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How To Choose A Handgun

If you are not familiar with handguns then perhaps you should read the Introduction to Handguns article before going on with this one.

The handgun you will choose to protect yourself is characterized by a few different factors; caliber, automatic or revolver, single or double action, size, barrel length, capacity, grip type and metallic finish type. To choose a handgun for your purposes all these factors have to be considered.

The decision of highest importance is the choice of the caliber. There are a lot to choose from and caliber relates directly to stopping power. If you choose a very low caliber such as a .22 pistol it is very likely that such a gun will fail to stop an attacker at close range. You could argue that a .22 can be used to target a head shot or perhaps at the base of the throat but the reality is that for the majority of people faced with a high stress situation such as a violent attacker the upper torso is the only target they will have a chance to shoot even at close range. There have been documented examples of attackers taking upto 6 .22 shots in the chest without being substantially deterred. A .44 magnum would stop any attacker in his place, a post mortem of a person shot in the chest with a .44 would show that his heart exploded from the force of the impact. However, consider that .44 handguns are very large in size and therefore difficult to conceal. It is best to choose an intermediate caliber, one that provides adequate stopping power and and at the same time is hosted by a smaller gun easy to conceal. Such calibers are the 9mm parabellum, (.38) or even better the .40 S&W. Studies show that the .40 Smith & Wesson is comparable in stopping power to the .357 magnum. For a revolver the standard .38 special would be enough to hinder any determined attacker. There are also choices of different modifications on ammunition such as hollow point which can turn a lower caliber bullet into one that has considerably more stopping power.

When choosing caliber it is also very important to consider your enviroment. Someone who lives in a neighbourhoos with thin walled houses should choose a smaller caliber so that the bullet does not penetrate through the house and end up accidentally injuring a neighbour. Someone living on a farm or wide open space would choose a higher caliber handgun to be able to deal with the more imminent threat of wild animals.

Size is directly related to concealability, a man would typically carry a hidden holster whereas a woman is more likely to carry her gun in a handbag. It is also related to comfort; if you buy a large gun the chances are that you will not be comfortable carrying it, it will end up at home when you do not feel like carrying it rendering it useless. Guns on the compact size are lighter and more comfortable to carry not to mention being compatible with a multiple number of concealability solutions. Therefore choosing a good holster is just as important as the gun. A generic cheap holster is usually useless because of drawbacks. Such a holster can draw a gun vertically only sacrificing reaction/drawing time. A holster manufactured specifically for a particular model can usually draw a gun horizontally. Also consider your wardrobe and how the holster will fit in with your clothes in winter and summer.

Capacity of a gun is not really that important but can be a considerable factor. The Calico 9mm pistol can carry upto 100 shells though something like that would be more useful for a small war rather than a self defense scenario in a city. A revolver can carry upto 6 shots and an automatic can hold twice that number. For a civillian not regularly encountering a dangerous situation 6 shots are enough.

Ease of use is very important and is a decisive factor. A single action automatic which requires manual cocking before use is suited more to someone with good handgun skills or a war veteran. A woman would probably find it difficult to use an automatic as it requires the engaging of the slide, therefore a woman would be more likely to use a double action revolver than an automatic. Someone with some handgun training would be happy with a double action automatic.

Barrel length is also important. Forget using a six inch barrel in an urban enviroment, it's difficult to conceal and has the potential to injure bystanders due to its higher penetration ability. Snub nosed revolvers and short barrel autos are preferred for a civillian living in a populous area.

Consider the type of hammer on or revolver or automatic. A hammer that protrudes excessively as a hook from the gun will be difficult to fire from whithin a jacket pocket where the hammer will tangle with the clothes and the gun could fail firing.

Finally the grip and finish. Small hands require special rubber grips rather than the standard grip out of the factory. A gunsmith can usually change the handgun grip if it is required and a lot of manufacturers release a few of their guns with easier to grasp rubber grips. There are usually two types of finish to choose from, matt black or nickel plated. This will apply to the gun at night where a nickel plated is more visible. Generally speaking a nickle plated gun is more applied for show rather than practical use.

Preparing yourself is vital. Training to use the handgun you have purchased at a shooting gallery is very important. For self defense you will have to be prepared to shoot an aggressive attacker and for this you need the correct mentality. It helps if you think of a gun more as a tool and not as a device of death. When you shoot someone who is attacking you you are effectively reaching out and knocking him down with your tool. Keep the ammunition you carry new to avoid the chance that a cartridge will fail to fire under a strenuous situation. The first shot is very important and drawing the gun within a few seconds is crucial to defending your life. Having many guns is less beneficial than just one as having just one gun simplifies your choices when faced with danger and lessens confusion.