The Selection Process
Selection of a handgun should be a totally non-intimidating process. By the time you finish reading this page, you will be able to make an intelligent decision on the type, caliber, and brand of handgun without feeling stupid, intimidated, or tense around the gun nerd at the local gunshop.
1. I hate to talk about this first, but I know you already want to know...how much is it going to cost?
A good rule of thumb: The cost of a good quality handgun should the same as the cost of a good set of tires.
If you are the kind of person, that drives around on bald tires, mismatched, unbalanced, waiting for a good deal on some tires at a yard sale.........do us all a favor and DO NOT BUY A GUN. There are enough cheap, dangerous, Saturday night specials on the streets. Like good tires, good guns should cost about $300 - 400 minimum.
2. Purchase a handgun that suits YOUR needs, your size, and your ability.
DO NOT, and I mean NEVER, go to the newstand, get a gun nerd magazine, and purchase one based on what they write. Law enforcement agencies have already done the work for you. Officers range in size from the smallest to the largest. They range from the weak to strong. A ninety pound mom does not need a Desert Eagle. (If you do not know what a Desert Eagle is, and if you have some time, ask a gun nerd. Remember to get a snickers bar, you will be trapped for at least an hour.) Most police departments select very good, reliable, quality handguns that are more than capable of protecting you and your family. They have been tested, re-tested, and scrutinized by countless agencies. Ask a cop that has a little special distinguished expert pin on their uniform for advice. Hopefully, he or she will not be a gun nerd. Most cops are not gun nerds. Only TV and movies portray us as that. Sadly, most can operate a cell phone better than their service weapons. That's why I suggest finding the all important pin.
As a last resort, if you are afraid to talk to a cop, then get a friend, and go to a gun shop. Oh God, how can I prepare you for this! This will be a very difficult and dangerous mission. Follow these steps, and good luck.
Selection of a Handgun for protection.
1. Review your need for a handgun.
Do you really need one? Would you use it if you had to? Or do you want one just to scare the piss out of someone? Are you going to buy some protection, then put it in your bedside table drawer and think that now you are safe?
2. Make a vow, to get the proper training, advice, and practice NOW, before ever buying a weapon.
Buying a weapon for protection is very similar in some ways to buying a car. Only an idiot would by a car for transportation without learning how to drive. The difference is that driving is a priviledge, gun ownership is a right. I feel that buying a handgun without proper training is just a dangerous as buying a car or plane without proper training.
Another excellent example, would you by SCUBA equipment, tanks, air, and that nice form fitting wet suit and jump in water over your head without training? Of course not, unless you are a DOA member. Dead on arrival, no....Dumbass of America.
Making the choice
3. Decide whether you want an automatic weapon or revolver.
Decisions, decisions. Automatics and revolvers are types of weapons that differ in their mechanism of action. Automatics offer many advantages over revolvers (wheel guns) but have a few drawbacks that many feel should disqualify them for use.
In general, a quality handgun that cost as much as a good set of tires will be adequate for most of our needs. Law enforcement agencies have replaced revolvers with automatics nationwide. The main reason is for the added firepower ( the increased number of bullets ) or capacity of rounds that the weapon offers. I must admit that nothing beats a well placed shot, but some of us need more of them in order to survive.
A good analogy would be the transmission type in your car. It's hard to beat the old 3 speed on the column, manual transmission, but most people prefer automatics.
