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Firstly, I'm cool with you owning only one gun. That's certainly better than zero. In addition to the reasons others have given above, there's another thing I'd like to add.

No matter how much you practice with failure drills, there are some malfunctions that you simply can't clear in an emergency defensive shooting situation. A broken extractor, for example. If your round fails to eject or if you have a primer fail to ignite with a broken extractor, you're looking at a double feed after you rack the slide. That's a condition you're not going to be able to remedy in any reasonable amount of time. Things like stovepipes may or may not be something you can immediately clear as well.

NcongruNt wrote:No matter how much you practice with failure drills, there are some malfunctions that you simply can't clear in an emergency defensive shooting situation. A broken extractor, for example. If your round fails to eject or if you have a primer fail to ignite with a broken extractor, you're looking at a double feed after you rack the slide. That's a condition you're not going to be able to remedy in any reasonable amount of time. Things like stovepipes may or may not be something you can immediately clear as well.

Amen! If the dead gun requires more than tap rack, it's time to go to BUG or RUN to cover & get the gun up & running from behind cover.

As has been said, one gun is better than none! DO what makes the most sense for you.

As far as defensive or carry weapons, I can't always conceal my first (1911) or second (lightweight snubbie) choice. There are times that dress codes require me to carry a small pocket (kel-tec) gun... which is NOT my first choice, but if I only had a 1911, I'd have no choice on certain dressy occasions... so I feel most comfortable having something that works for each of my situations.

I also enjoy shooting as a R & R activity and like introducing friends and kids to the shooting sports so having several guns, in assorted calibers and styles, is almost mandatory for me... and a lot more fun!

Wow. What a great number of informative responses. This forum is excellent. I have a lot to think about. Much thanks to all of you.

Here's another reason to have a back-up.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351502,00.html

FRESNO, Calif. — A 17-year-old high school sophomore was shot and killed Wednesday by a police officer on campus.

The officer, identified as Tom Perry, fired after the student at Roosevelt High School allegedly hit the officer with a baseball bat, police said.

Perry walked out of an office and was struck with a baseball bat, falling backwards and then to the ground. While trying to draw his weapon, the gun fell to the ground.

He grabbed his second weapon from his ankle holster and fired at least once at the approaching student who was still holding the bat.

"The officer was fortunate that he was able to defend himself," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

The incident occurred just before 12 p.m. Officers arriving at the scene attempted CPR on the student.

An 18-year-old student said her mother, who is a resource teacher at the school, saw everything.

"She was walking her students back to class when she saw a boy push the officer and the officer shot the boy and the boy died at the scene," Gardy Zuniga told the Fresno Bee, adding the student had been in trouble recently and was allegedly armed with a gun.

Perry is employed by the police department as the school's resource officer. The officer's condition was not immediately released.

lawrnk wrote:

arod757 wrote: I've ordered dummy rounds for my Glock to practice clearing a malfunction at the range.

Expect a heck of alot of practice, and almost no reality.

Dummy rounds can be could training for beginners to show anticipation. It's funny watching when the pistol dry fires and the front of the barrel drops 6 inches as the shooter is compensating for recoil.

Remember, as they say in the military.....

Two is one and one is none.

Plan on your gun breaking. It will. Whether it's at a good time or a bad time is anyone's guess.

Mars and I each have a Bersa Thunder. We had to each buy one b/c Mars kept taking mine. I finally told him to get his own.

Anyway, the Bersa Thunder is an inexpensive gun, yet Gun Tests Magazine had lots of nice things to say about it. The only time I have ever had trouble with it, Eagle Imports (the manufacturer) took care of it. I actually have fewer jams in this gun than I do my 1911, which cost me more than double.

I spent $211 (after taxes) two years ago for my gun. I think Mars spent closer to $250 at Academy for his. You can still pick them up at gun shows for around $225 NIB.

This would be an excellent 2nd gun for around the house. If there were ever a home invastion crisis and you were separated from the family, they wouldn't be without something.

If one gun is what you can afford then the Glock is a great choice of weapons. My wife wishes I only had one! I tell her I only have one, Just one Glock 22, One Sig Pro 2340, One Walther PPK/s, one H & K P7, One S & W 6904,One H &K USP .40 Compact and One Bushmaster AR 15...

artx wrote:

seamusTX wrote: The shotgun is a good idea. You can have fun with it, too. You can find used shotguns for not much more than $100, and beat-up .38 Special revolvers for less than $200 (police surplus).

Congratulations on getting your daughter interested.

- Jim

Not to hijack too much - but where do you find sub $200 .38 spl revolvers that are reliable yet inexpensive? I've been on the lookout and haven't seen them - appreciate a link/source.

Thanks!

i found a Rossi for 275, i know its not under 200 but not bad i think. it looks great, shame it is gonna have holster wear on it soon!!!

Good luck with your Rossi.

- Jim

is that a "i hope you have better luck than me" or a good luck, good luck or what? do you know bad things about them?

Just an honest "good luck." I don't recall that I ever saw one in person, and I never heard anything bad about them. Many police forces use them, or did before they went to semi-autos, so they have a lot of history.

- Jim

phew, ok. i was afraid you were going to tell me they were total junk. i know they are made by taurus. while it isn't a smith i happen to like taurus wheel guns, so i am sure i will enjoy this one as well. i can't wait to get to the range to shoot it, oh well that will have to wait 'til after finals. and being it is .38spc and only a five shooter it won't cost as much as my .45! i think my XD will be my primary carry and the Rossi will have its turn on really hot days when shorts and a t shirt are the wardrobe choice. but carrying it as a back up gun may be a great idea, like the officer in the story posted earlier, man he is fortunate to have a BUG on him or he may have been beaten to death. i never really considered carrying a back up as a civilian but that makes you think, what if i did drop my xd or it malfunctioned? things to ponder i suppose.