Self defense pistol recommendations.

[El Jason]

That's cool. Why do you think you have to teach them to avoid the malfunctions?

I don’t have to teach them to avoid malfunctions. If they are having malfunctions because of limp wrist they likely can’t hit what they are shooting at anyway. Which, would also be the case with a revolver.

I prefer to teach them shoot right and hit what they aim at, fast, and then the shooter induced malfunctions go away on their own. But, do carry on.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

The non-carry option

 

[Dinkshooter]

If you have man sized hands the G43 isn't very fun to try and grip. The magazine with the extension helps some. In the end the wife just took it for her nightstand gun. YMMV

 

[jimh406]

My thought is G43 is fine if you have man sized hands with man strength. A G43 fits my daughter who has small hands, but she has problems controlling it, and it doesn't feel good to her at all.

If you want thin and Glock, consider the G48.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Whomever suggested visiting a LGS and trying out a few ahead of the purchase is correct. Most of the reputable semi autos will function near flawlessly so it comes down to personal taste. Some folks don't like the grip angle of the Glock and prefer something else, others love it. Make, cartridge, barrel length, compact versus full size, etc is all secondary to the most important aspect of a citizen's self defense pistol - practice. Given your parameters (rides in the truck, occasional walk), I'd lean towards a full size or 4" bbled semi auto in either 9mm or 40 S&W. Then buy 1000 rounds and go blasting. A truck gun is one that can be beat to shit and still work; it can be stolen without too much misery on your end (no gucci guns)

Double action/single action, striker fired or hammer - it's all about personal choice and then creating the skillset to use the tool proficiently.

But the LEO's on this thread that have made some damned good arguments and have the kind of practical experience that develops expertise. When you are given advice by people who have that tool as part of their everyday existence, it's usually a good idea to listen.

Or follow the Frank Reynolds school of self-defense: when in doubt, start blasting w/ a revolver and a semi. Just wear your glasses.

 

[Fire_9]

Anyone remember the video of Fred Eichler and his guide getting charged as they floated down the river? If my memory is correct there was only one round fired towards that bear because the guides revolver failed to fire a second round.

I’m a pretty crappy pistol shot and I’m far worse with a revolver. To me the best answer in a semi auto of whatever flavor you decide on. I have thought more about a light lately too. It’s dark half the day…

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Anyone remember the video of Fred Eichler and his guide getting charged as they floated down the river? If my memory is correct there was only one round fired towards that bear because the guides revolver failed to fire a second round.

I’m a pretty crappy pistol shot and I’m far worse with a revolver. To me the best answer in a semi auto of whatever flavor you decide on. I have thought more about a light lately too. It’s dark half the day…

Yep, remember that video.

Pretty hard to justify settling on something with a 6 round capacity and no magazine for timely loading/unloading. Expecially if you spend any time in a state where you dont have a valid carry permit that requires pistols to be cased/unloaded.

In professions where people have a decent odds of needing to fire their gun, nobody carries revolvers anymore. Thats a pretty good tell IMO.

 

[Jbotto]

Know anyone who had a locked cylinder?

Yes. Factory loaded .357 load. Contaminated powder. Primer went off and pushed the powder plug into the bullet. Bullet got halfway out of the cylinder and into the forcing cone. Had to beat it back into the cylinder with a dowel and clean all the shavings out of the forcing cone.

 

[Bigjay73]

Yes. Factory loaded .357 load. Contaminated powder. Primer went off and pushed the powder plug into the bullet. Bullet got halfway out of the cylinder and into the forcing cone. Had to beat it back into the cylinder with a dowel and clean all the shavings out of the forcing cone.

To be fair, that would stop a semi auto as well. I've had 2 squibs in striker fired pistols, took a bit to bang them out of the barrell. That's more of an ammo issue than a gun issue.

 

[WNC2500]

Several people mentioned it @mtmiller, but i went to a place that sold pistols as well as range time and shot like 6-7 semis that I was interested in. We did this with my wife as well when I was buying her the first pistol she would shoot.
If I am giving advice, i will give one on both ends of spectrums....I am a revolver/wheelgun fan so I would go with the 357/38 route as well. If you are looking for semis, I would choose, and did chose the H&K VP9 pistol. I have shot thousands of rounds through it and still love it.

