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Choose a Handgun Choosing a handgun, whether for home defense or concealed carry, is a decision which takes a lot of consideration, a lot of shopping, and if you’re new to the market, probably a lot of talking to merchants and other gun owners. Being properly informed is your first step on the road to responsible gun ownership.
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SIZE AND CALIBER Whatever your level of ability, there is usually a handgun on the market that will fit your needs, both technically and physically. It’s a good idea to always make sure you physically shop for a handgun at some point, regardless of how you intend to buy it. Pistols comes in many shapes, sizes and calibers, and the choice might seem a bit overwhelming. The first thing you should consider is size. If you aren’t going to be carrying the pistol on your person, a larger framed pistol will serve you just fine. You’ll be able to hold more ammunition in the magazine, and your recoil and sighting will be much more manageable. If you’re trying to find a handgun to carry concealed, a smaller pistol will serve you better. While you won’t have the weight to help absorb recoil, or the longer sight plane, you won’t have to worry about it nearly as much. Most concealed carry guns are designed to be used at close ranges, as well as remain hidden when not in use. Caliber is an important consideration as well. Larger caliber weapons will deal more damage with every hit, but at the cost of recoil and size of the weapon. While your objective shouldn’t be to kill an attacker, you’ll want to choose a large enough caliber to put a stop to any threat you might face. Smaller calibers will work better for novice shooters and those who need a smaller weapon outright.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
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SPORTING GOODS, INC.
“Serving The Lakeshore for 70 years.”
809 N. 8th Street • Manitowoc
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Phone 920-684-4501
There are a few other important decisions to make when it comes to choosing your handgun to make sure you’re buying the correct weapon. First off, you should be able to operate the weapon easily and without complication. Take time to learn about the gun you choose, and make sure you know about loading, firing and switching the safety on and off before you attempt to use the weapon. When it comes to handguns, there are two varia-
tions: the automatic and the revolver. The automatics are the typical clip-fed modern handgun and usually come in smaller calibers, also known as “auto calibers.” Automatics are complicated machines and can be trickier to clean and operate than a revolver, but they make up for it by being fast to fire and easy to reload. Revolvers are much simpler machines and have been around a lot longer than automatics. They have a wider range of calibers available, are easier to clean, but firing speed and reload time is significantly reduced. A revolver is a good option for a beginner, but there are good automatics for novices as well. It is more important to have a gun with pointand-shoot accuracy instead of sighted accuracy when it comes to self-defense. If you are being assaulted, you are probably not going to have the need to draw a bead on your attacker, nor will you have the time. When you’re shooting for self-defense, you’re usually firing fast and instinctively, so it’s good to have a gun that reflects your firing style.
WARNINGS As with any weapon, be familiar with the use and care of your gun before you attempt to deploy it in a self-defense maneuver. Spend plenty of time with your weapon at the firing range and become familiar with the limitations of your weapon. Responsible gun ownership starts with gun safety. Always make sure you are handling your weapon in a manner that is safe for you and those around you, and never leave your pistol where children can get their hands on it. Always treat the weapon like it’s loaded, and never point at anyone you don’t intend to shoot. If you have further questions, your local gun shop will be the place to get answers. Most of the time the staff is very passionate about their trade and will be more than happy to help you select a weapon within your price range and abilities. Remember to ask plenty of questions, and if you don’t quite like the answers, feel free to ask other gun shops or gun owners.
Sunday, April 27, 2014 | htrnews.com