Learn the Basics of Self-Defense Gunning in Minutes

Choosing the right handgun rests solely on the person’s physique, training, and confidence - and confidence can mean different things to different people. That’s why the opinion polls of ordinary everyday people expressing their “expertise” on just the right gun to use are largely overstated by enthusiasts who more than likely get a gun as a knee-jerk reaction. People hijack the comment section of a blog to satisfy their inflated ego’s juxtaposition on how the guns listed in a said article doesn’t have a firing spread that’s wide enough – an argument that’s meant to hint at the myth of shotguns being able to fire at multiple zombies simultaneously. No practice is enough practice if you don’t learn to prepare for the worst.

Now with that monkey finally off our backs, we can discuss home defense guns seriously.

Getting the proper training in gun use from actual experts is more important than which guns you’re going to have, as the right caliber, size, and recoil power largely depends on you, the gunner.

Since 1975, the number of households that own guns has been on a steady decline, mainly driven by more frequent and stringent background checks on gun owners. Although this is seen by many as a violation of the second amendment - which it undoubtedly isn’t – it puts more power in the hands of prospective gun owners who want to be able to defend themselves, whether they were inspired by dangerous events that they witnessed or a victimizing first-hand experience.

Whatever the case may be, if you’re going to handle a gun for the first time, it’s best that you get a handle on it before you ever have to use it.

Try out different firearms at the range and find your model.

It doesn’t matter how strong or clever you are. If you’re a first-timer, there are going to be surprises. Get counseling from tried and true experts at the range because you will make mistakes in posture, readiness, and good timing - and with practice - you’ll find the perfect handgun that you’re most comfortable with for a home invasion.

If you’re going to be a hero, be smart about it.

Many handgun models have a tray on their sights where a laser precision scope could be mounted at will. If your hands are too shaky and you can’t find that perfect grip regardless of the amount of practice, having a laser scope will make you quicker, come that encounter with a home intruder.

In contrast, some people argue that having a laser precision handgun will give away the shooter’s position, and that is true, but one major advantage that you don’t have with laser-less guns is that you can - if your arms are accustomed enough to the recoil - from any position and distance cause some damage to the intruder. If for example, you’d rather pretend to be asleep with your gun sticking out from under the covers instead of going through the nerve-wreck of an escalating face-off, you have a clear shot before the target notices the glowing red line.

Another argument says that laser mounts are a replacement for bad aim, which is true in many cases, but you’re the one who gets to choose what works and what doesn’t after enough practice with your self-defense trainers and shooting range instructors.

Don’t go for what’s cheaper.

Of course, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a reliable firearm. Quality and consistency aren’t exclusive to high precision assault rifles that cost in the thousands, you can get a small snug revolver that’s just as dependable for something like 400 to 700 bucks.

The semi-automatic 9mm Glock is definitely a good choice to start with for first-timers. It’s affordable, highly precise, doesn’t attract attention, and recoils a lot lighter on the shoulders than most other handguns.

Trigger press is crucial.

In the case of most handguns, the force required to pull the trigger equals more than that of the entire mass of the firearm; this means that when you begin shooting at the range, you’ll notice that the gun will tend to move away from your intended target. This is one of the most important reasons why practice is always necessary. The more you get a hold on how the gun moves upon firing, the fewer surprises there are going to be.

Ambidextrous and weighing in at 13.6 oz., the 22 caliber semi-automatic Kel-Tec PMR-30 is an excellent handgun for frailer homeowners and women living alone. Its kick is arguably the lightest on the shoulders for most users. You can fire three-hundred practice shots from this featherweight without setbacks. As an added perk, the top of the barrel features a rail where a fiber optic scope could be mounted to heighten one’s shooting accuracy, but I’m confident that with its full-sized textured grip and handleability, you won’t need it in close encounters.

Understand your gun’s sight radius.

Thanks to the cultural myths that originated from Hollywood, people who have never fired a gun developed the idea that a gun’s accuracy is measured by its size, the number of barrels, or shooting spread. Upon practice, however, you’ll quickly notice that accuracy largely depends on how much you see of the target relative to the gun’s front sight. If the front sight is blocking your view of the target, you’re either too far away from it or the gun you’re handling is too big. For this reason, a handgun with a longer sight will often be more accurate in practice because the front sight lets you see more of the target.

So, the next time a gun shop clerk is trying to sell you on a small pocket gun for a more accurate shot, remember that you’ll probably achieve better results with a shotgun. Mechanical accuracy doesn’t always translate into practical accuracy. You should shop around after having been through sufficient practice.

The 18.5” pump action 12-gauge Mossberg is an excellent defender for well-trained homeowners. Even if you miss your target the first time, the power it dispenses will be felt and cause them to make a mistake. However, it can’t be stressed enough that you need to practice and not rely on this buy if you tend to “short shuck” the next round nervously.

If you don’t have the propensity for a steady hand in a tight situation but accumulated enough training in shooting, then a semi-automatic shotgun like the 12-gauge Mossberg 930-WF should do the trick.

Is your choice of firearm legal in your state?

Different states have different laws concerning assault weapons, rifles, magazine capacity, and assault pistols. To get a good idea of where your state falls on the spectrum, check out our article on state gun laws.