I’m planning to take classes soon, but I really don’t know anything about guns. There’s been a lot of break-ins in my area, including my neighbor’s house. I’m 20, live alone most of the time, and I’m a woman, so I want to learn to protect myself.
I live in Louisiana, so getting a gun is pretty easy here. Still, I want to learn everything I can before I buy one, and I definitely need to practice first. What do you all recommend?
The best way to decide is to head to a local gun range. Tell them you’re looking for a home defense weapon and want to try out some options. Rent a few different handguns in the $300–$600 range. Anything cheaper might be unreliable, and anything much pricier could be overkill.
I personally use a Sig Sauer P320 for home defense, with a Streamlight flashlight attached. It’s a 9mm, holds 17 rounds, and is reliable. Glocks, Sigs, Springfields, and CZ are all solid brands.
Whatever you choose, make sure you practice a lot. Learn to group your shots well. Also, use hollow-point rounds for home defense because they’re less likely to go through walls and hit someone accidentally. Practice with cheaper FMJ rounds.
Lastly, check out YouTube for tutorials on shooting techniques, cleaning guns, and safety rules. A good starting point is learning the 4 rules of gun safety.
@Valentine
This is solid advice, but I’m not sure if a 20-year-old can legally buy a handgun in Louisiana. If that’s the case, a long gun might be the better route for now.
Peyton said: @Valentine
This is solid advice, but I’m not sure if a 20-year-old can legally buy a handgun in Louisiana. If that’s the case, a long gun might be the better route for now.
If you go the long gun route, a shotgun might be your best option. Pair it with some basic home security like cameras and motion lights. For ammo, use something like #1 or #4 buckshot for better safety in close quarters.
If handguns are off the table for you right now, have you thought about a shotgun or maybe even a pistol-caliber carbine? They’re easy to handle and are great for home defense. Also, a dog can be a fantastic deterrent—think breeds like boxers or labs.
@Rex
That’s true, but getting and maintaining a dog can be more expensive than just buying a reliable gun. It’s a great idea if you’re already a dog person, though.
Thanks for all the tips! I think I’ll start by visiting some ranges and seeing what they have to say. Any recommendations for YouTube channels that cover the basics?
Addison said:
Thanks for all the tips! I think I’ll start by visiting some ranges and seeing what they have to say. Any recommendations for YouTube channels that cover the basics?
Check out Lucky Gunner. Their videos on pistol shooting and home defense are straightforward and practical without a lot of extra fluff.
Addison said:
Thanks for all the tips! I think I’ll start by visiting some ranges and seeing what they have to say. Any recommendations for YouTube channels that cover the basics?
Hickok45 is a classic channel for this kind of thing. He explains everything clearly and has a ton of videos on different guns.
Are you set on getting a handgun, or would you be open to something like a rifle or a shotgun? For someone your age, it might be easier to go with a long gun because of federal laws.
Gray said:
Are you set on getting a handgun, or would you be open to something like a rifle or a shotgun? For someone your age, it might be easier to go with a long gun because of federal laws.
I was thinking of a handgun, but I’m open to other options if they’re easier for me to use.
@Addison
A semi-automatic rifle or shotgun could work well. They’re usually easier to shoot accurately, and the learning curve isn’t as steep as it is for handguns.
If you want something simple, I’d suggest a 20-gauge shotgun. It has less recoil than a 12-gauge but is still effective. Look for a model with at least a 5-round capacity.
Xander said:
If you want something simple, I’d suggest a 20-gauge shotgun. It has less recoil than a 12-gauge but is still effective. Look for a model with at least a 5-round capacity.
Totally agree with this. A 20-gauge is a great starting point, especially if you’re new to firearms.