Arming Yourself, Part 2 (graphic heavy)

[solinvictus]

Part 2 Pistols
A pistol is, simply put, a handgun that may be either semi-automatic or a revolver. (These are not the only options, but the most common) A revolver has a slower rate of fire and is, without practice, more difficult to reload in a crisis situation. An automatic uses expended gasses to cycle the action of the weapon.


The above is a Glock semi-automatic pistol which is commonly used by law enforcement and many gun enthusiasts. It is composed of a mixture of metal and polymer parts and has a simplified design which allows it to endure a variety of working conditions. The Glock is only one of many common automatic designs. Prior to the Glock, the most common pistol design was the John Browning patented Colt 1911;


The Colt 1911 was used by US forces for over seventy years. It is among the most common pistol designs in the world.

A revolver is a pistol with cartridges contained in a cylinder. This cylinder cycles once with each trigger pull. The revolver is the oldest design still in use and was among the first firearms to use cartridges rather than black powder.


The above is a Smith and Wesson Model 10, which was a police and military standard for about fifty years.

If anyone has anything to add, any technical details missed, please feel free to do so. I want this to be informative and we have the collective knowledge here to assist our fellows who may want information of firearms.

[The Doctor.]

1. For those who are against firearms...

I might recommend one of these;




gun? no.

Dangerous?

Absolutely.

[SnoopDog]

2. So, what rifle and hand gun would you recommend for...

Home protection, etc....?

For the novice? and for the trained?

I highly recommend who ever buys a gun to LEARN how to use it. It is mandatory - gun safety....

[solinvictus]

6. I'll add a shotgun caveat...

This is what I'd recommend: a pump-action shotgun. It's available in 12,16,20, or .410 gauge. For home defense, I would recommend at least a 20 gauge as .410 is weak and 16 gauge is expensive ammunition.

Home defense rifle? If you're in an urban area and can afford it, an AR-15 loaded with 5.56 NATO (.223 Remington) Magsafe ammunition. Rural, I'd recommend something a bit heavier, such as a .308 or 30/06, likely a Springfield, if one can afford it.
I live in the city and this is my home defense:


I bought it for less than $200.

[ltfranklin]

3. Incomplete!

You forgot shotguns, the homeowner's friend.
You forgot Ammunition...so many choices, so little time!
And don't even get me started about plastic explosives!

[The Doctor.]

7. I'm sure he'll get to those.

I love my Browning 12 auto, my Savage .300, and a very funny looking intratech 9mm.

[candy331]

4. I know you mean well and it is informative and educational

but don't you think the spotlight from the govt might shine very brightly on DU for this post?

[ashmanonar]

9. why should it?

as far as i know, all these weapons are fully legal. freepers are encouraged to get guns, but the gubmint's gonna come down on an anonymous (mostly) message board for talking about weapons?

i may not like guns myself, but the 2nd amendment IS part of the bill of rights. it's interpretation is up to debate, but as far as i remember it's definitely interpreted to allow private ownership of weapons.

[The Doctor.]

5. I would highly recommend a gun safety course

for anyone who is not VERY familiar with firearms.

(but I suppose you'll be getting into some of that.)

I might also add that, although a bit slower fire-rate and much longer reload time, Revolvers are by-and-large more reliable under adverse conditions than semi-autos.

Although the Glocks test very well.

[solinvictus]

8. Revolver, me too..

Revolvers are better options for safety and typically have more knockdown than an auto. My home defense autos are two old Warsaw Pact workhorses: A Tokarev and a Czech CZ-70 .32 ACP.

[norml]

10. Somehow I've never had a situation that a weapon would've made better.

And there are many it might have made worse. Also because I've never owned a firearm, I've never been at risk for shooting myself. It's not a high priority issue for me. I say, "Let the gun nuts have their guns". I think they should have all the weaponry they desire, as long as it's not something that could blow up the neighborhood. I think the stats cited by gun nuts on crimes prevented by guns are bogus. I think they must be including police guns, to get such high numbers. However if people want them for any possible insurrections, getting weaponry may be a good idea. By the way, pretty pictures!

[mikehiggins]

11. I was mugged at gunpoint some years ago

If I'd been "carrying" I might have been tempted to try and shoot it out with the kid and his silver colored automatic.

Most likely I'd be dead.

Guns are not bad in and of themselves, but we should be a lot harder with people who use them improperly (and/or SELL them to people who use them improperly)