/\/\/\ Focused, I can't make Monday and their is only a very small chance I can make it this Tuesday. I'll try for one of the days in the following week. Can you recommend a local range where I can shoot rifles?

 

Reeds indoor will let you shoot rifles. Outdoors, there's the Los Altos Rod and Gun Club and the Sunnyvale Rod and Gun Club. I have not been to either but have heard good things about the Los Altos one.

 

A number of "lesser" manufacturers are also making good guns now that the "assault weapon" ban has lifted. Taurus is making good guns as is Kel-Tec. All my stuff is name brand, and if given the choice of great condition name brand used versus cheaper brand, obviously go with the better brand. If the price difference is great, I'd rather buy a new Taurus than a marked up/poor condition used Sig. That said, you can pick up an FNH .45 cal with night sights and two 14 round mags for under $500 in Plano TX and the FN is a damn good gun- FNs and Berettas come in about a hundred bucks cheaper than Glocks. Glocks tend to come in about a hundred bucks cheaper than Sigs and HKs.

I second Secure's affliction for Kimbers- I usually carry a Tactical Ultra II in olive drab with night sights. However, 1911s aren't really beginner guns IMO- they're more challenging to disassemble and clean and you need to be aware of a few more variables like hammer position and safety position. Glocks are simple. Both are reliable. I own both and recommend both.

Getting back to "lesser" guns, I've been looking for a lightweight .308 autoloading rifle for some time. Almost bought a Bushmaster M4 in .308 but have been waiting to see if FN will release the SCAR in .308 to non-military/non-LE. Today I saw a great alternative- H&K sold their tooling to an American company, JDL, and they're manufacturing the G3 under license, and I'll prolly be picking up the JDL version of the G3A4 tomorrow. Here's a pic, about halfway down the page, look for the G3A4.

Modern Firearms - Heckler Koch G3 assault rifle

The only key advice I can echo is to buy a gun that you're comfortable shooting. Ideally, you should have more than one- a tactical shotty for home as well as a handgun. In a townhouse environment, you really need to be careful with regard to wall penetration. With regard to handguns, while police data shows a slight advantage of .45acp over 9mm, both have greater than 90% one shot stops in police shootings. I carry .45 most of the time, but I haven't noticed more people trying to jump me when I'm "only" carrying a 9mm.

Finally and most importantly, I'm glad you weren't hurt. Be safe. If you don't have good quality monitored security that also checks for power cuts, phone line cuts and motion sensors as well as fire and emergency monitoring, in my experience this is money well-spent.

 

AJINDFW, all your advice is true. Because I live in Cali, I can't own any of the cool stuff like you can in Texas and other states. In a .308 autoloader I went for a Springfield M1A because its legal to own here and its a solid accurate rifle. If I had the choice I would purchase an HK417 (.308 version of HKs gas piston opperated M4 variant) The HK G3 (all variants) are awesome pieces as well. I think the Bundesweher is still using them as well as the G36.

 

AJINDFW, all your advice is true. Because I live in Cali, I can't own any of the cool stuff like you can in Texas and other states. In a .308 autoloader I went for a Springfield M1A because its legal to own here and its a solid accurate rifle. If I had the choice I would purchase an HK417 (.308 version of HKs gas piston opperated M4 variant) The HK G3 (all variants) are awesome pieces as well. I think the Bundesweher is still using them as well as the G36.

I can help you acquire and own that gun legally in CA. It can be done. Range day sounds fun, when we doing it?

 

Can someone give me an idea on pricing of an HK45? Seen anywhere from low 900's to 1000. Any better deals out there for a new pistol?

 

Thats pretty much what your gonna pay for a quality new piece.
As mentioned previously, other viable options are: Factory refurbished - if the manufacturer you like offers them. Or good used - Has been taken care of and low number of rounds through it. Legal used sales still need to go through a gun store. Find a reputable store in your area, and they usually only take quality used on consignment. Used is a good deal, because most pistols take a one time depreciation. I have seen good used HK USPs with an asking price of $675 with case, 2 mags and manual. Personally I would go for something like this rather than purchase a new cheaper brand. :wink:

 

all this talk about HK's, I thought I logged into HKPro forums for a second there. buncha HK fanboys up in here.

Asking what's the best handgun to buy is like saying I have $1million, what's the best car to buy. You need to go to the gun store and try them. hold it, manipulate it, and run it through the paces. then decide on 2 or 3 and rent them to shoot. whichever one feels best in your hand is going to be your gun. BUT I would also warn you to stick with the "better" brands for handguns which will be HK, Sig, Glock, and Kimber (1911 style). These will be your best off the shelf selections. Unless you are a gun collector, buy something that is black. Personally, I own at least 1 handgun from each of those manufacturers. I carry a glock 17 whenever I'm in a free state. for backup, i carry another glock 17.

BUT since you are looking for home defense, seriously, pick up a remington 870 express or mossberg 590. KEEP IT STOCK and put a Surefire light on it. get it with GHOST RING SIGHTS. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. Just because you bought a Scuderia, doesn't mean you are a race car driver...

For those of you looking at 1911s, you must really like cleaning your guns if you're looking at Les Baer, Ed Browns, etc. If you're really baller, go find a Hackathorn/Vickers 1911 or a Hilton Yam 1911.

As for mags, ALWAYS buy OEM. EXCEPT for 1911s. Never put mag extensions or other crap onto the mag unless it is OEM. why screw with a tool that you depend on to save your life? if they can cram more rounds into a mag, don't you think they would've done so? look at glock's 30 round mag that fits in a G17/19/27/18/etc. they would make it if they could fit it in there. i run 17 round "normal capacity" mags in my g17. if a 9mm round ain't stopping my threat, i got 17 more rounds after the first one...i'm not in a warzone. a hit is a hit. always win over hearts and minds for your cause, and your cause is your survival so aim for their hearts and minds.

