New member hello, and suggestions request

[GlockenHammer]

I would like to ask for suggestions of different pistols to consider for a specific need. I already have a Walther P99 that is my main defensive weapon for home and truck. It sits in the nightstand when we aren't traveling. What I am now in the market for is a secondary home defense weapon that I can stash on the side of the house opposite the bedroom. This weapon will be used very little, as I only intend to use it in times of crisis, and not as an occasional fun gun (yes, I will shoot it occasionally to maintain proficiency).

If price is such a strong driver, I suggest you spend $100 and buy a holster for your P99. When in bed, it is with you on the nightstand. When up and about the house, it is on your belt. Problem solved. Cheap (free if you're already buying one to go along with your CHL).

[ScubaSigGuy]

Sorry PhilR. I almost forgot. Welcome aboard the forum!

[Skiprr]

It's not a .45, but I'm pretty sure that if I can't accomplish what needs to be done with 16 rounds of 9mm, I won't be able to do it with a .45 either...

Oh, you bet. I didn't intend to imply a superiority of .45ACP over 9mm for stopping purposes. I ain't that much of an old-school, .45 guy.

I personally prefer .45ACP hollow points for defensive purposes because, as I said, they're big and slow, especially non+P varieties. But then, my primary home-defense firearm is a Remington 870 with a Knoxx stock and loaded with 2 3/4" standard-power double-ought shells.

Unless it's a frangible round, a 9mm bullet, smaller and traveling about 30% faster, has a greater penetration potential than a .45. The big, slow .45 packs enough of a wallop and can cause a devastating channel, but it's less likely to over-penetrate a piece of the target and cause injury where I don't want injury to happen. Just MHO.

Let us know what you end up buying. And post pictures! We always love pictures...

[flintknapper]

Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum!

You don't say if you are the only person who might use the weapon for defense.

I only mention this because one consideration might be: Consistency of platform in regards to your other weapons, I.E. (if you are used to a DAO with certain features, then you might do well to stay with something the same or similar).

I am intimately familiar with the operation of all firearms in our home, but my wife is only proficient with her revolver. If she were to grab my 1911...it would be of little use to her.... beyond the "scare factor".

Just something to think about when choosing an additional weapon for the home.

Good luck, and glad to have you here Sir.


Flint.

[PhilR.]

If price is such a strong driver, I suggest you spend $100 and buy a holster for your P99. When in bed, it is with you on the nightstand. When up and about the house, it is on your belt. Problem solved. Cheap (free if you're already buying one to go along with your CHL).

Thank you for your reply. Price isn't a strong driver. IOW, if a $300 auto isn't worth buying, then I can go higher. However, no sense doing so if I can get a basic no-frills reliable pistol for that price.

Thanks also for the holster suggestion. Actually, I do know of the existence of holsters, and have even seen a few in stores. Although I'm sure that there are some areas where 24/7 carry is suggested, I don't intend to carry inside my house, so the "problem solved" really wasn't a problem to begin with.

PhilR.

[PhilR.]

Standard power lead shot is far less likely to do that. It's bigger and slower. Unless it's a frangible round, a 9mm bullet, smaller and traveling about 30% faster, has a greater penetration potential than a .45. The big, slow .45 packs enough of a wallop and can cause a devastating channel, but it's less likely to over-penetrate a piece of the target and cause injury where I don't want injury to happen. Just MHO.

Let us know what you end up buying. And post pictures! We always love pictures...

Hey Skiprr,

I do intend to use a frangible round in all my centerfire handguns. I'm not sure which one yet, but I'm still in the process of rounding up different types to try out in the P99. I have Glasers in my cheap little DAO Taurus .38 snubbie that sits in a cabinet close to the front door of the house. I inherited that revolver, but I don't care for it very much, hence the search for a higher-capacity replacement. Since the .38 does have some sentimental value, I'll probably keep it, but relegate it to the truck once I get my CHL.

I'll try to get pics of what I have so far...

PhilR.

[PhilR.]

Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum!

You don't say if you are the only person who might use the weapon for defense.

Good luck, and glad to have you here Sir.

Flint.

Thanks a bunch!

One of the reasons why I want a mid-sized DA or DAO is because I want something that my wife can just pick up and pull the trigger, without having to cock anything. She and I are both former military, and she has even qualified with the Beretta 9mm. She's not the shooter that I am, but she can and will pick up a pistol and pull the trigger if ever needed. She has used all of the handguns I have, with the exception of a Free Pistol that has wraparound grips that are too big for her. She also knows that all of our pistols meant for home defense (all two of them) are loaded and ready to go.

I am very familiar with and happy to use a 1911, but they are a bit too big in the grip area for her, and cocked and locked is something that she is not comfortable with. That is why I like the P99 so much. With the small backstrap insert in place, she can hold and shoot it just fine. Well, she's not much for accurate shooting, but if you're within 5 yards of her and she doesn't like you, you're toast!

regards,
PhilR.

[Skiprr]

That is why I like the P99 so much. With the small backstrap insert in place, she can hold and shoot it just fine.

Ooh, you know, with that in mind--and if price isn't as much of a driver as I originally thought--I'd give serious consideration to a Beretta Px4 Storm. It might even become your primary and allow the P99 to be the "other" handgun.

[flintknapper]

Hi Phil,

Welcome to the forum!

You don't say if you are the only person who might use the weapon for defense.

Good luck, and glad to have you here Sir.

Flint.

Thanks a bunch!

One of the reasons why I want a mid-sized DA or DAO is because I want something that my wife can just pick up and pull the trigger, without having to cock anything. She and I are both former military, and she has even qualified with the Beretta 9mm. She's not the shooter that I am, but she can and will pick up a pistol and pull the trigger if ever needed. She has used all of the handguns I have, with the exception of a Free Pistol that has wraparound grips that are too big for her. She also knows that all of our pistols meant for home defense (all two of them) are loaded and ready to go.

I am very familiar with and happy to use a 1911, but they are a bit too big in the grip area for her, and cocked and locked is something that she is not comfortable with. That is why I like the P99 so much. With the small backstrap insert in place, she can hold and shoot it just fine. Well, she's not much for accurate shooting, but if you're within 5 yards of her and she doesn't like you, you're toast!

regards,
PhilR.

Sounds like you guys know pretty much what you need/want. Its just a matter of finding a good deal on lightly used handgun, or waiting a bit for a new one.

Here is one place to watch: http://www.gunsamerica.com/ but I find that most "good deals" come from word of mouth and are bought from an individual.

You'll find something suitable I'm sure.

Again, Welcome aboard.

[Houston1944]

I think I paid around 350 for my 2" Taurus Tracker 44mag, I know it was under 400 even after taxes. I carry it loaded with 185 gr Corbon 44spl. That's not a wimpy load.