OK, not to Hijack the thread, but let's talk caliber...

Texas is a Concealed carry state. I'm looking for something compact, reliable, with decent stopping power. I'm ok with a 2 finger grip and with only 6 shots. But I'd like to make them count. I'm thinking .40. Thoughts? Glock 27 or a Glock 36 (In .45)

I'm interested in this too. THere seem to be some new calibers lately. For example I see there is now a "GAP" caliber specific to Glocks. What's all that about?

Anyone who knows, please also say something about bullet types? Are hollow-points the best for stopping power? When I shot a lot, I shot a lot, so I just used cheap reloads.

This has been discussed adnauseum in gun circles, but it's hard to argue with .45 .Big and slow but plenty of whallop.

Anyone have anything to say about the Springfield XD pistols?

My step father, ex-CIA and retired Lt Col in the Green Berets during Vietnam, used to carry a Walther PPK in .380. I asked him why not a .45 or even a 9mm. His response "son, there aren't too many elephants out there ..."

Moral? Get something that you could and would carry and conceal easily, not some super duper big bullet rig that will stay in your safe with your big bullets.

I like PPK sized pistols, you should also check out the Kahr PM series. Much slimmer than the Glock and comes in 9mm and 40 S&W.

alf

If you are mainly interested in protecting your family in a house, a 12 gauge with a powerful flashlight mounted on it and loaded with birdshot is good. With this, there is not much chance of a bullet going through the drywall and killing an innocent bysleeper. Also, unless you are one who wakes up real quick with his full faculties including great night vision, the flashlight and the spread of the birdshot makes it hard to miss. Also, the light will help eliminate accidental shootings of your kid whojust got up to get some water.There are legal shotguns with short barrels just for this purpose.You relly need to understand the legal ramifications also. No shooting in the back as the bad guy is running away etc. Generally he must present a viable threat. It is good practice to a least give them a momentary chance to surrender although this is rarely possible in a home invasion.Somebody who is willing to enter an occupied house is generally desperate and stupid anyway. It would be much safer for the crook in England where the citizens can't have guns.

Rifles are black powder for the most part, mostly breach loaders but some muzzle loaders strictly for hunting. Some more modern smokeless classics; M70's in 6.5 x 55 and .375 H&H, #1's in .220 Swift and .458.

Mostly single action revolvers, but one 1911 and one DA just for good measure. Many are black powder, all shoot nothing but my own cast bullets.

On self defense, big bore guns are great in the night stand but tend to stay there even if you have a CCW. Get something you can carry every day, regardless of your attire. If you have to dress appropriately just to hide a gun, pretty soon you won't want to do that and it will stay home. Go ahead and carry the .45 when you are in a suit or a jacket, but have something else you can carry in shorts and a tee shirt.

Sorry it took me so long......

Not many guns at this point actually. A couple shot guns for hunting (been a loooonnnnnnggg time). An 8mm Mauser I use for Deer Hunting. Not using it again. The thing is a god damn cannon. I want a lighter caliber, at least for hunting in the midwest (typically northern/western Michigan).

Oh yes....and my trusty Norinco MAK90 (Chinese AK). Well made rifle. Simple and sturdy, like and AK should be.

@Jeff, I have been looking at getting a muzzle loader. Strictly for pleasure shooting. Any recommendations on company, caliber?

Oh yeah, any one here have an HK pistol? I shot one and was loving it. Curious about reliability.

sig sauer p226 9mm. vash its a wonderful gun i must agree.
walther ppk 7.62mm
browning 12g over under
ruger 10/22 with scope for plinking at the grandparents
two browning lever action 22's for plinking
two colt python .44 magnums, random gift from godfather
benelli 10 guage pump
glock .40cal on order
remington 700 bolt action left handed .300 super mangum custom barrell, harris bipod, scope undecided. at springfield armory now for customizing.

none of these are for carry or home protection. they are all at my grandparents ranch locked up nice and tight. for home protection i have my baseball bat and a tonto blade knife if needed. i live in white suburbia and we have had no problems on my block in the past 15 years.

Colt 44 mags are called Anacondas....NOT PYTHONS....

I must disagree, if you wound one, they will just take you too court. If I catch you in my home, you are leaving in a body bag, as I'm taking no chances.http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/2ar15.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/ar15.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/behead.gif http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/hanged.gif

Colt 1911 (1917)
Colt 1903 .32 (1927)
Colt 1903 .32 (1932) with mods. My carry
Colt 1908 .380 (1921)
Colt 1908 .25 (1923)
Walther PPKS .380 (P.O.S.) won't put my life on it.
Lefever 12 ga SXS (1924)

A few of mine. Wilson Combat, Tactical Elite. Kimbers, Gold Match, Custom TLE, Eclipse Target II. Glocks, models 22, 21, 20, 17. Colts, Defender, Python. Smith and Wesson 625. Les Baers, Concept I, Premier II. I reload all my ammo with a Dillon 650 progressive press.

Norwegian Krag in 6.5x55, 2 Swedish Mausers (Rifle and Carbine) 6.5x55, 3 Lefever side by sides 10,16 and 20 gauge, Fox AE 20 gauge, 2 Winchester 101's Pigeon grade 20 gauge, Browning 32 model 1903, Ruger 40sw, Winchester 1890's, Ruger Bearcat's, Browning semi-auto rifle 22lr, and assorted other stuff.

Pythons made in the 1960's didn't have a Letter prefix or sufix..and those are collectable if they are NIB....

Another interesting Colt is the COlt 357 Mag it was only made form 1954 to 1960...it was basically a Colt TRooper but had a Python action...they only made 15000....I just sold one to a friend...

Also Colt Diamondbacks which are a smaller framed version of the Python are nice revolvers....they came in 28 and 22....they are nice companion guns to the Python..I just traded a NIB one out for interiors on 2 safes I am buying...

I also have a couple of Colt NM Gold Cups (Series 80) in stainless, one in 10MM and the other in 45 ACP....both were built in the early 90's and are NIB...

Craigster, are those Lefevers "Uncle Dan's" ? I love my nitro.

You can't go wrong with .40 or .45. Both have proven stopping power. I am not fan of Glocks. My Walther in 9mm is my sole poly material pistol.

As far as compact, look into the CZ RAMI in .40. Compact, holds 8 rounds, and is very accurate. There is some talk about the RAMI having failure ot eject issues. I believe this is simply because of the lack of weight in the slide to eject the casing coupled with some shooters tendency to limp wrist. I had 1 failure to eject in over 500 rounds on about my 3 shot. I tightened up my wrist and never again.

I think if most cops had a choice they would not carry the Glock. I have heard many accidental discharge stories about them. The CZ is a good choice. What model Berreta is carried by the U.S. Forces?

Here is a good link talking about "real world" results with the GAP in .45 cal.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=145943&highlight=GAP

Yes, hollow points have better stopping power, simply because they expand on impact. If the bad guy is wearing a vest, however, the hollow points are less likely to penetrate. The good thing about hollow points is you can use a more powerful cartrage and not have to worry as much with a through and through potentially hitting someone else.