Why do I want a handgun?

The answer to this question can help you immensely.  If you want something to keep you safe at home than perhaps a shotgun would be a better choice than a handgun.  Here are some reasons why…a shotgun is more intimidating (the sound of a shotgun racking a shell into a chamber is enough to send most burglars fleeing), a shotgun doesn’t require near the amount of accuracy that a handgun does, and a shotgun is easier to use and store safely than a handgun. If, on the hand, you have decided that a handgun is what you want and you want to use it for target practice and/or self-defense, than go on to the next question.

Where will I store it / carry it?

This question will help you decide on the type of handgun you want…. revolver or semi-auto, full-size or compact, double action or single action, the list goes on.   I will deal with two of these below…

Revolver or Semi-auto

If you are looking for something to keep in a dresser drawer that you are going to practice with once and put it away “just in case!” than I recommend a revolver.  The revolver is easy to use and requires few fine motor skills to operate.   The key here is practice and ease of use.  A typical scenario looks like this, it’s 3am and you here footsteps coming up your steps when no one is supposed to be walking up your steps.  You wipe the sleep from your eyes and pick up your…

       Revolver.   In the moonlight you flip the cylinder open so that you can see the brass shells, you know that all you have to do is pull the trigger and the gun goes bang.   And in the case of a malfunction, all you have to do is pull the trigger again and the cylinder will revolve past the malfunction.  That’s it…end of story.

            OR

       Semi-auto.  In the moonlight you fumble for the magazine release to see if the magazine is loaded.  You now rack the slide to put a round in the chamber.  You reach for the safety to make sure the little lever is in the “right” position.  You squeeze the trigger and the gun goes “click”.  WHAT’S WRONG!  You now go into your tap/rack routine…What! You don’t know what a tap rack routine is?  You haven’t practiced this hundreds of time so that it is second nature?

Obviously, I have used a little dramatic license to illustrate what practice can mean during a stressful situation.  But hopefully, you understand the point.  If you are not going to practice with a handgun than by all means purchase something that is easy to use in the case of an emergency.    I have found some individuals lack the strength (weakness or disease) to pull the slide of a semi-auto back and therefore a revolver was a good choice for them.  Others have found that a semi-auto was the right choice for them.  Remember these are guidelines not rules.

Full-size or Compact

Now this decision can help you narrow down the type of gun you choose.  For target shooting a full-size gun is the only way to go.  If you want to conceal the gun than compact is the answer.  If only it was that simple.   Some people, due to hand size, may feel more comfortable with a compact gun for target practice while others, once again due to hand size, choose a full size gun and choose to conceal it.  Whatever works for you!

How much do I want to spend?

I put this question next to last because you can find reasonable deals on handguns if you are willing to look and ask around.  But, this can be a major consideration for some and has to be dealt with.  (See my article…How to buy used guns)

How does it feel in my hand?  Is it comfortable?

This last question can be the determining factor in choosing a gun.  You can answer all the questions above and pick a gun that fits the parameters you set and you not like the gun at all!  Fortunately, there are many choices in each of the categories above, so if one doesn’t work try something else.

The act of buying