jordan@greipa.UUCP (Jordan K. Hubbard) (09/20/85)
Article: 9:10
[I know this article's gonna generate a real flame-fest between
those of us who "know what's best", but try and restrain yourselves.
I myself am going to leap right into the fray. -jh]
Here's my question. I'll be honest right up front and admit that I don't
know beans about guns. I've never even owned a gun. But I guess I've been bitten
by what ever bug it is that causes someone to go out and buy their first hand
gun. When I was in the Navy, I always had to carry a military .45 when I was on
watch, and once a year they would take the crew and re-qualify us on shooting
that handgun. I remember the gun as simple piece of machinery that was capable
of stopping an intruder if you had to fire at one. Perhaps someone was thinking
of this handgun when they coined the phrase: "Whatever you build, make sure it's
sailor-proof." I've always fancied that type of handgun, and now that I'd like
to purchase a handgun I was thinking of buying one of those.
Since I don't know anything about handguns, could someone please tell
me if I'm making an intelligent decision? I'm not interested in target shooting
or in carrying the weapon on me. All I'm interested in is having a handgun in
the house for protection, and if the need ever arose for me to fire at an
intruder, that if I hit him with a shot, he's not going to still keep coming
at me. Also, if I did fire the gun, I don't want the recoil or kick or
whatever it's called, to knock it out of my hand, (I remember I had no
problem with the military .45).
If my reasoning is totally against all virtues of common sense, don't
flame me. EDUCATE ME!
Manny Costa
Raytheon
Submarine Signal Division
PO Box 360
Portsmouth, RI 02871jkh@ucbjade.BERKELEY.EDU (Jordan K. Hubbard) (10/21/85)
Article: 9:15
>Article: 9:10
A Colt .45 GVMT Model is a sensible choice for home and personal
protection. Since you are already familiar with it, so much the better.
Although, a double action revolver may be a little more foolproof (no,
I don't mean to imply you are a fool) as all you have to do is point
and shoot. You probably carried your .45 in the navy in the ready to shoot,
"cocked-and-locked" state (loaded clip in, bullet chambered, hammer
cocked, thumb saftey on) which can be put into service very quickly.
You may feel a little uncomfortable having the gun in this state at
home in a draw or on a shelf. You will probably keep it with full
magazine inserted but no bullet in the chamber, thus requiring the
slide to be cycled in order to ready it. This may not be a bother
to you, but if you want the gun available for your spouse (life-mate, etc.)
they will have to be taught.
Hope this rambling mess helps some.
---
Daniel M. O'Brien (ihnp4!ihlpa!dob)
AT&T Bell Laboratories
IH 4A-258, x 4782
Naperville-Wheaton Road
Naperville, IL 60566