 

One thing to keep in mind that the overall feel has to be comfortable. Whatever you decide on, think about a good set of rubberized grips. IMO, they feel better, and cushion some of the recoil (mostly speaking about revolvers though). On I've bought Pachmeyers for my 44 and Houge for the Beretta 92FS. I hated the plastic checkering that came with my 92FS and found the Houge's to be excellent.

My 44 is a Thompson Contender and the back of the spine is an air-pocket. One shot from this "cannon" and you'll know why!

I'm with Tony on his selection. My friend with CC narrowed it down to the HK ( 9mm) and the Sig P226 and he ended up with the Sig due mostly to economics. I had a chance to shoot his and the slide on the Sig made my 92FS feel rather crude.

You owe it to yourself to get to a gun range and start renting a few in different caliber sizes to see what you feel comfortable with and has reasonable accuracy within a distance similiar to the longest straight shot you might encounter in your house. Realistically, the encounter may be just mere feet from your body but with early detection, the distance can be further. Remember, hand guns were designed to be close quarter weapons, not a sniper weapon.

 

my shoy sez


Les Baer 1911 Thunder Ranch .45

and the Vang Comp

 

/\/\/\ Getting some practice with 12ga. Slugs I see.

 

If you want a handgun check out the new CZ

CZ75 SP-01 This is the tactical pistol for UN and foreign military
9mm 18round clip
Factory Tritium night sights
You can get them on gunbroker for about 500 with two clips I like it a lot better then my Glock

 

Walther P99 with AS trigger

 

Walther P99 with AS trigger

Maciej, you mean like this?

Green and Black .40 Cal. Mine is a little older version than the picture you posted. Think I bought mine in 2002. :wink:

 

I 2nd the shotgun for reliable home protection.

However, if you are stuck on a handgun and you want no brainer proven reliability go with a snub nose, hammerless 357 mag. No brainer to shoot and you can practice with 38's loaded in it. No hammer to get hung up anything when you really need it. I have a Taurus in the nightstand in a small handgun safe. Heidi has shot it with no problem. Loaded with 357 hollow points nothing will be left standing.

 

cmon' L4Per's, we need a day for some plinking!

 

I'm in.

 

OR

Make your selection.

 

Anyone on here building an AR in the Bay Area? Any recommendations as to where you bought your lower receiver? I have heard good things about Irvington Arms in Fremont...but I really don't know of anyone else locally that will even deal with OLLs (Off List Lowers). BTW ALL the gas piston upper receivers are legal.

 

Challenge It, I feel that by far the Walthers are the best value for a good pistol.

I tried 1911's (Kimber) and they feel to narrow in my hand, Walther's Glock's and Sig's fit me perfect, but only the Walther and Sig have the ambidextrous mag release (I'm a lefty)

 

Good point about ambidexterous. I'm a lefty too so part of my swap to Houge or Pachmeyers were for that reason. I just have to get used to the release.

 

Thats interesting about the ambitextrous controls. I'm a right hand shooter. My Sig P226 9mm is not ambi, so to release the mag I have to press the release (left side of gun) with my right thumb. In doing so, I have to slightly change my grip on the gun. My HKs and P99 have the ambi mag release, so instead of using my thumb, I use my trigger finger and use the lefty (right side of gun) mag release. I like releasing the mag with my trigger finger better as I do not have to change my grip on the gun. Thanks leftys for demanding ambi controls. :clap:

 

/\/\/\ Good move on getting some instruction from the range master. Sounds like you narrowed your choice to a full frame gun which is another good move. If you're not comfy with the recoil, Try the same guns in a 9mm. The 9mm round has a little less felt recoil, but is a higher velocity round. As far as accuracy, just practice a lot. Nobody just picks up a gun and is super accurate right away. I find that accuracey will develope automatically the more comfortable you get with shooting. What happens is you start to relax and loosen your grip on the gun which allows you to make real suttle corrections. So practice practice practice, you will become a good shot sooner than you think. Glock 21 is a great choice, Its very high up on my next to get list. Glock 17 is the same frame size as the 21 but its in 9mm instaed of .45 caliber. Sig P226 in 9mm is also a comfy gun, trigger pull is a little high, but can be adjusted with a lower power spring kit. Also try a HK USP 9mm. Last but not least, whats CDNN?

 

Thanks, CI. Yeah, I realize a 9mm may be easier to control. But heck, if I'm gonna pick this up, go big or go home

CDNN:
CDNN Sports, Inc.

Got their name from HKPRO.com. Catalog is in PDF form. No prices listed, but I called them up for kicks and they told me $829.99 for an HK45 Fullsize.

 

Shot gun is good, but . . .



You may want to look into this: Front Sight Firearms Training Institute

In addition to weapons training, they instruct on how to deal with the intruder (what your options are), where to shoot to take them down, how to speak to the 911 dispatcher after that.

In the meantime, this is one of my family's "heirlooms" - brought back from WWII by my Uncle (a waste-gunner on a B24; dead of a heart attack at 38!!) and inherited from my Grandfather:

 

DO NOT GET A 9MM!!!

Talk to LEOs that have actually shot someone with one and ask them how many shots it took to put them down. Also stick with something with lower velocity, you are already going to be spending plenty of time in court if you shoot someone that deserved it. Dont be in court for hitting some innocent person behind them.

My criminal justice teacher was the head of SWAT for Berkley PD and it took 9 rounds from his gun and another 5 from his partner's to put a guy down. No the guy wasnt on any drugs, just pure adrenaline.

 

Central nervous system hit will stop the fight instantly. Anything else will require more time for them to bleed out.. resulting in more rounds fired. Doesn't take long to empty a magazine.

A good read: http://www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf