Choosing the Right Gun for YOU
So, you want to be able to defend yourself and your home AND you’ve taken your first firearms class. The next step is choosing a firearm.
You can ask your neighbor or co-working on what you should get.
Better yet, go to a gun store and ask the salesman, right? If ALL gun store salesman had the right ethics, asked the right questions, and had YOUR best interest at heart that would be a great way to go about it. Unfortunately, that is a crap shoot on the best way to select a handgun.
You can do your own research, but what exactly does that mean?
Here are some questions you may want to consider when selecting a firearm for home and self-defense.
What are your goals for the firearm?
Do I want a gun for home-defense only?
Will I possibly need to conceal carry that firearm? Will I need to travel with my firearm or carry it on a daily basis because I go to/from work in the dark or I live/work in a bad area?
Other purposes of firearms include: sport shooting, hunting, and collecting.
Is there one gun that can be used for all different purposes?
Is there one pair of shoes that can be used for fashion, daily wear, lifting weights, hiking, and lounging? Vehicles can be thought of in the same way: commuter, off-roading, track racing, 1/4 mile racing, load-hauling, camping, and social status all would require a different vehicle.
You need to define YOUR purpose.
What is the best firearm to support that goal?
Home Defense: Maybe a long gun is the best option: shotgun or rifle.
Concealed carry or dual-purpose: Pistol. What caliber?
A larger gun has increased capacity (more bullets) but is harder to conceal while a compact gun is the opposite.
Even with concealed carry I have 2 pistols that I interchange depending upon the season and my clothing. My summer gun is smaller which allows deeper concealment with only a t-shirt and shorts and the rest of the year I can carry a little bigger gun concealed under a jacket or vest.
Am I able to manipulate, control comfortably which allows me to fulfill that goal?
Do I have issues with hand strength required to load/unload a gun?
Do my shoulders hurt if I shoot a shotgun?
Am I able to control the recoil of the gun?
Do the ergonomics of the gun fit ME including weight, balance, grip size, and accessibility of controls?
Is it fun to shoot or a painful chore?
What is my budget?
There is the initial outlay for the gun. Let’s use the example of a pistol. Not only will you need to purchase the pistol, but there are several other items you will need to purchase along with it.
Do I need to acquire extra magazines in addition to the two that come with the pistol?
Am I okay with iron sights or did that red dot I used in class make it much easier to shoot?
Will I need a holster for concealed carry or for classes?
You know that range bag makes a lot of sense to carry all my ammo, holster, ear/eye protection to/from the range.
Oh, can’t forget about eye/ear protection.
What is the best way to store it at home? A small safe, big safe, cable lock for the action, trigger lock, etc?
Ammo, and lots of it. Training is important to get and maintain the skill level to use a firearm in self-defense. Remember, things happen fast and furious in an encounter.
Do I have the resources for more than one firearm?
Are there any restrictions on the type/model/brand of firearm I am considering purchasing?
Is ammo for my firearm readily available? Now and in the future?
How accurate/reliable/modifiable is the firearm I am looking to purchase?
Are parts available to fix it when needed?
Can I do repairs myself or do I need to always hire a gunsmith?
How can I get proficient with that firearm?
Where can I get training? What kind of training do I need?
Where can I practice the skills that I am learning?
Can I try different guns before I purchase one?
There are various ranges/gun stores that allow you to rent different guns before you purchase. This is a great way to “test drive” the model you are thinking of purchasing.
Some instructors also carry a variety of guns that they will let you try during a class.
While I cannot choose the RIGHT gun for you I can ask questions that will help you to define the type of gun that might be right for you.
Contact me if you’d like my help and, as always, if you take a class from me I will let you try several of my pistols that might narrow down the search for that “perfect” gun.
I believe it was the educator Stanley Paris, PhD, PT who famously said, “If you ask the right questions, the patient will tell you what’s wrong with them (and how to heal them).”
