be down right dangerous.  Start with a small 22 or something that doesn't kick.  This isn't an overnight process and is gonna take some time.  Good luck!

[I.rar]

Aside from women being turned off by huge handguns, something small like the pocket 380s are not something for a new shooter either. Have her try a full size or compact 9mm with a reputation for low perceived recoil. It will make both of your experiences pleasant.

[kickyour_bass]

She's not open to any weapons except furnace. How is mace beneficial when someone is robbing my house or jumping me for money. I layer my concerns out and states people with guns are three times more likely to get shot.

[Djf3864]

Caliber is strictly choice; some like having more ammo at their disposal with a 9mm, while others like the "knock down power" of the larger 45.  Buy and shoot whatever you end up with, all the extra ammo  and stopping power is useless if you can hit what you are aiming at.

 

I just told my wife I am buying this and went and got it, but my situation may be different than yours.

[kickyour_bass]

I was really accurate with a slingshot 1/2 -3/4 block away during dark. Anyway i know guns are different. I will get practice after i buy. I was looking at a springfield armory xd service model .45 or a ruger sr .45. Both are under 415 dollars. Was just thinking about getting it. I just heard about a shooting at a Miami club and the sick thing in Oklahoma. I cant stand bbeing worried if something is going to happen to me or my family. If i have this then i would feel more comfortable.

[einscodek]

9mm

standard in US and Europe and most all over the world.. so cheaper

nice balance between stopping power and kick/recoil

higher velocity

medium range

 

45

mostly US

great short range stopping power (almost 1.5x 9mm pressure)

great associated kick/recoil

short range

 

in my opinion

 

instead of carrying, learn to be aware of potential problems around you and learn to avoid them in advance.. imo carrying gives you a confidence which is often false

the best way is to spot and stay far away from trouble

[Djf3864]

Another tip:

 

Either way you need to get a good solid belt and a quality holster molded/fit to the gun you are carrying.  None of this **** off the shelf that fits 10 different guns ok, you want the holster to secure the gun and have it is the same position at all times so if needed it is always where you expect it.

[HardcoreBassin]

Opinions on caliber will be so drastically different depending on who you talk to.  I used to own a .380 for every day and 9mm for home protection.  I traded both in and upped the calibers.  My everyday is a 9mm Baretta Nano.  In the winter when clothes are bulkier I carry my Glock 17, which is a .40.  My premium 9mm was a Glock 26.  Its nice and small (as far as glocks go).  It's heavy, which is good and bad.  Bad because it weights you down, good because it helps so much with recoil. 

 

I upped from a .380 because I heard horror stories of hollow point .380 rounds not penetrating a hoodie/sweatshirt and jacket in the winter.

 

As far as convincing her, I did not have to go down that road.  My fiance carries a .38 snub.  I would just pound home the point of safety.  An explain to her that mace might be OK in an open area with no wind.  Try spraying mace on a windy day in the city, or in doors.  You'll do just as much damage to yourself as the person attacking.  And you NEVER KNOW when that might happen.

 

PS- x2 on the strong, comfortable belt.  Make sure she DOES NOT carry it in her purse if she decides to get one to carry every day.

[I.rar]

Wilderness makes very good nylon belts for the price. I wear my easy fit frequent flyer daily.

[MikeJames]

Caliber is a matter of opinion. Everyone has their pros and cons for every caliber out there. Best is to get something you are comfortable shooting. In your case, if you are trying to get your wife into the idea of shooting or CCW get something she can also shoot comfortably. She is not going to shoot a 45 no matter what you try to tell her. If you want something with a bigger punch then 9mm consider a 40S&W.

 

I've seen you mention Springfield XD a few times, you can shoot 40S&W and 9mm threw the same handgun with a change of barrel and magazine. You can shoot 40S&W, when it's her turn to shoot a quick barrel change and different magazine she can be shooting 9mm for less then $200 more then the cost of the handgun. I have 3 XD40s and a 9mm barrel for 2 of them and 2 9mm magazines, essentially I have 5 different handguns for less then what 4 would cost.

[Wayne P.]

May I suggest what I use for self defense. I carry a .40 and my first two loads are shot shells.

CCI has them in several calibers.

No real aiming needed in a tense situation. Point in the general direction of the face and shoot. That will create an attitude adjustment and probably put you in command of the situation quickly night or day. If follow-ups are necessary, any of the hollow point self defense loads can finish the task at hand.

The shotshells also give you a handy remedy for unwanted pests if needed- little marksmanship required even with moving subjects.

[I.rar]

I would look into how the courts would feel about you shooting someone in the face with one of those....or should those first two shots not stop the threat charging at you with a knife.

I would not recommend them other than for snake control or something. Imo of course.

[Wayne P.]

I would look into how the courts would feel about you shooting someone in the face with one of those....or should those first two shots not stop the threat charging at you with a knife.

I would not recommend them other than for snake control or something. Imo of course.

So what is worse?

Several rounds of Zombie loads center mass or one/two shotshells in the face?

I carry for self protection (DEFENSE). 

[I.rar]

I personally would rather stop the threat with a proven hollow point (hst, gold dot, pdx, golden saber, Ranger etc) without having to second guess whether those shot shells will do the job. Especially if the BG happens to also be armed with a knife or firearm or maybe even hopped up on drugs.

I'm not saying what you're doing is wrong, but I personally would not carry those with the intentions to defend myself or loved ones for a potentially life threatening situation.

If someone is coming at me ready to inflict great bodily harm or worse, you can bet I will stop them immediately.

Forgot to add, when facing a situation like that, that unfolded in seconds, how sure are you that you can make that face shot? Twice.

I know ccw is a very personal decision. I'm not sure what kind of training you have, but all I posted is in my opinion and please take it as such.