Post by jgbryant on Jan 17, 2016 12:26:04 GMT -10
Often times people feel the need to find a tool (firearm) for personal defense. It is a known fact that firearms are the #1 tool of choice when dealing with disparity of force (when someone is bigger / stronger than you or you are outnumbered).
Our knee jerk reaction is to run out there and purchase a handgun. Additionally we run out there to buy something we read about, something we think looks cool and something small (short sight radius).
Folks, we must take special care when selecting a handgun. The way we do that is by addressing handgun myths. We will do that below.
Myth #1
"Stopping power is everything"
-There is no merit in buying a pistol caliber so large that you are unable to manage the recoil of the pistol. The right caliber for you is the caliber that you are able to shoot accurately without added duress. Yes... even 22LR is plausible if that is the only caliber you are able to manage accurately.
Myth #2
"If law enforcement uses that gun it must be good"
-This is far from true. LE pistol contracts are often times based on metrics that have no relevance to the normal person. The right pistol for you is the pistol that allows you to operate all levers and buttons without breaking your shooting grip.
Myth #3
"I want a pistol for personal defense and concealment"
-Handguns and nearly all rifles are not multi-mission. Each pistol is created to meet specific use cases. Personal defense and concealment should be decoupled. If you are keeping a pistol at home for personal defense I recommend a long sight radius for ease of use. If you conceal I recommend a single stack pistol with a bobbed grip.
With those myths addressed lets talk about the four pistols I endorse.
1. Ruger LCR
www.ruger.com/products/lcr/overview.html
-This pistol is affordable and comes in enough calibers (22LR, 22WMR, 9mm, 38SPC, 357Mag) that it works for just about anyone. The LCR has a plastic body which makes it near maintenance free, a hammerless operation which allows the pistol to be reliable and fired from full concealment, a slim profile allowing easy concealment and a very low price.
2. Smith and Wesson M&P Shield
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_780153_-1_757781_757781_image
-This is one of the finest polymer single stacks I have ever seen. This pistol is the most supported single stack polymer pistol by aftermarket groups. Equipped with a deep backstrap the pistol allows for small hands to operate all levers and buttons with ease. Lastly it has two different magazine lengths which allow the grip length to be variable.
3. Glock 17/22
us.glock.com/products/model/g17gen4
-Glocks have the largest eco-system of parts and accessories second only to 1911s. With variable backstrap sizes, reversible safety, a very reasonable sight radius, insanely tough finish and extreme reliability the Glock 17 is my all time favorite pistol.
4. Smith and Wesson M&P9
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757954_-1_757781_757781_image
-My recommendation if your hands are too small for a Glock.
Our knee jerk reaction is to run out there and purchase a handgun. Additionally we run out there to buy something we read about, something we think looks cool and something small (short sight radius).
Folks, we must take special care when selecting a handgun. The way we do that is by addressing handgun myths. We will do that below.
Myth #1
"Stopping power is everything"
-There is no merit in buying a pistol caliber so large that you are unable to manage the recoil of the pistol. The right caliber for you is the caliber that you are able to shoot accurately without added duress. Yes... even 22LR is plausible if that is the only caliber you are able to manage accurately.
Myth #2
"If law enforcement uses that gun it must be good"
-This is far from true. LE pistol contracts are often times based on metrics that have no relevance to the normal person. The right pistol for you is the pistol that allows you to operate all levers and buttons without breaking your shooting grip.
Myth #3
"I want a pistol for personal defense and concealment"
-Handguns and nearly all rifles are not multi-mission. Each pistol is created to meet specific use cases. Personal defense and concealment should be decoupled. If you are keeping a pistol at home for personal defense I recommend a long sight radius for ease of use. If you conceal I recommend a single stack pistol with a bobbed grip.
With those myths addressed lets talk about the four pistols I endorse.
1. Ruger LCR
www.ruger.com/products/lcr/overview.html
-This pistol is affordable and comes in enough calibers (22LR, 22WMR, 9mm, 38SPC, 357Mag) that it works for just about anyone. The LCR has a plastic body which makes it near maintenance free, a hammerless operation which allows the pistol to be reliable and fired from full concealment, a slim profile allowing easy concealment and a very low price.
2. Smith and Wesson M&P Shield
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_780153_-1_757781_757781_image
-This is one of the finest polymer single stacks I have ever seen. This pistol is the most supported single stack polymer pistol by aftermarket groups. Equipped with a deep backstrap the pistol allows for small hands to operate all levers and buttons with ease. Lastly it has two different magazine lengths which allow the grip length to be variable.
3. Glock 17/22
us.glock.com/products/model/g17gen4
-Glocks have the largest eco-system of parts and accessories second only to 1911s. With variable backstrap sizes, reversible safety, a very reasonable sight radius, insanely tough finish and extreme reliability the Glock 17 is my all time favorite pistol.
4. Smith and Wesson M&P9
www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category4_750001_750051_757954_-1_757781_757781_image
-My recommendation if your hands are too small for a Glock.
