Post
by timmy » Sun Jul 24, 2011 4:46 am
Either of the .32 handguns would be better in the self-defense role than the .22, although, of course, any gun represents a serious threat. However, I'm assuming that you like guns from what you have said, and I'm presuming that you may not have a lot of experience with handguns.
I like to say that shooting a rifle is like riding a bicycle: Once you learn how, you can make a passable (not expert) effort shooting it later after a long layoff.
But handguns are not like that. I like to say that shooting a handgun is like playing billiards: You can know very well what to do and how to do it, and have experience at both, but if you do not practice regularly with a handgun, you won't be very good at it.
My suggestion would then be to go for the .22, simply because it is the easiest to learn how to shoot and it is cheaper to shoot, especially if you shoot a lot (which, hopefully, is your goal).
In saying this, I confess to being biased, for I have always enjoyed shooting rifles, am not very good with a shotgun, but shooting handguns to me is a passion. So, I tend to think that everyone else sees things my way, which is not true.
Another aspect of owning and using a gun is liking it -- no, I should say, enjoying it. But don't be too concerned that you may like something else better, because if there is one thing I am sure about, it's that someone who likes guns will never be satisfied with just one. Even if one can only afford a single gun, very often necessity is the mother of invention, and a way is found to obtain the second and the third...
But, unless you are a collector who likes to look at guns, I suggest you get something you can shoot, and shoot lots! And that would be the .22
-- Sat Jul 23, 2011 17:24 --
I would like to add a little more: When I was young and doing lots of shooting, reloading, and bullet casting, I often liked to shoot "hairy" loads in my .45 Colt-chambered Ruger. Really, it wasn't that pleasant, since such loads were much more of a handful that shooting my brother's S&W .44 Magnum. When I discharged my loads, I could feel the definite concussion on the ground through my hiking shoes!
Now, the handgun I shoot the most is a .38 Special Colt that has just enough power to ensure that the bullet comes out of the end of the barrel every time. It is almost like shooting a .22, and I will admit that I like shooting this better because it is a Colt and my .22 is a S&W. But I will tell you, I also like shooting it because it is CHEAP! I can reload for it very cheaply, and if I was not able to do that, you can be sure that the .22 would see almost all of the shooting duty, even if it is "the wrong brand."
As you learn to shoot a handgun, you may find (like me) that there is a real pleasure in shooting and in improving.
“Fanaticism consists of redoubling your efforts when you have forgotten your aim.”
saying in the British Royal Navy
