I would like to exercise my 2nd...

**HoustonRaven** · 08-17-2012, 11:13 AM

I always preach comfort over everything else. I don't think there is a minimum calibre for self defense. I've seen a .22 do plenty of damage.

If you're fine with 9mm, then I say go for it. In the heat of the moment, you want accuracy and dependability above all else. When you throw in that cost is an issue, a 9mm makes even more sense for you. I'd suggest you not carry anything of a higher calibre until you've become as comfortable with it as a 9mm. A .45 going off in an untrained hand is quite a lot to ask, especially for your wife.

That said, consider self defense rounds in the gun when it's at home or when you're carrying. This will add to the stopping power. I am a big fan of Hornady TAP self defense rounds myself but I know a lot of folks who prefer Federal Hydra Shock.

I carry a Glock 19 Gen4 most of the time (and sometimes carry a Kimber 1911 CDP when Im feeling like a .45) and it's a great weapon. It will always go bang and if it ever breaks, Glock will back it up no questions asked. I highly recommend you get the Gen 4 if you can find it. Lots of upgrades, smoother trigger pull and a redesigned spring.

**jonboy79** · 08-17-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

I always preach comfort over everything else. I don't think there is a minimum calibre for self defense. I've seen a .22 do plenty of damage.

If you're fine with 9mm, then I say go for it. In the heat of the moment, you want accuracy and dependability above all else. When you throw in that cost is an issue, a 9mm makes even more sense for you. I'd suggest you not carry anything of a higher calibre until you've become as comfortable with it as a 9mm. A .45 going off in an untrained hand is quite a lot to ask, especially for your wife.

That said, consider self defense rounds in the gun when it's at home or when you're carrying. This will add to the stopping power. I am a big fan of Hornady TAP self defense rounds myself but I know a lot of folks who prefer Federal Hydra Shock.

I carry a Glock 19 Gen4 most of the time (and sometimes carry a Kimber 1911 CDP when Im feeling like a .45) and it's a great weapon. It will always go bang and if it ever breaks, Glock will back it up no questions asked. I highly recommend you get the Gen 4 if you can find it. Lots of upgrades, smoother trigger pull and a redesigned spring.

Comfort is trump in this situation, with that I agree. Additionally, target rounds and carry rounds will be different as you mention. I will not be going down to .22 but I see your point. My wife's comfort level is really a bonus as the gun will likely not be kept at home for the forseeable future, and as i mentioned $5 rental really isn't going to break me. Target round cost is a hangup I am somewhat worried about as I would rather have a gun I am comfortable with above all else. If I get a .45 I jsut feel that I may go to the range less, so any advantage may be lost jsut as fast.

I think, at the moment, that I will likely buy from the range, and probably will try a glock 23 before I make my midn up. from the previously posted chart, the .40 calibre might be the best compromise. I believe the range I go to charges around $12-15 for 50 shots of 9mm whereas it's more like $25 bucks for 40 shots of .45. Should I expect the .40 calibre rounds to split the difference?

**HoustonRaven** · 08-17-2012, 12:14 PM

You get what you pay for with ammo. .40 is going to more expensive than 9mm simply because it's not as readily available as 9mm.

Nobody who has been shot has ever been thankful it was 9mm. You can compensate for the bullet size with velocity and type of round.

A fast 9mm hollow point round will do every bit of damage a .40 with average velocity.

**NCRAVEN** · 08-17-2012, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

You get what you pay for with ammo. .40 is going to more expensive than 9mm simply because it's not as readily available as 9mm.

Nobody who has been shot has ever been thankful it was 9mm. You can compensate for the bullet size with velocity and type of round.

A fast 9mm hollow point round will do every bit of damage a .40 with average velocity.

Very valid point.

**jonboy79** · 08-17-2012, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

You get what you pay for with ammo. .40 is going to more expensive than 9mm simply because it's not as readily available as 9mm.

Nobody who has been shot has ever been thankful it was 9mm. You can compensate for the bullet size with velocity and type of round.

A fast 9mm hollow point round will do every bit of damage a .40 with average velocity.