 

[Jbotto]

I like revolvers for fun, but trust striker fired semi-autos more based on round capacity. In an instance when I’m trying to make hits on an unfriendly target, while simultaneously filling my shorts, I think I probably won’t print beautiful groups. If it’s your only pistol, Glock or M&P 9mm. If you question the effects of the 9mm with hardcast loads being enough, watch/listen to Vortex’s podcast about the penetration tests between 9mm & 10mm hardcast loads.

 

[psinclair]

Glock 43 is the one I have for that purpose..

 

[Greybeard]

I have zero experience with pistols, but feel I should probably invest in one since I am spending more than half the year on the road and often in very remote areas. At home I have firearms for self defense, but they are not convenient while I am on the road with limited space.

95% of the time it will be stored in the front seat of the pickup up or with me while in the slide in. I guess there may be limited times I will have it with me in the field, but not that important in my decision.

It's just me and a dog for the most part, so not concerned with other people in the tight area if situations require force.

Anyway, any suggestions? I just need something for "just in case" in a situation that will likely never occur. I won't be putting a boxes of ammo every month for enjoyment, just an emergency tool. Not looking for the most expensive, cool pistol on the market, just a dependable self defense weapon.

thanks for any thoughts.....

IMO, if you have limited experience with a handgun, it will likely be very hard to shoot well under pressure regardless of the handgun. I think that a folding type pistol caliber carbine might suit your needs and be a lot easier to shoot under pressure. I personally have a S&W M&P FPC in 9mm, but there are several others that would be suitable.

 

[Blue Steel]

IMO, if you have limited experience with a handgun, it will likely be very hard to shoot well under pressure regardless of the handgun. I think that a folding type pistol caliber carbine might suit your needs and be a lot easier to shoot under pressure. I personally have a S&W M&P FPC in 9mm, but there are several others that would be suitable.

That’s a good point. Although the Smiths look better, the Ruger LC carbine (folding stock) in either 10mm or 45 could also be a contender.

 

[rjthehunter]

Lots of good advice, some not so good. If you're just getting started with pistols, I wouldn't consider a revolver. Like mentioned, there's a reason no one who's life depends on it (regularly) carries a revolver...

 

[Point Creep]

IMO, if you have limited experience with a handgun, it will likely be very hard to shoot well under pressure regardless of the handgun. I think that a folding type pistol caliber carbine might suit your needs and be a lot easier to shoot under pressure. I personally have a S&W M&P FPC in 9mm, but there are several others that would be suitable.

I'm pretty sure that a lifelong hunter who operates cameras with ten billion settings on them can operate a pistol with a trigger and magazine release.

 

[hank4elk]

I wore a Glock 10mm for years. Good gun.
Not a pistol guy and got a Taurus 9mm that fits my hand well. 17 clip.
I thought of getting a newer Glock but have big hands and little pistols just make me nervous.

So I go shoot off a clip every once in a while and like the results.
Rides in a beanie on the floorboard...holstered,safety and a extra clip on the holster. Plenty.

 

[Blue Steel]

Lots of good advice, some not so good. If you're just getting started with pistols, I wouldn't consider a revolver. Like mentioned, there's a reason no one who's life depends on it (regularly) carries a revolver...

That’s because we’ve all watched the John Wick movies

 

[El Jason]

I didn’t realize shooting handgun was as complex as it must be.

 

[Blue Steel]

I didn’t realize shooting handgun was as complex as it must be.

Maybe at least choosing a handgun or other truck gun can be, now with the plethora of options available these days, compared to when people in the 1990s were trying to decide between a Beretta 92, Sig p226, S&W 5906, or Glock 17.

Even the "compacts" and "subcompacts" of the early 2000s (except for maybe pistols like the Kahr micros, of which I had a stainless .40 which was pretty snappy to shoot), seem large and heavy compared to something like the P365 or a Shield. Which is perhaps why a lot of people here for a truck gun have suggested subcompacts like a G43 or P365 variant.