I should have clarified - we're interested in a gun for home defense - but not before both of us are comfortable. I think we'll take a trip to the local range this weekend and see how friendly the staff is and go from there.

yup...

This 'el getter done!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..._2_barrels.png

If you are looking at home defense only a shotgun is the way to go. If you want a pistol the smallest that I would have is a 9mm. I have two S&W M&Ps and love them.

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

Looks a lot like my shotgun, but mine's a Remington 870 that I bought from the state police. They were cleaning out their closet....lol

How are they accuracy wise? Can you get more consistent shots off of a SA at the range?

It depends on the length of the barrel, the bullet, how you hold the gun, your trigger control, etc. If you anticipate the recoil, you'll never be accurate. SA's are accurate, especially the smaller calibers like the 9mm.

I was pretty accurate and fast with the .38 revolver, but that took a lot of training. Now all I shoot are SA's. My .40 Sig P229 and P239 are like cannons. Damn those federal cartridge bullets. I'm not so accurate with these guns, but I have good days and bad days.

lol, any experience with the H&K USP's?

I shot about a hundred or so rounds through it a few years ago. I liked it. Pretty easy gun to handle and not as wild and bucky like the Sig. I think my Sigs will be phased out for the H&K, but that'll be a while yet.

No one has mentioned the fact that while a .22 has less stopping power, a 9mm or higher will punch through walls and easily kill anyone in the vicinity if you happen to take a crazy shot and miss the perp before hitting him/her. Do you have any children in the house? Are you in an apartment complex or have neighbors nearby? If so I would recommend just a shotgun, as that is strictly a close-range weapon that won't cause too much collateral damage outside of the immediate room you are in.

Furthermore, saying that a .22 will only piss someone off is a bit of Hollywood if you ask me. Given that the majority of crooks are just normal people down on their luck an desperate (not career criminals) anyone getting shot with anything would be enough to incapacitate them.

Finally, if you're going to shoot someone in your house or on your property, make sure you kill them. I know it sounds harsh but really there should be no reason to shoot someone unless your own life is in mortal peril (i.e. s/he also has a gun or other deadly weapon with imminent threat to use it). If they're still alive when the police recover them they could potentially sue you for damages, and you would have to then prove that you were within rights to shoot them. It's just additional legal stuff to deal with. Note too that even if they're dead the cops can bring charges against you as well if they suspect the shooting was more than just self-defense.

I still stand by the statement of "A .22 will just piss a criminal off"

Gaiiden have you ever been shot with anything? (rubber bullets, paintballs over 300fps, bb or pellet guns)

They hurt like hell but for the most part it just pisses you off if your intent is to rob or kill someone it will not deter the offender and in fact may infuriate the situation... Now I have both a handgun (H&K 45) and rifle (16" POF 6.8spc M4) both with night capable sights. I personally rather use my AR than my pistol mainly for the fact that I can do this with my AR at 25yds rapid fire in a unsupported standing position in 5 secs:
(2 clips= 1x10rd & 1x 30rd) a total of 21 shots fired & 1 reload
http://www.the370z.com/members/bulli...6-img-0578.jpg

20/21 hit perfectly with one stray
full size of target:
http://www.the370z.com/members/bulli...7-img-0577.jpg

The head measures from chin to top of skull 8" and I find hitting targets with the AR much easier than the pistol but then again I shoot alot more with the AR than the pistol... *I am also Ironing out some bad habits with the pistol too* keep this in mind no matter what you use for home defense make sure it is something that you are accurate with!!!

I practice 3 taps when I go to the range 2 to the chest 1 to the skull. That isnt the hard part. the hard part is getting to the point where you are hitting within an inch of your previous shots. Also remember you want to stay low and behind cover at all times when approaching a burgler or offender. For my tower matches we practice both strong hand and weak hand shooting...cause you never know when you will need to shoot lefty...

I got a S&W M&P .45 last year and my GF, who has never fired a weapon, fires it just fine at the range. I thought about the 9mm, but if my GF gets only 1 or 2 shots off on a perp, I want them to count.

I absolutely love my .45.

Remington 870....best home defense gun...anyone can use it, it's pretty much newbie proof...so long they understand it's a pump and not a semi auto.

Yes 22s have less stopping power and unless used properly, will generally just piss someone off, although a 22 mag would ******* hurt. a 22 long rifle, unless placed properly will not stop someone in their tracks and most who are down on their luck and breaking into a house are probably so full of adrenaline, they won't notice right away...

the 22 caliber bullet has been used though the years by assassins world wide, but at close range (point blank).

Well, I would think that if someone were to react and shoot someone else, unless they've done LOTS of training, they're going to be panicky and unload a clip as fast as possible. Whether it's .22 or higher, that's going to cause some damage. Ok, one .22 improperly placed can just piss someone off, but a whole clip?

So I guess all I should really say is that if you're going to go with a handgun, make sure you can keep yourself under control so you don't spray bullets, and always aim for center of mass.

Again, this is only to prevent you from killing/injuring someone else. Can't tell you how many stories I see about a random bullet shot from down the block enters a house and hits someone inside. One idiot shot his wall to create a hole for his satellite dish wire/mount and killed his wife outside working in the garden. Yea, I wish I had made that last one up.

Sig Sauer 2022 9mm Night Sights 2 Grips w/Rail Mounted Laser for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $469.00

Sounds like a good deal?