The gun will normally have great ammo that should not have to be used and replaced.
from the distances I'm working with, I should be essentially 100% CBM on my first shot for sure. So i suppose comfort level will trump in the event of multiple targets. Glock 19 it is, most likely.

**Kevlar** · 08-17-2012, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

A fast 9mm hollow point round will do every bit of damage a .40 with average velocity.

It isn't just the size of the round. The .40 cartridge is much larger also, which means it packs a lot more energy. It is a heavier grain and a higher velocity than the 9mm.

40sw.jpg

**HoustonRaven** · 08-17-2012, 04:25 PM

You won't be disappointed jonboy. Just make sure you get a Gen4.

Originally Posted by Kevlar

It isn't just the size of the round. The .40 cartridge is much larger also, which means it packs a lot more energy. It is a heavier grain and a higher velocity than the 9mm.

40sw.jpg

Agreed. Of course, when all things are equal, a .40 is a more powerful round.

I was simply pointing out that you level the disparity via higher velocity.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 06:54 AM

I'm still waiting for my CC permit in Virginia, but I just realized that open carry is perfectly legal in Virginia. I never realized that.

**HoustonRaven** · 08-20-2012, 08:40 AM

Be careful, wicked.

The counties all have different laws. A 15 round magazine may be legal in one county but not the next.

**wickedsolo** · 08-20-2012, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Be careful, wicked.

The counties all have different laws. A 15 round magazine may be legal in one county but not the next.

I looked that up too.

The Virginia law states that no counties or townships can create their own laws that differ from the state of Virginia's laws when it comes to gun laws. It's the same way in PA. I think that's typical of commonwealth states.

I don't think I'd open carry around here anyway. I'll probably wait until my CC permit comes through.

**HoustonRaven** · 08-20-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

I looked that up too.

The Virginia law states that no counties or townships can create their own laws that differ from the state of Virginia's laws when it comes to gun laws. It's the same way in PA. I think that's typical of commonwealth states.

I don't think I'd open carry around here anyway. I'll probably wait until my CC permit comes through.

It's called preemption.

The problem, however, is that since VA has not criminalized open carry, the counties are open to make their own laws until the state takes up the matter. For example, I do not believe you can carry in the open in Fairfax County, but you can in Loudin County.

**jonboy79** · 08-21-2012, 10:47 AM

Deposit left on a new glock 19 g3 in transit. Now I wait 7 to 10 days.
I was kind of pressed timewise and did not shop around so I probably didn't get a great deal, but... I'll be happy with my purchase. I'd rather support a local store then buy a gun from online and pay the local shop for the transfer process, that seems kind of tacy to me.

**HoustonRaven** · 08-23-2012, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

Now I wait 7 to 10 days.

Waiting periods. Ha!

**NCRAVEN** · 08-23-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Waiting periods. Ha!

We don't have one here either. Just gotta have a permit from the Sheriff's office.

**HoustonRaven** · 08-23-2012, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

We don't have one here either. Just gotta have a permit from the Sheriff's office.

In Texas, with my Concealed Handgun Permit, I can buy as many and as often as I choose.

**NCRAVEN** · 08-23-2012, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

In Texas, with my Concealed Handgun Permit, I can buy as many and as often as I choose.

Not sure how that works here. All I know is I can buy 5 permits at a time, not sure if that means if I want 5 more I have to do another background check or what...

**HoustonRaven** · 08-23-2012, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

Not sure how that works here. All I know is I can buy 5 permits at a time, not sure if that means if I want 5 more I have to do another background check or what...

Guns are not permitted in Texas, the person is if you want to carry.

**NCRAVEN** · 08-23-2012, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Guns are not permitted in Texas, the person is if you want to carry.

Texas rules, I would love to move to Texas. Not a huge fan of 100+ degrees though.

**jonboy79** · 08-30-2012, 10:02 AM

Just picked it up last night.
Forgot to ask one question.
Break-in period. What should i watch for and will it need a service after x ammount of shots?

**HoustonRaven** · 08-30-2012, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by jonboy79

Just picked it up last night.
Forgot to ask one question.
Break-in period. What should i watch for and will it need a service after x ammount of shots?

Not for the Glock. Should be great right of the box.

If it jams on you, you may want to pick up an extra magazine or two. But that's not likely to happen.