When there is 9%+ unemployment, home foreclosures at record levels, increasing money supply/debasement of the currency (worldwide), it adds up to inflation which results in more crime. People will start doing just about anything to survive these troubled times and we need to protect ourselves the best we can.
There are many places to purchase both handguns and rifles. You can start locally at a sporting good store or a specific hunting/gun store in your area or you can go online and have the gun delivered to a local Federal Firearms Licensed (FFL) dealer. I've had success with Budsguns.com and may use them again going forward. (Google them if interested)
I currently have a Mossberg 500 tactical 18" barrel shotgun for home defense and a few sidearms for a secondary weapon. For the shotgun, I have typical 00 Buckshot and have some 1 ounce slugs for backup and special situations.
As far as ammunition, I would recommend that you should have a minimum of 500 rounds per firearm. Many people suggest 1000 rounds and that should be sufficient. We are not going to war with anyone, our purchase and ownership of firearms is for self defense, not for war. If you need a AR-15 to protect yourself in a 'situation', you will probably not survive. A 18" tactical shotgun and a very reliable firearm as a secondary weapon is ideal.
Which sidearm or pistol to purchase? You can go to Youtube and search for various handguns that interest you and there will be numerous reviews. It's best to view a few of them on the same firearm as some people do not provide enough details.
If you are not familiar with calibers, there are 3 that are the most popular with semi-auto handguns which are the 9mm, .40 and the .45 caliber. Today's tactical hollow-point ammunition has undergone a lot of research and development and their are 9mm rounds that are very effective compared to a decade ago. See Troutdoors Youtube page for ammunition testing.
Things to consider:
- The 9mm round has the least amount of recoil and follow up shots on target can be a little faster.
- Depending upon the state you live in, some 9mm semi-auto handguns hold up to 19 rounds.
- The .40 caliber is right between the 9mm and .45 caliber. Many feel that the .40 is the best of both worlds, high capacity, solid stopping power and manageable recoil.
As far as semi-auto handgun manufactures, there are now various sizes and styles that you can choose from. If you do not have a carry permit and the handgun will be mainly for home defense and the range, a full size polymer frame should be fine. You can go to the range and demo a gun and the one that feels best in your hands should have preference. The backstraps of many guns these days are interchangeable, so the gun can be fitted for smaller or larger hands. Based on my knowledge and shooting various handguns at the range, I would suggest the following handguns to demo:
- Glock 17 standard 9mm, Glock 19 compact 9mm, Glock 22 Standard .40, Glock 23 compact .40
- Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm standard or compact, .40 standard or compact.
- Springfield Arms XDM 9mm standard or compact, .40 standard or compact.
- .45 Colt 1911 or a polymer version from the above manufactures. I would choose one of the handgun calibers above first, but the .45 is a very close 2nd. A typical .45 auto holds between 7 to 10 rounds depending upon the magazine that you have and the manufacture. The .45 recoils a bit more and holds less rounds, but is a fine and reliable handgun.
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