How to Select a Handgun for Self Defense

Selecting the right handgun for self defense involves both practical and personal decisions. This is a weapon upon which your life could depend. Your choice should take into account your skills as well as the types of self defense scenarios you believe that you are most likely to encounter. Using a handgun to defend yourself and your family also has a variety of legal and moral ramifications that you must sort out.

Instructions

1. Take a basic handgun course if you are unfamiliar with using handguns. It is a good idea to do this before you purchase a weapon, as what you learn may significantly affect your choice of weapon.

2. Try a variety of weapons at a shooting range. Many ranges have handguns available to rent, thus allowing you to get a general idea of the type of weapon with which you feel the most comfortable. It is very important to choose a weapon that feels intuitive and logical to you. It is also important to select a weapon that does not have more recoil than you are comfortable with.

3. Consider the defense scenario for which you are preparing. You can never know for sure how such an event will play out, but you may have a general understanding about the dangers you are most likely to face. For example, choosing a weapon for home defense presents a different set of problems and options than choosing a weapon to defend yourself in a car.

4. Thoroughly research and understand the self defense laws for your state and city. They vary significantly, and you must understand them or you risk going to prison. Some factors to consider are whether your state has a "castle doctrine" or instead if you have a "duty to retreat."

5. Research the stopping power of the weapon(s) you are considering. It is generally preferable to choose a weapon that is powerful enough to incapacitate a threat with only one or two shots. In many defense situations, the more times you have to fire increases the likelihood that you will face legal problems. Higher caliber ammunition and jacketed hollow point bullets tend to have greater stopping power. By the same token, avoid choosing an overpowered weapon that is more likely to shoot through walls and injure innocent bystanders.

6. Decide on whether you prefer a revolver or a semi-automatic pistol. This decision may also be affected by your state or city ordinances. Revolvers are mechanically simpler and are less likely to fail. Semi-automatic pistols allow you to fire more quickly and you don't have to reload as often.

Tips & Warnings

• It is your responsibility to become educated in the use of the weapon you choose, and to practice regularly at a range to hone your skill.

• It is also your responsibility to find a way to store your weapon that makes it inaccessible to children, but yet rapidly accessible to you in a time of danger.